Both dispensationalism and antinomianism have sparked considerable debate within Christian
communities, and interpretations vary widely among different denominations and theologians. It’s
essential to recognize that these theological frameworks are just one aspect of biblical interpretation
and that multiple perspectives exist within the Christian tradition.
In his letters, Paul addresses the issue of how the Law should be understood and applied in the
context of personal responsibility. Some key aspects of Paul’s teachings play a crucial role in shaping
Biblical understanding of the relationship between the Mosaic Law and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Additionally, Romans 3:31 serves as a pivotal verse in Paul’s argument for the harmony between faith
and the law. It highlights the compatibility of these two aspects of Biblical wisdom, showing that
while faith is essential for salvation, the law remains an integral part of God’s revelation and wisdom.
Paul’s teaching emphasizes the transformation that occurs through faith in Christ, leading believers to
uphold the moral principles of the law through the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way, the verse
underscores the balanced and interconnected relationship between faith and the law in the believer’s
life, promoting a holistic understanding of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
ALERT!!!
This is a very sensitive topic for so many people, and I get it, but please hear me out. I once defended the dispensational position with fervor. After spending many, many long hours researching the root words and their meanings, I have come to a differing opinion. You may come to this same conclusion, you may not, it is in the research and discovery of Scripture that God molds us and shapes us into His person of purpose. That is my prayer
for you the reader. In the love of Christ and to the glory of His kingdom, Amen.
Dispensations, in the context of Christian theology, refer to distinct periods of time in which God
deals with humanity in different ways, revealing specific aspects of His character and plan for
redemption. The concept of dispensations is based on the belief that God’s interaction with humanity
has unfolded progressively throughout history, with each dispensation having unique features and
responsibilities for people to follow. These dispensations are seen as distinct epochs or administrations in God’s plan of redemption. This form of theology flies in the face of many scriptures.
- Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.”
- Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not..”
- Proverbs 24:21 “My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:”
- James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
The idea of dispensations has been derived from certain passages in the Bible describing various
biblical covenants and the misunderstanding that God has related to humanity differently at different
stages in history. The number and nature of dispensations can vary depending on the theological
framework and misinterpretation of Scripture.
The modern-day preacher will begin their explanation of dispensations in the book of Genesis with a
premise of segmentations of time, leadership and requirements. They will use terms like Adamic,
Mosaic and Patriarchal dispensations to sound pious and official. The progression through these various
dispensations are all what they call the “Jewish dispensation” and that these periods ’round out’ the
“Old Testament”. Then they juxtaposition into the “Christian Position” by portraying differing
requirements for humanity to be in covenant with YHVH making YHVH a double minded
Administrator.
Many even claim the word ‘testament’ means the exact same as dispensation, but, that is not the
case at all. This divided concept of Gods favors and his expectations of people made me just a bit
confused as a child, which should be expected. The tough part, at least for me, was still being fully
conflicted about my own personal journey with Christ deep into adulthood. What was expected of
me. Was there a difference in the standards? The answer, as we will find, is an emphatic NO.
You and I will be judged under the exact same criteria as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Did we
surrender our will to the will of YHVH. Commonly proposed dispensations include:
- Innocence: The period before the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, characterized by their innocence and direct communion with God.
- Conscience: After the Fall, the time when human conscience served as a moral guide.
- Human Government: Following the Flood, when God permitted human government to regulate society.
- Promise: Beginning with the call of Abraham, this dispensation involves the promises made to the patriarchs and the formation of the nation of Israel.
- Law: Commencing with the giving of the Mosaic Law to Moses at Mount Sinai.
- Grace: The current dispensation, often referred to as the Church Age or the Age of Grace, in which salvation is based on faith in Jesus Christ.
Some theological traditions may propose additional dispensations or slightly different classifications
and interpretations of biblical history which may vary across different theological perspectives. These
are the issues that have lead to the now more than 40,000 Protestant religions and 20,000 Jewish
sects that exist outside of Catholicism, Paganism, and the various cults.
Exodus 19:5 “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be
a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:”
There is a command, a call for compliance, a teaching followed by the promise, and the action(s) that
triggering the blessing. Again…. Read…
Deuteronomy 26:18 “And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath
promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments.”
This is what Peter echoes in his first epistle. 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”
What does it look like to stand out and be peculiar you ask?
Daniel 3:4-12 “Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
On the premise of peculiarity, one would assume, as dangerous as assumptions can be, that we
would all agree; Gods way of doing things will look abstract to the world’s ways, like Daniel, we will
stick out “like a sore thumb”. Here is where you should ask yourself the questions:
who’s determining the standard?
where can we find this standard?
are we measuring our own behavior to that standard?
The first question, like life, starts off rather easily. Even the average benchwarmer would pipe up and
say “GOD!” The second question gets “sticky” and quickly especially when differing opinions arise.
And well, the third one…. Quite frankly that one…. It’s just uncomfortable. Yes? Praise God for his
mercy and grace, right?!
Just as a matter of reference I would like to call to your attention the following:
“Instruction” ~ noun, a direction calling for compliance; verb. The action, practice, or profession of teaching.
With the common agreement on question number one, and the understanding of the word
‘instruction’, let’s dissect question number two. And we will leave question number three to you and
God to work out in fear* and trembling**.
*φόβος phóbos, fob’-os; fear, dread, terror; reverence for one’s husband from a primary φέβομαι
phébomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:
**τρόμος trómos, trom’-os; from G5141; a “trembling”, i.e. quaking with fear: used to describe the
anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religiously does his
utmost to fulfil his duty.
Reading Paul’s words to the Philippians in chapter two verse twelve: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye
have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your
own salvation with reverence for God (one’s husband) and the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability
completely to meet all requirements, but scripturally, does his utmost to fulfil his duty. This is what
Jesus says he was put on the earth to do.
- John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My purpose is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.”
- John 6:38 “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
- John 7:16 “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”
- Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Notice: There may be a needed detour for those that believe the word “fulfil”, here in the English
text, means “to bring to an end.” Even the modern dictionary does not see the word fulfil to mean
bringing to an end.
The point to be grasped here: Jesus didn’t come to change anything concerning the Scriptures the first century believer carried. The instructions had already been given to the people. It is up to us to study and find the hidden treasures of God. It is expressly told to us in Proverbs 25:2: “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.“
Looking at Adam & Eve we see that they were given an instruction or command on the way to live.
They did not abide, and the end result was cursing. [Genesis 3:17] Does it sound any different than
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 “Behold, I set before you (instructions) this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, (promise) which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I
command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.”(action)
Or does it sound any different in the case of Abraham to that of Jesus?
Genesis 26:4-6 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, (promise) and will give
unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Because (action) that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my
statutes, and my laws. (Instructions)
Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, (Instructions) whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my
soul is well pleased: (action) I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the
Gentiles. (Promise)
That begs a quick question, what about us? Looks to be the same here too…
- Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience (actions) of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, (instructions) and the faith of Jesus.” (promise)
- Revelation 12:17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, (promise) and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, (actions) which keep the commandments of God,(instructions) and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
You might ask the question… how is the dragon a “promise”? God guarantees all of humanity of
negative events throughout the whole of the Bible. Most of the time he announces that we
(humanity) will be the root of it while God is warning us from doing whatever the “it” is.
Would you agree?
I think of Matthew 26:34 and Peter walking right into his “it” in verses 26:74-75.
“Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny
me thrice.”
“Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt
deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.”
For those that took the ‘fulfilment detour” you may see some things repeated, but with that said, they deserve to be. So what we need now is “tangible proof” of “an expression of conviction” to see if the “instructions” of God, if it is the will of God, and does it stand the test of time, while encompassing all people?
- Context verses: Mark 8:34 “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
- Matthew 18:14 “So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
So it is easy to see that Jesus, as the one providing the expression of conviction, tells his students,
lovingly molding and shaping them, that they are to follow his instructions. Where did Jesus get
those instructions? The exact same source as Moses…
John 7:16-17 “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any
man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of
myself.” Did you catch that?
Again it is Jesus that says “Think not that I am come to destroy the law,(instructions) or the
prophets; (promises) I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.(actions) 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.”
Matthew 5:17-18.
This phrase “but Jesus fulfilled the law”… is a very popular phrase among Christians, particularly
among those in the evangelical world. The part that gets blurry to me is their understanding of the
phrase. The basis of their supposition is cemented in Matthew 5:17-18 and the thought that Jesus’s
death somehow nullifies the instructions.
So what is this law, and, what does this word fulfil actually mean. Then we have to see this concept
within the text [context] actually get accomplished physically by Christ [character] in the Scriptures.
With this can we verify the words of Paul, “For all the promises of God in him are yes and Amen” in
the second letter to the Corinthians.
What we are looking for here is, the context of the message, or on what thesis, is the verse based. In
my own experience, the various preachers would string together a theme based on the words presented. They would take a word like “grace” and cross reference it with the use of a topical index or a chain-reference based search on the reoccurrence of a translated word. Notice I stated it is a translated word and not an original word.
This is the very reason for the use of a concordance. To unlock the context. For example, in the Hebrew there are two words to describe light: (lamp, illumination)
Owr = The natural agent that makes things visible. [brings the matter to light]
Bahir = Area of something that is brighter or paler than it surroundings.
Also, there are the variants to light; when one is describing weight, it is the word Kal. Kal is the basis
for the word ‘calories’, and then there is the Matzit, which is a flame (fiery tail). With this in mind we
can see the importance of translation as it can bring a very different meaning to the Scriptures.
In Genesis 1:3 we see God, on the first ‘day’, creating the “light”, [Owr] yet it isn’t until ‘day’ four
that He creates the Sun [Matzit] and the moon, both to give “light” [Bahir] upon the earth.
The word in Genesis 1:3 is the word Owr; Lets read the sentence with the ‘owr’ translation.
‘And God said, Let there be the natural agent that makes things visible: and there was the natural
agent that makes things visible.’ So here the natural agent, or the light IS Jesus Christ!
Now, for clarification of context, let’s investigate the other meanings:
Bahir: And God said, Let there be something that is brighter than it surroundings. : and there
was something that is brighter than it surroundings. (I could see this used as a matter of
comparing intelligence maybe, Jesus is much brighter than we are.)
Matzit: And God said, Let there be a flame : and there was a flame.
Kal: And God said, Let there be something less heavy: and there was something less heavy. (I
am making this a new prayer in my own weight management struggle!)
I believe what God is trying to tell us here is found in within that first definition. We can see in verse
two of Genesis that the created world had nothing, the nothing needed to fulfil a purpose. So God
makes this His first action, he creates something that has purpose. This agrees with the other
scriptures perfectly. Adam had a purpose – tend the Garden. Noah had a purpose – build a boat. So too, you have a purpose!
- John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
- Hebrews 1:2-4 [God] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
- John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Two small words with big implications….
Going directly to the source, the concordance of Hebrew and Greek words, the definition of the term
‘law’ is as follows: [and remember this is the Greek]
- nom’-os ; from a primary νέμω némō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):—law or rule producing a state approved of God.
- of the Mosaic law, and referring, acc. To the context. Either to the volume of the law or to its contents
- the Christian religion: the law demanding faith, the moral instruction given by Christ, esp. the precept concerning love
- the name of the more important part (the Pentateuch), is put for the entire collection of the sacred books of the OT.
As Jesus was speaking to the crowds, the future words of the Book of Matthew were just some scribbles on a page, tucked away, in a believer’s luggage. Probably a burlap bag full of smelly clothes. There was nothing “contemporary”, or “new”, to use as a study guide, you had to take notes and listen with intent.
The prophets and the gospel writers alike pointed people to salvation through grace, by faith, with the Scriptures, the “Old Testament”, as their guide. This theology does not sound any different than that which is proclaimed by the modern-day evangelicals. Yet… it is not what they teach. They (evangelical and ecumenical alike) teach a separation of “law” [Context] and faith [Character].
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, [context] and keep his commandments: [Character] for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
This teaching that the word fulfil means to bring to an end. Let us see if that is in-fact true or not.
The Greek term ‘fulfil’ is defined as: πληρόω plēróō, play-ro’-o; from G4134; to make replete, i.e.
(literally) to cram (a net), level up, or (figuratively) to furnish, execute (an office), fully preach (or
coincide with a prediction), perfect, supply.
Not one of these terms listed means putting anything to an end. Each and every one of these definitions show purpose and content. Examine now the depth of what Jesus is saying to the people.
First text listed is the way we read it in the English translations: “Think not that I am come to destroy
the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17
Now read it with the context….. based on the definitions of the original words…..
Think not that I am come to overthrow the more important part, the Mosaic law (the Pentateuch),
this is the law that demands faith. I am not here to overthrow, what I am here to do is execute (an
office), fully preach (or coincide with a prediction), perfect, supply everything you need to know.
Doesn’t that make Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13 much more meaningful? “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” That word strengtheneth means to enable, empower, to be made stronger. Because Jesus has taught me the way to live, from the Scriptures, I have a much better outlook on my walk with God. That is what Paul is saying. AND it stands in perfect harmony with one another theologically. Jesus is here to preach the context while living the character of that same context.
- Luke 24:44 “And he [Jesus] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
So what did he fulfil?
First, in the utmost and basic form of teaching, Jesus would have taught from the Seat of Moses in the synagogue. The Bible says exactly that, in Matthew 4:23: And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”
Again in Mark 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue:
Again in Luke 13:10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
Jesus would have given the people the context of the law from the synagogue while living the
character of the law right in front of their eyes. Look at the depth of this exchange in Mark 10…
Mark 10:17-24 “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to
him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto
him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the
commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness,
Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these
have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing
thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and
went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his
disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples
were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is
it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”
God is looking for those individuals that are “all-in”. It is why he tells the doubter Thomas that it will
be greater with those that have faith that is solely reliant on trust. I ask myself everyday do I trust
God enough to do ______. Am I relying upon Him more than me, or money, or my wife, or that new car,
etc? Do I study, teach, and defend the Word?
The scripture in Mark 10 shows the man confronting Jesus knew the content of the law but not the
character of the law. This character is what Jesus came to example, supply and fully teach outside
the synagogue. How to live out the instructions, his character.
One of the things that was most likely an unintended consequence of growing up in the church of
today was a duality of character displayed. I watched (an education by observation) as my friends
and family behaved one way at church, and differently, the rest of the week. Personally, that is
where I struggled the most, in that, I was always at odds within myself, still am a little bit. It is too
easy to fall back into old habits. Anyone else?
As we can see from the previous example Jesus most certainly lived a life according to the Ten
Commandments. The concept of Jesus living the Ten Commandments is a generally accepted
principle among the evangelical organizations, this is their position, despite their attempts to distance
themselves from the “Torah”, instructions, or what has been labeled “Old” Testament.
In the “Christianity” of today, when polled, these believers guessed at the number of instructions, or
“laws”; stating there were “around 250 commands “I think”. This statement may sting a little, and
honestly it is not directed at you the reader specifically; Have the people that claim faith and trust in
Yehovah, God of the creation, gotten so far away from the study of His Word, that we cannot or do
not know the contents of His instruction? Is this the manifestation of Matthew 7:22-23?
The answer to the question is sadly yes. And there are 613 Commands in the Torah, and if you
haven’t picked up on it yet, the word Torah in Hebrew means instructions. So how in the world did
he, Jesus, physically manifest all 613 Torah commands? How are we supposed to manifest all 613 in
our own lives?
Generic Answer: It would have been impossible for anyone but God himself to do such a thing.
This is the point where the evangelical throws up his arms and says “why even try?” They do not
wait long enough to hear the matter out, they simply quit, because the preacher says it’s impossible
to accomplish. I find this troubling in lieu of the Scriptures identifying such people.
Luke 1:5-6 “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of
the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And
they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord
blameless.” So many would scream ‘contradiction’ here. But wait for it….
There are “laws”, or instructions, specifically around the health and hygiene of a woman. Fulfilling
that is physically impossible even for Jesus, thus he was ‘free from the law’. That instruction being a
part of the Law of Cleanliness. Likewise, there are instructions for farmers, and for persons that
employed indentured servants/slaves, and none of these would have applied to the Carpenter from
Nazareth.
There are those laws that Jesus lived, in both context and character, like the Laws of the Kinsman Redeemer, the Divorced Woman, the ceremonial Law of the High Priest, the Sacrificial Law and the
Law of Adoption to name a few. Now it is for us to search a matter out [Proverb 25:2] to fully grasp
the idea of exactly what God wants from us, what are our instructions, His will for the way we live
out our lives.
As we dissect the lives of the patriarchs, dispensationalism assigns each of them a separate and
variable set of expectations. But, is this what God does?
- Verses to consider:
- Exodus 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
- Leviticus 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the Lord your God.
- Numbers 15:16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
It would appear from those verses that God is going to use one and only one set of criteria to
measure human behavior. Here are a few more…
- James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
- Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
- Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not.
Additionally, we can see that the instructions are what God says they are and not what man has invented.
- Proverbs 19:21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
- Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
- Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
- Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
- Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Most “Christians” will openly state, “we do not have the right to change Gods commands”. However,
as we will see this is exactly what the 501c3 ‘church’ has done in the years since the disciples passed. Having heard from a pulpit, “every covenant that God makes is for our own good and we need to follow them.” Again, a very powerful and very truthful statement. But do we really do that?
Pretty sure this is what Paul is talking about in Romans 10:21 as he watches his ‘church’ people
repeat the errors of their ancestors. They fall back into practices associated with paganism, sun-god
worship and more than ever, man-made traditions. I think it is fair to say that we have not seen any
change in the authority of God, but we have not really addressed the administration of God. We can
all agree that what He says is true and good but we have not addressed whether or not that
message has changed, per se. So it is back to the evidence of behavior and where these commands
reside within scripture.
So many times, from the same pulpit, it has been stated that “we cannot find heaven without the
‘New’ testament”. Then when you compound the issue with “those covenants were directed solely at
Abraham” or “that was for Moses and the desert” the intended meaning is then that the promise and
the “law” ended with that individual person. How can we say that when we are continually facing
words like ‘forever’, ‘eternal’, ‘everlasting’ and ‘perpetual’?
- Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
- Leviticus 24:8 Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the Lord continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
- Genesis 9:12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 1 Chronicles 16:17 And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant.
- Psalm 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
Here is where the trauma begins for most modern evangelicals, ecumenical and the whole of
“Christianity”. Is the Law… the Mosaic Law or is it God’s law?
The reference to it belonging to Moses, or that Moses created it does not have evidence within
scripture and still the pulpits continue to label the Law incorrectly. However, there is evidence that
God himself wrote them….
- 2 Kings 17:36-37 But the Lord, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods.
- Exodus 34:1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
The instructions were given to Moses directly from God and it was Moses responsibility to administer,
coach and teach the people on the context and the character of the instructions. That is why we hear
the reference in Acts 3:22 “A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like
unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.” Calling to mind Jesus’s
statement “my doctrine is not mine, but his who sent me.” Same message, new administrator. This is
the reference Paul makes in Hebrews 7:12. This is why we have a hope based in better promises.
Our high Priest is no longer an earthly one but a heavenly one.
- Hebrews 4:14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.
- Hebrews 8:1 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We have such a high priest, one who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.”
Here is a great question, can you tell me why I would need a High Priest today? Isn’t the role of the High Priest detailed in the Torah? … if (very weak if) …if the Torah is no longer valid why would I
need an administrator? Paul and Peter agree…
- 1 Peter 2:5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- Hebrews 8:1-3 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.
This example shows us that the structure [context] of righteous living has not changed, there has
been a change in the form of sacrifice and the one that administers it. [character] Again we see both
‘Old’ and ‘New’ Testaments agree….
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our 56assover is sacrificed for us:
- Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
- Psalm 22:1-6 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm*, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.”
The term ‘Hebrew’ means “one who has crossed over”. Much of Christianity identifies with this
ideological statement based on John’s gospel “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and
believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to
life.” John 5:24
The point missed is this, the people crossing over were doing so based upon obedience to God. They
confessed a belief that God wanted the very best for them and that they needed to listen to his
instructions. Exodus 19:8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has
said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.”
Or about how Abraham knew when and where to set up altars and hold feasts? Why would God
perform an animal sacrifice in the Garden for Adam & Eve? Because the ‘Law’ existed then too.
Paul tells us in Galatians 3:19, the written law, our Scriptures… the Holy Bible… why was it written
down?… “because of transgressions”. The whole thing with ‘he said, she said, but the snake said’…
done. We see that the transgressions did not stop as Cain kills Abel. Why did he do it? Look at what
is going on.
- Genesis 4:3-5 “In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.”
I have to admit, when I was young, I had a very hard time looking at this. Was God fickle? The real
answer is No. When you learn the “appointed time” was the Day of Atonement and what Cain did
was bring the incorrect sacrifice. He was being defiant. God even says to Cain “Why are you angry,
and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted?”
Jesus teaches the same in the parable of the wedding guest: Matthew 22:12-13 “And he saith unto
him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then
said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer
darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
So far we have covered the permanence of Gods Authority, to include, the permanence of the
instructions established in the days of the Garden of Eden. How Noah, Abraham the other Patriarchs
and prophets all lived by faith, received salvation by grace and worked out their salvation in fear and
trembling. That Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. That God never changes and
has set in place a perfect plan that he intends to keep.
The last thing we should cover is the terminology of Jew and Gentile. When God says he will “take
for himself a people”, God identifies them as ‘Ammim” in the Hebrew. A very interesting concept
when you break it down. The ‘mem’ in Hebrew means water and the human body is mostly water.
The ‘im’ is the plural. God tells Moses at the burning bush that he is the Great I AM. The combination
of the words define the many people of God.
God further identifies a group of people that are “not my people” and this word is Goyim. These
terms are the only one God uses throughout the entire Bible. Translators have inserted words that
did not exist in the days Jesus or the disciples. The term “Jew” may have been a slur by the Romans
but it isn’t really appropriate for the situation. As citizens of the district of Judea they would have
been labeled Judean, which is rooted in the name Judah. So if the term Jew is to equate to this
particular people group then we are only addressing 1/12th of the descendants of Jacob.
When God changed Jacob’s name it had great significance. The name: H3478 אלֵ• רָ שִׂי Yisra’el (yisraw-ale’) n/p. it is the combination of two words that jointly mean “the upright rule of God”. God
placed Jacob in a position to teach the instructions of God to his offspring. This would bring the
blessings as prescribed in the Scriptures.
In the story of Jacob and Esau we hear that God hated Esau. Another tough pill to swallow at an
early age. But it becomes more obvious when we see that Esau did not want to carry out his
responsibility as the first born. Not only would he have been responsible for the economic welfare of
the family as the first born, but, he was to carry the teaching responsibility for Gods instructions as
well, and he refused.
Jesus himself said the only reason he was here… “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The word
house is correctly translated as family, so he came for the lost family members and those family
members will be the upright who are ruled by God.
So we have only two groups; Gods people and Not Gods people. We have two spiritual outcomes;
Heaven or Hell. Seems to be a match. This seems to complete the concept being delivered in
Ephesians 1 when he says “he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
He grafts [Hebrews] in the broken branches (Israelites) with the wild olive trees (the other people
wanting salvation through Jesus) which is the same as the two sticks in Ezekiel 37. Ephraim was half
Hebrew and half Egyptian. There was no ‘us vs. them’ in that prophesy. It is the wheat and the tares,
the wheat bows while the tare stands in defiance.
This ties our faith perfectly together from beginning to end.
The covenant made in Genesis 1:1 is manifest through the eyewitness accounts giving us hope for the Revelation. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday [Genesis 1:1] and today [John 1:1] and forever. [Revelation 1:14]
This is the entirety of our faith… that God treats us ALL exactly the same as he treated Adam, Noah,
Abraham, David, the Prophets, the Disciples and the world today. Read Ecclesiastes and Revelation
again…. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for
this is the whole duty of man.”
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman [bride], and went to make war with the remnant of her
seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
God spoke the Torah into existence, God taught Torah to Adam, God used Torah to show grace to
Adam. Moses recorded Torah in stone, Moses taught Torah, Moses used the Torah to lead the
people. Jesus wrote the Torah, Jesus taught the Torah, Jesus lived perfectly the Torah. Paul
memorized Torah, Paul taught Torah, Paul tried his best to live out Torah.
Memorizing, teaching and living out the Torah….the covenant instructions… to the best of our abilities…. Truly repenting and receiving grace all along the way… is the only way we will become the peculiar, precious and protected Bride of Christ.
Berean Breadcrumbs 
Leave a comment