Results 1 - 5 of 5
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Abstaining from things strangled, blood? | Acts 15:20 | skccab | 192167 | ||
Hi Doc, I thank you for your encouragement. I'm just trying to find the "happy medium," if you will, between what the church has become (of which I really don't want to be a part) and what it started out to be before the break between the Jewish believers and the non-Jewish believers. And I really do believe that there is such a place. I don't believe that we as believers are under any "bondage" to the Torah, but I do believe that it is not to be tossed away as unneedful. I've been studying Torah with the same fervor that I have previously studied the Gospels and Letters, and it is opening up my understanding of the Gospels and Letters (and the Acts, as well) like never before. I'm seeing and understanding things that never made sense before. And you are absolutely right, following Torah will do nothing, on its own, outside of the work of Yeshua. I too like the term "kind advisor", that's nice; but I also see Torah as a Lamp that just keeps burning brighter and brighter the more I delve into it. As you stated - thru the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to live in compliance with the moral law of God - but we have to know what that moral law is. Yes? And I believe that it's found in its fulness in the Torah. Once again, thanks for your encouragement. Still searching, Cheri |
||||||
2 | Abstaining from things strangled, blood? | Acts 15:20 | DocTrinsograce | 192188 | ||
Dear Cheri, You wrote, "...what the church has become (of which I really don't want to be a part)..." (sic) What do you mean by "church?" If you mean a corporate body of believers, then your separatism violates a clear command of God to worship Him with other believers. That is a far more serious an offense than ever has been by eating pork, touching a man while menstruating, or failing to offer a tithe. If you mean the invisible body of Christ, then you offend God by rejecting His perfect work (Ephesians 2:10-22). You wrote, "...before the break between the Jewish believers and the non-Jewish believers..." (sic) There was no break between Jewish believers and Gentile believers. Believers are believers. Those who will not follow Christ are just as wicked as the most perverse of sinners (John 5:36-40). As instructed by Torah (Isaiah 42:6), commanded by Christ (Matthew 28:19-20), and worked out by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39), God is accomplishing His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11). He is simply redeeming the elect, a people for Himself (Deuteronomy 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9). You wrote, "...it [Torah] is not to be tossed away as unneedful..." (sic) Woah! Who said that? Not I! The Word of God is precious (Psalm 119:72), a treasure and heritage for all generations (Deuteronomy 29:29). We live by every word of God, none of it is disposable. There is an old adage that goes, "The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed." A proper understanding of the whole is only possible by studying the whole. Neither Testament is dispensable. Cheri, there are always two ditches for every road. If we aren't careful, while avoiding one ditch, we can fall into the other. This is just how it is with many Christian doctrines. We are right to disavow Antinomianism, but we must be careful about falling into legalistic Nomianism of the Judaizers. (The latter is the error of many Messianic Christian churches, I'm afraid.) A thorough study of Galatians will restore the proper balance. In humility, recognizing my own limitations and failings, I hope you will allow me to point out two issues revealed in your posts: First, distinguish between orthodoxy (what we believe) and orthopraxy (what we do). Every command of God reveals something about His nature. The study of God is what is called theology proper. We should be excited to ferret out everything He has revealed about Himself. However, not every command of God is for every believer to perform. Second, focus more on what God is doing than on what men are doing. Corrie ten Boom once said, "Look within, be depressed; look without, be distressed; look above, be at rest." Furthermore, as we come to love what the Holy Spirit reveals to us, the more we should love what He has revealed to others. We must keep the focus on Him. The more inadequacies we look for in the congregations around us, the more we'll find -- and, frankly, there'll be far more that we may never notice! However, the more we focus on God and His eternal purpose, the better servant of His we will become. But that service will always, always be within the context of other believers. In Him, Doc |
||||||
3 | Abstaining from things strangled, blood? | Acts 15:20 | skccab | 192198 | ||
Hi Doc, Maybe I shouldn't have grouped so big, the "church," that is. I was talking about the ones I had visited in my search for a home church. There was just so much gossiping and backstabbing being done right there in the sanctuary (and in front of a newbie to boot!!!) and that's when I decided there had to be something better. That's what I didn't want to be a part of. If I want to hear bad reports about folks I'll stay at work, not go to a church. Thanks for the rest of your note. I have read it and I will give it another read as well. I have Galatians bookmarked for a complete read-through over my weekend midnight shifts coming up :-) Also, I have no idea what nomanianism or antinomanianism is? So, if I'm one of those I don't know it. I don't believe that I am legalistic at all. Cheri |
||||||
4 | Abstaining from things strangled, blood? | Acts 15:20 | DocTrinsograce | 192233 | ||
Dear Cheri, Keep looking diligently looking! There is a church out there that needs you as much as you need it. Antinomy is a theological term made up of two Greek words: anti, meaning against, and nomos meaning law. It is the doctrinal position that denies that there is any objective law or standard of obedience in the New Testament age to which the believers are accountable. Its opposite would be legalism, which is an improper fixation on law or codes of conduct for a person to merit or gain salvation from God, blessings from God, or fellowship with God. In short, it is a belief that obedience to laws or rules is the primary principle of redemption or favor with God. As you work on Galatians, let us know what you are learning. In Him, Doc |
||||||
5 | Abstaining from things strangled, blood? | Acts 15:20 | skccab | 192234 | ||
Hi Doc, Thank you for explaining those words. I'm still working within the framework of the 1st-2nd grade reader :-), and don't know alot of the theological terms. Cheri |
||||||