I don't know what to call you but welcome to the site and thanks for inquiring!
You asked;
Where in the Bible does it the word say that the old Testament or even the law was given only to the Hebrew children or the Jew?
First I would like to add Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope"
Here's what you have been looking for.
Romans 9:1-4 reads, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the ( COVENANTS, AND THE GIVING OF THE LAW,) AND THE SERVICE OF GOD, AND THE PROMISES;
The law is called the "Ministry of condemnation" which refers to the Old Covenant, particularly the Mosaic Law.
We find that in 2 Corinthians 3:7-9.
It was called this because it exposed sin and pronounced judgment, highlighting mans inability to achieve righteousness by their own efforts.
Israel displayed that as any other people would have.
Without this failure and documentation we wouldn't even know it and wouldn't turn away from our own unfruitful efforts.
This ministry displayed even with God in their midst and as a husband to them man's nature remains fallen.
There is no rebirth!
One must be born again by the Spirit of Christ who ushered in the new covenant by his blood shed on the cross.
Amen bro S. Spencer. The Old Covenant ended at the Cross, as Jesus brought in the New Testament in His Blood ( Luke 22:20). The Old may have ended, but God's Promises to Israel still stands sure and they will be preserved as He promised ( Jeremiah 31:31-36; and particularly vv 35 & 36, where God's Promise is that the ordinances of the moon, stars & seas would have to fail first before Israel is cast away as a nation before Him.
Yet, the vail, till today, continues to cover their eyes as they read the Old Testament, chained to the Old Covenant. But when the heart is turned to the Lord Jesus, that vail of blindness will lift off, and the Light of Christ and His Gospel will shine on them and give them liberty from the Law & the sin it reveals, and embrace only Christ who sets free ( 2 Corinthians 3:13-17). GBU.
Romans 3:31"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."
2 Corinthians 3:3 "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."
John 5:29 "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
Ephesians 2:14,15, "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace."
Hebrews 8:6,7, "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second."
Hebrews 8:13, "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."
2 Corinthians 3:6, "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
Galatians 2:16,21, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Blessings.
Exodus 19:3-6, "And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 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: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."
Romans 3:19,20, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
2 Corinthians 3:7-9, "But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory."
Galatians 3:10-13, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them." Onto Page 2.
Thank you Lbooth1955; very well analysed and written. Even as the Apostle Paul addressed the Gentiles specifically (in Romans 11:13) that in that short discourse ( Romans 11:13-26) the Church was the 'organism' grafted into the good Olive Tree (Israel of God's Kingdom) and not the other way around. That we have nothing to be proud of, "Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee." If it were not for the Olive Tree (the true Israel rooted in the faith of Abraham, Isaac, & Israel), we Gentiles would have no right or access to be grafted into that tree to receive salvation by the same faith and of the blessings that follow.
Indeed, Israel and the Church will always be separate. Only when "Israel shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away" ( 2 Corinthians 3:15,16), and the 'mystery of the united Church of Jew & Gentile' be fully realized in all being gathered in. But I perceive that Israel shall endure much suffering, when at the end, the remnant among them will see the One Whom they pierced ( John 19:37: once at the crucifixion; and then finally reminded, affirmed and believed on at His second Coming, Zechariah 12:9-11). Blessings.
Thank you Lbooth1955 for sharing an excellent commentary on Tithing. And even more than that, I get saddened when believers in Christ being led of the Spirit in ALL things, still find reason to appeal to the OT Laws to justify their walk with the Lord. All those Laws could only reveal the sin in the heart of every Israelite & had no redeeming value at all; in fact had an end date affixed to them: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" ( Romans 10:4). "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" ( Romans 8:3,4).
How then do we (believing Jew & Gentile) attain the "righteousness of the law"? Only by the Holy Spirit, now indwelling in us, Who not only brings us into a state of submission to the perfect Will of God, but also to know & obey all that our Heavenly Father requires of us. And this obedience goes way beyond the Laws once engraven in stone but what has been given us by the Spirit ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-8). And His "ministration" goes deep within us showing us where obedience is lacking and needed in our lives & then gives us the power to obey - this "glorious" work the OT Law could never do, nor designed to do. Tithing may be a good rule of thumb for giving, but what the Lord seeks is an earnest cheerful giver (as you shared), as the Spirit directs us to the needs around us. Blessings and thanks again.
This posting is somewhat of a sequel to the last one today. It is important to recognize that there are multiple applications to some verses such as Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This would tie in to Jeremiah 31:33 for instance But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
There are applications for believing Jews as well as Gentiles today (see Romans 10:12); but also of course there is a national sort of repentance for Israel in the last days as 2 Corinthians 3:14 indicates: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
Many who are involved with what is called Replacement Theology would contest this concept. I am not here to argue the point but just to declare wait to see before dismissing prophetic statements not yet fulfilled. God's covenants such as with Abraham were said to be everlasting; clearly certain things such as the need for circumcision as a physical sign of being in God's covenant isn't necessary today as indicated by many passages Paul quotes in the New Testament on this subject. Deuteronomy 10:16 apparently mentions this concept as a sort of precursor to how He operates today with the concept of Grace. The law is fulfilled in Christ; not abrogated.
Before I drift too far from the title of this discussion; I will make the statement that ultimately man cannot through sin eliminate the promises of God's covenant(s). The warning; however is that all men are subject to God and thus those who know better about the law for instance receive greater punishment if they don't get saved (see Luke 12:47). God first conv with Adam in a form of a covenant.
Father, I speak freedom over Mitch's mind and emotions. Every lie, discouragement, and controlling spirit must break now in the name of Jesus. I declare that he walks in the truth of who You say he is: free, loved, and chosen. May Your light shine in every dark place, and may Your Spirit renew his mind daily.
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." - 2 Corinthians 3:17
I would like to share mt beliefs in regards to this topic.
(Not that it has any authority)
1st, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OT AND NT MINISTRIES.
When it comes to God's mercy there is no difference. ( There was a mercy seat" as a solid gold covering placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant in the OT which is seen as a foreshadowing or type of Christ. )
The mercy seat is shown as a symbol of means of forgiveness following a law given that is known as the Administration of condemnation and Administration of Death.
2 Corinthians 3:7-9.
As for the penalty of sin and God's wrath which is to come.
The wrath to come was initiated or caused in the Garden of Eden.
There is an curse on ALL creation and an unrepentant sin nature on Man.
This nature loves darkness.
If you gave man a 1000 years in hell he'll still have that sin nature after the 1000 years was filled.
If you gave man peace on earth for a 1000 years without the devil influence and release the Devil when the 1000 years is filled Man will still display that rebellious nature.
You see a glimpse of this type of unrepentant rebellious demonic nature in Revelation, even while being tormented! Revelation 16:8-11.
Man is needing to be redeemed! Initially he doesn't know and want it.
However,
I believe there is the true light or/and restrainer (all the same being) that reveals and restrains evil and to recieve truth provided to all men.
This light is to reveal their depravity and to lead them out of darkness to Christ or openly reject him and be condemned with the world.
REFERENCES.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7
John 1:8-10.
John 3:17-21
Man has an everlasting Spirit and it's either one that is forever rebellious and continuously influenced by Satan in this life and the after life or he is continuously influenced by the Holyspirit which brought him to Christ and abides in him.
Apostle Paul is telling us that the Ten Commandments does not save us, It condemns us .
2 Corinthians 3:7
But if theministrationof death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
The law brings us to death.
Romans 7:5
For when we were intheflesh,themotionsofsins, which were bythelaw, did work in our members to bring forthfruitunto death.
We are not saved by following the Ten Commandments, we are saved by believing the gospel of grace.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified bytheworksofthelaw, but bythefaithofJesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified bythefaithofChrist, and not bytheworksofthelaw: for bytheworksofthelaw shall nofleshbe justified.
Apostle Paul is telling us not to sin in the flesh and is call out the sin in the flesh.
Galatians 5:19-23
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
No man on earth can follow all of the Ten Commandments, that's why Jesus Christ nail it on the cross.
Colossians 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,nailing it to his cross
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 the Holy Spirit keeps us from sinning and the Word of God cleanses us from sin.
The Laws that a converted Israel would receive, would no longer be as those formerly written on stone, but now 'in fleshy tables of the heart' ( 2 Corinthians 3:3). The Old has decayed and vanished away, only because of Jesus & His institution of the New Covenant. Let us not abide by things that are from the old economy, as even now, priests still wear religious garb & mitres, with their incense lamps as did the Jewish priests of old, rather to embrace what God's Spirit has for us in our hearts & lives, never leading us into condemnation.
As for your reference to Matthew 12:36-42, I'm not going to debate that, for I believe as you do, in what Jesus said about His death & resurrection relating it to Jonah's entombment in the 'whale'. The issue is first with the references I gave earlier, viz Mark 16:1,2,9, with John 20:1 complementing it. If the two Marys came "very early in the morning on the first day of the week", & "it was still dark", that tells me that they had arrived at the sepulchre to anoint Jesus' Body before dawn broke on the first day of the week (Sunday). Yes, the Jewish Sunday started after sundown Sabbath, but it still was Sunday when morning broke. You stated: "The earliest they (the Marys) could come to the tomb and administer the spices was as Saturday ended that very evening and Sunday began to dawn, which occurs at SUNDOWN. So Mary came at sundown Saturday." If Saturday (Sabbath) ended in the evening, the dawn of Sunday was still 10-12 hours away; if a day dawns, it is when the sun begins to rise - the day cannot dawn straight after the sun sets the previous day. This shows that the women came up to 12 hours after the Sabbath Day ended (i.e. the next day, Sunday). So I don't get your timeline here.
And just a final personal, maybe rhetorical, question: do you consider yourself to be wholly subject to the New Covenant in Christ's Blood, or do you believe it is necessary to embrace both the Old & the New to be right before God?
In your presentation Woe, you mentioned, "The Whore and the Harlot daughters are false churches. They take the name of Christ, but they don't follow the Commandments of God. Specifically, they reject the 4th Commandment and in doing so they break all of the others too."
The Ten Commandments, and most certainly the 4th, has nothing to do with the Church of Christ Jesus. Please consider Exodus 31:12-18. In that passage, there are three distinct occasions where the children of Israel are spoken of & that they alone were to keep the Sabbath Day holy. It was never given to the Gentiles, & certainly not to Christ's Church. True, there were imposter Churches around then as also today, but the marks of their falsehood are not seen in the keeping of the Ten Commandments, rather in the preaching of a defective Gospel and their incorrect understanding and handling of the Word of God.
Where the Decalogue was given to Israel to obey, or where even our Lord told the people to "keep the commandments" (e.g. Matthew 19:17), all was done because the Law was still in force & the New Covenant in Christ's Blood was not ushered in as yet. Once the price for sin was paid & accepted by the Father, only those believing in Jesus to save them from the awful penalty for their sin, could be redeemed, saved, given new birth by the Holy Spirit, and come under the New Covenant administered by the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:6-11. The Old has been abolished, which is the Law (contained) in ordinances (Gk. dogmasim) ( Ephesians 2:14-16).
2 Corinthians 3:15-16But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
( The it mentioned here is their heart!)
It is Israel that was blinded because they sought righteousness by the Law. Romans 9:31-32 and other places.
Also Romans 11:6-11 reads
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the ELECTION hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
A temporary blindness! Romans 11:25-26.
Quoting you!
Paul says very clear, very open, very bold, you know exactly what the gospel is. It isn't hidden. It's not behind a vail. It's out in the open.
That's very clear. The Gospel, "The Good news, or A good message "
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; Romans 9:30-32.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass, or mirror, the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory. The word changed is actually the word transformation, metamorphosis. It is a transformation that takes place, that when we're fellowshipping with the Lord, and we look into the mirror, or the glass, and we're looking into the glory of the Lord, is that we are changed into that image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. He performs a transformation in us, a change. And Paul describes that for us in Chapter 5 about a new creation.
2 Corinthians 4:2 - But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Where it says, "nor handling the word of God deceitfully," this is a good one. The word handling and deceitfully are all one word. It's actually a pharmaceutical term that means unmixed. You don't mix the word of God with something else.
In fact, Paul in his first letter, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, he says when I came to you, my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He didn't use any human manipulations. He just preached and it was the demonstration of Spirit and power that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.
Paul says I minister so that your relationship with the Lord will be on the basis of faith, not human manipulation. And so, he says here, we have not handled the word of God deceitfully. We haven't mixed it with anything else. We just give you straight word.
2 Corinthians 3:13 - And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
Now in that last little phrase "Look to the end of that which is abolished," in the Greek, it basically tells us something that the Old Testament doesn't tell us.
If you remember Moses, actually seven times went up and down the mountain and conversed with God about various things. And when he would come down, his face was radiating because he had been conversing with God. And so, he put a vail over his face so that the people wouldn't be distracted or could see this glow.
This text tells us that the vail was put over his face so the people could not see the glory fading off of his face and become disheartened. But it faded away. The Greek text says so that the people could not see it fading away. After a while it went away. He put the vail over his face so that they couldn't see it disappear.
But he says we're not like Moses. We're very bold. Moses was very withdrawn and had to hide it so the people wouldn't get discouraged and wonder what was going on when the glow went away. Paul says very clear, very open, very bold, you know exactly what the gospel is. It isn't hidden. It's not behind a vail. It's out in the open.
2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: The word "that" is literally the. The Lord is (the) Spirit. Talk about deity! We're not talking about oneness in person. We're talking about oneness in essence. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, they are all one God, equal.
2 Corinthians 2:17 - For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God:
The word corrupt is a Greek word that would be equivalent to our term swap-meet. The word of God is not for a swap-meet. We don't merchandise it. We don't compromise to get something back, or trade. We are not those who peddle the word of God!
But as of sincerity, and again, that's the word transparency, but as of God, accountability, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Wow, what a statement to make! Whether a person receives or rejects, our conscience is that we're going to be transparent, we're going to be accountable to God, and we're going to represent Him properly in Christ Jesus to people. Wow!
2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
The word sufficient means capable. Not that we are capable of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2 Corinthians 3:6 - Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; (in contrast): not of the letter, but of the spirit:
Now I think that's very interesting. A person can know the bible backwards and forwards but not have the ministry of God's Spirit ministering that word. For the letter killeth, or kills, literally Present Tense. The letter is killing, but the Spirit gives life.
He's making reference to the Old Testament law. He says you can keep it all you want to, but it's not going to give you eternal life. The law was given to show us our need for Christ. If somebody tries to keep the law in order to inherit eternal life, they will die in their sins, because only the Spirit of God can give life.
I Need Prayer For My Ex-Bishop Henry Ryan He Need Extra Grace From God Concerning Me We Don't see Eyes the Will Of God In us I Pray For His Heart To feel That God Is real and He is Speaking To us directly.
To God be the The Glory
2 Corinthians 3:17 The Lord is the Spirt and Where The Spirit is it is Liberty. Amen
Christ's death and resurrection destroyed the OLD and ushered in the NEW.
ALL flesh DIED on the cross of Christ, a new creation was resurrected, the image of Christ and his Father, the equal of Christ and his Father.
Isaiah 43:8 God does not share his glory with another, flesh and blood, they had to DIE, but he does bestow his glory on Christ; John 17:22 and we have been made ONE FLESH with Christ, by his resurrection, we are IN TRAVAIL of birth pains, waiting to be delivered into that PROMISE.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be IN YOU, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:6 Who being in the FORM of God, thought it not robbery to be EQUAL with God.
Christ is not THE ONE GOD, but by INHERITANCE, is EQUAL with his Father, the one God.
We share that EQUALITY with Christ, by DYING with Christ on his cross, and being raised with him as ONE FLESH.
If we are going to LIVE by the WORD of God (the sword), we have to DIE by the WORD of God (the sword), understand the NEW and DIE to the OLD.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
We have the faith of Christ, we have the mind of Christ, we have the glory of Christ, we have the works of Christ, by inheritance.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we ALL .... are CHANGED into the SAME IMAGE .....by the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 15:53 ..... this mortal MUST put on IMMORTALITY ....
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light ....
Isaiah 63:9 And in all their affliction, he was afflicted, and the angel of HIS presence saved them ....
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery, hidden from the ages ..... Christ IN YOU ....
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify THOU ME with thine OWN SELF with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Christ is the GLORY OF GOD, his Father, he is not the Father or God; but the Son of his Father and his God.
We, being made ONE FLESH, by the resurrection of Christ, became and heir of God, as Christ is an heir of God.
We are the children of Christ, his sons and daughters, he is our father and our god, until his Father has put all things under Christ, then Christ will turn the kingdom back to HIS FATHER and HIS GOD, and then God will be ALL in ALL, creation as ONE:
John 17:22 And the glory that thou has GIVEN ME I have given THEM; that they may be ONE, even as we are ONE.
If there is a trinity, then we also are a part of that trinity; but a trinity implies three, yet there is going to be billions.
Psalms 136:2 O give thanks to the God of gods .....
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we ALL .... are CHANGED into the SAME IMAGE ..... even so by the Spirit of God.
Study Moses and the prophets, Christ FULFILLED them.
The sanctuary in question was a sanctuary where the Jews performed the ministry given to them by the Lord.
Everything about the tabernacle, the ministry and the rituals was given to the Jews only and was to be performed in Jerusalem.
If a Gentile wanted to serve he had to become a proselyte.
In the old testament "that nation" God showed the world there was a true and LIVING GOD who provides. He used them to make his name great amongst the Nations and he's still doing that, whether by chastening them or blessing them.
He performed his promises and covenants and there's more to come.
God also, by that nation the depravity of man apart from a New birth or regenerated HEART.
Everything about that ministry pointed to our fallen nature and the need for Jesus. There offerings and rituals ect.. pointed towards Christ. THAT WAS IT'S GLORY. which glory was to be done away:
However, That ministry was called the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones.
2 Corinthians 3:9 reads, "For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
(Look at verse 10) 3:10FOR EVEN THAT WHICH WAS MADE GLORIOUS HAD NO GLORY IN THIS RESPECT, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
The ministration of death couldn't make you righteous!
read 2 Corinthians 3:13-14. and notice their blindness.
They were blinded when Moses read to them!
Verse 15) But even unto this day, when Moses is read, THE VAIL IS UPON THEIR HEART.
Verse 16) Important verse..
"Nevertheless WHEN IT SHALL TURN TO THE LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
When what "shall turn to the Lord? Their heart!!
When their heart shall turn to the Lord the veil shall be taken away.
James 2:9-12: James is writing in these verses about those who would "keep (fully obey) the whole law", yet go astray even by committing one sin in a moment of time, having demonstrated their inability to keep (continually uphold) the Law as required. "So speak ye ( James 1:26), and so do ( James 2:17), as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty (the Law believers are under, 2 Corinthians 2:17, Galatians 5:1, James 1:25)". The Law of Liberty, can also be referred to the Law of the Spirit Who gives Liberty ( 2 Corinthians 3:17, Romans 8:2), assures our hearts that we are accepted of the Lord because we have been forgiven & the Gift of the Holy Spirit continually ministers to our hearts & lives to help us live holy lives or lead us/discipline us when we stray off course.
This Liberty, the Law could never give - Israel always remained fearful of it, eventually leading them into idolatry & debauchery, but to those IN Christ Jesus there is now no condemnation who walk after the Spirit ( Romans 8:1) - we should not be bound to the letter that had as its goal to expose & destroy souls, but to the Spirit Who gives Power & Life to obey God perfectly, "hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" ( Jude 1:23). Only the Laws given us by the Spirit to our hearts cover every area of our lives, ministering to us in His Way (& not in human strength), so we can live above the letter's demands but as new creations in Christ. There was nothing wrong with the 10 Commandments, for they are from God & His Truth - but they were for Israel alone, for their conduct before God & man, to show them their sin, God's requirements, & prepare them to approach God in Love, Truth, & Faith. All who did at that time were accepted by their faith alone ( Hebrews 11:39,40) & not on how well they kept the Law. Romans 8:3,4 (we allow the righteousness of the Law to work & be fulfilled in us by God's Spirit - never appealing to the letter, which is devoid of life). Every blessing.
This section is not pointing fingers towards you are anyone in particular.
Deuteronomy 7:6-8 is a portion of scripture that has made an envious world hate the Jews and sadly some of the body of Christ has been compromised by this evil.
"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt"
Verse 6 is what they take issue with. "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, ABOVE ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH"
Some would like to have this said about them, so they render this to the Church.
However, be at ease the church was not in the world when this verse was given,
And the Church is never called people of the earth or earth dwellers.
However, If I'm wrong and God chooses them over the Church, he has the right to do so, it's his creation.
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 emphasizes God's elect! He didn't choose them for any particular reason. It is not the Church.
The Church was never redeemed out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Israel is part of God's plan of salvation explained in Romans 11:11-33.
I find it amazing that the same people who say you can't be saved by the law of Moses "and rightfully so"
They acknowledge scriptures like 2 Corinthians 3:6-7 Galatians 3:19-25 when defending their own imperfections but say Israel failed because they couldn't.
Zechariah ch 11 hinges on the first coming of Christ. It emphasizes the rejection of Christ.
Zechariah 11:14 "Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
This happened when Israel rejected their Messiah, and the veil was rent from top to bottom. Later the Romans came in and destroyed Jerusalem.
Then came the scattering.
Ezekiel is emphasizing the regathering and Spiritual revival.
As of now they are blinded until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
In 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. Paul says "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Also here in Romans 11.
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
The veil on the heart and blindness Paul is speaking of in these two books.
Verse 16 of the Corinthians passage says "Nevertheless WHEN IT SHALL TURN TO THE LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
When what shall turn to the Lord?
Their "Stony" heart!
This will be done away with when God puts his spirit in them spoken of by Ezekiel and Jeremiah.
Now most agree the Church started and the Jews and Gentiles were put into one body by the Ressurection of Christ.
But here in Romans and Corinthians Paul is speaking of a future event.
When you say that one is saying "we don't have to keep the 10 commandments" when they say the law was given to the nation Israel" I believe that is where you err.
I believe most agree with you that the 10 commandments and the law is relevant for us today.
However, they weren't given to make one righteous.
They were called 'The ministration of death", written and engraven in stones, or "Ministration of condemnation". NOT "The ministration of the spirit or Ministration of righteousness" As mentioned, and the two compared in 2 Corinthians 3:6-11
Is there a difference between the law and the 10 commandments?
"They both are a part of the Ministration of condemnation".
The law was written to deal with the 10 commandments by way of pattern or a foreshadowing. Those temporary articles could not make us righteous by that which slew us.
Look how Paul uses them both in Romans 7:7-14 "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ( Exodus 20:17)
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
For I was alive without "THE LAW" once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
So, the question should be "Do the law and commandments "APPLY" to us today. The answer is Yes! We all were under sin.
Moses law was the old law law of sin and death. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, and to sin no more. "But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." 2 Corinthians 3: 7. The Vatican and her daughters (all major denominations) have never had eyes to see the knowledge you are blessed with. This word of God knowledge is what gives the sons and daughters of God power to walk the walk of faith (no sin) with the righteousness of God unto everlasting life. We are not to walk around the foundation of faith. Hallelujah! The people of denominations are walking on the boardwalk which means they are walking around the foundation of faith. "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Timothy 3: 7.
Deutronomey 6:[24] And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
[25] And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.
Romans 10:4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
"But the fearful, 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." Revelations 21: 8.
This is inevitable for those found walking on the boardwalk.
1 Corinthians 13:12 states: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. This relates to our perception of Christ; but also of course in glory we will see other saints in their eternal bodies as well for the first time. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
For now we do get glimpses; should we take the time to discern them of the Holy Spirit uniquely working in each true saint of God.
In physical appearance we still may look the same at least to the world to our early life when we were still in the world. Our identity is in Christ if indeed we are saved; and we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds ( Romans 12:2). Glorification will give us bodies it would seem like Christ when He could go through walls or doors ( John 20:19); we will be able to eat and drink ( Rev. 19:9; compare with Luke 24:42-43; and Mark 14:25). We will also rule and reign with Christ after returning with Him at Armageddon ( Rev. 19:14; Rev. 2:26-27).
Having no more suffering as promised in Revelation 21:4 and no more death certainly is an encouraging throught. I would submit that understanding the reasons for all of our earthly struggles may be even more poignant than understanding the suffering itself. We can take heart that Christ has His church as a reward; and we also can rejoice (or should) in one another and the time on earth invested in the Body of Christ as well as helping to fulfill the Great Commission. Again; it is rewards that are the variable that we are to strive for as seen in 1 Cor. 9:24-27. I am convinved many who receieve great rewards are relatively unknown at present praying in their closet; giving secretly to missions and serving under the radar. God sees the heart (see Heb. 4:12).
Sorry for the late reply.Thanks again for your encouraging words, and your thoughtful comments regarding the scripture in 1John.
Thank you for your time, insight, and testimony that you've shared in all your posts here. You have reminded us all about our Journey and the continued growth that God expects from us, if we are to truly become one with Jesus/God through the following of His Holy Sprit, and eventually actually having that vial taken away, so we can really see! 2 Corinthians 3:16
You also hit home a great point in your statement: "We ourselves experience an increase in joy of this fellowship as He takes away our sin, & we don't return to them." I agree wholeheartedly, and one major point in order for our growth is the continued focus on Not continuing to return to sin!
I don't know what to call you but welcome to the site and thanks for inquiring!
You asked;
Where in the Bible does it the word say that the old Testament or even the law was given only to the Hebrew children or the Jew?
First I would like to add Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope"
Here's what you have been looking for.
Romans 9:1-4 reads, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the ( COVENANTS, AND THE GIVING OF THE LAW,) AND THE SERVICE OF GOD, AND THE PROMISES;
The law is called the "Ministry of condemnation" which refers to the Old Covenant, particularly the Mosaic Law.
We find that in 2 Corinthians 3:7-9.
It was called this because it exposed sin and pronounced judgment, highlighting mans inability to achieve righteousness by their own efforts.
Israel displayed that as any other people would have.
Without this failure and documentation we wouldn't even know it and wouldn't turn away from our own unfruitful efforts.
This ministry displayed even with God in their midst and as a husband to them man's nature remains fallen.
There is no rebirth!
One must be born again by the Spirit of Christ who ushered in the new covenant by his blood shed on the cross.
God bless.
Yet, the vail, till today, continues to cover their eyes as they read the Old Testament, chained to the Old Covenant. But when the heart is turned to the Lord Jesus, that vail of blindness will lift off, and the Light of Christ and His Gospel will shine on them and give them liberty from the Law & the sin it reveals, and embrace only Christ who sets free ( 2 Corinthians 3:13-17). GBU.
Romans 3:31"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."
2 Corinthians 3:3 "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."
John 5:29 "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
Blessings
Ephesians 2:14,15, "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace."
Hebrews 8:6,7, "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second."
Hebrews 8:13, "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."
2 Corinthians 3:6, "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
Galatians 2:16,21, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Blessings.
Exodus 19:3-6, "And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 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: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."
Romans 3:19,20, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
2 Corinthians 3:7-9, "But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory."
Galatians 3:10-13, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them." Onto Page 2.
Indeed, Israel and the Church will always be separate. Only when "Israel shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away" ( 2 Corinthians 3:15,16), and the 'mystery of the united Church of Jew & Gentile' be fully realized in all being gathered in. But I perceive that Israel shall endure much suffering, when at the end, the remnant among them will see the One Whom they pierced ( John 19:37: once at the crucifixion; and then finally reminded, affirmed and believed on at His second Coming, Zechariah 12:9-11). Blessings.
How then do we (believing Jew & Gentile) attain the "righteousness of the law"? Only by the Holy Spirit, now indwelling in us, Who not only brings us into a state of submission to the perfect Will of God, but also to know & obey all that our Heavenly Father requires of us. And this obedience goes way beyond the Laws once engraven in stone but what has been given us by the Spirit ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-8). And His "ministration" goes deep within us showing us where obedience is lacking and needed in our lives & then gives us the power to obey - this "glorious" work the OT Law could never do, nor designed to do. Tithing may be a good rule of thumb for giving, but what the Lord seeks is an earnest cheerful giver (as you shared), as the Spirit directs us to the needs around us. Blessings and thanks again.
This posting is somewhat of a sequel to the last one today. It is important to recognize that there are multiple applications to some verses such as Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This would tie in to Jeremiah 31:33 for instance But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
There are applications for believing Jews as well as Gentiles today (see Romans 10:12); but also of course there is a national sort of repentance for Israel in the last days as 2 Corinthians 3:14 indicates: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
Many who are involved with what is called Replacement Theology would contest this concept. I am not here to argue the point but just to declare wait to see before dismissing prophetic statements not yet fulfilled. God's covenants such as with Abraham were said to be everlasting; clearly certain things such as the need for circumcision as a physical sign of being in God's covenant isn't necessary today as indicated by many passages Paul quotes in the New Testament on this subject. Deuteronomy 10:16 apparently mentions this concept as a sort of precursor to how He operates today with the concept of Grace. The law is fulfilled in Christ; not abrogated.
Before I drift too far from the title of this discussion; I will make the statement that ultimately man cannot through sin eliminate the promises of God's covenant(s). The warning; however is that all men are subject to God and thus those who know better about the law for instance receive greater punishment if they don't get saved (see Luke 12:47). God first conv with Adam in a form of a covenant.
Father, I speak freedom over Mitch's mind and emotions. Every lie, discouragement, and controlling spirit must break now in the name of Jesus. I declare that he walks in the truth of who You say he is: free, loved, and chosen. May Your light shine in every dark place, and may Your Spirit renew his mind daily.
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." - 2 Corinthians 3:17
I would like to share mt beliefs in regards to this topic.
(Not that it has any authority)
1st, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OT AND NT MINISTRIES.
When it comes to God's mercy there is no difference. ( There was a mercy seat" as a solid gold covering placed on top of the Ark of the Covenant in the OT which is seen as a foreshadowing or type of Christ. )
The mercy seat is shown as a symbol of means of forgiveness following a law given that is known as the Administration of condemnation and Administration of Death.
2 Corinthians 3:7-9.
As for the penalty of sin and God's wrath which is to come.
The wrath to come was initiated or caused in the Garden of Eden.
There is an curse on ALL creation and an unrepentant sin nature on Man.
This nature loves darkness.
If you gave man a 1000 years in hell he'll still have that sin nature after the 1000 years was filled.
If you gave man peace on earth for a 1000 years without the devil influence and release the Devil when the 1000 years is filled Man will still display that rebellious nature.
You see a glimpse of this type of unrepentant rebellious demonic nature in Revelation, even while being tormented! Revelation 16:8-11.
Man is needing to be redeemed! Initially he doesn't know and want it.
However,
I believe there is the true light or/and restrainer (all the same being) that reveals and restrains evil and to recieve truth provided to all men.
This light is to reveal their depravity and to lead them out of darkness to Christ or openly reject him and be condemned with the world.
REFERENCES.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7
John 1:8-10.
John 3:17-21
Man has an everlasting Spirit and it's either one that is forever rebellious and continuously influenced by Satan in this life and the after life or he is continuously influenced by the Holyspirit which brought him to Christ and abides in him.
Blessings.
Apostle Paul is telling us that the Ten Commandments does not save us, It condemns us .
2 Corinthians 3:7
But if theministrationof death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
The law brings us to death.
Romans 7:5
For when we were intheflesh,themotionsofsins, which were bythelaw, did work in our members to bring forthfruitunto death.
We are not saved by following the Ten Commandments, we are saved by believing the gospel of grace.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified bytheworksofthelaw, but bythefaithofJesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified bythefaithofChrist, and not bytheworksofthelaw: for bytheworksofthelaw shall nofleshbe justified.
Apostle Paul is telling us not to sin in the flesh and is call out the sin in the flesh.
Galatians 5:19-23
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
No man on earth can follow all of the Ten Commandments, that's why Jesus Christ nail it on the cross.
Colossians 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,nailing it to his cross
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 the Holy Spirit keeps us from sinning and the Word of God cleanses us from sin.
The Laws that a converted Israel would receive, would no longer be as those formerly written on stone, but now 'in fleshy tables of the heart' ( 2 Corinthians 3:3). The Old has decayed and vanished away, only because of Jesus & His institution of the New Covenant. Let us not abide by things that are from the old economy, as even now, priests still wear religious garb & mitres, with their incense lamps as did the Jewish priests of old, rather to embrace what God's Spirit has for us in our hearts & lives, never leading us into condemnation.
As for your reference to Matthew 12:36-42, I'm not going to debate that, for I believe as you do, in what Jesus said about His death & resurrection relating it to Jonah's entombment in the 'whale'. The issue is first with the references I gave earlier, viz Mark 16:1,2,9, with John 20:1 complementing it. If the two Marys came "very early in the morning on the first day of the week", & "it was still dark", that tells me that they had arrived at the sepulchre to anoint Jesus' Body before dawn broke on the first day of the week (Sunday). Yes, the Jewish Sunday started after sundown Sabbath, but it still was Sunday when morning broke. You stated: "The earliest they (the Marys) could come to the tomb and administer the spices was as Saturday ended that very evening and Sunday began to dawn, which occurs at SUNDOWN. So Mary came at sundown Saturday." If Saturday (Sabbath) ended in the evening, the dawn of Sunday was still 10-12 hours away; if a day dawns, it is when the sun begins to rise - the day cannot dawn straight after the sun sets the previous day. This shows that the women came up to 12 hours after the Sabbath Day ended (i.e. the next day, Sunday). So I don't get your timeline here.
And just a final personal, maybe rhetorical, question: do you consider yourself to be wholly subject to the New Covenant in Christ's Blood, or do you believe it is necessary to embrace both the Old & the New to be right before God?
The Ten Commandments, and most certainly the 4th, has nothing to do with the Church of Christ Jesus. Please consider Exodus 31:12-18. In that passage, there are three distinct occasions where the children of Israel are spoken of & that they alone were to keep the Sabbath Day holy. It was never given to the Gentiles, & certainly not to Christ's Church. True, there were imposter Churches around then as also today, but the marks of their falsehood are not seen in the keeping of the Ten Commandments, rather in the preaching of a defective Gospel and their incorrect understanding and handling of the Word of God.
Where the Decalogue was given to Israel to obey, or where even our Lord told the people to "keep the commandments" (e.g. Matthew 19:17), all was done because the Law was still in force & the New Covenant in Christ's Blood was not ushered in as yet. Once the price for sin was paid & accepted by the Father, only those believing in Jesus to save them from the awful penalty for their sin, could be redeemed, saved, given new birth by the Holy Spirit, and come under the New Covenant administered by the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:6-11. The Old has been abolished, which is the Law (contained) in ordinances (Gk. dogmasim) ( Ephesians 2:14-16).
2 Corinthians 3:15-16But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
( The it mentioned here is their heart!)
It is Israel that was blinded because they sought righteousness by the Law. Romans 9:31-32 and other places.
Also Romans 11:6-11 reads
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the ELECTION hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
A temporary blindness! Romans 11:25-26.
Quoting you!
Paul says very clear, very open, very bold, you know exactly what the gospel is. It isn't hidden. It's not behind a vail. It's out in the open.
That's very clear. The Gospel, "The Good news, or A good message "
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; Romans 9:30-32.
Peter sums this up in Acts 15:5-11.
Great study!
God bless.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass, or mirror, the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory. The word changed is actually the word transformation, metamorphosis. It is a transformation that takes place, that when we're fellowshipping with the Lord, and we look into the mirror, or the glass, and we're looking into the glory of the Lord, is that we are changed into that image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. He performs a transformation in us, a change. And Paul describes that for us in Chapter 5 about a new creation.
2 Corinthians 4:2 - But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Where it says, "nor handling the word of God deceitfully," this is a good one. The word handling and deceitfully are all one word. It's actually a pharmaceutical term that means unmixed. You don't mix the word of God with something else.
In fact, Paul in his first letter, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, he says when I came to you, my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He didn't use any human manipulations. He just preached and it was the demonstration of Spirit and power that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.
Paul says I minister so that your relationship with the Lord will be on the basis of faith, not human manipulation. And so, he says here, we have not handled the word of God deceitfully. We haven't mixed it with anything else. We just give you straight word.
2 Corinthians 3:13 - And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
Now in that last little phrase "Look to the end of that which is abolished," in the Greek, it basically tells us something that the Old Testament doesn't tell us.
If you remember Moses, actually seven times went up and down the mountain and conversed with God about various things. And when he would come down, his face was radiating because he had been conversing with God. And so, he put a vail over his face so that the people wouldn't be distracted or could see this glow.
This text tells us that the vail was put over his face so the people could not see the glory fading off of his face and become disheartened. But it faded away. The Greek text says so that the people could not see it fading away. After a while it went away. He put the vail over his face so that they couldn't see it disappear.
But he says we're not like Moses. We're very bold. Moses was very withdrawn and had to hide it so the people wouldn't get discouraged and wonder what was going on when the glow went away. Paul says very clear, very open, very bold, you know exactly what the gospel is. It isn't hidden. It's not behind a vail. It's out in the open.
2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: The word "that" is literally the. The Lord is (the) Spirit. Talk about deity! We're not talking about oneness in person. We're talking about oneness in essence. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, they are all one God, equal.
2 Corinthians 2:17 - For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God:
The word corrupt is a Greek word that would be equivalent to our term swap-meet. The word of God is not for a swap-meet. We don't merchandise it. We don't compromise to get something back, or trade. We are not those who peddle the word of God!
But as of sincerity, and again, that's the word transparency, but as of God, accountability, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Wow, what a statement to make! Whether a person receives or rejects, our conscience is that we're going to be transparent, we're going to be accountable to God, and we're going to represent Him properly in Christ Jesus to people. Wow!
2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
The word sufficient means capable. Not that we are capable of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2 Corinthians 3:6 - Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; (in contrast): not of the letter, but of the spirit:
Now I think that's very interesting. A person can know the bible backwards and forwards but not have the ministry of God's Spirit ministering that word. For the letter killeth, or kills, literally Present Tense. The letter is killing, but the Spirit gives life.
He's making reference to the Old Testament law. He says you can keep it all you want to, but it's not going to give you eternal life. The law was given to show us our need for Christ. If somebody tries to keep the law in order to inherit eternal life, they will die in their sins, because only the Spirit of God can give life.
To God be the The Glory
2 Corinthians 3:17 The Lord is the Spirt and Where The Spirit is it is Liberty. Amen
Shalom
Christ's death and resurrection destroyed the OLD and ushered in the NEW.
ALL flesh DIED on the cross of Christ, a new creation was resurrected, the image of Christ and his Father, the equal of Christ and his Father.
Isaiah 43:8 God does not share his glory with another, flesh and blood, they had to DIE, but he does bestow his glory on Christ; John 17:22 and we have been made ONE FLESH with Christ, by his resurrection, we are IN TRAVAIL of birth pains, waiting to be delivered into that PROMISE.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be IN YOU, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:6 Who being in the FORM of God, thought it not robbery to be EQUAL with God.
Christ is not THE ONE GOD, but by INHERITANCE, is EQUAL with his Father, the one God.
We share that EQUALITY with Christ, by DYING with Christ on his cross, and being raised with him as ONE FLESH.
If we are going to LIVE by the WORD of God (the sword), we have to DIE by the WORD of God (the sword), understand the NEW and DIE to the OLD.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
We have the faith of Christ, we have the mind of Christ, we have the glory of Christ, we have the works of Christ, by inheritance.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we ALL .... are CHANGED into the SAME IMAGE .....by the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 15:53 ..... this mortal MUST put on IMMORTALITY ....
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light ....
Isaiah 63:9 And in all their affliction, he was afflicted, and the angel of HIS presence saved them ....
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery, hidden from the ages ..... Christ IN YOU ....
God Bless You
Christ is the GLORY OF GOD, his Father, he is not the Father or God; but the Son of his Father and his God.
We, being made ONE FLESH, by the resurrection of Christ, became and heir of God, as Christ is an heir of God.
We are the children of Christ, his sons and daughters, he is our father and our god, until his Father has put all things under Christ, then Christ will turn the kingdom back to HIS FATHER and HIS GOD, and then God will be ALL in ALL, creation as ONE:
John 17:22 And the glory that thou has GIVEN ME I have given THEM; that they may be ONE, even as we are ONE.
If there is a trinity, then we also are a part of that trinity; but a trinity implies three, yet there is going to be billions.
Psalms 136:2 O give thanks to the God of gods .....
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we ALL .... are CHANGED into the SAME IMAGE ..... even so by the Spirit of God.
Study Moses and the prophets, Christ FULFILLED them.
God Bless You
Sorry, I should have proof read this.
Here's a edited version.
The sanctuary in question was a sanctuary where the Jews performed the ministry given to them by the Lord.
Everything about the tabernacle, the ministry and the rituals was given to the Jews only and was to be performed in Jerusalem.
If a Gentile wanted to serve he had to become a proselyte.
In the old testament, "by the nation Israel" God showed the world there was a true and LIVING GOD who provides.
He used them to make his name great amongst the Nations and he's still doing that, whether by chastening them or blessing them.
He performed his promises and covenants and there's more to come.
God also, by that nation showed the depravity of man apart from a New birth or regenerated HEART.
Everything about that ministry pointed to our fallen nature and the need for Jesus.
Their offerings and rituals ect.. pointed towards Christ. THAT WAS ITS GLORY. which glory was to be done away with:
However, That ministry was called the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones.
2 Corinthians 3:9 reads, "For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
(Look at verse 10) 3:10FOR EVEN THAT WHICH WAS MADE GLORIOUS HAD NO GLORY IN THIS RESPECT, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
The ministration of death couldn't make you righteous!
Read 2 Corinthians 3:13-14. and notice their blindness .
(They were blinded when Moses read to them!)
Verse 15) But even unto this day, when Moses is read, THE VAIL IS UPON THEIR HEART.
Verse 16) Important verse..
"Nevertheless WHEN IT SHALL TURN TO THE LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
When what "shall turn to the Lord? Their heart!!
When their heart shall turn to the Lord the veil shall be taken away.
Again im sorry for such a mess.
I'm working tonight and multitasking.
Blessings
The sanctuary in question was a sanctuary where the Jews performed the ministry given to them by the Lord.
Everything about the tabernacle, the ministry and the rituals was given to the Jews only and was to be performed in Jerusalem.
If a Gentile wanted to serve he had to become a proselyte.
In the old testament "that nation" God showed the world there was a true and LIVING GOD who provides. He used them to make his name great amongst the Nations and he's still doing that, whether by chastening them or blessing them.
He performed his promises and covenants and there's more to come.
God also, by that nation the depravity of man apart from a New birth or regenerated HEART.
Everything about that ministry pointed to our fallen nature and the need for Jesus. There offerings and rituals ect.. pointed towards Christ. THAT WAS IT'S GLORY. which glory was to be done away:
However, That ministry was called the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones.
2 Corinthians 3:9 reads, "For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
(Look at verse 10) 3:10FOR EVEN THAT WHICH WAS MADE GLORIOUS HAD NO GLORY IN THIS RESPECT, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
The ministration of death couldn't make you righteous!
read 2 Corinthians 3:13-14. and notice their blindness.
They were blinded when Moses read to them!
Verse 15) But even unto this day, when Moses is read, THE VAIL IS UPON THEIR HEART.
Verse 16) Important verse..
"Nevertheless WHEN IT SHALL TURN TO THE LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
When what "shall turn to the Lord? Their heart!!
When their heart shall turn to the Lord the veil shall be taken away.
God bless.
King David was flesh and blood, therefore he is in the grave, dust to dust.
Acts 2:29-34
King David, the NEW CREATION, by the resurrection of Christ, is now in the presence of God, being made ONE FLESH, by the resurrection of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:53 ... this mortal shall PUT ON IMMORTALITY ......
1 Timothy 6:16 ...... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light ......
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all...... are CHANGED into the same IMAGE .... even so by the Spirit of God.
John 11:25 ..... Christ is the RESURRECTION .......
God Bless You
James 2:9-12: James is writing in these verses about those who would "keep (fully obey) the whole law", yet go astray even by committing one sin in a moment of time, having demonstrated their inability to keep (continually uphold) the Law as required. "So speak ye ( James 1:26), and so do ( James 2:17), as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty (the Law believers are under, 2 Corinthians 2:17, Galatians 5:1, James 1:25)". The Law of Liberty, can also be referred to the Law of the Spirit Who gives Liberty ( 2 Corinthians 3:17, Romans 8:2), assures our hearts that we are accepted of the Lord because we have been forgiven & the Gift of the Holy Spirit continually ministers to our hearts & lives to help us live holy lives or lead us/discipline us when we stray off course.
This Liberty, the Law could never give - Israel always remained fearful of it, eventually leading them into idolatry & debauchery, but to those IN Christ Jesus there is now no condemnation who walk after the Spirit ( Romans 8:1) - we should not be bound to the letter that had as its goal to expose & destroy souls, but to the Spirit Who gives Power & Life to obey God perfectly, "hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" ( Jude 1:23). Only the Laws given us by the Spirit to our hearts cover every area of our lives, ministering to us in His Way (& not in human strength), so we can live above the letter's demands but as new creations in Christ. There was nothing wrong with the 10 Commandments, for they are from God & His Truth - but they were for Israel alone, for their conduct before God & man, to show them their sin, God's requirements, & prepare them to approach God in Love, Truth, & Faith. All who did at that time were accepted by their faith alone ( Hebrews 11:39,40) & not on how well they kept the Law. Romans 8:3,4 (we allow the righteousness of the Law to work & be fulfilled in us by God's Spirit - never appealing to the letter, which is devoid of life). Every blessing.
Part 2.
This section is not pointing fingers towards you are anyone in particular.
Deuteronomy 7:6-8 is a portion of scripture that has made an envious world hate the Jews and sadly some of the body of Christ has been compromised by this evil.
"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt"
Verse 6 is what they take issue with. "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, ABOVE ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH"
Some would like to have this said about them, so they render this to the Church.
However, be at ease the church was not in the world when this verse was given,
And the Church is never called people of the earth or earth dwellers.
However, If I'm wrong and God chooses them over the Church, he has the right to do so, it's his creation.
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 emphasizes God's elect! He didn't choose them for any particular reason. It is not the Church.
The Church was never redeemed out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Israel is part of God's plan of salvation explained in Romans 11:11-33.
I find it amazing that the same people who say you can't be saved by the law of Moses "and rightfully so"
They acknowledge scriptures like 2 Corinthians 3:6-7 Galatians 3:19-25 when defending their own imperfections but say Israel failed because they couldn't.
God bless.
Part 1
Zechariah ch 11 hinges on the first coming of Christ. It emphasizes the rejection of Christ.
Zechariah 11:14 "Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
This happened when Israel rejected their Messiah, and the veil was rent from top to bottom. Later the Romans came in and destroyed Jerusalem.
Then came the scattering.
Ezekiel is emphasizing the regathering and Spiritual revival.
As of now they are blinded until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
In 2 Corinthians 3:14-16. Paul says "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Also here in Romans 11.
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
The veil on the heart and blindness Paul is speaking of in these two books.
Verse 16 of the Corinthians passage says "Nevertheless WHEN IT SHALL TURN TO THE LORD, the vail shall be taken away.
When what shall turn to the Lord?
Their "Stony" heart!
This will be done away with when God puts his spirit in them spoken of by Ezekiel and Jeremiah.
Now most agree the Church started and the Jews and Gentiles were put into one body by the Ressurection of Christ.
But here in Romans and Corinthians Paul is speaking of a future event.
See part 2
When you say that one is saying "we don't have to keep the 10 commandments" when they say the law was given to the nation Israel" I believe that is where you err.
I believe most agree with you that the 10 commandments and the law is relevant for us today.
However, they weren't given to make one righteous.
They were called 'The ministration of death", written and engraven in stones, or "Ministration of condemnation". NOT "The ministration of the spirit or Ministration of righteousness" As mentioned, and the two compared in 2 Corinthians 3:6-11
Is there a difference between the law and the 10 commandments?
"They both are a part of the Ministration of condemnation".
The law was written to deal with the 10 commandments by way of pattern or a foreshadowing. Those temporary articles could not make us righteous by that which slew us.
Look how Paul uses them both in Romans 7:7-14 "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ( Exodus 20:17)
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
For I was alive without "THE LAW" once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
So, the question should be "Do the law and commandments "APPLY" to us today. The answer is Yes! We all were under sin.
Here is where we factor in Galatians 3:11-26.
God bless.
Deutronomey 6:[24] And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.
[25] And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.
Romans 10:4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
"But the fearful, 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." Revelations 21: 8.
This is inevitable for those found walking on the boardwalk.
1 Corinthians 13:12 states: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. This relates to our perception of Christ; but also of course in glory we will see other saints in their eternal bodies as well for the first time. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
For now we do get glimpses; should we take the time to discern them of the Holy Spirit uniquely working in each true saint of God.
In physical appearance we still may look the same at least to the world to our early life when we were still in the world. Our identity is in Christ if indeed we are saved; and we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds ( Romans 12:2). Glorification will give us bodies it would seem like Christ when He could go through walls or doors ( John 20:19); we will be able to eat and drink ( Rev. 19:9; compare with Luke 24:42-43; and Mark 14:25). We will also rule and reign with Christ after returning with Him at Armageddon ( Rev. 19:14; Rev. 2:26-27).
Having no more suffering as promised in Revelation 21:4 and no more death certainly is an encouraging throught. I would submit that understanding the reasons for all of our earthly struggles may be even more poignant than understanding the suffering itself. We can take heart that Christ has His church as a reward; and we also can rejoice (or should) in one another and the time on earth invested in the Body of Christ as well as helping to fulfill the Great Commission. Again; it is rewards that are the variable that we are to strive for as seen in 1 Cor. 9:24-27. I am convinved many who receieve great rewards are relatively unknown at present praying in their closet; giving secretly to missions and serving under the radar. God sees the heart (see Heb. 4:12).
Sorry for the late reply.Thanks again for your encouraging words, and your thoughtful comments regarding the scripture in 1John.
Thank you for your time, insight, and testimony that you've shared in all your posts here. You have reminded us all about our Journey and the continued growth that God expects from us, if we are to truly become one with Jesus/God through the following of His Holy Sprit, and eventually actually having that vial taken away, so we can really see! 2 Corinthians 3:16
You also hit home a great point in your statement: "We ourselves experience an increase in joy of this fellowship as He takes away our sin, & we don't return to them." I agree wholeheartedly, and one major point in order for our growth is the continued focus on Not continuing to return to sin!
Continue on my friend.
GBU