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NASB | 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. [Prov 22:9] |
Subject: Is tithing a command for chriatians? |
Bible Note: keliy, Tithing aside, your post here concerning dispensations got my juices flowing and it's hard not to get overly passionate. Sorry. Also, sorry if this is post is not in line with the forum rules; it's a bit of a question I agree, so delete "me" if you must, I'd understand. That being said, I must disagree in the strongest of terms. I believe that your post is an example of interpreting the Scriptures based on your theology rather than deriving your theology from Scripture. (I appreciate you, keliy, so don't take that in the wrong spirit.) You said, "between the Cross of Christ and the Crown of Christ, which is referred to as the dispensation of Grace." Under that thinking then what pray tell was the "old testament" assembly under? A dispensation of gracelessness? law? covenant? onerous stipulations not possible to follow? sadness and depression? Ps. 119 didn't seem to be too unhappy with the Law. Ps. 84 didn't find Tabernacle/Temple worship something to distain. The Old Testament and the Covenants are grace upon grace. Where is there anything but Grace? From Gen 12, and the promises (quoted by Paul as the Good News) to Mt. Sinai. It's all grace! From Joshua's conquests to the exile, it's all grace. The faithfulness of God to His promises is grace. The coming of Messiah who is the Word made flesh, is all grace. Without grace, we are nothing and have nothing. We are a doomed people more pitied than any. With Grace we shine like stars. It's not a dispensation accounted to those after the cross; it's the whole blooding story. You said, "the Church is not mentioned in the Old Testament." Gen 28:3, promises that “you will be the church” (qahal; kaw-hawl strongs 6951). Deut 5:22; God's speaks to the [church] from the mountain. The "church" was formed as a distinct body at Mt. Sinai. You can check the Greek word for church (ekklesia; ek-klay-see'-ah Strongs 1577) and see that it is the word used to translate Assembly/congregation in the Hebrew Scriptures. Pentecost was the festival remembering what God did at Mt. Sinai, when his voice was seen as sparks or lightening. They saw God's voice go out from the Mount. At Pentecost in Acts 2, we see the "wind" of God (a.k.a. Holy Spirit) and the tongues of fire rest upon the Apostles while they are at the Temple for the festival of Pentecost. The same thing happens to them that happened at Mt. Sinai. Also, 3000 are baptized into their number (3000 were killed after the Golden Calf). The "church" has a start, or maybe a new start. What has changed is that the Holy Spirit came in power and the Law was written upon the heart (Jer. 31; New Covenant). And soon the door swings open for the Gentiles, who before had no hope and were far off...now are now brought near. They are "grafted" into the olive branch that is Israel, or that is the Assembly of God formed at Mt. Sinai. One church, One people. (An aside: tradition, not Scripture itself, has said that God’s voice went out at Mt. Sinai in the languages of all 70 nations….the 70 nations seen in Gen 11; they all heard God in their own tongue all over the Earth give the Decalogue. This may be only a tradition, but it’s interesting that the same things does actually happen and get recorded as happening on the same day that the first event was recorded; on Pentecost.) There is no "dispensation." There is only an opening of the eye and heart that embraces the Gentile into the community and witnesses the mystery of God, that being "How can a Holy God dwell with an unholy man?" The incarnation is the mystery (Among other mysteries hidden in the heart of God.) You said, “That the Gentiles were to be "saved" was no Mystery. (Rom 9:24-30). The "Mystery" was God's purpose to unite Jews and Gentiles into The Church, towards the formation of His Body, The Church. (1 Cor. 12:12-13).” And here you are spot on correct! Thanks for the chance to rant a bit. MJH |