God's 'Transition' For law To Grace

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2021
3,215
1,613
113
Midwest
#1
Precious friends, I have noticed so much confusion about trying to develop
doctrine. for today, from the Book Of Acts. God's Doctrine Was From His Teachings
In Matthew - John, Correct? And early Acts was simply the twelve beginning "to
carry out their marching orders," eh?

God Makes Quite A Few Changes During His Transition Period. For example:

(1) a) water baptism before receiving The Holy Spirit Acts 2:28

[ Note Paul Was Saved By Grace Acts 9, so, God Is Now 'Interrupting' Peter carrying
out "his marching orders" = Change of Dispensation, * Correct ? ], and then:​
b) water baptism after receiving The Holy Spirit Acts 10:47-48, and, later,
Another Change:
c) receiving The Holy Spirit after the "laying on of hands" Acts 19:6​

(2) a) Healings by the twelve Acts 3:11, 4:14, 5:16, 8:7

b) Also by Paul [ in the beginning of his ministry ] Act 14:9, 28:8-9, but:​
c) [ with Dispensation Of Grace 'in Full Swing' ], with God "setting aside​
'fallen Israel' in blindness, (Romans 11:7), and Paul ( with What God​
Committed To him * found in Romans Though Philemon, going Only to​
the Gentiles (Acts 28:28 cp Galatians 2:9) [ at the ending of his ministry ]:​
he "no longer had the gift of healing" (2 Timothy 4:20; 1 Timothy 5:23), Correct?​

3) Conclusion: How does one get Sound Doctrine from the Changing scenarios in
the transitional book of Acts?​

Amen.

*
"For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, A​
Dispensation of The Gospel Is Committed Unto me." (1 Corinthians 9:17)​
"If ye have heard of The Dispensation Of The Grace Of God​
Which is given me to you-ward" (Ephesians 3:2)​
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to The Dispensation Of God​
Which Is Given to me for you, To Fulfil [ Complete ] The Word Of God"​
(Colossians 1:25)​
Conclusion2:

Should we not obey God, and follow the One He Gave to teach us
Sound Doctrines Of Grace?
(1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 3:17):

"But speak thou the things which become Sound Doctrine" (Titus 2:1)​

And, Again, Amen.
 
Jun 20, 2022
6,460
1,330
113
#2
1 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this with my pleasure, I have a reward, but if without my pleasure, I am entrusted with a stewardship.
^
i see nowhere Dispensation mentioned like your Version claims?


Ephesians 3:2 If you have heard of the administration of the grace of God, which is given to me among you
^
Notice, ONLY PAUL, AMONG the OTHERS was administered the Grace of God. this flat out shows, ONLY PAUL, had this Gift among everyone else. So then, why are People making a Doctrine that [[CLAIMS]] ALL people are Administered the Grace of God when the Bible explicitly only shows us that ONE PERSON, Paul, had it?


Colossians 1:25 Of which I am a Minister, according to the administration of God which is given to me among you, that I would fulfill the word of God
^
seriously, where you getting this Dispensation stuff from?
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#3
I agree that there is an "opening Act" (or "Acts") at the very beginning of every age. We see unique events at these times. Examples are;
- The Creation
- The Fall
- Abrahamic Covenant (The concept of a special nation)
-Ten Commandments (Time of Moses)
- John's Baptism
- Jesus' Baptism (as taught to Nicodemus)
- Jesus' Atonement
- Jesus' Resurrection
- Pentecost
- Ascension
- Salvation introduced to Gentiles
... and on into coming ages.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,136
5,720
113
#4
Precious friends, I have noticed so much confusion about trying to develop
doctrine. for today, from the Book Of Acts. God's Doctrine Was From His Teachings
In Matthew - John, Correct? And early Acts was simply the twelve beginning "to
carry out their marching orders," eh?

God Makes Quite A Few Changes During His Transition Period. For example:

(1) a) water baptism before receiving The Holy Spirit Acts 2:28

[ Note Paul Was Saved By Grace Acts 9, so, God Is Now 'Interrupting' Peter carrying
out "his marching orders" = Change of Dispensation, * Correct ? ], and then:​
b) water baptism after receiving The Holy Spirit Acts 10:47-48, and, later,
Another Change:
c) receiving The Holy Spirit after the "laying on of hands" Acts 19:6​

(2) a) Healings by the twelve Acts 3:11, 4:14, 5:16, 8:7

b) Also by Paul [ in the beginning of his ministry ] Act 14:9, 28:8-9, but:​
c) [ with Dispensation Of Grace 'in Full Swing' ], with God "setting aside​
'fallen Israel' in blindness, (Romans 11:7), and Paul ( with What God​
Committed To him * found in Romans Though Philemon, going Only to​
the Gentiles (Acts 28:28 cp Galatians 2:9) [ at the ending of his ministry ]:​
he "no longer had the gift of healing" (2 Timothy 4:20; 1 Timothy 5:23), Correct?​

3) Conclusion: How does one get Sound Doctrine from the Changing scenarios in
the transitional book of Acts?​

Amen.

*
"For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, A​
Dispensation of The Gospel Is Committed Unto me." (1 Corinthians 9:17)​
"If ye have heard of The Dispensation Of The Grace Of God​
Which is given me to you-ward" (Ephesians 3:2)​
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to The Dispensation Of God​
Which Is Given to me for you, To Fulfil [ Complete ] The Word Of God"​
(Colossians 1:25)​
Conclusion2:

Should we not obey God, and follow the One He Gave to teach us
Sound Doctrines Of Grace?
(1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 3:17):

"But speak thou the things which become Sound Doctrine" (Titus 2:1)​

And, Again, Amen.
The law and the prophets were until John:

since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭

“And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭28:30-31‬ ‭

grace came by the lord in the gospel Paul is witnessing its truth

“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:16-18‬ ‭

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:1, 3-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:12-18‬ ‭

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:5-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s in every epistle paul wrote and in the records of Paul’s ministry

“And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. …Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭20:25, 31‬ ‭

Paul was preaching the gospel of his lord Jesus Christ like every other apostle preaching the one gospel to every person for salvation

Paul converted to the church and became a member then preached the gospel revealed to him by Christ the same gospel given by revelation
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,774
113
#5
Conclusion: How does one get Sound Doctrine from the Changing scenarios in the transitional book of Acts?
While the book of Acts does show the transition from the Old Covenant era to the Church Age, it is not all that complicated as you suggest. The Church Age began when the Holy Spirit was "poured out upon all flesh" on the day of Pentecost. That is also when the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the one who repents and believes. That is also when Christian baptism was established for the Church until the Rapture. So beginning with Pentecost there has been no change whatsoever. However at that time the "Mystery of the Church" was not revealed. It was only to the apostle Paul that the reality of the Church was revealed. And salvation has always been by grace through faith.
 

turbosixx

Active member
Sep 16, 2023
541
123
43
#6
Precious friends, I have noticed so much confusion about trying to develop
doctrine. for today, from the Book Of Acts. God's Doctrine Was From His Teachings
In Matthew - John, Correct? And early Acts was simply the twelve beginning "to
carry out their marching orders," eh?

God Makes Quite A Few Changes During His Transition Period. For example:

(1) a) water baptism before receiving The Holy Spirit Acts 2:28

[ Note Paul Was Saved By Grace Acts 9, so, God Is Now 'Interrupting' Peter carrying
out "his marching orders" = Change of Dispensation, * Correct ? ], and then:​
b) water baptism after receiving The Holy Spirit Acts 10:47-48, and, later,
Another Change:
c) receiving The Holy Spirit after the "laying on of hands" Acts 19:6​

(2) a) Healings by the twelve Acts 3:11, 4:14, 5:16, 8:7

b) Also by Paul [ in the beginning of his ministry ] Act 14:9, 28:8-9, but:​
c) [ with Dispensation Of Grace 'in Full Swing' ], with God "setting aside​
'fallen Israel' in blindness, (Romans 11:7), and Paul ( with What God​
Committed To him * found in Romans Though Philemon, going Only to​
the Gentiles (Acts 28:28 cp Galatians 2:9) [ at the ending of his ministry ]:​
he "no longer had the gift of healing" (2 Timothy 4:20; 1 Timothy 5:23), Correct?​

3) Conclusion: How does one get Sound Doctrine from the Changing scenarios in
the transitional book of Acts?​

Amen.

*
"For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, A​
Dispensation of The Gospel Is Committed Unto me." (1 Corinthians 9:17)​
"If ye have heard of The Dispensation Of The Grace Of God​
Which is given me to you-ward" (Ephesians 3:2)​
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to The Dispensation Of God​
Which Is Given to me for you, To Fulfil [ Complete ] The Word Of God"​
(Colossians 1:25)​
Conclusion2:

Should we not obey God, and follow the One He Gave to teach us
Sound Doctrines Of Grace?
(1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 3:17):

"But speak thou the things which become Sound Doctrine" (Titus 2:1)​

And, Again, Amen.


I suggest you have come to the wrong conclusions. I'd like to start by looking at what the bible tells us regarding the end of the law and therefore the beginning of grace.

Col. 2:14 14 having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Hebrew writer telling the Jews when the new covenant began.
9:15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a covenant, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when people are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh,

2 Cor.3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,468
13,781
113
#7
Interesting choice of a loaded word for a thread title... but that aside....

If you pay attention when reading the Old Testament, you will see that God accepted people by faith without reference to the Law. Yes, He imposed the Law on Israel, but that was for a specific purpose: to prepare for the ministry and work of Messiah. When Jesus had fulfilled His purpose, the purpose of the Law was also fulfilled. That's why Christians aren't under the Law.

Right relationship with God has always been by faith. The Law only reveals how badly we need His grace and mercy and how deeply sinful we are.
 

Soyeong

Active member
Oct 11, 2023
847
101
43
#8
Precious friends, I have noticed so much confusion about trying to develop
doctrine. for today, from the Book Of Acts. God's Doctrine Was From His Teachings
In Matthew - John, Correct? And early Acts was simply the twelve beginning "to
carry out their marching orders," eh?

God Makes Quite A Few Changes During His Transition Period. For example:
There is no transition from law to grace, but rather righteousness and graciousness have always been eternal character traits of God, which He expressed throughout both the OT and the NT. For example, in Psalms 119:29-30, he wanted to put false ways far from him, for God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey His law, and he chose the way of faithfulness by setting it before him, so this has always been the one and only way of salvation by grace through faith, which means that you are wrongly dividing the word of truth.

(1) a) water baptism before receiving The Holy Spirit Acts 2:28

[ Note Paul Was Saved By Grace Acts 9, so, God Is Now 'Interrupting' Peter carrying
out "his marching orders" = Change of Dispensation, * Correct ? ], and then:​
b) water baptism after receiving The Holy Spirit Acts 10:47-48, and, later,
Another Change:
c) receiving The Holy Spirit after the "laying on of hands" Acts 19:6​
In Matthew 4:15-23, Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand and God's law was how his audience knew what sin is, so repenting from our disobedience to it is a central part of the Gospel message, which is in accordance with Jesus being sent in fulfillment of the promise to bless us by turning us from our wickedness (Acts 3:25-26), which is the Gospel that was made known in advance to Abraham in accordance with the promise (Galatians 3:8), which is the same Gospel that Peter taught (Acts 2:38), so that is not carrying out a change in his marching orders or a change in dispensation, but rather that is you wrongly dividing the word of truth.

(2) a) Healings by the twelve Acts 3:11, 4:14, 5:16, 8:7

b) Also by Paul [ in the beginning of his ministry ] Act 14:9, 28:8-9, but:​
c) [ with Dispensation Of Grace 'in Full Swing' ], with God "setting aside​
'fallen Israel' in blindness, (Romans 11:7), and Paul ( with What God​
Committed To him * found in Romans Though Philemon, going Only to​
the Gentiles (Acts 28:28 cp Galatians 2:9) [ at the ending of his ministry ]:​
he "no longer had the gift of healing" (2 Timothy 4:20; 1 Timothy 5:23), Correct?​
In Romans 11:7, it says nothing about God setting aside Israel. The New Covenant is based on better promises and one of those promises is that Israel would never cease to be a nation before God (Jeremiah 31:35-37), Likewise, it says nothing about no longer having the gift of healing, but rather you are concocting divisions in order to wrongly divide the word of truth.

3) Conclusion: How does one get Sound Doctrine from the Changing scenarios in
the transitional book of Acts?​

Amen.

*
"For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, A​
Dispensation of The Gospel Is Committed Unto me." (1 Corinthians 9:17)​
"If ye have heard of The Dispensation Of The Grace Of God​
Which is given me to you-ward" (Ephesians 3:2)​
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to The Dispensation Of God​
Which Is Given to me for you, To Fulfil [ Complete ] The Word Of God"​
(Colossians 1:25)​

Conclusion2:

Should we not obey God, and follow the One He Gave to teach us
Sound Doctrines Of Grace?
(1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 3:17):

"But speak thou the things which become Sound Doctrine" (Titus 2:1)​

And, Again, Amen.
In Proverbs 4:2, it defines sound doctrine as not forsaking God's law, which is the opposite of transitioning from law. It is one thing for people to refer to a dispensation of grace, but the whole system of theology that has been concocted round that statement is of your own imaginings.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
#9
All ho believe Jesus Yeshua are Jews by definition of Judah. All who be4lieve Jesus Yeshua are the nation of Israel.
 

NightTwister

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2023
2,098
790
113
65
Colorado, USA
#10
No one was saved by following the law, because no would could follow the law perfectly, which demonstrating that was the whole point of the law.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,184
6,604
113
62
#11
Interesting choice of a loaded word for a thread title... but that aside....

If you pay attention when reading the Old Testament, you will see that God accepted people by faith without reference to the Law. Yes, He imposed the Law on Israel, but that was for a specific purpose: to prepare for the ministry and work of Messiah. When Jesus had fulfilled His purpose, the purpose of the Law was also fulfilled. That's why Christians aren't under the Law.

Right relationship with God has always been by faith. The Law only reveals how badly we need His grace and mercy and how deeply sinful we are.
This is as excellent and concise an explanation as I have seen.
 
E

evyaniy

Guest
#12
Paul has no problem with the teaching to follow the law. He encouraged them to go beyond what was called for to keep it.

Galatians 5

5 For we through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Messiah Yeshua neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.
7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from Him Who calls you.
9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump.
10 I have confidence toward you in the Adonai that you will think no other way.
But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 But I, brothers, if I still proclaim circumcision, why am I still persecuted?
Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.
12 I wish that those who disturb you would go the whole way and emasculate themselves.
 

Soyeong

Active member
Oct 11, 2023
847
101
43
#13
I suggest you have come to the wrong conclusions. I'd like to start by looking at what the bible tells us regarding the end of the law and therefore the beginning of grace.
In Psalms 119:29-30, he wanted to put false ways far from him, for God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey His law, and he chose the way of faithfulness by setting it before him, so this has always been the one and only way of salvation by grace through faith. In Exodus 33:13, Moses wanted God to be gracious to him by teaching him to walk in His way that he might know him, and in John 17:3, knowing God and Jesus is eternal life, which is again salvation by grace through faith. In Genesis 6:8-9, Noah found grace in the eyes of God, he was a righteous man, and he walked with God, so God was gracious to him by teaching him to walk in His way in obedience to His law and he was righteous because he obeyed through faith. In Romans 1:5, we have received grace in order to bring about the obedience of faith. In Titus 2:11-14, our salvation is described as being trained by grace to do what is godly, righteous, and good and to renounce doing what is ungodly, so God graciously teaching us to obey His law is itself part of the content of His gift of salvation. So the end of the law is not the beginning of grace, but rather it would also be the end of grace.

Col. 2:14 14 having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Jesus gave himself to pay the penalty for our sins, so it was the list of sins that we have committed that was nailed to the cross, not God's law. In Titus 2:14, it does not say that Jesus gave himself to redeem us from God's law, but in order to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works, so becoming zealous for doing good works in obedience to God's law is the way to believe in what Jesus accomplished through the cross (Acts 21:20). In other words, the freedom that we have in Christi is the freedom from sin, not the freedom to sin.

Hebrew writer telling the Jews when the new covenant began.
9:15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a covenant, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when people are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.

10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh,

2 Cor.3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
In Jeremiah 31:33, the New Covenant involves God putting His law in our minds and writing it on our hearts, and in Ezekiel 36:26-27, it involves the Spirit having the role of leading us to obey His law. If obeying the letter referred to correctly obeying what God has commanded and doing that leads to death, then God is leading us to death and therefore should not be trusted, however, there are many verses that make it abundantly clear that obeying God leads to life, such as in Luke 10:25-28, Jesus said that obeying the greatest two commandments is the way to inherit eternal life.
 
E

evyaniy

Guest
#14
anybody who thinks they are obedient to the two greatest commandments, even after they believed, has not had an honest face to face with their heart. The only Person who obeyed the two greatest commandments is the Son, Who told us those are the greatest commandments, which He was being obedient to in offering His life to save us, in obedience to His Father and the Law. We are saved by what He did and not of ourselves.
 

Soyeong

Active member
Oct 11, 2023
847
101
43
#15
Interesting choice of a loaded word for a thread title... but that aside....

If you pay attention when reading the Old Testament, you will see that God accepted people by faith without reference to the Law. Yes, He imposed the Law on Israel, but that was for a specific purpose: to prepare for the ministry and work of Messiah. When Jesus had fulfilled His purpose, the purpose of the Law was also fulfilled. That's why Christians aren't under the Law.

Right relationship with God has always been by faith. The Law only reveals how badly we need His grace and mercy and how deeply sinful we are.
Where did God accept people without reference to obedience to His instructions? God is trustworthy, therefore His instructions are also trustworthy (Psalms 19:7), so the way to have faith in God is obey obeying His instructions and it is contradictory to have faith in God while not having faith in His instructions. God has giving instructions for how to have a right relationship with Him, so the way to have a right relationship with Him is by having faith in those instructions by obeying them, not by having faith in Him instead of following those instructions. In Proverbs 3:5-7, we have a choice between whether we are going to lean on our own understanding of right and wrong by doing what is right in our own eyes or whether we are going to trust in God with all of our heart to correctly divide between right and wrong through obeying what He has instructed in all of our ways and He will make our way straight, and this is what it means to have faith. In Psalms 119:29-30, he wanted to put false ways far from him, for God to be gracious to him by teaching him to obey His law, and he chose the way of faithfulness by setting it before him, so this has always been the one and only way of salvation by grace through faith.

"To fulfill the law" means "to cause God's will (as made known in His law) to be obeyed a it should be" (NAS Greek Lexicon: pleroo). In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law in contrast with saying that he came not to abolish it and warned against relaxing the least part of it, so you should not interpret fulfilling it as meaning essentially the same thing as abolishing/relaxing all of it, but rather he proceeded to fulfill it six times throughout the rest of the chapter by teaching how to correctly obey it as it should be. According to Galatians 5:14, anyone who has ever loved their neighbor has fulfilled the entire law, so it refers to something that countless people have done in accordance with obeying it correctly as it should be, not to causing it to no longer have a purpose. In Galatian 6:2, bearing one another's burdens fulfills the Law of Christ, which again refers to correctly obeying it as it should be, not to causing us to no longer be under it. In Romans 15:18-19, Paul fulfilled the Gospel by bringing Gentiles to obedience in word and in deed, which again refers to correctly obeying it, not to no longer being under it.
 

Soyeong

Active member
Oct 11, 2023
847
101
43
#16
Paul has no problem with the teaching to follow the law. He encouraged them to go beyond what was called for to keep it.

Galatians 5

5 For we through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Messiah Yeshua neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.
7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from Him Who calls you.
9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump.
10 I have confidence toward you in the Adonai that you will think no other way.
But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 But I, brothers, if I still proclaim circumcision, why am I still persecuted?
Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.
12 I wish that those who disturb you would go the whole way and emasculate themselves.
In Matthew 4:15-23, Christ began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, which was a light to the Gentiles, and God's law is how his audience knew what sin is (Romans 3:20), so repenting from our disobedience to it is a central part of the Gospel message. Moreover, Christ also set a sinless example of how to walk in obedience to God's law and we are told to follow his example (1 Peter 2:21-22) and that those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way he walked. So Christ spent his ministry teaching his followers to obey God's law by word and by example and Paul's problem in Galatians was not with those who were teaching Gentiles how to follow Christ, but with those who were wanting to require Gentiles to obey works of the law in order to become justified. All throughout the Bible, God wanted His people to repent and to return to obedience to His law, so it would be absurd to interpret Galatians 5:1-4 as Paul warning us against doing that and saying that we will be cut off from Christ if we follow Christ.

Either Paul only spoke against incorrect purposes for becoming circumcised or according to Galatians 5:2, Paul caused Christ to be of no value to Timothy when he had him circumcised right after the Jerusalem Council (Acts 16:4) and Christ is of no value to roughly 80% of them men in the US. In Acts 15:1, men from Judea were wanting to require Gentiles to become circumcised in order to become saved, however, that was never the purpose for which God commanded circumcision, so the Jerusalem Council upheld God's law by correctly ruling against requiring circumcision for an incorrect purpose. The Jerusalem Council did not have the authority to countermand God, so they should not be interpreted as speaking against obeying what God has commanded.


E
 
E

evyaniy

Guest
#17
a major part of the law was about sacrifice with shedding of blood to cover sin. so even the law teaches us we are not obedient and made temporal provision acknowledging our disobedience till the Son came to offer Himself one time for all.

but if anyone thinks they have become good enough and can adhere to all the laws requirements even after they believed, then go for it. follow the way of Cain but remember, sin crouches at the door ready to pounce.

EL speaking to Cain
Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, shall thou not be accepted? and if you do what is wrong, sin crouches at the door. And it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.

Abel brought a sacrifice of sheep portions admitting to his sin and need for salvation by shed blood. Cain brought some of the fruits of his field and labor(works). Cain's jealousy of Abel's offering being accepted while his was not, led him to kill Abel. That's how sin works.

There is lots of instructions in the NT about how to try to live as believers. Hardly anyone ever even masters that. Faith working by love is the answer and there is very little of that in the world as the daily headlines show. But hey, obey the law if you think you can.
 
E

evyaniy

Guest
#18
Love does no harm to it's neighbor. That one alone should keep us all busy enough.