I understand that it is widely taught that Jesus nailed God’s Commandments to His Cross in Col. 2. That many preach it is God’s Commandments that are against us. I did a study on this 20 years ago, but have come to some further understanding regarding some of the scripture and would like to share with everybody on this forum.
It is long, but thorough I think. I welcome any constructive input. I didn’t include every verse, not to omit anything, but to try and not write a book.
Please take the time and truly read the scriptures for yourself.
Paul is worried about Gentiles who have turned to God.
Col. 1:1 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;
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Col. 2:6 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.
So Paul is warning them of men who preach enticing words, and the "Take Heed" or "Beware" that these MEN don't spoil (seduce) them through "philosophy and vain deceit" after man made traditions and rudiments of the World, not from Jesus/God, but from man.
Rudiments mean Greek: "Something orderly in arrangement" "to march in rank" "keep in step" "to conform" (in virtue and piety)
So Jesus through Paul is warning the Gentiles not to just follow the crowd it would seem.
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:
So these Gentiles are part of God's Church. Jesus has already granted them Grace and Repentance. But Paul is still worried about them given the Mainstream Preachers of his time.
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;
But Paul just said they were "in Christ". So who is teaching that they are "Dead in their sins and the un-circumcision of their flesh. Paul just got through saying they were circumcised In the heart where it counts.
So far we have a worried Paul, who tells them to "beware" of men and their teaching. YES? So who is preaching that the Gentiles were dead in their sins and the un-circumcision of their flesh?
Who is it preaching to the gentiles that they must perform "Jewish customs" to be saved? Did Jesus? Did Peter or Paul?
No. Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
But Paul knows the scriptures teach of a righteous circumcision.
Lev. 26:40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
And Paul has already spoken of this true Circumcision.
Rom. 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Jer. 30:After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
So who was preaching the Gentiles who "Turned to God" were dead in their sins and the un-circumcision of their flesh?
It wasn't God's Laws that condemned those who turned to God in Faith. It was the vain deceit being taught by “men” the mainstream preachers of his time.
"Many" , preach that those "rudiments of the World," those "traditions of men" Paul warns of are God Commandments. They preach that His Word is a curse on mankind.
"Many" preach that the "handwriting of ordinances" that are against us, are God's Commandments. But how can God's Commandments be traditions of men and vain deceit? How can the Sabbath, which Jesus Himself said was "made for man", be against man? How can Jesus be Lord of a Law that is "AGAINST" us?
Well, He can't. What many mainstream preachers teach about Col. 2 is false. Jesus didn't nail God Commandments to the cross, because it wasn't God's Word that condemned the Gentiles "Dead in their sins and the un-circumcision of their flesh". It was the mainstream preachers of the day with their philosophy and vain deceit after the doctrines and commandments of men that they had been preaching for years.
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
How did Jesus make a show of them. Who is them? Triumphing over them. Did Jesus show up God? Did Jesus death show God's Commandments as vain deceit?
No, it was His obedience to God's Laws that qualified Him to pay for our death. And death couldn't hold Him because the wages of sin is death and He never sinned and God can not lie.
So many are preaching that it is God’s Commandments that He nailed to His Cross, but that would mean Jesus Triumphed over His Father, and made a show of Him openly. That just isn’t supported by anything else in the Bible.
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 is of Christ.
Paul had just said to them: 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Did Jesus walk in His Fathers Commandments? Or am I to believe Jesus walked in "rudiments of the World, and “Traditions of men"
Where does God's Sabbaths and Holy Days come from? Are they "Traditions of Man" as many preachers of our time would have people believe? Or are they from God the Father?
What is the "body" of Christ? Is it not His Church? Did other members of His Body follow God's Commandments in the examples we are given for our admonition?How can rudiments of the world or traditions of men be a Shadow of things to come.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body (Abel, Abraham, Caleb, Stephen, Peter, and the rest of Jesus Church) by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Let no man beguile me for following Man made traditions and rudiments of the world? Is he speaking about satans angels here? No, those who would preach God's Commandments are against us have no idea what they are talking about. They know nothing about humility and obedience and if they did, they wouldn’t preach that God's Commandments are against us. As it is written:
1 Tim. 1:5 Now the end(intent, end result) of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
How can this be? The Commandment is a curse, and against us. And Jesus nailed it to His cross.
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Not against us, Not nailed to the Cross, Not Rudiments of the World, Not Traditions of men.
The handwriting of ordinances Jesus nailed to the cross was the Jews perversion of God's Salvation. Their man made doctrines and traditions that they had been preaching for years as law. And Jesus made a show of those mainstream preachers openly when He obeyed the God of the Bible and not their traditions and was raised from the dead because of it.
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Co. 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Again, how can God's Laws be "rudiments of the World"?
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Could this be like the Pharisees Law that says you can't walk on the Sabbath and pick a blackberry? Or you must perform some ritual washing of the hands before eating or be condemned of sin?
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.
They look righteous to men, but they are not from God.
Duet 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
God's Laws are not a curse, and they are not against us and Jesus never nailed them to His Cross.
If Jesus hadn't come back, we would all still be following the same Jews version of His Commandments that they were preaching in Jeremiah's time.
Jer. 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
This is the "handwriting of ordinances" that was against us that Jesus nailed to His Cross..
Not the “Good” Holy, just and righteous Commandments of God.
It is long, but thorough I think. I welcome any constructive input. I didn’t include every verse, not to omit anything, but to try and not write a book.
Please take the time and truly read the scriptures for yourself.
Paul is worried about Gentiles who have turned to God.
Col. 1:1 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;
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Col. 2:6 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.
So Paul is warning them of men who preach enticing words, and the "Take Heed" or "Beware" that these MEN don't spoil (seduce) them through "philosophy and vain deceit" after man made traditions and rudiments of the World, not from Jesus/God, but from man.
Rudiments mean Greek: "Something orderly in arrangement" "to march in rank" "keep in step" "to conform" (in virtue and piety)
So Jesus through Paul is warning the Gentiles not to just follow the crowd it would seem.
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:
So these Gentiles are part of God's Church. Jesus has already granted them Grace and Repentance. But Paul is still worried about them given the Mainstream Preachers of his time.
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;
But Paul just said they were "in Christ". So who is teaching that they are "Dead in their sins and the un-circumcision of their flesh. Paul just got through saying they were circumcised In the heart where it counts.
So far we have a worried Paul, who tells them to "beware" of men and their teaching. YES? So who is preaching that the Gentiles were dead in their sins and the un-circumcision of their flesh?
Who is it preaching to the gentiles that they must perform "Jewish customs" to be saved? Did Jesus? Did Peter or Paul?
No. Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
But Paul knows the scriptures teach of a righteous circumcision.
Lev. 26:40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;
41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
And Paul has already spoken of this true Circumcision.
Rom. 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Jer. 30:After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
So who was preaching the Gentiles who "Turned to God" were dead in their sins and the un-circumcision of their flesh?
It wasn't God's Laws that condemned those who turned to God in Faith. It was the vain deceit being taught by “men” the mainstream preachers of his time.
"Many" , preach that those "rudiments of the World," those "traditions of men" Paul warns of are God Commandments. They preach that His Word is a curse on mankind.
"Many" preach that the "handwriting of ordinances" that are against us, are God's Commandments. But how can God's Commandments be traditions of men and vain deceit? How can the Sabbath, which Jesus Himself said was "made for man", be against man? How can Jesus be Lord of a Law that is "AGAINST" us?
Well, He can't. What many mainstream preachers teach about Col. 2 is false. Jesus didn't nail God Commandments to the cross, because it wasn't God's Word that condemned the Gentiles "Dead in their sins and the un-circumcision of their flesh". It was the mainstream preachers of the day with their philosophy and vain deceit after the doctrines and commandments of men that they had been preaching for years.
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
How did Jesus make a show of them. Who is them? Triumphing over them. Did Jesus show up God? Did Jesus death show God's Commandments as vain deceit?
No, it was His obedience to God's Laws that qualified Him to pay for our death. And death couldn't hold Him because the wages of sin is death and He never sinned and God can not lie.
So many are preaching that it is God’s Commandments that He nailed to His Cross, but that would mean Jesus Triumphed over His Father, and made a show of Him openly. That just isn’t supported by anything else in the Bible.
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 is of Christ.
Paul had just said to them: 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Did Jesus walk in His Fathers Commandments? Or am I to believe Jesus walked in "rudiments of the World, and “Traditions of men"
Where does God's Sabbaths and Holy Days come from? Are they "Traditions of Man" as many preachers of our time would have people believe? Or are they from God the Father?
What is the "body" of Christ? Is it not His Church? Did other members of His Body follow God's Commandments in the examples we are given for our admonition?How can rudiments of the world or traditions of men be a Shadow of things to come.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body (Abel, Abraham, Caleb, Stephen, Peter, and the rest of Jesus Church) by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Let no man beguile me for following Man made traditions and rudiments of the world? Is he speaking about satans angels here? No, those who would preach God's Commandments are against us have no idea what they are talking about. They know nothing about humility and obedience and if they did, they wouldn’t preach that God's Commandments are against us. As it is written:
1 Tim. 1:5 Now the end(intent, end result) of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
How can this be? The Commandment is a curse, and against us. And Jesus nailed it to His cross.
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Not against us, Not nailed to the Cross, Not Rudiments of the World, Not Traditions of men.
The handwriting of ordinances Jesus nailed to the cross was the Jews perversion of God's Salvation. Their man made doctrines and traditions that they had been preaching for years as law. And Jesus made a show of those mainstream preachers openly when He obeyed the God of the Bible and not their traditions and was raised from the dead because of it.
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Co. 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Again, how can God's Laws be "rudiments of the World"?
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Could this be like the Pharisees Law that says you can't walk on the Sabbath and pick a blackberry? Or you must perform some ritual washing of the hands before eating or be condemned of sin?
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.
They look righteous to men, but they are not from God.
Duet 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
18 Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
God's Laws are not a curse, and they are not against us and Jesus never nailed them to His Cross.
If Jesus hadn't come back, we would all still be following the same Jews version of His Commandments that they were preaching in Jeremiah's time.
Jer. 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
This is the "handwriting of ordinances" that was against us that Jesus nailed to His Cross..
Not the “Good” Holy, just and righteous Commandments of God.