1 John 4:1
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Maybe this context to Matthew 5:19 would be helpful to consider. First we see the same word used to talk about loosing (seemingly in reference to the community/church being given authority to decide in interpreting commands and whether to forgive sins) in Matthew 16 and 18.
Mat 5:19
Whosoever therefore shall break G3089 one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose G3089 on earth shall be loosed G3089 in heaven.
Mat 18:18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose G3089 on earth shall be loosed G3089 in heaven.
Second, when Yeshua/Jesus refers to the "kingdom of heaven" is he not referencing also those entering in after he died as well?
(EDIT: didn't realize at first it wasn't the same word as "fulfill" so I changed some of the following) Third, when he says in Matthew 5:18 "Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished." even if Christ is referring to only the things he accomplishes (which is doubtful) there are other prophecies that he will accomplish in his second coming. Also most obviously heaven and earth haven't passed away yet. So I'm curious of your thoughts on this. Interestingly Matthew 6:10 uses the same word to tell us to pray that God's will be accomplished on earth:
Mat 5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [ASV says "accomplished"] G1096
Mat 6:10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done G1096 in earth, as it isin heaven.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise theirchildren nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. (Acts 21 NKJV)
This especially makes more sense to me in light of Acts 28:17 and Acts 25:8. Also Acts 6:13-14 (says the accusations that Yeshua "changed" the law are false). However, I guess you can say that Yeshua didn't "change" and didn't "destroy" the law but "fulfilled" part of it making it no longer apply.
However, practically this would be changing or destroying it for us. This also makes either Paul or James look confused here. It also is confusing theologically. I was always confused about this when I believed like this and many atheists who read the Bible will immediately wonder why Christians don't believe in all the old testament law anymore. (the explanation by Christians is anything but straightforward)
"And the common teaching fails to show that the Ten Commandments were embedded in the New Covenant and are now embedded in the Law of Christ, which is the Law of Love (as presented in the two greatest commandments within the Torah). "
Fourth the law in the new covenant is the same since it refers to it as the law (Torah) in the context of the old testament and it was always about love. We just have a harder time seeing it that way from our distance from the culture and our distance from God spiritually and intellectually (many of the rituals of the priests don't make sense to me but I'm sure they are important)
Jer 31 NKJV
31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day thatI took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Lastly the temple veil was torn but I have my doubts as to what that means. For instance, many scholars see similarities with Essene beliefs in early Jewish Christianity and the Essenes were critical of the temple system. I don't know if the early Christians went as far as the Essenes did in their criticism because there were obviously differences between the groups. However, my point is the tearing of the temple veil may be a warning against the temple system as it was at the time, not against the temple for all time, also see Ezekiel 44-48
] ’One major piece of evidence supporting that John was indeed a Qumranite is found in Josephus, who wrote of the Essenes, “They neglect wedlock, but choose other persons’ children, while they are yet pliable, and fit for learning; and esteem them to be of their own kindred, and form them according to their own manners.”’ . . . ’In conclusion, there is strong evidence that John was indeed a Qumranite, brought up at Qumran after being adopted. He was either expelled or voluntarily left before completing the two-year initiatory process and lived on his own in the Judean wilderness on the east side of the Jordan River, making his own clothes, and eating whatever he could find. For some differences between John and the Qumranites, be it in belief or practice, we have only one answer, asserted by LaSor: “How the Spirit works we do not know. We have enough records of men who claimed that they were, or were believed by others to have been, filled with the Spirit, that we can make a few observations. The Spirit uses holy men; the Spirit makes use of contemporary situations; the Spirit particularly works through the scriptures. We find in John something of each of these elements.”32’ On page 45 of: Farnes, Alan Taylor. “John the Baptist and the Qumran Connection.” Studia Antiqua, vol. 9, Apr. 2011, pp. 29–45., https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi...tpsredir=1&article=1126&context=studiaantiqua
”Jesus truly shed his blood on the eve of Easter at the time of the immolation of the lambs. In all likelihood, however, he celebrated the Passover with his disciples in accordance with the Qumran 49 calendar, hence, at least one day earlier; he celebrated it without a lamb, like the Qumran community which did not recognize Herod’s temple and was waiting for the new temple.” Ratzinger, Joseph Aloisius. “HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI.” MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER | HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI, The Holy See, Vatican State, 5 Apr. 2007, 5 April 2007: Mass of the Lord's Supper | BENEDICT XVI
Mat 5:19
Whosoever therefore shall break G3089 one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose G3089 on earth shall be loosed G3089 in heaven.
Mat 18:18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose G3089 on earth shall be loosed G3089 in heaven.
Second, when Yeshua/Jesus refers to the "kingdom of heaven" is he not referencing also those entering in after he died as well?
(EDIT: didn't realize at first it wasn't the same word as "fulfill" so I changed some of the following) Third, when he says in Matthew 5:18 "Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished." even if Christ is referring to only the things he accomplishes (which is doubtful) there are other prophecies that he will accomplish in his second coming. Also most obviously heaven and earth haven't passed away yet. So I'm curious of your thoughts on this. Interestingly Matthew 6:10 uses the same word to tell us to pray that God's will be accomplished on earth:
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [ASV says "accomplished"] G1096
Mat 6:10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done G1096 in earth, as it isin heaven.
It doesn't say that though. In fact it seems like either Paul is misleading James and the other elders (which I think might cause problems interpreting the book of James) or Paul is agreeing that he doesn't teach against Moses:". . . had not been fully taught about the fact that the ceremonial observances of the Law were no longer of any significance."
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise theirchildren nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. (Acts 21 NKJV)
This especially makes more sense to me in light of Acts 28:17 and Acts 25:8. Also Acts 6:13-14 (says the accusations that Yeshua "changed" the law are false). However, I guess you can say that Yeshua didn't "change" and didn't "destroy" the law but "fulfilled" part of it making it no longer apply.
However, practically this would be changing or destroying it for us. This also makes either Paul or James look confused here. It also is confusing theologically. I was always confused about this when I believed like this and many atheists who read the Bible will immediately wonder why Christians don't believe in all the old testament law anymore. (the explanation by Christians is anything but straightforward)
The degree is not a law and it's not instructions. It is a recognition that you fulfilled the requirements of the courses. However, the courses were for a set amount of time, and in the past anyway so this is circular reasoning to use that example to argue that the requirements of the law aren't for now. Yeshua walked out the law perfectly hence fulfilling it just like he fulfilled the prophecies about him but this validates the law and the prophecies."Do you see a degree that is thrown away or do you see a completed valued credential that has been framed and put on display? its in that answer where you will find the values of those who look at the law as completed and no longer under its obligation."
Are you saying Paul was bluffing about offering something and didn't really believe he should? By the way I think this is about the Nazarite vow but there is disagreement on this point. Interesting discussion here: Did Paul take the Nazarite vow in Cenchreae? If so, why this vow?"This required seven days, but THAT OFFERING WAS NEVER OFFERED! Why? There was an attempt on Paul's life before the seven day were up, and he ended up being rescued by the Romans, and eventually taken to Caesarea."
"And the common teaching fails to show that the Ten Commandments were embedded in the New Covenant and are now embedded in the Law of Christ, which is the Law of Love (as presented in the two greatest commandments within the Torah). "
Fourth the law in the new covenant is the same since it refers to it as the law (Torah) in the context of the old testament and it was always about love. We just have a harder time seeing it that way from our distance from the culture and our distance from God spiritually and intellectually (many of the rituals of the priests don't make sense to me but I'm sure they are important)
Jer 31 NKJV
31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day thatI took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Lastly the temple veil was torn but I have my doubts as to what that means. For instance, many scholars see similarities with Essene beliefs in early Jewish Christianity and the Essenes were critical of the temple system. I don't know if the early Christians went as far as the Essenes did in their criticism because there were obviously differences between the groups. However, my point is the tearing of the temple veil may be a warning against the temple system as it was at the time, not against the temple for all time, also see Ezekiel 44-48
] ’One major piece of evidence supporting that John was indeed a Qumranite is found in Josephus, who wrote of the Essenes, “They neglect wedlock, but choose other persons’ children, while they are yet pliable, and fit for learning; and esteem them to be of their own kindred, and form them according to their own manners.”’ . . . ’In conclusion, there is strong evidence that John was indeed a Qumranite, brought up at Qumran after being adopted. He was either expelled or voluntarily left before completing the two-year initiatory process and lived on his own in the Judean wilderness on the east side of the Jordan River, making his own clothes, and eating whatever he could find. For some differences between John and the Qumranites, be it in belief or practice, we have only one answer, asserted by LaSor: “How the Spirit works we do not know. We have enough records of men who claimed that they were, or were believed by others to have been, filled with the Spirit, that we can make a few observations. The Spirit uses holy men; the Spirit makes use of contemporary situations; the Spirit particularly works through the scriptures. We find in John something of each of these elements.”32’ On page 45 of: Farnes, Alan Taylor. “John the Baptist and the Qumran Connection.” Studia Antiqua, vol. 9, Apr. 2011, pp. 29–45., https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi...tpsredir=1&article=1126&context=studiaantiqua
”Jesus truly shed his blood on the eve of Easter at the time of the immolation of the lambs. In all likelihood, however, he celebrated the Passover with his disciples in accordance with the Qumran 49 calendar, hence, at least one day earlier; he celebrated it without a lamb, like the Qumran community which did not recognize Herod’s temple and was waiting for the new temple.” Ratzinger, Joseph Aloisius. “HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI.” MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER | HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI, The Holy See, Vatican State, 5 Apr. 2007, 5 April 2007: Mass of the Lord's Supper | BENEDICT XVI
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