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NASB | John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Gen 1:1; Is 9:6] |
Subject: Gospels are OT books? |
Bible Note: Doc, Tim Hegg is anything but evasive. Quite the contrary, he's very up front with what he believes and he has written a lot. No closet faith statement there :-) Anyway, we've been down this road before, but I just can't seem to let it go. Hey, I'm Dutch, it goes with the territory. Of course when you quote Scripture, I am only going to agree whole heartedly. You might even add the word MUCH before better. It is after all a MUCH better covenant! You are most certainly aware that the New Covenant is spelled out in Jeremiah. And while there are other promises which are apart of this covenant, the main one we speak of generally is the Law written on the heart. Paul speaks about it a lot. When the Spirit writes the Torah on the heart, you’re a member of the family of God, a part of the covenant assembly and assured a place in the World to Come. The Old Covenant is the Law still written on stone. Same law, different place. When something is external and not a part of you, it is simply rules and regulations. I’m guessing you’ve seen it in the churches. Members who attend, but they simply go through the motions of faith, but it isn’t there on their hearts. To them, these Christian things are simply rules to follow. Do the right things and say the right words and you’ll look spiritual. But looks are deceiving. The more you know them, the more you realize they are simply “playing by the rules.” My wife was really into the “Christian” thing. Now she is really struggling with faith. I can’t count the number of times I hear her say to me, “Oh, that’s one of those “rules” you Christians have to follow.” (This doesn’t have anything to do with Torah.) We’ve been in traditional Christian churches since we married over 12 years ago. Her beef is with these good churches. And they really are good churches despite their flaws. But right now all she sees are the flaws because she was taught the “rules.” Pray this much at these times. Read the Bible this much and volunteer that often. Smile and never admit problems or struggles, because we are Christians and we are all just fine. Oh, and those people are going to Hell to burn forever, aren’t we so much better than them.” You get the drift. The point is, even so called Christians can fail to have the Law written on their heart; love, joy, peace, etc… (My wife is struggling, but I see it as a good struggle, because on the other side is genuine faith…which see has, but when things don’t happen the way people have taught you they would, it tends to shatter false beliefs and that is always painful. God is patient.) ...so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a BETTER covenant. (Hebrews 7:22 NASB) This section of Hebrews if so fascinating when you understand why the priest needed to do what they did. and how drawing near to God in the Tabernacle occurred when God dwelt among the Israelites in the wilderness. I have absolutely fallen in love with this book. I’ve spent several months studying this book and Leviticus this past season, and find it to be truly a marvel. I’d love more than ever to teach it, but I don’t have the mastery of it quite yet. Thanks for your faithfulness to this forum. You have a gift. It would drive me nuts! MJH PS – I’m wondering why you’re opposed to following the Law. What about it is bad to do? |