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Forever settled in Heaven

Psalms 119:89
For ever, O YHWH, Thy Word is settled in heaven.
Psalms 119:142
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy Torah is the Truth.

John 18:37
Pilate therefore said unto Him, “Art thou a king then?” YESHUA answered, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto The Truth. Every one that is of The Truth heareth My voice.”


Psalms 78:1-2

Give ear, O My people, to My Torah: incline your ears to The Words of My mouth.

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

Mark 4:34
But without a parable spake He not unto them: and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples.

John 7:49

But this people who knoweth not The Torah are cursed.

Proverbs 28:4
They that forsake The Torah praise the wicked: but such as keep The Torah contend with them.

Isaiah 8:20
To The Torah and to The Testimony: if they speak not according to This Word, it is because there is no Light in them.

Proverbs 6:23
For The Commandment is a lamp; and The Torah is Light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

John 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth The Light, neither cometh to The Light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

The Greek word for "confess," homologeo (from homos, "same," and logos, "word" or "say"), literally means "to say the same thing as another" person or entity. In a theological context, it means to say the same thing about something as God does.

Matthew 10:32-33
Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.

But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.

Conversely , Deny means that a person does not say what He says.

1 John 2:6
He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.

How did YESHUA walk? Live His Life? He Kept and Taught the Torah, Testified to the Truth, The Torah/Word of Elohim made flesh.

Isaiah 51:4
Hearken unto Me, My people; and give ear unto Me, O My nation: for Torah shall proceed from Me, and I will make My judgment to rest for Light of the people.
 
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John The Apostle discipled Polycarp, Polycarp discipled Irenaeus.

Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–c. 202 AD), an early Church Father, is known for his work Against Heresies (Adversus Haereses), where he discusses eschatological themes, including the interpretation of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24–27). His views, echoed by his pupil Hippolytus, frame the 70th week as a future event involving the Antichrist’s reign and the desecration of the temple in Jerusalem. Below are the key sources from Irenaeus’s writings that support this interpretation, specifically from Against Heresies, Book 5, where he addresses Daniel’s prophecy and the Antichrist.
  1. Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 25, Section 3
    • Context: Irenaeus discusses the rise of the Antichrist and his actions during the end times, explicitly linking them to Daniel 9:27 and the "abomination of desolation."
    • Quote: “But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom.”

    • Analysis: Here, Irenaeus interprets the "half-week" (three years and six months) from Daniel 9:27 as the duration of the Antichrist’s reign, during which he will desecrate the temple in Jerusalem. This aligns with his view that the 70th week is a future event, distinct from the previous 69 weeks, and involves the Antichrist’s actions, culminating in Christ’s return.
  2. Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 25, Section 4
    • Context: Irenaeus elaborates on the Antichrist’s actions, directly referencing Daniel’s prophecy about the 70th week.
    • Quote: “And then he [Daniel] points out the time that his [Antichrist’s] tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure sacrifice unto God: ‘And in the midst of the week,’ he says, ‘the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.’ Now three years and six months constitute the half-week.”

      Analysis: This passage explicitly ties Daniel 9:27 to a future event where the Antichrist halts temple sacrifices and sets up the "abomination of desolation" in a rebuilt temple. Irenaeus’s mention of "three years and six months" as the "half-week" indicates his belief that the 70th week is a seven-year period, with the latter half marked by the Antichrist’s desecration.
  3. Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 30, Section 4
    • Context: Irenaeus discusses the number of the Beast (666) and the Antichrist’s role, connecting it to Daniel’s prophecies.
    • Quote: “In which time [the end times], the apostle says, ‘The man of sin shall be revealed, who is the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God’ [2 Thessalonians 2:3–4]. And again, Daniel says: ‘And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week the sacrifice and oblation shall cease, and in the temple there shall be the abomination of desolation’ [Daniel 9:27].”
    • Analysis: Irenaeus connects Daniel 9:27 with 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, reinforcing his view that the Antichrist will desecrate a future temple during the 70th week. The "covenant with many for one week" and the cessation of sacrifices in the "midst of the week" are seen as future events, not fulfilled in his time.
 
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is Perfect is Come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:9-10


And YHWH answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make IT plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth IT.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end IT shall speak, and not lie: though IT tarry, wait for IT; because It will surely Come, IT will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:2-3

Daniel 12:4, 9

But thou, O Daniel, shut up The Words, and seal The Book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for The Words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.

Revelation 2:17

He that hath an ear, let him hear what The Spirit saith unto the Ekklesia ; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of The Hidden Manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth IT.

The site that the Almighty Inspired me to make. GreatHim

31102Bible.com/blog
 
What I often see (not saying this is true of @Ben Yissaachar ) is Christians quoting the OT emphasis on the Law, and even the fact that Jesus came to fulfill the Law, without a legitimate realization that Jesis actually fulfilled the Law.


YHWH is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He will magnify The Law, and make it honourable. Isaiah 42:21

Think not that I am come to destroy The Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17

1 to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full, to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally

Matthew 5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from The Law, till all be fulfilled.

Heaven and earth have not passed away, neither has the Law

Think not that I am come to Destroy-(Do away with) But to Fulfill-(Cause to abound)

The New Covenant is the Law written upon the hearts and minds of His people that they would keep it.

Ezekiel 11:19-20

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

That they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
 
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Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I have no idea of the purpose of this thread. As a born anew believer, I am not under the Old Covenant Law of Moses, but under the Law of Liberty under the New Covenant. If the point is to claim born anew believers are still under the Law of Moses, the thread needs to address the passages that teach the New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator

YHWH is well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He will magnify The Law, and make it honourable. Isaiah 42:21

Think not that I am come to destroy The Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17

1 to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full, to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally

Matthew 5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from The Law, till all be fulfilled.

Heaven and earth have not passed away, neither has the Law

Think not that I am come to Destroy-(Do away with) But to Fulfill-(Cause to abound)

The New Covenant is the Law written upon the hearts and minds of His people that they would keep it.

Ezekiel 11:19-20

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

That they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
The Law did not pass away. Jesus fulfilled the Law.

Biblically the Law applied to the Hebrews alive when God gave it through Moses and their descendants (Deuteronomy 5, Romans 5) until its fulfillment by Christ (Colossians 2, Matthew 5, Romans 6, Galatians 5, John 19). It was a "covenant".

Your post illustrates what I was speaking about. Some struggle with Scripture and post OT verses about the Law to people under a different covenant (a new covenant).

But if one strives to live by the Law rather than the law of Christ they have no hope of salvation, as the fulfillment of the Law will not occur again.
 
I have no idea of the purpose of this thread. As a born anew believer, I am not under the Old Covenant Law of Moses, but under the Law of Liberty under the New Covenant. If the point is to claim born anew believers are still under the Law of Moses, the thread needs to address the passages that teach the New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 3:16

If you think something is not being addressed, Then posts scriptures that reproves, corrects any omissions you claim that I am doing.

The Law of Liberty - refers to being set free from the bondage of sin, breaking the Law

Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

The New Covenant

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith YHWH; I will put My Torahs into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them God, and they shall be to Me a people: Jeremiah 31:33 - Hebrews 8:10

Ezekiel 11:19-20

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

That they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
Because that Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My Torahs. Genesis 26:5

They answered and said unto Him, Abraham is our father. JESUS saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. John 8:39

Because the carnal mind-(Unregenerate) is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. Romans 8:7

This is why many will hear, not a few, I never knew you, Because they were never truly born again, thus they were not capable of being subject to the Law, And YESHUA tells them they are Without Law, The Torah is not upon their heart and mind.

Paul delighted in the Law after the Inward, the Born Again man, the New Creation in Messiah, Why don't you?

For I delight in the Law of God after the inward man: Romans 7:22

Where is this Lawless New Covenant that you speak of in the Word of God? It does not exist.
 
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JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Hhh
I agree with a lot of the guys observations. He is right about people viewing Scripture through a western lens (something I pointed out that Penal Substitution theorists do).

He makes some assumptions with his "proof", but he has good points.

For example, the Dead Sea Scrolls, while valuable in letting us know what a sect found important and what was avaliable at a time in history, is not the level of Scripture.

Yes, there was a scroll about Melchizedek. There was also a scroll of the teachings of Ben Sira.

We know very little of the Essenes:
We know they were one of many sects that withdrew from Jewish society.
We know their focus was on purity laws and rituals.

But we do not know that they were the people who preserved the Dead Sea Scrolls.

One problem with the video is that Hebrews does not seem to be addressed to the Essenes. The primary Jewish thought of Melchizedek was that he was Shem.

Another issue the video presents the topic of the high priest as the primary focus of Hebrews. It is important for a portion of Hebrews, but only for the point the writer was making.


I absolutely agree that this priesthood existed apart from the Law. And I also see this as the writers point.
I agree that applying Western thought to Scripture leads to error.

So....good video but questionable "proof".
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Snip

The Law of Liberty - refers to being set free from the bondage of sin, breaking the Law

Snip

Where is this Lawless New Covenant that you speak of in the Word of God? It does not exist.
I may have missed it but I did not see "the purpose of the thread is this or that."

You did claim the Law of Liberty simply refers to being set free from sin, and does not refer to following the commands and instructions of Christ.
I disagree.
James 1:25 NKJV
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The idea of looking into the law means we inspect it and become familiar with it, such that we could choose to follow it. We receive blessings, rewards, when we act as Christ's ambassadors, being witnesses for the gospel.

Your reference to "this Lawless New Covenant" demonstrates a willingness to misrepresent what was said, not helpful.
 
I may have missed it but I did not see "the purpose of the thread is this or that."

You did claim the Law of Liberty simply refers to being set free from sin, and does not refer to following the commands and instructions of Christ.
I disagree.
James 1:25 NKJV
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The idea of looking into the law means we inspect it and become familiar with it, such that we could choose to follow it. We receive blessings, rewards, when we act as Christ's ambassadors, being witnesses for the gospel.

Your reference to "this Lawless New Covenant" demonstrates a willingness to misrepresent what was said, not helpful.

James - Jacob in Hebrew

To: The Twelve Tribes

James 1:1
Jacob , a servant of God and of the Adonai YESHUA Mashiach, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James 2:11-13

For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of The Law.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23:23

John 14:15 If you Love Me keep My commandments.

1 John 3:4

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also The Law: for sin is the transgression of The Law.

How are the Instructions of Christ any different from keeping the Commandments?

The Law of Liberty is contrasted with Breaking the Commandments, Those that have been set Free, Keep the Commandments, those that are still slaves of sin do not.

Simply put, the “law of liberty” is another name for the Torah commands found in what is called the Tanakh, as a path to life and blessing, setting forth boundaries that liberate people from the bondage of sin, rather than constraining them.

The Law of Liberty does not define the New Covenant wherein YESHUA is the Mediator

Where is your lawless New Covenant?

Liberty without boundaries is Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes.

The Truth shall set you Free

Thy Righteousness is a Everlasting Righteousness, and Thy Torah is The Truth. Psalms 119:142

John 18:37

Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? YESHUA answered, Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto The Truth. Every one that is of The Truth heareth My voice.
 
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JonC

Moderator
Moderator
James - Jacob in Hebrew

To: The Twelve Tribes

James 1:1
Jacob , a servant of God and of the Adonai YESHUA Mashiach, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James 2:11-13

For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of The Law.
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Matthew 23:23

John 14:15 If you Love Me keep My commandments.

1 John 3:4

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also The Law: for sin is the transgression of The Law.

How are the Instructions of Christ any different from keeping the Commandments?

The Law of Liberty is contrasted with Breaking the Commandments, Those that have been set Free, Keep the Commandments, those that are still slaves of sin do not.

Simply put, the “law of liberty” is another name for the Torah commands found in what is called the Tanakh, as a path to life and blessing, setting forth boundaries that liberate people from the bondage of sin, rather than constraining them.

The Law of Liberty does not define the New Covenant wherein YESHUA is the Mediator

Where is your lawless New Covenant?

Liberty without boundaries is Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes.

The Truth shall set you Free

Thy Righteousness is a Everlasting Righteousness, and Thy Torah is The Truth. Psalms 119:142

John 18:37

Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? YESHUA answered, Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto The Truth. Every one that is of The Truth heareth My voice.
How are the instructions of Yeshua (Joshua in English) different from keeping the Commandments?

Since the passage in 1 John obviously claims there is a difference (the "also") this is an important question I think few ask. Well done!!

If you were in Jesus' audience you were under the Law. So any sin would also be a transgression of the Law (although not all transgressions woukd be sins if committed by thise not under the Law).

I believe we need to understand this in order to understand the inverse (that obedience to the law of Christ takes care of any commandments against committing sin).

Why? Because the Law was a manifestation of God's righteousness just as the New Covenant is a manifestation of God's righteousness apart from the Law).
 
How are the instructions of Yeshua (Joshua in English) different from keeping the Commandments?

Since the passage in 1 John obviously claims there is a difference (the "also") this is an important question I think few ask. Well done!!

If you were in Jesus' audience you were under the Law. So any sin would also be a transgression of the Law (although not all transgressions woukd be sins if committed by thise not under the Law).

I believe we need to understand this in order to understand the inverse (that obedience to the law of Christ takes care of any commandments against committing sin).

Why? Because the Law was a manifestation of God's righteousness just as the New Covenant is a manifestation of God's righteousness apart from the Law).

1 John 5:1-4

Whosoever believeth that YESHUA is the Messiah is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of Him.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Inversely speaking, then those that don't keep the Commandments, Do not love God or the Brethren

Matthew 5:19

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The least Commandment - Deuteronomy 22:6

If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

The Inverse, The Torah does not save, But those that are Born Again, YHWH writes His Torah upon their hearts and minds, the Righteousness that comes by Faith, that He would do what He promised to do.

Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Apart from YHWH our Righteousness, Salvation, Faith without Works is dead...

Faith Alone saves, saving faith is never alone, it produces Good Works

Matthew 5:16
Let your Light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and The Torah is Light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

John 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth The Light, neither cometh to The Light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Romans 3:31
Do we then make void The Law through faith? Forbid: yea, we establish The Law.

Romans 9:31-32

But Israel, which followed after The Law of righteousness, hath not attained to The Law of righteousness.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of The Law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

The phrase "the works of the law" is a reference to man-made requirements to become righteous.

In the Dead Sea Scrolls, "works of the law" refers to a set of ritual purity laws and ceremonial observances, particularly detailed in the document 4QMMT, which was a letter from the Essenes to the Pharisees. These works, which included rules about purity of liquids, animal hides, and exclusions from the Temple, were specific practices the Essenes believed led to righteousness before God and the afterlife. This contrasts with the traditional interpretation of Paul's writings, where the "works of the law" is a reference to keeping the Torah.
 
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Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
SNIP

How are the Instructions of Christ any different from keeping the Commandments?

The Law of Liberty is contrasted with Breaking the Commandments, Those that have been set Free, Keep the Commandments, those that are still slaves of sin do not.

Simply put, the “law of liberty” is another name for the Torah commands found in what is called the Tanakh, as a path to life and blessing, setting forth boundaries that liberate people from the bondage of sin, rather than constraining them.

The Law of Liberty does not define the New Covenant wherein YESHUA is the Mediator

Where is your lawless New Covenant?

Liberty without boundaries is Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes.

The Truth shall set you Free

Thy Righteousness is a Everlasting Righteousness, and Thy Torah is The Truth. Psalms 119:142

John 18:37

Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? YESHUA answered, Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto The Truth. Every one that is of The Truth heareth My voice.
1) The commands and instructions of Christ are the Law of Liberty

2) Those set free, being born anew, are to keep the commands and instructions of Christ. Thus we strive to make Christ Lord of our life.

3) Simply put the Law of Liberty is NOT the Torah commands. The Law of Liberty replaced the Old Covenant Law.

4) No one claimed the Law of Liberty defined the New Covenant. The Law of Liberty is part of the New Covenant.

5) The "Lawless New Covenant" is your false claim, not mine.

6) The Law of Liberty is following Christ on His path of righteousness.

7) Christ is the Truth, and if God gives a person to Christ, then the Truth sets the person free. John 14:6

8) Psalm 119:142 does not say the Law is "The Truth." The actual idea is that the Old Covenant Law, as given in the first 5 books of our Bible is divine instruction.

9) John 18:37 NASB
"Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

Jesus of course testified to the truth of God's promises, salvation and everlasting life for all those who believe. If a person is "of the truth" that means the person is open to God's word, and does not have a hardened heart. Same concept as being "of My sheep" and "of God."
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
1 John 5:1-4

Whosoever believeth that YESHUA is the Messiah is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of Him.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Inversely speaking, then those that don't keep the Commandments, Do not love God or the Brethren

Matthew 5:19

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The least Commandment - Deuteronomy 22:6

If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

The Inverse, The Torah does not save, But those that are Born Again, YHWH writes His Torah upon their hearts and minds, the Righteousness that comes by Faith, that He would do what He promised to do.

Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Apart from YHWH our Righteousness, Salvation, Faith without Works is dead...

Faith Alone saves, saving faith is never alone, it produces Good Works

Matthew 5:16
Let your Light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and The Torah is Light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

John 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth The Light, neither cometh to The Light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Romans 3:31
Do we then make void The Law through faith? Forbid: yea, we establish The Law.

Romans 9:31-32

But Israel, which followed after The Law of righteousness, hath not attained to The Law of righteousness.

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of The Law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

The phrase "the works of the law" is a reference to man-made requirements to become righteous.

In the Dead Sea Scrolls, "works of the law" refers to a set of ritual purity laws and ceremonial observances, particularly detailed in the document 4QMMT, which was a letter from the Essenes to the Pharisees. These works, which included rules about purity of liquids, animal hides, and exclusions from the Temple, were specific practices the Essenes believed led to righteousness before God and the afterlife. This contrasts with the traditional interpretation of Paul's writings, where the "works of the law" is a reference to keeping the Torah.
In Scripture (particularly the Pauline epistles) the term "works of the Law" refer to obedience to the Law. Men cannot be justified by works of the Law because, due to human weakness, the Law reveals sin.

We cannot divide the Law into moral, ceremonal-ritual, dietary, etc because it is ONE covenant. As such, disobedience to ANY command was a moral failure (it was setting the mind on the flesh rather than the Spirit).


The first sin (which was also a transgression) introduced death into the world. It was what people who divide the Law would call a "dietary law". Adam ate a piece of fruit. Eating fruit was not a moral problem (just as eating pork was not a moral problem) in itself. But disobedience to God is a moral issue.

The problem with relying on the Dead Sea Scrolls to establish Christian belief is it is relying on a population that missed the entire point of the Old Covenant. It is falling into the trap set by the Jewdizers thar Scripture condemned.

If the Dead Sea Scrolls were from the Essenes it is even more problematic. We often attribute them to the Essenes because they were a sect we know very little about - but this little knowledge is more than we have about other sects. It is more problematic because the Epistles do not address the Essenes as an audience. Your mistake here is using their beliefs to establish how Jews as a whole would have understood Scripture.


It has become very popular over the past decades to blend Christianity with Judiasm (the post 70 AD religion). I am not saying we should refrain from studying the Hebrew faith, or even what it became after the Temple was destroyed. But I urge caution as it can lead to error since a major point of Scripture is the Jews misunderstood Scripture.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
@Ben Yissaachar

People on this forum will have difficulty separating "us" from "them". This is especially true when dealing with the Law.

I think this illustration may help explain the relationship of the Law to people in a more Western way:

A father tells his oldest son to mow the grass, do his homework, and obey his mother. If he does this his father will let him go with his friends to the lake. If he does not then he will be grounded.


The youngest son disobeys his mother and his father grounds him.

Did the youngest son transgress the agreement the father made with the oldest son? No.

Why was the youngest son grounded? Because he still did wrong.

If the youngest son did his homework, mowed the grass, and obeyed his mother would he get to go to the lake? No. That deal was not made to the youngest son.

Will the youngest son be grounded if he doesn't mow the grass? Again, no. He was not told to mow the grass.


If the oldest son obeys his mother, does his homework, but does not mow the grass will he get to go to the lake? No, he will be grounded - he failed to meet the requirements of the agreement.
 
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