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Lately there have been a few new attendees in our church; nothing huge of note. We hear often of a desire for "revival" and being in the last days and seeing many so called revivals recently along with certain issues of question and the general warning of apostasy in the last days I am cautious about such prayers myself. But should we see results would we be prepared for the discipling and issues which would arrive complicating the associations we are used to having with such new demands on Sunday?
Also are we prepared if the enemy should bring in individuals attempting to infiltrate; whether known or unknown by the individual in question that they are an obstacle to the service? And also; would we be ready to LEARN from others who may have giftings or talents we haven't had in droves up to this point?
To be challenged by others more fervent in prayer; and better versed in scripture who actually are living out what they believe could make some churchgoers uncomfortable. I sense that with teenagers; many may not want to venture into the waters they have to navigate daily in regard to the suicidal and self destructive people they are forced to interact with every day in public schools (not to mention the ungodly teaching). Many are blissfully unaware or wish to avoid the occult practices that are rampant today with youth as well as out and out Satanism on the rise. There is a cost to our personal safety in reaching out to this younger generation but if we don't we are cloistering in our own company and putting our heads in the sand. They have much to teach us of the spiritual battles raging out there; as well as the testimonies of those set free (often without any discipleship for a great length of time).
In conclusion; if we are a true church of God there should be deliverance available; and we should expect God to act and draw those of all ages and backgrounds in time as He sees fit.
Agape
I have a request for joining in prayers about something that is happening lately in my country, Greece. The government here has decided to bring a law for voting in the parliament in the next 1-2 months about marrying homosexuals and giving them the right to adopt children. According to polls done recently the majority of people here are against such marriages and the vast majority, more than 70%, are against the adoption of children by those people. But the government seems to ignore those reactions and with the cooperation of other parties in the parliament they seem to be able to get a positive vote for their laws easily. They also have the press and the TV on their side(?) and they are making a huge effort to affect people's minds.
We, the saints, although not many, are the restrainer of the evil in this world. We have been given the power to object the plans of the evil. Our heavy arms is our prayers to the Lord. Please have us in your prayers. We need them. Thank you and may the Lord blesses your countries with all material and spiritual blessings. GBU
In light of the Great Commission at the end of Matthew 28; it is easy (at least for myself) to ignore the implications of us as a BODY in Christ doing the work of laboring. Again; I have stated in earlier posts that since I moved back home with my folks I am not surrounded by those who regularly go on the streets. As for now I am considering returning to the Nursing Homes in my area but apparently with COVID rampant that will have to wait at least a month or so.
My past experience sharing the Gospel with others has often provided good opportunities for discussion among the believers I am out with as well as other believers encountered on the streets and elsewhere. Of course we also have opportunity as Proverbs 27:17 states to sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron. Prayer is an investment to see growth in a local church; and I am seeing signs people are making more effort in my local congregation with seeing more teenagers and kids activities available. I have noticed in my home state (let's just say in the Northeast) at least there seems to be few youth groups for teenagers as there used to be 30 or 40 years ago and I would assume this is a larger issue; but was informed down south (specifically Texas) things were different.
In reality we can do janitorial work and be using a gift of service; or with a skill we have help someone with home repairs or moving (as I did quite often a few years back before I moved back here). In fact at my first church where they had youth group in large numbers I remember a service project day when we were randomly asked to do something for a few hours for someone else (I think someone helped wash my car).
In general we should seek the Lord to see what He would want us to do; and of course Pastors and elders should assist in these plans (for example all night prayer; fasting and the like). One big question is are we READY to see God answer such prayers should attendance increase?
A disciple is one who has but one master. Elisha condemned Gehazi for running after other man's riches. "Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes?"(2 Ki.5:26). "Not I but Christ who lives in me"( Gal. 2:20)
Without eating of the bread from heaven and the faith that he shall live forever as he is, by way of witnessing, what disciple is he? "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."( 1 John 2:19). Wisdom of the word must have its perfect working. (Matt.7:24). Serving God and mammon is how Gehazi proved his discipleship. St Paul proved the man was the message.
Seventy other disciples ( Luke 10:1) is how discipleship is perfected so ripple effect of Christ, the Man the message would spread outwards. "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth./... and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." How Gospels of St Matthew and St Luke treats discipleship is in keeping with the supremacy of the Word which was God. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
Jesus chose 12 disciples to indicate his ministry was of the Servant-King, as Son to his heavenly father.(See under N-numbers, command)
Principle of Association established a new order where it was enough that a servant was an associate as his master "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord".(Matt.10:25;40)
(See under S- servant)
Discipleship is a loaded word. It is not simply delivering doctrine of God to the world as heard of him. As associates of Jesus Christ it was the Life, which as Jesus declared was his logos aspect. Not only the Word but of the Son. One sign of their adequacy came when they could enter into the heart of the parables." His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God."( John 16:29-33) Their growth was begun when they stayed on trusting. "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.( John 6:67-68)
Jesus declared that his doctrine was not of his own but that of his Father. He established the cardinal principle of discipleship: Man is the massage. Jesus set an example and he promised a double portion because he was going to his father.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."( John 14:12)
(See under D-double )
Directions, Cardinal
Omnipresent God has no use for cardinal directions, as we know the term. However the Spirit in order to present the will of the Father and how the Son shall fulfill them gives us certain clues. Firstly he informs us the authority of God having a seat. It is the throne of God. He is enthroned over many waters, "The Lord sitteth upon the flood" (Ps29:3,10).
God sends a river and it waters the Garden, which is set on the east of Eden. Here we have two kingdoms of the Father and of the Son, which represents a garden, which is set as a snapshot of the worlds he framed by the word of God. It is the world of the Spirit as God is a Spirit. It is in harmony with the reconstituted Time. This being the case what do we mean by 'the east'?
As the God document the Spirit is delineating a holy family representing the heirs of promise in his Son. (Ep.1:3-4). After the fall he is sent out from the garden. "Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken./ So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the Garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." (Ge.3:23-24)
Noah's descendants in their dispersion were set on the east side. (Ge.11:2-3).In all these there is only one direction for the fallen man, which is in terms of the throne of God, that is in the Son. The east is a remainder of salvation.
Promotion comes neither from the east or the west. (Ps.75:6-7) Redemption of saints come from where the carcase is. "As the lightening comes out of the east, and shines even out to the west" indicate cardinal directions as we understand the term.
She was a Philistine woman who caused the mighty Samson to fall. (Jud.16:4-20) Since then she remains the epitome of the 'strange woman' set down in the Book of Proverbs. Of what worth was 'Nazirite'vows of Samson to her? Profane love of an adulterous woman is like the apostate church espousing the doctrine of man rather than of Christ.
Secondly she was not herself free anymore than world is. She was driven by her Philistine masters as an apostate church belabors under Satan so activism is no more than serving the political taskmasters. The cause may be pro-Life and anti-abortion but in the end it works out to be the same.
Predestination in simple terms is stated in the Abstract. (Ge.1:27-28) God blessed man and made him a steward of His creation. In this MOU between God and Man whosoever adopted into the Fellowship is according to the everlasting covenant. So the eternal word included him to which time and place are of no consequence.
In the divine Will we examine the Father Son relationship which has consequences. As St Paul speaks of 'the good pleasure of his will' so adoption is intended for the glory of his grace, "wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ signifying the doctrine of God as doable. It is thus eternal aspect of Holiness we see through the prism of the Son. Abiding in him our adoption is conformed in Jesus Christ. (Ep.1:3-5)
Compare the analogy made by writer to the Hebrews, "(Levi) payed tithes in Abraham./ For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him." (7:9-10)*. We were dead in sins by the same account when the emblem of the slain Lamb was created in heaven.
Predestination was set rolling when God set forth the decree Ps.2:7-8) and accordingly we were all foreknown. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. (He.13:8) The testimony of Jesus Christ. (Re.3:12-13)
In order to understand fully the concept of predestination we have to examine why St Paul was ' apprehended of Jesus Christ. (Ph. 3:7-12)
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
Predestination of God is often brought to more clarity by use of persons so that the Promise of God to Abraham ("all families") are represented simultaneously. How does one do it but in terms of Time as reconstituted by the Spirit? We have two instances of Jesus and Joseph historically divided in time and place.
" For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation./ This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it."/ King David blesses the nation with these words, "The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion." This is the highway a child of God carves out by abiding in Christ. He produces fruits for glory and honour of God who blessed him before the worlds began.(Ep.1:4)
When Hannah sings, "Pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them (1 Sa.2:8)," she was referring to his sovereignty. The spiritual foundation of a Christian instructs him how to walk with God.. Our case as to our future is no different from of Abraham. (He.11:9)" It is a pilgrim's progress when he begins and ends it is with Him. Where are we going? Like the patriarch we look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God(v.10)"
In this context we shall appreciate v.1, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. This city is founded on the Rock of Ages." It is heavenly so the degree of ascents refers to our transition from the world of the flesh to 'the heavenly places'. (Col.3:1-3)
A title given to fifteen psalms from 120 to 134 inclusive of which four are attributed to King David and one to his son Solomon. There were three appointed feasts namely Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. By tradition pilgrims expressing their joy in going up to Jerusalem would have sung. There are 15 songs in this series and each psalm may correspond to the step leading a pilgrim.
Historically the children of Israel showed that they moved on their bellies in the wilderness. How often did they grumble against Moses and Aaron? (Ex.16:3) They would have stoned them and they despised manna, which God gave. He fed them with angel's food. Yet what was their cry? "And said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?"(Nu.11:4-5) God sent them quails, which gives us a revealing glimpse as to why they stopped short from doing the commandments with their heart and soul. Their rebellious spirit brought cancer to their souls since they would not worship God, a Spirit in spirit and truth. "And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.(106:15). A wasting disease nevertheless.
These are examples and left for 'our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come'. In short the Spirit warns us to search our hearts well as we are pilgrims and sojourners even as they. The Spirit of Christ revealed to Prophet Elisha what motivated his servant, "And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man (Naaman) turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive-yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? (2 Ki.5:26)
" For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation./ This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it."/
Intentional misleading of another, classic example of which was practiced by the serpent on Eve; similarly we have another example and when done it leads the simple away from path of life. "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:/ But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword./ Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell." (Pr.5:3-5) Instead of heart fortified with faith the simple go by appearances and are led astray. For this reason Jeremiah spoke of the destructive power heart could wield. "Heart is deceitful or treacherous and who shall know it" except by the light of knowledge of the word? (Je.17:9) God does not tempt anyone but desires let grow can prove irresistible. (Jas.1:14) Satan is the deceiver who is the father of lies. "He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;/ When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart./ Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation." The number seven is a tag by the Spirit. Totally given over to defraud others
On the other hand we have this testimony of the Spirit, of the Son "Nor was any deceit in his mouth."(Is.53:9) Ministry of St Paul was to present the Bride as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Co.11:2) The strange woman as depicted in the Book of Proverbs invariably refers to apostate church whose heart has departed from the Lord God. "And the adulteress woman will hunt for the precious life." (Pr.6:26b)
"For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." ( Mark 4:28)
Here we have a variation of the fruit-bearing tree with 'seed in itself' stated in the Abstract that shall never change. This is part of MOU between God and Man.(Ge.1:11) Any abrogation of the terms would be self-defeating since it the Law or the Word that is on the line. God cannot deny himself. It is His holiness.
The earth abides forever because it signifies the Son in the divine Will and a day is decreed for him and at the end of it there shall be gathering in sheaves. In the Parable of the Tares, we have this "and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."(Matt.13:30)
There is a time lapse which explains the principle of Similitude where realities of heaven is compared with that of the earth. There is a variation also in the yield. In terms of Isaac blessings of God is converted in terms of yield. "Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him."(Ge.26:12) Cf. "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."(Matt.13:8) How come such variations though God created all hearts alike He tests their works and find their faith is not alike.(Ps.33:15) It is what the King's dream was all about.
(Dan.2:28-45)
Either we gather with Christ Jesus or we scatter which is what we find with the miry clay. Those who mixed God's word with doctrine of men "and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them." There is no place for them. It is what God does to the tares. Megachurches mean nothing; neither does it mean anything because the apostate church backed the winner. What shall they do when the rock hits them?
Which means the highest, purest, most perfect, supreme manifestation, example, incarnation, type of the essence of something, the express image.
Jesus is the quintessential expression of God.
Hebrews 1:3 "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 at the right hand of the Majesty on High."
Colossians 2:9 "For in Him dwelleth ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily"
John 14:9 "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?
He that hath seen me hath seen the Father,, and how saith though then: Show us the Father?
Jesus is God in the flesh. He is the Son of the Father eternally and one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Godhead is three Persons in one Godhead. Not three gods, but one. Jesus became man to save us and to show us a fleshy person of the Godhead, that is in union with the Godhead as the Word made flesh. Jesus is the perfect manifestation of true God. There is no other who can truly and perfectly represent God to us. Jesus is the only one who came from within the Godhead to earth to live as a man for us. The Holy Spirit is the only Spirit who came from within the Godhead to come to live in us. When Jesus came to earth, the Father and the Spirit were in Him yet still separate Persons from Him. And when the Holy Spirit lives in us, the Father and the Son lives in each of us, yet are still separate Persons. There are not multiple Fathers and Sons and Holy Spirits inhabiting every believer that every has lived. There is only one. God who is everywhere present all the time and specifically present in every believer. This is a mystery, but it is real and true. God has told us so in His Word that is truly true.
In heaven, if Jesus is the only one we see of the Godhead, we will truly be seeing the Godhead.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 KJV
We were created to do good works, but some like to shame others and claim that doing good works is bad because they assume it somehow takes away from grace, or assume effort is bad, assume there's instructions against it. Then oddly, they don't shame bad works though. They just say being bad is fine because its covered by grace, even if done intentionally, even if to harm others to the maximum degree, with no limits apparently, even blaspheming the holy spirit?, contrary to the scriptures. Someone has to ignore so many scriptures in the Bible to arrive at this conclusion and to massively cherry pick, like plucking out Eph 2, 8-9, but ignoring 10, ignoring James 2:17.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 KJV
Jesus said this. But this is like kryptonite to the anti-works group. They'd rather it say let your darkness shine that they may see your bad works, then they'd be ok with it?
Obviously satan is behind the distorting of the truth. He always twists everything to deceive people to believe the opposite is true. Imagine being a Christian and truly believing that its bad to follow Christ. Yet, I've seen comments even on this forum where people sometimes say this. We must be on our guard so we can discern truth from lies. 1 Peter 5:8
I feel led to post this info to counter anyone who may be indoctrinated by the false teachings. The best remedy is to read the Bible, not cherry pick. I don't know how anyone can read the entire Bible and come to the conclusion that pleasing God is bad, and disobeying Him is good. No one should expect to be saved if they are not even following Christ- not a Christian.
In separating the light from darkness he made his Will plain. He is the Father of lights. By the same token God the Son is presented to the world as the true Light that sheds light on man. All such devolution from his Will is a continuous line of development: The house Wisdom builds has seven pillars,- and seven is a number the Spirit uses to give them completeness. "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it:"(Ge.2:3)
Symbolism of pillars refers to the Son for whom God the Father has appointed a day. (Ps.2:7-8). Seven days of creation shall have the same quality as the word of God establishes the House as a place of rest for him. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. (He.2:11)
The proof of holiness is as consistent with the seed as the trees bearing seed produce after their kind. For this reason Jesus asks," Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?/ Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit./A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (Matt.7:16-18). By principle of Similitude the Spirit qualifies good trees as trees of righteousness (Is.61:3)
Holy convocation for Israel was restricted to specific days, which is not how Christians are enjoined to observe. Total sanctification is to be conformed to the image of Christ not by fits and starts but a continual process of walking the talk.(2 C0.3:18),
The cross we take in order to follow Christ is about death and life. We identify with his death as well as live in heavenly places. Unity of the Spirit is to guide every believer 'evening and the morning' without break leading us to the day of Regeneration that is the rhythm of abundant life in Christ. (Ge.1:5)
(See entry above-Continual)
" Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him."(Ro.6:8)
"For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you./ Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"(2 Co.13:4-5)
Being contrite is merely one aspect of holiness in action. Isaiah was crushed when he saw the vision of the Lord. 'Woe is me' expressed his emotions, and the Lord cleansed him and when he responds 'Here I am send me' his iniquity was purged to be of use to the Lord God. (Is.6:1-8). In the case of Judas remorse would not help. Neither did it with Esau.
Contrition in order to be complete must restore peace with God. Simon Peter denied his master without losing the peace. Jesus entrusted the care of his flock to his chief apostle as nothing happened, 'Feed my sheep' ( John 21:17 )
No man is justified by expression of contrition alone. Judas felt remorse but his faith could not be restored. So faith with works is man's abiding life with Jesus Christ is the key. "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,/Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that." (Matt.27:3-4) He merely returned other man's riches without restoring peace with God. "I am the Way" Jesus said. By denouncing him he had thrown the key to salvation away. His works condemned him.
The Spirit uses the word continual in keeping with the Holiness in which both Power and Wisdom are at play. He sent forth his word that shall never return void. (Is.55:11) So continual is firmly is the order of the Father Son relationship. "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," has events unseen as well as made to appear that owe to this continual action.
Consequently the Abstract presented in the Book of Genesis Ch. 1 refers to the Everlasting Covenant, which is unseen. Whereas the Abstract like 7 bullet points- and the Spirit calls them as day, refers to the generation of Jesus Christ. Why call it day? In Ps.2:7 God refers it as such, and "This day I have begotten thee," is part of the decree so it stands. The generation of Jesus Christ begins with the day as set down by the Spirit. "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens."(Ge.2:4)
"In the beginning" refers to this day (Ge.1:1). Compare this with the verse where new heaven and the new earth are presented (Re.21:1), the adjective 'new' is the culmination of the continual action to which both heaven and the earth play their parts set forth in the Abstract.
The Spirit uses the word 'continual' in another sense. The devil sins from the beginning, which also have consequences till the day of Regeneration. 'He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.'( 1 John 4:4,18) His works are however subject to God purging from time to time. ( 1 John 3:8). Perfect love casts out fear.
The olive tree mentioned is in a secular context. Israel as the people of the Law were part of the olive tree. The burning bush that did not consume itself stood in relation to the tree of life. By the same token this olive tree is set in context of the everlasting dominion of the Son. God called out as He did with Moses to be the tree of righteousness. Israel corrupted themselves. "Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb./My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.."(Ho.9:16-17) In their place the Gentiles have come in. They were grated to the tree. St Paul calls it is not a permanent damage or gain for the Israelites and the Gentiles respectively. "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."(11:5) Election of grace is open for all in his Son. God is able to restore a remanant from Israel as well break off the Gentiles (Brances) that resist divine grace. So the churches need know on what they are grafted to.
"and if the root be holy, so are the branches." The church of Rome found the root of a pagan world empire to grow mighty. from it. Is the root holy? It is only like the tree that King Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream.(Dan.4:11-14) "He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches."(4:14).The command of God "Shake off the leaves, and scatter his fruit" is what we see about us, so many sects, denominations and what do they want? Prosperity! Make America great Again, Watchmen's Creed white Evangelicalism. What else can you expect from a 'mighty' but dead tree?
"Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us." Beware cedars!
If performing the Sabbath rest is to be done on a Saturday, How is worshipping God on a Sunday be breaking the Sabbath?
God gave the command for the Sabbath in Exodus 20:8-11 to those "WITHIN THE GATES OF ISRAEL"
Not to the rest of the world.
In Numbers 15:32-36. there was a man stoned to death for picking up sticks!
I have never read anything like that happening or any punishment given to the rest of the world whether weekly Sabbath, yearly Sabbath or a Sabbath for the land.
THE COMMAND TO REST ON THE SABBATH WAS GIVEN TO ISRAEL AND THE WORSHIP BY ISRAEL HAD TO BE DONE IN A CERTAIN PLACE.
Here's an Interesting article by Paul Kroll.
Part 1.
Old Testament Laws:
Is Leviticus 23:3 a Command to Have Worship Services on the Weekly Sabbath?
We read the following command from Jesus in Luke 5:14, when he healed someone: "Show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." If one assumed that Jesus' teaching applied to all people at all times, it could be claimed that this passage is "proof" telling Christians they must offer the proper Mosaic sacrifice and appear before a Jewish priest.
However, we know that Luke 5:14 is not a command for us to offer sacrifices. How do we know this? It is because the total witness of the New Testament makes it clear that such sacrifices applied only to Israelites and Jews under the Mosaic old covenant. This illustrates the folly of isolating a verse from its context. We need to examine both the verse in question and the larger context of the Bible. We must not start with advance assumptions.
See Part 2.
The Law is our school master so the law be it the Law of Moses must be proved. Thus one lives by the word having declared it unto salvation. Ro.10:6) When God has placed the word in your heart Moses would warn the nation " I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."(De.30:19).
Thus every believer lives withing two worlds simultaneously: word of the Spirit (heaven) and world of the flesh (earth) The earth is my footstool. So we in the holiest of holies the mercy seat with two witnesses. Correspondingly our bodies carry two witnesses and caul and kidneys are a sign. So God touches the young Jeremiah to indicate their presence. Prophet Ezekiel similarly eats the scroll and what do they signify? Our bodies serve as a living temple.
Reasonable service of every Christian is to present his body a living sacrifice so the flesh and its concomitant lusts no longer stand in the way. 'Sin lies at the door' God counseled Cain. Caul and kidneys (two witnesses of the world of flesh) are to be burnt for a sin offering "But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the Lord commanded Moses.(Le.9:10)
The Spirit of God translates Fellowship of God with Man in a language man may easily follow. 'Let us create man in our image and after our likeness' which in fulfillment is set down in the narrative as 'male and female created he them." (Ge.1:26-27) Adam thus represents both aspects. This representational reality of the everlasting covenant owes to the eternal word ,-the Law, so we define the church has a body closed up as God did with the rib taken from Adam. "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." Creation of Adam is after the similitude for man to understand the fellowship of God with Man. "And they shall be one flesh" is what we signify by marriage and is sanctified according to the principle of Similitude.(See entry under Rule of Three)
The Church has a body to which every believer, 'brethren' so collectively called and Christ is the head. Christ has of God become wisdom to us. (1 Co.1:30) The Spirit renders the fellowship of God and Man as that of Wisdom with Power of God. Before the worlds began Wisdom has built the House with seven pillars (Pr.9:1) so the symbolism of the House of God cannot be lost to anyone. "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God (He.3:4). "know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?(1 Co.6:19)" What is pertinent here is the name. It has a spiritual meaning.
We have two verses with regards to His name.. "Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh (Je.7:14)". Against this let us consider what God promised King Solomon when he visited second time. (1 Ki.9:2-5) In the lexicon of the Spirit the tag 'forever' refers to the Son. The Church is short has a name Zion, as foretold by Prophet Isaiah.(Is.28:16)
Some have said, since Jesus is our rest we don't need the 4th commandment and yet, do we "rest" in Jesus at all? Those who believe we not longer need to honor this commandment say the Early Church stopped worshiping on the Sabbath and changed to the first day of the week after the death and resurrection of Christ. These are the two scriptures they usually refer to as showing this.
1 Corinthians 16:2 "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (Paul is just asking the church to gather donations on the first day of each week for when he comes, it doesn't in any way point to them having to be in church to do this just because he asked them to on the first day of the week)
Romans 14:5 "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (Modern day churches don't always have fellowship and worship on Sunday. They do it on any day if it's something they want to do, a service besides their normal church on Sunday. So on this Sunday the church just got together to listen to Paul preach because he had to leave the next day. Nothing is said that this is a regular church service for them.)
There are historical quotes that indicate that the Early Church continued to honor the Sabbath until about 100AD when ravening wolves entered in and things kind of got into a mess so Emperor Constantine, at the Laodician Council in 345AD, made it a law that the day of worship was Sunday the first day of the week. By then the wolves were in charge of the church, it was no longer God's, and pretty much went along with it and that's why people do it today. (Except me.:) Here are some of the quotes:
"Constantine published the Edict of Milan, granting freedom of religion in the empire and establishing Sunday a day of worship" Collier Encyclopedia, vol 7, p. 212
"It was the Holy Catholic Church that changed the day of rest form Saturday to Sunday, the first day of the week. And it not only compelled all to keep Sunday, but at the Council of Laodician, AD 364, anathematized (cursed) those who kept the Sabbath and urged all persons to labor on the 7th day under penalty of anathema (excommunication.)" Catholic Priest T. Enright, CSSRR, Kansas city, Mo
"The Bible says remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. The Catholic Church says No! By my divine power I abolish the Sabbath day and command you to keep holy the first day of the week and low the entire civilized world bows down in reverent obedience to the command of the Holy Catholic Church." American Sentinel, Father Enright, 1893
I know the world has made it very hard for true believers to honor the 4th commandment but does that excuse us from disobeying it? Again how do we justify ignoring the 4th commandment and not the other nine? Jesus' rest is a spiritual rest, the commandment is a physical, mental and spiritual rest. One doesn't replace the other. No scripture says that. You say I'm being legalistic? Well, I'm not going to worship another God, or take God's name in vain, or build idols to worship, or to not honor my parents, or to murder, or lie (not even little white ones) or to steal or to be jealous, is that being legalistic? If so then I love being legalistic and obeying God's commandments and that is why I rest on Saturday. Each commandment is clear including the 4th. As you said when we ignore or replace the things of God they diminish as the Sabbath has.
Revelation 22
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. ( Romans 2:12 - As many as have sinned without Law(the Gentiles) shall also PERISH without Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law(the Jews) shall be Judged by the Law;)
15 Without are dogs(dogs? Isaiah 56:10-11.Take a look), and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
But the fearful(the COWARDS), and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and ALL LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The Word is GOD, self-executing, self-executable, understand?