Isa 8:20 KJB:PCE "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
There is much confusion today as to the proper place of Biblical law in the life of a believer. This should not be. Rom 7:12 "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
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New Testament Endorsement For The Old Testament Law
In previous studies we have traced numerous lines of biblical thought which teach and require the validity of God's commandments � all of them throughout Old and New Testaments � and their continuing authority in our lives. Because we live in an age which is so antagonistic to God-given directives, and because such vast portions of the current church is likewise disinclined toward God's revealed stipulations, it is crucial that we pay close attention to the precise teaching of God's inspired, unerring, and authoritative word. Biblical ethics is not opposed to the law of God; rather, that law is essential to Christian morality.
The wise men will establish his moral perspective on the rock-foundation words of Christ in Scripture. Therein we are instructed that God is unchanging in His standards for righteousness, not altering them from age to age or from person to person. Since God's law defined righteousness in the Old Testament, it continues to define righteousness for us today. God has no double-standard. Whether the Christian strives to imitate the holiness of God, to model his behavior after the life of Christ, or to be led by the Spirit, he will invariably be directed by Scripture to heed the law of God; the law is a transcript of God's unchanging holiness, the standard of righteousness followed by the Savior, and the pattern of sanctification empowered by the Spirit. The continuing authority of God's law today, then, is inherent to a biblically based theology. Time does not change or wear out the validity of God's commands, and a change of geography or locality does not render them ethically irrelevant. With the coming of the New Covenant and the spreading the church throughout the world we still read in Scripture that the law of God is to be written on our hearts, and we are to disciple all nations and teach them to observe whatsoever the Lord has commanded. The Biblical doctrines of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Covenant of Grace all harmonize in pointing to the abiding validity of God's inspired law.
If one takes a normative approach to ethics, a motivational approach to ethics, or a consequential approach to ethics, he is always brought to the same conclusion: God's law is authoritative for contemporary ethics. The norm which God has given to direct our lives and to define our sin is revealed in His law, a law from which we are to subtract nothing; since the Lawgiver has not altered His law � indeed, the Son of God has confirmed that law for His followers � it must remain valid for us today. If we turn to the motivational approach to ethics, our concern will be to live in a way appropriate to our gracious salvation; we will want to be the kind of people who are characterized by faith and love. Scripture shows us that those who are grateful for God's grace will strive to live in obedience to His commandments; rather than canceling the commandments of God in ethics, faith establishes the law, and love is a summary of the law's requirements. So then, a motivational approach to ethics � like the normative approach � declares the current validity of God's law. Finally, the consequential approach to ethics evaluates actions and attitudes according to their beneficial results or comparative lack thereof. Christ teaches us in His word that the primary goal of our moral behavior is the kingdom of God; when we make it that, every temporal and eternal blessing will be ours. The righteousness of this kingdom is defined by the law of the King, and thus Scripture promises that obedience to the law of God will eventuate in outstanding blessings for our selves, our neighbors, and our society. In short, the law of God was revealed for our good. Therefore, the validity of God's law has been substantiated in previous studies by the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith and by all of the major perspectives on ethics. The present authority of the Lord's commandments is inescapable of any honest reading of God's word.
Moreover the validity of God's law extends to all of His righteous commandments. None can be subtracted from the stipulations which bind us without His authority; and such subtraction has no biblical warrant. Both Old and New Testaments teach God's people to live by every word from God's mouth, for God does not alter the words of His covenant. Every one of His ordinances, we are taught is everlasting. Accordingly Christ emphatically taught that His advent did not in the least abrogate one jot or tittle of the Old Testament law; according to His teaching, even the minor specifics of the law were to be observed � as a measure of our standing in the kingdom of God. Paul maintained that every Old Testament scripture has moral authority for the New Testament believer, and James pointed out that not one point of the law was to be violated. Reflecting the unchanging righteousness of God, every commandment has abiding validity for us. To subtract even the least commandment is to transgress God's explicit prohibition and to be least in the kingdom of God. Hence the morality of the Old Testament is identical with that of the New.
There are many ways in which the New Testament undergirds the summary statements which have been rehearsed above. Attention to the teaching of the New Testament will disclose the emphatic endorsement it gives to the Old Testament law of God. For instance, the New Testament is concerned that men who are guilty of sin be redeemed by Christ and learn to live without sinning by the power of the Holy Spirit; because sin is defined as transgression of God's law (I John 3:4; Rom. 7:7), the thrust of the New Testament message presupposes the validity of God's law for today. Then again, throughout the New Testament the believer's perpetual moral duty is that of love, and yet love is defined by the New Testament in terms of God's law (Matt. 22:40; Rom. 13:10; I John 5:2-3). Consequently the New Testament message and morality are squarely founded on the validity of God's law. Without that foundation, the gospel would be expendable, and the Christian walk would be aimless and self-serving.
We can briefly summarize a number of other ways in which the New Testament indirectly but forcibly indicates the authority of all of God's laws for this age.
Oftentimes the people who are introduced in the New Testament as blessed or favored by God are characterized as obedient to God's law in particular � for instance, Elisabeth, Zacharias, Joseph, and Mary (Luke 1:6; 2:21-24, 27, 39). During his ministry on earth Christ often appealed to the law of God to bolster his teaching (John 8:17), vindicate his behavior (Matt. 12:5), answer his questioners (Luke 10:26), indict his opponents (John 7:19), and give concrete identity to the will of God for men (Matt. 19:17). He taught his disciples to pray that God's will would be done on earth (Matt. 6:10), and after his resurrection He directed them to teach all nations to observe whatsoever He had commanded (Matt. 28:18-20). In all of these ways without elaborate introductions or explanations for departing from a general principle or perspective � the New Testament simply assumes the standing authority of every command of the Lord found in the Old Testament. If the Old Testament law were invalidated by the advent or work of Christ, the preceding examples would be incredibly out of character and call for some convincing explanation. Yet none was needed.
Jesus affirmed with solemn authority that not even the least commandment of the entire Old Testament was to be taught as without binding validity today (Matt. 5:19), for according to his perspective "Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). Accordingly Christ reaffirmed elements of the decalogue, for example "Thou shalt not kill" (Matt. 19:18). He also cited as morally obligatory, aspects of the Old Testament case law: for instance, "Thou shalt not defraud" (Mark 10:19), and "Thou shalt not test the Lord thy God" (Matt. 4:7). He even cited with approval the penal code of the Old Testament with respect to incorrigible delinquents (Matt. 15:4). He expected the weightier matters of the law to be observed without leaving the minor details undone (Luke 11:42). He was concerned that His own behavior be correctly seen as in accord with God's law (Mark 2:25-28), and He directed others to live by the law's regulations (Mark 1:44; 10:1719). None of this could make sense except on the obvious assumption that all of the Old Testament law continues to be an authoritative standard of morality in the New Testament era. Because that law is indeed our standard of ethics, Christ the Lord will one day judge all men who commit lawless deeds (Matt. 7:23; 13:41).
The apostolic attitude toward the law of the Old Testament parallels that of Christ. The keeping of the law is greatly significant (I Cor. 7:19), for the believer is not without the law of God (I Cor. 9:20-21). Law-breaking is not to have dominion over the believer (Rom. 6:12-13; I John 3:3-5), for the Holy Spirit fulfills the ordinance of the law within him (Rom. 8:4). The law is written on the New Covenant believer's heart (Heb. 8:10), so that those who loyally follow Christ are designated by John as those "who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 12:17; 14:12). The apostles often supported their teaching by appealing to the law (e.g., I Cor. 14:34; Jas. 2:9) � its general precepts found in the decalogue (e.g., "Thou shalt not steal," Rom. 13:9), the case law applications of those details (e.g., "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treads," I Tim. 5:18), the penal code (e.g., "If I am an evildoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die," Acts 25:11; cf. Deut. 21:22; Rom. 13:4), and even "holiness" requirements in the ceremonial law (e.g., 2 Cor. 6:14-18).
We must conclude that anyone whose attitude toward the Old Testament law is informed by the teaching and practice of the New Testament must maintain the law's full and continuing validity today. Those who, in the name of a distinctive "New Testament ethic," downgrade or ignore the Old Testament law are sternly warned by the Apostle John: "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (I John 2:4). In genuinely Biblical ethics the Old Testament will not be pitted against the New at any point.
Galatians 3:23-25: Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE LAW!
Hebrews 8:8,9,13: "The time is coming." says the Lord, "when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah".... By calling this Covenant "NEW", He has made the first on OBSOLETE; and what is OBSOLETE and aging will soon disappear."
And these three inspired passages in the Word of God are part of the NEW COVENANT!
Jesus declared ALL FOODS CLEAN thus eliminating all the OT dietery laws!!!
Mark 7:18,19: Jesus says, "Are you so dull?" He asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." In saying this. Jesus declared ALL FOODS "CLEAN!"
Colossians 2:16,17: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you **EAT** or drink, or with regard to a religous festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a *SHADOW* of the things that were to come, the reality, however, is found in Christ!!!
I Corinthians 10:25: Eat *ANYTHING* sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience. for, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it!"
Hebrews 8:6: But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is Mediator is SUPERIOR TO THE OLD ONE, and it is founded on better promises.
All of the OT sabbath laws have been eliminated. All of the OT sacrifical and temple laws have been eliminated. All of the stoning to death laws for breaking the law have been eliminated. All of the laws concerning an eye for an eye and making oaths have been eliminated. Circumcision laws have been eliminated.
Loving one another as Jesus loved us has replaced loving one another as you love yourself.
Their about 400 NT laws to be obeyed with love in the hope of countless eternal rewards for fathful and loving service has replaced the 613 OT laws.
First the assertion is made, "WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE LAW!" but then at the end we are told "Their about 400 NT laws to be obeyed with love........."
To be charitable, it appears as though this man simply has some misunderstandings. I do not intend to dispute the Word of God over this issue but rather to submit myself to what it teaches. If one is unclear as to what the Word of God teaches on the matter, one must diligently study out the Scriptures for themselves and petition the Father for understanding by His Spirit. (2Tim 2:15, John 16:13)
Let's look at what the verse in Galatians is actually teaching us:
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.(Gal. 3:24-25)
Since, we (believers) are now the children of God (by faith in Christ), we no longer need the law (in the function as our schoolmaster) to bring us to Christ. Fairly simple and straightforward. This is NOT an abrogation of the law. In addition, what about non-believers here? They still need the law as that "schoolmaster". Do they not? Again, the law is NOT abrogated as one function of it is to "bring them to Christ"
Now, I would like to touch on the other central point of this man's argument which is the distinction between the moral laws and the ceremonial laws; neither of which have been "eliminated". Far from being "eliminated" the ceremonial laws have now been confirmed forever in Christ. (Matt.5:17-19) All of the principles of the ceremonial laws are still VALID for us today. However, being a "shadow of things to come" (Col. 2:16-17), the ceremonial laws are no longer observed in the same manner as they were in the Old Testament.
For example, is atonement still necessary? Yes it is. In the O.T. it was "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul". (Lev. 17:11) In the N.T. it is, "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Rom 5:11, Heb. 9)
Since this man has brought up dietary laws, let's briefly look at that as an example. While we see that the law prohibiting unclean meats was a shadow, "But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common",(Acts 10:14-15) we also see that the principle of the law is still VALID and in full force, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
I walk alone has implied that Acts 10:9-15 shows that the OT Levitical dietary laws are still in effect when actually just the opposite is shown???
Acts 10:9-15 Peter went up to the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." "Surely not Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time "Do not call anything impure that God {The Lord, Jesus in Mark 7:19} has made clean!!"
Hebrews 8:8,9,13: "The time is coming." says the Lord, "when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah".... By calling this Covenant "NEW", He has made the first on OBSOLETE; and what is OBSOLETE and aging will soon disappear."
Galatians 3:23-25: Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE LAW!
And these three inspired passages in the Word of God are part of the NEW COVENANT!
Jesus declared ALL FOODS CLEAN !!!
Mark 7:18,19: Jesus says, "Are you so dull?" He asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." In saying this. Jesus declared ALL FOODS "CLEAN!"
Colossians 2:16,17: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you **EAT** or drink, or with regard to a religous festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a *SHADOW* of the things that were to come, the reality, however, is found in Christ!!!
I Corinthians 10:25: Eat *ANYTHING* sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience. for, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it!"
Please try rereading my comments again. If you are still struggling w/ what I have said, here is a site that you might find useful: http://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Reading-Skills
�Their about 400 NT laws to be obeyed with love in the hope of countless eternal rewards for fathful and loving service has replaced the 613 OT laws.�
Ok if you want to add 400 laws in the NT instead of 613 then I think it sucks to be a Christian, I mean since you all are free, unless G-d already knew what He was talking about �. But maybe he didn�t said oops I missed it in Torah let me give you 400 new laws since I didn�t what I was possibly thinking�.
Why are so many blind to the Torah is for Righteousness� Y-shua alone is salvation....
In The Beginning before Sinai, the Torah was.
"In the beginning was the Torah and the Torah was with God and the Torah was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made... In him was life and that life was the light of men... And the Torah became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1:1
Listen carefully. The Torah became flesh and dwelt among us. Y-shua is the living Torah. Attempting to understand Messiah and His teachings, without understanding Torah is IMPOSSIBLE.
Many say, but The L-rd Did Away with the Law. What scriptures teach is actually very different! Y-shua's death did not end the law / Torah. Think about it. 1 John 3 says: "Sin is the transgression of the law".
If Y-shua's death ended the law then there is no sin. Therefore, there would also be no need for repentance. How could you repent for something that G-d destroyed and was no longer valid? Let me give you this example. If our country did away with a "speed limit" then no one could receive a ticket for speeding because such a thing would no longer exist. The removal of a speed limit by very definition would cause speeding to cease as a possibility.
Well, if the death of Y-shua but an end to G-d's law, then folks, by definition of scripture, there is no sin. However, that is not the case. The curse of the law was death that is what Y-shua paid for at the cross. Messiah took the death penalty for breaking the law upon him. The consequences of sin have been paid. The "law" that we are no longer under, is the law of "sin and death".
I would also like to point out that if Messiah did away with the law then there is NO NEW COVENANT. What! That's exactly right. Without the law or Torah there can be no NEW COVENANT. Let me show you.
" Behold, the days come, saith the L-rd, that I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with Their fathers.... But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the L-rd, I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS, AND WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS; and I will be their G-d, and they shall be my people". Jer 31:31-33
This is the same definition of the new covenant given by the writer of Hebrews 8. "I will put MY LAWS INTO THEIR MIND, AND WRITE THEM IN THEIR HEARTS" So, according to the description given to us by G-d, the New Covenant is when the Torah becomes a living part of our being. If the law has been done away with, then the New Covenant cannot be put into effect.
The Aim Of Torah
"For the goal at which the Torah aims is the Messiah..." Jewish New Testament
The "bulls eye" of the Torah, is Messiah. Every commandment, statute and judgment, is a reflection of Messiah. Y-shua is the full revelation of Torah and through Him, the Torah is made alive in us.
Through 1800 years of misunderstanding and wrong teaching, we have developed a concept of G-d's laws as "bondage". Just the opposite is true. G-d's law or Torah is freedom. Let me illustrate this point. As parents we give our children guidelines to live by. Training them as they mature, we place in their lives commandments, statutes and judgments...
"No you may not ...."
"Your bedtime is ...."
"I'm sorry but, that will not be tolerated ..."
An immature mind will look at these and say, "bondage". But an individual with wisdom will see "freedom".
The Torah teaches us to distinguish between the clean and unclean, between the holy and unholy. This brings "freedom". The boundaries that HaShem laid forth in His Torah create a dwelling place of intimacy with Him. Did Y-shua walk in constant communion with the Father? Yes. Did He always do that which pleased the Father? Yes. Is He the example of how we are to walk with he Father? Again, Yes! And He lived the Torah.
Remember the L-rd said that He came to destroy the works of the devil. The enemies devise is deception. Just like in the garden, he will attempt to bring into our lives a lie that will turn us away from G-d and His plan for life.
"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your Torah" Psalm 119:18.
Scripture warns us of a man that will embody deception in the last days. He is called "the man of lawlessness". Please take a look at this important description of this deceptive man.
"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who now restrains it is removed. And then the lawless one will be revealed...." RSV
Now examine the same verse in another translation.
"For already this separating from Torah is at work secretly, but it will be secretly only until he who is restraining is out of the way. Then the one, who embodies separation from Torah, will be revealed..." Jewish New Testament 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 restrains it is removed. And then the lawless one will be revealed...." RSV
IF sin is the transgression of the law, then the son of perdition or the lawless one, is one who is without law or Torah. Y-shua is the embodiment of the Torah. The man of lawlessness will be the embodiment of separation from Torah. Messiah told us in Matthew to beware of false messiahs. How do we tell the true from the false? Well, as any good banker would tell you, you know the true by studying the true. So, you will know the true Messiah by learning of Him... and He is the Torah made flesh! Therefore, you cannot recognize Him if you do not know the Torah. Example of how we are to walk with the Father? Again, Yes! And He lived the Torah.
PLEASE LISTEN! G-d's people perish because of lack of "knowledge". Even those calling themselves the people of HaShem have forsaken His boundaries and laws. We must repent. We must return to the L-rd. We must cling to His commands, His appointed times, His statutes and judgments. We do not define holiness. G-d does. And that must be the definition by which we live.
David, a man after G-d's heart, rejoiced in the law. Read Psalm 119. You will find that David knew the highway of holiness. He knew that the Torah restored the soul from its fallen state of thinking and lifted it up to a higher level of understanding. Joshua was instructed to meditate on the law or Torah and not depart from it. Only then would he have the courage to stand as he was told to and see success.
G-d is restoring His household. I have never been more certain of anything. And that restoration dear friends, is the New Covenant life in those hungry for Messiah.
"In that day, I (the LORD) will restore the fallen tabernacle of David. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins and build it as it used to be...." Amos 9:11
"Many nations will come and say, 'Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.' The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Galatians 2:14-16,20,21; 3:2,5,10-13;23-25: Paul said, When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is NOT justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.!"
The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
"All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written "Cursed is everyonewho does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us!
"Before faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, *WE* ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE LAW!!"
Hebrews 8:8,9,13: "The time is coming." says the Lord, "when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah".... By calling this Covenant "NEW", He has made the first one OBSOLETE; and what is OBSOLETE and aging will soon disappear."
Hebrews 8:6: But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is Mediator is SUPERIOR TO THE OLD ONE, and it is founded on better promises.
Colossians 2:16,17: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you **EAT** or drink, or with regard to a religous festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a *SHADOW* of the things that were to come, the reality, however, is found in Christ!!!
All of the OT sabbath laws have been eliminated. All of the OT sacrifical and temple laws have been eliminated. All of the stoning to death laws for breaking the law have been eliminated. All of the laws concerning an eye for an eye and making oaths have been eliminated. Circumcision laws have been eliminated. Loving one another as Jesus loved us has replaced loving one another as you love yourself.
Their about 400 NT laws to be obeyed with love in the hope of countless eternal rewards for faithful and loving service has replaced the 613 OT laws.
JESUS SAYS, "ALL WHO DRAW THE SWORD WILL DIE BY THE SWORD!"
Jesus said to His 11 Apostles, "If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. For it is written: "And He was numbered with the transgressors"{Isaiah 53:12} and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in Me. Yes, what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment." The disciples said, "See Lord, here are 2 {Not 11}swords." "That is enough." Jesus replied.
Matthew 26:30-34: They seized Jesus and arrested Him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "For *ALL* who draw the sword will die by the sword...But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
And so the only reason that Jesus allowed the disciples to have 2 swords was so that the Scripture in Isaiah 53:12 would be fulfilled: "He was numbered among the transgressors."
Jesus said to Pilate, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But NOW My Kingdom is from another place!"
Former OT commands in Exodus 21:23-25 "If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn wound for wound, bruise for bruise."
This was changed by these NT commands by Jesus: Matthew 5:38,39: Jesus commands, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also!"
Luke 6:27-29: Jesus commands, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you. do not demand it back!"
2 Corinthians 10:3,4: "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are *NOT* the weapons of the world."
The only weapons that NT saints may use who follow the New Covenant commands of Jesus is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. A NT saint would not even think of joining the army of any nation and becoming a professional killer or defending himself with a gun. Unfortunately very few Groups such as the Amish still obey these sacred commands of Jesus.
I John 2:3-5: "We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His {Jesus'} commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete in him."
The inspired words of the NT were inspired by God between AD 50 and AD 96 and the 4 Gospels were written about AD 65 And so all of the approximately 400 NT commands were not completed until Around AD 96.
When you join the military and become a professional killer you must make a **VOW** that you will obey all the commands of your commanding officer. And so if He commands you to drop an Atomic Bomb that will kill about 100,000 civilians including about 25,000 innocent children you must obey this command!!!
What is th OT command concerning *VOWS* and *OATHS*?? Numbers 30:2: Moses said, "This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a VOW to the Lord or takes an OATH to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said!"
What are the NT commands concerning making *VOWS* and **OATHS*??
James 5:12: "ABOVE ALL, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.!!"
Matthew 5:33-37: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to your people long ago {OT}, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' BUT I tell you, Do not swear at all....Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No, 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one!!"
