Discuss Hebrews 8 Page 4

Hi Adam The statements I made you have taken entirely out of context your coming across like to fight and I don't do that with Gods Word. We get born again, we are perfect in Gods eyes spiritually, the flesh different ball game. Then we have to renew our minds to Gods Word that's a lifetime.

Those so called christians who think or believe they can do whatever they want have believed a great lie. What you sow is still what you reap. Perhaps this cleared some things up. We still all sin and fall short of the Glory of God it's when you start thinking its not a big deal is when your in hot water. In His Service

Hello Rick, I'd like to politely challenge one of your statements. Since you said we won't be punished for any sins does that mean I can enjoy committing sins tonight without any punishment? Strip club, drugs, fornication, lying, stealing, cheating, all isn't counted and all are ok?

And I can tell all my Christian friends to go with me and do the same? Does Jesus cover intentional sin, and even blasphemy? And if all believers are already forgiven, does that mean we no longer need to confess and ask for forgiveness of sins and that we shouldn't even try to avoid sin? Scriptural support? And how else should I interpret verses like Hebrews 10:26?

God bless...

Hi English Sasha Not getting intellectual here but to explain, the word bema is the original word used for judgement seat, one specific example Romans 14:10 the judgment seat of Christ is the bema where we will stand to get rewarded for what we did for God after we were born again.

We will not be punished for any sins because Christ has paid for those. The original languages used changes the specific meaning of the english translation depending on the context of where the word is used. You can find this information on line in a concordance. Hope this helps In His Service

Benma seat. ? I don't know this phrase , please give references . If it's not from the Bible it will confuse me and I'm not a babe so imagine how confused a babe might be by terms that are not biblical on a Bible site . Please forgive me for this but I honestly believe that giving things from the Bible names that are not biblical , in other words man made , can confuse people , it can make them feel uninformed . Doesn't bother me cos I know bema isn't biblical but others may not and waste time trying to find that word in the Bible when it isn't there . Sorry if I offended you , that's not my intention .

Yes , you most certainly will, an well before the great white throne judgement,.. they'll be a time of teaching,.. the Lords day ,.. the millennium

Erie Page Jr.,

Which judgment are you referring to? Are you referring to the Bema Seat judgment for believers (Pre-Millennium), or the Great White Throne judgment for non-believers (Post Millennium)?

Will we see our love ones again in judgement

Why there are people who refused to received the mark of the beast? It is because they just followed on what stated in revelation 18:4, thus; they were no longer involved or connected in any religious,political,and commercial organizations who imposes systems that manipulated and exploited humankind.Why they followed revelation 18:4? It is because almighty god shows mercy on them.( romans 9;15,16,18) and he wrotes to them his laws on their heart and mind ( hebrews 8:10,11) and he separated them from those who have mark of the beast ( romans 11:4).

Hello Giannis. I understand that the NT authors & Septuagint translators found that 'diatheke' was the best word that could be used when translating or referring from the Hebrew 'berith' (covenant). Diatheke was preferred over 'syntheke', since this word (syntheke) conveyed more of an agreement between equal partners, whereas 'diatheke' meant a covenant between a superior & a subordinate. And also to note, even as you mentioned, that a testament cannot be changed after the death of the testator, however, it can be changed while the testator is alive, for various reasons. Whereas a covenant cannot be changed at all while it is in force: when God makes a covenant with His people, He can punish them for breaking the covenant, but He never cancels the covenant promises He has made. However, Hebrews 8:6-13, speaks of Jesus being the "mediator of a better covenant" (as declared in Jeremiah 31:31-34), where the old was abrogated (i.e. it served its purpose & its time limit), ushering the new covenant through "the blood of the everlasting covenant" ( Hebrews 13:20).

So, the way I see it, even though the Greek rendering is correct as "testament", it would allow, in biblical terms, for its use as 'Covenant' when translated & referred from the Hebrew word & meaning, as any another Greek word (even symfono?) would be unsuitable. As the New Testament came into force with the death of the testator ( Hebrews 9:16,17), it was still based on the first Covenant that God made with His people which is now made new through His Son.

Why do all. the English translations, including KJV's, translate the greek word "diatheke " () as "covenant" but not as "testament" which is the right translation? All modern greek translations without any exception use the word testament ( a person's will) and with that meaning all greek theologists and preachers from all sort of churches, greek orhodox, catholics, evagelical, pentecostal use it here in Greece. I also made a search in Wikipedia, Whereas in the greek version it uses the word testament, in the English one it uses the word covenant. It is a testament, not a covenant. An agreement can always change agterwards, a testament never changes after a person's death. In an agreement two persons try to find common terms to settle down, in a testament the person who writes his/her will puts down his own terms for the one who gets the heritage. So Gods testament never changes, there won't be any new one, and the terms of the heritage, that is the Heaven, come from God himself and have nothing to do with people.

1 Corinthians 15:24

"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."

1 Corinthians 15:25

"For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet."

Yahawah bahasham Yahawashi is going to destroy these earthly governments. The so called ruling elites are finished. There will be no hiding place for the wicked. No doubt about it.

17 nations (for the Most High Yahawah only created 18 nations) are going into slavery for 1000 years for causing untold destruction and brutality to the LORD's chosen people: The Israelites. Then the Edomites are going to be destroyed according to the Book of Obadiah, Jeremiah 49 and Ezekiel 25 just a few examples to support the prophecy.

Kingdom of Heaven is the inheritance of the Israelites. Read Hebrews 8:8 the new covenant is only for the House of Israel 12 tribes.

Hebrews 8:7

"For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second."

Hebrews 8:8

"For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:"

John 8:32

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

First King of Righteousness, and After That King of Peace

Charles Haddon Spurgeon February 3, 1884

Scripture: Hebrews 7:2

From: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Volume 30

I recently refer to Michelangelo and his works ,the pieta, along with others including Melchizedek and Abram returning and the giving and receiving. Your comments go far beyond what are just the beginning of what is in store for those that love Him! Thank you for your work.

Hebrews 8:5 = GOD commanded Moses to construct the Old Testament Tabernacle as the instrument of HIS presenting HIM-SELF to Israel ( Exo. 25:22; cp. 30:6 & 36):

"There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the Mercy Seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the Ark of the Testimony, of all things which I will give thee in Commandment unto the children of Israel."

This verse ( Heb. 8:5) records three terms which demonstrates the purpose and value of the Old Testament Levitical Priesthood and of the Tabernacle that GOD commanded Moses to replicate on earth to provide a comprehensive perspective "figure" ( Heb. 9:9) of that which is "of Heavenly Things".

1st, they served as "the example of Heavenly Things", meaning an exact copy or reproduction of the original and "True Tabernacle, which The LORD pitched, and not man" (v.2). Compare the terms "figure", "pat-tern", and "fashion" in the following references: Exodus 26:30; 27:8; Numbers 8:4; Acts 7:44; and Hebrews 9:9;

2nd, they served as a "shadow of Heavenly Things", meaning it only typified, symbolized, represented, and point-ed to the Heavenly Tabernacle. A literal shadow is intangible which reveals simply the outline or profile of the actual object. The earthly Tabernacle simply revealed a "a figure for the time then present."

By design, the example demonstrates the purpose and value of the original. This example is not a counterfeit, but rather a replication of the actual Heavenly Tabernacle which speaks of the saints dwelling in the very Presence of CHRIST ( Rev. 13:6; 15:5; 21:3).

3rd, they served as GOD's earthly "pattern" which was enforced only temporarily until CHRIST established HIS "more Excellent Ministry" (v.6) as exclaimed in Hebrews 10:9-12.

The 70 th Week

Part 3

Jesus confirmed the last 3.5 years through His apostles ending when Stephen was killed, Paul was converted, Peter had his dream the conformation to Judah ended and the gospel was sent to the Gentiles. This fulfills the 70=weeks 490/483 years

We have been told to study, we are told to test the spirits, trust our teacher the Holy Spirit and pray. These are the six things that were determined on Judah and the holy city Jerusalem, a few verses that may help see if this has been fulfilled by Jesus.

1. To finish the transgression ( Isaiah 53:5, 8) ( Isaiah 53:11) ( Hebrews 9:15-18)

2. To make an end of sins ( Matthew 1:21) ( Hebrews 10:8-11) ( John 1:29) ( 1 Corinthians 15:3)

( 1 John 3:5) ( Psalm 32) ( Romans 8:3)

3. To make reconciliation for iniquity ( Colossians 1:20-22) ( Isaiah 53:6) ( Isaiah 53:11) ( Ephesians 2:16) ( Titus 2:14) ( 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

4. To bring in everlasting righteousness ( Romans 5:17-21) ( Romans 3:21-26) ( 1Peter 2:24)

( 2 Corinthians 5:21) ( Isaiah 61:10-11)

5. To seal up vision and prophecy ( Daniel 9:23) ( John 6:27) ( Mark 1:14-15) ( Acts 3:18)

( John 5:36-40) ( Matthew 11:11-15)

6. To anoint the most holy ( Hebrews 8:1-12) ( Hebrews 9:6-14)

The 70 th week has been used along with other Bible verses to paint a fantastic picture of end times. The pre, mid, or post rapture of the Church, an antichrist, 7-year tribulation, 3.5-year covenant with Israel, a third temple, abomination of desolation, 3.5 years great tribulation after breaking covenant, and more. Many of these teachings started in the late 1600s. I hope this helps, if this prophecy has been fulfilled, it will show the falsehoods of these teachings because without using part of the 70 weeks prophecy given to Daniel, these teachings will fall apart.

Acts.3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

RLW

Hello Dianne. One could ask your question in the opposite way: why didn't Paul admonish & discipline the NT Church for not obeying the 4th Commandment? I can't ever recall reading about that happening. I say this assuming you believe that the Church did worship on the First day of the Week; some Christians today believe that the NT Church still held onto a Sabbath worship.

Also, I could ask: do you see any reason between Jesus & the Jewish people observing the 4th Commandment as a day of rest & attending to religious duties, & then a sudden switch in worship times & styles, post crucifixion & resurrection?

And a further related question, seeing this is question about the Law: did not Paul himself write, in 2 Corinthians 3:6-11, concerning the New Testament (Covenant), that the Spirit of this Testament brought life to all unlike the Letter of the Law which only brought death? That was the purpose of the Law: to show the Jews God's Standards of behaviour & their inability to fully attain to it. Even though the Glory of the Law was tremendous, how much more is the Glory of the Spirit's Ministry. And that which was once glorious, God had chosen to do away with, so that the Glory of the New Covenant energized by the Life-giving Spirit, would excel in Glory. Here, Paul is showing the incompatibility between the Law which was given on tables of stone, to the Law of the Spirit, which is written upon the tables of our hearts; & specifically applied & written to believing Jews ( Hebrews 8:7-13).

Sadly, the Old Testament Law today is still called upon as a measure of one's obedience to the Lord. And sadder still, when that 'obedience' is used against other Christians who choose to observe the 1st Day of the Week as their day of worship (& maybe rest). Let us not judge one another, but that "every man be persuaded (convinced, believing) in his own mind".

Hi Peter,

I very much agree with you that all souls return to God. Who gave us our spirit as in Ecclesiastes 12:7.

Though as I believe Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God and on the Throne of God in Heaven. As Acts 7:55, Colossians 3:1-4, Hebrews 8:1, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 21:22-23, etc.

I believe I will see, and be with, Jesus Christ, God our Father, and our whole family in Heaven.

God Bless. Have a wonderful day!

For any who are looking at theories on how it ends. There is a fantastic picture that has been painted and taught since the early 1800s and is taken from Daniel 9:27 to create the last week (7 years). The entire theory and all that is taught that will happen hinges on taking the last week/7 years from this 70-week prophecy.

This prophecy was determined on Daniel's people (house of Israel) and the holy city (Jerusalem).

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

If Jesus fulfilled what was determined in this prophecy, does that make this entire theory and all that is taught in this theory untrue?

How will it change the picture if the 70th week in the book of Daniel has been fulfilled?

What is our blessed hope?

We have been told to study, trust our teacher the Holy Spirit and pray.

These are the six things that were determined, and a few verses that may help your study.

1. To finish the transgression ( Isaiah 53:5, 8) ( Isaiah 53:11) ( Hebrews 9:15-18)

2. To make an end of sins ( Matthew 1:21) ( Hebrews 10:8-11) ( John 1:29) ( 1 Corinthians 15:3)

( 1 John 3:5) ( Psalm 32) ( Romans 8:3)

3. To make reconciliation for iniquity ( Colossians 1:20-22) ( Isaiah 53:6) ( Isaiah 53:11) ( Ephesians 2:16) ( Titus 2:14) ( 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

4. To bring in everlasting righteousness ( Romans 5:17-21) ( Romans 3:21-26) ( 1Peter 2:24)

( 2 Corinthians 5:21) ( Isaiah 61:10-11)

5. To seal up vision and prophecy ( Daniel 9:23) ( John 6:27) ( Mark 1:14-15) ( Acts 3:18)

( John 5:36-40) ( Matthew 11:11-15)

6. To anoint the most holy ( Hebrews 8:1-12) ( Hebrews 9:6-14)

RLW

Hello Dan,

Thank you for your comments.

Can a person decide to keep only a portion of the laws of his city or country? Can a person keep only a portion of the terms of his rental lease or of his work contract? In like manner, can a person keep only a portion of the contract (Mosaic Law) made between God and Israel. There were over 600 laws given. The 10 commandments are only the first 10 of those 600+ laws.

Notice what Israel said when the Mosaic Law (or Covenant) was inaugurated by blood at Exodus 24:3-8:

Exodus 24:3 "And Moses came and told the people ALL the words of the LORD, and ALL the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, ALL THE WORDS which the LORD hath said will we do."

James 2:10-11 "For whosoever shall keep the WHOLE LAW, and yet offend in ONE POINT, he is guilty of ALL."

If a person keeps the 4th commandment but not the other commandments of the Old Covenant, he is breaking the law. That is why the apostle Paul, under inspiration, said the law had to be changed.

Hebrews 7:12 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity A CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW."

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."

Replaced by the New Covenant (or Testament) by Jesus' shed blood.

Luke 22:20 "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the NEW TESTAMENT in my blood, which is shed for you."

I gladly obey those commandments of Jesus Christ ( John 14:15), of the New Testament, which were communicated by inspiration and revelation to the Apostles - from Acts to Revelation. See 2 Corinthians 12:7 and 2 Timothy 3:16.

I kindly welcome your further comments.

I bid you a good day.

Hi Vince,

I was wanting to answer your question, "If God, Himself, told us that there is no New Thing under the Sun, why do we have a New Testament?"

Good question.

I would suggest you ask God that question since he himself prophesied through his prophet Jeremiah that he would set up a New Covenant (or Testament).

Jeremiah 31:31-32 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant (testament) with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant (testament) that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant (testament) THEY BRAKE, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Notice why God sets up the New Covenant. It says they brake (in modern English, broke) the Mosaic law covenant or testament. Thus, when a contract is broken, you have to set up a new one.

Hebrews 8:7 "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."

God is God. He does what he wants. We can be sure that whatever he does is just and perfect.

I welcome your comments.

Good day.

Hello Vince,

Thank you for your comments. I was wanting to respond specifically to your comment, "I guess they think Christ died on the cross so we can be Lawless."

No, I do not believe that Jesus died for me so that I could be lawless. I do want to obey God's Laws. However, what has God commanded me to do? Would you suggest that I be circumcised so as to keep God's Law recorded at Leviticus 12:3? Why would I do that when the Apostles decided in Acts 15 that I need not be circumcised in order to serve God.

So, what do I obey. As a Christian, I obey the instructions that the Apostles gave to the first-century Church in the epistles from Romans to Revelation. They never tell me to keep the Sabbath or be circumcised or keep the festivals of Israel. In fact, they tell me the opposite:

Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"

Galatians 4:10 "Ye observe days (sabbaths), and months (lunar month), and times (festivals), and years (sabbatical). I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain."

I obey the New Testament made between God and the Church of God via the mediator Jesus Christ since I am a Christian. I do not obey the Old Testament made between God and ancient Israel via the mediator Moses. I am not an Israelite.

Please see Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:7-13.

Notice that the Bible is separated into 2 portions - the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus inaugurated the New Testament with his shed blood. See Luke 22:20. These are the laws that I obey - God's laws for Christians in the New Testament.

I kindly invite your comments.

Good day.

Hello Richard,

Thank you for your comments. I enjoyed reading your thoughts.

Indeed, I certainly agree with you that the Old Testament books are still important for Christians. Indeed, the Apostle Paul said that all scripture is beneficial. ( 2 Timothy 3:16) He also stated at Romans 15:4 that those things were written to teach us. Also, at 1 Corinthians 10:6 and 1 Corinthians 10:11, he says that those things were examples to us to teach us and warn us.

However, as far as the terms of a Testament or Covenant concerning the laws that we must obey, Christians should obey only the New Testament laws which are binding on a Christian. You cannot have 2 rental leases in force at the same time. The new rental lease makes the old one obsolete. The New Testament makes the Old Testament obsolete.

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."

Hebrews 7:12 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the (Mosaic) law."

Luke 16:16 "The (Mosaic) law and the prophets were until John..."

Christians are not commanded in the New Testament to keep the Saturday sabbath and neither to keep a dominical sabbath (Sunday). There is no set day to keep. The only thing that is commanded to be kept is meeting together - that can be anytime during the week.

Hebrews 10:24, 25 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The Apostle Paul counsels against keeping any "day":

Galatians 4:10 "Ye observe (sabbath) days, and (lunar) months, and (festivals) times, and (sabbatical) years."

Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"

I welcome your further comments.

Good day, Richard.

Hi dan.

we will agree to disagree on that topic.

i'm just trying to seek truth and stand for it.

we should try to help one another to stay on track, i just thought you should take another look at that scripture.

i hope you would do the same for me.

christianity is not trying to win an argument.

it's about christ and his work on the cross.

and we are to shine light ""on him"" he's in the mist of the candle sticks. those lights should be fueled by oil, "holyspirit" this parallels with 2 cor. 3:3. fleshly tables of the heart,

and

hebrews 8:9-10. not according to the covenant that i made with their fathers in the day when i took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and i regarded them not, saith the lord.

for this is the covenant that i will make with the house of israel after those days, saith the lord;

i will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and i will be to them a god, and they shall be to me a people:

the first covenant they were commanded to do.

"and they couldn't"

the second covenant they were commanded to be!! and they could through the power of the holyspirit. the laws of god written on their heart.

the first covenant showed the flesh was weak.

the second covenant shows it was victorious when christ was raised from the dead.

we're baptized into his death.

and his righteousness is imputed on to us. "that's positional sanctification, and it's a gift.

our practical sanctification is in our walk. the spirit guides us to walk as he walked.

again we're not under command to do,

we're under command to be! ( be holy because i am holy ).

the law is holy "but we're not", and keeping it couldn't make us perfect. it never changed the inner man.

the new covenant did. righteousness is in the heart, and so is sin. the old covenant was an outwardly act without a repentant heart.

god bless.

Hello Richard.

Thank you for your good words.

Many of the commandments found in the Old Covenant are indeed repeated in the New Covenant. However, we really are obeying only the New Covenant - not the Old Covenant. You cannot have 2 covenants in force at the same time since they would contradict one another. Just as you cannot have 2 rental leases in force at the same time. The new lease cancels the old lease. Please read Hebrews 8:7-13.

I am not under the 10 commandments given to ancient Israel and inaugurated by a ceremony between God and Israel. Please read Exodus 24:3-8.

I find 9 of the 10 commandments (Old Covenant) repeated in the New Covenant. So I obey the 9 commandments found in the New Covenant. I do not find the 4th commandment repeated in the New Covenant and thus I do not follow it since I am under the New Covenant and never does the New Covenant instruct the Church of God to keep the sabbath.

The Apostles being directed by God's Holy Spirit never instructed the Church in the Epistles from Romans to Revelation to keep the sabbath holy. Therefore, I do not keep it since it is not instructed to me to do so.

I hope that clarifies matter and invite your further comments.

Good day.

Hello Dan.

Thanks for your comments.

The 10 commandments were the first of over 600 commandments given to the nation of Israel. It was inaugurated by a ceremony where the law was read, blood sacrifices were offered, and the people of Israel agreed to obey the whole law. See Exodus 24:3-8. This clearly was a covenant or contract between Israel and God via the mediator Moses.

The New Covenant was inaugurated by the mediator Jesus Christ by his shed blood and is between God and the Church.

See Luke 22:20.

Jeremiah 31:31-33 tells us that God would make a New Covenant. You suggest that the expression "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts" is referring to the Mosaic laws given to the nation of Israel. However, that can't be correct, since verse 32 clearly says that the New Covenant would not be "according to the covenant I made with their fathers".

If you sign a new lease with your landlord, the old lease becomes obsolete. You can't have 2 leases in force at the same time. They would contradict each other. You can't also have 2 Covenants in force since they too would contradict one another. One says circumcise your children (Mosaic Law) and one says it is not necessary to circumcise your children (New Covenant - see Acts 15.) See Hebrews 8:13.

The Bible differentiates between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ. The Law of Moses is the Old Covenant and the Law of Christ is the New Covenant - the Laws found in Romans to Revelation.

1 Corinthians 9:21 speaks about the law to Christ (the New Covenant laws of Romans to Revelation).

Galatians 6:2 also refers to the law of Christ. The law of Christ is different from the law of Moses.

God himself gave these new laws of the New Covenant to the Apostle Paul and the other Apostles to transmit to the Church in the epistles. These are the commandments that the Apostle John is referring to in 1 John 5:2, 3.

The Apostles never commanded the Church to obey the sabbath in all the epistles.

Another from Chris.

Thank you Michael for that clear & concise response. If the foundations of biblical teaching or doctrine are not properly laid, the building cracks will develop & bring destruction. I find that many Christians, whether because of Church teaching or from their own surmisings, look at Scriptures such as John 14:15 & immediately apply the obedience to the Law for all people, that which was given only to Israel.

To do so, several things have to be overlooked or rejected: to whom was God speaking in the OT & to whom was Jesus speaking prior to His crucifixion? Only to Israel, none else. Gentiles weren't even in the picture pertaining to the Law & never have been. What was the reason for giving the Law? God's code of conduct (spiritual, moral & social) for His people, His Mark of separation from the heathen - Leviticus 26:46, (as also with circumcision: Genesis 17:10), & to demonstrate to Israel a godly standard that as sinners they could never fully obey ( Galatians 3:21-26).

But then we get verses such as Matthew 5:17-19 which are often used to support the eternal nature & applicability of the Law to all people. To those under the Law, indeed, the Law is current & will be used against them. To those who have escaped the curse of the Law & have found new life in Christ, have learned that Christ has indeed fulfilled all the Law, forever abrogating it & thru His Death ushered in a new & better Covenant ( Hebrews 8:6-13).

What then do we do with Scriptures (e.g. 1 John 5:2,3) that say we must obey God's commandments? Are John & others pointing the believer back to the letter of the Law that kills or rather to the Spirit Who gives life ( 2 Corinthians 3:6)? It is the Spirit's Law in our hearts that frees us from the Law of sin & death ( Romans 8:2). To give consent to both, that which is opposed to each other, weakens (even negates) the power of the New Covenant through Christ's Blood & the keeping of the Sabbath ever stands as a centrepiece to

Thank you Michael for that clear & concise response. If the foundations of biblical teaching or doctrine are not properly laid, the building cracks will develop & bring destruction. I find that many Christians, whether because of Church teaching or from their own surmisings, look at Scriptures such as John 14:15 & immediately apply the obedience to the Law for all people, that which was given only to Israel.

To do so, several things have to be overlooked or rejected: to whom was God speaking in the OT & to whom was Jesus speaking prior to His crucifixion? Only to Israel, none else. Gentiles weren't even in the picture pertaining to the Law & never have been. What was the reason for giving the Law? God's code of conduct (spiritual, moral & social) for His people, His Mark of separation from the heathen - Leviticus 26:46, (as also with circumcision: Genesis 17:10), & to demonstrate to Israel a godly standard that as sinners they could never fully obey ( Galatians 3:21-26).

But then we get verses such as Matthew 5:17-19 which are often used to support the eternal nature & applicability of the Law to all people. To those under the Law, indeed, the Law is current & will be used against them. To those who have escaped the curse of the Law & have found new life in Christ, have learned that Christ has indeed fulfilled all the Law, forever abrogating it & thru His Death ushered in a new & better Covenant ( Hebrews 8:6-13).

What then do we do with Scriptures (e.g. 1 John 5:2,3) that say we must obey God's commandments? Are John & others pointing the believer back to the letter of the Law that kills or rather to the Spirit Who gives life ( 2 Corinthians 3:6)? It is the Spirit's Law in our hearts that frees us from the Law of sin & death ( Romans 8:2). To give consent to both, that which is opposed to each other, weakens (even negates) the power of the New Covenant through Christ's Blood & the keeping of the Sabbath ever stands as a centrepiece to cause both error & division.

" 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."

(Christians are not under the Old Covenant or Testament but under the New Covenant or Testament. The book of Malachi is under the Old Covenant or Testament.)

Luke 22:20 "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

(Jesus set up or inaugurated the New Covenant or Testament with his shed blood. The laws governing that New Covenant or New Testament and recorded in the letters written to the first-century Church. The Apostle Paul or any other Apostle, in all their letters, never instructed the first-century Church to tithe - not once.)

2 Corinthians 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

(The Apostle Paul sets the standard for giving under the New Covenant or Testament - "as he purposes in his heart" - in other words, whatever a person decides to give is his personal choice.)

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."

(The Apostle Paul says "as God has prospered him". He never mentions an obligatory tithe.)

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."

(Christians are not under the Old Covenant or Testament but under the New Covenant or Testament.)

Luke 22:20 "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

(Jesus set up or inaugurated the New Covenant or Testament with his shed blood.)

Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"

(The Apostle Paul, in all his letters, never instructed the first-century Church to keep the Sabbath - not once. In fact, he said that no man can judge another concerning the sabbath day, nor meat (food) or holydays such as the Day of Atonement in which sacrifices were commanded to be offered by God. Many of the laws of the Old Covenant or Testament are not kept by the first-century Church - such as circumcision, the Festival of Booths, the law requiring men to go up to Jerusalem three times a year, purification laws (washing) for when a person touches a dead body, etc.)

Yes He will forgive you. We need to come to God and ask Him for forgiveness and restoration.

Pencil these scriptures on the back page of your Bible. 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 8:12. God cannot lie.

Part of turning from our sins, is following Jesus, every day until He returns to earth to catch us up to him.

The baby is alive in heaven with God. He said, "All souls are Mine". Keep a bookmark in the Book of John chapter 3.

May God our Father comfort you in this time.

Mishael