Lockman - Bible questions and answers

Results 1 - 2 of 2
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse
Results		Verse	Author	ID#
1	how can Barnabas sell or possess land	Acts 4:36	MJH	215367
	Hey John, Mind if I bring up old items? I just got back from a Bible teaching and I'm about to go nuts. I struggle with even saying anything in a class or even to a teacher; because I certainly don't desire to cause a problem...so I shut up. But here maybe I can speak.... Why do people want to say that obeying a law is the same as trying to earn merit by obeying a law? Paul obviously teaches against earning anything, particularly a right place with God in His Kingdom, by doing works or obeying any law. That's as obvious as anything in the New Testament. Then why do some further say that anyone obeying the law is in error? For example: the thousands of believing Jews in Jerusalem who were zealous for the Law. They are apparently in "error" because they were trying to "earn a place with God." But Acts never says they were trying to "earn" anything and Acts never says they were in "error." It simply says they were believers and zealous for the Law. What can possibly be wrong with this picture? Why can't people see the distinction? Is it blindness? Is it a fear of ever appearing to say anything positive about God's Law? UUUGGGHHHH. Okay... I vomited my thoughts all over. Sorry for the mess. MJH - p.s. I intentionally left the note under your name so as to not make too big of a scene. - Also, in regards to what this post is linked to; Barnabas could have owned and sold land as a Levite even before Jesus was born or died. That’s my point. The ceremonial law didn’t need to be abolished to absolve the man for selling property, so why mention it even if it’s true? I suppose he mentions it to make his point even stronger.
2	how can Barnabas sell or possess land	Acts 4:36	stjohn	215370
	Hi MJH, No problem about the mess. I've cleaned up some pretty bad stuff in my day. I've been an attendant for an alcoholic quadriplegic, worked as a janitor in a government run day-care center, (with over a hundred kids) raised kids, lots of puppies, and barn-yard animals, so I'm no stranger to messes!:-) Well, I'll try to address your p.s. first. Though I thought already had? Liv.25:34 clearly says: "But pasture fields of their cities shall not be sold, for that is their perpetual possession." so though there is nothing wrong with Barnabas owning land under the OT ceremonial law, Gill points out that under the new covenant, Jesus having fulfilled the law, Barnabas was then free to sell that land, (Liv 25:34 says he cannot sell it) and now not being under that OT dispensation of not being allowed to sell the land, he is now free to do so. Now I think where the problem may lie with people saying you are in error for trying to keep the ceremonial law is, because some that do (and there is nothing wrong in doing that, if that's what you want to do) but some say they do it because it is obeying God's command to do so. That a real problem, because it brings into question the issue of not judging your brother in regard to feast days and holy days and sabbath days and eating clean or unclean foods. We are not to judge in regard to those things. But if it is said that it is commanded then, by implication, it judges those who do not chose to follow the ceremonial law, because again, by implication, they would be sining by not obeying. Anyway I think that is maybe where the problem is. So, if you want to, to honer God, then by all means, go for it, but just don't say it is commanded. And if they still say you are in error, then I believe they are the ones who are judging you, and, they then would be in error. It's very important to keep in mind too, that we are not talking about God's moral law, which we all should strive to keep, and God certainly does command us to do that. Though, of course we will fail, and we should bring our sins to the cross on a daily bases to get cleaned up. But hey, that's a joy, knowing He will always be there to wash us up and brush us off, just like any loving father would. :-) I hope that helps. Shalom and God bless John