What I'm learning

[JFSurvivor]

So I met a girl who explained to me that everything I believed about Christianity was wrong. She believes some very crazy stuff but it actually MAKES SENSE! If you guys are open to it...maybe I could attempt to explain some of it. I can't explain it all in one post but I can repeat the stuff I learned each Bible study. If you don't want to hear this that's ok too but if you do just ask me here or if you want to talk in private PM me. I'm not good at this new Christianity thing but I wanna get good at it and I wanna know your (respectful) thoughts. I wanna understand why you believe what you believe and where your beliefs come from...so yeah....I honestly have no clue where this will go but we'll see. ^_^

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

JF! It has been awhile.

I'm open to it.

 

[JFSurvivor]

JF! It has been awhile.

I'm open to it.

Hehehe haiiii!

 

[Willie-T]

I'm betting all of it isn't as "new" as you think.

 

[MollyConnor]

I'm open to hearing what you have learned.

Also, how can Christianity be new? Isn't it about 2000 years old already?
Or are you talking about a new way of looking at it?
Please note that I am not being sarcastic or mocking...I just wanna know.

 

[Willie-T]

I'm open to hearing what you have learned.

Also, how can Christianity be new? Isn't it about 2000 years old already?
Or are you talking about a new way of looking at it?
Please note that I am not being sarcastic or mocking...I just wanna know.

One of the most frightening things about the religion we have made of Christianity is the fear of looking at things any differently than we have been ingrained to see them.

Many of us are actually afraid NOT to be fearful of the things handed down... to the point of refusing to honestly look at them through anything but the lens we were given as a child.

 

[JFSurvivor]

Here's the general gist of it:

Jesus said to follow my example. Yes he was loving and he did wonderful things but a lot of times we don't see that he kept the Jewish festivals. The Jewish festivals and Ten Commandments are called "a lasting ordinance". So basically they are really important. Also Passover is really important. There is more stuff but I am not equipped to explain that yet. I want to get more info on what it looks like to share the word and talk about Jesus first. So that's what I have so far.

Thoughts?

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

Thoughts?

Um... On what? (Sorry, I guess I'm still waiting for the "crazy stuff.")

 

[NarrowRoadDisciple]

We do have to understand that Christ kept the letter of the law in order to fulfill the law and establish the new covenant in His blood for the forgiveness of sins. The Mosaic Law or Torah is also called the Law of blessing and cursing. As we are in a new covenant, we are no longer required to keep the letter of the law. The Ceremonial and Ritual Law have been fulfilled. The Moral Law is still in effect.

The 7 Major Holy Days God gave to His people to follow in the old covenant have a very important spiritual application for the NT Church to understand. They were prophetic to aspects of Christ's Ministry for both the 1st coming and 2nd coming. The Spring festivals and the Summer festival have been fulfilled and came to pass on the the very day of the Feasts. The fall festivals have yet to come to pass. It is important for the NT Church to understand the prophetic nature of these feasts in Christ, but we are not required to observe them. If one chooses to do so, then it is their prerogative, but born again believers are not required to do so.

Paul spoke clearly about the observance of the feast days, sabbaths, new moons, etc. He let those in the church know that they are a shadow and type of what was to come in Christ which is the substance. He was speaking to the NT Church saying that understanding that these are a shadow of what is to come in the fulfillment in Christ, do not let the people who would have you live by the letter of the law (Ceremonial/Ritual Law not Moral Law) judge you when you are not required to observe them to the letter of the Law.

Colossians 2:11-23 NKJV

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins[c] of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in falsehumility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not[d]seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
20 Therefore,[e] if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion,false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Hope this helps

 

[Blain]

well none what you are learning here is new Jf it is something that is debated amongst many believers. I have noticed that each relationship with him is different I have seen some who keep the feast days and the sabbath and all you are talking about helps them in their faith and fasting is another one as well I have seen how some believers fast for days and gain spiritual insight through it. then you have people like me who are more of a kind of people who fast by choosing to spend all their time with God when they could be doing other things and some like me have never felt lead to keep the sabbath like the Jews did but in more of a state of the heart kind of thing.

and the ten commandments are said by many to be done away with because they are a curse and only show how sinful we are but I have found joy in the law and it doesn't put chains on me but actually helps me to fly. Jews hold these traditions and us gentiles can if we want but people like me are far more interesting in building a deep and intimate love and connection and bond with him that keeping traditional practices

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

Here's the general gist of it:

Jesus said to follow my example. Yes he was loving and he did wonderful things but a lot of times we don't see that he kept the Jewish festivals. The Jewish festivals and Ten Commandments are called "a lasting ordinance". So basically they are really important. Also Passover is really important. There is more stuff but I am not equipped to explain that yet. I want to get more info on what it looks like to share the word and talk about Jesus first. So that's what I have so far.

Thoughts?

Don't walk away from that teaching... Run away from it. It will tie you into knots.

 

[AboundingGrace]

The Jewish festivals and the Ten Commandments in connection with the words, a lasting ordinance.. is a veering away from the intent of the text.

The entire of God's word is called eternal. Because it came forth from an eternal God. Not that the old testament laws are to be fully followed intact as they are.

In the old testament Jeremiah was stirred by God to say that God was not pleased with the law as it was, and would replace the old with a new.

Jesus lived under the old covenant, but he was the game changer, he was the bringing in of the new covenant.. of Grace. Because people could not perfect themselves under the law. They could only know that trying to achieve righteousness by works was an impossibility.

So, whatever you are learning, don't forget about Grace.

 

[Willie-T]

Don't walk away from that teaching... Run away from it. It will tie you into knots.

Nay! Enthusiastically embrace it, and let the Holy Spirit teach you things your church and preacher might never broach.

 

[Sirk]

Here's the general gist of it:

Jesus said to follow my example. Yes he was loving and he did wonderful things but a lot of times we don't see that he kept the Jewish festivals. The Jewish festivals and Ten Commandments are called "a lasting ordinance". So basically they are really important. Also Passover is really important. There is more stuff but I am not equipped to explain that yet. I want to get more info on what it looks like to share the word and talk about Jesus first. So that's what I have so far.

Thoughts?

This reminds of the false notion that Jesus was not religious. Like you pointed out here...the facts bear out that He was a very religious guy.

 

[Ahwatukee]

well none what you are learning here is new Jf it is something that is debated amongst many believers. I have noticed that each relationship with him is different I have seen some who keep the feast days and the sabbath and all you are talking about helps them in their faith and fasting is another one as well I have seen how some believers fast for days and gain spiritual insight through it. then you have people like me who are more of a kind of people who fast by choosing to spend all their time with God when they could be doing other things and some like me have never felt lead to keep the sabbath like the Jews did but in more of a state of the heart kind of thing.

and the ten commandments are said by many to be done away with because they are a curse and only show how sinful we are but I have found joy in the law and it doesn't put chains on me but actually helps me to fly. Jews hold these traditions and us gentiles can if we want but people like me are far more interesting in building a deep and intimate love and connection and bond with him that keeping traditional practices

Good evening Blain!

All of those things mentioned, feast days, holy days, Sabbaths and any personal works, only becomes problem when they are viewed as a requirement for salvation along side the shed blood of Christ. When a person does this, they are basically saying that Christ's sacrifice was insufficient. Otherwise, since Christ alone (without our works) purchased mankind for God with his own blood, then we should be looking to him as the One who alone provided salvation for us completely, fully. Those who believe in him are "credited" with righteousness. It is a free gift and cannot be earned, which is what people are doing, whether they realize it or not, when they bring in their own efforts as requirements along side Christ's sacrifice.

"Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." (NIV)

"When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners." (NLT)

 

[Abing]

So I met a girl who explained to me that everything I believed about Christianity was wrong. She believes some very crazy stuff but it actually MAKES SENSE! If you guys are open to it...maybe I could attempt to explain some of it. I can't explain it all in one post but I can repeat the stuff I learned each Bible study. If you don't want to hear this that's ok too but if you do just ask me here or if you want to talk in private PM me. I'm not good at this new Christianity thing but I wanna get good at it and I wanna know your (respectful) thoughts. I wanna understand why you believe what you believe and where your beliefs come from...so yeah....I honestly have no clue where this will go but we'll see. ^_^

Hello JF! First of all, I'd like to say that it's very encouraging to hear your zeal for Jesus. This generation needs more of that. I'd like to know, are you a new Christian discovering this new found love for the first time? Or have you been a Christian for a long time and have rededicated and now rediscovering more of Jesus? I ask this in relation to the event where you met the girl that told you everything in Christianity is wrong. If I can describe my perception of Christianity, and I'm sorry for being cliche, it's seeking Jesus. We can dissect that and learn that so many truths in our core morality goes back to Jesus. After all, in Him all things were created. I honestly want to hear more of what you've learned, either via PM or this thread. Either way works for me. Discovering Jesus at a young age, is a gift that most Christians wish to have had. You are blessed.

 

[weakness]

Good evening Blain!

All of those things mentioned, feast days, holy days, Sabbaths and any personal works, only becomes problem when they are viewed as a requirement for salvation along side the shed blood of Christ. When a person does this, they are basically saying that Christ's sacrifice was insufficient. Otherwise, since Christ alone (without our works) purchased mankind for God with his own blood, then we should be looking to him as the One who alone provided salvation for us completely, fully. Those who believe in him are "credited" with righteousness. It is a free gift and cannot be earned, which is what people are doing, whether they realize it or not, when they bring in their own efforts as requirements along side Christ's sacrifice.

"Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." (NIV)

"When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners." (NLT)

Something the lord said regarding the ten commandments .Our righteousness is to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees.Jesus ,when talking about the commandments used the example of adultery. Thou shalt not commit adultery ,but say if you even look with intent in your heart you have committed already . The same with hating or killing you neighbor. Jesus said if you call your brother an idiot it is equal to murder. Scripture says the tabernacle was a shadow of the true temple in heaven. In a lot of ways the commandments and feast days under Moses were too. They all have their fulfillment in Jesus. Where it is written in our hearts ,not on tables of stone. The feasts....Christ is our passover,as an example. Jesus told the disciples that the law and prophets spoke of him and expounded the truth to the disciples. The New Covenant fulfills the old and does not take away from it

 

[Babylonisfalling]

Here's the general gist of it:

Jesus said to follow my example. Yes he was loving and he did wonderful things but a lot of times we don't see that he kept the Jewish festivals. The Jewish festivals and Ten Commandments are called "a lasting ordinance". So basically they are really important. Also Passover is really important. There is more stuff but I am not equipped to explain that yet. I want to get more info on what it looks like to share the word and talk about Jesus first. So that's what I have so far.

Thoughts?

Your friends point that since we don't see it meaning it's not mentioned in the Bible that it didn't occur? Try to add up all the things which Christ probably did but which we don't necessarily see in the Bible. Or try to imagine how long the Bible would actually be if it listed every last little thing that Christ did. Your friend may be reading too much into things that aren't there in the first place

 

[ThomistColin]

Here's the general gist of it:

Jesus said to follow my example. Yes he was loving and he did wonderful things but a lot of times we don't see that he kept the Jewish festivals. The Jewish festivals and Ten Commandments are called "a lasting ordinance". So basically they are really important. Also Passover is really important. There is more stuff but I am not equipped to explain that yet. I want to get more info on what it looks like to share the word and talk about Jesus first. So that's what I have so far.

Thoughts?

So warning what is about to follow is a diatribe:

"Do this in memory of me..."
Why do we keep the feast of the Last Supper? Because it is to be done that we may bring ourselves Holy and Wholly before God. That we take time to be in His presence, and understand what He is teaching us in His final acts of Love in His earthly life.

In many of the same ways, I look at the Sabbath, the festivals, and the Ten Commandments. If these bring you closer to Christ, then do them. There is no danger in observing a Sabbath, celebrating Sukkot, or coming to God each day in repentance by analyzing how I may have broken each of the ten that day. The danger arrives when you believe this to be the only road before the Lord. That only through these "sacraments" can you come to understand Christ. The danger is that you begin to worship the Sabbath, instead of its Lord.

Many here will debate, telling you that you MUST keep the Sabbath, and others in their zealousness will tell you NOT to keep the Sabbath. My only question to you is this: Where do you meet Jesus in your daily life? When you have the answer to that question, obey Him. Come to Him. Become open and bear yourself without hesitation to His Divine Grace.

If you meet Him in the Sabbath, then keep it.
If you meet Him in the festivals, then keep them.

But, if you find that you also meet Him on the car ride to work, then keep that too.

Should any of this become too much for its own sake, instead of His, throw it away.

Do not let the Judaizers tell you what you must do and be to know Christ. Also, do not allow those who attack the Judaizers destroy a place of worship to our God and King. Instead, be discerning. You know when you've taken your eyes of Christ. You know when something has become an idol. I say that with confidence because the Holy Spirit will convict you, and in Him I place my trust. So, watch for boundaries, and do not push them. Accept the Lord's guiding and follow His path, and you will find yourself home, safe and sound.

Thank you for reading. My diatribe is ended.

 

[Tintin]

Hehehe haiiii!

Long time, no see, JF! I hope you're well, mate.