What is the New Covenant?

[civic]

The New Covenant is the promise that God will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant was predicted while the Old Covenant was still in effect—the prophets Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all allude to the New Covenant.

The Old Covenant that God had established with His people required strict obedience to the Mosaic Law. Because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), the Law required that Israel perform daily sacrifices in order to atone for sin. But Moses, through whom God established the Old Covenant, also anticipated the New Covenant. In one of his final addresses to the nation of Israel, Moses looks forward to a time when Israel would be given “a heart to understand” (Deuteronomy 29:4, ESV). Moses predicts that Israel would fail in keeping the Old Covenant (verses 22–28), but he then sees a time of restoration (Deuteronomy 30:1–5). At that time, Moses says, “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (verse 6). The New Covenant involves a total change of heart so that God’s people are naturally pleasing to Him.

The prophet Jeremiah also predicted the New Covenant. “‘The day will come,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. . . . But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,’ says the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people’” (Jeremiah 31:31, 33). Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) and to establish the New Covenant between God and His people. The Old Covenant was written in stone, but the New Covenant is written on hearts. Entering the New Covenant is made possible only by faith in Christ, who shed His blood to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Luke 22:20 relates how Jesus, at the Last Supper, takes the cup and says, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (ESV).

The New Covenant is also mentioned in Ezekiel 36:26–27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel lists several aspects of the New Covenant here: a new heart, a new spirit, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and true holiness. The Mosaic Law could provide none of these things (see Romans 3:20).

The New Covenant was originally given to Israel and includes a promise of fruitfulness, blessing, and a peaceful existence in the Promised Land. In Ezekiel 36:28–30 God says, “Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. . . . I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.” Deuteronomy 30:1–5contains similar promises related to Israel under the New Covenant. After the resurrection of Christ, God in His grace brought the Gentiles into the blessing of the New Covenant, too (Acts 10; Ephesians 2:13–14). The fulfillment of the New Covenant will be seen in two places: on earth during the Millennial Kingdom, and in heaven for all eternity.

We are no longer under the Law but under grace (Romans 6:14–15). The Old Covenant has served its purpose, and it has been replaced by “a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22). “In fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).

Under the New Covenant, we are given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9). Our responsibility is to exercise faith in Christ, the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf and brought an end to the Law’s sacrifices through His own sacrificial death. Through the life-giving Holy Spirit who lives in all believers (Romans 8:9–11), we share in the inheritance of Christ and enjoy a permanent, unbroken relationship with God (Hebrews 9:15).Got?

hope this helps !!!

 

[Studyman]

The New Covenant is the promise that God will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant was predicted while the Old Covenant was still in effect—the prophets Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all allude to the New Covenant.

The Old Covenant that God had established with His people required strict obedience to the Mosaic Law. Because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), the Law required that Israel perform daily sacrifices in order to atone for sin.

It is essential to understand what God means regarding what the Old covenant was that changed, in order to understand what the New Covenant is.

When God brought Israel out of Egypt, there was "NO LAW" requiring Israel to perform daily sacrifices exclusively before a Levite Priest and kill it in order to atone for their sins.

This is vital to understand. The Law that

"required that Israel perform daily sacrifices in order to atone for sin."

did not exist until later.

Here is the Covenant God made with them.

Ex. 19: 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

God's Covenant already existed at this point, and HE was giving it to Israel. What covenant did God further on to Israel?

Ex. 2: 23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

It is essential to understand this in order to understand Paul later on. Please consider what was actually written.

Ex. 6: 2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:

3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give "them" the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.

5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.

6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

7And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.

This is the Covenant God made with the Children of Israel in the day that HE led them out of Egypt. And HE gave them His Laws, Statutes and Commandments, just as HE did Abraham, and the people agreed to obey Him, just as Abraham did.

Ex. 19: 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

There was NO sacrificial "works of the Law" commanding Israel to perform daily sacrifices for the atonement of Sin, in the day God led them out of Egypt.

So what happened to this covenant? Israel broke it, Yes? They created another god, the Golden Calf, and worshiped it. This covenant was broken. They agreement made void. No longer was Israel God's people, or God, Israel's God. They were right back in Egypt spiritually, with NO Covenant. I know this because of what is written.

Ex. 32: 9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

Israel is no longer under the Covenant of Abraham.

In fact, as the story goes, it was Moses who pleaded with God on Israel's behalf, to give them another chance, read it for yourself.

And it was Moses who went up to God a 2nd time, to see if perhaps forgiveness could be found.

Ex. 32: 30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. 31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

It was the Covenant that resulted from this 2nd meeting, that God changed. It was to this Covenant that God "ADDED" the LAW commanding the Children of Israel to perform daily sacrificial "works of the law" for the atonement of their sins.

This Covenant also included the "way of the Lord", with His Statutes, Commandments and Laws that Abraham obeyed, and taught to his children. But a LAW was "ADDED" for justification, "Till the Seed should come", that Abraham didn't have. It was "ADDED" because of transgressions, 430 years after Abraham. It was the Priesthood Law commanding Israel to bring daily sacrifices to the Levite Priest for the atonement of Sins.

I know this because of what is written.

Jer. 7: 22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. (Same as Abraham)

The Hebrews author knew this.

Heb. 8: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

It was the covenant regarding these animal sacrifices that changed. The Priesthood Law changed. As Jeremiah 31 details, there were "2" changes in the Covenant God made with Israel after the Golden calf.

#1. How God's Laws are received.

#2. How sins were forgiven.

What became old and was ready to vanish, was the Priesthood, "After the Order of Aaron". The Prophesied Priest of God, "After the order of Melchizedek" is come.

The Pharisees and Priests had rebelled against God for centuries. They despised His Judgments and walked not in His Commandments. They polluted His Sabbaths and blasphemed His Name. (See the Bible) But they continued in the sacrificial "works of the Law" for justification. They purchased their atonement through these sacrificial "works of the Law". Paul fought with these Pharisees over this for years. Telling them that NO Flesh is justified by these "works of the Law". Hebrews points out,
"But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

God pleaded with these preachers for a long time.

Is. 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Sorry for the long post, and I know this world's religious sects and businesses do not distinguish between the Covenant that was broken, and the one that replaced it in which daily sacrifices were "ADDED:" for the atonement of sins. But when these truths are in our hearts, the Scriptures shed a different light on Paul's teaching. It seems certainly worthy of discussion.

 

[Soyeong]

The New Covenant is the promise that God will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant was predicted while the Old Covenant was still in effect—the prophets Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all allude to the New Covenant.

The Old Covenant that God had established with His people required strict obedience to the Mosaic Law. Because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), the Law required that Israel perform daily sacrifices in order to atone for sin. But Moses, through whom God established the Old Covenant, also anticipated the New Covenant. In one of his final addresses to the nation of Israel, Moses looks forward to a time when Israel would be given “a heart to understand” (Deuteronomy 29:4, ESV). Moses predicts that Israel would fail in keeping the Old Covenant (verses 22–28), but he then sees a time of restoration (Deuteronomy 30:1–5). At that time, Moses says, “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (verse 6). The New Covenant involves a total change of heart so that God’s people are naturally pleasing to Him.

The prophet Jeremiah also predicted the New Covenant. “‘The day will come,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. . . . But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,’ says the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people’” (Jeremiah 31:31, 33). Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) and to establish the New Covenant between God and His people. The Old Covenant was written in stone, but the New Covenant is written on hearts. Entering the New Covenant is made possible only by faith in Christ, who shed His blood to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Luke 22:20 relates how Jesus, at the Last Supper, takes the cup and says, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (ESV).

The New Covenant is also mentioned in Ezekiel 36:26–27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel lists several aspects of the New Covenant here: a new heart, a new spirit, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and true holiness. The Mosaic Law could provide none of these things (see Romans 3:20).

The New Covenant was originally given to Israel and includes a promise of fruitfulness, blessing, and a peaceful existence in the Promised Land. In Ezekiel 36:28–30 God says, “Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. . . . I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.” Deuteronomy 30:1–5contains similar promises related to Israel under the New Covenant. After the resurrection of Christ, God in His grace brought the Gentiles into the blessing of the New Covenant, too (Acts 10; Ephesians 2:13–14). The fulfillment of the New Covenant will be seen in two places: on earth during the Millennial Kingdom, and in heaven for all eternity.

In Deuteronomy 30:1-10, it prophesies a time when the Israelites would return from exile, God would circumcise their hearts, and they would return to obedience to the Torah. In Jeremiah 31:33, it is in regard to the New Covenant, the Israelites returning from exile, and it describes God circumcising our hearts and returning to obedience to the Torah by saying that God will put the Torah on our minds and write it in our hearts. Likewise, in Ezekiel 36:26-27, it is in regard to the New Covenant, Israelites returning from exile, and God circumcising our hearts and returning to obedience to the Torah by saying that God will take away our hearts of stone, give us hearts of flesh, and give us His Spirit to lead us in obedience to the Torah. In Romans 2:25-29, the way to recognize that a Gentile has a circumcised heart is by observing their obedience to the Torah, which is the same way to tell for a Jew, and circumcision of the heart is a matter of the Spirit, which is in contrast with Acts 7:51-53, where those who have uncircumcised hearts resist the Spirit and do not obey the Torah. So the New Covenant is all about the Israelites returning to obedience to the Torah and having a circumcised heart does not refer to anything other than living in obedience to it.

We are no longer under the Law but under grace (Romans 6:14–15).

In Romans 6:14, it describes the law that we are not under as being a law where sin had dominion over us, which does not describe the Torah, which is a law where holiness, righteousness, and goodness have dominion over us, but rather it is the law of sin where sin had dominion over us. In Psalms 119:29 and Exodus 33:13, they wanted God to be gracious to them by teaching him to obey the Torah, so that is what it means to be under grace. Furthermore, Romans 6:15 says that being under grace does not mean that we are permitted to sin, and in Romans 3:20, it is by the Torah that we have knowledge of sin, so we are still under the Torah and obligated to refrain from doing what it reveals to be sin, but are not under the law of sin.

Moreover, everything else in Roman 6 speaks in favor of obedience to the Torah and against sin. For example, in Romans 6:19-23, we are to no longer present ourselves as slaves of impurity, lawlessness, and sin, but are now to present ourselves as salves to God and to righteousness leading to sanctification, and the goal of sanctification is eternal life in Christ, which is the gift of God. so living in obedience to the Torah is the content of His gift of eternal life in Christ. This is also why Jesus said that the way to enter eternal life is by obeying the commandments of the Torah (Matthew 19:17, Luke 10:25-28) and why those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in obedience to the Torah (1 John 2:6).

The Old Covenant has served its purpose, and it has been replaced by “a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22). “In fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).

In Exodus 33:14-17 and Leviticus 24:8, the Mosaic Covenant is eternal, so the only way that it can be replaced by the New Covenant is if it does everything that the Mosaic Covenant does plus more, which is what it means to make something obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). This is why the New Covenant still involves following the Torah (Hebrews 8:10) plus it is based on better promises and has a superior mediator (Hebrews 8:6). In Galatians 3:16-19, the newer covenant does not replace the promises of and older covenant that has already been ratified, so again the New Covenant does not do away with getting to follow the Torah in accordance with the promise.

Under the New Covenant, we are given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9). Our responsibility is to exercise faith in Christ, the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf and brought an end to the Law’s sacrifices through His own sacrificial death. Through the life-giving Holy Spirit who lives in all believers (Romans 8:9–11), we share in the inheritance of Christ and enjoy a permanent, unbroken relationship with God (Hebrews 9:15).Got?

hope this helps !!!

In Psalms 119:29, he wanted to put false ways far from him for God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey the Torah, and he chose the way faithfulness by setting the Torah before him, so this has always been the one and only way of salvation by grace through faith. Likewise, in Ephesians 2:8-10, we are new creations is Christ to do good works, and the Torah is God's instructions for how to equip us to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17), so again this is the same way of salvation by grace through faith. In Romans 8:4-10, those who are born of the Spirit are contrasted with those who have minds set on the flesh who are enemies of God who refuse to submit to the Torah.

To fulfill the Torah means "to cause God's will (as made know in the law) to be obeyed as it should be. Nowhere does the Bible say that Jesus fulfilled the Torah on our behalf or abolish any of Gods laws, but rather he said in Matthew 5:17-20 that he came to fulfill the Torah in contrast with saying that he came not to abolish it, and he warned against relaxing the least part of the law or teaching others to do the same. So you are calling Jesus a liar and disregarding his warning. Jesus then proceeded to fulfill the Torah six times throughout the rest of the chapter by teaching how to correctly obey it as it should be.

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

I don't know of very many who recognize the significance of Isaiah 42 for the topic of New vs. Old Covenant.

[Isa 42:1-9 LSB] 1 "Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one [in whom] My soul is well-pleased. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 "He will not cry out or raise [His voice], Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3 "A crushed reed He will not break And a faintly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will bring forth justice in truth. 4 "He will not be faint or crushed Until He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law."
5 Thus says the God, Yahweh, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it,
6 "I am Yahweh, I have called You in righteousness; I will also take hold of You by the hand and guard You, And I will give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who inhabit darkness from the prison.
8 "I am Yahweh, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. 9 "Behold, the former things have come to pass; Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I cause you to hear [them]."

Here God is predicting the New Covenant 700 years before it was to happen. It is obviously referring to the coming of the Messiah, God's servant, His chosen one, the one who has His spirit.
God says He is about to do a new thing. The former things that were predicted have happened.
God says He will give His chosen one as a covenant to the people. As a light to the nations. The word for "people" is specifically used for the chosen people of God - the Israelites. The "nations" is specifically used for gentiles - everyone else.
He is given as a new covenant for His chosen people.
Jesus specifically refers to this during the Last Supper.

[Mat 26:27-28 LSB] 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave [it] to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

This new covenant was made for the many, the chosen ones. This language is very similar to Daniel 9:27

[Dan 9:27 LSB] 27 "And he will [confirm, re-enable] covenant with the many ...

Also in Daniel 9:27, the word used for "confirm, re-enable" is "gabar" which means:

1. to confirm, give strength
2. to confirm (a covenant)

The similar idea is used in Isaiah 42:6 "I will also take hold of You"; "hazaq" which means:

1. to make strong, strengthen
2. to make firm
3. to display strength
4. to make severe
5. to support
6. to repair
7. to prevail, prevail upon
8. to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support
9. to hold, contain

In both passages, the idea of the covenant as being strengthened, supported, repaired, re-enabled. In Isaiah 42, God states the new thing He will do. He will give His servant as a new covenant to His chosen people. He will strengthen this covenant and make it prevail. In Daniel 9, this covenant is said to be strengthened and made to prevail with the many at the start of the last Week.

This is an entirely different expectation than what people usually think is going on with the covenant.

 

[Molly]

I don't know of very many who recognize the significance of Isaiah 42 for the topic of New vs. Old Covenant.

Here God is predicting the New Covenant 700 years before it was to happen. It is obviously referring to the coming of the Messiah, God's servant, His chosen one, the one who has His spirit.
God says He is about to do a new thing. The former things that were predicted have happened.
God says He will give His chosen one as a covenant to the people. As a light to the nations. The word for "people" is specifically used for the chosen people of God - the Israelites. The "nations" is specifically used for gentiles - everyone else.
He is given as a new covenant for His chosen people.
Jesus specifically refers to this during the Last Supper.


This new covenant was made for the many, the chosen ones. This language is very similar to Daniel 9:27


Also in Daniel 9:27, the word used for "confirm, re-enable" is "gabar" which means:

1. to confirm, give strength
2. to confirm (a covenant)

The similar idea is used in Isaiah 42:6 "I will also take hold of You"; "hazaq" which means:

1. to make strong, strengthen
2. to make firm
3. to display strength
4. to make severe
5. to support
6. to repair
7. to prevail, prevail upon
8. to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support
9. to hold, contain

In both passages, the idea of the covenant as being strengthened, supported, repaired, re-enabled. In Isaiah 42, God states the new thing He will do. He will give His servant as a new covenant to His chosen people. He will strengthen this covenant and make it prevail. In Daniel 9, this covenant is said to be strengthened and made to prevail with the many at the start of the last Week.

This is an entirely different expectation than what people usually think is going on with the covenant.

How does being in or under the New Covenant as believers affect us with the Old Testament law of Moses? Do I still need to practice those?

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

How does being in or under the New Covenant as believers affect us with the Old Testament law of Moses? Do I still need to practice those?

What you are asking about, Paul addressed in his writings. These people were called Judaizers. They said even those who had accepted the New Covenant were still beholden to the Old Covenant. Paul had very harsh words against these type of teachers. And he taught:
[Col 2:16-17 LSB] 16 Therefore, no one is to judge you in food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- 17 things which are [only] a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Paul laid out the theological history of the Old vs New covenant. Read through Romans 10 & 11. Most people read only verses here and there. Read through Paul's complete thought flow.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of law: “THE MAN WHO DOES THESE THINGS SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”

6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL GO UP INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL GO DOWN INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [fn]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [fn]leading to righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [fn]leading to salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES UPON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him, 13 for “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

16 However, they did not all heed the [fn]good news, for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word [fn]of Christ.

18 But I say, have they never heard? On the contrary, they have;
“THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH,
AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE [fn]WORLD.”
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says,
“I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION,
BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.”
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME,
I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.”
21 But as for Israel He says, “ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.”

Romans 11 [LSB]
1 I say then, has God rejected His people? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 [fn]GOD HAS NOT REJECTED HIS PEOPLE whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.” 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I HAVE LEFT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” 5 In this way then, at the present time, a remnant according to God’s [fn]gracious choice has also come to be. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but the chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 8 just as it is written,
“[fn]GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR,
EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT
DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

9 And David says,
“LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP,
AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.
10 “LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT,
AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.”

11 I say then, did they stumble so as to fall? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their [fn]fullness be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my [fn]fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 And if the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the [fn]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast against them, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right! They were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be haughty, but fear, 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not want you, brothers, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION,
HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”
27 “AND THIS IS [fn]MY COVENANT WITH THEM,
WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.”

28 [fn]From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but [fn]from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM [fn]THAT IT MIGHT BE REPAID TO HIM? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory [fn]forever. Amen.

 

[Molly]

What you are asking about, Paul addressed in his writings. These people were called Judaizers. They said even those who had accepted the New Covenant were still beholden to the Old Covenant. Paul had very harsh words against these type of teachers. And he taught:
[Col 2:16-17 LSB] 16 Therefore, no one is to judge you in food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- 17 things which are [only] a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Paul laid out the theological history of the Old vs New covenant. Read through Romans 10 & 11. Most people read only verses here and there. Read through Paul's complete thought flow.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of law: “THE MAN WHO DOES THESE THINGS SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”

6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL GO UP INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL GO DOWN INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [fn]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [fn]leading to righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [fn]leading to salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES UPON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him, 13 for “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

16 However, they did not all heed the [fn]good news, for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word [fn]of Christ.

18 But I say, have they never heard? On the contrary, they have;
“THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH,
AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE [fn]WORLD.”
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says,
“I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION,
BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.”
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME,
I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.”
21 But as for Israel He says, “ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.”

Romans 11 [LSB]
1 I say then, has God rejected His people? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 [fn]GOD HAS NOT REJECTED HIS PEOPLE whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.” 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I HAVE LEFT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” 5 In this way then, at the present time, a remnant according to God’s [fn]gracious choice has also come to be. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but the chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 8 just as it is written,
“[fn]GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR,
EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT
DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.”

9 And David says,
“LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP,
AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.
10 “LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT,
AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.”

11 I say then, did they stumble so as to fall? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.

12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their [fn]fullness be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my [fn]fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 And if the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the [fn]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast against them, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right! They were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be haughty, but fear, 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not want you, brothers, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION,
HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”
27 “AND THIS IS [fn]MY COVENANT WITH THEM,
WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.”

28 [fn]From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but [fn]from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM [fn]THAT IT MIGHT BE REPAID TO HIM? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory [fn]forever. Amen.

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that for me.

 

[civic]

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that for me.

I have learned some things from him as well in his short time with us on our forum. He is well learned when it comes to doctrine and theology.

 

[Studyman]

What you are asking about, Paul addressed in his writings. These people were called Judaizers. They said even those who had accepted the New Covenant were still beholden to the Old Covenant. Paul had very harsh words against these type of teachers.

I know this is a widely taught religious philosophy of this world, implying that the Pharisees were following God's Law, "to the letter" and God rejected them for it. And that Paul was against men who obeyed God's Laws. But when all the Scriptures are considered, this popular religious philosophy is proven to be from man and not God, in my view. The word "Judaizers" doesn't even exist in Scriptures. And how is it even defined? Was Jesus a "Judaizer", or Zacharias, or Simeon or Anna? Or were the Pharisees who created their own manmade religion, the Judaizer?

A study of the Covenant that changed, will show that is was the Priesthood Covenant. Not God's Laws and Commandments that are to be written on the hearts of Hois People. This Priesthood Law was the "LAW" added "because of transgressions".

And he taught:
[Col 2:16-17 LSB] 16 Therefore, no one is to judge you in food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- 17 things which are [only] a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Yes, for those who have "Yielded themselves" Servants to obey God, as Paul teaches, they will be judged, just as Able and Jesus were judged, by this world's religions. But don't let any man judge you in your obedience to God. These "Feasts of the Lord" are a shadow of very important things to come, things which have yet to be fulfilled. The religious traditions and high days of man, like Christmas and Easter egg hunts, and day of the dead, etc., are shadows of nothing. They are simply religious traditions of man. Jesus Himself exposed and rejected the mainstream preachers of His Time for engaging in these very same man-made traditions.

Mark. 7: 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Paul is teaching those who have been freed from sin and are now "Servants of God's Righteousness" (Rom. 6) not to let men who reject the commandments of God so that they can promote and further their own high days and religious traditions, judge them in their humble obedience to God.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Jesus, that is, the Jesus of the Bible, even said He doesn't accuse the mainstream preachers of His Time, Moses does. These are important truths that are discarded by "many" who call Jesus Lord, Lord. I advocate that we "take heed" and "Beware" that we are not deceived by these popular religions of this world.

Paul laid out the theological history of the Old vs New covenant. Read through Romans 10 & 11. Most people read only verses here and there. Read through Paul's complete thought flow.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of law: “THE MAN WHO DOES THESE THINGS SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”

So I would ask a question and hope for an answer. In the Priesthood Covenant God gave Israel after the Golden Calf, when a man committed unrighteousness, or "SIN", how was his Sin forgiven? How was he made righteous again? What did Moses instruct this man to do?

Did Moses say, "If a common man sins, he shall keep the 10 commandments, and his sin is forgiven"? Did Moses say, "If a common man sins, he shall keep the Sabbath Holy and his sin was forgiven"?

Or did Moses say, "if a common man sins, he shall bring a goat to the Levite Priest, and kill it, and the Priest would take of the blood and provide for the forgiveness of his sins"?

So then, in the old Priesthood Covenant, what is the righteousness "Which is of the Law"? And were the Pharisees still promoting their version of these sacrificial "works of the law" for remission of sins, or were they placing their faith in the Christ and what HE was Prophesied to do to provide for their redemption?

I ask this question a lot, but most men, certainly preachers, will not answer, or even honestly engage. I am hoping you will.

It is written that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. If we don't understand what LAW the Pharisees believed they were made righteous by, then everything we build on this foundation is corrupted.

I look forward to you answering my questions, and the discussion that hopefully follows.

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

I know this is a widely taught religious philosophy of this world, implying that the Pharisees were following God's Law, "to the letter" and God rejected them for it. And that Paul was against men who obeyed God's Laws. But when all the Scriptures are considered, this popular religious philosophy is proven to be from man and not God, in my view. The word "Judaizers" doesn't even exist in Scriptures. And how is it even defined? Was Jesus a "Judaizer", or Zacharias, or Simeon or Anna? Or were the Pharisees who created their own manmade religion, the Judaizer?

A study of the Covenant that changed, will show that is was the Priesthood Covenant. Not God's Laws and Commandments that are to be written on the hearts of Hois People. This Priesthood Law was the "LAW" added "because of transgressions".



Yes, for those who have "Yielded themselves" Servants to obey God, as Paul teaches, they will be judged, just as Able and Jesus were judged, by this world's religions. But don't let any man judge you in your obedience to God. These "Feasts of the Lord" are a shadow of very important things to come, things which have yet to be fulfilled. The religious traditions and high days of man, like Christmas and Easter egg hunts, and day of the dead, etc., are shadows of nothing. They are simply religious traditions of man. Jesus Himself exposed and rejected the mainstream preachers of His Time for engaging in these very same man-made traditions.

Mark. 7: 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Paul is teaching those who have been freed from sin and are now "Servants of God's Righteousness" (Rom. 6) not to let men who reject the commandments of God so that they can promote and further their own high days and religious traditions, judge them in their humble obedience to God.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Jesus, that is, the Jesus of the Bible, even said He doesn't accuse the mainstream preachers of His Time, Moses does. These are important truths that are discarded by "many" who call Jesus Lord, Lord. I advocate that we "take heed" and "Beware" that we are not deceived by these popular religions of this world.



So I would ask a question and hope for an answer. In the Priesthood Covenant God gave Israel after the Golden Calf, when a man committed unrighteousness, or "SIN", how was his Sin forgiven? How was he made righteous again? What did Moses instruct this man to do?

Did Moses say, "If a common man sins, he shall keep the 10 commandments, and his sin is forgiven"? Did Moses say, "If a common man sins, he shall keep the Sabbath Holy and his sin was forgiven"?

Or did Moses say, "if a common man sins, he shall bring a goat to the Levite Priest, and kill it, and the Priest would take of the blood and provide for the forgiveness of his sins"?

So then, in the old Priesthood Covenant, what is the righteousness "Which is of the Law"? And were the Pharisees still promoting their version of these sacrificial "works of the law" for remission of sins, or were they placing their faith in the Christ and what HE was Prophesied to do to provide for their redemption?

I ask this question a lot, but most men, certainly preachers, will not answer, or even honestly engage. I am hoping you will.

It is written that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. If we don't understand what LAW the Pharisees believed they were made righteous by, then everything we build on this foundation is corrupted.

I look forward to you answering my questions, and the discussion that hopefully follows.

I quoted Paul's teaching specifically. I don't "think" anything. Paul was quite clear in what he taught about it. No twisting or re-imagining or re-interpreting as your post is doing.

If you are actually trying to use the supposed proof that "judaizer" is not in the Bible then you really have not truly studied the Bible. The term is short hand for the many times Paul talked about those types of wolves who would enslave ignorant Christians and try to confuse them. Let Paul himself respond to your post.

1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace! 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view. But the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are upsetting you would even mutilate(circumcise) themselves.

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.
Galatians 5:1-15[LSB]

 

[Soyeong]

How does being in or under the New Covenant as believers affect us with the Old Testament law of Moses? Do I still need to practice those?

What you are asking about, Paul addressed in his writings. These people were called Judaizers. They said even those who had accepted the New Covenant were still beholden to the Old Covenant. Paul had very harsh words against these type of teachers. And he taught:

In Jeremiah 31:33, the New Covenant involves God putting the Law of Moses in our minds and writing it on our hearts. Likewise, in Ezekiel 36:26-27, it is speaking in regard to the New Covenant and says that the Spirit has the role of leading us to obey the Law of Moses. This is not saying that we are still beholden to the Mosaic Covenant, but is speaking about how we should've under the New Covenant.

In Matthew 4:15-23, Christ began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, which was a light to the Gentiles, and the Law of Moses was how his audience knew what sin is (Romans 3:20), so repenting from our disobedience to it is a central part of the Gospel message. Furthermore, Jesus set a sinless example of how to walk in obedience to the Law of Moses and we are told to follow his example (1 Peter 2:21-22) and that those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way he walked (1 John 2:6). So Christ spent his ministry teaching his followers how to obey the Law of Moses by word and by example and Paul was a servant of Christ, so his problem with the Judaizers was not that they were teaching Gentiles how to follow Christ, but that they were wanting to require Gentiles to obey their works of the law in order to become justified.

[Col 2:16-17 LSB] 16 Therefore, no one is to judge you in food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- 17 things which are [only] a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

In Colossians 2:16-23, Paul described the people judging them as teaching human precepts and traditions, self-made religion, asceticism, and severity to the body, so they were being judged by pagans because they were keeping God's feasts and Paul was encouraging them not to let any man judge them and stop them from obeying God. It is ironic that people commonly try to use these verses to justify their refusal to obey God.

Paul laid out the theological history of the Old vs New covenant. Read through Romans 10 & 11. Most people read only verses here and there. Read through Paul's complete thought flow.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of law: “THE MAN WHO DOES THESE THINGS SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”

6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL GO UP INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL GO DOWN INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [fn]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [fn]leading to righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [fn]leading to salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES UPON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him, 13 for “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

16 However, they did not all heed the [fn]good news, for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word [fn]of Christ.

18 But I say, have they never heard? On the contrary, they have;
“THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH,
AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE [fn]WORLD.”
19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says,
“I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION,
BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.”
20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME,
I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.”
21 But as for Israel He says, “ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.”

In Romans 10:5-10, our faith references Deuteronomy 30:11-16 as the word of faith that we proclaim in regard to saying that God's law is not too difficult to obey, in regard to saying that the one who obeys it will attain life by it, in regard to what we are agreeing to obey by confessing that Jesus is Lord, and in regard to the way to believe that God raised him from the death. Likewise, in Romans 10:16, it speaks against those who do not obey the Gospel.

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

In Jeremiah 31:33, the New Covenant involves God putting the Law of Moses in our minds and writing it on our hearts. Likewise, in Ezekiel 36:26-27, it is speaking in regard to the New Covenant and says that the Spirit has the role of leading us to obey the Law of Moses. This is not saying that we are still beholden to the Mosaic Covenant, but is speaking about how we should've under the New Covenant.

In Matthew 4:15-23, Christ began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, which was a light to the Gentiles, and the Law of Moses was how his audience knew what sin is (Romans 3:20), so repenting from our disobedience to it is a central part of the Gospel message. Furthermore, Jesus set a sinless example of how to walk in obedience to the Law of Moses and we are told to follow his example (1 Peter 2:21-22) and that those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way he walked (1 John 2:6). So Christ spent his ministry teaching his followers how to obey the Law of Moses by word and by example and Paul was a servant of Christ, so his problem with the Judaizers was not that they were teaching Gentiles how to follow Christ, but that they were wanting to require Gentiles to obey their works of the law in order to become justified.


In Colossians 2:16-23, Paul described the people judging them as teaching human precepts and traditions, self-made religion, asceticism, and severity to the body, so they were being judged by pagans because they were keeping God's feasts and Paul was encouraging them not to let any man judge them and stop them from obeying God. It is ironic that people commonly try to use these verses to justify their refusal to obey God.


In Romans 10:5-10, our faith references Deuteronomy 30:11-16 as the word of faith that we proclaim in regard to saying that God's law is not too difficult to obey, in regard to saying that the one who obeys it will attain life by it, in regard to what we are agreeing to obey by confessing that Jesus is Lord, and in regard to the way to believe that God raised him from the death. Likewise, in Romans 10:16, it speaks against those who do not obey the Gospel.

You have a very common misunderstanding of who was being addressed in all these passages. It's very common western church mindset.

Basic facts. Jeremiah and Ezekiel were written to Jews. God's chosen nation - Israelites. A thorough study should be done of the words "am" - for people of Israel vs. "goyim" - for Gentiles in these passages.

A detailed study should also be done of just who the letters of the New Testament were written to. Most were written to Jewish believers - all 12 tribes whether in Judea or living in exile. Yes, even Colossians and Romans which you quote from. The narrative in Acts gives much detail about the Jews who were infiltrating the new Jewish Christian community and were confusing them that they still needed to follow all the many rules of the Law of Moses. Even Peter got caught up with this and Paul called him out for being a hypocrite. But the elders of the Jerusalem church had a meeting and came to an understanding about this. Believers should NOT be slaves to the Law of Moses. This is the message of Paul in the passages I've posted.

It's very clearly stated if one just reads the words as they are....without reading into them something that isn't there.

 

[Soyeong]

You have a very common misunderstanding of who was being addressed in all these passages. It's very common western church mindset.

Basic facts. Jeremiah and Ezekiel were written to Jews. God's chosen nation - Israelites. A thorough study should be done of the words "am" - for people of Israel vs. "goyim" - for Gentiles in these passages.

A detailed study should also be done of just who the letters of the New Testament were written to. Most were written to Jewish believers - all 12 tribes whether in Judea or living in exile.

In Deuteronomy 30:1-10, it prophesies a time when the Israelites would return from exile, God would circumcise their hearts, and they would return to obedience to the Torah, and Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Jeremiah 31:33 are written in that context, so I agree that the New Covenant is all about Israel returning to obedience to the Torah.

However, Israel is not just made up of Jews, but is also inclusive of Gentiles who want to learn how to follow the God of Israel by obeying the Torah. In Exodus 12:38, there is a mixed multitude that came up out of Egypt with the Israelites, so there were Gentiles at the foot of Sinai, and in Joshua 8:33, Israel was inclusive of both the foreigners and the native born, so there have always been Gentiles who have sought by faith to learn how to follow the God of Israel. Jews were chosen for the role of being a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6) and the Gospel calling for obedience to the Torah went out first to the Jew and then to the Gentile so that Jews could have the opportunity to fulfill that role (Romans 1:16), which is also why Christ sent his disciples out to preach that Gospel first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles in the great commission.

Yes, even Colossians and Romans which you quote from. The narrative in Acts gives much detail about the Jews who were infiltrating the new Jewish Christian community and were confusing them that they still needed to follow all the many rules of the Law of Moses.

Again, Christ spent his ministry teaching his followers how to obey the Torah by word and by example and being a Christian is about following what Christ taught. Again, the NT were a servants of Christ, so they should not be interpreted as speaking against Gentiles following him.

In Acts 5:32, the Spirit has been given to those who obey God, so obedience to God is part of the way to receive the Spirit, however, Galatians 3:1-2 denies that "works of the law" are part of the way to receive the Spirit, therefore that phrase does not refer to obedience to God. In Romans 3:27-31, Paul contrasted a law of works with a law of faith, so works of the law are of works while he said that our faith upholds God's law, so it is of faith, and a law that our faith upholds can't be referring to the same thing as the works of the law that are not of faith in Galatians 3:10-11. So again, Paul's problem with the Judaizers was not that they were teaching Gentiles how to follow what Christ taught, but that they were wanting to require Gentiles to obey their works of the law in order to become justified.

Even Peter got caught up with this and Paul called him out for being a hypocrite.

In Acts 10:28, Peter referred to a law that forbade Jews to visit or associate with Gentiles, which is not a law found anywhere in the Mosaic Law, and it was this law that Peter was obeying in Galatians 2:11-16 when he stopped visiting or associating with the Gentiles, and this is what Paul called him out for, not for obeying the Law of Moses.

But the elders of the Jerusalem church had a meeting and came to an understanding about this. Believers should NOT be slaves to the Law of Moses. This is the message of Paul in the passages I've posted.

The Jerusalem Council did not have the authority to countermand God, so they should not be interpreted as trying to do that, and even if they had been ruling that Gentiles shouldn't follow Jesus, then Gentiles should follow Jesus instead of them. The bottom line is that we must obey God rather than man.

It's very clearly stated if one just reads the words as they are....without reading into them something that isn't there.

We all have a bias that influences the way that we interpret what we read. For example, the Psalms express an extremely positive view of the Mosaic Law, such as with David repeatedly saying that he loved it and delighted in obeying it, so if we consider the Psalms to be Scripture and to therefore express a correct view of the Mosaic Law, then we will share it, as Paul did (Romans 7:22). For example, in Psalms 1:1-2, blessed are those who delight in the Law of the Lord and who meditate on it day and night, so we can't continue to believe in the truth of these words as Scripture while not allowing them to shape our view of the Mosaic Law and without allowing them to shape how we the NT authors who considered the Psalms to be Scripture. I was taught to have a negative view of the Mosaic Law growing up, but I realized that if I was going to continue to believe that the Psalms are Scripture, then I needed to change my view of the Mosaic Law to match the one expressed in the Psalms. I experimented with interpreting the NT as though its authors were in complete agreement with everything said about the Mosaic Law in the Psalms (which they were) and I found that the NT made much more sense and had much more continuity than I had given it credit for. My eyes had become open to have people have systematically interpreted the NT with a negative bias towards the Mosaic Law and to the fact that it should not make sense to people to interpret God's word as speaking against obeying God's word.

 

[EclipseEventSigns]

In Deuteronomy 30:1-10, it prophesies a time when the Israelites would return from exile, God would circumcise their hearts, and they would return to obedience to the Torah, and Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Jeremiah 31:33 are written in that context, so I agree that the New Covenant is all about Israel returning to obedience to the Torah.

However, Israel is not just made up of Jews, but is also inclusive of Gentiles who want to learn how to follow the God of Israel by obeying the Torah. In Exodus 12:38, there is a mixed multitude that came up out of Egypt with the Israelites, so there were Gentiles at the foot of Sinai, and in Joshua 8:33, Israel was inclusive of both the foreigners and the native born, so there have always been Gentiles who have sought by faith to learn how to follow the God of Israel. Jews were chosen for the role of being a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6) and the Gospel calling for obedience to the Torah went out first to the Jew and then to the Gentile so that Jews could have the opportunity to fulfill that role (Romans 1:16), which is also why Christ sent his disciples out to preach that Gospel first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles in the great commission.


Again, Christ spent his ministry teaching his followers how to obey the Torah by word and by example and being a Christian is about following what Christ taught. Again, the NT were a servants of Christ, so they should not be interpreted as speaking against Gentiles following him.

In Acts 5:32, the Spirit has been given to those who obey God, so obedience to God is part of the way to receive the Spirit, however, Galatians 3:1-2 denies that "works of the law" are part of the way to receive the Spirit, therefore that phrase does not refer to obedience to God. In Romans 3:27-31, Paul contrasted a law of works with a law of faith, so works of the law are of works while he said that our faith upholds God's law, so it is of faith, and a law that our faith upholds can't be referring to the same thing as the works of the law that are not of faith in Galatians 3:10-11. So again, Paul's problem with the Judaizers was not that they were teaching Gentiles how to follow what Christ taught, but that they were wanting to require Gentiles to obey their works of the law in order to become justified.


In Acts 10:28, Peter referred to a law that forbade Jews to visit or associate with Gentiles, which is not a law found anywhere in the Mosaic Law, and it was this law that Peter was obeying in Galatians 2:11-16 when he stopped visiting or associating with the Gentiles, and this is what Paul called him out for, not for obeying the Law of Moses.


The Jerusalem Council did not have the authority to countermand God, so they should not be interpreted as trying to do that, and even if they had been ruling that Gentiles shouldn't follow Jesus, then Gentiles should follow Jesus instead of them. The bottom line is that we must obey God rather than man.


We all have a bias that influences the way that we interpret what we read. For example, the Psalms express an extremely positive view of the Mosaic Law, such as with David repeatedly saying that he loved it and delighted in obeying it, so if we consider the Psalms to be Scripture and to therefore express a correct view of the Mosaic Law, then we will share it, as Paul did (Romans 7:22). For example, in Psalms 1:1-2, blessed are those who delight in the Law of the Lord and who meditate on it day and night, so we can't continue to believe in the truth of these words as Scripture while not allowing them to shape our view of the Mosaic Law and without allowing them to shape how we the NT authors who considered the Psalms to be Scripture. I was taught to have a negative view of the Mosaic Law growing up, but I realized that if I was going to continue to believe that the Psalms are Scripture, then I needed to change my view of the Mosaic Law to match the one expressed in the Psalms. I experimented with interpreting the NT as though its authors were in complete agreement with everything said about the Mosaic Law in the Psalms (which they were) and I found that the NT made much more sense and had much more continuity than I had given it credit for. My eyes had become open to have people have systematically interpreted the NT with a negative bias towards the Mosaic Law and to the fact that it should not make sense to people to interpret God's word as speaking against obeying God's word.

Well, believe what you want. I've shown the clear statements in Scripture which do not support what you have written.

 

[Doug Brents]

If I may weigh in here, please consider Gal 4:21-31 and . The Holy Spirit (the author of all Scripture) through Paul makes a very strong statement that we are no longer subject to the Old Covenant Law. The Old Covenant was completely removed when the New Covenant became active at Jesus' death (Heb 8:13 & 9:15-22).

 

[civic]

If I may weigh in here, please consider Gal 4:21-31 and . The Holy Spirit (the author of all Scripture) through Paul makes a very strong statement that we are no longer subject to the Old Covenant Law. The Old Covenant was completely removed when the New Covenant became active at Jesus' death (Heb 8:13 & 9:15-22).

I’m a gentile so I know I’m not

 

[Studyman]

I quoted Paul's teaching specifically. I don't "think" anything. Paul was quite clear in what he taught about it. No twisting or re-imagining or re-interpreting as your post is doing.

If you are actually trying to use the supposed proof that "judaizer" is not in the Bible then you really have not truly studied the Bible. The term is short hand for the many times Paul talked about those types of wolves who would enslave ignorant Christians and try to confuse them. Let Paul himself respond to your post.

1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

This is because you have been indoctrinated to believe God is a tyrant, and His Laws a Yoke of Bondage. It's fascinating really. Paul says;

Eph. 2: 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Truly this condition is a Yoke of Bondage, making men a servant of sin. The Pharisees were in this condition. They had God's instruction in Righteousness, but rejected Him in favor of their own manmade traditions. Jesus called them "children of the Devil". And surely once a man has been "Freed" from this bondage of being "Children of Disobedience", he should not return. Paul also tells us that very thing.

Gal. 5: 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

The deceiver would have us believe that the "children of Disobedience" men were when they followed the religions of this world, were men who followed God's Law. So then, the deceiver convinces men that God's Law is the Yoke of Bondage and Jesus freed us from God Laws. When what Paul really said was before repentance, men rejected God's Laws. But after true repentance, men "Yielded themselves servants to obey God, and became "Servants of God's righteousness". (Rom. 6:15-18)

And he instructed them not to return to the "Yoke of Bondage" of sin and deception they were in, before they "Repented, turned to God and brought works worthy of repentance", that Paul taught both Jew and Gentile.

2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

There were many Jews in this crowd. They were already physically Circumcised. They already received Circumcision in the context you are preaching. Is Christ of no benefit to them then? What does Paul mean by "If you receive Circumcision" to those who are already circumcised?

Paul is talking about turning again to the course of this world they partook of prior to repentance. He is telling them not to walk in Flesh, as did the Jews who were given the Laws of God, but did not walk in them.

Here Paul;

Gal. 5: 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, ( against God's Law) fornication, (against God's Law) uncleanness, (against God's Law) lasciviousness, (against God's Law)

20 Idolatry, (against God's Law) witchcraft, (against God's Law) hatred, (against God's Law) variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (All against God's Laws)

21 Envyings, murders, 9Against God's Laws) drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

This is how these men walked in times past, when they walked according to the course of this world, as children of disobedience "and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: "against such there is no law."

3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace!

The Jews believed taking a goat to the Levite Priest justified them "by the Law". Which it doesn't. If they were going to rely on these sacrificial "works of the law" for justification, then they would have to keep the whole law spotless. Why? Because "the blood of goats doesn't take away sin". And in believing as much, they have rejected the grace of God.

5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view. But the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are upsetting you would even mutilate(circumcise) themselves.

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

We are freed from the sin that holds us slaves to unrighteousness. Jesus washed away the sins, now are free to "SERVE" another. To "Yield ourselves" servants to obey God. To "Walk in the spirit", not return to the Fleshy days when we walked according to the course of this world, in religions which transgress God's Commandments by their own traditions.

14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.
Galatians 5:1-15[LSB]

Yes, this too is a commandment of God, along with "thou shall Love the Lord thy God with ALL THEY HEART". On these two commandments hangs God's entire Instruction in Righteousness. Against these "works", there is no Law.

 

[Doug Brents]

I’m a gentile so I know I’m not

I am a Gentile by birth as well, but we have been grafted in to the Root of Israel and so are Spiritual Israel, and thus subject to the New Covenant and not the Old.

 

[Studyman]

If I may weigh in here, please consider Gal 4:21-31 and . The Holy Spirit (the author of all Scripture) through Paul makes a very strong statement that we are no longer subject to the Old Covenant Law. The Old Covenant was completely removed when the New Covenant became active at Jesus' death (Heb 8:13 & 9:15-22).

It's how this world's religions define the Old and New Covenant that is the deception. The Priesthood is what changed. Not God's instruction in righteousness. As Paul teaches.

2 Tim. 3: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

[Doug Brents]

It's how this world's religions define the Old and New Covenant that is the deception. The Priesthood is what changed. Not God's instruction in righteousness. As Paul teaches.

2 Tim. 3: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The priesthood definitely changed. But it is only one of the things that changed, not the only thing.
What else changed?
The dietary restrictions changed.
The requirements of where and how to worship changed.
The mediator between us and God changed.
The sacrifice for sin changed.
The promised "Land" changed.
Our ability to enter into the presence of God changed.

The Old Covenant was the covenant that began with Adam, went through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and then Moses, and was the governing ideal for the lives of the Israelites. But that all ended with Christ.

The Old Covenant is still here for us as Scripture, and is still profitable to us for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. It just isn't the governing ideal for our lives today. The New Covenant is what we are subject to today.