 
# Contents

Jewish Sabbath and Christianity

Types of Governments in the Bible

Understanding Pauline Differences to Christ's Teachings

Peter rebukes Paul's heresies

Christ's canon of Scripture

Why you will not be adopted by God?

Fruit of the Word vs Fruits of the Spirit

Christ's Gospel vs Paul's Gospel

Quick Reference for Paul's Contrary Teachings

What are gentiles required to follow?

Beware of Church Hypocrisy

What are Jews required to follow?

Atonement and the New Covenant

Luke 2 is correct about birth of Jesus Christ

Quick Reference on Prayer

Where does Paul's deception lead?

Role of the Holy Spirit

Scripture Inerrancy is a Lie

Do not tour pagan archaeological sites

No one is saved yet

Double-tongued Paul

Many are called, few are proven suitable

How to increase our faith?

Understanding Trinity from Words of Jesus Christ

Jesus profanes the Sabbath yet blameless

Lawlessness is sin but sin is not lawlessness

Akedah never happened

Learn from Jesus to Cherry Pick verses

Believing Slaves or Free Sons?

Be righteous and trust God, not God for your righteousness

Hypocrisy of Red Letter Homosexuals

Cost of the Kingdom of Heaven

What is Baptism of Fire?

Don't quote Scripture like Satan

Is David to rule Israel again?

Love is Cruel as the Grave

Why a second set of 10 Commandments given?

Cost of Pride and Unbelief for Moses

Men Died in Wilderness but Ladies Entered Promised Land

Slaying the wicked is imputed for righteousness

Remaining silent on abominations is a sin

Exodus Population Statistics

I Hate the Double Minded

Exodus Doublets

How did year end become seventh month?

When was Hormah aka Zephath named?

Does God speak to pagans, soothsayers, diviners and sorcerers?

Name of the LORD is not known

Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom

Why Septuagint years are different in Genesis?

Addressing Unitarians, Jehovah's witnesses and Jews

Understanding Inconsistencies in Book of Joshua

Scriptural method for choosing church leaders

Living Stones and Holy Priesthood

Back to Hebrew names?

Is church really the bride of Christ?

God is the Author of Confusion to Sinners

God's forgiveness will not clear the iniquity

Blasphemy of Paul

Satan, demons and unclean spirits

Sickness from unclean spirits

If forgiveness can heal sickness, why not curses?

When was the Holy Spirit given?

Clearing Contradictions on Christ's Ascension

Forgive Sins Or Retain It?

Bibliography

Statement of Faith

About the Author

# Overview

Christian Journey is a collection of 65 articles of several topics that every true Christian must know and understand from the Bible in order to grow in righteousness and holiness to be sinless and undefiled before God when the Jesus Christ comes back. Each chapter is organized into an individual article. The eBook is titled Christian Journey because, it was the time when I started my journey in the broad-way from being a typical Protestant Christian believing everything Paul wrote but entered through the narrow gate and started walking in the difficult path by truly follow Jesus Christ and obeying His teachings. This is my journey of how I found Paul to be a liar and a deceiver who taught everything contrary to what Jesus Christ taught. Read and be blessed.

#  Jewish Sabbath and Christianity

Sabbath had been an important debate within Christianity, which resulted even in Sabbath based denominations. Here we will look into what Sabbath means, if Christians or Jews had to follow it today.

Exod 31:13,16-17 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. ... Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.'

Deut 5:15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

As part of the old covenant, Sabbath was given to the children of Israel for the following two reasons:

 A sign that the children of Israel may know that He is the Lord who sanctifies them.

 A rest on the seventh day for the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt.

Apart from the Sabbath rest on the 7th day of each week, there are also feasts of the Lord where no work is allowed.

Exod 31:15b Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Sabbath is really serious. Anyone who works on the Sabbath day will surely be put to death.

Sabbath & Old Testament Gentiles

Isa 56:3a,6-7 Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the LORD Speak, saying, "The LORD has utterly separated me from His people" ... Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants– Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant– Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Sabbath was for people of all nations who love the Lord and hold fast to His covenant (referring to the Old Covenant). It means, the foreigner who joined himself to the Lord had to do all the obligations of the Old Covenant just like any other Israelite yet they cannot inherit any land for there is no promise for any gentile in the Old Covenant. Hence, the Old Covenant clearly separates the children of Israel and gentiles.

Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

This is exactly why in the early church the Jewish Christians wants the gentile Christians to circumcise according to the law of Moses to bring them into the congregation of Israel for them to be saved where Paul came to rescue. What the Jewish Christians said is absolutely correct if there was no New Covenant. However, things are different after Jesus came. So, what about now? Is Sabbath still valid today for gentile Christians?

Is Sabbath valid for gentile Christians?

As we saw earlier, Sabbath was given to the children of Israel as a sign for their sanctification and as a rest for they were slaves in Egypt.

 How did the Lord sanctify the children of Israel?

o Sacrifice (Leviticus 4)

 What was the 'rest' did the children of Israel receive?

o Promised Land (1 Kgs 8:56)

It is very important to note that there are absolutely no promises in the law for any gentiles who joined himself to the Lord.

Isa 56:7a Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar

The only blessing for a gentile who follows the Old Covenant is pilgrimage. The reason being, Old Covenant was never given to gentiles but to the descendants of Jacob. Also, the Old Covenant provides no provision for a gentile to be part of the descendants of Jacob in order to inherit the promises of the Old Covenant.

Jas 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Hence, following Sabbath means, keeping the Old Covenant and thus, must obey all of it. Therefore, uncircumcised Christians who do not keep the feasts of the Lord, yet follow the Sabbath (as most Sabbath denominations do), are guilt of all.

The New Covenant is the fulfillment of the Sabbath sign.

Heb 13:12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

Matt 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 Christ sacrificed Himself to sanctify us by His own blood.

 The rest is the eternal life with Christ in His Kingdom

Unlike the Old Covenant, the New Covenant is confined to the land of Israel gives hope and promise to all people both Jews and non-Jews as Christ spoke in His great commission (Matt 28:18-20).

Deut 12:11 "then there will be the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the LORD.

John 4:21-24 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Christ gave a clear indication that the worship according to the Old Covenant where the children of Israel must worship on the appointed place will come to an end.

Col 2:16-17 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Paul also mentioned, Sabbaths are a shadow of things to come pointing to the New Covenant. There is no Sabbath obligation in New Covenant for inheriting eternal life which is promised. Hence, Sabbath is not valid for gentile Christians.

Is Sabbath valid for today's Jews?

As we saw earlier, the Old Covenant was not given to gentiles, nor does it have any promise for gentiles to inherit the land of Israel. The Sabbath law was never given to uncircumcised gentiles. But, what about Jews? Can they use the Old Covenant? While the Old Covenant promises the land of Israel as rest, the New Covenant promises eternal life, rest with Christ.

Heb 8:7-13 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah– not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The author of Hebrews gives an excellent explanation of how the first covenant is now becoming obsolete and both Jews and gentiles are not under it. It is important to note that the Old Covenant is not yet obsolete because Christ still had to fulfill the fall feasts of the Lord during His second coming as per the law, which the Jews were symbolically doing it in during the Old Testament times.

It is also important to note that Jesus Christ did not make the New Covenant with the gentiles for salvation is of the Jews. But, unlike the Old Covenant, the New Covenant includes people of all nations.

Heb 4:4-10 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest." Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts. For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

The sign of Sabbath in the Old Covenant was all along pointing to our rest with Christ as explained by the author of Hebrews. If the New Covenant replaces the Old Covenant, and the New Covenant was given to Jews where the seventh day rest was not included, then Sabbath is not valid for today's Jews as well.

The only book in the New Testament which God gave Jesus Christ to show His servants is the book of Revelation. We are blessed for reading, hearing and keeping the things that are written in that book. Not once Sabbath was mentioned.

Did Sunday replaced Sabbath?

Absolutely not! There is no reference in the Bible that says this.

Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

Since there is no Sabbath in the New Covenant, Christians chose the first day when the Lord rose from the dead as the day to gather, break bread and have fellowship.

Conclusion

Following Sabbath means, keeping the Old Covenant and thus, must obey all of it. Therefore, uncircumcised Christians who do not keep the feasts of the Lord, yet follow the Sabbath (as most Sabbath denominations do), are guilt of all. The New Covenant which replaces the Old Covenant has no Sabbath obligations. The only book in the New Testament that contains the revelations which God gave Jesus Christ to show His servants is the book of Revelation where Sabbath is not mentioned even once.

# Types of Governments in the Bible

One of the most successful form of government in modern days is Democracy where people choose their own leaders. Abraham Lincoln famously quoted government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. But what form of government does the Bible say will not perish?

Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Dan 2:44 "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

The only government that will not have an end is God's Kingdom ruled by Christ the King (John 18:36-37) which is theocracy. In this blog, we will look into some of the types of governments mentioned in the Bible.

Theocracy

1Sam 12:12 "And when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the LORD your God was your king.

When God brought the children of Israel into the promised land, there was no king. God Himself was their King. Theocracy was the best form of Government which God always intended for His people as we see in Torah.

Judg 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

It is important to note that the time of theocracy in the history of Israel is also the period of Judges when people did what was right in their own eyes. This is because, while God was their King and He had already given rules to follow, there was no godly king who can rule them over to guide them like a human king would do.

Monarchy

1Sam 8:22 So the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed their voice, and make them a king." And Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Every man go to his city."

The people rebelled against God and He allowed Israelites to have a king reign over them rather than God.

1 Sam 8:11-17 And he said, "This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants.

God gives 7 reasons to Samuel for him to explain to the people why monarchy is not best for the children of Israel.

1. He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots.

2. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

3. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.

4. He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants.

5. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants.

6. He will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.

7. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants.

Monarchy by itself is not bad. If you look into the reasons why Monarchy is bad, it depends on the king. Monarchy is so good if ruled by a king like David of united Israel who walked according to God's own heart, yet horrible if ruled by a king like Manasseh of Judah who even sacrificed his own sons to idols.

Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

God was looking for a king who will take care of His people and guide them but not store up things for himself or make use of His people for the comfort of Himself. He found none. Hence, God came down in flesh to be that King. When Jews where expecting a King, a ruler who will defeat the Romans and the other oppressors of Israel, they got a suffering King who gave His own life for His people. While Israel was thinking and focusing of their own salvation, God's plan is far bigger that by His death and rising again, He defeated death itself providing a plan of salvation for all people. Now, the King who is Jesus Christ promises us a new Kingdom that will have no end. But the King went to the Father teaching us how to live and will return at the end of days.

Communism

Communism is a theory or system of social organization in which all property is owned by the community and each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs.

Acts 2:44-47 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

The early church actually followed Christian communism. It was taught by Jesus to share our wealth with the poor (Matt 19:21), care for each other's needs (Matt 25:31-46) and live in harmony by loving one another (John 13:34) as one body of Christ. This is the form of government Christians are called to follow by having Christ as their King, yet obeying any form of government or rulers under which they are in this world.

Matt 13:38 "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.

Rom 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Christians belong to a kingdom that is not of this world. Until the kingdoms of this world becomes God's kingdom, we are instructed by Jesus and Apostles to follow Christian Communism by sharing our wealth with poor, not by force but willingly and obey any government or authority of the land they live in.We are called to be ambassadors of God's Kingdom whereever we live except without diplomatic immunity.

Democracy

A government that is ruled by the people where rulers are usually elected is called democracy. This sounds great for people because they can choose their own leaders now. What does the Bible say about democracy?

Gen 11:4 And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."

The people said to themselves: Let us:

1. Build ourselves a city

2. Build a tower whose top is in heavens

3. Make a name for ourselves

What exactly did God commanded Noah?

Gen 9:1 So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.

Instead of filling the earth, (Noah's descendants) the people wanted to be gathered together for making a name for themselves, breaking the first commandment given to Noah and his sons after the flood.

Exod 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."

When Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people made a golden calf as a god for themselves, rejecting the one true God of Israel.

Mark 15:11-13,15 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" ... So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

Pilate crucified Jesus Christ not because of the Jewish priests but to satisfy the crowd, a decision by the people.

 Democracy is for the people just like the people in Babel who to build a city for themselves, a tower and create a name for themselves, being together ignoring God's commands.

 Democracy is by the people just like the ancient Israelites who created a golden calf as a god for themselves.

 Democracy is of the people who are ready to even reject their own savior and Messiah.

Democracy is acceptable only when most of the nation is godly and following God's commandments and they would elect a godly person. No one can expect a ruler like King David being elected from the land of Sodom.

Jude 1:4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no democracy anywhere within Christianity. These some men are actively using democracy in several denominations to introduce abominations, converting the grace of God to lewdness (or license to sin), calling themselves as Christians while denying Him in their life.

Conclusion

The time of theocracy in the history of Israel is when God Himself was the King of Israel. It was also the period of Judges when people did what was right in their own eyes. This is because, while God was their King and had already given rules to follow, there was no godly king who can rule them over to guide them like a human king would do. Hence, God Himself came down in flesh to be that King to save His people. He promised a new Kingdom where we are called to be ambassadors of God while living in this world under the authority of the rulers of the land but without diplomatic immunity. While we live as ambassadors of Him in this word, we are called to be Christian communists, sharing our wealth with the poor and taking care of each other. Democracy is for the people, by the people and of the people, where people will take care of themselves which had never been good in the Bible. For by Jesus Christ all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

# Understanding Pauline Differences to Christ's Teachings

Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

Paul is a chosen vessel of Jesus Christ to bear His name before gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

John 4:21,23-24 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. ..But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Deut 12:13-14 "Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; but in the place which the LORD chooses, in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.

Exod 23:17 "Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

If it wasn't by Paul, we may have end up following the law, which Jesus hinted about. For example, Jesus only hinted that true worshipers will cease worshiping in Jerusalem, which is a direct violation of the law.

Paul in his God given wisdom, had explained several things from Scriptures and opened the eyes of many. However, some Christians had taken Paul's teachings to extreme even to exalt it as Scripture to reject Christ's teachings as "works salvation heresy". The other end of the spectrum consider Paul as a false teacher.

The rule of thumb is, any teaching or doctrine that is contrary to what Christ taught be thrown away. As said earlier, God used Paul mightily to expand His kingdom but Paul is not Christ nor his words equal to or supersedes Christ's.

As Jesus said, there are weightier matters of the law (Matt 23:23). Father's words will never return to Him void (Isa 55:11). Heavens and the earth pass away but the words spoken by Son will never pass away (Matt 24:35). This is why all parts of the Bible are not equal and do not have equal authority. It would be a mistake in our part to exalt a man's letter which is not a prophecy nor spoken by God, to exalt it equal to God's spoken words. It also does not mean we are to disregard the teachings of Paul. We need to discern everything using His Word and Scripture. E.g., Matthew Chapter 2 is wrong about birth of Jesus even though it was written in all good intentions. Do you think Ramah magically became an inheritance of Judah for Bethlehem (Matt 2:16-18; Jer 31:15-16), Did Christ came out of Egypt to sacrifice to Baal (Matt 2:14-15; Hos 11:1-2)? Did Christ fulfil a non-existing prophecy of Nazarene (Matt 2:23)? In this blog, we will look into the top 25 contractions between Paul and Jesus (from voiceofjesus.org/paulvsjesus.html) to discern them.

The green tick next to title shows that Christ agrees with Paul. The red cross mark shows Christ disagrees with Paul.

1. On the time of the coming of the Lord ✓

Paul says:  
Rom.13:12 the night is far gone, the day is at hand.

Jesus says:  
Luke.21:8 Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name,   
saying, . . . `The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.

Here, Paul is not referring to the time of the coming of the Lord.

1John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

Paul is simply speaking using a common terminology to be prepared just as John was speaking. Hence, there are no contradictions here.

2. On the source of the Truth and the true gospel ✓

Paul says:  
1 Cor 2:13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.  
Gal 1:12 For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Jesus says:  
John.17:14 I have given them thy word;  
John.17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.

Paul isn't saying anything contrary here.

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

What Paul said is in agreement with what Jesus and John taught. Hence, there are no contradictions here.

3. On the God of the dead ✓

Paul says:  
Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Jesus says:  
Luke 20:38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living;

When Jesus was referring God as not the God of the dead, He was referring to resurrection of the dead even through they died long back. But when Paul is referring to Christ being the Lord both of the dead and living, he was not referring to those who are not worthy to attain the next age, but only those who die to the Lord who will be resurrected in the last day. Hence, there are no contradictions here.

4. On the sum of the commandments ✓

Paul says:  
Rom 13:9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus says:  
Matt 22:37-14 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.

Paul is just summing up the second greatest commandment. There isn't any contradiction here.

5. On whom God has mercy ✗

Paul says:  
Rom.9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy. So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.

Jesus says:  
Matt.5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

What Paul said is a direct quote of God the Father. As we saw in the parable of conditional grace (Matt 18:23-35), the King had all authority over the debtor to imprison him or have mercy on him. Jesus however, revealed the nature of God in the parable that if we are merciful, we will also obtain mercy. This means, we need to look into why and how Paul is using the old testament passage (Exod 33:19).

Rom 9:16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

Looking into the context, Paul is rejecting any human desire or effort for receiving God's mercy while Jesus says, we will receive mercy if we are merciful. Here, Paul does clearly contradict Jesus and we need throw away any teaching that contradicts with Jesus' teaching.

6. On forgiveness of trespasses ✓

Paul says:  
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace  
Rom 4:25 who was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Jesus says:  
Matt.6:14-15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The blood of Jesus is poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

Matt 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Paul isn't saying there is forgiveness even if we didn't forgive. He is simply referring to our redemption in the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of our sins. Hence, there isn't any contradiction here.

7. On being justified ✓

Paul says:  
Rom 3:24,28 they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, .. For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.  
Rom 5:9 Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Jesus says:  
Matt 12:37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Paul is speaking about justification for all our sins through the blood of Jesus.

Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men–extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Paul's message of justification is identical to what Jesus said in the above passage where the tax collector was justified by being humble. Since grace is given to the humble (Prov 3:34; 1Pet 5:5; Jas 4:6), there is nothing wrong is saying, we are justified by His grace which is a gift, apart from the law. This is because the Pharisee who did everything as per the law was not justified but the tax collector was justified by being humble. Paul's conclusion is correct, he did skip the requirement of being humble to receive grace which is a big mistake.

Matt 12:36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

However, Jesus in the above passage was speaking about His judgment, more specifically for idle words, the sins which are not yet justified that requires an account. Therefore, by what we speak, we will either be justified or condemned. Hence, there is no contradiction here.

8. On the cost of eternal life ✗

Paul says:  
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus says:  
Matt 19:29 And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  
Luke 14:28,33 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? ... So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Paul clearly contradicts Jesus on the cost of eternal life. It is not just the above passage but based on several parables and teachings Jesus spoke, it can cost our entire wealth (Matt 13:44-46), all our relationships (Luke 18:29), our body parts (Mark 9:43-48) and even our own life (Mark 8:35). Jesus nowhere hinted that eternal life is a free or easy to get. He also said, we must be worthy to attain it (Luke 35-36). Here, Paul clearly contradict Jesus and we need throw away the doctrine or teaching that contradicts with Jesus' teaching.

9. On what is honorable among men ✗

Paul says:  
2 Cor 8:21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of men.  
Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all men.  
Rom 14:18 he who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  
1Cor 10:33 just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Jesus says:  
Luke 16:15 But he said to them, You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.  
Luke 6:26 Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Jesus Christ never tried to please any men but always pleased God the Father.

John 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."

John 5:41 "I do not receive honor from men.

He even rebuked people boldly and openly that offends them directly.

 Hypocrites (Matt 23:15)

 Serpents, brood of vipers! (Matt 23:33)

 Fox (Luke 13:32)

 Whitewashed Tombs (Matt 23:27)

Jesus even took a whip and drove the money changers inside the Temple. Here, Paul clearly contradict Jesus and we need throw away the doctrine or teaching that contradicts with Jesus' teaching.

10. On Dying ✓

Paul says:  
I Corinthians 15:31 I protest, brethren, by my pride in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

Jesus says:  
John 11:26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

While Jesus is speaking about real death, Paul is using a figure of speech. Paul cannot literally die every day and still live in this world. Hence, there is no contradiction here.

11. On the basis of judgment ✓

Paul says:  
Rom 2:12 All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.

Jesus says:  
John.12:48 He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.

What Paul is referring here is those who have sinned without the law, referring to gentiles and pagans, will die without the law. God didn't punish Abraham for marrying Sarah who is his half-sister (Gen 20:12) which is clearly a violation of the law of Moses (Lev 18:9) and an abomination (Lev 18:29). However, those who lived under the law, will be judged by the law, just as Jesus was under the law and took upon all the punishments of the law on Himself to redeem those who are under the law by becoming a perfect sacrifice to God (Ezek 16:63).

Deut 18:18-19 'I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.

Jesus however, is referring to what God the Father spoke in the law for not listening to Him. Hence, there is no contradiction here.

12. On the commandments and eternal life ✗

Paul says:  
Rom.7:9-10 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died; the very commandment which promised life proved to be death to me.

Jesus says:  
Matt 19:17 And he said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.

Paul clearly contradicts what Jesus taught. As we can see, Jesus clearly requires everyone to keep the commandments to enter life. Paul is not only rejecting what Jesus said, but looking at his own life to set the standard and even trying to prove Jesus was wrong.

Jesus did not just say commandments to have any lose ended conclusions. He actually mentioned it.

1. You shall not murder

2. You shall not commit adultery

3. You shall not steal

4. You shall not bear false witness

5. Honor your father and your mother

6. You shall love your neighbor as yourself

7. Sell your earthly treasures and give it to the poor

Note that the Sabbath is missing. Did Jesus forgot the 10 commandments? Absolutely not. He missed it purposefully so that we will not have any lose ended conclusions.

Here, Paul clearly contradict Jesus and we need throw away the doctrine or teaching that contradicts with Jesus' teaching.

13. On your father ✗

Paul says:  
1Cor.4:15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  
Phlm.1:10 I appeal to you for my child, Ones'imus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment.

Jesus says:  
Matt.23:9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

Jesus is saying, not to call any man as a father. This does not mean we aren't supposed to call our earthly fathers as father. What Jesus is referring to is about a spiritual father who guides and chastens us in the path of righteousness. Paul calls himself as a father in Christ, clearly contradicting what Jesus taught.

14. On qualifying for eternal life ✓

Paul says:  
Rom 5:21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus says:  
John.5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

The above refuting is incomplete with referring to what Jesus calls as believing in Him.

John 3:18-21 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Jesus is saying, all those who hear His word and believe in Him, which is to depart from practicing evil and do the truth. But Paul is speaking the overall message of how Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. However, Paul suggests the grace of God reigns through the righteousness of Christ, which could imply we don't need any righteousness or not of our righteousness which is wrong.

What Jesus preached is that we must keep God's commandments for us to get eternal life (Matt 19:16-22). Our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees and scribes (Matt 5:20) to enter His Kingdom, which is to cleanse the inside of our hearts (Matt 23:26) by cutting off anything that causes us to sin (Matt 18:8-9).

Here, Paul isn't saying anything wrong here by saying Christ's righteousness made Him a perfect sacrifice acceptable to God providing the only way to the Father and eternally live with Him. This does not mean we don't need to be righteous. Hence, Paul doesn't contradict here.

15. On the destiny of the creation (heavens and earth) ✓

Paul says:  
Rom 8:21 because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Jesus says:  
Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away,

Paul isn't saying the earth will always remain. He is simply saying the creation will be set free from it's bondage to decay, referring to how it will be in the new heavens and earth.

2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Although not explicitly, Paul's in his second letter to Timothy, he was referring to the heavenly Kingdom indirectly referring to the earthly ones passing away. Hence, there seems to be no contradiction here.

16. On the destiny of the Law and the Prophets ✓

Paul says:  
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has faith may be justified.

Jesus says:  
Matt 5:17-18 Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.

Christ came and fulfilled the law. By fulfilling the law according to the old covenant, He created a new covenant. All who have faith in Jesus come under the new covenant, it is the end of the law for them. This faith however, is a living faith or faith including works as James puts it. Hence, there is no contradiction here.

17. On the number and identity of teachers ✓

Paul says:  
1 Cor 12:28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third, teachers,  
Eph 4:11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,  
1 Tim 2:7 For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.  
2 Tim 1:11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,

Jesus says:  
Matt 23:8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren.

Paul is not wrong here. When Jesus is saying you have one teacher (G2519 καθηγητής kathegetes), He is referring to a leader or guide, as one who instructs in the way one should go. When Paul is referring to teacher (G1320 διδάσκαλος didaskalos), he is referring to a teacher or instructor, not a leader or a guide. Different Greek words referring to different meanings. Do not let the language mislead you.

Matt 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

In fact Jesus Himself said to teach (G1321 διδάσκω didasko) which means to just teach not lead. Hence, there is no contradiction here.

18. On the number to be saved ✓

Paul says:  
Rom 11:25-26 Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.

Jesus says:  
Matt 7:13 Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Looking into the full context of what Paul said, he wasn't suggesting that many will be saved but the contrary as we see the preceding verses.

Rom 11:20-22 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

Also, Paul is quoting the prophecy of Isaiah and also defines who is a true Jew.

Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved by the LORD With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever.

Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh

This means, only God's people, who walked through the narrow gate and difficult people are called as Israel. The gentiles are the other sheep and they will become as one flock under one Shepherd who is Christ (John 10:16). Hence, there is no contradiction here.

19. On the number and identity of pastors (shepherds) ✓

Paul says:  
Eph 4:11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors (shepherds) and teachers,

Jesus says:  
John 10:16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

Jesus is referring to a future event when Christ will be the only Shepherd and one flock.

Rev 7:17 "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Jesus Christ will be as one Shepherd in the New Jerusalem.

1Pet 5:2-4 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Peter explains it well in the above passage. Hence, there is no contradiction here.

20. On the number and identity of leaders ✓

Paul says:  
1 Cor.4:15 For though you have countless leaders in Christ . . ..

Jesus says:  
Matt 23:10 Neither be called leaders, for you have one leader, the Christ.

Paul is not wrong here. When Jesus is saying you have one teacher (G2519 καθηγητής kathegetes), He is referring to a leader or guide, as one who instructs in the way one should go. When Paul is referring to instructors (G3807 παιδαγωγός paidagogos), he is referring to like a servant whose office it was to take the children to school, by implication a tutor and not a leader or a guide. Different Greek words referring to different meanings. Do not let the language mislead you. Hence, there is no contradiction here.

21: On total depravity ✗

Paul says:  
Rom.3:9-10,22-23 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all; for I have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; ... For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, . . ..

Jesus says:  
Matt.12:35 The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.  
Luke.6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  
Matt.23:35 that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechari'ah the son of Barachi'ah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.

Paul is referring in Scripture, "None is righteous, no, not one".

Ps 14:1 THE fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

Ps 53:1 THE fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.

Eccl 7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.

Job 15:14 "What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?

But, God's Words supersede Scripture and none of the above are from God. The first two psalms where people are singing about fools and corrupt people who deny God. The book of Ecclesiastes, which may or may not written by Solomon, speaks about worldly wisdom and vanity. The same book speaks about not to be overly righteous because we may die in our righteousness a few passages above (Eccl 7:15-16) which is in contradiction of what God revealed to Jesus through John in the book of Revelation (Rev 22:11). The last is Eliphaz accusing Job, who is not an authoritative person to quote.

What does God say?

Gen 7:1 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.

Ezek 14:14 "Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.

Gen 18:32 Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten (righteous)."

God not only expects righteous people to spare a city, He Himself called several people righteous. Hence, Paul is wrong to use verses contrary to what God spoke about certain people being righteous.

22. On unconditional election ✗

Paul says:  
Rom 9:16 So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy.

Jesus says:  
Matt.7:21-22 Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' [23] And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.

As we saw in point 5, On whom God has mercy, Paul is rejecting any human desire or effort for receiving God's mercy while Jesus says, we will receive mercy if we are merciful. As Christ said, entering into the kingdom of Heaven depends on everyone's effort doing the will of God.

Matt 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Christ is not going to push anyone into the narrow gate and drag through the difficult path. Hence, Paul does clearly contradict Jesus and we need throw away any teaching that contradicts with Jesus' teaching.

23. On sacrifices to God ✓

Paul says:  
1 Cor 5:7 For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed.  
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Jesus says:  
Matt 9:13 Go and learn what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.'

The point used to refute Paul's use of Passover lamb is completely wrong.

Ezek 16:63 "that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done," says the Lord GOD.' "

As prophesied in Ezekiel, God the Father had provided His Son as an atonement for all Israel did.

Matt 12:3-4,7 But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? ... But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.

However, what Jesus said about desiring mercy and not sacrifices, is about not rejecting mercy over obeying God's commands, as Jesus described by giving David as example. This has nothing to do with actual sacrifice. Hence, there is no contradiction here.

24. On remuneration for preaching the gospel ✗

Paul says:  
1 Tim.5:17-18 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages.  
1 Cor.9:11-12 If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more?

Jesus says:  
Matt.10:7-8 And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay.

Paul is right in 1 Tim.5:17-18, where if an evangelist comes to preach, not giving him anything is not the right thing to do.

Matt 10:9-11 "Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.

Jesus also said the laborer deserves his wages and the wages he mentioned is food. Remuneration must not be confused with helping poor and needy. A gospel preacher doing God's work may be poor and needy and we must help him apart from the remuneration of food. Failure to meet his needs may even cost entry to eternal life (Matt 25:31-46).

However, Paul in 1 Cor.9, Paul's letter is open ended implying wrong conclusions.

1Cor 9:13-14 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Paul is giving the example of altar and mentioning food as a remuneration exactly as Jesus said. However, verse 14, is open ended giving an opportunity to have a living from just preaching the gospel which Christ did not say.

1Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Even though Paul lived correctly as Jesus taught, his teaching to have a living from preaching the gospel is incorrect. Hence, Paul seems to contradict Jesus on the remuneration for preaching the gospel.

25. On how one becomes a child of God ✗

Paul says:  
Rom 8:23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  
Gal 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Jesus says:  
John 3:3,6-7 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is begotten from above,* he cannot see the kingdom of God. ... That which is begotten of the flesh is flesh, and that which is begotten of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be begotten from above.*

* John 3:3 and 3:7 are the author's translations. These differ from the RSV only in the expression "begotten from above" that replaces "born anew' in the RSV. "Born anew" does not represent the fullness of what Jesus is stating here, and does not correspond to the literatal translation of the Greek, anothen (a()nwqen).

Paul is using a different terminology 'adoption as sons' not used by Jesus or His disciples.

 Jesus used born again (literally born from above) – John 3:3

 Peter used born again – 1 Pet 1:23

 John used born of God – 1 John 3:9

Hos 1:10b And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There it shall be said to them, 'You are sons of the living God.'

Rom 9:26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God."

Paul's argument comes from the prophet Hosea on how we will be adopted as sons of the living God.

Luke 20:35-36 "But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Jesus does refer those who are worthy to attain salvation as sons of God. He also mentioned that the peacemakers and those who love/being kind to their enemies will be called as sons of God. But Jesus never said anything about adoption but born of God or born from above. To be born of God, we must be never sin (1 John 3:9) or become free from sin (John 8:34-35) to abide in God's house. We cannot enter the kingdom of God without being born of the Spirit (John 3:5).

Gal 4:5-7 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Paul however, introduces a new doctrine of adoption as sons, not taught by Jesus. One can become a son by two ways.

 Born – Jesus says we must be born of God

 Adopted – Paul says we are adopted by God

The implications are dangerous because, being adopted means, it is not something we can do to get adopted but being born means, we must cast away very sinful things from our lives to be sinless.

John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

Paul is expected to know these things as a Pharisee just like Nicodemus but messes up. Here, Paul does clearly contradict Jesus and we need throw away any teaching that contradicts with Jesus' teaching.

Conclusion

Paul is a vessel used mightily by God for His purpose. This does not make Paul equal with Christ or his letters equal with Christ's teachings. It is important for us to understand that Paul does not know many things what Christ taught during His ministry and relied on Peter and James. This is why, few teachings of Paul contradict with what Jesus taught. Christ's teachings always supersede Paul's letters. We are called to build our lives on Christ's sayings which must be our foundation for us to be called wise, then build over it using Paul's letter and not the other way around. Most importantly, never reject Christ's teachings in favour of Paul's letters.

# Peter rebukes Paul's heresies

What many don't understand is, Peter's second letter is a direct rebuke of Paul's heresies.

2 Pet 2:1-2 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

Peter gives an important clue to identify the false teachers who bring in destructive heresies.

 Denying the Lord

 Way of Truth blasphemed

Let us explore what these destructive heresies are in detail.

Clue#1: Denying the Lord

Peter knows exactly what it means to deny the Lord before He denies three times. However, Peter is not writing to people who don't accept Jesus as their Messiah but people who do accept Him as the Messiah yet deny them.

How can someone accept the Lord as Messiah yet deny Him?

Josh 24:27 And Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us. It shall therefore be a witness to you, lest you deny your God."

It is accepting Jesus as the Messiah, yet deny His teachings. Hence, the first clue to identify these false teachers are, they accept the Jesus yet deny His teachings.

Who denied the teachings of Jesus? It's Paul who preached salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:8) rejecting the salvation Jesus taught by keeping God's commandments (Matt 19:16-19; Rev 22:14). It's Paul who taught we can't earn our salvation (Eph 2:8-9), rejecting the teachings of Jesus that we must be worthy to receive salvation (Luke 20:35-36).

Clue#2: Blaspheming the Way of Truth

What is the 'Way of Truth'?

Gen 18:19 "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Christ is that way and truth. The way of the Truth is to do righteousness and justice. Hence, blaspheming the way of truth is to reject His teachings on the requirement of doing righteousness and justice.

Who blasphemed the way of truth? It's Paul's who taught a salvation that is wide gate and easy way just by calling on Jesus name and believing Him in heart (Rom 10:9-13) rejecting what the way of salvation taught by Jesus Christ which is through the narrow gate and difficult path (Matt 7:13-14) by being righteous and holy.

Clue #3: Covetous Teacher

2 Pet 2:3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

These false teachers by covetousness will exploit with deceptive words. The judgment on them has not been idle and their destruction will not slumber.

Rom 7:7-9 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death.

Who declared himself to be coveting? It's Paul. To justify his covetousness, he even blamed the commandments of God to bring death (Rom 7:7-25) rejecting Jesus's teachings that the commandments of God brings life (Matt 19:16-19)

What else did Paul covet?

1 Cor 9:1-2 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Paul coveted to be an apostle of God. As we see above, he is claiming himself to be an apostle and wanting the church of Corinth to accept him as an apostle because of his work there even though none of the others accept him as an apostle. Paul was a self appointed apostle (1Tim 2:7), who wasn't qualified to be an apostle (Acts 1:21-22), lied as an apostle (Eph 1:1; Rev 2:2) and was not accepted as an apostle by Jesus Christ (Rev 21:14). If Paul wasn't an apostle of Jesus Christ (Rev 21:14), whose apostle was he?

Clue #4: Rejecting our righteousness for salvation

Peter gives two examples for God's judgment.

2 Pet 2:4-5 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Tartaros and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;

In the first example, God spared only Noah, and his family from the destruction of the whole world.

Gen 6:8,7:1 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. .. Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.

Ezek 14:14 "Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.

Why did Noah find grace in the sight of the Lord to be spared? It was his own righteousness that saved him.

2 Pet 2:6-8 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)

In the second example, God spared only lot, and his family from the destruction of Sodom, yet lot's wife didn't deserve it and became a pillar of salt (Gen 19:26).

Gen 18:32 Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."

There wasn't even 10 righteous people in Sodom except lot who is righteous. It is because of lot's righteousness, he was spared.

Matt 5:20 "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

This is exactly preached by Jesus Christ as well.

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Who preached that our righteousness will not save us? It's Paul who rejected the requirement of our righteousness for salvation.

Deceived by Paul's teachings

2 Pet 2:9-11 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

It is impossible to get deceived by teachings of Jesus who taught zero tolerance to sin.

Rom 4:4-5 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Jas 2:24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

It was Paul who rejected teachings of Christ, rejected the requirement of righteousness to enter His kingdom and preached a strange doctrine of grace of God through faith alone to enter Kingdom of God.

2 Pet 2:12-18 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.

Can these natural brute beasts, and those whose eyes having full of adultery who cannot cease from sin, loving the wages of unrighteousness, still enter the kingdom of God? Let us see what Paul wrote.

1 Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Rom 4:4-6 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

Paul's version of righteousness is imputed of Christ's where the ungodly become righteous instantly by God's grace just by believing.

Rom 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

According to Paul, the natural brute beasts, those whose eyes having full of adultery who cannot cease from sin, those loving the wages of unrighteousness, can enter the kingdom of God just by confess with their mouth and believe in heart that Jesus is Lord. If they try to be righteous or holy, it is works and they are counted as debt. Hence, they believe and become righteous and inherit the kingdom of Heaven.

Can you see the examples given by Peter to discern against Paul's deceptive teachings?

Paul's liberty is bondage to Christ

2 Pet 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

It is important to understand that Paul and Jesus taught. What liberty did Jesus speak about? What was Paul speaking about? Was there any deception?

Gal 5:1-6 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Paul was speaking about a form of liberty that we are free from obeying the law and we are justified by faith. Paul's liberty is from the law and the commandments of God.

John 8:31-36 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Jesus also taught liberty but from sins. This liberty is achieved by abiding in Christ's teachings and his commandments.

Listen to what Jesus teaches about the law and God's commandments. He actually made it stricter, not any liberty from it.

According to Christ, if anyone who had Paul's version of liberty which is through faith alone yet disobedience to what Jesus taught (which is much stricter than the law), they commit sin by being a slave of it and are still in bondage of sin.

Warning!

2 Pet 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."

If you had escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (i.e., the liberty from sin), if you entangle in the pollutions again by reading Paul's heretic teachings (i.e., liberty from obeying God's commandments), your latter end is worse than the beginning.

For those who had known Christ and the way of righteousness which He taught and to turn away from the holy commandment,

 who consider themselves to have liberty from obeying them or

 they have something to boast or

 they reject it as works or

 incurs debt,

it is better for them to have not known the way of righteousness.

Prov 26:11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

 A dog returns to his own vomit

 A sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.

The above is very clear that those who have faith alone yet sin is still in bondage to sin. They are not yet free as taught by Jesus Christ. These are like dogs returning to their vomit and they can never enter His kingdom.

#  Christ's canon of Scripture

Generally, the Bible is referred as Scripture. However, who defined Scripture? Under what authority they defined it? How is it used today? Is the definition even correct? These are the questions we will be answering here.

John 10:35 .. and the Scripture cannot be broken ..

Scripture cannot be broken. This is an important attribute of Scripture. Hence, Scripture has a high authority in deciding and showing the correct way.

Christ's Canon

Luke 24:44-45 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Christ is our only Teacher (Matt 23:8), and the definition of what Scripture constitutes, comes directly from Him. Christ divides the Scripture into three parts Law of Moses, Prophets and Psalms. To fully understand Christ's canon, let's take the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible from Jewish canon) to see what is included and excluded.

As you can see, Christ rejected 8 books from His canon.

Mark 13:14 "So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Daniel must never be placed in historical books for Christ declared him to be a prophet. Hence, moved Daniel to prophets in the canon under the authority of the spoken words of Jesus Christ.

Thus, the definition of Scripture as defined by Christ Himself includes the following 28 books from the Christian Old Testament Bible.

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Psalms

Christ did not give anyone authority to change His canon of Scripture.

New Testament Canon

It is incomplete without mentioning the New Testament. However, New Testament is not the Scripture. Nor we should use the attributes of Scripture to it. The only book in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ was directly involved in giving His people is the book of Revelation. He even took care of what must be written (Rev 10:4). The four Gospels contain full of Christ's Words or His teachings.

Mark 13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Deut 18:18-19 'I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.

Hence, Gospels and Revelation must be held with high regard.

Matt 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Just like there are weightier matters of the law, Gospels and Revelation are the weightier books in the New Testament.

Next are the epistles and letters written by Christ's disciples like Peter, James and Jude. It is important to note Paul's letters contain several teachings contrary to what Jesus taught which can even cost salvation. The interpretations or the conclusions must always match what Christ taught. If it doesn't agree, the teaching or doctrine must be thrown out.

Conclusion

Christ did not give anyone authority to change His canon of Scripture. He included only 29 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Psalms. Just like there are weightier matters of the law (Matt 23:23), Gospels and Revelation are the weightier books in the New Testament. It is blasphemy to exalt and glorify a man's letter and make it equal to Christ's words. Turn back to God and His word for everything, even the very definition of what Scripture is.

#  Why you will not be adopted by God?

Many Christians believe they are adopted by God. However, what many does not know is, it is only Paul who used this phrase.

Paul says:  
Rom 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.  
Gal 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Jesus says:  
John 3:3,5-8 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." ... Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again (from above).' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Jesus and His disciples always used, born of God or born of the Spirit.

 Jesus used born again (literally born from above) – John 3:3

 Peter used born again – 1 Pet 1:23

 John used born of God – 1 John 3:9

 Paul used adopted by God – Gal 4:5

Paul's argument comes from the prophet Hosea on how we will be adopted as sons of the living God.

Hos 1:10b And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There it shall be said to them, 'You are sons of the living God.'

Rom 9:26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God."

Jesus does refer those who are worthy to attain salvation as sons of God. He also mentioned that the peacemakers and those who love/being kind to their enemies will be called as sons of God.

Luke 20:35-36 "But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

But Jesus never said anything about adoption but born of God or born from above.

Born vs Adopted

John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

One can become a son in two ways.

 Born – Jesus says we must be born of God

 Adopted – Paul says we are adopted by God

The difference between born of God and adopted by God have serious implications because, being adopted means, it is not something we can do to get adopted or it doesn't matter how bad we are. But being born of Spirit means, we must cast away very sinful things from our lives to be free from sins to have a new birth in the Spirit.

John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

Paul is expected to know these things as a Pharisee just like Nicodemus but messes up.

Conclusion

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

While there are two ways you can become a son in this world, there is only one way you can become a son of God which is by being born of Spirit (or God) and not through adoption. Do you have Paul's words in your heart, thinking that you are adopted as sons but never being born of Spirit? Or do you keep Christ's Words to be born of God to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? To be born of God, we must be never sin (1 John 3:9), become free from being slaves of sin (John 8:34-35) to abide in God's house. We cannot enter the kingdom of God without being born of the Spirit (John 3:5). Do not be deceived! God is not going to adopt you as sons! You must be born of Him!

# Fruit of the Word vs Fruits of the Spirit

When we say fruits from the New Testament, we often tend to identify them with the fruits of the Spirit mentioned by Paul.

Fruits by Paul

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

In summary, Paul is referring to the below as the fruits of the Spirit.

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Longsuffering

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

7. Faithfulness

8. Gentleness

9. Self-control

The above is also summarized in his letter to Ephesians 5:9 as all goodness, righteousness, and truth.

While the fruits of the Spirit mentioned by Paul are absolutely required, they are not the same fruits mentioned by Christ.

Fruits by Christ

Luke 8:15 "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

The seed is the Word spoken by Jesus and bearing fruits represents obeying His teachings. Hence, the fruit taught by Christ can be called 'fruit of the Word'.

John 15:2,4,7 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ... Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ... If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Again in John, we can see how bearing fruit is so important, that without it, Father takes us away from Christ and throw us in fire. Here too, bearing fruit is obedience to His Words which abides in us.

John 15:14-16 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Further, in the same chapter, we can see Christ referring obedience to His words as bearing fruit when speaking to His disciples.

Matt 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Matt 18:8-9 "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

While Christ taught many things, His core message was to cleanse the inside of our hearts and zero tolerance towards sin.

Rev 22:11-12 "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

While Christ taught many things, the fruit mentioned by Christ can be summarized as holiness in our hearts, and righteousness in our action.

Conclusion

Fruits of the Spirit is term used only by Paul in his letters referring to the good attributes that will be evident if we walk in the Spirit. However, the fruits mentioned by Paul are very different from what Christ referred as fruits. The core message of Christ was to cleanse the inside of our hearts with zero tolerance towards sin which are from the seed, His Word or His teachings that bears into fruit by obeying them. Hence, it is inappropriate to substitute fruits of the Spirit in Christ's teaching on fruits or vice versa.

# Christ's Gospel vs Paul's Gospel

The word gospel derives from the Old English gōd-spell, meaning "good news" or "glad tidings", and is a word-for-word translation of the Greek word euangelion meaning good message. While gospel is a good news, it can mean different for different people. Similarly, the gospel preached by Christ is very different from what Paul referred as gospel.

Paul's Gospel

Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Gal 1:6-7 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

The gospel preached by Paul is grace of God. We see this repeatedly in his letters.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

In Paul's version of gospel, the grace of God will save us through faith and we cannot do anything to be saved. Therefore, it is a good news to him.

Christ's Gospel

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Rev 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people– saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."

The gospel preached by Christ is about His Kingdom and the coming Judgment. Jesus never preached salvation by grace anywhere.

Mark 8:34-35 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

In Christ's version of gospel, you need to deny yourself and lose your life for Christ's sake and gospel's sake to save your life.

Conclusion

The gospel preached by Paul is not the same gospel preached by Christ. You have two choices. The popular choice is a wide gate and broad way, where you are saved by God's grace through faith and nothing is required of you but leads to death, which is the gospel of grace by Paul the Pharisee. The unpopular choice is a narrow gate and difficult path where you had to deny yourself to live holy and righteous that leads to life, which is the gospel of the kingdom of God preached by Jesus Christ. The choice is up to you. Repent, and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not Paul.

#  Quick Reference for Paul's Contrary Teachings

A quick reference to guide you from not falling into the pit of false teachings by modern churches and denominations that use Paul's letters even to reject Christ's teachings! It is important to remember that Paul wasn't even qualified to be an apostle (Acts 1:21-22), yet repeatedly claimed himself as an apostle (Eph 1:1; Gal 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1).

#  What are gentiles required to follow?

The New Testament in the Christian Bible has several letters of Paul and many churches are blindly preaching Paul's instead of Christ's teachings. Since Paul taught contrary to Christ and if we reject Paul's letters as non-authoritative, gentile Christians are left with several questions. Are gentile Christians required to become Jewish and follow the old covenant laws? Are gentiles required to be circumcised?

Healing the Centurion's Servant

Noahide Laws

 Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth (Gen 9:1)

 Can eat any animal or green herbs (Gen 9:3)

 Do not eat flesh with blood (Gen 9:4)

 Do not murder (Gen 9:5-6)

The Noahide laws are for all mankind.

Gentiles Laws

 Do not commit incest (Lev 18:6-17)

 Do not marry multiple sisters (Lev 18:18)

 Do not have sex when your wife is customary impurity or mensuration (Lev 18:19)

 Do not commit adultery (Lev 18:20)

 Do not abort or kill your own children (Lev 18:21)

 Do not commit homosexuality (Lev 18:22)

 Do not commit bestiality (Lev 18:23)

As God explains, it is for these above abominations, the Lord had cast out the nations in the land of Canaan and gave it to the children or Israel (Lev 18:26-28). God expects the above commandments to be followed by all nations of gentiles.

Law of Moses?

You may notice, the law of Moses given to the Israelite people repeats the Noahide Laws and Gentile Laws but adds several hundred laws to follow as part of the covenant where obedience to it gives blessing and disobedience gives curses (Deut 11:26-28) and all these are related to the land of Israel and dwelling in it.

Well great! Can a gentile follow the law with whole heart and be part of the old covenant to inherit the blessings mentioned in the law? Absolutely not!. The Lord will only make them joyful in the temple and accept their burnt offerings and their sacrifices for which the temple must exist (Isa 56:6-7). Hence a gentile has no benefit in following the law, not does it promise anything back to a gentile even if they follow the law wholeheartedly. It is also important to note that gentiles were never given the old covenant to begin with.

God married Israel (Isa 54:5) but divorced because Israel didn't keep the old covenant and involved in spiritual adultery i.e., idolatry (Isa 50:1). Now, God cannot take Israel or His people back (Jer 3:1). So, God sent His Son as an atonement (Eze 16:62-63) to wash the sins of His people (1 Jn 2:2) and make them as a bride (Rev 21:2) to marry them (Mark 2:19-20) through a new covenant. If we follow any of the old covenant, we go to the Father as a divorced wife which is an abomination (Deu 24:1-4). So, we must go to the Father through Jesus Christ (John 14:6) who is the only way using the new covenant as a bride (Rev 21:9). Old covenant and the new covenant are marriage contracts. They are good and perfect as long as they are married. However, following old covenant after the new covenant has come, is like keeping marriage obligations after divorce which is an abomination. This brings up several questions like what is the new covenant? or Didn't Jesus preach the law?

New Covenant

Jesus did not preach the law which the Pharisees and scribes already knew but what God wants, and His teachings are for all nations including gentiles (Matt 28:18-20). Do not murder is the law (Matt 5:21) but what Jesus taught is not even to be angry with our brother without a cause which is not in the law (Matt 5:21). Do not commit adultery is the law (Matt 5:27) but not even to lust in heart is not from the law (Matt 5:28). Do not swear falsely but perform the oaths is the law (Deut 23:21) but Jesus taught not to swear at all (Matt 5:33-37). Jesus taught even to cut off our body parts to keep ourselves away from sin and enter life (Matt 19:11-12; Matt 5:29-30) which is against the teachings of the old covenant law (Deut 23:1). Jesus also said the hour has come that true worshipers will not worship in Jerusalem but in truth and spirit (John 4:21-23) which is also against the teachings of the old covenant law (Deut 12:5;1Kgs 11:36).

Jesus did not forget to mention Sabbath instead He didn't (Matt 19:16; Mark 10:17; Luke 18:18). To understand why, we need to go back to why Sabbath was given (Exod 31:13) where the Lord sanctifies the Israelites. However, when Jesus came, we are cleansed with His blood according to the new covenant (Rev 1:5). This is one of the reason, we no longer have Sabbath.

If the law contains everything, the Father doesn't have to say in the law to listen to what He speaks through His Son (Deut 18:18-19).

Jesus Christ preached the new covenant which provides salvation to all, that is not through grace alone or faith alone, but cleansing the inside of our hearts through righteousness and holiness. Once Christ had washed the sins with His own blood (Matt 26:28), we need to keep our garments undefiled to get salvation (Rev 3:4-5). To keep our garments undefiled, it can cost our entire wealth (Matt 13:44-46), all our relationships (Luke 18:29), our body parts (Mark 9:43-48) and even our own life (Mark 8:35).

The disciples of Jesus also decreed in Jerusalem that gentiles who are turning to God must abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood (Acts 15:20). This is also where Paul split (Acts 15:39) and even taught contrary to the decree and preached gentiles to eat things sacrificed to idols (1Cor 8:1-13).

Rev 21:7-8 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

It is important for us to overcome and inherit all things. If we do not overcome, we will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Conclusion

It is not the old covenant law we (gentiles) need to follow but the new covenant what Jesus Christ taught (Deut 18:18-19) for all nations (Matt 28:18-20) which is cleaning the inside of our hearts to be righteous and holy (Mark 7:21-23). We must not commit any abominations which God expects from all nations either Jew or gentile (Lev 18:27) that is incest (Lev 18:6-17), marrying multiple sisters (Lev 18:18), having sex when wife is in customary impurity or mensuration (Lev 18:19), committing adultery (Lev 18:20), aborting or kill your own children (Lev 18:21), homosexuality (Lev 18:22), bestiality (Lev 18:23). We must follow the laws given to Noah which is for all mankind that is not eat flesh with blood and not to murder (Gen 9:4-6). Cleansing the inside of our hearts was not found in the law but Christ's teachings is fully about them. The old covenant law will one day pass away (Matt 5:18) but Christ's words will never pass away (Matt 24:35).

#  Beware of Church Hypocrisy

Many of today's churches are hypocrites who do not follow Christ but actually follow Paul using Christ's name.

Below are some of the church hypocrisy that can cost your salvation and the real truth you need to be aware of.

Replies from Churches for Reference

Below are some of the replies we received from churches while we were attending those churches. I had masked anything that identifies.

Reformed Evangelical Church

As you said, this is an essential matter, and you have demonstrated a clear and deliberate rejection of the *** doctrine of salvation. Your unique views are incompatible with what we believe and hold to at ***, and might I add also incompatible with any other churches that I know of, including ** and ***. This does not automatically proof you wrong, but it should indicate to you that you need to engage in theology and read extensively, to consider the issues that theologians has wrestled through in the past and present, and see if your own views would stand up to the weight of the SUM of Scripture.

Independent Bible-based Church

I asked the pastor, how can he reject Jesus teachings as works by using Paul's letters. He said, Christ's teachings are not enough for salvation but need Paul's letters too. When I asked how can you make Paul's letters equal with Christ's and even reject His teachings, they don't want us to come to their church.

Assemblies of God Church

When I questioned Paul's contradictions with Christ to Asst. Pastor, I was told I am confused, not qualified and have a demon. I resisted by asking, are you saying me that I have a demon which is an unforgivable sin, when I am actually saying what Christ told and the requirement of being sinless and holy, he boldly replied 'yes, I have a demon'. I was also told that he will be the last person to talk to me and not to come to their church.

There were also several churches we did attend but unwilling to continue in their false teachings. Some churches did not kick us out but warned not to have fellowship with other believers or not to discuss these contradictions.

When you stand up for Christ and His teachings, it is the church which will persecute you, showing their true colors instead of love of God which they speak of.

Why do Pastors desperately want to believe lies?

If a Pastor rejects Paul's letters in favor of Christ's teachings:

 Their years of study at seminary will be in vain. Their education and qualification are at stake.

 They can't work on that church or receive no support from their denomination. Their job is at stake.

Hence, many pastors safeguard these lies with their life as there is much at stake to lose for the sake of Christ and His teachings.

Conclusion

There are many lies told by many churches that every Christian must be aware of. The church will say, Bible is God's Word (or) inspired Word of God (or) Bible is Scripture. The truth is, Christ is the Word of God and what God spoke in OT and what Christ spoke are the words of God. The church may have hidden this doctrine from you that, Jesus teachings are only for Jews and God gave Paul for gentiles. The truth is, Jesus instructed to teach all nations to observe all things that He had commanded. The church will say, it is heretical and unchristian to reject Paul or his letters as it was being taught for the past 2000 years which is the tradition of Jesus disciples and apostles. The truth is, we need to follow what Christ taught. The church will say that they follow Christ but they actually follow Paul using Christ's name. The church is loving and kind showing God's love. But the truth is, they are loving and kind only if their lies are accepted. Beware! believe in Jesus and obey His teachings.

#  What are Jews required to follow?

As we saw earlier, gentiles where never given the law but they need to follow the new covenant what Jesus Christ taught (Deut 18:18-19) which is for all nations (Matt 28:18-20). The new covenant is cleaning the inside of our hearts to be righteous and holy (Mark 7:21-23), not commit any abominations which God expects from all nations either Jew or gentile (Lev 18:27) that is incest (Lev 18:6-17), marrying multiple sisters (Lev 18:18), having sex when wife is in customary impurity or mensuration (Lev 18:19), committing adultery (Lev 18:20), aborting or kill your own children (Lev 18:21), homosexuality (Lev 18:22), bestiality (Lev 18:23). Finally, gentiles must follow the laws given to Noah which is for all mankind that is not eat flesh with blood and not to murder (Gen 9:4-6).

After the new covenant has come, what about the old covenant for the Jews? It is still valid for the Jews? Are the Jews still required to follow the law?

Matt 5:17-18 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Jesus Christ makes this statement stating that He came to fulfill and not destroy. Then He seems to be giving His commandments that actually changes what is in the Old Covenant which is forbidden (Deut 4:2) yet the law allows Jesus to do so (Deu 18:18-19). So, what does Jesus change? How does it affect the Old Covenant?

 Christ is God in flesh (John 10:30)

 Christ becomes the Temple (Matt 12:6; John 2:20-21)

 Christ is our High Priest (Ps 110:4)

 Christ is the King of the Jews (Mark 15:2)

 Christ is the lamb of God (John 1:29)

 Christ is the perfect sacrifice (Ezek 16:62-63)

 Christ's words supersedes the Torah (Deu 18:18-19)

The reference numbers for the list of 613 Mitzvots the used will be from Judaism 101 (jewfaq.org/613.htm) for quick reference and easy understanding. Ambiguous laws where Jesus is silent on the matter is considered as valid. Laws where Jesus fulfilled or taught differently are explained and made invalid.

Matt 22:37-40 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Matt 7:12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

The list and the explanations are made with all good intentions to follow God and His Son Jesus Christ. However, I may have erred. To keep you from falling, make sure you listen to Jesus what He said about the law in the above passages.

God (1 – 10) ✔

Mark 12:29-30 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.

As Jesus, we need to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength. Hence, all laws related to God is perfectly valid.

1. To know that God exists (Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6)

2. Not to entertain the idea that there is any god but the Eternal (Ex. 20:3)

3. Not to blaspheme (Ex. 22:27; in Christian texts, Ex. 22:28), the penalty for which is death (Lev. 24:16)

4. To hallow God's name (Lev. 22:32)

5. Not to profane God's name (Lev . 22:32)

6. To know that God is One, a complete Unity (Deut. 6:4)

7. To love God (Deut. 6:5)

8. To fear Him reverently (Deut. 6:13; 10:20)

9. Not to put the word of God to the test (Deut. 6:16)

10. To imitate His good and upright ways (Deut. 28:9)

Torah (11 – 16) ✔

Deut 18:18-19 'I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.

Matt 5:18 "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

John 10:35 ... and the Scripture cannot be broken

Christ's words or His teachings supersede Torah, but the law in Torah will not pass away until the heaven and earth pass away and Scripture cannot be broken.

11. To honor the old and the wise (Lev. 19:32)

12. To learn Torah and to teach it (Deut. 6:7)

13. To cleave to those who know Him (Deut. 10:20) (the Talmud states that cleaving to scholars is equivalent to cleaving to Him)

14. Not to add to the commandments of the Torah, whether in the Written Law or in its interpretation received by tradition (Deut. 13:1)

15. Not to take away from the commandments of the Torah (Deut. 13:1)

16. That every person shall write a scroll of the Torah for himself (Deut. 31:19)

Signs and Symbols (17 – 21) ✔

Jesus did not nullify circumcision for the Jews. Nor did He taught or even hinted anything to His disciples to circumcise gentiles. New covenant is silent on the below laws. Hence, it is perfectly valid for a Jew and not applicable for gentiles.

17. To circumcise the male offspring (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3)

18. To put tzitzit on the corners of clothing (Num. 15:38)

19. To bind tefillin on the head (Deut. 6:8)

20. To bind tefillin on the arm (Deut. 6:8)

21. To affix the mezuzah to the doorposts and gates of your house (Deut. 6:9)

Prayer and Blessings (22 – 25) ✔

Matt 6:5-13 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Jesus taught us to how pray and how not to pray. What Jesus taught does not nullify any of the laws below for Jews. However, for gentiles who are not given the law, the teachings of Jesus according to the new covenant is actually a super-set of the below laws in several ways.

Deut 8:10-12 "When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest–when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them;

For example, in new covenant they will be thankful for the meal and will not forget the commandments of the Lord because new covenant is about laws of God written in the heart.

22. To pray to God (Ex. 23:25; Deut. 6:13) (according to the Talmud, the word "serve" in these verses refers to prayer)

23. To read the Shema in the morning and at night (Deut. 6:7)

24. To recite grace after meals (Deut. 8:10)

25. Not to lay down a stone for worship (Lev. 26:1)

Love and Brotherhood (26 – 39) ✔

Matt 22:39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

As Jesus instructed to love one another, all the below laws are perfectly valid.

26. To love all human beings who are of the covenant (Lev. 19:18)

27. Not to stand by idly when a human life is in danger (Lev. 19:16)

28. Not to wrong any one in speech (Lev. 25:17)

29. Not to carry tales (Lev. 19:16)

30. Not to cherish hatred in one's heart (Lev. 19:17)

31. Not to take revenge (Lev. 19:18)

32. Not to bear a grudge (Lev. 19:18)

33. Not to put any Jew to shame (Lev. 19:17)

34. Not to curse any other Israelite (Lev. 19:14) (by implication: if you may not curse those who cannot hear, you certainly may not curse those who can)

35. Not to give occasion to the simple-minded to stumble on the road (Lev. 19:14) (this includes doing anything that will cause another to sin)

36. To rebuke the sinner (Lev. 19:17)

37. To relieve a neighbor of his burden and help to unload his beast (Ex. 23:5)

38. To assist in replacing the load upon a neighbor's beast (Deut. 22:4)

39. Not to leave a beast, that has fallen down beneath its burden, unaided (Deut. 22:4)

The Poor and Unfortunate (40 – 52) ✔

Luke 6:36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Matt 25:37-40 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

Matt 12:7 "But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless.

As Jesus instructed to be kind and merciful, all the below laws are perfectly valid.

40. Not to afflict an orphan or a widow (Ex. 22:21)

41. Not to reap the entire field (Lev. 19:9; Lev. 23:22)

42. To leave the unreaped corner of the field or orchard for the poor (Lev. 19:9)

43. Not to gather gleanings (the ears that have fallen to the ground while reaping) (Lev. 19:9)

44. To leave the gleanings for the poor (Lev. 19:9)

45. Not to gather ol'loth (the imperfect clusters) of the vineyard (Lev. 19:10)

46. To leave ol'loth (the imperfect clusters) of the vineyard for the poor (Lev. 19:10; Deut. 24:21)

47. Not to gather the peret (grapes) that have fallen to the ground (Lev. 19:10).

48. To leave peret (the single grapes) of the vineyard for the poor (Lev. 19:10)

49. Not to return to take a forgotten sheaf (Deut. 24:19) This applies to all fruit trees (Deut. 24:20)

50. To leave the forgotten sheaves for the poor (Deut. 24:19-20)

51. Not to refrain from maintaining a poor man and giving him what he needs (Deut. 15:7)

52. To give charity according to one's means (Deut. 15:11)

Treatment of Gentiles (53 – 58) ✔

Luke 10:30-37 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Matt 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

As Jesus instructed to love even our enemies, all the below laws are perfectly valid. It is important to note that the love the stranger is about administrating justice and not having fellowship and intermarrying.

53. To love the stranger (Deut. 10:19)

54. Not to wrong the stranger in speech (Ex. 22:20)

55. Not to wrong the stranger in buying or selling (Ex. 22:20)

56. Not to intermarry with gentiles (Deut. 7:3)

57. To exact the debt of an alien (Deut. 15:3)

58. To lend to an alien at interest (Deut. 23:21)

Deut 7:3-4 "Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.

If the Gentiles are idol worshipers, then it is understandable there cannot be any intermarriage. But what about Christian Gentiles who also believe in the Lord? Based on Mitzvot 56, the context of this law is to avoid Gentiles leading Jews to idolatry.

John 10:16 "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

As Jesus said, the Christians Gentiles and Jews who believe on the Lord will be as one flock some day with Him as one Shepherd. Hence, the law applies even to gentile Christians not to intermarry with non-Christian Gentiles. While, this does imply Christians Gentiles and Jews can intermarry, Christian gentiles are still gentiles according to the law. Nor they can inherit the land allocated to the children of Israel. Mitzvot 57 and 58 specifically applies in the land of Israel given specifically to the children of Israel. Hence, the law is valid.

Marriage and Family (59 – 76, 79 – 81) ✔

Matt 15:4-6 "For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God"– 'then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.

Jesus reiterated some of the commandments of the law and does not nullify any of the laws except the laws related to divorce. Mitzvot 74 may require a priest and temple which may not be in the new covenant.

59. To honor father and mother (Ex. 20:12)

60. Not to smite a father or a mother (Ex. 21:15)

61. Not to curse a father or mother (Ex. 21:17)

62. To reverently fear father and mother (Lev. 19:3)

63. To be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28)

64. That a eunuch shall not marry a daughter of Israel (Deut. 23:2)

65. That a mamzer shall not marry the daughter of a Jew (Deut. 23:3)

66. That an Ammonite or Moabite shall never marry the daughter of an Israelite (Deut. 23:4)

67. Not to exclude a descendant of Esau from the community of Israel for three generations (Deut. 23:8-9)

68. Not to exclude an Egyptian from the community of Israel for three generations (Deut. 23:8-9)

69. That there shall be no harlot (in Israel); that is, that there shall be no intercourse with a woman, without previous marriage with a deed of marriage and formal declaration of marriage (Deut. 23:18)

70. To take a wife by kiddushin, the sacrament of marriage (Deut. 24:1)

71. That the newly married husband shall (be free) for one year to rejoice with his wife (Deut. 24:5)

72. That a bridegroom shall be exempt for a whole year from taking part in any public labor, such as military service, guarding the wall and similar duties (Deut. 24:5)

73. Not to withhold food, clothing or conjugal rights from a wife (Ex. 21:10)

74. That the woman suspected of adultery shall be dealt with as prescribed in the Torah (Num. 5:30)

75. That one who defames his wife's honor (by falsely accusing her of unchastity before marriage) must live with her all his lifetime (Deut. 22:19)

76. That a man may not divorce his wife concerning whom he has published an evil report (about her unchastity before marriage) (Deut. 22:19)

77.

78.

79. That a widow whose husband died childless must not be married to anyone but her deceased husband's brother (Deut. 25:5) (this is only in effect insofar as it requires the procedure of release below).

80. To marry the widow of a brother who has died childless (Deut. 25:5) (this is only in effect insofar as it requires the procedure of release below )

81. That the widow formally release the brother-in-law (if he refuses to marry her) (Deut. 25:7-9)

Divorce (77,78) ✘

Matt 5:31-32 "Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

In the new covenant, Jesus made it extremely clear divorce is not possible except sexual immorality. Any union of the woman after divorce which is not for sexual immorality will be treated as adultery.

77. To divorce by a formal written document (Deut. 24:1)

78. That one who divorced his wife shall not remarry her, if after the divorce she had been married to another man (Deut. 24:4)

Forbidden Sexual Relations (82 – 106) ✔

Lev 18:27-28 '(for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you.

The below commandments are expected not just from Jews but also from gentiles of all nations. Hence, all the below laws are perfectly valid.

Matt 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Christ is against even the lust that begins in the heart and the punishment is same as adultery.

82. Not to indulge in familiarities with relatives, such as kissing, embracing, winking, skipping, which may lead to incest (Lev. 18:6)

83. Not to commit incest with one's mother (Lev. 18:7)

84. Not to commit sodomy with one's father (Lev. 18:7)

85. Not to commit incest with one's father's wife (Lev. 18:8)

86. Not to commit incest with one's sister (Lev. 18:9)

87. Not to commit incest with one's father's wife's daughter (Lev. 18:11)

88. Not to commit incest with one's son's daughter (Lev. 18:10)

89. Not to commit incest with one's daughter's daughter (Lev. 18:10)

90. Not to commit incest with one's daughter (this is not explicitly in the Torah but is inferred from other explicit commands that would include it)

91. Not to commit incest with one's fathers sister (Lev. 18:12)

92. Not to commit incest with one's mother's sister (Lev. 18:13)

93. Not to commit incest with one's father's brothers wife (Lev. 18:14)

94. Not to commit sodomy with one's father's brother (Lev. 18:14)

95. Not to commit incest with one's son's wife (Lev. 18:15)

96. Not to commit incest with one's brother's wife (Lev. 18:16)

97. Not to commit incest with one's wife's daughter (Lev. 18:17)

98. Not to commit incest with the daughter of one's wife's son (Lev. 18:17)

99. Not to commit incest with the daughter of one's wife's daughter (Lev. 18:17)

100. Not to commit incest with one's wife's sister (Lev. 18:18)

101. Not to have intercourse with a woman, in her menstrual period (Lev. 18:19)

102. Not to have intercourse with another man's wife (Lev. 18:20)

103. Not to commit sodomy with a male (Lev. 18:22)

104. Not to have intercourse with a beast (Lev. 18:23)

105. That a woman shall not have intercourse with a beast (Lev. 18:23)

106. Not to castrate the male of any species; neither a man, nor a domestic or wild beast, nor a fowl (Lev. 22:24)

Times and Seasons (107 – 142) ✔

Most of the below laws are very specific to Jews. Jesus said nothing that nullifies the requirement of Jews to follow them.

107. That the new month shall be solemnly proclaimed as holy, and the months and years shall be calculated by the Supreme Court only (Ex. 12:2)(the authority to declare months is inferred from the use of the word "unto you").

108. Not to travel on Shabbat outside the limits of one's place of residence (Ex. 16:29)

109. To sanctify Shabbat (Ex. 20:8)

110. Not to do work on Shabbat (Ex. 20:10)

111. To rest on Shabbat (Ex. 23:12; 34:21)

112. To celebrate the festivals [Passover, Shavu'ot and Sukkot] (Ex. 23:14)

113. To rejoice on the festivals (Deut. 16:14)

114. To appear in the Sanctuary on the festivals (Deut. 16:16)

115. To remove chametz on the Eve of Passover (Ex. 12:15)

116. To rest on the first day of Passover (Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:7)

117. Not to do work on the first day of Passover (Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:6-7)

118. To rest on the seventh day of Passover (Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:8)

119. Not to do work on the seventh day of Passover (Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:8)

120. To eat matzah on the first night of Passover (Ex. 12:18)

121. That no chametz be in the Israelite's possession during Passover (Ex. 12:19)

122. Not to eat any food containing chametz on Passover (Ex. 12:20)

123. Not to eat chametz on Passover (Ex. 13:3)

124. That chametz shall not be seen in an Israelite's home during Passover (Ex. 13:7)

125. To discuss the departure from Egypt on the first night of Passover (Ex. 13:8)

126. Not to eat chametz after mid-day on the fourteenth of Nissan (Deut. 16:3)

127. To count forty-nine days from the time of the cutting of the Omer (first sheaves of the barley harvest) (Lev. 23:15)

128. To rest on Shavu'ot (Lev. 23:21)

129. Not to do work on the Shavu'ot (Lev. 23:21)

130. To rest on Rosh Hashanah (Lev. 23:24)

131. Not to do work on Rosh Hashanah (Lev. 23:25)

132. To hear the sound of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah (Num. 29:1)

133. To fast on Yom Kippur (Lev. 23:27)

134. Not to eat or drink on Yom Kippur (Lev. 23:29)

135. Not to do work on Yom Kippur (Lev. 23:31)

136. To rest on the Yom Kippur (Lev. 23:32)

137. To rest on the first day of Sukkot (Lev. 23:35)

138. Not to do work on the first day of Sukkot (Lev. 23:35)

139. To rest on the eighth day of Sukkot (Shemini Atzeret) (Lev. 23:36)

140. Not to do work on the eighth day of Sukkot (Shemini Atzeret) (Lev. 23:36)

141. To take during Sukkot a palm branch and the other three plants (Lev. 23:40)

142. To dwell in booths seven days during Sukkot (Lev. 23:42)

Dietary Laws (143 – 169) ✔

As we saw in ritual purity laws, Jesus made it very clear that the evil which comes out of the heart of a man defiles a person.

Mark 7:15-23 "There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods? And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

He is speaking to a Jewish audience and well aware of what defiles a person or makes him unclean and what are unclean food. Hence, in the new covenant, unclean food does not make a person unclean. However, it is also important to understand that the context Jesus was referring to is washing hands and not about eating unclean animals. Hence, it is safe to say, Jesus did not negate any dietary laws for the Jews nor approve them for gentiles who are not given the law.

Rev 2:14 "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

What Jesus said about eating any food cannot defile a person had been misused to eat things sacrificed to idols which Jesus clearly rejects.

143. To examine the marks in cattle (so as to distinguish the clean from the unclean) (Lev. 11:2)

144. Not to eat the flesh of unclean beasts (Lev. 11:4)

145. To examine the marks in fishes (so as to distinguish the clean from the unclean (Lev. 11:9)

146. Not to eat unclean fish (Lev. 11:11)

147. To examine the marks in fowl, so as to distinguish the clean from the unclean (Deut. 14:11)

148. Not to eat unclean fowl (Lev. 11:13)

149. To examine the marks in locusts, so as to distinguish the clean from the unclean (Lev. 11:21)

150. Not to eat a worm found in fruit (Lev. 11:41)

151. Not to eat of things that creep upon the earth (Lev. 11:41-42)

152. Not to eat any vermin of the earth (Lev. 11:44)

153. Not to eat things that swarm in the water (Lev. 11:43 and 46)

154. Not to eat of winged insects (Deut. 14:19)

155. Not to eat the flesh of a beast that is terefah (lit torn) (Ex. 22:30)

156. Not to eat the flesh of a beast that died of itself (Deut. 14:21)

Gen 9:4 "But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.

Lev. 7:26 Not to eat blood

Eating unclean things does not mean we can eat flesh with its blood. What Jesus is implying is about eating with unwashed hands or eating anything unclean that don't defile a person. He is not nullifying the commandment of God given to all mankind through Noah.

Deut 22:6 If a bird's nest happens to be before you along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;

Luke 14:5 Then He answered them, saying, "Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?"

Jesus is also not implying in anyway to be merciless towards animals in the new covenant. In the new covenant, it is about the heart. Taking the mother with the young to eat and the food made with both mother and young bird is not what defiles, but the merciless act that begins at the heart defiles the person.

Below are the laws that are still valid.

157. To slay cattle, deer and fowl according to the laws of shechitah if their flesh is to be eaten (Deut. 12:21)

158. Not to eat a limb removed from a living beast (Deut. 12:23)

159. Not to slaughter an animal and its young on the same day (Lev. 22:28)

160. Not to take the mother-bird with the young (Deut. 22:6)

161. To set the mother-bird free when taking the nest (Deut. 22:6-7)

162. Not to eat the flesh of an ox that was condemned to be stoned (Ex. 21:28)

163. Not to boil meat of the young in it's mother's milk (Ex. 23:19)

164. Not to boil flesh of lamb in his mother's milk (Ex. 34:26) (according to the Talmud, this passage is a distinct prohibition from the one in Ex. 23:19)

165. Not to eat the of the thigh-vein which shrank (Gen. 32:33)

166. Not to eat chelev (tallow-fat) (Lev. 7:23)

167. Not to eat blood (Lev. 7:26)

168. To cover the blood of undomesticated animals (deer, etc.) and of fowl that have been killed (Lev. 17:13)

169. Not to eat or drink like a glutton or a drunkard (not to rebel against father or mother) (Lev. 19:26; Deut. 21:20)

Business Practices (170 – 183) ✔

Luke 19:8-10 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Jesus Christ affirmed these laws and He said nothing that makes any of the below laws invalid.

170. Not to do wrong in buying or selling (Lev. 25:14)

171. Not to make a loan to an Israelite on interest (Lev. 25:37)

172. Not to borrow on interest (Deut. 23:20) (because this would cause the lender to sin)

173. Not to take part in any usurious transaction between borrower and lender, neither as a surety, nor as a witness, nor as a writer of the bond for them (Ex. 22:24)

174. To lend to a poor person (Ex. 22:24) (even though the passage says "if you lend" it is understood as obligatory)

175. Not to demand from a poor man repayment of his debt, when the creditor knows that he cannot pay, nor press him (Ex. 22:24)

176. Not to take in pledge utensils used in preparing food (Deut. 24:6)

177. Not to exact a pledge from a debtor by force (Deut. 24:10)

178. Not to keep the pledge from its owner at the time when he needs it (Deut. 24:12)

179. To return a pledge to its owner (Deut. 24:13)

180. Not to take a pledge from a widow (Deut. 24:17)

181. Not to commit fraud in measuring (Lev. 19:35)

182. To ensure that scales and weights are correct (Lev. 19:36)

183. Not to possess inaccurate measures and weights (Deut. 25:13-14)

Kindness to Servants/Slaves (184 – 198, 200 – 202) ✔

Matt 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave– just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

The below laws are treatment of slaves / servants.

184. Not to delay payment of a hired man's wages (Lev. 19:13)

185. That the hired laborer shall be permitted to eat of the produce he is reaping (Deut. 23:25-26)

186. That the hired laborer shall not take more than he can eat (Deut. 23:25)

187. That a hired laborer shall not eat produce that is not being harvested (Deut. 23:26)

188. To pay wages to the hired man at the due time (Deut. 24:15)

189. To deal judicially with the Hebrew bondman in accordance with the laws appertaining to him (Ex. 21:2-6)

190. Not to compel the Hebrew servant to do the work of a slave (Lev. 25:39)

191. Not to sell a Hebrew servant as a slave (Lev. 25:42)

192. Not to treat a Hebrew servant rigorously (Lev. 25:43)

193. Not to permit a gentile to treat harshly a Hebrew bondman sold to him (Lev. 25:53)

194. Not to send away a Hebrew bondman servant empty handed, when he is freed from service (Deut. 15:13)

195. To bestow liberal gifts upon the Hebrew bondsman (at the end of his term of service), and the same should be done to a Hebrew bondwoman (Deut. 15:14)

196. To redeem a Hebrew maid-servant (Ex. 21:8)

197. Not to sell a Hebrew maid-servant to another person (Ex. 21:8)

198. To espouse a Hebrew maid-servant (Ex. 21:8-9)

199.

200. Not to surrender a slave, who has fled to the land of Israel, to his owner who lives outside Palestine (Deut. 23:16)

201. Not to wrong such a slave (Deut. 23:17)

202. Not to muzzle a beast, while it is working in produce which it can eat and enjoy (Deut. 25:4)

Perpetual Slavery of Canaanites (199) ✘

Matt 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave– just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Christ taught to be a servant/slave to serve others. This is contrary to keep a Canaanite slave forever. Hence, the below law is invalid.

199. To keep the Canaanite slave forever (Lev. 25:46)

Vows, Oaths and Swearing (203 – 209) ✘

Matt 5:33-37 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

As Jesus said, anything beyond 'Yes' or 'No' is from evil. Hence, in the new covenant, all laws related to vows, oaths and swearing are invalid.

203. That a man should fulfill whatever he has uttered (Deut. 23:24)

204. Not to swear needlessly (Ex. 20:7)

205. Not to violate an oath or swear falsely (Lev. 19:12)

206. To decide in cases of annulment of vows, according to the rules set forth in the Torah (Num. 30:2-17)

207. Not to break a vow (Num. 30:3)

208. To swear by His name truly (Deut. 10:20)

209. Not to delay in fulfilling vows or bringing vowed or free-will offerings (Deut. 23:22)

Sabbatical and Jubilee Years (210 – 226) ✔

The sabbatical and jubilee years are specific to the land of Israel. Jesus said nothing that nullifies these laws. Hence, the below laws are perfectly valid for Jews.

210. To let the land lie fallow in the Sabbatical year (Ex. 23:11; Lev. 25:2)

211. To cease from tilling the land in the Sabbatical year (Ex. 23:11)

212. Not to till the ground in the Sabbatical year (Lev. 25:4)

213. Not to do any work on the trees in the Sabbatical year (Lev. 25:4)

214. Not to reap the aftermath that grows in the Sabbatical year, in the same way as it is reaped in other years (Lev. 25:5)

215. Not to gather the fruit of the tree in the Sabbatical year in the same way as it is gathered in other years (Lev. 25:5)

216. To sound the Ram's horn in the Sabbatical year (Lev. 25:9)

217. To release debts in the seventh year (Deut. 15:2)

218. Not to demand return of a loan after the Sabbatical year has passed (Deut. 15:2)

219. Not to refrain from making a loan to a poor man, because of the release of loans in the Sabbatical year (Deut. 15:9)

220. To assemble the people to hear the Torah at the close of the seventh year (Deut. 31:12)

221. To count the years of the Jubilee by years and by cycles of seven years (Lev. 25:8)

222. To keep the Jubilee year holy by resting and letting the land lie fallow (Lev. 25:10)

223. Not to cultivate the soil nor do any work on the trees, in the Jubilee Year (Lev. 25:11)

224. Not to reap the aftermath of the field that grew of itself in the Jubilee Year, in the same way as in other years (Lev. 25:11)

225. Not to gather the fruit of the tree in the Jubilee Year, in the same way as in other years (Lev. 25:11)

226. To grant redemption to the land in the Jubilee year (Lev. 25:24)

Court and Judicial Procedure (227 – 262) ✘

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

John 8:7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."

Matt 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Luke 12:58-59 "When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."

Jesus taught to forgive in the new covenant. He also taught to settle accounts before it goes to the judge. A judge is only required when there is disagreement and no forgiveness. Hence, forgiveness in the new covenant makes the below laws invalid.

227. To appoint judges and officers in every community of Israel (Deut. 16:18)

228. Not to appoint as a judge, a person who is not well versed in the laws of the Torah, even if he is expert in other branches of knowledge (Deut. 1:17)

229. To adjudicate cases of purchase and sale (Lev. 25:14)

230. To judge cases of liability of a paid depositary (Ex. 22:9)

231. To adjudicate cases of loss for which a gratuitous borrower is liable (Ex. 22:13-14)

232. To adjudicate cases of inheritances (Num. 27:8-11)

233. To judge cases of damage caused by an uncovered pit (Ex. 21:33-34)

234. To judge cases of injuries caused by beasts (Ex. 21:35-36)

235. To adjudicate cases of damage caused by trespass of cattle (Ex. 22:4)

236. To adjudicate cases of damage caused by fire (Ex. 22:5)

237. To adjudicate cases of damage caused by a gratuitous depositary (Ex. 22:6-7)

238. To adjudicate other cases between a plaintiff and a defendant (Ex. 22:8)

239. Not to curse a judge (Ex. 22:27)

240. That one who possesses evidence shall testify in Court (Lev. 5:1)

241. Not to testify falsely (Ex. 20:13)

242. That a witness, who has testified in a capital case, shall not lay down the law in that particular case (Num. 35:30)

243. That a transgressor shall not testify (Ex. 23:1)

244. That the court shall not accept the testimony of a close relative of the defendant in matters of capital punishment (Deut. 24:16)

245. Not to hear one of the parties to a suit in the absence of the other party (Ex. 23:1)

246. To examine witnesses thoroughly (Deut. 13:15)

247. Not to decide a case on the evidence of a single witness (Deut. 19:15)

248. To give the decision according to the majority, when there is a difference of opinion among the members of the Sanhedrin as to matters of law (Ex. 23:2)

249. Not to decide, in capital cases, according to the view of the majority, when those who are for condemnation exceed by one only, those who are for acquittal (Ex. 23:2)

250. That, in capital cases, one who had argued for acquittal, shall not later on argue for condemnation (Ex. 23:2)

251. To treat parties in a litigation with equal impartiality (Lev. 19:15) (affirmative).

252. Not to render iniquitous decisions (Lev. 19:15)

253. Not to favor a great man when trying a case (Lev. 19:15)

254. Not to take a bribe (Ex. 23:8)

255. Not to be afraid of a bad man, when trying a case (Deut. 1:17)

256. Not to be moved in trying a case, by the poverty of one of the parties (Ex. 23:3; Lev. 19:15)

257. Not to pervert the judgment of strangers or orphans (Deut. 24:17)

258. Not to pervert the judgment of a sinner (a person poor in fulfillment of commandments) (Ex. 23:6)

259. Not to render a decision on one's personal opinion, but only on the evidence of two witnesses, who saw what actually occurred (Ex. 23:7)

260. Not to execute one guilty of a capital offense, before he has stood his trial (Num. 35:12)

261. To accept the rulings of every Supreme Court in Israel (Deut. 17:11)

262. Not to rebel against the orders of the Court (Deut. 17:11)

Avoid Accidents (263 – 264) ✔

Jesus said nothing that negates any of the laws that prevents accidental bloodshed or hurts. Hence, the law is perfectly valid.

263. To make a parapet for your roof (Deut. 22:8)

264. Not to leave something that might cause hurt (Deut. 22:8)

Injuries and Damages (265 – 266) ✘

Matt 5:38-42 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Jesus taught the opposite of what the law says. Hence, the below laws are invalid.

265. To save the pursued even at the cost of the life of the pursuer (Deut. 25:12)

266. Not to spare a pursuer, but he is to be slain before he reaches the pursued and slays the latter, or uncovers his nakedness (Deut. 25:12)

Property and Property Rights (267 – 277) ✔

Luke 19:8-10 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

As we see in the above story of Zacchaeus, the below laws are perfectly valid. Also, Jesus said nothing that changes the inheritance of Jews in their land.

267. Not to sell a field in the land of Israel in perpetuity (Lev. 25:23)

268. Not to change the character of the open land (about the cities of) the Levites or of their fields; not to sell it in perpetuity, but it may be redeemed at any time (Lev. 25:34)

269. That houses sold within a walled city may be redeemed within a year (Lev. 25:29)

270. Not to remove landmarks (property boundaries) (Deut. 19:14)

271. Not to swear falsely in denial of another's property rights (Lev. 19:11)

272. Not to deny falsely another's property rights (Lev. 19:11)

273. Never to settle in the land of Egypt (Deut. 17:16)

274. Not to steal personal property (Lev. 19:11)

275. To restore that which one took by robbery (Lev. 5:23)

276. To return lost property (Deut. 22:1)

277. Not to pretend not to have seen lost property, to avoid the obligation to return it (Deut. 22:3)

Criminal Laws (278 – 284) ✔

Matt 5:21-24 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

In the new covenant, Jesus Christ taught that even if desire comes from heart, it is punishable. Hence, the below law are perfectly valid.

278. Not to slay an innocent person (Ex. 20:13)

279. Not to kidnap any person of Israel (Ex. 20:13) (according to the Talmud, this verse refers to stealing a person, distinguished from Lev. 19:11, regarding the taking of property)

280. Not to rob by violence (Lev. 19:13)

281. Not to defraud (Lev. 19:13)

282. Not to covet what belongs to another (Ex. 20:14)

283. Not to crave something that belongs to another (Deut. 5:18)

284. Not to indulge in evil thoughts and sights (Num. 15:39)

Punishment and Restitution (285 – 308) ✘

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

John 8:7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."

Matt 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Luke 12:58-59 "When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."

As we saw in the Court and Judicial Procedure (227 – 262), Jesus taught to forgive in the new covenant and settle accounts before it goes to the judge. A judge is only required when there is disagreement and no forgiveness. Hence, forgiveness in the new covenant makes the below punishment laws invalid.

Matt 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

It is also important to note, Joseph was called a just man for not punishing for the crime which he thinks of Mary before he was informed of the birth of Jesus in the dream.

285. That the Court shall pass sentence of death by decapitation with the sword (Ex. 21:20; Lev. 26:25)

286. That the Court shall pass sentence of death by strangulation (Lev. 20:10)

287. That the Court shall pass sentence of death by burning with fire (Lev. 20:14)

288. That the Court shall pass sentence of death by stoning (Deut. 22:24)

289. To hang the dead body of one who has incurred that penalty (Deut. 21:22)

290. That the dead body of an executed criminal shall not remain hanging on the tree over night (Deut. 21:23)

291. To inter the executed on the day of execution (Deut. 21:23)

292. Not to accept ransom from a murderer (Num. 35:31)

293. To exile one who committed accidental homicide (Num. 35:25)

294. To establish six cities of refuge (for those who committed accidental homicide) (Deut. 19:3)

295. Not to accept ransom from an accidental homicide, so as to relieve him from exile (Num. 35:32)

296. To decapitate the heifer in the manner prescribed (in expiation of a murder on the road, the perpetrator of which remained undiscovered) (Deut. 21:4)

297. Not to plow nor sow the rough valley (in which a heifer's neck was broken) (Deut. 21:4)

298. To adjudge a thief to pay compensation or (in certain cases) suffer death (Ex. 21:16; Ex. 21:37; Ex. 22:1)

299. That he who inflicts a bodily injury shall pay monetary compensation (Ex. 21:18-19)

300. To impose a penalty of fifty shekels upon the seducer (of an unbetrothed virgin) and enforce the other rules in connection with the case (Ex. 22:15-16)

301. That the violator (of an unbetrothed virgin) shall marry her (Deut. 22:28-29)

302. That one who has raped a damsel and has then (in accordance with the law) married her, may not divorce her (Deut. 22:29)

303. Not to inflict punishment on Shabbat (Ex. 35:3) (because some punishments were inflicted by fire)

304. To punish the wicked by the infliction of stripes (Deut. 25:2)

305. Not to exceed the statutory number of stripes laid on one who has incurred that punishment (Deut. 25:3) (and by implication, not to strike anyone)

306. Not to spare the offender, in imposing the prescribed penalties on one who has caused damage (Deut. 19:13)

307. To do unto false witnesses as they had purposed to do (to the accused) (Deut. 19:19)

308. Not to punish any one who has committed an offense under duress (Deut. 22:26)

Prophecy (309 – 310) ✔

Matt 23:34 "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city

Matt 24:11 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Jesus did say that He will send prophets and they are not to prophesy falsely.

309. To heed the call of every prophet in each generation, provided that he neither adds to, nor takes away from the Torah (Deut. 18:15)

310. Not to prophesy falsely (Deut. 18:20)

Death to False Prophets (311) ✘

Matt 7:15-16 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

Jesus did not ask anyone to put false prophets to death. However, He cautioned us to be careful.

311. Not to refrain from putting a false prophet to death nor to be in fear of him (Deut. 18:22)

Idolatry, Idolaters and Idolatrous Practices (312 – 357) ✔

Rev 2:14 "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Rev 2:20 "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

Rev 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

As we read in Revelation, no idolater will enter life. Jesus also warned not to eat things sacrificed to idols. Hence, these laws are perfectly valid.

312. Not to make a graven image; neither to make it oneself nor to have it made by others (Ex. 20:4)

313. Not to make any figures for ornament, even if they are not worshipped (Ex. 20:20)

314. Not to make idols even for others (Ex. 34:17; Lev. 19:4)

315. Not to use the ornament of any object of idolatrous worship (Deut. 7:25)

316. Not to make use of an idol or its accessory objects, offerings, or libations (Deut. 7:26)

317. Not to drink wine of idolaters (Deut. 32:38)

318. Not to worship an idol in the way in which it is usually worshipped (Ex. 20:5)

319. Not to bow down to an idol, even if that is not its mode of worship (Ex. 20:5)

320. Not to prophesy in the name of an idol (Ex. 23:13; Deut. 18:20)

321. Not to hearken to one who prophesies in the name of an idol (Deut. 13:4)

322. Not to lead the children of Israel astray to idolatry (Ex. 23:13)

323. Not to entice an Israelite to idolatry (Deut. 13:12)

324. To destroy idolatry and its appurtenances (Deut. 12:2-3)

325. Not to love the enticer to idolatry (Deut. 13:9)

326. Not to give up hating the enticer to idolatry (Deut. 13:9)

327. Not to save the enticer from capital punishment, but to stand by at his execution (Deut. 13:9)

328. A person whom he attempted to entice to idolatry shall not urge pleas for the acquittal of the enticer (Deut. 13:9)

329. A person whom he attempted to entice shall not refrain from giving evidence of the enticer's guilt, if he has such evidence (Deut. 13:9)

330. Not to swear by an idol to its worshipers, nor cause them to swear by it (Ex. 23:13)

331. Not to turn one's attention to idolatry (Lev. 19:4)

332. Not to adopt the institutions of idolaters nor their customs (Lev. 18:3; Lev. 20:23)

333. Not to pass a child through the fire to Molech (Lev. 18:21)

334. Not to suffer any one practicing witchcraft to live (Ex. 22:17)

335. Not to practice onein (observing times or seasons as favorable or unfavorable, using astrology) (Lev. 19:26)

336. Not to practice nachesh (doing things based on signs and portents; using charms and incantations) (Lev. 19:26)

337. Not to consult ovoth (ghosts) (Lev. 19:31)

338. Not to consult yid'onim (wizards) (Lev. 19:31)

339. Not to practice kisuf (magic using herbs, stones and objects that people use) (Deut. 18:10)

340. Not to practice kessem (a general term for magical practices) (Deut. 18:10)

341. Not to practice the art of a chover chaver (casting spells over snakes and scorpions) (Deut. 18:11)

342. Not to enquire of an ob (a ghost) (Deut. 18:11)

343. Not to seek the maytim (dead) (Deut. 18:11)

344. Not to enquire of a yid'oni (wizard) (Deut. 18:11)

345. Not to remove the entire beard, like the idolaters (Lev. 19:27)

346. Not to round the corners of the head, as the idolatrous priests do (Lev. 19:27)

347. Not to cut oneself or make incisions in one's flesh in grief, like the idolaters (Lev. 19:28; Deut. 14:1)

348. Not to tattoo the body like the idolaters (Lev. 19:28)

349. Not to make a bald spot for the dead (Deut. 14:1)

350. Not to plant a tree for worship (Deut. 16:21)

351. Not to set up a pillar (for worship) (Deut. 16:22)

352. Not to show favor to idolaters (Deut. 7:2)

353. Not to make a covenant with the seven (Canaanite, idolatrous) nations (Ex. 23:32; Deut. 7:2)

354. Not to settle idolaters in our land (Ex. 23:33)

355. To slay the inhabitants of a city that has become idolatrous and burn that city (Deut. 13:16-17)

356. Not to rebuild a city that has been led astray to idolatry (Deut. 13:17)

357. Not to make use of the property of city that has been so led astray (Deut. 13:18)

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (358 – 364) ✔

Jesus said nothing that negates any of the below laws.

Luke 13:6-9 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "

However, it is interesting to note in one of His parables, He shows an important concept that contradicts the law. The man is not supposed to plant a fig tree in his vineyard (Mitzvot 362). He must not expect fruits from it for three years, yet he seeks for it (Mitzvot 360). The fig tree represents the gentiles who are planted in God's vineyard and God expects fruits from them immediately.

358. Not to cross-breed cattle of different species (Lev. 19:19) (according to the Talmud, this also applies to birds)

359. Not to sow different kinds of seed together in one field (Lev. 19:19)

360. Not to eat the fruit of a tree for three years from the time it was planted (Lev. 19:23)

361. That the fruit of fruit-bearing trees in the fourth year of their planting shall be sacred like the second tithe and eaten in Jerusalem (Lev. 19:24)

362. Not to sow grain or herbs in a vineyard (Deut. 22:9)

363. Not to eat the produce of diverse seeds sown in a vineyard (Deut. 22:9)

364. Not to work with beasts of different species, yoked together (Deut. 22:10)

Clothing (365 – 366) ✔

Jesus said nothing that negates any of the below laws.

365. That a man shall not wear women's clothing (Deut. 22:5)

366. That a woman should not wear men's clothing (Deut. 22:5)

Mixing Wool and Linen (367) ✔

Isa 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Rev 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Wool represents our old sins that are washed. Linen represents righteous acts. It is possible the law was a reminder for the Jews to not bring in their old sins into their righteous acts. While there remains a spiritual explanation, Jesus said nothing that negates any of the below laws.

367. Not to wear garments made of wool and linen mixed together (Deut. 22:11)

The Firstborn (368 – 371) ✘

Exod 13:15 'And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.'

Redeeming requires sacrifice which requires the Temple or tabernacle. In the new covenant, Christ is the Temple (refer to temple section). Hence, the below laws are invalid.

368. To redeem the firstborn human male (Ex. 13:13; Ex. 34:20; Num. 18:15)

369. To redeem the firstling of an ass (Ex. 13:13; Ex. 34:20)

370. To break the neck of the firstling of an ass if it is not redeemed (Ex. 13:13; Ex. 34:20)

371. Not to redeem the firstling of a clean beast (Num. 18:17)

Kohanim and Levites (372 – 401) ✘

Rev 1:6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In the new covenant, there are no Kohanim or Levites but His followers were made kings and priests to God.

372. That the kohanim shall put on priestly vestments for the service (Ex. 28:2)

373. Not to tear the High Kohein's robe (Ex. 28:32)

374. That the kohein shall not enter the Sanctuary at all times (i.e., at times when he is not performing service) (Lev. 16:2)

375. That the ordinary kohein shall not defile himself by contact with any dead, other than immediate relatives (Lev. 21:1-3)

376. That the kohanim defile themselves for their deceased relatives (by attending their burial), and mourn for them like other Israelites, who are commanded to mourn for their relatives (Lev. 21:3)

377. That a kohein who had an immersion during the day (to cleanse him from his uncleanness) shall not serve in the Sanctuary until after sunset (Lev. 21:6)

378. That a kohein shall not marry a divorced woman (Lev. 21:7)

379. That a kohein shall not marry a harlot (Lev. 21:7)

380. That a kohein shall not marry a profaned woman (Lev. 21:7)

381. To show honor to a kohein, and to give him precedence in all things that are holy (Lev. 21:8)

382. That a High Kohein shall not defile himself with any dead, even if they are relatives (Lev. 21:11)

383. That a High Kohein shall not go (under the same roof) with a dead body (Lev. 21:11) It has been learnt by tradition that a kohein, who does so, violates the prohibition, "Neither shall he go in ", and also the prohibition "He shall not defile himself"

384. That the High Kohein shall marry a virgin (Lev. 21:13)

385. That the High Kohein shall not marry a widow (Lev. 21:14)

386. That the High Kohein shall not cohabit with a widow, even without marriage, because he profanes her (Lev. 21:15)

387. That a person with a physical blemish shall not serve (in the Sanctuary) (Lev. 21:17)

388. That a kohein with a temporary blemish shall not serve there (Lev. 21:21)

389. That a person with a physical blemish shall not enter the Sanctuary further than the altar (Lev. 21:23)

390. That a kohein who is unclean shall not serve (in the Sanctuary) (Lev. 22:2-3)

391. To send the unclean out of the Camp of the Shechinah, that is, out of the Sanctuary (Num. 5:2)

392. That a kohein who is unclean shall not enter the courtyard (Num. 5:2-3) This refers to the Camp of the Shechinah

393. That the kohanim shall bless Israel (Num. 6:23)

394. To set apart a portion of the dough for the kohein (Num. 15:20)

395. That the Levites shall not occupy themselves with the service that belongs to the kohanim, nor the kohanim with that belonging to the Levites (Num. 18:3)

396. That one not a descendant of Aaron in the male line shall not serve (in the Sanctuary) (Num. 18:4-7)

397. That the Levite shall serve in the Sanctuary (Num. 18:23)

398. To give the Levites cities to dwell in, these to serve also as cities of refuge (Num. 35:2)

399. That none of the tribe of Levi shall take any portion of territory in the land (of Israel) (Deut. 18:1)

400. That none of the tribe of Levi shall take any share of the spoil (at the conquest of the Promised Land) (Deut. 18:1)

401. That the kohanim shall serve in the Sanctuary in divisions, but on festivals, they all serve together (Deut. 18:6-8)

T'rumah, Tithes and Taxes (402 – 425) ✘

In the new covenant, there are no sacrifices for Christ is the Temple (refer Temple section), here are no Levites to give tithes (refer to Kohanim and Levites) and no taxes to the Sanctuary for Christ is the Temple. Hence, the below laws are invalid in the new covenant.

402. That an uncircumcised person shall not eat of the t'rumah (heave offering), and the same applies to other holy things. This rule is inferred from the law of the Paschal offering, by similarity of phrase (Ex. 12:44-45 and Lev. 22:10) but it is not explicitly set forth in the Torah. Traditionally, it has been learnt that the rule that the uncircumcised must not eat holy things is an essential principle of the Torah and not an enactment of the Scribes.

403. Not to alter the order of separating the t'rumah and the tithes; the separation be in the order first-fruits at the beginning, then the t'rumah, then the first tithe, and last the second tithe (Ex. 22:28)

404. To give half a shekel every year (to the Sanctuary for provision of the public sacrifices) (Ex. 30:13)

405. That a kohein who is unclean shall not eat of the t'rumah (Lev. 22:3-4)

406. That a person who is not a kohein or the wife or unmarried daughter of a kohein shall not eat of the t'rumah (Lev. 22:10)

407. That a sojourner with a kohein or his hired servant shall not eat of the t'rumah (Lev. 22:10)

408. Not to eat tevel (something from which the t'rumah and tithe have not yet been separated) (Lev. 22:15)

409. To set apart the tithe of the produce (one tenth of the produce after taking out t'rumah) for the Levites (Lev. 27:30; Num. 18:24)

410. To tithe cattle (Lev. 27:32)

411. Not to sell the tithe of the herd (Lev. 27:32-33)

412. That the Levites shall set apart a tenth of the tithes, which they had received from the Israelites, and give it to the kohanim (called the t'rumah of the tithe) (Num. 18:26)

413. Not to eat the second tithe of cereals outside Jerusalem (Deut. 12:17)

414. Not to consume the second tithe of the vintage outside of Jerusalem (Deut. 12:17)

415. Not to consume the second tithe of the oil outside of Jerusalem (Deut. 12:17)

416. Not to forsake the Levites (Deut. 12:19); but their gifts (dues) should be given to them, so that they might rejoice therewith on each and every festival (negative)

417. To set apart the second tithe in the first, second, fourth and fifth years of the sabbatical cycle to be eaten by its owner in Jerusalem (Deut. 14:22) (today, it is set aside but not eaten in Jerusalem).

418. To set apart the second tithe in the third and sixth year of the sabbatical cycle for the poor (Deut. 14:28-29) (today, it must be separated out but need not be given to the poor).

419. To give the kohein the due portions of the carcass of cattle (Deut. 18:3) (according to the Talmud, this is not mandatory in the present outside of Israel, but it is permissible, and some observant people do so)

420. To give the first of the fleece to the kohein (Deut. 18:4) (according to the Talmud, this is not mandatory in the present outside of Israel, but it is permissible, and some observant people do so)

421. To set apart t'rumah g'dolah (the great heave-offering, that is, a small portion of the grain, wine and oil) for the kohein (Deut. 18:4)

422. Not to expend the proceeds of the second tithe on anything but food and drink (Deut. 26:14). Anything outside of things necessary for sustenance comes within the class in the phrase "Given for the dead"

423. Not to eat the Second Tithe, even in Jerusalem, in a state of uncleanness, until the tithe had been redeemed (Deut. 26:14)

424. Not to eat the Second Tithe, when mourning (Deut. 26:14)

425. To make the declaration, when bringing the second tithe to the Sanctuary (Deut. 26:13)

The Temple, Sanctuary and Sacred Objects (426-458) ✘

Matt 12:6 "Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple.

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

John 4:21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.

The first thing Jesus changed is the Temple. In the old covenant, there is only one place where Jews are allowed to worship i.e., sacrifice and stand before the Lord (Deut 12:4-5) which is Jerusalem (1Kgs 9:3). Jesus becomes that Temple and we go to the Father through Jesus who is our Temple (John 14:6). In fact, He is greater than the Temple that was in Jerusalem. Hence, all the laws related with the earthly Temple or tabernacle, sacrifices, temple rituals in the law becomes invalid or not applicable in the new covenant. 'Invalid' doesn't mean Jews (or Gentiles) are allowed to do the negative things in the law.

For e.g., If we say Mitzvot 426 is invalid, it doesn't mean Jews (or gentiles) are allowed to build an altar of hewn stone. It simply means, there is no longer an altar for Christ is the Temple.

426. Not to build an altar of hewn stone (Ex. 20:22)

427. Not to mount the altar by steps (Ex. 20:23)

428. To build the Sanctuary (Ex. 25:8)

429. Not to remove the staves from the Ark (Ex. 25:15)

430. To set the showbread and the frankincense before the L-rd every Shabbat (Ex. 25:30)

431. To kindle lights in the Sanctuary (Ex. 27:21)

432. That the breastplate shall not be loosened from the ephod (Ex. 28:28)

433. To offer up incense twice daily (Ex. 30:7)

434. Not to offer strange incense nor any sacrifice upon the golden altar (Ex. 30:9)

435. That the kohein shall wash his hands and feet at the time of service (Ex. 30:19)

436. To prepare the oil of anointment and anoint high kohanim and kings with it (Ex. 30:31)

437. Not to compound oil for lay use after the formula of the anointing oil (Ex. 30:32-33)

438. Not to anoint a stranger with the anointing oil (Ex. 30:32)

439. Not to compound anything after the formula of the incense (Ex. 30:37)

440. That he who, in error, makes unlawful use of sacred things, shall make restitution of the value of his trespass and add a fifth (Lev. 5:16)

441. To remove the ashes from the altar (Lev. 6:3)

442. To keep fire always burning on the altar of the burnt-offering (Lev. 6:6)

443. Not to extinguish the fire on the altar (Lev. 6:6)

444. That a kohein shall not enter the Sanctuary with disheveled hair (Lev. 10:6)

445. That a kohein shall not enter the Sanctuary with torn garments (Lev. 10:6)

446. That the kohein shall not leave the Courtyard of the Sanctuary, during service (Lev. 10:7)

447. That an intoxicated person shall not enter the Sanctuary nor give decisions in matters of the Law (Lev. 10:9-11)

448. To revere the Sanctuary (Lev. 19:30) (today, this applies to synagogues)

449. That when the Ark is carried, it should be carried on the shoulder (Num. 7:9)

450. To observe the second Passover (Num. 9:11)

451. To eat the flesh of the Paschal lamb on it, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Num. 9:11)

452. Not to leave any flesh of the Paschal lamb brought on the second Passover until the morning (Num. 9:12)

453. Not to break a bone of the Paschal lamb brought on the second Passover (Num. 9:12)

454. To sound the trumpets at the offering of sacrifices and in times of trouble (Num. 10:9-10)

455. To watch over the edifice continually (Num. 18:2)

456. Not to allow the Sanctuary to remain unwatched (Num. 18:5)

457. That an offering shall be brought by one who has in error committed a trespass against sacred things, or robbed, or lain carnally with a bond-maid betrothed to a man, or denied what was deposited with him and swore falsely to support his denial. This is called a guilt-offering for a known trespass.

458. Not to destroy anything of the Sanctuary, of synagogues, or of houses of study, nor erase the holy names (of G-d); nor may sacred scriptures be destroyed (Deut. 12:2-4)

Sacrifices and Offerings (459 – 560) ✘

Ezek 16:62-63 And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done," says the Lord GOD.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

When Christ became the Temple according to the New Covenant, He himself became the lamb of God, a perfect sacrifice for atonement of our sins as well. Hence, the laws associated with sacrifices and offerings becomes invalid. As I had already mentioned, 'Invalid' doesn't mean Jews (or Gentiles) are allowed to do the negative things in the law.

459. To sanctify the firstling of clean cattle and offer it up (Ex. 13:2; Deut. 15:19)

460. To slay the Paschal lamb (Ex. 12:6)

461. To eat the flesh of the Paschal sacrifice on the night of the fifteenth of Nissan (Ex. 12:8)

462. Not to eat the flesh of the Paschal lamb raw or sodden (Ex. 12:9)

463. Not to leave any portion of the flesh of the Paschal sacrifice until the morning unconsumed (Ex. 12:10)

464. Not to give the flesh of the Paschal lamb to an Israelite who had become an apostate (Ex. 12:43)

465. Not to give flesh of the Paschal lamb to a stranger who lives among you to eat (Ex. 12:45)

466. Not to take any of the flesh of the Paschal lamb from the company's place of assembly (Ex. 12:46)

467. Not to break a bone of the Paschal lamb (Ex. 12:46)

468. That the uncircumcised shall not eat of the flesh of the Paschal lamb (Ex. 12:48)

469. Not to slaughter the Paschal lamb while there is chametz in the home (Ex. 23:18; Ex. 24:25)

470. Not to leave the part of the Paschal lamb that should be burnt on the altar until the morning, when it will no longer be fit to be burnt (Ex. 23:18; Ex. 24:25)

471. Not to go up to the Sanctuary for the festival without bringing an offering (Ex. 23:15)

472. To bring the first fruits to the Sanctuary (Ex. 23:19)

473. That the flesh of a sin-offering and guilt-offering shall be eaten (Ex. 29:33)

474. That one not of the seed of Aaron, shall not eat the flesh of the holy sacrifices (Ex. 29:33)

475. To observe the procedure of the burnt-offering (Lev. 1:3)

476. To observe the procedure of the meal-offering (Lev. 2:1)

477. Not to offer up leaven or honey (Lev. 2:11)

478. That every sacrifice be salted (Lev. 2:13)

479. Not to offer up any offering unsalted (Lev. 2:13)

480. That the Court of Judgment shall offer up a sacrifice if they have erred in a judicial pronouncement (Lev. 4:13)

481. That an individual shall bring a sin-offering if he has sinned in error by committing a transgression, the conscious violation of which is punished with excision (Lev. 4:27-28)

482. To offer a sacrifice of varying value in accordance with one's means (Lev. 5:7)

483. Not to sever completely the head of a fowl brought as a sin-offering (Lev. 5:8)

484. Not to put olive oil in a sin-offering made of flour (Lev. 5:11) (negative)

485. Not to put frankincense on a sin-offering made of flour (Lev. 5:11) (negative)

486. That an individual shall bring an offering if he is in doubt as to whether he has committed a sin for which one has to bring a sin-offering. This is called a guilt-offering for doubtful sins (Lev. 5:17-19)

487. That the remainder of the meal offerings shall be eaten (Lev. 6:9)

488. Not to allow the remainder of the meal offerings to become leavened (Lev. 6:10)

489. That the High Kohein shall offer a meal offering daily (Lev. 6:13)

490. Not to eat of the meal offering brought by the kohanim (Lev. 6:16)

491. To observe the procedure of the sin-offering (Lev. 6:18)

492. Not to eat of the flesh of sin offerings, the blood of which is brought within the Sanctuary and sprinkled towards the Veil (Lev. 6:23)

493. To observe the procedure of the guilt-offering (Lev. 7:1)

494. To observe the procedure of the peace-offering (Lev. 7:11)

495. To burn meat of the holy sacrifice that has remained over (Lev. 7:17)

496. Not to eat of sacrifices that are eaten beyond the appointed time for eating them (Lev. 7:18) The penalty is excision

497. Not to eat of holy things that have become unclean (Lev. 7:19)

498. To burn meat of the holy sacrifice that has become unclean (Lev. 7:19)

499. That a person who is unclean shall not eat of things that are holy (Lev. 7:20)

500. A kohein's daughter who profaned herself shall not eat of the holy things, neither of the heave offering nor of the breast, nor of the shoulder of peace offerings (Lev. 10:14, Lev. 22:12)

501. That a woman after childbirth shall bring an offering when she is clean (Lev. 12:6)

502. That the leper shall bring a sacrifice after he is cleansed (Lev. 14:10)

503. That a man having an issue shall bring a sacrifice after he is cleansed of his issue (Lev. 15:13-15)

504. That a woman having an issue shall bring a sacrifice after she is cleansed of her issue (Lev. 15:28-30)

505. To observe, on Yom Kippur, the service appointed for that day, regarding the sacrifice, confessions, sending away of the scapegoat, etc. (Lev. 16:3-34)

506. Not to slaughter beasts set apart for sacrifices outside (the Sanctuary) (Lev. 17:3-4)

507. Not to eat flesh of a sacrifice that has been left over (beyond the time appointed for its consumption) (Lev. 19:8 )

508. Not to sanctify blemished cattle for sacrifice on the altar (Lev. 22:20) This text prohibits such beasts being set apart for sacrifice on the altar

509. That every animal offered up shall be without blemish (Lev. 22:21)

510. Not to inflict a blemish on cattle set apart for sacrifice (Lev. 22:21)

511. Not to slaughter blemished cattle as sacrifices (Lev. 22:22)

512. Not to burn the limbs of blemished cattle upon the altar (Lev. 22:22)

513. Not to sprinkle the blood of blemished cattle upon the altar (Lev. 22:24)

514. Not to offer up a blemished beast that comes from non-Israelites (Lev. 22:25)

515. That sacrifices of cattle can only take place when they are at least eight days old (Lev. 22:27)

516. Not to leave any flesh of the thanksgiving offering until the morning (Lev. 22:30)

517. To offer up the meal-offering of the Omer on the morrow after the first day of Passover, together with one lamb (Lev. 23:10)

518. Not to eat bread made of new grain before the Omer of barley has been offered up on the second day of Passover (Lev. 23:14)

519. Not to eat roasted grain of the new produce before that time (Lev. 23:14)

520. Not to eat fresh ears of the new grain before that time (Lev. 23:14)

521. To bring on Shavu'ot loaves of bread together with the sacrifices which are then offered up in connection with the loaves (Lev. 23:17-20)

522. To offer up an additional sacrifice on Passover (Lev. 23:36)

523. That one who vows to the L-rd the monetary value of a person shall pay the amount appointed in the Scriptural portion (Lev. 27:2-8)

524. If a beast is exchanged for one that had been set apart as an offering, both become sacred (Lev. 27:10)

525. Not to exchange a beast set aside for sacrifice (Lev. 27:10)

526. That one who vows to the L-rd the monetary value of an unclean beast shall pay its value (Lev. 27:11-13)

527. That one who vows the value of his house shall pay according to the appraisal of the kohein (Lev. 27:11-13)

528. That one who sanctifies to the L-rd a portion of his field shall pay according to the estimation appointed in the Scriptural portion (Lev. 27:16-24)

529. Not to transfer a beast set apart for sacrifice from one class of sacrifices to another (Lev. 27:26)

530. To decide in regard to dedicated property as to which is sacred to the Lord and which belongs to the kohein (Lev. 27:28)

531. Not to sell a field devoted to the Lord (Lev. 27:28)

532. Not to redeem a field devoted to the Lord (Lev. 27:28)

533. To make confession before the L-rd of any sin that one has committed, when bringing a sacrifice and at other times (Num. 5:6-7)

534. Not to put olive oil in the meal-offering of a woman suspected of adultery (Num. 5:15)

535. Not to put frankincense on it (Num. 5:15)

536. To offer up the regular sacrifices daily (two lambs as burnt offerings) (Num. 28:3)

537. To offer up an additional sacrifice every Shabbat (two lambs) (Num. 28:9)

538. To offer up an additional sacrifice every New Moon (Num. 28:11)

539. To bring an additional offering on Shavu'ot (Num. 28:26-27)

540. To offer up an additional sacrifice on Rosh Hashanah (Num. 29:1-6)

541. To offer up an additional sacrifice on Yom Kippur (Num. 29:7-8)

542. To offer up an additional sacrifice on Sukkot (Num. 29:12-34)

543. To offer up an additional offering on Shemini Atzeret, which is a festival by itself (Num. 29:35-38)

544. To bring all offerings, whether obligatory or freewill, on the first festival after these were incurred (Deut. 12:5-6)

545. Not to offer up sacrifices outside (the Sanctuary) (Deut. 12:13)

546. To offer all sacrifices in the Sanctuary (Deut. 12:14)

547. To redeem cattle set apart for sacrifices that contracted disqualifying blemishes, after which they may be eaten by anyone. (Deut. 12:15)

548. Not to eat of the unblemished firstling outside Jerusalem (Deut. 12:17)

549. Not to eat the flesh of the burnt-offering (Deut. 12:17). This is a Prohibition applying to every trespasser, not to enjoy any of the holy things. If he does so, he commits a trespass

550. That the kohanim shall not eat the flesh of the sin-offering or guilt-offering outside the Courtyard (of the Sanctuary) (Deut. 12:17)

551. Not to eat of the flesh of the sacrifices that are holy in a minor degree, before the blood has been sprinkled (on the altar), (Deut. 12:17)

552. That the kohein shall not eat the first-fruits before they are set down in the Courtyard (of the Sanctuary) (Deut. 12:17)

553. To take trouble to bring sacrifices to the Sanctuary from places outside the land of Israel (Deut. 12:26)

554. Not to eat the flesh of beasts set apart as sacrifices, that have been rendered unfit to be offered up by deliberately inflicted blemish (Deut. 14:3)

555. Not to do work with cattle set apart for sacrifice (Deut. 15:19)

556. Not to shear beasts set apart for sacrifice (Deut. 15:19)

557. Not to leave any portion of the festival offering brought on the fourteenth of Nissan unto the third day (Deut. 16:4)

558. Not to offer up a beast that has a temporary blemish (Deut. 17:1)

559. Not to bring sacrifices out of the hire of a harlot or price of a dog (apparently a euphemism for sodomy) (Deut. 23:19)

560. To read the portion prescribed on bringing the first fruits (Deut. 26:5-10)

Ritual Purity and Impurity (561 – 576) ✘

Mark 7:15-23 "There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods? And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

Jesus made it very clear that the evil which comes out of the heart of a man defiles a person. He is speaking to a Jewish audience and well aware of what defiles a person or makes him unclean.

Rev 2:14 "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

What Jesus said about eating any food cannot defile a person had been misused to eat things sacrificed to idols which Jesus clearly rejects.

561. That eight species of creeping things defile by contact (Lev. 11:29-30)

562. That foods become defiled by contact with unclean things (Lev. 11:34)

563. That anyone who touches the carcass of a beast that died of itself shall be unclean (Lev. 11:39)

564. That a lying-in woman is unclean like a menstruating woman (in terms of uncleanness) (Lev. 12:2-5)

565. That a leper is unclean and defiles (Lev. 13:2-46)

566. That the leper shall be universally recognized as such by the prescribed marks. So too, all other unclean persons should declare themselves as such (Lev. 13:45)

567. That a leprous garment is unclean and defiles (Lev. 13:47-49)

568. That a leprous house defiles (Lev. 14:34-46)

569. That a man, having a running issue, defiles (Lev. 15:1-15)

570. That the seed of copulation defiles (Lev. 15:16)

571. That purification from all kinds of defilement shall be effected by immersion in the waters of a mikvah (Lev. 15:16)

572. That a menstruating woman is unclean and defiles others (Lev. 15:19-24)

573. That a woman, having a running issue, defiles (Lev. 15:25-27)

574. To carry out the ordinance of the Red Heifer so that its ashes will always be available (Num. 19:9)

575. That a corpse defiles (Num. 19:11-16)

576. That the waters of separation defile one who is clean, and cleanse the unclean from pollution by a dead body (Num. 19:19-22)

Lepers and Leprosy (577 – 580) ✘

Leprosy laws require offerings (Lev 14:12) which can only happen in the Temple. Hence, in the new covenant, there are no leprosy laws.

577. Not to drove off the hair of the scall (Lev. 13:33)

578. That the procedure of cleansing leprosy, whether of a man or of a house, takes place with cedar-wood, hyssop, scarlet thread, two birds, and running water (Lev. 14:1-7)

579. That the leper shall shave all his hair (Lev. 14:9)

580. Not to pluck out the marks of leprosy (Deut. 24:8)

The King (581 – 587) ✘

Mark 15:2 Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."

Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

In the new covenant, Jesus Christ is the only King of Israel. Hence, any of the laws related to the kings are invalid under new covenant. When I say 'Invalid', it doesn't mean Jews (or Gentiles) are allowed to do certain things in the law.

For e.g., If we say Mitzvot 581 and 582 are invalid, it doesn't mean Jews (or gentiles) are allowed to curse (blaspheme the Lord) or appoint their own king rejecting Christ as their King (which the Jews did by crucifying Him). It simply means, we have one King of the Jews, Jesus Christ who is God Himself in flesh.

581. Not to curse a ruler, that is, the King or the head of the College in the land of Israel (Ex. 22:27)

582. To appoint a king (Deut. 17:15)

583. Not to appoint as ruler over Israel, one who comes from non-Israelites (Deut. 17:15)

584. That the King shall not acquire an excessive number of horses (Deut. 17:16)

585. That the King shall not take an excessive number of wives (Deut. 17:17)

586. That he shall not accumulate an excessive quantity of gold and silver (Deut. 17:17)

587. That the King shall write a scroll of the Torah for himself, in addition to the one that every person should write, so that he writes two scrolls (Deut. 17:18)

Nazarites (588 – 597) ✘

In the new covenant, there cannot be any Nazarites because it requires offerings (Num 6:2,11,16) which can only happen in the Temple.

Matt 5:33-37 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

With Christ is the Temple, and He invalidates making any vows, there cannot be any Nazarites in the new covenant. Hence, all Nazarite laws are invalid.

588. That a Nazarite shall not drink wine, or anything mixed with wine which tastes like wine; and even if the wine or the mixture has turned sour, it is prohibited to him (Num. 6:3)

589. That he shall not eat fresh grapes (Num. 6:3)

590. That he shall not eat dried grapes (raisins) (Num. 6:3)

591. That he shall not eat the kernels of the grapes (Num. 6:4)

592. That he shall not eat of the skins of the grapes (Num. 6:4)

593. That the Nazarite shall permit his hair to grow (Num. 6:5)

594. That the Nazarite shall not cut his hair (Num. 6:5)

595. That he shall not enter any covered structure where there is a dead body (Num. 6:6)

596. That a Nazarite shall not defile himself for any dead person (by being in the presence of the corpse) (Num. 6:7)

597. That the Nazarite shall shave his hair when he brings his offerings at the completion of the period of his Nazariteship, or within that period if he has become defiled (Num. 6:9)

Wars (598 – 613) ✘

Matt 5:43-45 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matt 26:52 But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Matt 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.

Jesus is against wars. He did not permit anyone to take swords or make wars. He even said, the followers of Jesus will be killed and hated by all nations for His name's sake. Hence, all laws related to wars are invalid.

598. That those engaged in warfare shall not fear their enemies nor be panic-stricken by them during battle (Deut. 3:22, 7:21, 20:3)

599. To anoint a special kohein (to speak to the soldiers) in a war (Deut. 20:2)

600. In a permissive war (as distinguished from obligatory ones), to observe the procedure prescribed in the Torah (Deut. 20:10)

601. Not to keep alive any individual of the seven Canaanite nations (Deut. 20:16)

602. To exterminate the seven Canaanite nations from the land of Israel (Deut. 20:17)

603. Not to destroy fruit trees (wantonly or in warfare) (Deut. 20:19-20)

604. To deal with a beautiful woman taken captive in war in the manner prescribed in the Torah (Deut. 21:10-14)

605. Not to sell a beautiful woman, (taken captive in war) (Deut. 21:14) (negative).

606. Not to degrade a beautiful woman (taken captive in war) to the condition of a bondwoman (Deut. 21:14)

607. Not to offer peace to the Ammonites and the Moabites before waging war on them, as should be done to other nations (Deut. 23:7)

608. That anyone who is unclean shall not enter the Camp of the Levites (Deut. 23:11) (according to the Talmud, in the present day this means the Temple mount)

609. To have a place outside the camp for sanitary purposes (Deut. 23:13)

610. To keep that place sanitary (Deut. 23:14-15)

611. Always to remember what Amalek did (Deut. 25:17)

612. That the evil done to us by Amalek shall not be forgotten (Deut. 25:19)

613. To destroy the seed of Amalek (Deut. 25:19)

614th Mitzvot: Jesus Christ, the Messiah

Deut 18:18-19 'I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.

John 5:46 "For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.

While the Jewish leaders took great effort to categorize the law into 613 Mitzvots, yet they missed one important law that commands the Jews to listen whatever Jesus Christ says. This is so crucial, that whoever does not listen to what God the Father speaks through His Son Jesus Christ, He will require it of them.

Quick Summary of Laws under New Covenant

The gentiles where never under the law but the Jews were given the law. If the Jews are to keep the law, what laws are valid and what laws becomes invalid under the New Covenant?

It is important to note that the laws themselves are not invalid or become invalidated. However, under the New Covenant, certain laws are fulfilled by Jesus Christ.

 Christ is God in flesh (John 10:30)

 Christ becomes the Temple (Matt 12:6; John 2:20-21)

 Christ is our High Priest (Ps 110:4)

 Christ is the King of the Jews (Mark 15:2)

 Christ is the lamb of God (John 1:29)

 Christ is the perfect sacrifice (Ezek 16:62-63)

 Christ's words supersedes the Torah (Deu 18:18-19)

These fulfillment of the law creates significant changes to the old covenant. As Jesus said, the law does not pass away until the heaven and earth. Hence, it is important for us to understand what gets fulfilled and what remains.

 God (1 – 10) ✔

 Torah (11 – 16) ✔

 Signs and Symbols (17 – 21) ✔

 Prayer and Blessings (22 – 25) ✔

 Love and Brotherhood (26 – 39) ✔

 The Poor and Unfortunate (40 – 52) ✔

 Treatment of Gentiles (53 – 58) ✔

 Marriage and Family (59 – 76, 79 – 81) ✔

 Divorce (77,78) ✘, (divorce except sexual immorality is adultery)

 Forbidden Sexual Relations (82 – 106) ✔

 Times and Seasons (107 – 142) ✔

 Dietary Laws (143 – 169) ✔

 Business Practices (170 – 183) ✔

 Kindness to Servants/Slaves (184 – 198, 200 – 202) ✔

 Perpetual Slavery of Canaanites (199) ✘, (Contrary to Jesus teachings of forgiveness and kindness even to enemies)

 Vows, Oaths and Swearing (203 – 209) ✘, (Contrary to Jesus teachings of not to swear or oath)

 Sabbatical and Jubilee Years (210 – 226) ✔

 Court and Judicial Procedure (227 – 262) ✘, (Contrary to Jesus teachings on not to judge and forgiveness)

 Injuries and Damages (265 – 266) ✘, (Contrary to Jesus teachings on forgiveness)

 Property and Property Rights (267 – 277) ✔

 Criminal Laws (278 – 284) ✔

 Punishment and Restitution (285 – 308) ✘, (Contrary to Jesus teachings on forgiveness)

 Prophecy (309 – 310) ✔

 Death to False Prophets (311) ✘, (Jesus taught to cautious of false prophets and not to kill them. Nor did he anywhere acknowledged killing of anyone)

 Idolatry, Idolaters and Idolatrous Practices (312 – 357) ✔

 Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (358 – 364) ✔

 Clothing (365 – 366) ✔

 Mixing Wool and Linen (367) ✔

 The Firstborn (368 – 371) ✘, (Christ is the Temple and the ritual laws that require an earthly Temple/tabernacle becomes invalid)

 T'rumah, Tithes and Taxes (402 – 425) ✘, (Christ is the Temple and the ritual laws that require an earthly Temple/tabernacle becomes invalid)

 The Temple, Sanctuary and Sacred Objects (426-458) ✘, (Christ is the Temple and the ritual laws that require an earthly Temple/tabernacle becomes invalid)

 Sacrifices and Offerings (459 – 560) ✘, (Christ is the Temple and the ritual laws that require an earthly Temple becomes invalid)

 Ritual Purity and Impurity (561 – 576) ✘, (Christ is the Temple and the ritual laws that require an earthly Temple/tabernacle becomes invalid)

 Lepers and Leprosy (577 – 580) ✘, (Christ is the Temple and the ritual laws that require an earthly Temple/tabernacle becomes invalid)

 The King (581 – 587) ✘, (Christ in the King of the Jews)

 Nazarites (588 – 597) ✘, (Christ is the Temple and the ritual laws that require an earthly Temple/tabernacle becomes invalid)

 Wars (598 – 613) ✘, (Contrary to Jesus teachings on non-violence)

 Jesus Christ, the Messiah (614) ✔

# Atonement and the New Covenant

We have always heard that Christ came as a perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins. However, some deceivers have over extended it to say, He had already atoned for all the sins of the world, including the past, present and future sins. The blog is to address this false teaching and deception. It is important for us to understand what God says about His atonement and how we are saved to avoid being deceived.

Who is the Atonement for?

Exod 29:36 ".. a sin offering for atonement ..

Exod 30:10 ".. the blood of the sin offering of atonement ..

Exod 32:30 .. You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin."

Atonement is the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing through a sacrifice.

Ezek 16:62-63 "I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done," says the Lord GOD.' "

Matt 15:24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

As we see above, Christ did not come to atone for the sins of all but only the sins of Jews as God spoke to Ezekiel fulfilling the requirement of the law.

What is the Atonement for?

Lev 17:11 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'

Exod 21:12 "He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.

In the law, there is no atonement for certain sins esp., for murder, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality etc which all have punishment as death (Lev 20). The blood of the animals cannot atone for these sins.

Gen 9:5-6 "Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.

Any spilling of blood including murder or accidental death, atonement cannot be made except by the blood of him who shed it.

2Sam 12:9, 13 'Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. ... So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

David coveted his neighbor's wife breaking the 10th commandment (Exod 20:17). David committed adultery with Uriah's wife while Uriah was still alive breaking the 7th commandment for which the punishment is death (Lev 20:10). David then committed murder to cover it up breaking the 6th commandment for which the punishment is death (Exod 21:12).

How did the Lord put away the sins of David without any atonement?

Zech 9:11 "As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.

Isa 42:7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

David had no atonement in the law, nor was his sins atoned for. Yet his sins are forgiven by the Lord. These are the prisoners in the waterless pit or Hades who were freed by the Messiah Jesus Christ, who gave His own life as a sacrifice by spilling His own blood as an atonement for all the sins of His people who committed sins worthy of death , yet obtained mercy from the Lord.

1Sam 3:14 "And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."

In the above, we see God speaking to Samuel that He will not provide an atonement for the sins of the house of Eli.

Num 35:33-34 'So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.' "

Acts 1:6-7 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

Blood pollutes the land of Israel and God cannot restore the kingdom to Israel until it is cleansed. Christ's blood was also shed to cleanse the land of Israel, paving way for the Father's promise according to the law to be fulfilled in 1948.

New Covenant

As we saw in the above section, Christ's atonement was only for the land of Israel and for the Jews who had obtained mercy for sins which had no atonement in the law like king David. It is wrong to consider that His atonement is for everyone. However, His blood spilled as an atonement for the sins according to the old covenant, is also the same blood spilled to create a new covenant which redeemed us not through the atonement but through His victory over death itself which He won through His death, who now holds the keys to death an Hades.

John 5:21 "For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

Rev 1:18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Just as God the Father who gave life in the old covenant through the atonement provided by His Son, Christ also provides life to those whom He will. With Christ having the keys to death and Hades, there is no longer any atonement for our sins. Instead, His blood of the new covenant got victory over death itself redeeming and cleansing sins from anyone who Christ declares worthy (Luke 20:35).

1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

Heb 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Propitiation is not atonement but an action meant to regain someone's favor or make up for something you did wrong. After creating a new covenant with His own blood, Christ Himself is the propitiation for our sins from whom we receive forgiveness if we are worthy to receive it (Matt 18:21-35).

Conclusion

If you are under the false teaching that Christ's atonement was for the whole world and all our the past, present and future sins are already atoned for, then you are greatly mistaken. Christ's atonement was only for the land of Israel and only for the people of Israelite who had obtained mercy for sins which had no atonement in the law like king David. Christ's Blood spilled as an atonement for the sins according to the old covenant, is also the same Blood spilled to create a new covenant which will redeem and cleanse us not through the atonement but through His victory over death itself which He won through His own death, who now holds the keys to death and Hades. Just as God the Father who gave life in the old covenant through the atonement provided by His Son, Christ also provides life to those whom He will.Therefore, let us listen to Jesus Christ and obey Him to become worthy of His Salvation.

#  Luke 2 is correct about birth of Jesus Christ

We saw earlier that Matthew 2 is wrong (available from trumpet-call.org), yet the strange stories of God using astrologers, signs not mentioned by God, out-of-context prophecies and fulfillment of prophecies not from God are indeed popular among Christians today. If you haven't read how Matthew 2 is wrong, I recommend reading it fully. Here is a quick recap.

 Error in Hos 11:1-2: Out of Egypt I called My son and they sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to carved images.

o The prophecy is about how the children of Jacob was called out of Egypt, but they scarified to Baal and burned incense to carved images. This is by no means a reference to Jesus Christ. Nor did He went to Egypt anytime for God is against it (Isa 30:1-3).

 Error in Jer 31:15-16: Rachel weeping for her children in Ramah, an inheritance of Benjamin have nothing to do with Leah's son, Judah's inheritance of Bethlehem.

o The prophecy is wrongly attributed.

 No Prophecy about Christ being a Nazarene.

Here, we will see how Luke 2 is correct.

Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

There are major difficulties for many in accepting Luke's account:

1. the census in fact took place in AD 6, ten years after Herod's death in 4 BCE;

2. no Roman census required people to travel from their own homes to those of distant ancestors;

3. the census of Judea would not have affected Joseph and his family, living in Galilee;

Addressing these issues are important to understand which account is correct because, as we saw in Matthew 2, both cannot be correct.

Census in 6 AD

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Based on historical records, king Herod died in 4 BC and the Judea census by the Romans took place in 6 AD. Luke did not say that Jesus was born during the same time as in the days of Herod, king of Judea. What he actually said relating the days of Herod was the prophecy of the birth of John the baptist. There is nothing stopping from the fulfillment of the prophecy 10 years later, just as God prophesied to Abraham regarding Isaac 25 years earlier.

Census Requirement in the Law

The focus on Luke's account on the Roman census of Judea misses out some key requirements of the law given by God for census.

Exod 30:12-16 "When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them. This is what everyone among those who are numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (a shekel is twenty gerahs). The half-shekel shall be an offering to the LORD. Everyone included among those who are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering to the LORD. The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when you give an offering to the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves. And you shall take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves."

Hence, Mary and Joseph must go to Jerusalem Temple to offer a shekel or half-a-shekel (depending on Mary's age) which is the atonement money.

Census Procedure in the Law

Num 1:2 "Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male individually

Apart from offering the atonement money in the Temple, the census procedure given by God to Moses in the law is different from the Roman requirement of census. The Jews cannot simply take a census just because the Romans wanted it for tax purposes but do it as instructed by God through Moses in the law.

Census in the law requires to count as follows:

 by their families

 by their father's house

Num 1:49 "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel;

As a census requirement of the law, it is important to note that the Levites must not be numbered in census.

In 6 CE, Cyrenius (also called Quirinius), the Roman governor of Syria, had to take the census of the Jews in Israel. Judas the Galilean and Zadok the Priest actively opposed this and convinced many others to join their cause. (Ref: Zealotry_in_Jewish_history).

As we see, Judas and Zaddok was revolting for right reasons. What is generally overlooked, yet mentioned clearly in the law and what every Jew must follow is that, census must never include the tribe of Levites but Romans require it and least worried about law of Moses.

Conclusion

Luke chapter 2 is correct about Quirinius census in 6 AD. The Jews not only had to offer atonement money in the Temple, but also must go to their father's house for the census procedure as in the law is by their families and their father's house. Hence, Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem is not a Roman requirement of census but a requirement from the law of Moses.

# Quick Reference on Prayer

Here is a quick reference about what Jesus Christ taught about prayer.

How to Pray?

1. Pray in secret (Matt 6:6;Mark 1:35;Luke 5:16)

2. Pray without repetition and without many words (Matt 6:7)

3. Pray with faith that you will receive (Matt 21:22;Mark 11:24)

4. Pray without a pretense for making it long (Matt 23:14;Mark 12:40;Luke 20:47). But pray long in private when required (Luke 6:12)

5. Forgive others before praying (Matt 6:12; Mark 11:25-26)

6. Pray earnestly or always without losing hope (Luke 18:1;Luke 22:44)

7. Pray with a humble heart (Luke 18:10-14)

What to Pray?

1. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matt 5:44;Luke 6:28)

2. Pray for God's kingdom to come (Matt 6:10;Luke 11:2)

3. Pray for God's will to be done (Matt 6:10;Luke 11:2)

4. Pray for our daily bread (Matt 6:11;Luke 11:3)

5. Pray for forgiveness from sins (Matt 6:12; Mark 11:25-26;Luke 11:4)

6. Pray to avoid temptations (Matt 6:13;Luke 11:4;Luke 22:40;Luke 22:46)

7. Pray to send laborers into His harvest (Matt 9:38;Luke 10:2)

Model Prayer

Matt 6:9-13 Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

1. Father's name is holy.

1. Praise God and glorify Him.

2. Thank God for all the blessings we had received.

2. Ask for His kingdom to come.

1. Pray for missionary activities in the field

2. Pray for persecuted Christians

3. Pray to send laborers or missionaries into His harvest.

4. Pray for others to believe the gospel.

3. Ask for His will to happen always in you life.

1. His will is always the best choice chose by Him but it may not be our first preference. Hence, it is important we submit ourselves to His will in everything we do.

4. Pray for our daily food.

1. For some, God had blessed with a good job. However, for many, getting their daily food is an everyday battle. If you have your daily food, then thank God for it.

2. Pray for daily food for our spiritual growth.This means, we are pray that we come closer to Christ every day (John 6:35) growing to maturity and perfection (Heb 6:1-2)

5. Pray for forgiveness from sins.

1. Forgiveness from sins.We may have done anything that displeases Him either knowingly or unknowingly.

2. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

6. Ask for our protection from temptation.

1. Protection from the sins of the world

2. Protection to keep our garments undefiled and be holy (Rev 3:4-5).

7. Ask for deliverance from evil.

1. Deliverance from any sinful addictions.

2. Deliverance from any evil that are planned against us.

#  Where does Paul's deception lead?

In our earlier blog, we had seen how the letters of Paul were contrary to what Christ taught. Many ignore the contrary teachings of Paul as just a misunderstanding of Paul's letters. Here we will look deeper into the false doctrine of Paul and how it leads many astray from the true doctrine of Christ. This is so important because these doctrinal differences can cost salvation.

Paul's easy path to pseudo-salvation

According to Paul, Christians are saved by God's grace through faith and not by any works they do (Eph 2:8-9). The only thing that is required for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 10:9-10). This excludes their effort to be righteous otherwise it will not be grace and counted as debt (Rom 4:4). This doesn't mean they aren't righteous because faith is imputed for righteousness (Rom 4:5). All the other good works they do are work of God in them for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).

This is one of the reasons Paul uses the analogy of adoption where God adopts Christians for which they can't do anything to get adopted (Gal 4:5).

Jesus Christ's difficult path to true salvation

According to Jesus, we must be counted worthy by God to attain salvation (Luke 20:35). To become worthy, we must practice righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees to enter the kingdom of Heaven (Matt 7:21-23; Matt 5:20). Jesus is very serious about the requirement of being righteous and holy (Rev 3:4-5). We are required to be sinless to abide in His house (John 8:34-35). Jesus even taught to cut off anything that causes us to sin to become righteous and holy. This includes even our own eyes, hands and feet (Matt 18:8-9). The way that leads to life which Jesus taught is through a narrow gate and difficult path (Matt 7:13-14).

This is one of the reasons Jesus uses the analogy of born again where we are required to be born of God (John 1:13; John 3:5), being without sin (John 8:34-36).

Where does this lead to?

Those who follow Paul's teachings will have faith but no works required by Christ to enter life. These followers of Paul will insist on the grace of God from Paul's letters. They teach that God will make them righteous by imputing their faith when they are saved and transform them slowly to be Christ-like. They teach that no one can be holy and righteous as expected by God, hence they are clothed by His righteousness by just having faith.

Those who follow teachings of Christ will have faith with works and obey what Jesus taught. They insist on the requirement of each one's righteousness and holiness to enter life. Unless a person is fully transformed to be born again by not sinning anymore, they cannot be saved. They teach that Jesus came into this world, living a normal life in the flesh as a human showing that man can live holy and righteous as expected by God. It is only because of our righteousness and holiness we will be allowed to enter into His kingdom.

Conclusion

Paul's letters deceive many to assume that they are in the path towards eternal life if they commit fewer sins than what they committed previously, which they consider as a sign of God working in them and they are growing in holiness and righteousness. Jesus, however, preached zero tolerance towards sin. He instructed to even cut our body parts that cause us to sin so that we can enter life without sinning than to commit sin and enter hell as a whole.

#  Role of the Holy Spirit

John 1:32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Jesus Christ.

If there is one sin that our Lord Jesus Christ cannot forgive then it is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 3:28-30 "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"– because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead equal and one with God the Father and God the Son. While there are many passages in the Old Testament regarding the Holy Spirit, here we will look into the role of the Holy Spirit, as told by Jesus Christ.

Convict

John 16:7-11 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world for the following reasons:

 convicts concerning sin, so that we can believe in Jesus Christ to walk in His light and be holy.

 concerning righteousness, because Christ is no longer with us to guide us in the path of righteousness.

 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged and reminds us of a coming judgment if we sin and do not walk in the path of righteousness.

Guide

John 16:12-15 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.

Allocute

Mark 13:11 "But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit will speak for us when we are persecuted for the sake of Christ or His gospel.

Testify

John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

The Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father, sent by Lord Jesus Christ will testify of Christ.

Abide

John 14:16-17 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever– the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

The Holy Spirit will abide with us forever. He dwells with us and in us.

Holy Spirit: God's Gift

Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." .. John 7:38-39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Holy Spirit is a gift of God given to all who ask Him. He convicts us, guides us, allocutes for us, testifies Christ to us and abides with us forever.

Warning: Can be taken away!

Rev 3:5-6 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." '

Ps 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

The world does not know the Holy Spirit, and Christ was instructing the church of Sardis to hear what the Spirit says through the angel, which is a warning to not get blotted from the book of life. As we also see in Psalms from David, God can cast us away and take back His Holy Spirit if we sin against Him.

Warning: Can fight against us!

Isa 63:10 But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.

If we sin and grieve the Holy Spirit, He can turn Himself against us as an enemy and fight against us.

Lies to be aware of ...

Rom 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Paul writes that we don't have to love God but rather, the Holy Spirit will pour out the love of God in us, making us love God. This is a rejection of the requirement to love God and obey His commandments as preached by Jesus Christ (John 14:23-24).

1 Cor 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Jesus Christ mentions that the Holy Spirit is our gift from God. While it is God through the Holy Spirit guides us with His wisdom, knowledge and give prophecies (John 16:13), we need to be careful about certain things that are not told by Jesus or contrary of what Jesus taught.

Faith

Faith was never mentioned as a manifestation or a role of the Holy Spirit. It is an essential and mandatory thing we need to have. Let us look at what Jesus says about faith. Contrary to what Paul said about faith which is not of the law (Gal 3:12), Jesus declares the law contains faith (Matt 23:23). Hence, faith is not specific to the new covenant but an essential part of the law too.

Luke 17:5-10 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'

Faith is not a measure. Either you have faith or don't. There is nothing like growing in faith as apostate Paul writes in 2Thess 1:3. When the apostles asked Jesus Christ to increase their faith, He replied two important points.

 If we have faith in God, everything will obey us.

 Just like everything obeys us because of our faith, having faith in God and obeying Him is our basic duty.

Didn't Jesus say 'little faith' in below passages?

Matt 6:30 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matt 8:26 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Matt 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Matt 16:8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?

All the references of the phrase 'little faith' which Jesus Christ spoke are used only to refer people having no faith and are in doubt.

Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

This is why James writes that we must ask in faith with no doubting. Hence, faith is not a manifestation of the Spirit nor mentioned as a gift of the Spirit as Paul writes, but our responsibility to have it.

Tongues & Interpretation of Tongues

Mark 16:17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

It is interesting and important to note that Jesus never mentions about tongues anytime. The only references we are are in the later added section of Mark 16.

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Acts 2:4-11 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs–we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

When Christ was referring to the day of Pentecost, He informs about the Holy Spirit who will be given to them for being witnesses to Him but never mentions anything about tongues or interpretation of tongues. Also on the day of Pentecost, the visitors from other parts of the world who came to Jerusalem heard the disciples speaking in their languages the wonderful works of God, exactly as Jesus Christ informed them – nothing less or nothing more.

Acts 10:46a For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Acts 11:15 "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.

In another incident, when Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles and they were praising God in tongues. How does anyone know that they are praising God without understanding it? The simple answer is, they aren't praising God in an unknown language but rather, in a language understood by the audience. Peter also clarified that the Holy Spirit fell upon the gentiles, as upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost. Here again, the gentiles are witnessing Christ in what they spoke in a language understood by the audience.

Interpretation of tongues was neither mentioned by Jesus Christ nor His disciples. The tongues mentioned in the book of Acts by His disciples were also known languages which were given by the Holy Spirit to be a witness to Christ among others who listened to it. Whenever someone spoke in tongues, there was always an audience who can understand him praising God. If someone spoke in tongues and no one can understand and explain, who are they witnessing to?

Conclusion

Jesus Christ mentions several roles of the Holy Spirit which include conviction, guidance, allocution, testifying or witnessing and abiding in us forever. However, giving us faith so that we can believe in Him or pouring the love of God in us to make us love Him is not of them.

#  Scripture Inerrancy is a Lie

Below is a brief comparison of how Jesus Christ refuting Scripture Inerrancy.

As we had seen above, Jesus clearly refutes Scripture Inerrancy.

E.g., Did Abraham know God by name Yahweh?

Gen 22:14 Abraham called the name of that place "Yahweh Will Provide". As it is said to this day, "On Yahweh's mountain, it will be provided."

Exod 6:3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them.

Both Genesis 22:14 and Exodus 6:3 cannot be true at the same time. Hence, scripture itself refutes Scripture Inerrancy.

The Crisis

It is not my intention to tabulate all errors and contradictions in Scripture but to show the truth behind these contradicts so that we can have a better understand of Torah and Scripture.

2Kgs 22:8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

2Kgs 23:4-5 And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the articles that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places, all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

It is important to understand that the kingdom of Judah faced a crisis in its history that even the book of the law itself was completely lost and only one copy was found during the reign of Josiah in 623 BC. As we read, the temple of Yahweh was filled with idols and idolatrous priests. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was no more during the reign of Josiah. The sad part is, this crisis in Judah was even before the exile.

Documentary Hypothesis

Based on the definition on Wikipedia, documentary hypothesis (DH) is one of three models used to explain the origins and composition of the first five books of the Bible, called collectively the Torah. According to the documentary hypothesis, it is made up of four sources ("documents"), each originally a separate and independent book but joined together at various points in time by a series of editors ("redactors").

Documentary hypothesis (DH) or the JEDP hypothesis, where each letter represents the source (groups of authors) who are identified as the Yahwist (J), the Elohist (E), the Deuteronomist (D), and the Priestly (P).

Here are some of the characteristics of each source.

 J source usually refers God as Yahweh, associated with Judah.

 E source usually refers God as Elohim. It favours Israel over Judah

 P source primarily deals with priestly works

 D source is the author of nearly the entire book of Deuteronomy.

 R is the redactor who edited in between in the formation of Torah.

As we saw earlier, the remaining kingdom of Judah lost its law and found it only in 623 BC. The Kingdom of Judah itself went into exile in 586 BC for 70 years. Hence, sometime after the exile, the remnant (Redactor) gathered all information they had in scrolls to recreate the long forgotten stories with appropriate additions for missing pieces and clarifications.

Contrary to traditional views, Moses did not author all parts of the 5 books in Torah. He neither wrote about his own death, nor he wrote Genesis 13:7 for him to be in the promised land. However, Moses did write significant parts of Torah. Because of scribes copying independently in each kingdom, different versions of what is significant to them were passed on and preserved. What is really amazing is the extraordinary effort of the Redactor harmonising multiple versions of the same story and bringing all pieces together for us to have a complete picture of what happened in the Torah. This is similar to the multiple New Testament manuscripts all carefully referred to create our New Testament translation. Hence, Documentary hypothesis shows the struggle and effort of Redactor who brought all scroll together and crisis the scrolls themselves faced in the process of the making of what we now call as Torah.

You can download theWord bible module with coloured highlighting showing the different sources from the below download location.

Screenshot for coloured highlighting in Documentary Hypothesis. Jahwist (Navy), Elohist (Teal), Priestly (Gold), Deuteronomist (Black), Redactor (Maroon)

Download: trumpet-call.org/rsb (theWord & MySword format)

Note: The download is based on World English Bible (WEB). While WEB is in public domain, the name is copyrighted and cannot be redistributed under the same name. Hence, it is named as Research Study Bible (RSB). The Bible also contains Septuagint years in Genesis 5 & 11 in red colour and the wrong years struck out for clarity. No texts of the World Bible Translation was changed.

Jesus acknowledges all sources

Gen 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (P-Source)

Gen 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (J-Source)

Matt 19:4-5 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?

Jesus Christ beautifully merged both Priestly Source and Jahwist Source as one single statement.

Exod 3:6 Moreover he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. (E-Source)

Luke 20:37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord 'The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'

Jesus refers the passage where God spoke to Moses from the burning bush which is from Elohist Source.

Deut 6:4-5 Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one. You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. (D-Source)

Matt 22:37-38 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment.

Jesus refers to Shema which is from the Deuteronomist Source.

Conclusion

The kingdom of Judah faced a crisis in its history that even the book of the law itself was completely lost and only one copy was found during the reign of Josiah in 623 BC. Following this crisis and post-exile, the Redactor took extraordinary effort in gathering all information they had in scrolls to recreate the long-forgotten stories with appropriate additions for missing pieces and clarifications. This intertwining of multiple versions of the same story by the Redactor usually referred as Documentary Hypothesis sometimes causes confusions on certain details for many but these actually shows the history of how the Torah was made and proves the crisis it went through. While Jesus Christ acknowledged all sources that make up the Torah and Scripture, He also corrected some of the mistakes in it refuting Scripture Inerrancy.

#  Do not tour pagan archaeological sites

Is it acceptable for Christians to tour pagan archaeological sites? We do understand that Christians touring pagan Archaeological sites don't go to worship but to just visit and understand the historical significance. But how does God feel about it?

God's instruction is to destroy all

Num 33:51-52 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places;

When the children of Israel was about to inherit the promised land, God gave specific instruction to destroy all pagan things from the land including the engraved stones, moulded images and all their high places.

Deut 12:2-3 "You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place.

God doesn't want the children of Israel to just destroy pagan high places, their temples and their altars but destroy even the pagan god's name from that place. This clear instruction to Israelite people and to us shows how much God hates pagan places and even against paganism having archaeological significance.

Destroy the abomination of pagans

1Kgs 11:7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.

The high places (or) the places of worship of Idols on the elevated ground were referred as abominations in the Bible. An abomination in ancient Israel is still an abomination in modern times.

Mal 3:6a "For I, Yahweh, don't change;

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

God doesn't change. He is same yesterday, today and forever. What He hated a thousand years ago, He still hates with the same aversion.

2Kgs 18:3-4 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan.

It is right in the sight of the LORD to destroy all pagan places.

Conclusion

Christians must not visit pagan archaeological sites. God wants to destroy even their name from that place. Hence, Christians touring pagan archaeological or historical sites are unacceptable before God.

# No one is saved yet

Many Christians who are deceived believe that salvation cannot be lost yet some believe salvation can be lost.

But the reality is, no one is saved yet for anyone to lose it.

Salvation is a future event

Matt 25:31-34,41 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. .... Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

How can anyone is already saved when Jesus Christ clearly said salvation is when He comes the second time? The truth is, we receive salvation only when Christ comes in the clouds.

Heb 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

As the anonymous author of Hebrews writes, Christ will appear a second time to bring salvation.

Any assurance for present time?

Luke 10:16,20 "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." .... However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

We do have an assurance of our names written in Heaven if we hear what Christ and obey Him. This assurance is not unconditional but requires us to be worthy.

Rev 3:4-5 "You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

As Christ warned the church of Sardis, Christ will blot the names from Book of Life if we become unworthy by defiling our garments.

What about having eternal life now?

John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

John 6:47 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

As Jesus said, whoever believes in Christ has eternal life. This means, whoever believes in Him now have the eternal life independent of Christ, right? No.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

1 John 5:11-13 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Christ is our Eternal life. Eternal life is never given to us directly. We inherit eternal life if we have Christ. Hence, if we have Christ, we have eternal life. So, how can we have Christ in us?

John 14:21-23 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

If we love God and keep His commandments or His Word, the Father and the Son will come and dwell in us. As you can see, loving God and keeping His commandments is a prerequisite.

What about to just believe? Isn't it faith only?

To "believe" in the book of John actually refers to obedience in doing good. We can see this theme all over the book of John, often refuting faith-only in the next few verses within the same chapter or the next.

John 5:24, 28-29 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. ... Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth–those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

As you can see above, "to believe" actually means to "do good".

John 3:16,21 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ...For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

"To believe" in the above passage actually means to "do the truth" which is not practicing evil.

John 12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

Again, "to believe" is not to abide in darkness.

Conclusion

No one is saved yet. Jesus clearly said salvation is when He comes the second time (Matt 25:31-46). Only our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20) when we are worthy (Luke 20:35). But if we become unworthy, Christ will blot our names from the book of life (Rev 3:4-5).

# Double-tongued Paul

1 Cor 9:20-21 to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Did Paul also become a liar to win liars and hypocrites to win hypocrites? Below are the teachings of Paul which are contrary to his own. Therefore, follow Christ and obey His teachings, not Paul.

#  Many are called, few are proven suitable

One of the biggest deceptions in the Bible today is wordplay, either knowingly or unknowingly.

Matt 20:16 "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen (G1588 ἐκλεκτός eklektos)"

Matt 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen (G1588 ἐκλεκτός eklektos)"

If you look at the above verse, it seems that few are chosen or selected. This is the same word used for 'elect'.

Mark 13:20 "And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's (G1588 ἐκλεκτός eklektos) sake, whom He chose (G1586 ἐκλέγομαι eklegomai), He shortened the days.

Elect means Tested

Is the word 'elect' even translated correctly in New Testament?

1 Pet 2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect (G1588 ἐκλεκτός eklektos), precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."

Isa 28:16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested (H976 בֹּחַן bochan) stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.

The Hebrew word which was translated as 'elect' in New Testament actually means, tested and proven suitable.

As we can clearly see, 'elect' doesn't mean 'chosen' but rather 'tested and proven suitable'.

Food for Thought

Isa 42:1 "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect (H972 בָּחִיר bachiyr) One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Matt 12:18 "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen (G140 αἱρετίζω hairetizo), My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

The 'elect' (bachiyr) in the Old testament is translated as 'chosen' (hairetizo) in New Testament. But the 'chosen' or 'elect' (eklektos) in the New Testament is translated as 'tested and proven suitable' (bochan) in the Old Testament.

Conclusion

Many are called and few are not chosen but rather few are tested and proven suitable.

#  How to increase our faith?

Faith is not calling dad and expect him to carry you when dad is asking you to jump and have faith that he will catch you no matter what.

Before we discuss how to increase our faith what Jesus taught from Luke 17:5-10 (colored in blue), we first need to understand what faith is.

Matt 9:28-29 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you."

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is believing in God on who He is what He is able to do and what He said when the things we hoped for seems impossible.

Small Faith, Mighty Acts

Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."

The apostles were asking Jesus Christ to increase their faith. Jesus then answers them how to increase their faith in God. Let's listen to Jesus on how to increase our faith.

Luke 17:6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

If we have faith as a mustard seed, even a mulberry tree will obey us. Why did Jesus compare faith to a mustard seed?

Mark 4:31 "It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;

As Jesus Himself explains in another parable, mustard seed is compared to be something so small. Hence, with small faith, we can do mighty acts.

Servants will obey

Luke 17:7-9 "And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

Jesus compares His disciples to be masters where each having their own servants and the command given to them. Jesus then shows the assurance of the obedience from the servants which the master doesn't doubt, even if they just came from the field working hard.

It seems, Jesus was showing how faith must be, like a master commanding his servants with authority, power and without any doubt that his servants will disobey. With such a faith, even a mulberry tree will obey.

We must obey

Luke 17:10 "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "

But then, Jesus suddenly teaches something strange. Just as the servant will obey his master, in spite of him tired from hard work in the field, we are to obey our Lord in faith, expecting nothing, calling ourselves 'unprofitable servants'.

Hence, to increase our faith, Jesus Christ taught us to obey Him just as the servant in the story obeyed the master even when the servant was tired from hard work. To obey is our duty. This is exactly what Jesus referred as faith, i.e., fully trusting on His words.

Luke 12:43-46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

As we see above, only those who are "doing" what He said during His second coming, He considers them as believers. But those who don't obey the master doesn't have any faith.

What about the mighty acts through faith?

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

As John wrote, if we keep His commandments by obeying Him, whatever we ask, we receive from Him.

Luke 18:8 .. When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

As we saw, faith is believing in what He said and doing it. Will Christ find anyone doing what He said when He comes back?

#  Understanding Trinity from Words of Jesus Christ

Trinity is one of the most confused and not easily understood. Here, we will try to understand this most difficult term from what Jesus Christ explained.

Trinity is commonly defined as one God, three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). It can be elaborated into 7 statements.

1. There is One God

2. Father is God

3. Son is God

4. Holy Spirit is God

5. Father is not the Son

6. Son is not the Holy Spirit

7. Holy Spirit is not the Father

It is important for us to understand that the word 'Trinity' is never found in the Bible, nor the Bible directly say God is triune in nature. However, we can find indirect evidence suggesting that God is triune in nature.

The most authoritative evidence for Trinity comes from Jesus Christ.

Matt 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Jesus Christ in His great commission, instructs His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – making their names equal to each other.

1. There is One God

Deut 6:4 Hear, Israel: YHWH is our God. YHWH is one.

Mark 12:29 Jesus answered, "The greatest is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one:

Jesus Christ declares that there is one God, reiterating the Shema from the law.

2. Father is God

John 6:27 "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

Jesus Christ declares Father is God

3. Son is God

John 10:30-33 "I and My Father are one." Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?" The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."

Jesus Christ declares Himself as God, being one with the Father.

4. Holy Spirit is God

John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Jesus taught us that God is Spirit.

Matt 10:19-10 "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Mark 13:11 "But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

When Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit, the authors wrote in such a way that the Spirit of the Father is synonymous to the Holy Spirit.

This can be confirmed through what Jesus said about the day of Pentecost.

Joel 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.

Acts 1:5 "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Here too, Jesus Christ is using the Father's Spirit in the prophecy synonymous to the Holy Spirit. God is Spirit and Holy Spirit is a reference to God Himself.

5. Father is not the Son

John 16:28 "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."

John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

John 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."

Jesus Christ declares that He was one with the Father before the world came into existence. He came into this world separated from the Father (but not left alone) and going back to the Father. Hence, the Father is not the Son.

6. Son is not the Holy Spirit

John 14:16,26 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever– ... But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Luke 24:39 "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."

Luke 12:10 "And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.

Jesus Christ taught about the Holy Spirit as another Helper. He also very clearly identified Himself as not a spirit. Christ also adds that blasphemy against Him will be forgiven but blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. Hence, the Son is not the Holy Spirit.

7. Holy Spirit is not the Father

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Jesus Christ explains that the Holy Spirit will be sent by the Father in His name, identifying the Holy Spirit separate from the Father.

Points to Consider ...

Authority

John 12:49 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.

Jesus Christ had not spoken in His own authority, but what the Father commanded that He should say.

Acts 1:7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

Matt 20:23 So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father."

We also see that the Father's authority is different from Christ's authority.

John 16:13-15 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Holy Spirit will not speak in His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak. While Jesus Christ said that the Holy Spirit will take what is His's and declare it to us, it is unclear on who's authority does the Holy Spirit speaks. If Holy Spirit speaks with the authority of Christ, Christ Himself will not speak on His own authority but in Father's authority. Hence, all authority comes from the Father.

Source

John 10:30 "I and My Father are one."

John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

John 16:28 "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."

John 8:18 "I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me."

Christ and His Father are one. He was one with the Father before the creation of the world. He came forth from the Father and going back to the Father.

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

The Father will send the Holy Spirit in the Son's name. Jesus also said, He will send the Holy Spirit from the Father, showing once again that He and the Father are one.

Hence, both the Son and the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father.

Blasphemy

Lev 24:16 'And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall be put to death.

Whoever blasphemes the Father has no forgiveness or atonement in the law and must be stoned to death in this world.

Matt 12:32 "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Whoever blasphemes the Son has forgiveness but whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come.

Greater

John 14:28 "You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I.

Heavenly Father is greater than Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

It is important to note that the Son is not part of God but fully God, who was one with the Father, came from the Father to be born in this world as a normal man. Jesus Christ is not part human and part God, but fully human and fully God. The Holy Spirit is also not part of God but fully God, came from the Father to dwell on us. It is not possible for us, being a creation to understand our Creator who designed and created everything.

John 16:25 "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father."

Time is coming when Christ will tell us plainly about the Father. Until then, we will never fully understand Trinity.

#  Jesus profanes the Sabbath yet blameless

Many Sabbath denominations claim that Jesus followed the Sabbath completely. Did He?

John 5:16-18 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

Jesus healed a man on a Sabbath and the Jews became furious because He broke the Sabbath law. Now, listen to what Jesus responds and how John narrates the event. Jesus declares that He have been working on Sabbath just as His Father has been working on Sabbath. When John narrates the event, he wrote that Jesus broke the Sabbath.

Doing God's work profanes the Sabbath!

People can sometimes say, doing good on a Sabbath does not break the Sabbath law. Does it?

Exod 31:14-15 'You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

The law clearly says doing any work profanes the Sabbath and must be put to death.

Matt 12:5 "Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

Jesus Himself declares that even the priests doing the work of God in the Temple profane the Sabbath. Hence, doing "any work", including "good works", and "healing" profanes the Sabbath.

How can Christ be perfect yet profane the Sabbath?

Deut 27:26 'Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."

Jas 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Apostate Paul and even James quote an old testament law that requires all to follow every law completely. But, Jesus taught they both were wrong. You can break a commandment of God to receive mercy or be merciful.

Matt 12:3-8 But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

1Sam 15:22 So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

Sacrifice is compared to obedience, which means, "to obey" is better than sacrifice. But, God desires mercy and not sacrifice (or obedience which is better than sacrifice). The below comic will help you understand better.

Obedience is more than sacrifices. But, I desire mercy not sacrifice.

Jesus also explains further by mixing another law and showing how being merciful is what God desires than following Sabbath.

Deut 22:4 "You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again.

Luke 14:3-6 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. Then He answered them, saying, "Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?" And they could not answer Him regarding these things.

A donkey or an ox fell into a pit, the law commands to help the donkey. But the law fails to say if it is okay to do the same on a Sabbath. The Pharisees do help the donkey on Sabbath. Here Christ is using the same law to show how that law of being merciful to an animal supersedes the other law of keeping the Sabbath holy.

Matt 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Christ is teaching that the scribes and Pharisees neglected the weightier matters of the law like, justice, mercy and faith but focused on lighter matters like Sabbath and ritual laws. Christ is not saying to reject the lighter matters of the law, but rather not to neglect, which means, if there is a situation where you can't keep two laws (as you saw earlier in the comic), you must obey the weightier matter of the law. The same is with Sabbath.

Jesus profanes the Sabbath yet blameless

John 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."

Jesus always did what pleases the Father.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Matt 12:5 "Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

We have a High Priest and who profane the Sabbath and yet He is blameless. Hence, do not believe anyone who says, Jesus followed the Sabbath completely.

Disclaimer

This doesn't mean Gentiles must now follow the Sabbath and do only good on Sabbath. Gentiles were never given the law nor were they under it anytime. This blog is simply to show that Jesus Christ did not follow the Sabbath completely as many Sabbath denominations claim.

#  Lawlessness is sin but sin is not lawlessness

In this blog, we see look into the deception of Sabbath followers and Christians who insist on following the law quoting 1 John 3:4 that John taught sin is lawlessness (or not doing the law).

Quick Recap on what Gentiles must follow

As we had seen in previous blogs, Gentiles were never given the law, nor they were under it anytime. Gentiles are not to follow the old covenant for it doesn't promise back anything to them (Isa 56:6) but the new covenant what Jesus Christ taught (Deut 18:18-19) for all nations (Matt 28:18-20) which is cleaning the inside of our hearts to be righteous and holy (Mark 7:21-23). Do not commit murder is the law. But Jesus said, being angry with a brother without a cause is equal to murder is not in the law but New Covenant. Do not commit adultery is the law. But Jesus said, even lusting a woman in the heart is never found in the law but of the New Covenant. (Matt 5:21-30).

We must not commit any abominations which God expects from all nations either Jew or Gentile (Lev 18:27) that is incest (Lev 18:6-17), marrying multiple sisters (Lev 18:18), approaching woman in customary impurity (Lev 18:19), committing adultery (Lev 18:20), aborting or kill your own children (Lev 18:21), homosexuality (Lev 18:22), bestiality (Lev 18:23).

We must follow the laws given to Noah which is for all mankind that is, not eat flesh with blood and not to murder (Gen 9:4-6). Cleansing the inside of our hearts was not found in the law but Christ's teachings are fully about them. The old covenant law will one day pass away (Matt 5:18) but Christ's words will never pass away (Matt 24:35).

Deception of Sin is not lawlessness

1John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness

Christian Sabbath-keepers and those who insist on following the law will quote the above verse to show sin is nothing but not following the law. Does the verse really say that? Let's investigate.

1John 3:4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness (G458 ἀνομία anomia).

Heb 8:12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless (G458 ἀνομία anomia) deeds I will remember no more."

Jer 31:34 .. For I will forgive their iniquity (H5771 עָוֹן `avon ), and their sin I will remember no more."

Jer 31:34 ... for I will be merciful to their iniquities, and their sins I will remember no more. (LXX)

As we can see above, lawlessness (not following the law) is the same word used in Hebrew 8:12 which is actually quoting Jer 31:34. However, If we read Jer 31:34, we can see the correct translation is not lawlessness but iniquity. Not once it was referred as lawlessness in Hebrew. John is saying that committing sin is iniquity and we need to practise righteousness.

1 John 3:4,7 Whoever commits sin also commits iniquity, and sin is iniquity. ... He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

What's the difference?

Sin is a broader term generally means to miss, fail or simply refers to mistake. However, iniquity is a much harsher term referring to twistedness. In other words, iniquity is something you purposefully twist to miss or fail. Hence, John is saying that everything you miss of fail to obey God, you are doing it purposefully, because sin is iniquity.

# Akedah never happened

The Binding of Isaac, also known as the Akedah is a story found in Genesis 22. In the story, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Moriah, Abraham begins to comply, when a messenger from God interrupts him. Abraham then sees a ram and sacrifices it instead.

#1. Abraham does not know the name YHWH

Exod 6:3 "I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name LORD (YHWH) I was not known to them.

Hence, it is impossible for Abraham to know the name of God as Yahweh (YHWH).

Gen 22:2 Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

Gen 22:2 And he said, Take thy son, the beloved one, whom thou hast loved – Isaac, and go into the high land, and offer him there for a whole-burnt-offering on one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

God did not say those exact words. This is because, the name Moriah means, 'seen of Yah' and Abraham does not know the name of the Lord as 'YHWH'. However, LXX does not have Moriah but simply 'high land'.

Gen 22:14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided."

The LORD will provide or (Yhvah Yir'eh or Yahweh will see) is something Abraham could not have named since he does not even know the name YHWH.

#2. Human sacrifice never came into God's mind

Jer 19:5 and have built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons in the fire for burnt offerings to Baal; which I didn't command, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind:

Jer 7:30-31 For the children of Judah have done that which is evil in my sight, says Yahweh: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it. They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I didn't command, nor did it come into my mind.

When the people of Judah were sacrificing their children as a burnt offering to Baal, God declares such a thing 'never came into His mind'. Since offering a child as a burnt offering never came into God's mind, it is impossible for God to have commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac.

#3. Not the same Abraham

Gen 18:23-26 And Abraham came near and said, "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes."

Abraham is not new to question God's decision and requesting to turn away from it. In the above passages, we see Abraham questioned and requested God not to destroy Sodom for the sake of 50 righteous men, and successfully reduced that number to just 10. But, what happened to that same Abraham who is not questioning God's decision and requesting to stop the spilling on an innocent blood who happens to be his own son? This shows it is not the same Abraham but a later addition by corrupt scribes as in Jer 8:8.

#4. Text says Isaac was sacrificed

Gen 22:3 Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey; and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son.

Gen 22:19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba. Abraham lived at Beersheba.

The text clearly mentions Isaac going along with Abraham and his two young men but Isaac did not return back. To fix this brutal human sacrifice, the redactor had to add the following text using to undo the human sacrifice.

Gen 22:11-16a Yahweh's angel called to him out of the sky, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" He said, "Here I am." He said, "Don't lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. Abraham called the name of that place "Yahweh Will Provide". As it is said to this day, "On Yahweh's mountain, it will be provided." Yahweh's angel called to Abraham a second time out of the sky, and said, "'I have sworn by myself,'

Without the above addition of the redactor between the Elohist text, it reads as though Abraham had killed his son.

#5. God tests not with abominations

Deut 12:31 "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

Ezek 16:20-21 "Moreover you took your sons and your daughters, whom you bore to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your acts of harlotry a small matter, that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to pass through the fire?

The law and the prophets repeatedly stressed the fact that God hates human child sacrifice and it is an abomination. It is the very nature of God Himself and such an abomination never even came into His mind as we read above in the book of Jeremiah. Will God test Abraham by commanding him to do such an evil abomination that He Himself hates? If you got a revelation to kill all your family members who you love to show that you truly love God, how many of us will accept that the revelation is from the God of the Bible?

Deut 12:30-31 Take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

When God does not want the children of Israel to even know how the nations around them serve their gods, and yet for Abraham, is God testing him to do such abomination which He hates?

Conclusion

Jer 8:8 "How can you say, 'We are wise, And the law of the LORD is with us'? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood.

The false pen on scribe works falsehood.

Ezek 16:20-21 "Moreover you took your sons and your daughters, whom you bore to Me, and these you sacrificed to them to be devoured. Were your acts of harlotry a small matter, that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to pass through the fire?

Akedah is a story that encourages human child sacrifice and abominations, possibility an addition by corrupt scribes.

 Abraham does not know the name YHWH.

 Human sacrifice never came into God's mind.

 Abraham who successfully questioned God's decision and reduced from 50 to 10 for the sake of righteous men in Sodom didn't do it for the sake of not spilling an innocent blood who happens to be his own son.

 The text itself says Isaac did not return with Abraham suggesting he did sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering.

 God tests not with abominations.

It seems that the scribes from Northern tribes corrupted the text (Elohist texts) to justify human child sacrifice using Abraham. Elohist texts never mention Isaac again, as though he was sacrificed.

2Kgs 22:8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

Meanwhile in southern kingdom, everything was lost, even the law was lost and finally just one copy of the law was found. The redactor after the exile, when using corrupted texts of Northern kingdom, had to add additional information of possible explanation to stitch the texts and make sense of it. Hence, Akedah never happened.

#  Learn from Jesus to Cherry Pick verses

There is a huge deception that we are not to cherry pick Scripture verses. The reason why many do not want to cherry pick is because, either they don't know how to cherry pick verses or to degrade the weightier and important matters using the unimportant things.

Here, we will learn how to cherry pick Bible verses from what Jesus taught.

Temptation of Jesus

Matt 4:6-7 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "

When Satan tempted Jesus by quoting Scripture, Jesus also quoted from Scripture. What makes anyone think that the Scripture quoted by Jesus is superior and what Satan quoted is not? If we think both Scripture verses have equal authority, then we are terribly mistaken.

Ps 91:11-12 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Deut 6:16 "You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah.

There is nothing wrong with Psalms where God will shall give His angels to charge over us. But when we think that this verse sung by David in Psalms as the ultimate authority of Scripture to even ignore what God Himself taught in the law that not to tempt Him, we are in serious trouble. In other words, we must learn to cherry pick the verses spoken or taught by God Himself and not to think that a prophet's song or praise has ultimate authority.

Weightier Matters

Matt 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

There are weightier matters even in the law. This means, not all Bible verses in the law are equal. All Bible verses referring to Justice, Mercy and Faith are weightier matters in the law. Jesus is not saying to ignore lighter matters of the law but He is teaching that not all verses are equal.

Num 19:11-13 'He who touches the dead body of anyone shall be unclean seven days. He shall purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day, he will not be clean. Whoever touches the body of anyone who has died, and does not purify himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person shall be cut off from Israel. He shall be unclean, because the water of purification was not sprinkled on him; his uncleanness is still on him.

The parable of the good Samaritan is all about cherry picking. Do you think the Pharisees and scribes were not helping the poor wounded man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho without having a heart to help? Absolutely not! They were just following the law. Both the Pharisees and scribes knew, if they help that wounded man, and if he happens to die, they will be unclean for 7 days unable to do God's work in the Temple. They had to purify themselves with water on the third and seventh day. If he failed to do this purification, he will be cut off from Israel. Now, why would the Pharisees and scribes risk becoming unclean? Jesus taught that they must help the wounded person and even if it is at the risk of getting ritually unclean because mercy is a weightier matter of the law and cannot be rejected by the law of being ritually clean. We must learn to cherry pick verses that are of weightier matters like justice, mercy and faith.

Christ's Words Supersedes the Law

Deut 18:18-19 'I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.

The law explicitly mentions to listen to the Messiah.

Matt 5:21-22 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matt 5:27-28 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The Messiah came to fulfil the law, however, He did not preach the law but His commandments of the New Covenant. Do not commit murder is the law. But Jesus said, being angry with a brother without a cause is equal to murder is not in the law but New Covenant. Do not commit adultery is the law. But Jesus said, even lusting a woman in the heart is never found in the law but of the New Covenant. Anyone who does not listen to the Messiah, the Father will require it of Him.

Matt 5:18 "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Matt 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The law will not pass away until the heavens and the earth pass away. But Christ's words will never pass away even after heavens and the earth passed away. Hence we need to learn to cherry pick Christ's words and His teachings over the law.

Disciple is not above his Teacher

Matt 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

None of the disciples are above Jesus Christ. Nor any of their teachings above Christ's

Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Christ also in His great commission gave explicit command to teach what He commanded.

Matt 23:10 "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.

There is only one Teacher, Christ. Hence, we need to learn to cherry pick what Christ taught.

How to Cherry Pick?

The order of Authority as explained in our about page or statement of Faith is all about cherry picking the higher authority.

All interpretations must match God's spoken words, Christ's teachings, Scripture (Law, Psalms and Prophets) and the teachings of apostles and disciples in the authoritative order. If you cannot find the conclusion of your interpretation taught by Christ, or found in Scripture, or spoken by God in the authoritative order, then your interpretation is wrong. Similarly, if you interpret Scripture that does not agree with Christ, then your interpretation is wrong.

Conclusion

Jesus taught us how to cherry pick Scripture verses. During His temptation, He cherry picked Father's teachings in the law when Satan used David's song. Jesus also taught how to cherry pick weightier matters of the law. Since Christ is the only Teacher and His words supersede the law and Scripture, and a disciple is not over his Teacher, we are to cherry pick His words over His disciples' teachings.

#  Believing Slaves or Free Sons?

If you believe in Jesus Christ, it is indeed good but that's not enough, nor will save you.

Let's look into John 8, verses 31 to 36 what Christ had to say.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him .. (John 8:31a)

Let us see what Jesus had to say to those who believed in Him.

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31b-32)

Jesus asks believers to abide in His Word and become His disciples. It is only the disciples who shall know the Truth which will make them free.

Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

After all, Jesus never asked anyone to make believers of all nations, but disciples.

They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" (John 8:33)

The Jews questioned why they are in need to be free when they were never in bondage?

Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Being descendants of Abraham through the freewoman is always identified as being free and not born in bondage. This was a typical Jewish thinking as the apostate Paul writes in his letter to Galatians but Jesus plainly denies this school of thought.

Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. (John 8:34-35)

Jesus confirms that believers of Him and Abraham's descendants who consider themselves as free yet who commit sin are indeed slaves of sin and they will not abide in His house forever. In other words, every sinner even though He believes in Christ will be kicked out. Only disciples who abides in His Word and free from sins will be called sons and will abide in His house forever.

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

So, how exactly does the Son makes us free? As Jesus said earlier, it is by abiding in His Word and becoming His disciples, we shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make us free.

Luke 14:27 ... whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

So, how exactly we can be free from sins?

 is by being free from sins (John 8:32)

o ... is by knowing the Truth (John 8:31)

 ... is by being Christ's disciple (John 8:31)

1. ... is by abiding in Christ's Word (John 8:31)

2. ... is by bearing our own cross (Luke 14:27)

3. ... is by following Him (Luke 14:27)

4. ... is by loving one another (John 13:35)

5. ... is by forsaking all that He has (Luke 14:33)

6. ... is by hating every relative and even his own life (Luke 14:26)

7. ... is by bearing much fruit (John 15:8)

Anyone who is not a disciple cannot know the Truth and the Truth cannot set them free. So, what exactly is the Truth that set them free?

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Christ is that Truth . If we abide in what He taught, He shall set us free.

Matt 18:8 "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

The above is a good example of Christ's Words or what He taught, concerning the requirement of being holy to enter life at the cost of even chopping off our own body parts to be sinless. Hence, it is absolutely important for us to become disciples who will be free sons and not believing slaves.

#  Be righteous and trust God, not God for your righteousness

Have you ever heard that God is your righteousness? Or Have you heard that God makes you righteous to clothe you with righteousness and we can never be righteous ourselves? If you believe so, then you are deceived by Paul's lies and his misrepresentation of Scripture because neither Jesus, nor the Father taught any such nonsense.

Ps 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the LORD.

Ps 18:24 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

Psalmist writes, do the work of righteousness and trust God, not trusting God for your righteousness. Again he writes, the Lord recompensed him according to his righteousness. Many are deceived to trust God for His righteousness, yet no righteousness in them.

Isa 58:7-9a Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'

Such people who have no righteousness in them, God will not even listen.

Ezek 33:13 "When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die.

If we trust on our righteousness to do iniquity, we will die. This does not mean not doing righteousness. If we don't do righteousness, we still commit iniquity and we will die. Hence, we must always do righteousness and trust God.

Luke 18:9,14b Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ... for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Mark 7:21-23 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

Pride in heart defiles a man. If any man trusts in his righteousness to be pride in heart, then he had defiled himself. He must always be righteous and trust God, not on his righteousness to commit iniquity.

Ezek 14:14 "Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.

Matt 5:20 "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

What is the purpose that we trust God? We trust God that if we do righteousness, He will surely save us because of our righteousness. However, if we trust our righteousness and commit iniquity, we will surely die and none of our righteousness will be remembered.

1John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

1John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

God does not gives His righteousness or imputes any righteousness which are all lies of Paul. Neither Jesus, nor His disciples taught any such nonsense. If you practice righteousness, you are righteous and born of God.

#  Hypocrisy of Red Letter Homosexuals

Giving absolute authority to Christ's Words and rejecting the lies of Paul are so important.

Matt 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

At first, it was surprising to hear that a group of Christians had taken Christ's words seriously known as Red Letter Christians (redletterchristians.org), but only to discover they are hypocrites, who does not even know what Jesus taught. They are pretending to use red letters of the Bible but their true agenda is homosexuality.

Rev 21:7-8 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

These so called Red Letter Christians are nothing more than abominable people who will have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.

They also ignore all the abominations which God expects not to commit from all nations of the world, either Jew or Gentile (Lev 18:27) that is incest (Lev 18:6-17), marrying multiple sisters (Lev 18:18), approaching woman in customary impurity (Lev 18:19), committing adultery (Lev 18:20), aborting or kill your own children (Lev 18:21), homosexuality (Lev 18:22), bestiality (Lev 18:23).

John 8:47 "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."

Do they hear God's Words on what He expects from all nations? Here are some of their hypocrisy and lies which has nothing to do with Christ's Words.

The so called Red Letter Christians are causing shame to the red letters of the Bible. They worship a strange Jesus who blames God for raining fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah.

Matt 19:4 .. Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female

They may not have read the Red Letters that says that God made them male and female.

Here is one of their hypocrisy from, What does Jesus think about Homosexuality?

"Perhaps we wont be able to settle the debate over what the Bible says about homosexuality (least of all from one little blog post!) but I think there is one thing we can be sure of–Jesus loves every one of us."

Let's see what Jesus actually said. Do they even read the "red-letters" that says Jesus does NOT love every one of us, but ONLY those who keep His commandments?

John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

They speak of love as if Jesus taught them a "strange love" to love abominations, yet does not know that God loves only those who keep Him commandments.

2Chr 19:2 ... "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you.

Luke 6:35-36 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Love your enemies is about being merciful, and not about having fellowship or being as one with them. Also, the Bible teaches to love our enemies not God's enemies.

 Hypocrite (Matt 23:15)

 Dog (Matt 15:26-27)

 Fox (Luke 13:31-32)

 White-washed tombs (Matt 23:28)

 Serpents (Matt 23:33)

Following red-letters means, following what Jesus spoke. If they can't follow Christ to call a hypocrite as a hypocrite, dog as a dog, fox as a fox, white-washed tomb as a white-washed tomb, a serpent as a serpent, it means they are one of them.

#  Cost of the Kingdom of Heaven

What is the cost of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven and/or attaining salvation? Many are misled to believe it is free.

Costs our entire wealth

Matt 13:44-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

In the first parable, the true cost is hidden while the purchase was made. Hence, the true value of the kingdom was not paid when the land which contains it was bought. In the second parable, the actual cost was paid. It is explained well in Pricey & Valuable Kingdom. Yet, in both the above parables, the cost of inheriting the kingdom of Heaven is our entire wealth.

Luke 18:22-25 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Is Jesus asking us to give all our belongings to the poor and become poor ourselves and live in streets?

Matt 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

When Jesus is referring to riches, He is actually referring to treasures (Matt 6:19-21) as in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21), not the basic requirements to live.

Luke 14:28-33 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it– lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

So, what is the cost and how do we pay for it to truly inheriting the kingdom of Heaven? When we decided to be His disciple and follow Him, we need to calculate the cost of becoming His disciple. We need to pay for everything that costs us to follow Christ. In other words,

 If TV causes us to sin, we need to throw it off.

 If Internet causes us to sin, we need to disconnect.

 If mobile causes us to sin, we need to throw it off.

 If books causes us to sin, we need to throw it off

 If job causes us to sin, we need to resign.

 We must forsake everything that causes us to sin.

How can anyone follow Christ without taking into account the cost of following Him?

Costs all our relationships

Matt 10:37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

Matthew writes that anyone who loves their spouse, parents and children more than Christ is not worthy of Him. Luke writes the same that we cannot come to Christ without hating our own spouse, parents and children. In other words, we are to love them only through Christ and if they are a hindrance to our relationship with Christ, we must hate them. Hence, coming to Christ can cost all our relationships.

Costs even our body parts

Matt 18:8-9 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

While we must forsake everything that causes us to sin, we must even cut off our own hands and feet, and pluck our own eyes if they causes us to sin. Christ taught zero tolerance to sin. Hence, for inheriting eternal life it can even cost our own body parts.

Costs even our own life

Luke 9:23-24 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

If we desire to follow Christ, we first need to deny ourselves take our cross daily and follow Him. If we lose our life for His sake, we will save it. Hence, Eternal life can even cost their own life for some.

Conclusion

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Deceivers like Paul and many churches today lie that eternal life is a free gift. However, Jesus taught eternal life is very costly. It can cost our entire wealth (Matt 13:44-46), all our relationships (Matt 10:37), our body parts (Mark 9:43-48) and even our own life (Mark 8:35).

#  What is Baptism of Fire?

When John the baptist was preaching, he used a term not mentioned by Jesus anywhere nor was it mentioned elsewhere. It's called, "Baptism of Holy Spirit and Fire". What exactly does it mean?

Matt 3:10-12 "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

It is worth noting that the baptism of Holy Spirit and fire is only found in the gospel of Matthew and Luke but not in the gospel of Mark and John.

Mark 1:8 "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

John 1:33 "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

Jesus during His ministry gave a lot of details about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but never about the baptism of "fire".

Acts 1:5 "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Even after resurrection, Jesus only mentions about baptism of Holy Spirit but nothing about the baptism of fire. Is baptism of fire even exists? What exactly is John referring to?

Baptism

The word 'Baptism' is not a word translated but transliterated Greek word 'baptizo'. So, what exactly does it mean and/or how it is translated elsewhere?

Mark 7:4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash [G907 βαπτίζω baptizo]. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing [G909 βαπτισμός baptismos] of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

Luke 11:38 When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed [G907 βαπτίζω baptizo] before dinner.

While baptism literally means immersion, it is always used to refer washing or cleansing by immersion in the Bible. Translators chose to transliterate because sprinkling of water was used for baptism when these were translated into English. Hence, the baptism verses can be correctly translated as follows:

Matt 3:11-12 I indeed wash you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will wash you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

As we can clearly see, baptism of Holy Spirit and fire were clearly explained by John himself in the very next verse.

It is the cleaning of His threshing floor. The wheat that are washed by obedience to the Holy Spirit will be gathered into His barn. However, He will clean the chaff by burning it with unquenchable fire.

Isa 4:4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning

The same theme is mentioned by God the Father that He will clean the filth of Israel by the spirit of judgment and fire. Hence, baptism of fire is the cleansing by fire in judgment.

#  Don't quote Scripture like Satan

Learn to quote Scripture like Christ and identify deceptions from people quoting Scripture like the devil. The quickest way to identify this is, when Satan quotes Scripture, he always takes a man's prayer or praise and always use it to reject what God spoke.

This is the same deception which many Christians are deceived with. They think all Scripture is God's Word or God breathed but does not know God's Word is what the Father spoke in OT, what Christ spoke in NT and Christ Himself.

John 5:38-39 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

Because of this deception, just like the Jews, Scripture is useless because they do not have His Word in them.

Deut 18:18-19 'I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.

Matt 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

Christ's Words not only supersedes Scripture, but also the words of His disciples. Hence, the way to read scripture is never to reject the words of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ using any man's prayers, praises or letters.

The Temptation of Jesus

Satan wants you to think all Scripture is equal so that he can use man's prayers, praises or letters to reject what the Father spoke and what Christ taught. Let's examine the temptation by Satan when he used Scripture.

Examine how Satan is quoting Scripture, and how Christ defeated the temptations of Satan.

Christians quoting Scripture like Satan

Based on how Satan tempted Christ, let us examine some of the Biblical verses which Satan uses today to make Christians quote Scripture and tempt God.

We can keep going through all the verses that Christians misuse today for giving excuses for sinful lifestyle but that's not the goal here. The goal here is to open your eyes to see how to read Scripture like Christ and how not to quote Scripture like Satan.

As you can see above, every word that proceeds from God always teaches us not to remain sinners, we have no excuse for sinning and it is our responsibility to keep His commandments and obey Him.

Conclusion

Just like Satan quoted Scripture, Christians today use their Bible as an excuse to keep sinning. They never listen to what God the Father spoke or what Christ taught. They exalt a man's letters or prayers or praise above God's spoken words and even reject what He spoke. They wilfully forget that a disciple is not above his Teacher, nor a servant above his Master, and willingly throw away God's words using man's words. Therefore, I urge you to read and quote Scriptures like Christ did and not to use it like Satan.

#  Is David to rule Israel again?

Scriptures speak about King David coming again and rule Israel in the last days.

Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.

Ezek 37:24 "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them.

Hos 3:5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days.

What does this mean? Is David really going to come back? Let's explore the Scriptures.

The time of David's return

Jer 30:3-10 For behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,' says the LORD. 'And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.' " .. (7) Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. .. (9-10) But they shall serve the LORD their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them. Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,' says the LORD, 'Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid.

God spoke through prophet Jeremiah that David will return after the end of Israel's captivity, after they return to their own land and after Jacob's trouble. We are living in the days we had witnessed all the three above. Though Israel went through Jacob's trouble otherwise known as holocaust (1933-1945) , they were not wiped out but saved and today Jews throughout the world had returned to their own homeland (1948) and dwell safely in their own nation Israel. Does this mean David is going to return anytime soon?

Ezek 37:21-25 "Then say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. ... (24-25) "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children's children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.

God also spoke through prophet Ezekiel regarding David's return around the the same time as prophet Jeremiah spoke. According to the book of Ezekiel, David will return after God had gathered the Jews from all nations into their own land and after the formation of one united kingdom of Israel (1948). We can clearly all the prerequisites for David's return had been fulfilled. Thus, David's return is right around the corner.

Hos 3:4-5 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days.

God also spoke through prophet Hosea regarding David's return in latter days. However, the time of David's return comes with a different description.

Israel shall be,

 Without king or prince. This means, there will not be any ruler for children of Israel which implies Israel will not be an independent nation.

 Without sacrifice. This means, there will not be any temple to make the sacrifice, since the Jews cannot make sacrifice anywhere they like (Deut 12:5-6).

 Without sacred pillars. This means, the children of Israel will not be able to continue in their abominations of idol worship using sacred pillars (1 Kgs 14:22-23)

 Without Ephod. This means there will not be any priests, since only priests are allowed to put ephod (Exodus chapter 28; Judg 8:27).

Hence, the book of Hosea implies that Israel will not be a nation, no temple or abominations of any sacred pillars and without any priests. Then, the children of Israel will seek the Lord and David their king. Israel is a nation today, however, there is no temple built yet for any sacrifice to happen. Does this mean the third temple in Israel is a key trigger to look for David's return?

David's Characteristics

Ezek 34:23-24 "I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them–My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.

Ezek 37:24-25 "David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children's children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.

There are some interesting characteristics about David.

 David is a king/prince forever (Jer 30:9).

 David will be the only shepherd (Ezek 37:24-25)

Mic 5:2-4 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth;

Jer 23:5-6 Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Interestingly, the expected King is the Messiah and He shall feed His flock, which is also around the same time David is expected to return.

Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The Everlasting King who will sit upon the throne of David is the Messiah, who is God Himself.

David is that Jesus Christ

David was not the only person expected to return a second time on earth.

Mal 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."

Bible also refers to Elijah returning back. To understand these prophecies about David, we need to see look into how Christ explained the above verse.

Matt 11:13-14 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Matt 17:10-13 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

Jesus is teaching His disciples that Elijah who was prophesied to come as in the book of Malachi was John the Baptist.

It is certainly possible that many scribes may be expected a resurrected Elijah just like many today who may be expected David as prophesied by the prophets. Just as Jesus taught Elijah is John the Baptist, the prophesied David who is to come is the Messiah, who is Jesus Himself.

Jesus is the King and the Shepherd

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. ... John 19:21 Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'He said, "I am the King of the Jews." '

John 10:14-16 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. ... And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Jesus is the Messiah who is the King forever. He is also the One Shepherd over all His flock.

Conclusion

Is David to rule Israel again? Absolutely. Just like John the Baptist is Elijah, if you are willing to receive it, Jesus Christ is King David in all the prophecies referring to King David returning back to rule Israel.

#  Love is Cruel as the Grave

We are all familiar with one side of love. It is kind and loving which seems all good. Most Christians quote what Paul wrote in his letter to Corinthians.

Compassion

1 Cor 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

What Paul wrote is nothing new but a more general kindness and non-violence preached by leaders of other religion as well. This neither means God is not loving or kind nor does it means we are not to be loving and not kind.

Ps 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Matt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

As the Scripture and Christ said, it is important to be merciful. But the other side of love is never mentioned by Paul which is the greatest deception of His letters.

Matt 22:37-40 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Compare these two verses and identify Paul's deception on what kind of love is missed out. Paul explains further it in Rom 13:8-10. There is nothing wrong in loving others as ourselves, in fact Christ commanded this as the second greatest commandment. There is nothing wrong having the following characteristics. In fact, it is good to have them.

 Suffering long and kind

 Having no envy;

 Not parading and not puffed up

 Not behaving rudely

 Not seek its own

 Not provoked

 Not to think evil

 Not rejoicing in iniquity, but rejoicing in the truth

 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things – Not entirely true. (Just because if you happen to have a neighbour who speaks contrary to what Christ taught, will you believe in him and hope from that he says? If Paul wrote in a sense of being innocent, then it's okay. If not, it's a great deception.)

However, as previously mentioned it is just one side of the coin.

Cruel as the Grave

Song 8:6b-7 For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.

Look at how king Solomon, the wisest king defines love.

 As Strong as death

 Jealousy as cruel as the grave

 Its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love nor can the floods drown it.

 If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.

This looks like completely opposite of what we just saw regarding love. So, love is not just long-suffering, kind, and having no envy (on what other's have) but rather, it is also strong as death, and it's jealousy (on seeking it's own) is as cruel as the grave. Love doesn't behave rudely is wrong for it is an unquenchable vehement flame. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised. This is the other side of love with which we must love God.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Deut 4:24 "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

God's love is as strong as death for He gave His own son to die on the cross. God is a consuming fire and His jealousy towards us made Him to go to the grave. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised but Christ gave Himself to be despised and mocked for His love towards us. Now, that's the love God expects us to love Him with.

Love is as strong as Death

Matt 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

God expects us to love Him not just by denying ourselves, but even to extend of losing our own life.

Love is Jealous

Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

Rev 2:4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

God is jealous towards us that we need to love Him more anything in this world.

Wealth is utterly despised before love

Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

God expects us to forsake all to follow Him. Forsake does not mean selling all and giving it to charity and then becoming a homeless person from tomorrow. It means, we need to forsake all the wealth and it will be utterly despised, if they are hindrance in the relationship and love we have in God. In other words, if a family has a little child suffering from a medical condition and the cure costs nearly the entire wealth of that man, will not the man sell all that he has to save his little child? That's exactly what it means to forsake all. We need to forsake all that comes in between us and God.

Problem with Paul's definition

It seems as though there is nothing wrong with Paul's definition of love at first glance. But the more you investigate, the more deception you will discover.

1 Cor 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Song 8:6b-7 For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.

If you carefully notice, Paul is defining love mostly through negation and Solomon is defining love mostly through affirmation. Paul's definition has serious flaws and problems. It is like explaining something by hiding facts. e.g.,

Lion is very social and belongs to the cat family; lion is not tiger, lion is not cheetah; lion does not live in water but on land. Lions are critically endangered. Lion of Judah is a title for Jesus Christ.

The above description paints a very good impression of lion and hides the other side of it's character.

Lion is a carnivore and cruel. It will hunt and kill it's prey for food. Who can arouse a lion? It is the king of the forest. A roaring lion is compared to the devil.

Is Paul explaining just one side of love without exposing the other side? Yes. In fact, he is not explaining love at all. Strike out all the negations to see what gets exposed.

1 Cor 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Long-suffering is patience and to show kindness is not love. Someone can be patient and not love, just like someone waiting in a queue patiently does not mean he or she loves the person at the counter. Someone can be kind and not love, just like the fake smile with kindness which all hospitality and retail employees are trained to smile at customers. Rejoicing in truth is also not love either since even a wicked person can rejoice in it if it is favourable for him. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things – none of these are love but we can consider it as being innocent. In short, Paul is not actually defining love but throwing out a few attributes like patience, kindness and being innocent and assigning it to love.

Song 8:6b-7 For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.

Now look at Solomon's definition. Love is as strong (or harsh) as death. It's a vehement flame. Every wealth before it is utterly despised.

Conclusion

The love Paul is referring to is having compassion, mercy and kindness. You show these attributes to someone whom you love.

Matt 16:25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

John 15:12-13 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

But God expects an entirely different level of love, even to the level of laying down our own lives for Christ and for our fellow brethren in Christ, to love one another just as He loved us. It is a love that is cruel as the grave. However, Christ never asked any of His disciples to die for any pagan or for a pagan cause to show love but for Him and for His gospel's sake for He is a jealous God.

Luke 6:35-36 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 14:5 Then He answered them, saying, "Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?"

The love Paul is referring to is same as what Jesus taught about being merciful and kind to enemies and animals. Christendom had replaced the love for God and the love for fellow brethren in Christ with the general love of being kind and compassionate using Paul, thus rejecting the true love taught by Christ which is cruel as the grave.

#  Why a second set of 10 Commandments given?

To give a bit of background, God spoke to the children of Israel, the first set of 10 commandments. God wrote these commandments on 2 tablets and gave it to Moses who was up with God in Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights. Meanwhile, the children started creating their own god, the golden calf and having a festival below. Outraged, Moses broke the 2 tablets in anger. Then God calls Moses to prepare two tablets but this time, a different set of 10 commandments were written.

Exod 34:10-11 And He said: "Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you. Observe what I command you this day. ...... (27-28) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel. So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

The first and second set of 10 commandments are compared in the below tabulation.

The only overlapping commandments are no idolatry and keeping the Sabbath.

If any Sabbath denominations say that we need keep the Sabbath for it is the 4th commandment, ask which which set of 10 commandments, and let them know the 2nd set of 10 commandments has a lot of feasts to follow. I can assure you that you will never get back from them. But my motive is not to silence any Sabbath denominations but rather find the truth and the reason why there are 2 sets of 10 commandments.

The traditional view is that, instead of writing the same set of 10 commandments, they mentioned some other commandments. This view has serious flaws in it because the author will be guilty of misrepresenting the words of the covenant, the 10 commandments.

Exod 34:1 And the LORD said to Moses, "Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke.

Exod 34:27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

God said that He will write exactly the same that were on the first tablets. Hence, the contents written on the two tablets didn't change. What was written on the first two tablets which God gave and Moses broke? The book of Exodus doesn't record it. The first set of 10 commandments was spoken by God in chapter 20 and the second set of 10 commandments were mentioned as the words of the covenant, written by God on the two tablets brought by Moses the second time in chapter 34.

Deut 4:13-14 So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might observe them in the land which you cross over to possess.

Deut 5:22 "These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

Deut 10:4 And He wrote on the tablets according to the first writing, the Ten Commandments, which the LORD had spoken to you in the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly; and the LORD gave them to me.

However, it is the book of Deuteronomy that mentions about the 10 commandments being spoken by the Lord on the day of the assembly was the same that was given to Moses in the form of two tablets, confirming that the first set of 10 commandments are the ones that were written on the two tablets in both instances.

Purpose of the second set of 10 commandments

Exod 34:10 And He said: "Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD. For it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

Exod 34:27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

The book of Exodus gives us an important clue about the second set of 10 commandments. Now read the same above verses in Septuagint (LXX) to see how the Jews understood 300 years before Christ.

Exod 34:10 And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I establish a covenant for you in the presence of all your people; I will do glorious things, which have not been done in all the earth, or in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the works of the Lord, that they are wonderful, which I will do for you. (LXX)

Exod 34:27 And the Lord said to Moses, Write these words for yourself, for on these words I have established a covenant with you and with Israel. (LXX)

It is very much clear that the Lord is establishing the covenant for Moses in the presence of Israel but not for Israel. Moses had to write these words for himself and based on these words (the second set of 10 commandments), God is establishing the covenant with Moses and with Israel. God then gave Moses the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments (the first set of 10 commandments).

Is it possible such an important detail is lost in translation? Does the Scriptures even support such an idea?

Isa 42:6 "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

Isa 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ......(8) For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant.

Just as God made a covenant with Moses to establish His covenant with Israel, the Father is giving His own Son as a covenant to His people and Christ is making an everlasting covenant with them.

#  Cost of Pride and Unbelief for Moses

Moses in his speech repeatedly blames Israel for unable to enter the promised land.

Deut 1:37 "The LORD was also angry with me for your sakes, saying, 'Even you shall not go in there.

Deut 3:26 "But the LORD was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the LORD said to me: 'Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter.

Deut 4:21 "Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and swore that I would not cross over the Jordan, and that I would not enter the good land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

He repeatedly said, the Lord was angry with Moses for Israel's sake. At one point, the LORD even said, not to speak of it anymore. What really happened? Can God be angry with His servant for someone's sake? Absolutely not!

Num 20:7-12 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals." So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them."

Exod 17:6 "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

If you carefully examine the events, God said to Moses to speak to the rock but Moses struck the rock twice. Then God denies entry to Moses into the promised land and explains why. It's because of the unbelief of Moses. Notice that believing in God is mentioned as synonymous to obeying His Word. Moses did not believe 'speaking to the rock' will make it give water. It is also interesting to note that God had previously instructed Moses to strike the rock when children of Israel tempted the LORD. Moses is not just having unbelief, but it stems from not heeding to God's voice and careless to obey what He instructed. There are many questions that could ponder us.

 Why did Moses strick the rock twice rather than speaking to it?

 What caused unbelief in Moses?

 Why did God not forgive Moses and allow him to enter the promised land?

God already answered the first question, that is because of the unbelief of Moses. This brings us to the second question.

What caused unbelief in Moses?

Num 20:7 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ..... (10) And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?"

It's pride that caused self-righteousness. If you carefully notice, the LORD is speaking to Moses regarding instructions to bring water. When Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly, Moses is blaming the children of Israel as "rebels". There is nothing wrong with pointing fingers and blaming as "rebels" for being "rebellious".

Num 17:10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Bring Aaron's rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die."

In fact, the LORD Himself called the children of Israel as rebels. But then, Moses spoke something unusual as if he is bringing water out of the rock. "We" could mean either him and God (or) him and Aaron. Either way, Moses is exalting himself to be in place of God or equal with God having pride in his heart. His pride causes him to disobey what God spoke for he thinks in his heart that he is bringing water out of the rock. He failed to recognise that God is using him for His purpose and all that he does was by God. He failed to glorify God but himself.

Exod 17:6 "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Moses was also careless in listening to God's Word. He was self confident of what God's Word might be based on his past experience and ignores what God actually spoke. This shows the level of importance we must give to heeding to His voice and obey Him. This brings us to the next question, why God did not forgive Moses.

Why didn't God forgive Moses?

The LORD is abundant in mercy, yet He did not forgive Moses.

Ezek 33:13-15 When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die. Again, when I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right, if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

Because of pride, Moses trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity by disobeying God.

Num 14:11 Then the LORD said to Moses: "How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?

Num 14:20-23 Then the LORD said: "I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD– because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.

The LORD already spoke and rejected everyone who did not heed His voice and believe in Him. God does not show partiality and His judgements are righteous. Notice that believing in God is mentioned synonymous to heed His voice.

Conclusion

The pride of Moses led to self-righteousness and disobedience to God which cost his entry into the promised land. Just like Moses, today we may be living a righteous life all throughout our lives, but trusting in our righteousness if we commit even one sin that can cost us our entry into eternal life. God mentioned that Moses did not believe in Him but Moses didn't heed His voice to obey His Word. Believing is synonymous to heeding His voice and obeying to His Word. Let us, therefore, keep watch and pray all times.

#  Men Died in Wilderness but Ladies Entered Promised Land

It is a perception that only Joshua and Caleb who came out of Egypt entered the promised land. But do the Scripture really say that? You might be surprised to learn that the ladies who came out of Egypt actually got an entry ticket into the promised land.

The Victims

Num 14:3 "Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?"

The children of Israel rebelled against the LORD and questioned why He brought them to this land that their wives and children should become victims.

Who are the victims?

 Wives

 Children

Complainers

Deut 1:35 'Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers

The complainers seem to be all men to whom God is denying entry into the promised land.

Num 14:29-31 'The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised.

Deut 2:14-18 "And the time we took to come from Kadesh Barnea until we crossed over the Valley of the Zered was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, just as the LORD had sworn to them. For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp until they were consumed. So it was, when all the men of war had finally perished from among the people, that the LORD spoke to me, saying: This day you are to cross over at Ar, the boundary of Moab.

When God responds in anger towards the children of Israel because of their unbelief, He seems to reply that only the little ones whom they said will be victims will enter the promised land. Didn't the children of Israel say that their wives will also be victims? Absolutely yes. So, why did God not include their wives in the list of victims? The simple reason is, God is addressing only the males.

Who complained against God?

 All of those who are numbered, 20 years and above

 Except Joshua and Caleb

Numbered

Num 1:2-3 "Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male individually, from twenty years old and above–all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

Num 1:47-49 But the Levites were not numbered among them by their fathers' tribe; for the LORD had spoken to Moses, saying: Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel;

All the males from twenty years and above from all tribes except the tribe of Levi are numbered.

Entering Promised Land

Based on what the Scriptures actually say, the following people inherited the promised land.

 The ladies and little ones from all tribes

 All the tribe of Levi both men and women (except Moses and Aaron)

 Joshua and Caleb

The popular belief is that from all who came out of Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb inherited the land. The truth is, the ladies and their little ones from all tribes, the entire tribe of Levi except Moses and Aaron and finally, Joshua and Caleb inherited the land.

#  Slaying the wicked is imputed for righteousness

We are all familiar with faith or belief in God is imputed for righteousness as the Scriptures say.

Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

We also know Paul gave a deceiving commentary using the above verse rejecting the requirement of works by saying just believing is more than enough for righteousness but James on the other hand rebukes the commentary from Paul by saying faith without works is dead.

Phinehas's killing imputed for righteousness

Num 25:7-8 Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel.

Ps 106:30-31 Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, And the plague was stopped. And that was accounted to him for righteousness To all generations forevermore.

Scripture says, not just faith or believing in God but even killing the wicked can be imputed for righteousness. Does that mean we are called to kill the wicked? Absolutely not! The point that I am making is, the imputed righteousness for Abraham through his faith on God is not an excuse to reject the righteous works required by God for us to obey.

Conclusion

Many Christians use faith only by following Paul's commentary on imputed righteousness to Abraham, even rejecting the righteous requirements taught by Christ to enter His kingdom. Do they know that even slaying the wicked is also imputed for righteousness according to the Scriptures? These apostates who don't follow Christ can even use the Scripture as an excuse to kill people. Therefore, let us follow Christ and obey His commandments and not some imputed righteousness from Paul.

#  Remaining silent on abominations is a sin

Scripture very clearly warns us against several abominations. Christians must raise their voice and cry out against such abominations. Otherwise, we make a mockery of God for destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. This post is for Christians who choose to remain silent on issues that are abominable without crying out against them.

Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

If we are ashamed to stand for Christ and His Word in this adulterous and sinful generation, He will also be ashamed of us when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

Witness remaining silent is guilty

Lev 5:1 'If a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of the matter–if he does not tell it, he bears guilt.

The law clearly explains that when we are a witness but if we keep silent, we bear the guilt.

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

If we claim ourselves to be a witness to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, how can we remain silent to such abominations?

God will not spare if you don't cry out

Ezek 9:4-5 and the LORD said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it." To the others He said in my hearing, "Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.

God wants us to cry and sigh against all the abominations as we read during the destruction of Jerusalem in Ezekiel's vision. Just as God spared only those who cried out, if we remain silent without crying out against this abomination, when God judges this nation, He will not spare us.

Remain silent and perish

Esth 4:14 "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

If we remain silent, relief and deliverance will arise for His people from another place but we will perish.

Conclusion

A witness remaining silent is guilty according to the law. How can we be witness to Christ if we don't cry out? God will not spare us if we don't cry out against abominations. If we remain silent, relief and deliverance will arise for His people from another place but we will perish. Therefore, let us cry out against abominations that are happening in this world.

#  Exodus Population Statistics

Knowing the population statistics of the children of Israel who came out of Egypt is very important in understanding the massive Exodus. There were three census recorded in Scripture. The first census in Numbers 1 and the second census after the plague in Numbers 26. Finally, David did a census during his reign.

First Census

The first census is detailed in the first chapter of the book of Numbers.

Num 1:49 "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel;

Num 3:39 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, by their families, all the males from a month old and above, were twenty-two thousand.

God clearly instructed Moses not to take a census among the children of Israel. However, He did ask later to take a census to redeem the first born of all Israelite people and all the males from the tribe of Levi from 1 month and above were 22000.

Num 3:43 And all the firstborn males, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.

Num 4:46-48 All who were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered, by their families and by their fathers' houses, from thirty years old and above, even to fifty years old, everyone who came to do the work of service and the work of bearing burdens in the tabernacle of meeting– those who were numbered were eight thousand five hundred and eighty.

Below is the tabulation of all males 1 month and above from the tribe of Levi which totals to 22000.

 Below is the tabulation of all males 30 years to 50 years from the tribe of Levi which totals to 8580.

We also find that the number of first born males in all Israel excluding Levi is 22273 and the number of males in Levi from 30 years to 50 years is 8580.

The above mentioned are all the details we know about the first census of Israel.

Second Census

Num 26:64-65 Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the wilderness, and not one of them was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

When the second census was counted 40 years later, it gives an amazing insight. Not one of them who were earlier counted in the first census were included in the second census except Caleb and Joshua.

Num 26:62 Now those who were numbered of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and above; for they were not numbered among the other children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given to them among the children of Israel.

The total number males, one month and above from the tribe of Levi is 23000.

Third Census

A third census was done during the days of King David and his son Solomon.

2Sam 24:9 Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to the king. And there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

1Chr 21:5-7 Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel had one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword. But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king's word was abominable to Joab. And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel.

2Chr 2:17 Then Solomon numbered all the aliens who were in the land of Israel, after the census in which David his father had numbered them; and there were found to be one hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred.

The third census was a mess.

Exod 30:12 "When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them.

Not only did David caused the wrath of God by not numbering Benjamin among the children of Israel but he also did not number Levi separately to give the ransom. There are also inconsistencies between the account in 2nd Samuel and 1st Chronicles but both roughly give the value of 1.5 million excluding the 2 tribes.

Inferences

We can infer several things from the above 2 census. Let us explore what we can find to get some statistics.

Average Life Expectancy: 60

The average life expectancy of all males who came out of Egypt (except the tribe of Levi) during Exodus is 60 years. This is because, any 20 year old male who came out of Egypt did not inherit promised land and died in the wilderness but the 19 year old inherited the land.

Sex Ratio: 1.0995

It is very difficult to find sex ratio, but the two census does shed some important light on the number of males and females.

Deut 7:3 "Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son.

Children of Israel intermarried between the tribes by giving their daughters as wives while the inheritance of land stays with the tribe. There are some exceptions, if there were no sons then the daughters must marry within the tribe and the inheritance stays with the tribe as described in Numbers 27.

The first census does not include males born 20 years prior to the beginning of Exodus. The second census includes males born from 20 years prior and 20 years after coming out of Egypt. Hence, if the number of males became less in the second census for a particular tribe, it means the number of males being born during the 40 year period (from 20 years prior and after they came out of Egypt) is less compared to those of the previous generation (born 20 years prior to Exodus). Israelites cannot intermarry and the overall sex ratio must be more or less equal to 1:1. Based on this information which is a valid assumption, the tribes with more males took wives from other tribes as we see in Judges 21, thus balancing the sex ratio. The below information does not take into consideration the males who died in war and plagues since the motive is to get a rough idea.

Based on the above tabulation, the overall sex ratio is approximately, 1.0995 females for every male.

Total population: 2 million

Ignoring the Egyptians who came along, and assuming the sex ratio to be 1:1.0995, what is the approximate total population of Exodus?

There were 603550 men (20 years and above) in all tribes excluding the tribe of Levi. If sex ratio is 1:1.0995, then there must be approx 663603 females + 603550 males = 1267153 people who are 20 years and above. This excludes children who are less than 20 years.

40 years later, the census value reveals the value to be 601730. This new value which is 40 years later still excludes males who were less than 20 years. In other words, 601730 is the value of all males born 20 years prior to Exodus (since they were not part of the first census) till 20 years into Exodus (since census does not include males less than 20 years). The two census results were identical and there were no population growth. Hence, we can safely assume that the males less than 20 years old and not part of the first census is 'roughly' around 300865 (half of 601730 since we just need for 20 years). Adding females with a 1:1.0995 sex ratio gives, 300865 males + 330801 females = 631666 children. Thus the total population of all tribes including women and children but excluding the tribe of Levi is, 1267153 adults + 631666 children = 1898819 (excludes Levi)

All males in Levi from 1 month old and above were counted to be 22000. With sex ratio of 1:1.0995, this count is 22000 males + 24189 females = 46189. Adding this to the value 1898819 gives 1945008 people.

Hence, the total population of children of Israel who left Egypt is approx. 2 million. This is the minimum value since it excludes the Egyptians and their families who came out of Egypt with the children of Israel.

#  I Hate the Double Minded

Many Christians are double minded in many social issues. Either they try to please someone they love by tolerating their sins and abominations they do or they themselves are sinful tempting God.

Part of the problem within Christendom is lack of understanding on what love is.

Song 8:6a-7 For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.

Christ's love for us costs His own death (John 10:15) and is cruel to send Him even to the grave. Christ left His very nature of being God came down to get despised as a servant for love (Mark 10:45). That's the love Christ expects from us. He not only wants us to deny ourselves if we desire to come to Him (Matt 16:24). Our love towards Christ must be a jealous love even to hate our own relatives if they come in between us and Him (Luke 14:26; Matt 10:37). Our desire must not be to save our life but willing to lose it for His sake (Luke 9:24). All our wealth must be utterly despised before our love for Christ (Luke 18:22).

Following Christ and loving Him has a price to pay. We need to throw away our entire wealth if they come in between us and God (Matt 13:44-46). We need to depart from all our relationships if they come in between us and God (Matt 10:37). We need to even chop off our hand and legs, and pluck our eyes if they come in between us and God (Mark 9:43-48). We need to hate all that come in between us and God.

Matt 10:34-39 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

We need to ask ourselves if anything is coming in between us and God that is stopping us from being zealous for His word and His holiness? Is any sin or abomination coming in between us and God? Is our love towards friends and relatives and their preference for some sins and abominations coming in between us and God? If so, how can we say we love Him, for He declares us to be unworthy of Him.

Christians abstaining from raising their voice against sins and abominations like cohabitation, same sex marriages, abortions, euthanasia etc by being silent is same as supporting it. As Jesus said, He who is not with Me is against Me (Matt 12:30). Is Jesus speaking for sins and abominations or against it? There is no middle ground on these matters. If we remain lukewarm, He will vomit us out of His mouth (Rev 3:15). As Elijah asked, how long will Christians waver between two opinions? (1Kgs 18:21). If Christians are not strong on some of the social matters, how can they be a witness to the ends of the world declaring His holiness and righteousness?

As Psalmist says, "I hate the double-minded" (Psa 119:113)

# Exodus Doublets

Book of Exodus is the only book in the Bible with multiple doublets for proper names. The reason for these incompleteness is because, the entire book was compiled from multiple sources. Scholars had identified at least three sources namely Elohist source, Yahwist source and Priestly source, intertwined and switched together by a later redactor (probably after exile) so that we can have it as one book and read it.

Is Moses' father-in-law Reuel or Jethro?

Exod 2:18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, "How is it that you have come so soon today?"

Exod 3:1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God's mountain, to Horeb.

What is the name of Moses' father-in-law? Reuel or Jethro? Jethro occurs only in Elohist source and Reuel occurs only in Yahwist source.

Is God's mountain Horeb or Sinai?

Exod 3:1,12 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God's mountain, to Horeb. ... He said, "Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."

Exod 31:18 And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

What is the name of God's mountain? Horeb or Sinai? Are these doublets in the book of Exodus?

Conclusion

The book of Exodus is carefully stitched from several older surviving documents to use the best possible information of what happened during the first year of Exodus. Because of the dark period of Manasseh, and the exile, most of the detailed accounts from older documents might have been lost.

Deut 31:26 "Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;

2Kgs 22:8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

The book of the law must be kept beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD inside the Holy of Holies but was "lost" and found again during the days of Josiah. Hence, you must understand the state of Israel who went completely away from God and even lost their own book of the law. The above inconsistencies in the form of doublets shows us the hard work of the redactor who pieced together to recreate the events with the best of the information they have at that time so that we can read it as one book.

# How did year end become seventh month?

In the book of Exodus, we read the feast of Tabernacles on the seventh month as feast of Ingathering occurring on year end. Here we will investigate the reason for this change.

Exod 23:15-16 "You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.

Exod 34:22 "And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end.

Deut 16:16 "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.

Lev 23:34 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD.

If we can understand how and when the feast of Ingathering at year's end becomes the feast of Tabernacles in seventh month, we can precisely date the book of Exodus.

Exod 12:2 "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. ... Exod 13:4 "On this day you are going out, in the month Abib.

It is also important to note that God is changing the beginning of the year. However, we don't know what month was Abib prior to becoming the first month.

Exod 9:31-32 Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud. But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they are late crops. (NKJV)

Exod 9:31-32 (The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed [H24 אָבִיב 'abiyb (aw-ɓeeɓ')] and the flax was in bloom. The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.) (NIV)

The NKJV translation of late crops is wrong because Egyptians divide their year into three seasons namely Inundation, Emergence and Harvest, and grow crops based on Nile flooding and not based on rain. Hence, there are no late crops in Egypt. In ancient Egypt, all crops were planted simultaneously in the Emergence Season after the Nile had receded and fertile land had emerged. The final season is the harvest.

Below are the three Egyptian Seasons. Each season has 4 months with each of 30 days.1

 Inundation or Flood (Ꜣḫt or Akhet)

 Emergence (Prt or Peret)

 Low Water or Harvest (Šmw or Shomu)

Below are the days it takes for the mentioned crops to ripe and be ready for harvest.

 Barley ripens in 40 to 55 days 2

 Flax ripens in 90 days to 120 days 3

 Wheat ripens in 120 days 4

 Spelt (days to harvest): 110-130 days 5

If all the 4 crops were simultaneously planted in the first month of Emergence, when did hail happen if we have the following clues?

 barley had headed (ready to be cut)

 Flax was in bloom

The hail happened approx. 40 days after the beginning on the Emergence Season. In other words, this was the 6th month of Egyptians.

Exod 9:31-32 (The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed [H24 אָבִיב 'abiyb (aw-ɓeeɓ')] and the flax was in bloom. The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.) (NIV)

Exod 12:2 "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. ... Exod 13:4 "On this day you are going out, in the month Abib.

Now the name Abib means ready to be cut and here it is referring to wheat harvest. Hence, this must be 120 days after the Emergence season. In other words, Abib is the beginning of the Low Water or Harvest season for Egyptians to harvest wheat. Abib must be 9th month for Egyptians, which God changed to 1st month.

Exod 34:22 "And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end.

In ancient Israel, wheat harvest begins in the 3rd or 4th month.6 This means, Feast of Weeks must be sometime around 5/6th month (after 7 Sabbaths) and Feast of Ingathering must be at the end of the harvest season (3 months later) which is 6/7th month.

So, why is Feast of Ingathering mentioned as year-end when it is actually on 7th month by name Feast of Tabernacles in other books of the law? The answer is simple. The feast of Ingathering or Tabernacles occurs on 7th month in the calendar given by God based on seasons in ancient Israel. However, the feast of Ingathering occurs at year end in Egyptian calendar based on the seasonal cycles of river Nile. This is because, the book of Exodus was written immediately after coming out of Egypt with scribes familiar with Egyptian calendar.

1 Wikipedia Contributors. "Egyptian calendar." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, 18 Sept. 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_calendar. Accessed 21 Sept. 2017.

2 Heirloom Organics. "How to Grow Barley | Guide to Growing Barley." Heirloom-organics.com, http://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/guidetogrowingbarley.html. Accessed 21 Sept. 2017.

3 Heirloom Organics. "How to Grow Flax | Guide to Growing Flax." Heirloom-organics.com, http://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/guidetogrowingflax.html. Accessed 21 Sept. 2017.

4 Heirloom Organics. "How to Grow Wheat | Guide to Growing Wheat." Heirloom-organics.com, http://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/guidetogrowingwheat.html. Accessed 21 Sept. 2017.

5 Heirloom Organics. "How to Grow Spelt | Guide to Growing Spelt." Heirloom-organics.com, http://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/guidetogrowingspelt.html. Accessed 21 Sept. 2017.

6 Reader's Digest Association. Jesus and his times. Readers Digest, 1987, pp. 100-101

#  When was Hormah aka Zephath named?

The book of Numbers gives a detail about Hormah being named for a particular reason during their journey outside the promised land. The same is named again with the same name after they entered the promised land.

Num 21:3-4 And the LORD listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of that place was called Hormah. They traveled from Mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. The soul of the people was very discouraged because of the journey.

Judg 1:17 And Judah went with his brother Simeon, and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. So the name of the city was called Hormah.

So, what's going on on the above two verses? This post explains what causes this confusion.

Where is Hormah?

Num 20:23 And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying:

Hormah is well within the promised land, between Beersheba and Hebron as we can see in the below map. Mount Hor is at the border of Edom as per the above verse. Hence, it is simply not possible to go from Mt Hor well within the promised land to capture Hormah and then return.

Num 14:45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah. (NKJV)

Num 14:45 And Amalec and the Chananite that dwelt in that mountain came down, and routed them, and destroyed them unto Herman; and they returned to the camp. (LXX)

A small difference could change the entire story. As we can see, the Amalekites and the Canaanites routed and destroyed the children of Israel unto Hormah and they returned the camp. The camp is not located at Hormah.

Num 21:3-4 And the LORD listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of that place was called Hormah. They traveled from Mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. The soul of the people was very discouraged because of the journey.

In chapter 21 of Numbers, the first 3 verses were from Yahwist source and it is a recollection of the same event mentioned in the book of Judges 1:17 by a later redactor who was stitching the different early sources into one book.

Num 33:40 Now the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.

It is also a recollection of the same event by the redactor. The references from the book of Numbers were a later recollection and redactor's effort in retelling the story with additional information on what happened in the book of Numbers. This apparently causes confusion. Hence, Hormah was named after Joshua died as mentioned in the book of Judges.

# Does God speak to pagans, soothsayers, diviners and sorcerers?

God is against witchcraft, those who interpret omens, sorcerers, those who conjures spells, medium, spiritists, soothsayers, divination and those who calls up the dead. All these are abominations to God. Yet we see in the Bible that God is speaking to pagans, soothsayers, diviners and sorcerers. Here we will investigate some of the events where God spoke to those who don't worship Him.

God speaks to Balaam the Sorcerer

Num 22:7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner's fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. .... Num 24:1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness.

Josh 13:22 The children of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among those who were killed by them.

The Bible repeatedly mentions Balaam as a diviner or a soothsayer using sorcery. We have the following questions:

 Why was God speaking to Balaam the sorcerer?

 Was it really God who was speaking to Balaam?

 Was it a later corruption by scribes?

Deir 'Alla Inscription1

Deir 'Alla inscription, found in the Iron Age town of Deir 'Alla, mentions the Biblical prophet Balaam. The site of Deir 'Alla is, technically, on the Ammonite side of the river Jabbok. The text, in a language between Aramaic and Canaanite, can be dated to c.800 BC and was discovered in 1967 by Dutch archaeologists. The text refers to divine visions and signs of future destruction, in a language that is close to that of the Bible. For example, we read about the "Shaddai gods", an expression that is close to the Biblical El Shaddai, "God Almighty". On the other hand, the setting is not monotheistic: we read, for instance, about a gathering of a group of gods. The word elohim, which in the Bible (although plural) refers to one God, refers to more than one god in the Deir 'Alla text.2

If the inscription is not accurate about Balaam the soothsayer then we can easily ignore it. However, if the inscription is indeed accurate, then we have the following issues to resolve:

 God indeed spoke to Balaam the soothsayer as the book of Numbers and Deuteronomy mentions.

 The event in the book of Numbers and Deuteronomy is a later corruption by scribes.

Rev 2:14 "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Christ mentions the event of Balaam advising Balak to put a stumbling block to Israel. Hence, the book of Numbers and Deuteronomy is not a corruption and we can be sure of the fact that it was indeed God who spoke to Balaam, son of Beor.

God speaks to Butler and Baker

Gen 40:5 Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man's dream in one night and each man's dream with its own interpretation. .... Gen 40:20-22 Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

In the above verses, we see that God speaking to both butler and baker through a dream on what will happen which Joseph interprets it. There is no reference that the Butler and the Baker were worshipping the one true God. Hence, God does speak to ordinary pagan people, who don't worship Him.

God speaks to Pharaoh, king of Egypt

Gen 41:15-16 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it." So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."

God is speaking to Pharaoh through two dreams on what will happen which Joseph interprets it and saved the entire Egypt.

Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

Pharaoh wasn't worshipping the one true God. We know this because, Asenath in ancient Egypt means, "devoted to the goddess Neith" and "Poti-Pherah" means, "he whom Ra has given". Joseph was married into a typical priestly family of idol worshippers.

This shows, that God does speak to pagan kings who don't worship Him, to save the nation and their people.

God speaks to Abimelech, king of Gerar

Gen 20:3-7 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, "Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife." But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, "Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? "Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this." And God said to him in a dream, "Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. Now therefore, restore the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."

God spoke to Abimelech, the king of Gerar in a dream and warned him about his action of taking Sarah (Abraham's wife) to be his wife. Now, Abimelech wasn't worshipping the God of Abraham. Yet, God spoke to Abimelech, king of Gerar in a dream and warned him from committing a grave sin.

God speaks to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon

Dan 2:28-30 "But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be. But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.

God spoke to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon through a dream for his sake that he may know the thoughts of his heart.

Dan 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

Nebuchadnezzar wasn't worshipping the one true God. He even creates his own god made of gold and punish others if they don't worship, as we can read from the book of Daniel.

Conclusion

God can speak to soothsayers, diviners and sorcerers to deliver a blessing for His people. God can speak to all people, even idol worshippers to let them know what will happen to them, even though they don't know Him. God can speak to pagan kings like Pharaoh to save a nation from famine and to exalt His servant. God can speak to pagan kings like Abimelech to warn him of his sin. God can speak to pagan kings like Nebuchadnezzar to let him know of his thought and exalt His servant. Just because God speaks to someone does not mean God acknowledges them or their actions.

Deut 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.

God is against witchcraft, those who interpret omens, sorcerers, those who conjures spells, medium, spiritists, soothsayers, divination and those who calls up the dead. All these are abominations to God.

1 Jona Lendering. "Deir 'Alla Inscription – Livius." Livius.org, http://www.livius.org/pictures/jordan/deir-alla/deir-alla-inscription/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2017.

2 "Deir 'Alla Inscription – Livius." Livius.org, http://www.livius.org/sources/content/deir-alla-inscription/. Accessed 22 Sept. 2017.

#  Name of the LORD is not known

We all know that the name of the Father is YHWH (יהוה). LORD in English is translated from YHWH. But is it really the name of the Father? What is the name of the Father?

Exod 3:13-15 Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?" And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM [H1961 הָיָה hayah (haw-yaw)] has sent me to you.' " Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD [H3068 יְהוָה Yhvah (yeh-vaw')] God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'

The LORD (all caps) as translated into English actually means Master, not YHWH. Due to the practice of keeping His name holy, it was translated into "LORD" inheriting the practice of how Jews used His name. What does YHWH actually mean? The word "He is" comes from the Hebrew root word haya, which means, "to be." It is the third person form of this word, "He is," that becomes the name Yahweh. In other words, "I AM" (Hayah) and "He is" (Yhvah) are same except when God refers to Himself, He used Hayah and when God wants others to refer Him, He used Yhvah.

If you look closely, God is not actually giving any "name". God is teaching an important lesson that He exists for all eternity and expects Pharaoh to know that the one true God who exists for all eternity had sent Moses. Unfortunately, people started to create their own gods and God is simply mentioning "He is (who He is)" which is a common phrase into His personal name, YHWH.

His Name is Holy

God is also teaching something else which got lost in the modern western cultural degrade of this century having no respect for elders.

Gen 43:20 and said, "O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food;

Matt 27:63 saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.'

Luke 13:8 "But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

Dan 2:37 "You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory;

In many cultures even today, no one calls a honourable person by name out of respect. They always call by their honourable title. Whether it was in ancient Egypt or how Pharisees addressed Pilate or a servant in Jesus parable, they all referred to the honourable person as "Sir" out of respect. You only call someone lower than or equal to you by their name. Imagine you are having an opportunity for a conversation with a powerful king of a huge empire. Will you ever address him by calling on his name or with respect, 'Your Majesty"? The point is, we simply can't call on God with His name for His name is holy.

His Name is beyond names for calling

1Kgs 11:36 I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name.

Jer 25:29 "For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth," says the LORD of hosts.'

The city of Jerusalem is called by His name. This does not mean Jerusalem is God's name. It means, when we refer to Jerusalem, we know it is God's city or it belongs to Him.

Num 6:27 "So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."

Amos 9:12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name," Says the LORD who does this thing.

Israelites are called by His name since God had put His name on the children of Israel. In other words, the world will know that the children of Israel belong to Him and they serve Him. The same is true even for gentiles who are called by His name.

As we can see, a city which has it's own name a a group of people who have their own names are called by God's name. Yet, neither the name of the city, nor the name of the people have the name of the LORD in their name.

Jer 34:16 'Then you turned around and profaned My name, and every one of you brought back his male and female slaves, whom he had set at liberty, at their pleasure, and brought them back into subjection, to be your male and female slaves.'

God's people who are called by His name disobey Him, they profane His name. Hence, profaning doesn't just mean blaspheming His name but it has a far-reaching meaning that even disobedience to Him will profane His name among the pagans.

Ezek 20:8-9 "But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me. They did not all cast away the abominations which were before their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said, 'I will pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. But I acted for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the Gentiles among whom they were, in whose sight I had made Myself known to them, to bring them out of the land of Egypt.

God also act on many occasions inspite of the children of Israel being rebellious for His name sake, to avoid His name being profaned among the Gentiles. Because the children of Israel are called by His name, if they disobey and do not follow His commandments, they profane His name. Hence, God's name is beyond names. If we are to be called by His name, He expects us to represent who He is.

His Name is hidden or beyond understanding

Judg 13:18 And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?" (NKJV)

Judg 13:18 And the angel of the LORD said unto him: 'Wherefore askest thou after my name, seeing it is hidden?' (Tanakh)

Judg 13:18 He replied, "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding. (NIV)

When Manoah asked the Angel of the LORD regarding His name, the Angel replied something strange. He said, His name is hidden (or) beyond understanding or incomprehensible – which is often translated into English as wonderful.

Gen 32:29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.

When Jacob asked God His name, God simply questioned him, why is he asking His name. Based on the conversation God is expecting Jacob to know Him, yet does not reveal His name.

Hence, His name is hidden, beyond understanding or incomprehensible.

His Name is not about pronunciation and spelling

Isa 52:6 Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I am He who speaks: 'Behold, it is I.' "

Knowing God's name is not about how to pronounce his name or spell his name but rather, it is knowing who He is.

Ps 91:14 ... I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

Obviously, all the children of Israel knew the name of their God as YHWH. David isn't saying he is going to set all those who know how to pronounce and spell His name on high, but rather, knowing who He is.

Conclusion

Gen 17:1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God [H410 אֵל _'_ El] Almighty [H7706 שַׁדַּי Shadday]; Walk before Me, and be blameless.

Rev 3:12 "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

What is the name of the LORD? YHWH is not the personal name of our God. For Abraham, He revealed as El Shaday. For Israelites, He revealed as YHWH. Christ will have a new name in future. His name is Holy and is beyond just calling Him. If we are called by His name, yet disobey, it profanes His name. His name is hidden and beyond understanding. His name is not about pronunciation and spelling but rather it is who He is.

#  Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom

The Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7 about the Child whose name is Mighty God and Everlasting Father was just reduced to nothing through Jewish translations with anti-Christian bias. Here we will will look into this prophecy and decide who this child is using Scripture.

Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (NKJV)

Isa 9:6-7 For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder: and his name is called the Messenger of great counsel: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him. His government shall be great, and of his peace there is no end: it shall be upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to support it with judgement and with righteousness, from henceforth and forever. The seal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this. (LXX)

Isa 9:6-7 For a child is born unto us, A son is given unto us; And the government is upon his shoulder; And his name is called Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom; That the government may be increased, And of peace there be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To establish it, and to uphold it Through justice and through righteousness From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts doth perform this. (JPS-Tanakh 1917)

For Christians, the prophecy is Messianic in nature. This verse is applied to the Messiah in the Aramaic Targum1. As it can be seen, this verse refers to Mighty God in Christian translation but loses a bit in Septuagint when it became Messenger of Great Counsel. However, according to Jewish Tanakh translation in 1917, they changed the entire term to a proper name (Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom) which seems to defeat the Messianic prophecy, in turn reject the claim that Jesus is God Himself.

To prove that the above verses in Isaiah 9:6-7 is referring to Messiah, we need to understand what it says and how it differs with different interpretations. To identify, I am just taking what all the translations have in common and check where does this lead to. All the translations including Christian Bibles, LXX and JPS Tanakh agree that this Child will establish his Kingdom through justice and righteousness forever which I highlighted in blue.

Dan 2:44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and his kingdom shall not be left to another people, but it shall beat to pieces and grind to powder all other kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Dan 7:13-14 "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

Dan 7:13-14 I saw in the night visions, And, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven One like unto a son of man, And he came even to the Ancient of days, And he was brought near before Him. And there was given him dominion, And glory, and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and languages Should serve him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (JPS-Tanakh 1917)

The only kingdom that was mentioned by the prophets to be everlasting is the Kingdom that will be set up by God Himself and the ruler is the Messiah. Is Isaiah speaking about a different kingdom, nullifying what prophet Daniel is speaking about? Absolutely not. Hence, the Isaiah prophecy in chapter 9:6-7 is clearly referring to the Messiah.

#  Why Septuagint years are different in Genesis?

The years found in most English bibles are based on Masoretic. However, the years in Septuagint, a Greek translation made 300 years before Christ have different years. We saw earlier that Septuagint's Antediluvian Years are Correct. Here we will investigate why Septuagint years are different in Genesis when compared with Masoretic.

The Phoenicians, according to the Greek historian Strabon, were the best arithmeticians in the world. No doubt that their commercial activity explains this fact. Like nearby civilizations, they didn't know the zero. Like the Babylonians, they used only a small number of digits but not the same ones: they used the 1, 5, 10, 20 and 100. Their drawing look basically logical: a vertical bar for 1, an horizontal bar for 10, two linked horizontal bars for 20, etc. But many alternative drawings were used. Writing numbers was a little more complex: it often required many digits, which were then grouped by bunches 3, and read from right to left1.

 8 is written as 111 111 11

 142 is written as 100 20 20 1 1

 300 is written as 3 100 (the 3 in front)

The below table shows many examples (with various scripts) which clarify the signs used and the way they were combined.

Educational information: the Phoenician language, Writing, Alphabet, Numeral system1

 Below is the tabulation of years from Masoretic text and the values from Septuagint. The bolded red values are corrected based on earlier research/study (Refer: trumpet-call.org/timelines).

The Bible was initially written in Paleo-Hebrew using Phoenician script. We know this because, it contains the name of the LORD still in Phoenician.

A text from Qumran, containing the Tetragrammaton in Phoenician script alongside Hebrew text2

Replacing the numbers as we know today into Phoenician will help us understand what the ancient scribes saw. This helps to put us in their shoes so that we can investigate to find what really went wrong.

In the above image, the direction is changed from right to left to mimic the Phoenician writing direction.

 the text within red square from Septuagint is missing from Masoretic

 the text within red square from Masoretic is missing from Septuagint

 the text within blue square from Septuagint is missing from Septuagint but found in Masoretic.

What really went wrong? It seems the margin part or at a folding where the beginning of the son's years were destroyed from the document held by scribes copying the Masoretic text. This led the scribes to copy the truncated values but soon realised that the remain value must be corrected and just added '1' symbol to tally the total which seems to have preserved. This went on from Adam to Enoch. When the scribes came to Methuselah, it seems they find no issues and copied the correct values. However, the scribes copying Septuagint seems to have trouble with a symbol missed out for Methuselah's son and they corrected the remain by adding '1'. The errors in row Lamech seems to be much more than simple explanation. Lamech's son in Masoretic is correct. The same sequence of symbols added in 'remain' for Lamech is also added for his death. This looks like a 'typo' while copying. On the Septuagint side, it seems the symbols that were supposed to be for Lamech's death seems to be included when he had his son. It is either a typo or the part of Lamech's death from the document scribes were copying Septuagint could have torn or worn out.

Conclusion

The years found in most English bibles are based on Masoretic. However, the years in Septuagint, a Greek translation made 300 years before Christ have different years. After converting the years into Phoenician, we can easily see that the symbols at the margin or at a folding were missing indicating a worn-out manuscript was used to copy the Masoretic texts.

1 l'Anticopédie, "Educational information: the Phoenician language, Writing, Alphabet, Numeral system." Anticopedie.fr, http://www.anticopedie.fr/mondes/mondes-gb/phenicie-langue.html. Accessed 25 Sept. 2017.

2 Michael Everson. "Final proposal for encoding the Phoenician script in the UCS" Std.dk, 3 Jun. 2004, http://std.dkuug.dk/jtc1/sc2/wg2/docs/n2746.pdf. Accessed 25 Sept. 2017.

3 Wikipedia Contributors. "Phoenician alphabet." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, 22 Sept. 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenician_alphabet#Numerals. Accessed 26 Sept. 2017.

# Addressing Unitarians, Jehovah's witnesses and Jews

The doctrine of Trinity is found throughout the Bible. Yet, many try to neglect it and provide alternative explanations to hide the triune nature of God. Let this post be an eye opener for all who do not believe Jesus Christ is God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-2,14)

The Question

Gen 2:17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Gen 3:19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return."

If God cursed man to die and cursed him to return to dust, can anyone who is not God can save mankind from this curse by going against God?

Isa 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

God said that man will surely die and will return to dust. God spoke those words and it will not return to Him void and we will all die. Can anyone overthrow God's words and save mankind? Or, Can God say something and do contrary to what He said? Hence, all Unitarians, Jehovah's witnesses and Jews have no hope of salvation, no hope of life after death.

The Answer:

No one can go against God's Word to save man who was cursed in garden of Eden (Gen 3:19). Hence, the Word who is God Himself became flesh (John 1:14), took the form of a Man to go through the curse and die as cursed. If Christ is not God, He cannot go against what God spoke. But, Christ is life and God Himself (John 14:6) and death cannot overtake life. It is through His death, He defeated death itself and now has the keys to death and hades (Rev 1:18).

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

There is no other way man can come to the Father. Christ is the only way to eternal life. His death doesn't mean anything to anyone unless we are found worthy of attaining the next age (Luke 20:35) by being holy and righteous (Matt 18:8-9).

Hence, if Christ is not God, He cannot save mankind by going against God's Word. However, the Word who is God Himself became Flesh and born in this world as Jesus Christ to save all mankind from the curse spoken by God.

Conclusion

Unitarians, Jehovah's witnesses and Jews must understand that they have no hope that God can save them, for they all reject Christ being one with God, and reject Him being the Word of God. For them, there is no hope of resurrection, for the Word spoken by God will make sure they die for His Word will not return to God void. Therefore, I urge them to accept Jesus Christ as God who broke the curse of death spoken by God.

#  Understanding Inconsistencies in Book of Joshua

God very clearly mentioned in His law that only the person who is guilty must be put to death for his own sin.

Deut 24:16 "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.

Neither the fathers for son's sins nor the sons for the father's sins.

To give a background, Achan sinned by hiding a Babylonian garment in his tent which caused Israel a terrible defeat from Ai.

Joshua spilled innocent blood

Josh 7:24-25 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day." So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.

When the sin was known, Joshua and all Israel, not only stoned and killed Achan but also burnt his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys and his sheep. This is a terrible sin.

Josh 22:20 'Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity.' "

This was later confirmed by Joshua.

Book of Joshua is not a single book

The book of Joshua is generally divided into the following sections:

 God's commission to Joshua (chapter 1)

 Entry into the land and conquest (chapters 2–12)

 Division of the land (chapters 13–22)

 Joshua's farewell speeches (chapters 23–24)

Josh 13:1-6 Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the LORD said to him: "You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed. This is the land that yet remains: all the territory of the Philistines and all that of the Geshurites, from Sihor, which is east of Egypt, as far as the border of Ekron northward (which is counted as Canaanite); the five lords of the Philistines–the Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites; from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorites; the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath; all the inhabitants of the mountains from Lebanon as far as the Brook Misrephoth, and all the Sidonians–them I will drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide it by lot to Israel as an inheritance, as I have commanded you.

In the above passage from the division of the land, Joshua did not take all the land of Israel. God says, there remains much land yet to be possessed.

Josh 11:16 Thus Joshua took all this land: the mountain country, all the South, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, and the Jordan plain–the mountains of Israel and its lowlands, ....(21-23) And at that time Joshua came and cut off the Anakim from the mountains: from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel; Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod. So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had said to Moses; and Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Then the land rested from war.

However, in chapter 11 from entry into the land and conquest, we find Joshua taking the whole land and the description of the conquest does not fit what is mentioned in chapter 13. This shows that the division of the land from chapters 13 to 22 were written by a different scribe from a different period of time, written independently of the earlier section, entry into the land and conquest from chapters 2 to 12. This was later combined into one book, probably during the reign of king Solomon.

Conclusion

Based on internal Scriptural evidence, entry into the land and conquest (chapters 2–12) is inconsistent with Division of the land (chapters 13–22) on the details. There can be many plausible explanations for these inconsistencies but it seems multiple sections of the book of Joshua were written by multiple scribes in different periods of time based on eyewitness accounts recollected much later.

#  Scriptural method for choosing church leaders

There are two methods of selection in Scripture: spoken directly by God (or by appointment by prophets) and casting lots. Unfortunately, democracy or voting is not one of them, nor mentioned in the Bible anywhere.

Casting Lots

Scripture repeatedly mentions selecting leaders, choosing things and finding God's decision by lots.

Acts 1:26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

 The replacement for Judas to choose Matthias was by casting lots (Acts 1:26)

 The work for the Sanctuary by the priests were divided by lot (1Chr 24:5; Neh 10:34)

 The duty of Musicians were by casting lots, great, small, teacher and student (1Chr 25:8)

 The duties for the division gatekeepers were by casting lots (1Chr 26:13)

 The land of Israel was divided by lots (Num 33:54)

 In the law, scapegoat and the goat that belongs to the LORD was chosen by casting lots (Lev 16:8).

 Jonah was chosen by lot in the ship (Jonah 1:7)

Isa 34:17 He has cast the lot for them, And His hand has divided it among them with a measuring line. They shall possess it forever; From generation to generation they shall dwell in it."

Scripture says, even God cast lot but that's a prayer from Isaiah and not spoken by God. Jesus very clearly confirmed that the Father doesn't play dice (Matt 10:29-30). It is similar to Isaiah's prayer of our righteousness as filthy rags (Isa 64:6) but God says we can only be saved only by our own righteousness (Ezek 14:14) confirmed by Jesus (Matt 5:20). We can't use a prophet's words of a prayer to reject what the Father spoke and what His Son taught. Hence, I don't value Isa 34:17 much.

Ezek 45:1 "Moreover, when you divide the land by lot into inheritance ...

Ezek 47:22 "It shall be that you will divide it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves ...

Ezek 48:29 "This is the land which you shall divide by lot as an inheritance ..

The division of inheritance in during the period of Ezekiel's Temple in future is by lots.

Prov 18:18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.

Unlike the ancient times where the Holy Spirit was given only to a few, today God had poured out His Spirit. Hence, personal decisions depends on how God speaks to us. It can either be in dreams or visions or God speaking to us through the Scriptures. Unfortunately, we can't trust others dreams or visions, nor can we confirm if they are even true since many false prophets and false teachers exist. When more people are involved, I believe the only biblical method to seek the decision of the Lord is to pray and cast lots, similar to how the apostles chose Matthias after specifying the qualifications. Casting lots usually gets involved to cease contests when multiple people want the same position.

Voting

Num 14:4 So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt."

Exod 32:1 ... Come, make us gods that shall go before us ...

If God wants people to have democracy and choose their own leaders, this what the people want: Let us select a leader and return to Egypt (Num 14:4). Come, make us gods that shall go before us (Exod 32:1). Democracy just requires more stiff necked members to choose bad leaders.

Isa 1:9 Unless the LORD of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah.

Gen 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Do you think it is best to seek what the congregation thinks would be good in fulfilling roles or what God wants? If we are left to ourselves in choosing leaders without God, we will end up like Sodom and Gomorrah (Isa 1:9; Gen 6:5). In democracy, the congregation gets what they want, not what God wants. If the congregation is good, then good leaders get elected. If the congregation becomes sinful and stiff-necked, then sinful leaders get elected to lead the congregation astray. Asking the congregation to select leaders is democratic method of popularity contest.

Luke 16:15 .. what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

In the Scriptures, we either see God choosing men and Prophets (e.g, Moses) choosing able men based on specific criteria and teaching them what to do under his leadership (Exod 18:20-22). The choice was never given to the congregation. If the choice was given to congregation, the leaders serve the congregation rather than God.

Conclusion

Scripture only supports theocracy (1Sam 12:12) where the Father is the king of the kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6-7) and Son is the king of His kingdom of Heaven (John 18:36-37). If Christ is our King, we need to ask Him to appoint leaders and the decision for who should lead must never come from us.

Prov 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

The approved Scriptural method to know the decision of God when there is some contention on who must be a leader for the congregation must be by casting lots after prayer. We call Christ as our King. Don't you think He has a say?

#  Living Stones and Holy Priesthood

What does it mean to be a living stone and a holy priesthood?

1 Pet 2:1-5 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

According to Peter, we need to come to God:

 as a living stone to build up a spiritual house

 a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ.

Peter is comparing stones for building the Temple where God dwells and the priesthood offering the sacrifices to God.

Living stone to build up a spiritual house

Each follower of Christ is a living stone, joined together with other living stones to form a spiritual house where God dwells. However, it is important to understand how the stones are used to build the temple.

1Kgs 6:7 And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.

When Solomon's temple was built, the stone was finished at the quarry itself. No tools were used or heard at the temple. This is an important part in building the temple of God. This is exactly why Peter is referring to God's people living stones.

When the gospel is preached, we find many who accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour are stones of different shapes.

1 Pet 2:1-2 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

As in the parable of the sower from Jesus Christ, the Word fell on roadways, among thorny bushes and rocks. Many received the Word with joy. But Satan took away, they are chocked or they have no root. Only those who are good ground bear more fruits. Just as the ground can be roadside, thorny or rocky, each individual can have malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, evil speaking etc. Hence, each individual representing a stone can be of any shape unfit for temple building. If there is malice or deceit or hypocrisy or ency or evil speaking, or any sinful behaviour, it must be chiselled and removed before it is fit for building the spiritual house. Note that the chiselling or usage of any tools must not be done at the building site, but rather at the quarry. Hence, if you are not chiselled yet of your sinful behaviour, you may not be fit for the building.

Holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices

Lev 21:6 'They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.

Lev 21:21 'No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, shall come near to offer the offerings made by fire to the LORD. He has a defect; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

Being a priest to the LORD means, they are holy to God. No one with any defect cannot make an offering to the Lord.

Num 16:3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" ... (8-10) Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi: Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also? .... (30-33) But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD. Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.

The above incident is about Korah who was not a priest, claimed the following:

 All the congregation is holy

 The LORD is among them

Yet, the LORD punished them by making the earth swallow alive, showing they are neither holy to stand before the LORD nor the LORD was them, for they have rejected the LORD. Being a priest according to the law means, a strict set of ritual holiness as described in the chapter of Leviticus 21.

Rev 1:4-6 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The same is true with the holy priesthood of the new covenant. Christ with His own blood washed us from our sins and made us kings and priests to our Father.

Ps 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD.

Ps 51:19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness.

The offering that is acceptable to God through Christ is righteousness.

Lev 22:22 'Those that are blind or broken or maimed, or have an ulcer or eczema or scabs, you shall not offer to the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to the LORD.

Just as the offering in the law is without defect, our righteousness must be acceptable to God.

Lev 21:17-21 Speak to Aaron, saying: 'No man of your descendants in succeeding generations, who has any defect, may approach to offer the bread of his God. For any man who has a defect shall not approach: a man blind or lame, who has a marred face or any limb too long, a man who has a broken foot or broken hand, or is a hunchback or a dwarf, or a man who has a defect in his eye, or eczema or scab, or is a eunuch. No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, shall come near to offer the offerings made by fire to the LORD. He has a defect; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.

Just as a priest with defect cannot offer any offering in the law, if we have any sin remaining in us, we cannot offer sacrifices of righteousness acceptable to the LORD. A holy priesthood means, without sin and being holy to God. Only the priest who is holy can offer sacrifices of righteousness acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

# Back to Hebrew names?

There is a group of people who change every proper name in English Bible into Hebrew transliterated names. There is nothing wrong for certain words that are clearly representing another name and correcting them is accepted. For instance, the all caps LORD actually means יהוה‎ (YHWH). However, transliterating every single name to Hebrew is madness.

Law was written in Phoenician Script

A text from Qumran, containing the Tetragrammaton in Phoenician script alongside Hebrew text 1

In the above image of a manuscript from Qumran, YHWH was still written in Phoenician script.

A fragment of the Septuagint dated between 50 BCE and 50 CE. The fragments is part of the "Nahal Hever Minor Prophets" collection, containing fragments of Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah and Zechariah found in the Nahal Hever cave, south of Qumran. The Tetragrammaton in Phoenician script is indicated with the large black arrow; the rest of the text is Greek 1.

In the above image of a manuscript of Septuagint, YHWH was still written in Phoenician script. Hence, even during the days when Jesus walked on earth, the name of the LORD was not only revered as holy, but also preserved exactly as it was written by Moses which was in Phoenician script.

Phoenician and Greek alphabet comparison 2

Yeshua is Incorrect too!

Now, let's look at the name of our Messiah (יהושׁע) Jesus, Joshua or Yeshua. The apostles themselves who were direct eyewitness of Jesus (Matthew & John) who lived and walked with Jesus, called Him as (G2424 Ἰησοῦς Iesous). The Hebrew alphabets (יהושׁע) translates to Ιεϝσο and Ἰησοῦς is used by the apostles used, not Yeshua. The word Yeshua, just like Yahweh is based on vowels which was invented nearly a thousand years after Christ lived and walked on this earth.

Mark 14:70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."

Do we rely on the Greek manuscripts which can act as a rosetta stone or based on Hebrew vowels introduced much later? The gospels themselves shows that accent of Galileans were different from those from Jerusalem. So, the Hebrew vowels were based on whose accent?

English didn't even exist when Jesus walked on earth and Y was borrowed from Greek 'Upsilon'. Yeshua in English, along with recent Hebrew vowels, is a very modern name.

Conclusion

The people who transliterate everything to Hebrew need to stop their stupidity. Knowing God's name is, is not about how to spell or pronounce (Ezek 39:7) but knowing who He is. He is same in any language no matter how we pronounce it. It is important to note that a different pronunciation due to language barriers to represent the name accurately is not an excuse to use a completely different name.

Dan 5:26 "This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God [H426 אֱלָהּ _'_ elahh] has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;

Prov 30:5 Every word of God [H433 אֱלוֹהַּ _'_ elowahh] is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Muslims call God as 'Allah' in Arabic, which is same word for God in Aramaic (H426 אֱלָהּ 'elahh) which has it's Hebrew counterpart in the Bible mentioned as elowahh. Does that mean Allah and the God of the Bible are same because they use the same word in different language? Absolutely not! Muslims started using the generic word for 'god' into a proper name of their god. The word 'Allah' to refer a generic name for 'god' is still used by Arab Christians 3. Does this give an excuse for non-Arab Christians to call on God as Allah? Absolutely not! But it does give an excuse for Arab Christians who have no other word for 'god' in their language. When a Muslim calls on 'Allah', he knows he is calling to a pagan deity. However, when an Arab Christian calls on god as 'Allah', he is not calling to a Muslim god but to the God of the Bible.

The same way, if a Hindu mentions about praying to 'god' he is not referring to the God of the Bible, even though he used 'God' which is mentioned in the Bible. For heaven's sake, even the word 'god' is from Proto-Germanic ǥuđan, which derived from Proto-Indo-European (Sanskrit) form ǵhu-tó-m was based on the root * ǵhau(ə)-, which meant either 'to call' or 'to invoke' having pagan origins. Does that mean we are to stop using the English word 'god' and start using 'El' from Hebrew?

For the record, El is the chief god of the Canaanites and the supreme god of the Mesopotamian Semites in the pre-Sargonic period, long before the Israelites started using El as a generic name for god. Just like the Canaanites and the ancient Mesopotamian Semites using El as the name for their chief god, Muslims today are using the generic word for god as a proper name for their god. Hence, knowing the God of the Bible is neither about knowing how to exactly pronounce it nor about how to spell it but rather, knowing who He is and His true nature. This is addressed in the post, Name of the LORD is not known. It is a personal relationship with Him.

1Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."

John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

God knows His children who call upon Him. He listens to them and they listen to His voice. There is no pronunciation problem for God to either misunderstand the prayers of His children or for us to not listen to Him. God never said, I shall hear from you no more until you pronounce my name correctly. When I say, Jesus of Nazareth died on the cross, does it sound to you like Joshua, son of Nun to you? Even though Jesus and Joshua are same names, you know exactly, who I am referring to. Even the Jews don't know how to pronounce YHWH correctly.

1 Michael Everson. "Final proposal for encoding the Phoenician script in the UCS" Std.dk, 3 Jun. 2004, http://std.dkuug.dk/jtc1/sc2/wg2/docs/n2746.pdf. Accessed 25 Sept. 2017.

2 "Alphabet (Early Greek)." Brown.edu, https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/greekpast/4739.html. Accessed 12 Oct. 2017.

3 Wikipedia Contributors. "Allah." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, 9 Oct. 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allah. Accessed 13 Oct. 2017.

#  Is church really the bride of Christ?

The concept of the church being the bride of Christ comes only from Paul. The question we need to ask ourselves is, what did Jesus and His apostles say about the bride of Christ.

Eph 5:29-32 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

While Paul says that the church is Christ's body and He nourishes and cherishes it, Christ does not have the same view.

1. Christ is denies access to tree of life for the church that doesn't overcome. Rev 2:7.

2. Christ is allowing the church that doesn't overcome to get hurt from second death. Rev 2:11.

3. Christ will even fight against the church that eat things sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. Rev 2:16.

4. Christ will push the church which commits adultery with a self-claimed prophetess into great tribulation and kill her children Rev 2:22-23.

5. Christ will blot the names in the church from the book of life if they defile their garments. Rev 3:4-5.

6. Christ will not keep the church from the hour of trial if they had not kept My His command to persevere. Rev 3:10.

7. Christ will even vomit the church out of His mouth if their works are lukewarm (Rev 3:15-16).

As you can clearly see, Jesus does not nourish or cherish the church if it doesn't overcome. The best clue for the bride of Christ can be found in the parables of Jesus which came from Jesus Himself.

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Matt 22:2-4 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.

Luke 14:16 Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready.'

The Father is inviting the Jews to His Son's wedding or marriage supper. But the Jews refused, killed all their prophets (Luke 11:49-51) and went their own way, the Father was furious and destroyed the murderers and burnt the city of Jerusalem as it happened in 70 AD.

Matt 22:8-10 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore, go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding. So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Because those who were invited where were unwilling and unworthy, the Father sent the apostles to the gentiles and invited them to the Son's wedding. If you carefully note, neither the Jews who were invited first, nor the Gentiles who were invited second are the bride of Christ, but were invited for His wedding.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matt 25:1-9 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

In the parable of the ten virgins, the five wise virgins had oil and the five foolish virgins didn't.

Matt 25:10-13 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'. But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

When the lamps of the foolish virgins were going out, they went to by oil. A lit lamp giving light is compared to good works by Jesus Himself (Matt 5:15-16) and we need to watch that we do good works all the time for we never know when the Son of Man comes. Both the foolish and wise virgins are followers of Christ expecting His second coming. As Jesus clearly explained in the parable, the virgins are not the bride of Christ but they go in with him to the wedding to stand beside the wedding couple.

We are friends of the Bridegroom, not bride

John 3:29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is fulfilled.

When John the Baptist refers to himself, he calls himself as a friend of Christ, not the bride of Christ. He also clearly excludes himself from being part of the bride.

Matt 9:14-15 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Jesus Himself refers to His own disciples as friends of the bridegroom and not the bride. Hence, neither the Jews, nor the church are the bride of Christ.

Who is the bride of Christ?

Rev 19:7-9 "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

Rev 21:1-2 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. .... (9-10) Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

New Jerusalem that comes down from new heaven and earth is the bride of Christ. So, who belongs to New Jerusalem if neither Jews nor apostles were just friends of the Bridegroom?

Rev 21:12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: ... (14) Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The foundation of the walls of the city had twelve foundations representing the 12 apostles and the 12 gates in them have the names of the 12 tribes. The wall is to protect the city, and not the city itself. This explains why the apostles and Jews were considered friends of the apostles and not the bride of Christ.

Rev 21:16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.

The biggest clue comes from the structure of the city. It's a cube. The only other place where a cube structure can be found in the Bible is holy of holies in the Temple. It's length, breadth and height are 12000 furlongs.

Rev 7:4-8 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

In New Jerusalem, the length is same as width, and it is same as height which are 12000 furlongs representing a cube. But a cube does not have only length, breadth and width as 3 edges but actually has 12 edges on all sides. Each edge represents the 12000 from each tribe, joined together to form a perfect cube as the holy of holies, a dwelling place for the glory of God.

Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. ... (4) These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

These 140000 who were be sealed and have the Father's name on their forehead and without fault before the throne of God is the bride of Christ. They are the fruit fruits to God and to the Lamb and they follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

What does 12000 which is 12 times a thousand mean? Thousand simply refers to "many in count" but not "complete" as it had been used in several OT passages (Exod 20:6; Song 4:4; Ps 105:8; Ps 84:10; Ps 90:4; Isa 60:22). But why are there 12 divisions in each tribe? The answer is the same reason why there are 24 elders before the throne of God instead of 12.

Rev 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation

The most likely answer is, one for each tribe of Israel and one for each apostle of the Lamb representing the gentiles, since they are redeemed out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

Ezek 47:21-23 "Thus you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. It shall be that you will divide it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves, and for the strangers who dwell among you and who bear children among you. They shall be to you as native-born among the children of Israel; they shall have an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. And it shall be that in whatever tribe the stranger dwells, there you shall give him his inheritance," says the Lord GOD.

The book of Ezekiel has an interesting prophecy where strangers who don't inherit any land in Israel do inherit according to the above prophecy. Hence, the 144000 symbolically represents many people who are without fault before the throne of God, redeemed from 12 tribes of Israel and the gentiles among the 12 tribes.

Lev 23:10 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest.

These people will be chosen by the Lamb Himself as first fruits from the harvest who are without fault before the throne of God and they are the wife of the Lamb, and they go wherever the Lamb goes.

Where is the church?

Rev 21:24-26 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.

The nations who are saved shall walk in the light of the Lamb and shall enter through the gates and bring glory and honour. The nations who are saved, representing the church is not the bride but rather they enter into New Jerusalem which is the bride.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

As you can see, the church which does His commandments may enter through the gates of New Jerusalem. Notice that the church is not New Jerusalem but can enter into the city.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

The bride of the Lamb is asking the church to come and drink from the water of life freely. In new heavens and earth, will you listen to what the bride says or demand to be the bride itself?

# God is the Author of Confusion to Sinners

Many Christians are misled by Paul on various doctrines and teachings. God not being the author of confusion is one of the teaching of Paul when addressing the church who all speak in tongues and creating confusion.

1Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

In this post, let's explore if God is truly not the author of confusion.

God confused the languages in Babel

Gen 11:9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

God is the author of the confusion of languages in Babel to scatter the people over the face of all the earth who wanted to make a name for themselves.

God confused the Philistines

1Sam 7:10 Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel.

God is the author of confusion among the Philistines so that God's children can overcome them.

Confusion in the camp of Midianites by God

Judg 7:22 When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the LORD set every man's sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.

God is the author of confusion among the Midianites so that He can use Gideon and His 300 men to defeat an entire army.

God Himself warns He will give confusion

Deut 28:20 "The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me.

Deut 28:28 "The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart.

God is the author of confusion to those who are disobedient to His commandments. It is important to note that He Himself will cause confusion.

Conclusion

God is the author of the confusion of languages in Babel to scatter the people over the face of all the earth who wanted to make a name for themselves. God is the author of confusion among the Philistines so that God's children can overcome them. God is the author of confusion among the Midianites so that He can use Gideon and His 300 men to defeat an entire army. God is the author of confusion to those who are disobedient to His commandments. Hence, it is wrong to say God is not the author of confusion when He is clearly the author of confusion to those who are against Him.

Therefore, if all the members of the church speak in tongues creating confusion, it means it is from God for they are disobedient to Him. It is also important to note that Christ only said the Holy Spirit will be given so that we shall be a witness to Christ in all the world. He never spoke anything about speaking in tongues during His life on earth (Don't mention the latter addition of Mark 16:17). This does not mean there are no tongues but if it doesn't bear witness to Christ in this world, it is from God as a punishment.

God created different tongues in Babel to create confusion so that people can't understand each other. But on the day of Pentecost, He didn't create tongues to create confusion but for people to understand each other. Hence, God is the author of confusion to all sinners.

#  God's forgiveness will not clear the iniquity

Many Christians believe that doing some iniquity and asking forgiveness from God will clear the iniquity as if they had never done that. God said that He will forgive the iniquity of those who ask forgiveness but He will not clear that iniquity to leave them unpunished. Receiving forgiveness but not clearing the iniquity means not to remove the curses or the punishment for that iniquity. Is that so? Let's see.

Israelites Pardoned, yet Punished

Exod 34:6-7 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."

After the children of Israel committed idolatry, God spoke the above words. It seems to say that God forgives the iniquity but does not clear guilty implying the guilty and the forgiven sinner aren't same. However, the guilty was an added text by the translator. Let's see if the translator is correct by asking God Himself.

Num 14:17-19 "And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, 'The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.' "Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."

When the people rebelled against God, Moses intercedes for them by quoting what God spoke earlier, that He is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Moses wants God to pardon the iniquity of the people. What was God's response?

Num 14:20 Then the LORD said: "I have pardoned, according to your word;

God promptly pardoned those people. Since God Himself had pardoned the people, no punishment should follow right? Wrong!

Num 14:21 "but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD– because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.

God promptly pardoned the people according to the word of Moses, but He made sure they are punished accordingly. Hence, God forgiving sins does not mean you escape from His punishment.

Jer 51:56 ... For the LORD is the God of recompense, He will surely repay.

It is important to remember that our LORD is a God of recompense.

David forgiven, yet punished

" _Thou Art The Man," a painting on Nathan the Prophet rebuking David (by Peter Frederick Rothermel)_

David killed Uriah and took his wife as his own. God sent Nathan to confront him.

2Sam 12:9-12 'Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.' "

Nathan then declares God's judgement for his sins. God said, He will raise an adversary from his own house who will take his wives and sleep with them before all Israel. For David did in secret with another man's wife but God will make the adversary do with David's wife in public. This is a terrible punishment and a curse on David.

2Sam 12:13a So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD."

David was terrified to hear what Nathan spoke and immediately he repented. Psalms 51 explains his heart of repentance.

2Sam 12:13b And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

Ezek 18:26-28 When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

David was righteous but he committed iniquity. According to the law, there is no atonement for David and he must die. Yet, David pleads with God and He hears the prayer of David and forgives him by putting away his sin and confirmed that he shall not die because of that sin.

2Sam 12:14 "However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."

But then, God said something interesting. God is punishing David by taking the child's life for the sins which God just put away. Hence, forgiveness from God means it is referring to eternal life or death because of the iniquity, not curses or punishment in this world because of it.

2Sam 16:22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

God even fulfilled all the punishments which he spoke for the sins which He already forgave by making David's own son taking David's wives and sleeping with them before all of Israel.

Why God's forgiveness didn't stop the Punishment?

Deut 6:16-18 "You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah. You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you. And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the LORD swore to your fathers,

In case of Israelites, God very clearly warned that they must not tempt Him but diligently keep His commandments, His testimonies, and His statutes for them to be well and go into the promised land and possess it. However, they failed at the base of Mount Sinai and God did not take back His Word for He cannot.

2Sam 12:9-12 'Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.' "

Lev 26:14-17 'But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you.

David despised God and His commandments and God did exactly what was told in the law. David's own son became his enemy and David fled from him.

New Covenant

Can God punish for our sins which He already forgave?

Matt 18:32-35 "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

Jesus taught in one of His parables that God can punish us for the sins which He already forgave if we become unworthy of the forgiveness we received from Him. Hence, it is extremely important that we forgive all who sin against us by bearing fruits of repentance.

Matt 5:23-24 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Jesus also taught us that it is our responsibility to reconcile with the brother if he has something against us even before giving a gift to God.

Luke 19:8-9 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;

Only when Zacchaeus cleared up his iniquity with those he sinned against, Jesus said that Salvation had come to his house. Hence, it is our responsibility to make things right and remove iniquity from us. God is not going to hear a prayer of forgiveness when you still have the stolen money with you or the family you sinned against is suffering because of you. However, God is willing to forgive you if you can't pay your debt. But for the debt you can pay, you must pay.

Matt 18:24-27 "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

As in the parable of unforgiving servant, the servant must pay the debt with what he had. The servant didn't come with the expectation of the King being compassionate. Hence, it is our responsibility to settle all our debt with those who we sinned against. If we don't settle our iniquity even though we can, our sins may be forgiven but God will repay for the iniquity just as He did to Israelites and king David.

What about Christ's atonement?

Matt 15:24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Ezek 16:63 "that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done," says the Lord GOD.' "

Christ came only for the lost sheep of Israel and as an atonement for Israel. Hence, it is wrong to assume Christ came to gentile Christians and died as an atonement for all the world for all the sins. He died to defeat death and now holds the keys to death and Hades (Rev 1:18). Why should He die for any future sins when He already holds the key to death and Hades? He created a new covenant with His own blood with Israel and a light to gentiles (Isa 42:6) and does not exclude gentiles from this new covenant (Matt 8:10-11). If we are found worthy of that covenant by coming to the light and obeying Him (John 3:19-21), we receive salvation (Luke 20:35).

Christ's sacrifice provides a way for those who are worthy of death according to the law to receive atonement. Hence, those who are cursed to death in the law now have a way through Christ to receive atonement. Christ's sacrifice on the cross does not remove any curses spoken by God but rather, it provides a way to eternal life through the curse of death. Just because Christ died on the cross does not mean we stopped working, sweating or dying or becoming dust. Christ's sacrifice didn't remove any birth pains from ladies either. Hence, it is important to remember that our curses because of our iniquity are not removed by Christ's death. But when God forgives us from our sins, He clears up the way for eternal life. God's forgiveness does not remove the curses we brought upon ourselves because of our iniquity. Even at this, we still have hope because, just as Levi was cursed to have no inheritance by Jacob, but when he stood with God, He Himself became their inheritance making the curse on Levi to become the greatest blessing anyone can receive. God can even overturn curses into blessings while fulfilling the curse to it's very word, just as He did to Levi.

Hence, Christ's atonement does not remove curses, just as it did not remove any curses from the garden of Eden.

Conclusion

God said that He will forgive the iniquity of those who ask forgiveness but He will not clear that iniquity to leave them unpunished. Just as Zacchaeus, it is our responsibility to settle our iniquity with others for salvation to come to our home. Christ's atonement does not remove curses, just as it did not remove any curses from the garden of Eden. His sacrifice provides a way of eternal life through the curse of death, not avoid the curse of death.

# Blasphemy of Paul

Calling Christ as cursed or calling Him a sin is pure blasphemy.

1Cor 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

2Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Double tongued Paul, wrote to the Corinthians that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed yet to the Galatians he called Christ as cursed at the cross and even called him a sin. In this post, we will look into and validate Paul's logic to see if it is Scriptural.

Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

Deut 21:22-23 If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.

Do you think anyone can hang an innocent man on a tree and declare that God had cursed Him because he hung on the cross? That's exactly how Paul is misquoting the law which says, the hanged is cursed by God if he deserves death.

Gen 2:17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Ezek 16:38 "And I will judge you as women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy.

Jesus did not become a curse for us or a sin for us. The curse of death was upon all humanity and the punishment for the disobedience of the law was upon the Jews. But Christ, was innocent and did not sin and died according to the curse which God spoke. His death broke death itself because He was innocent and He was God's Word who is God Himself in flesh. Hence, Christ did not become a curse or a sin for us. Instead, He took the curse of death upon Himself to provide a way to eternal life through the curse of death, for He is life.

#  Satan, demons and unclean spirits

Scripture uses several terms like Satan, demons and unclean spirits. What are they? In this post, we will investigate to correctly identify each of them.

Possessing

Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.

Luke 8:30 Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him.

Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"

Satan, demons and unclean spirits but all these can possess a man.

Identification

Rev 16:13-14 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

In the book of Revelation, unclean spirits are explained as nothing but the spirit of demons. But who is Satan?

Num 22:22 Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary [H7854 שָׂטָן satan (saw-tawn')] against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

1 Kgs 5:4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary [H7854 שָׂטָן satan (saw-tawn')] nor evil occurrence.

Satan on the other hand is a generic term for 'accuser' and it strictly depends on the context. It is not a proper name as many may think. Satan in Greek is a transliterated Hebrew word. The word 'satan' in Scripture is used for the Angel of the LORD, when He stood on the way of Balaam as an adversary to him. It is used against the enemies of Israel and also used for unclean spirits.

Mark 3:22-23 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan? ... (28-30) "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"– because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."

In the above passage, we can see all the three words – demons, satan and unclean spirit – all used synonymous to each other. Hence, unclean spirits, demons and satan in context of being against God refers to unclean spirits.

Matt 12:43-45 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."

Matt 12:28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Jesus Christ explained to us what the unclean spirit does when it goes out of a man. He also explained that it is through the Spirit of God, demons are cast out. Hence, it is extremely important for us to receive the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

Satan, demons and unclean spirits can enter and posses a person. Spirits of demons can be referred as unclean spirits. Satan on the other hand simply means adversary. In Scripture, it is used for the Angel of the LORD, when He stood on the way of Balaam as a satan to him, used against the enemies of Israel and also used for unclean spirits. In the gospels, demons, unclean spirit and satan in context of being against God, all are used synonymous to each other.

#  Sickness from unclean spirits

Sickness can either be for God's glory or for sin and Scripture does not provide any other reasons. However, sin can open the doors to unclean spirits that cause more suffering. In this post, we will discuss sickness from unclean spirits.

1Sam 2:31 'Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.

2Kgs 5:27 "Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.

Sickness can be due to a curse and not necessarily due to our own sins. As in the above passages, we see that the curse upon Eli's house was pronounced by God, leading to death of men at young age and no one reaches old age in his house. In other words, men die young in the house of Eli where sickness can be a cause of death. In the same way, leprosy upon Gehazi's descendants was a curse pronounced by Elisha. Hence, sickness can be due to a curse because of sin but the suffering by the descendants are not necessarily a punishment for their sins. This is explained in Generational Curses (trumpet-call.org). Here in this post, we will discuss about suffering from sickness that arise out of unclean spirits where the root cause is sin.

Unclean spirits cause sickness

Mark 9:17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. ... (25) When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"

Matt 12:22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.

Several sicknesses and diseases are due to unclean spirits and we can clearly see Jesus casting them out to cure sicknesses. Unclean spirits, demons and Satan – all refer the same as the Scripture and gospels teach us.

Matt 12:43-45 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."

In the above passages, Jesus Christ explained to us what the unclean spirit does when it goes out of a man. It goes out through dry places seeking rest and returns with seven more wicked spirits and the last state of the man is worse than the first. It is these spirits that cause diseases, sometimes worse sicknesses that are not directly due to a man's sins but due to several wicked spirits entering a man.

How does an unclean spirit or a demon enter a man?

Rev 18:2-3 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! .... (4-5) And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

As we see in the above verses, it's because of sins and iniquities.

Job 1:10 "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

Just as God put a hedge around Job, He puts around His people who truly follow Him, including everyone in the house and everything that belongs to them. But if we sin and did iniquity, we break our own protection from God and invite unclean spirits into us.

John 13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."

Acts 5:3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?

Satan entered Judas to betray Jesus and also filled the heart of Ananias to lie to the Holy Spirit.

Ps 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

1Sam 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. ... (23) And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

When anyone sins, the Spirit of God departs from them for He cannot dwell in uncleanness and tolerate sin. It is like an open invitation by sinners to demons and unclean spirits into their hearts for there is no protection from God against them.

1Kgs 22:20-23 "And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will persuade him.' The LORD said to him, 'In what way?' So he said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.' Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you."

Just like a lying spirit came from God to speak lies in the mouth of false prophets, we can clearly see a distressing spirit sent by the Lord was troubling Saul. We can also see that the distressing spirit came when the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul. If there is no Holy Spirit in us, we have no protection against unclean spirits and demons.

How to get protection from unclean spirits?

The only way to protect ourselves is by receiving the Spirit of God and not sinning so that the Holy Spirit will not depart from us.

Luke 9:1-2 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Matt 12:28 "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Luke 17:21 "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

Jesus appointed His disciples to preach the Kingdom of Heaven and to heal sickness and diseases. Jesus also explained that if He casts out unclean spirits by the Spirit of God, the Kingdom of God has come upon us. In other words, if the Kingdom of heaven is in us, there is no place for any unclean spirits, nor can they enter where the Spirit of God is.

John 14:17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit and have no protection against unclean spirits and demons. This is also why we must receive the Holy Spirit, not only to guide us into His truth but also for protection against unclean spirits and demons. Hence, some sicknesses are not primarily due to sins, but sins leave them unprotected from unclean spirits who bring trouble and sickness upon sinners.

Beware of the doctrine of Balaam

John 15:14 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

John 15:18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

2Chr 19:2 ... "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you.

We must be a friend of Jesus, not friend of those who hate Him. If we are friends with sinners who don't obey Him and those who hate Him, God's wrath abides on us. If you are a fake/name-Christian who never knew what Jesus taught, but deceived by the song, "Jesus, friend of sinners" by Casting crowns, I suggest to read your Bible on what Jesus said in John 15:14 that He is only friend of those who do what He says.

Jas 4:4-7 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Even if the Holy Spirit dwells in us, it does not mean we will not be tempted to do sin. To avoid sinning, James warns us not be a friend of this world. This includes friendship or fellowship with sinners. If we are a friend of the world, we make ourselves enemy of God. This is called the doctrine of Balaam as Christ warned the church of Pergamos in the book of Revelation. What is the doctrine of Balaam?

Num 22:12 And God said to Balaam, "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed."

Num 31:16 "Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

The doctrine or the counsel of Balaam is simple: God cannot curse since He had blessed us and given us His Spirit. No evil can come upon us since God is with us. To have evil, sickness, suffering and curse come upon us, the only thing demons needs to do is to remove the Spirit of God from us. But demons tremble before God. The only thing they can do is tempt us into sin because, if we sin God departs from us for He is holy who cannot dwell in us if any uncleanness is found. It is important to note that God will never force us into holiness. He convicts us when we are tempted, gives us opportunities to avoid the sin, but never forces us not to do the sin. This is why James warns us to submit to God and resist the devil for Him to flee. Remember, Satan can even enter a man (e.g, Judas) when Christ is sitting very near to him (John 13:27). Hence, it is our holiness and our submission to God will make the devil flee. Just as Balaam advised to send women to the camp of Israel to cause them commit sin which brought a great plague on the same people who God blessed and refused to curse, if we become a friend of the world and sinners, we too will fall into their sins and temptations, making compromises to holiness in our lives bring upon ourselves great sickness and diseases.

Conclusion

While sins cause sickness, sins also makes the Spirit of God to depart for the Holy God cannot dwell on uncleanness and sin. If the Holy Spirit is departed because of sin, it is an open invitation for the demons and unclean spirits to enter a man, since there is no protection from God. When an unclean spirit enters, it not only causes sickness but sometimes, it brings more wicked spirits and cause far beyond suffering. The only way to stop unclean spirits from entering us is to receive the Holy Spirit and not to sin. Demons needs to remove the Spirit of God from us for them to cause sickness in us but they tremble before God. The only thing they can do this is by tempting us into sin because, if we sin God departs from us for He is holy who cannot dwell in uncleanness. This is why we need to be cautious in not following the doctrine of Balaam, by not being a friend of the world or sinners to get tempted, but submit to God and resist the devil.

1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Finally, it is also equally important to note that unclean spirits not always bring sickness. They can sometimes cause people to error from way of Truth and deceive others.

#  If forgiveness can heal sickness, why not curses?

God's forgiveness does not remove curses because of the iniquity, just as He forgave David for committing murder and adultery, yet He made his own son, Absalom to sleep with his wives fulfilling the curse to it's very word. However, we see the sick healed when Jesus forgives them. If Christ's forgiveness can heal sickness on many people, why not God's forgiveness removes curses? Sickness through curses referred here are from forefather's sins and curses inherited from them. Let's investigate this topic from Scriptures.

Christ forgives their sins, not their forefather's

There are only two reasons why someone will become sick. Either it is for sins or for God's glory. We will not be discussing about sickness due to God's glory for He will reveal His works on the sick in His own time.

Isa 33:24 And the inhabitant will not say, "I am sick"; The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity.

The Scripture is very clear that the sickness is primarily due to our iniquity.

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." ... (9-12) "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"–He said to the paralytic, I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Jesus, after seeing their faith, forgives the sins of the paralytic and he gets healed. The sick gets healed when their sins are forgiven by God.

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

Luke 24:46-47 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus compares Himself to be a physician and sinners as those who are sick, and His purpose is to call sinners to repentance for remission of their sins. In situations where Christ healed the sick by forgiving them, the sins were always a punishment for their own sins and not an inherited curse. For instance, Jesus during several occasions clearly mentioned (e.g., Matt 9:2) that the sick person's sins were forgiven and the sick immediately gets healed.

Christ heals when suffering was long enough

John 5:5-6 A certain man was there, who had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to be made well?" ... (13-14) But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you."

While the specifics of the sin done by the man suffering thirty-eight years of sickness was not mentioned, Jesus does clearly warn him not to sin again and have a worse thing come upon him.

It is also important to note that the gospels reveal the following:

 The sick man neither asked God for forgiveness nor repented for his sins

 Jesus never said anything about forgiving the sick man's sins.

 The sick man never had any faith in Jesus.

 The sick man does not even know Jesus.

The above passage by no means suggests that Christ will come to every sinner and cure their sickness without they seeking Him or having faith in Him or not knowing Him. But rather, this event shows that the man had suffered "long enough" for his sins by being sick for thirty eight years, implying his due was over or suffered enough for the sins he had done.

Did Jesus heal sickness due to inherited curses?

While Jesus cured several diseases and sickness, there is no reference of any healing of sickness through curses. Sickness through curses referred here are from forefather's sins and curses. This doesn't mean He can't heal but rather, such details were not explicitly mentioned. In order to identify a sickness from an inherited curse, it must be from birth. There is only one reference of a healing that involves a man born blind and the way Jesus cured was completely different.

John 9:1-5 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

What works was Jesus referring to?

John 9:6-7 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Jesus is creating his eyes with mud, just as God created Adam with mud in the beginning. Through this work, He is showing that He is the same God who created Adam in the beginning in the same way. Apart from this healing, there are no miracles that involve someone born with disease or sickness.

John 9:32 "Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.

The above verse clearly reveals that no other miracle of Jesus which He opened the eyes were born blind except the one mentioned above.

Matt 9:28-30 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it."

For those who are not born blind, Jesus simply touches their eyes and heals them.

Exod 4:11 So the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?

Jesus did not heal anyone born with sickness except the man born blind in John 9 is because, people born with some sickness are specifically from God as He spoke to Moses in the above verse. In the case of man born blind whom Jesus cured, this was also from God but to reveal His work in Christ. Hence, Christ did not heal anyone with sickness due to inherited curse, i.e., born with sickness.

Rev 21:4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." ... (22:3) And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

In the new heavens and new earth, the following things will cease to exist:

1. Death

2. Sorrow

3. Crying

4. Pain

5. Curse

The above things are not removed by Christ's death and resurrection. As long as we are in this heaven and earth, death, sorrow, crying, pain and curse will exist. Christ did not remove death but through His death, He provided a way to eternal life when we die. Christ also never said there will not be any sorrow, crying, pain or curse in this heaven and earth. Interestingly, sickness isn't one of them that ceases in new heaven and earth, even though sickness can cause death, sorrow, crying, pain and it can occur due to a curse. This doesn't mean sickness will exist in new heavens and earth, but on the contrary, we don't have to wait until the new heaven and new earth for it to get ceased.

Luke 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

When Jesus called the twelve and sent them out to preach His kingdom, He gave authority over all demons, to cure diseases and heal the sick. If we have the kingdom of heaven within us, there will not be any sickness in us.

Conclusion

Christ forgave the sins of many and healed their sickness because of their own sins. He cast out demons and healed their sickness caused by them. However, we cannot find any birth-related sickness due to inherited curses for forefather's sins. It is important to note that we had discussed only the curses that cause sickness and not other curses in descendants. The only person born blind was healed not by touching or speaking a word but by mud, showing the work of God to be revealed in Him that He is creating the eyes just like God created man in the beginning from dust. Scripture clearly says that birth related sicknesses are from God and Christ is not going against it. All curses including death will not end as long as we are in this heaven and earth. Until the new heavens and earth, let us be careful in not doing iniquity which brings curses upon our descendants.

#  When was the Holy Spirit given?

In the gospel of John, the Holy Spirit was breathed upon Christ's disciples by Him on the day of His resurrection in Jerusalem.

However, in the gospel of Luke and in Acts, we see the Holy Spirit came upon with a sound from heaven on the day of Pentecost, after Christ had ascended. In this post, we will investigate which event is correct.

Gospel of John vs Gospel of Luke and Acts

John 20:19-22 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you. When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

John in his gospel wrote that Jesus, on the day of His resurrection, appeared to His eleven disciples and breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. The above passage also contradicts the core message of Christ on forgiveness from all the gospels.

Luke 24:36-40 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. .... (49) "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Luke in his gospel wrote that Jesus instructs His eleven disciples to wait in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit which got fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. The problem here is, both events cannot be harmonised. If the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Christ's resurrection, then the event on the day of Pentecost didn't happen.

Inconsistency in gospel of John

One of the approach to identify which is correct is to test if the event is consistent within the same book. For instance, if Jesus was to breath the Holy Spirit on the day of His resurrection and not later, then every earlier message of Jesus must be consistent with what John writes.

John 16:7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Unfortunately, what Jesus spoke earlier in the same gospel of John doesn't agree with what Jesus did on the day of His resurrection regarding how the Holy Spirit was given to His disciples. Jesus before His crucifixion clearly said that He must go for the Holy Spirit to come to them. This means, He must ascend to the Father before the Holy Spirit can be given to His disciples.

Hence, the details of the event of what happened during the first meeting between the resurrected Jesus Christ and His disciples as recollected by John was clearly wrong. We are not to blame John for he was an old man probably in his nineties, recollected and wrote the event of that happened several decades ago based on the best of his memory. Thus, we can conclude that the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost as in Luke/Acts and not on the day of resurrection as in the gospel of John.

#  Clearing Contradictions on Christ's Ascension

Did Jesus meet His eleven disciples after His resurrection in Galilee as per Matthew and Mark or in Jerusalem as per Luke and John? Did Jesus first appear to His eleven disciples on the day of His resurrection as per Luke and John? or after the day of resurrection as per Matthew and Mark? This post will investigate the differences to identify what really happened.

The gospel of Matthew

Matt 26:32 "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."

Matt 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me." ... (16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. ... (18-20) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matt 28:9-10 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."

According to Matthew, the meeting of resurrected Jesus with His disciples was in Galilee. However, Jesus first met the women in Jerusalem.

The gospel of Mark

Mark 14:28 "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."

Mark 16:7 "But go, tell His disciples–and Peter–that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."

According to Mark, similar to the gospel of Matthew, there was no meeting of resurrected Jesus with any of His disciples in Jerusalem but in Galilee. But the gospel of Mark abruptly ended in verse 8, with some tradition of Mark being killed for faith in Christ before he could finish the gospel and the gospel from verse 9-20 were later added to make the book complete.

The gospel of Luke

Luke 24:13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. ... (33-36) So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you."

Jesus appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem on the same day of His resurrection according to the gospel of Luke.

Luke 24:49 "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

Luke 24:50-51 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

The Holy Spirit was implied to be given days after Christ's resurrection according to the gospel of Luke. Jesus ascended to Heaven from Bethany.

Luke 24:18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" ...(34) saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"

Jesus first appeared to Cleopas and Simon on the road to Emmaus.

The gospel of John

John 20:2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." ... (6) Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, .... (18-22) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

John, however, mentions about the Holy Spirit given on the day of resurrection of Jesus (since it is the same day when Mary Magdalene came and told His disciples about the empty tomb) and not on the day of Pentecost and in Jerusalem since Peter and the other disciple were able to run to the empty tomb on the day of resurrection.

John 20:14-15 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away. ... (17-18) Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

It was Mary Magdalene who saw the resurrected Jesus first.

Acts of the Apostles

It is traditionally believed that the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles were written by Luke. However, for the purpose of clarity, we will mention the events recorded in the first 2 chapters separately.

Acts 1:4-5 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." ... (11-12) who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.

The verse implies that Jesus appeared to the eleven in Jerusalem and ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives. It is important to note Acts does not mention if Jesus appeared on the day of His resurrection since Acts does not explain the events in detail but summarises it. Hence, lack of an event is not a proof it doesn't happen.

Acts 2:1-2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ... (5) And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

The Holy Spirit given on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, that is fifty days later Christ's resurrection according to Luke as we read in the book of Luke and Acts.

Inspite of all these differences in the details of the event, all the gospels and the book of Acts agree that Christ rose again from the dead. It is also important to note in all these gospels, that the distance between Jerusalem and Galilee is 120 miles (193 km)1.

Summary Tabulation

The reason for the differences is simply because of the details went into each gospel. The events after the resurrection of Jesus comprises of:

 Matthew – 20 verses

 Mark – 8 verses (excluding the long ending)

 Luke – 53 verses, (in addition to Acts ~10 verses)

 John – 56 verses

This information clearly reveals that Luke and John contains more details but Matthew and Mark gives the highlights and summary of the important events.

Matt 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

For example, the above one verse was expanded into 7 verses (Luke 24:36-43) in the gospel of Luke and further expanded into 10 verses (John 20:19-29) in the gospel of John where Jesus appeared twice, explaining Thomas's doubts.

John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:

For example, John wrote in his gospel that Jesus met His eleven disciples first in Jerusalem. He also mentions about meeting His disciples later at the Sea of Galilee, also known as Sea of Tiberias. Based on this information, we can understand that certain events happened first and the other events later, which were the cause for the difference.

Below is a tabulation of what we saw in the previous section. This helps to visually differentiate the differences and identify the events that happened first. The tick mark represents the answer to the question and the cross mark is a contradiction that cannot be harmonised.

If the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost, He cannot breathe it on the day of resurrection. We had discussed the inaccuracy of this particular event in the post, When was the Holy Spirit given?

Conclusion

The gospel of Matthew contains 20 verses and the gospel of Mark contains 8 verses compared to the gospel of Luke and John which has more than 50 verses. The supposed contradictions on Christ's Ascension are not really contradictions but the details of each event went into separate gospels, what the author felt as important to them. E.g., Jesus did meet His disciples first in Jerusalem but also in Galilee where He ascended and asked them to wait in Jerusalem.

1 "Cari Haus" "How far did Jesus Walk? | I Luv Walking." Web.archive.org, 28 Feb. 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20101005044755/www.iluvwalking.com/blog/2009/02/28/how-far-did-jesus-walk/. Accessed 4 Nov. 2017.

#  Forgive Sins Or Retain It?

Jesus clearly explained not once but several times in the gospels, including in His model prayer (commonly referred as the Lord's Prayer), that we must forgive others without which we cannot receive forgiveness from the Father.

Matt 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Matt 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiving is so important that if we fail to do so, our sins will not be forgiven. As in the parable of unforgiving servant, even our forgiven sins will be unforgiven and punished for it, if we fail to forgive others.

John 20:23 "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

However, after the resurrection of Jesus said a different statement to His disciples contrary to the core message of the other three gospels that they can retain sins of others if they want and it will not be forgiven for them.

Inconsistency in gospel of John

We do not know why it contradicts with other gospels. What we do know is, John is very old when he wrote this gospels and it is based on his recollection. To test which message is correct, we can test the very quote claimed to have been spoken by Jesus in the gospel of John.

John 20:20-23 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

John 16:7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

The Holy Spirit given on the day of Pentecost, that is fifty days after Christ's resurrection according to Luke as we read in the book of Luke (Luke 24:49) and Acts (Acts 1:4-5). John, however, mentions about the Holy Spirit given on the day of resurrection of Jesus and not on the day of Pentecost. Based on what Jesus spoke earlier that He must go to send the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John (John 16:7) and what happened on the day of His resurrection where He not yet ascended to the Father but giving the Holy Spirit in the same gospel, we can conclude that this particular event on how the Holy Spirit was given in the gospel of John is incorrect. This was explained in the post, When was the Holy Spirit given?

It is in this same quote (John 20:20-23) where Jesus tells His disciples to retain sins if they want after giving the Holy Spirit. Undoubtedly, John's recollection on the details of how Jesus appeared to His disciples on the day of resurrection is inaccurate. It is improper for us to blame John for giving a small detail wrong since it was a recollection of an event that happened nearly sixty years earlier by a very old man, probably in his nineties.

Matt 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Mark 11:26 "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

As a matter is resolved by two to three witnesses, we have all the synoptic gospels giving witness that we must forgive sins of others and not to retain them.

Conclusion

Jesus taught that forgiving is so important that if we fail to do so, our sins will also not be forgiven by God. But John writes about Jesus teaching to retain sins. A closer look at the quote of Jesus reveals that the details of that event was clearly wrong due to John's recollection of the event later. Hence, we must forgive others and not to retain sins as all the synoptic gospels say.

INCLUDEPICTURE "Trumpet%20Call_files/image002.jpeg" \\* MERGEFORMAT \d  

# Bibliography

 All Scripture verses are quoted from New King James Version (NKJV) and Brenton Septuagint Translation (LXX).

 Cover Page picture adapted from http://www.peakpx.com/428180/narrow-dirt-road-in-middle-of-large-trees-under-bright-sky

# Statement of Faith

Being a Protestant Christian, it is easy for me to simply say, I believe the Bible. But, there are lots of different interpretations of the Bible and several deceptions without sound doctrine which created thousands of denominations. Hence, I had put forward a Circle of Discernment to discern every interpretation from the Bible to avoid deceptions.

_Source: File:_ _Circle-of-Discernment.png - trumpet-call.org_

Circle of Discernment is another way of saying, all interpretations must match God's spoken words, Christ's teachings, Scripture (Law, Psalms and Prophets) and the teachings of apostles and disciples in the authoritative order. If you cannot find the conclusion of your interpretation taught by Christ, or found in Scripture, or spoken by God in the authoritative order, then your interpretation is wrong. Similarly. if you interpret Scripture that does not agree with Christ, then your interpretation is wrong.

Christ did not give anyone authority to change His canon of Scripture (Luke 24:44-45). He included only 28 books from the Christian Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Psalms. Just like there are weightier matters of the law (Matt 23:23), Gospels and Revelation are the weightier books in the New Testament. We need to listen and obey Christ's teachings for which Father will require of all who reject His Words spoken through His Son (Deut 18:19). It is blasphemy to exalt and glorify a man's letter and make it equal with Christ's words.

# About the Author

Felix Immanuel is a born again Christian, trying to live a Christ-like life. He is a software professional who write blogs in trumpet-call.org focused on the spiritual growth of Christians. God had blessed him with his wife and two daughters. He currently lives in Canberra, Australia.

