Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: christianity

  • Sharing Insights from Scripture

    Since last week, our study was on Matthew 12:1-8. The focus of Matthew 12 may be seen in verses 6-8. Jesus states,“I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:6-8)

    Key to understanding Matthew 12 boils down to comprehending its context, Christ’s declarations, and His quote from Hosea 6:6, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

    Christ’s Quotation of Hosea 6:6

    Hosea, the last prophet to condemn the Ten Tribes of Israel, particularly the Northern kingdom, delivered his prophecies long after the kingdom’s division during the reign of Rehoboam. Despite its prosperity under Jeroboam’s rule, the Northern kingdom became insecure that Jews from the North might continue to travel to Jerusalem for worship, as per the Law of Moses. Consequently, Jeroboam constructed a rival temple in both Bethel and Dan. (1 Kings 12:25-33) This act marked the beginning of the Northern kingdom’s decline, ultimately leading to its conquest by the Assyrians in 722 BC, fulfilling God’s pronouncement of judgment upon the Ten Tribes – “I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.” (Hosea 1:4) Before Hosea, Amos had already pronounced Israel’s demise. The LORD declared, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will never again pass by them; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.” (Amos 7:8-9)

    Christ’s quotation of Hosea 6:6, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings,” was pivotal. Interestingly, this wasn’t the first instance of Jesus quoting this verse. He had previously done so in Matthew 9:13, emphasizing the primary purpose of His coming—to offer redemption.

    Context of Matthew

    The context of Matthew was the arrival of Jesus, the promised Christ (or Messiah) of the Old Testament Scripture. And yet, Jews of Jesus’ days, though acknowledging His signs (John 2:23), refused to acknowledge the truth; they were in denial.

    Christ’s Declaration

    In John’s Gospel, Jesus makes a bold declaration: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) John clarifies that Jesus is referring to the temple of His body, which is His church. (John 2:21-22) Jesus delves into the theme of the temple in Matthew 12. Let us explore the story.

    Pharisees questioned Jesus for allowing His disciples to pluck grain and eat on the Sabbath. In response, Jesus cited the example of David taking the bread of Presence, which was forbidden to him under the Mosaic Law because it was reserved for the priests. This pointed out their hypocrisy. Jesus then addressed the priests, noting that they were engaged in slaughtering animals for sacrifice on the Sabbath and other days, as per Numbers 28:9-10, yet they were not guilty. To emphasize the truth, Jesus declared, “I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.” He emphasized that if priests were not guilty for performing their duty, then Jesus Christ, who was greater than the temple, was even more deserving of their reverence. He then quoted Hosea 6:6 to support His claim: “Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s offer for redemption, as stated in Hosea 6:1-2: ‘Come, let us return to the LORD; for He has torn us, that He may heal us; He has struck us down, and He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.’” This was the basis of Jesus’ declaration in John 2:19, stating that on the third day, He would raise His temple.

    Understanding the Doctrine of the Church

    Understanding the doctrine of the church begins with recognizing that its establishment is rooted in the proclamation of the Gospel and the resurrection of Christ. Hosea 6:2, “On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him,” holds significant importance in this context. It is essential to grasp that the church is not a physical structure or a place of assembly, but rather God’s people who are saved by grace through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. As Jesus stated to Peter, “On this rock—the confession of Peter, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God—I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19) Christ Jesus and His Gospel serve as the keys to entrance into God’s kingdom. Jesus further emphasizes, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

    Hebrews clearly taught that for as long as the temple in Jerusalem stands, the present age (i.e. the Jewish age) exists, which deals with food and drink and various washings, regulation until the time of reformation. (Hebrews 9:1-10) The reformation here has nothing to do with the reformation of Martin Luther and his contemporaries, but all about God’s workings. Hebrews 2:5 called it “the world to come“, while in 6:5, it’s referred to as the “age to come“. Jesus Christ and Paul spoke of only two ages, the present age and the age to come. See Luke 20:34-36.

    “And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34-36)

    It’s evident that “the present age or this age” refers to the era before the resurrection of the dead. The age that follows would be the age of the New Heaven and the New Earth. Hebrews 9:8-10 provides a brief reference. The present age encompasses the period when temple regulations and sacrifices were still practiced. The time of Reformation would mark the cessation of the temple and its regulations and offerings. Do you still see the temple standing today?

    Sabbath

    Back on our discussion on Matthew. Jesus Christ further highlights His claim of divinity by declaring “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8). “Son of Man” is a reference to the Anointed One, the Christ (or Messiah) of Daniel 7:13-14. The Messiah was tasked with ruling over God’s kingdom.

    “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)

    As the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus actually shifted the discussion to His role as the Lord of creation. Genesis begins with God as the Creator (Genesis 1:1). The subsequent passages in Genesis 1 use creation language until Genesis 2:1-2, where God completed all His work and rested on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath. This is the underlying implication of Christ’s assertion that He is the Lord of the Sabbath.

    Creation language was clearly in play when Paul explained in Romans 8:18-23 the expectations and hope of redemption of Israel.

    “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified he also glorified.” (Romans 8:18-30)

    As I have wrote and explained in several of my articles. Do not be bothered by doctrines such as “foreknowledge”, “predestination”, supposedly supporting the idea of “election”. All these terms applies only to the Old Covenant Israel. See Romans 11:5-8.

    “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen – Greek word same as “election” – by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”” (Romans 11:5-8)

    Paul made it clear that, despite the election, salvation is still by grace. He reiterated his teaching in Ephesians 2:8-9, stating, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing; it is a gift from God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

    Now, even with Revelation, creation language was clearly in play. Jesus Christ, in Revelation 21:5 states, “Behold, I am making all things new.” “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 21:6)

    John, in Revelation, saw the passing of the first heaven and the first earth, and the coming of the new heaven and a new earth. This connects us back to Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth“. So, was it a literal passing away of the physical creation or covenant creation language? Paul, in Romans 8, used creation language to assure believers of God’s covenant redemption. Or in plain words, God’s promised redemption.

    The theme of a new heaven and a new earth may be found in Isaiah 65:17-66:24. It speaks of the renewal of God’s people. Hence, “heaven and earth” is covenant language of God’s creation. Proof may be seen in Isaiah 51:16. God declared, “And I have put My words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of My hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, ‘You are My people.’” (Isaiah 51:16)

    The Bible, particularly in Hebrews 4:4, quotes Genesis 2:1-2. Surprisingly, Hebrews asserts that the Sabbath rest for the people of God is not yet complete. This is evident in Hebrews 4:9-10, which states, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.” This implies that God is still actively engaged in His creation work. Interestingly, in John’s Gospel, when Jesus was questioned about healing on a Sabbath, he responded, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (John 5:17) What was the work that Jesus Christ ought to complete? In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus states, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” The phrase “heaven and earth” refers to the Old Covenant Israel. With the judgment of God against them, destroying the temple and scattering them in AD 70, the Mosaic law, which was the basis of them being instituted as God’s people became the source of their judgment. See Deuteronomy 28:15-68 & Leviticus 26:14-46, but for a quick summary of the Mosaic Covenant on Disobedience, see Deuteronomy 28:58-61.

    “If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God, then the LORD will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions, afflictions severe and lasting, and sicknesses grievous and lasting. And He will bring upon you again all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. Every sickness also and every affliction that is not recorded in the book of this law, the LORD will bring upon you, until you are destroyed.”

    John, in Revelation saw the visions of God’s judgment, see Revelation 8:6-9:21; 15-16, 18, and noticed covenant language of God’s punishment from the Law and the Prophets. Paul, in Romans 8 states, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life (i.e. The Gospel of the New Covenant) has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). For God has done what the law (i.e Mosaic Law), weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)

    How was the righteous requirement of the law fulfilled in us? See Hebrews 9:11-12, 15, 28.

    “But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), He entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)

    “Therefore, Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15)

    “So also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:28)

    Conclusion

    The temple, the Sabbath, they were all pointing to the fact that mankind remains outside of the Garden of Eden. See Revelation 21:1, with the passing of the first heaven and the first earth, and the arrival of the new heaven and the earth, John saw no temple. Because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (Revelation 21:22). Moreover, in another vision, but the same context, after God’s judgment on Old Covenant Israel, Scripture states, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!‘” (Revelation 14:12-13) Isn’t this the fulfillment of God’s promised of Sabbath rest for His people? Scripture states, “For whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:9-10). Henceforth, Christians shouldn’t be bothered by the Sabbath, nor the temple. With the completion of the New Creation, the New Heaven and the New Earth, Scripture states, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.” (Revelation 21:3) No wonder Jesus declares, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21-24)

    Did Jesus just give a hint about the temple’s imminent destruction? Consequently, He told the Samaritan woman, “The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.” On the other hand, when Jesus said, “but the hour is coming and is now here,” He declared that henceforth, people should worship God in truth and in spirit because judgment is coming.

    Is everyone now enjoying God’s Sabbath rest? No, according to the Bible, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral people, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:14-15) The preaching of the Gospel remains significant. Scripture states, “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation, tribe, language, and people.” (Revelation 14:6)

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessings!

  • Change for the Better

    As I study the Bible, I realized Christians have misunderstood the doctrine of “election” as the selective picking and choosing act of God, rather than God’s mercy and grace. Let us take a look at Paul’s words in Romans regarding the fate of Old Covenant Israel.

    “But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. For this is what the promise said: ‘About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.’ And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Romans 9:6-18)

    Paul’s quotation from Exodus 33:19, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion (Romans 9:15),” provides context for explaining God’s election. The Old Testament stories serve as narratives that illustrate God’s redemptive works. Recall that Israel was destined for destruction at Mount Sinai, and God’s presence should no longer be with them (Exodus 32:30-33:3). However, upon Moses’ pleas, God extended grace and mercy to Israel through His election. See Paul’s confirmation on Romans 9:16, “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”

    The doctrine of election has caused considerable division, confusion, and arrogance among its followers. However, election was an act of God’s mercy and grace, not a selective process of choosing individuals for salvation, as it has been misinterpreted in modern Christianity. How did God’s mercy manifest in Old Covenant Israel?

    Paul asserts, “For Christ is the end of the (i.e., Mosaic) law for righteousness to everyone (i.e., both Jew and Gentile) who believes.” (Romans 10:4) In Galatians, Paul further explains, “So then, the law was our (i.e., Israel’s) guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24) Finally, Paul concludes, “Therefore, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) So he went on to state, “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” (Romans 10:18)

    The Book of Acts proves the Gospel reached the end of the then-known world of the Jew-the Empire of Rome. Paul was imprisoned in Rome preaching the Gospel to both Jew and Gentile (Acts 28:17-31). Doubtless then, God’s declaration in Acts 1:8 was fulfilled and documented by Luke, bringing to a conclusion, therefore, Christ’s Word concerning the end of Old Covenant Israel. Jesus Christ states:

    “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. ‘So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.’” (Matthew 24:14-21)

    If there’s any disagreement with Christ’s declaration and its fulfillment, let the Word of God stand as a witness, not man. Luke, in writing a parallel account of Christ’s declaration, states:

    “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-24)

    “Times of the Gentiles” refers to the end of Gentiles lording over God’s people. God told Daniel about this:

    “And in the days of those kings (i.e. fourth kingdom of “iron and clay”, see Daniel 2:40-43) the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”” (Daniel 2:44-45)

    Jesus Christ fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy and is the cornerstone upon which the church is built. As stated in Matthew 16:18, “the gates of hades shall not prevail upon it.” John asserts “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).

    Christ Jesus did not come to establish a physical kingdom, but rather a spiritual one. He declared, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) On another occasion, when the Pharisees inquired about the kingdom of God’s arrival, Jesus responded, “The kingdom of God is not coming in a manner that can be observed, nor will they proclaim, ‘Look here!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is already within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) The advent of Jesus, the Christ, signifies the manifestation of God’s kingdom. Initially, it is an “already but not yet” until Jerusalem was destroyed with finality in 70 A.D.

    God’s grace upon Old Covenant Israel was manifested through the Gospel proclamation. Paul’s quotation in Romans 10:15 declaring God’s grace and mercy on everyone who believes the Gospel was cited from Isaiah 52:7, and Nahum 1:15 which says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” Same as in Nahum, Isaiah states, “Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of Him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off.”

    In both Old Testament passages, the Scripture refers to Christ—”the feet of Him”—as the bearer of the Gospel. Both Isaiah and Nahum preached of a coming period of grace and mercy in the midst of God’s judgment. Paul’s quotation of Isaiah 52:7 and Nahum 1:15 was changed from “Him” to “those” because the disciples of Jesus—that’s Paul and everyone else who preaches the Gospel—preach nothing else but the Words of Christ Jesus. They are the extension and messengers of the Gospel, for as long as the Gospel was preached precisely according to Christ’s Word. See Isaiah 49:5-6:

    “And now the LORD says, He who formed Me (i.e. Jesus) from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob back to Him; and that Israel might be gathered to Him— for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and My God has become My strength— He says: “It is too light a thing that You should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.””

    Isaiah obviously was speaking about Jesus Christ, and His Gospel is for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. After the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Paul and Barnabas applied Isaiah 49:6 to themselves, see Acts 13:46-47:

    “And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you (i.e. the Jews). Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”‘”

    The same application was done for Paul’s change from “Him” to “those” in his quotation of Isaiah 52:7 and Nahum 1:15.

    Does God still elect people to salvation? Old Covenant Israel has ceased. Hebrews 8:13 states, “In speaking of a new covenant, He makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13) Israel today is just like any other person on Earth. They ceased to be God’s people without Christ. Paul states, “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh (i.e. circumcision, sign under the Mosaic Covenant). Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)

    So does God elect people to salvation as it has been taught today? Such teaching simply has no basis in Scripture. Again, Paul asserts, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Consequently, Paul states as well, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) The Gospel is the manifestation of God’s grace and mercy to everyone who believes. God does not arbitrarily decree some to salvation and others to damnation.

    I understand that most would find my exposition perplexing. But it is so mainly because we have been convinced to see, understand, and believe Christian teachings in its present form. True Christian doctrines are founded in the teachings of Jesus Christ, not of biblical scholars or renowned pastors or Christian figures. Paul states, “For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:4-11)

    I became a Christian and later on a pastor after the tragic passing of my only son. God amazingly turned our brokenness for His glory by turning my family and me to His Gospel. That is the reason I am seriously studying the Bible and willing to change my perspective when it’s contradicted by Scripture’s teachings. Yes, it comes with a cost. Fellow believers who hold to contemporary Christian teachings will ridicule and persecute you. But Christ did say that’s exactly what will happen once you faithfully follow Him. Jesus states, “A disciple is not above His teacher, nor a servant above His master. It is enough for the disciple to be like His teacher, and the servant like His master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of His household” (Matthew 10:24-25). And we only have one true Teacher, no other than Jesus Christ. Isaiah prophesied His coming, saying:

    “Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it, He answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:18-21)

    Let us all learn from the Teacher, Jesus Christ, who is the Word (John 1:1, 14-18). During the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, God declares, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35) Have you been listening to Jesus or to the traditions of men?

    In conclusion, a change of perspective isn’t inherently negative, provided that the change aligns our faith and beliefs with Scripture. The Bible states:

    “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus interpreted to the disciples in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)

    “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

    “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

    “And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13)

    “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

    Paul state, “I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.” (1 Corinthians 4:6)

    The Reformation initiated by Martin Luther and others was a significant turning point in Christian history. However, it didn’t entirely restore the Bible’s teachings to its original state. We ought to make the change for the better and for good. This can only be achieved through the interpretation of Scripture by Scripture, reconciling the Old Covenant Scriptures with the New Covenant and vice versa.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessings!