Hebrews 7 is a wonderful passage, but it wasn't meant to cause enmity between people. Ever since Gentiles were admitted there has been dispute about what was abolished or not. Gentiles had been excluded from access to God by the Jew's commandments, which set them apart from Gentiles by enmity, hostility from the Jews, resentment from the Gentiles. Gentiles were not allowed past the Gentile Court of the temple, in effect shut out from the presence of God because they were not Jews. All the elements by way of law-ordinaces of Judaism that maintained that bad-blood scenario were abolished by Christ on the cross. But Jesus never abolished love, honor, righteousness. Those remain, which ought not serve to make enmity between both camps of believers.
Ephesians 2:11-22 (KJV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
[SUP]12 [/SUP] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
[SUP]13 [/SUP] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[SUP]14 [/SUP] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
[SUP]15 [/SUP] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
[SUP]16 [/SUP] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
[SUP]17 [/SUP] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
[SUP]18 [/SUP] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[SUP]19 [/SUP] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[SUP]20 [/SUP] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[SUP]21 [/SUP] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[SUP]22 [/SUP] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Keeping the seventh day sabbath was a commandment given to Israel, those under the law of Moses, which was never aimed at Gentiles. None of it could possibly be required of Gentiles, or Christians in general. The 10 Commandments were specifically given to that chosen people at the foot of Mt. Sinai.
Anyone that studies the Bible will find in the New Testament Jesus and the apostles incorporated the heart of those ten into the doctrine of the gospel of Christ, except for the one, the seventh day sabbath. It is nowhere commanded in the New Covenant after the cross. It was at the cross that the new covenant was ratified in Jesus' blood. The heart of the other nine commandments speak of love, honor, righteousness, against which there is no law.
Colossians 2:13-17 (KJV)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
[SUP]14 [/SUP] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
[SUP]15 [/SUP] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
[SUP]16 [/SUP] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
[SUP]17 [/SUP] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Gentile Christians are free from any of the types and shadows that spoke of Christ to come. Jesus came.
I agree. But I'd like to emphasize that the types and shadows that spoke of Christ were the "sacrifices". However, the Law is still in place, and actually the above passage confirms this in context.
All
italicized words from the original King James Version of the bible were added by his English scribes in their attempt to help explain what was being said in scriptures. The problem is, they didn't have the proper background in Hebraic figures of speech or Hebrew culture, so their
italicized words are - many times - incorrect.
If we read the Colossians passage again, removing the italics, note what it says...
Colossians 2:13-17 (KJV with italics removed...) 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body of Christ.
The issue Paul was addressing wasn't the issue we've created it to be; of other believers judging these gentile converts for *not* following the sabbath, ordinances, and laws of God. From the context, it was other *still pagan* gentiles who were judging these gentile converts *for* following the sabbath, ordinances, and laws of God and *no longer* following the pagan religions & traditions they were born in. Scripture always distinguishes "the Commandments of God" FROM "the doctrines & traditions of men" (which includes pagan religions and phariseeism).
We find clues that this is the true context at the end of chapter 1 and beginning of chapter 2 in Colossians.
Colossians 1:21-23
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
These are gentile converts to the way, coming from a background in pagan religion & traditions ("wicked works"). Paul's letter begins as one of encouragement to those who are following the way, so completely foreign to how they lived up to that point. So if we take a moment to think about what their life is like, we can safely assume that they were estranged from their families, former friends, colleagues; the world they once knew is now against them (which is exactly what Christ said would happen).
Colossians 2:1-4
2 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Paul's upset that he hasn't been able to meet them so they can be encouraged by his presence, so he sends this letter of encouragement...WARNING them of anyone who would LIE to them with EAR-TICKLING words (i.e. words that appeal more to their fleshy satisfaction than to truth).
And that's always the litmus test: does the word you receive feel good to your flesh? If it feels good chances are it's not from God but is deception. But if it doesn't feel good to hear but still sounds right, chances are it's from God (because the flesh we have HAAATES God). This is confirmed twice in scripture (Ezekiel 3:3 & Revelation 10:9) God's word will make us sick to our fleshy stomachs but sound so right and true; sweet like honey on the lips.
So which feels better to the flesh: saying "there are no longer any rules to follow" or saying "you still have to follow the rules"? Our flesh will tell us what it hates, and by effect, what is the truth of God.
Colossians 2:5-8
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Philosophy, a Greek concept not a Hebrew/Scriptural one. Vain deceit is empty lies. Traditions of men = pagan religions including phariseeism. Rudiments of the world. All of these things Paul lists are characteristics and elements of paganism, the life they left when they converted to the faith. Paul warns his gentile readers not to be "spoiled" by them. A parent is said to have spoiled a child when he/she doesn't provide them with discipline (i.e. rules to follow); it takes something away from their child's proper rearing. The former things the gentile converts would do - that they would be tempted to return back to - were "sins" against God.
Colossians 2:9-15
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you [OF] all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was *against* us [i.e. OUR RECORD OF CHARGES/CRIMES], which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Paul explains how they are now different, changed, and *forgiven* of their former "wicked works" (i.e. their traditions that are sins against God)...and that it was their charges that were nailed to the Cross in Christ's triumphant act. THEREFORE...
Colossians 2:16-17
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body of Christ.
Paul concludes the point he established from his previous sentences. The gentile convert was leaving a life they'd always known for a new life, with the old man now dead. This means all of the traditions they used to do - which were sins - they no longer do. They were changed. So they weren't to let anyone else judge them in the food they eat, holidays they celebrate, or in their worship on new moons or the Sabbath
but the body of Christ. Paul is talking against other gentiles still steeped in paganism judging them as well as any false doctrines that the pharisees practiced which perverted the laws of God. Like Christ said, there is a narrow path to walk.
And this is perfectly in line with the rest of scripture that says we indeed ARE to correct our brother & sisters in love; that iron sharpens iron; that the gifts we have are for the perfecting of the body; that Christ hasn't destroyed the law but fulfilled it; that until heaven and earth disappears not one iota of the law is changed; that judgment *begins* at the house of God; that the Holy Spirit WILL reprove of sin and righteousness and judgement; that this same Holy Spirit in side every believer.
Colossians 2:18-23
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels [nothing in scripture commands worshiping angels, but pagan religions did], intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind [i.e. extra stuff imagined to do that makes one feel important],
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world [i.e. worldly/pagan/religious things] why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Why are they still subjecting themselves to "
the ordinances after the commandments & doctrines of men"? Christ constantly made a distinction *between* the "doctrines of men" (bad) and "the commandments of God" (good)..and here Paul makes the same distinction. He is not questioning God's law but questioning one who would continue to follow traditions that are completely made up by men who seek to show how important they are which are not found in God's law.
Then in
Colossians Chapter 3, Paul confirms this difference by emphasizing that the reader is to prevent himself from being disobedient against God by abstaining from fornicating (
commandment), coveting (
commandment), idolizing (
commandment), lying (
commandment), disobeying parents (
commandment), and other things that should be assumed are included in the commandments of God.