Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: John 19:30

  • Confusion is not of God

    Christians who believe that salvation was completed at the cross should take a moment to reexamine Scripture. Consider Paul’s teachings on salvation: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then, at His coming, those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule, authority, and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be defeated is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-26)

    Christ’s reign began with His ascension. Peter confirms this by saying, “This Jesus, whom God raised up, and of whom we all are witnesses. Therefore, being exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you are now witnessing and hearing. David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself declares, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’ Therefore, let all the house of Israel be assured that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:32-36)

    The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as described in Acts 2, was a sign that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. After His resurrection, Christ appeared to His disciples and said, “Thus it is written (quoting Psalm 22), that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:46-49)

    Remember the Jews were about to stone Jesus when He claimed the same, making Himself equal with God the Father. Check out John 10:30-31.

    Once again, Peter testified about the exaltation and reign of Christ, this time before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Religious Council (Acts 5:27-28). He stated, “The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree. God has exalted Him to His right hand as Leader and Savior, to provide repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:30-31)

    Before his martyrdom, Stephen witnessed and declared, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). In this context, Stephen’s reference to Jesus Christ as the Son of Man was not meant to emphasize His humanity as commonly understood, but rather to highlight His divinity.

    For further reference, consider Daniel 7:13-14, which states: “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” – this phrase refers to divinity, sovereignty, and kingship as noted in Daniel 7:9-10 and 7:22 – “and presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, 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).

    Now, let’s revisit Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 15:22-26. He asserted that Christ’s reign would eventually bring everything to a complete and triumphant conclusion, ultimately defeating death. Isn’t that the very essence of salvation? 

    So clearly salvation wasn’t completed at the cross, but only upon His return. To understand what was finished at the cross, click here to read this blog “Was Salvation Completed at the Cross?”

    Paul further explained in 1 Corinthians 15, “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep” – i.e. an expression referring to Christians who died; examples as applied to Stephen (Acts 7:60) and Lazarus (John 11:11-13) – “but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55)

    The underlined phrase “but we shall all be changed” refers to the transformation – not of the human physical body but that of the Old Covenant body or creation to that of the New Covenant body or creation. See Paul’s declaration in Philippians: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself” (Php 3:20-21). I understand, the explanation here could be difficult to comprehend for now. This is mainly due to our preconceived understanding of the passage, as traditionally taught. See Galatians 4:21-5:1, for Paul’s explanation on the topic. Perhaps 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 is easier to comprehend. Paul declared: “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh” – Paul has repeatedly used the term in reference to law of circumcision, the Old Covenant, see Galatians 5:1-18). “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.” (2Co 5:16-17)

    In conclusion, the Bible teaches that salvation became a complete reality when Jesus Christ returned, as expressed in the phrase, “death is swallowed up in victory.” So, why has the teaching on salvation become confusing, if not misleading? As students of the Bible, we should not feel the need to rationalize because God has revealed everything to us. It simply requires a thorough study of the Scriptures, applying biblical hermeneutics and careful exegesis.

    It’s important to let go of preconceived notions about the end times. Avoid relying on commentaries, renowned scholars, personalities, or even the early church fathers, as they may have erred. The Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 31.3, notes that “all synods or councils since the apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred. Therefore, they should not be made the rule of faith or practice, but rather used as a help in both.”

    Scripture alone is infallible and without error. The confusion arises because humans, who are fallible, resist the clear declarations of Christ Jesus and seek alternative interpretations.

    Finally, Paul in Corinthians emphasized, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Now, let’s examine the current state of churches regarding the doctrine of the end times. Do you observe order, peace, and unity among them? We have various denominations, including dispensationalist, post-millennial, and amillennial, among others. If there is no peace and unity, then it is not of God. It should be that simple. God cannot fail in His Word. Jesus Christ, the anointed one of God, cannot fail in His words and promises. He told His living apostles that His return would occur in their lifetime. What is so hard to understand about that? Consider Christ’s declarations to His apostles; here are a few examples: Matthew 16:27-28, Mark 8:28-9:1, Luke 9:27, and Matthew 10:23.

    The only way to refute Jesus’ straightforward statements to His immediate and living apostles was to find one among the eleven apostles of Christ alive and among us today, in our present physical state. Alternatively, by insisting otherwise and twisting Christ’s clear declaration, people have made Him a liar and a false prophet. However, He is not false; He is the Great Prophet promised by God to Moses, who said, “It is to Him that everyone should listen.” Check out Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3:19-23, Matthew 17:4-5, and Luke 9:35.

    Here’s a fair warning from Christ Jesus: “If they do not heed Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31). “Moses and the Prophets” refers to the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures. Christ Jesus clearly stated that He came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). He reinforced this message after His resurrection, as seen in Luke 24:25-27: “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them all the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:25-27).

    Jesus also declared, “These are My words that I spoke to you (referring to the apostles) while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). Therefore, returning to Luke 16:31, Jesus is essentially saying that anyone who rejects Scripture rejects the truths about Him and His Word. Paul expresses a similar sentiment: “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 4:3). May God’s grace be upon everyone reading this.

    Enough of the lies. Anyone genuinely seeking to bring people to salvation would verify the information they share and proclaim. Regrettably, the majority of modern churches have fallen into traditions that have been developed over millennia. Honest students of the Bible should agree that it all began with the early church fathers, revered religious figures. The problem arises when our reverence falls into men rather than Jesus Christ. Paul addressed this error in 1 Corinthians 3 to 4 and emphatically applied his rebuke, exhortation, and teaching on the topic in 1Co 4:6, where he declared, “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, so that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.”

    I write my blog not to attack anyone, but to present the truth. My goal is for readers to be able to recognize and distinguish between truth and falsehood, as well as between tradition and Scripture. Jesus Christ stated, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). To “abide” means to remain steadfast, to continue, and to be fully true to Christ’s teachings. Blessings!

    Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references.

    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 freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • “Was Salvation Completed at the Cross?”

    Common belief teaches that Christ Jesus completed His work for salvation at the cross. Perhaps mainly due to His last word, “It is finished” (John 19:30), before breathing His last. However, such understanding would be challenged by another clear statement in Scripture: “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) Appearing a second time, isn’t that Christ’s Second Coming? Consequently, salvation was not completed at the cross, contrary to common belief, but at the Return of Jesus Christ.

    The purpose of Bible study is to make clear the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Modern Christianity has a lot of teachings and practices that are not consistent with the Bible.

    We may not realize its implications. But a lot of critical thinking people have been turned off by popular and traditional beliefs because they fail to see consistency in common Christian beliefs and the Bible.

    Let us be reminded by Christ’s words: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to fall away — it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

    When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” He was referring to His mission as the suffering servant outlined in Isaiah 53 and various other Scriptures, such as Psalm 22:14-18. Paul explicitly explained what was fulfilled at the cross in 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, stating, “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you truly are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Paul was referring to the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread (see Leviticus 23:4-8). These Jewish festivals were rehearsals, and Christ Jesus was the fulfillment of each one. Clearly, from Leviticus 23, there were more festivals after the Passover and Unleavened Bread.

    For those who argue that Hebrews 9:28 is the sole passage that teaches salvation was completed only upon Jesus’ return, consider this alternative passage:

    Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Since God the Father is in heaven, Jesus implies that no one can go to heaven without His intervention.

    However, before emphasizing this point, Jesus first reassures His disciples, saying, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

    Once again, God the Father is in heaven. Jesus talks about His ascension. He then assures His disciples that upon His return they would be with Him.

    In other words, like Hebrews 9:28, heaven would only be accessible to the disciples after the return of Jesus Christ.

    Don’t you think it’s time to reexamine Scripture? Evaluate carefully, and see whether prevailing teachings and beliefs are aligned with the Bible’s teachings.

    Christians cannot be declaring lies. Hence, Paul teaches, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

    Thus far, I’ve cited Hebrews 9:28 and John 14:3 to illustrate that salvation is yet to be fully realized without Jesus Christ’s return. This raises a crucial point.

    The Bible teaches a doctrine of “already but not yet.” This applies to the period between Christ’s first and second coming. “Already but not yet” means that the moment a person confesses and maintains their faith in Christ Jesus, God’s promise of salvation becomes a certainty. However, the full realization or completion of Christ’s redemptive work was not yet achieved at the time of the New Testament writings. One aspect that many overlook is that Christ Jesus would fulfill all things within the generation of His immediate disciples.

    Checkout Christ’s declaration to His immediate disciples: “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (Luke 24:44)

    Modern Christianity missed out on the timeframe of God’s word. Certainly, God’s promised salvation had already been completed. God’s wrath on Old Covenant Israel has been fulfilled, the Jewish temple no longer stands, and the Old Covenant regulations have all ceased. Without the temple, modern Israel, even if they desire to continue the OT regulations of the Bible, can no longer do so.

    In essence, modern Christianity misinterpreted Christ’s Second Coming. Consider Hebrews 6:1-2, which states, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.” If the doctrine of Christ’s Second Coming, which heralds His final judgment, was considered elementary doctrine even millennia ago, why do Christians continue to teach about Christ’s return today? It’s quite puzzling, isn’t it? Actually, “elementary” in Greek means “beginning or preliminary,” so Hebrews was suggesting that we leave the preparatory doctrine because Christ’s return signifies the completion of God’s unshakable and eternal kingdom (See Hebrews 12:22-28).

    I’ll delve deeper into this topic and explore related concepts in subsequent blogs.

    Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references.

    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 freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Small Details May Say A Lot

    Even after posting three blogs on John 9, there is still room for a few insights, particularly on the two interesting remarks of Jesus Christ. First, in John 9:4, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” What does Jesus mean by saying “as long as it is day, night is coming”? And the second, John 9:39, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” Lord willing, both will be explained as we go along our study of the Gospel of John.

    Continuing on my study of the Gospel of John, I came across John 5:1. “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” The Bible did not mention which particular Jewish Feast John was referring to, so this will be my focus on this blog and following blog postings.

    As I had said in my previous blogpost, the introduction to my blog on Spiritual Blindness, there were Seven Jewish Annual Feasts commanded by the LORD God in Leviticus 23. The Seven Jewish Feasts of Leviticus 23 may also be divided into Three Harvest Festivals. Three times in a year, the Jews from everywhere would come to Jerusalem for the three Harvest Feasts – the Passover Feast, the Feast of Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacle. Amazingly, the Three Harvest Feasts were occasioned according to the harvest seasons in Palestine – the harvest of barley, next wheat, and lastly fruits or grapes. God’s sovereignty is clearly in display here, don’t you think?

    The first harvest festival begins with the Feast of Passover, culminating with the thanksgiving harvest of barley – the Feast of Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-11). The second harvest festival was the Feast of Wheat or Pentecost, celebrating the thanksgiving harvest of wheat (Leviticus 23:15-16). Lastly, the third harvest festival begins with the Feast of Trumpets, then Feast of Atonement, and finally the Feast of Tabernacle or Booths or Ingathering – it’s the harvest of fruits or grapes (Leviticus 23:33-36).

    Here then is the summary of the Jewish Annual Festivals or Feasts. The first four Annual Jewish Feasts or Spring Festivals – from Passover to Pentecost – would occupy the first three months of the Jewish calendar year. Following the Spring Festivals would be a gap of four summer months then comes the final three Jewish Annual Feasts or Fall Festivals – the Feast of Trumpets, the Feast of Atonement, and the festivals finally culminate with the Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacle or Booths).

    Now, on our study of John 5:1, specifically John’s mention of the “feast of the Jews,” Albert Barnes said:

    Probably, the Passover, though it is not certain. There were two other feasts – the Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles.

    On the other hand, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary said:

    The feast of the Jews is probably not the Passover, which John usually refers to by name (John 2:13; John 6:4; John 11:55). It may have been Purim, which is not a divine institution but a Jewish-instigated feast to celebrate the deliverance of the Jews and Queen Esther. It is literally a feast of the Jews.

    Lastly, Robertson’s Word Pictures said:

    As a matter of fact there is no way of telling what feast it was which Jesus here attended. Even if it was not the passover, there may well be another passover not mentioned besides the three named by John. (John 2:13, John 2:23; John 6:4; John 12:1)

    I only checked on three Bible commentaries, but nobody seems to agree on their opinion regarding John 5:1. This simply tells us Bible commentaries are not 100% foolproof. Understanding the Leviticus 23 Jewish Feasts would greatly help us in determining facts from fiction. Like for example, proving that Jesus Christ indeed spent three years or three and a half years of earthly ministry with His disciples.

    The NNIBC (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary) rightly pointed out three verses from the Gospel – John 2:13; John 6:4 and John 11:55 – thereby showing us three annual Jewish Festivals, “the Passover,” involving Jesus Christ.

    Let us do a survey of all verses of Scripture mentioning the “Passover” in John’s Gospel. John 2:13 and John 2:23 refers to the first Jewish annual festival involving Jesus Christ. Obviously, John 11:55; 12:1; 13:1; 18:28: 18:39 and 19:14 covers the third and last Jewish festival ’cause the flow of narrative spoke of Jesus’ last week with His disciples proceeding to His crucifixion. Therefore, John 6:4 pertains to second Jewish Festival involving Jesus’ earthly ministry. Here we have the internal evidence of the Scripture that Jesus’ ministry covers three successive years of the annual Passover festival.

    Looking at all four Gospels, Jesus’ earthly ministry started after His baptism by John the Baptist (John 1:29-39; Matthew 3:13-17, 4:12-18; Mark 1:9-15; Luke 3:21-23), with John 2:13 mentioning the first Passover festival involving Jesus. However, prior to His ministry beginning in John 2:13 (Jesus first involvement with the Passover Feast), which was after His baptism by John the Baptist (John 1:29-33), the apostle John narrated a ministry of Jesus at a wedding in Cana. It is evident then that Jesus spent, at the very least, three years or three and a half years of earthly ministry, beginning at the age of 30, according to Luke 3:23.

    Now, going back to the “feast of the Jews” narrated by the apostle in John 5:1. We already knew that John spoke of three Passover Festivals involving Jesus. Also, we should now understand that a full cycle of the annual Jewish feasts begins with the Feast of Passover and ends with the Feast of Booths (Tabernacle or Ingathering). Interestingly, John only mentioned clearly one Feast of Booths in the entirety of his Gospel in John 7:2. However, following the flow of John’s narrative, we can outright see John 6:4, “Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews was at hand,” naturally connecting to John 7:2, “Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand,” thereby giving us a narrative of the full cycle of the second Jewish annual festival involving Jesus.

    Now, as I mentioned earlier, John 11:55, “Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand …” covers the third and last Passover festival involving Jesus. Since the succeeding narrative tells us the story of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection, we are now left with one option. No, I don’t agree with Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary that the apostle John may be referring to the “Purim,” a non-divinely instituted feast at the time of Esther (Esther 9:26-32), simply because the events within John 5, specifically the teaching of Jesus Christ within the chapter clearly correlate with the essence of the Feast of Booths. I will discuss that in my next blog posting. For now, let us examine first the essence of the Passover Feast vis-vis the ministry of Jesus Christ.

    John ended his Gospel with his narrative of the Feast of Passover involving Jesus Christ. From a human perspective, that was the time Jesus Christ was crucified. But from God’s perspective, He became the true offering acceptable to God – He was the fulfillment of the Leviticus 23 “Passover Feast”. It should be noted that Jesus Christ came to fulfill all the requirements of the first or Old Covenant. See Matthew 5:17-18; Jesus declared:

    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, nor a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

    For in doing so, He would be qualified to inaugurate the second or New Covenant of God. See Hebrews 10:5-10:

    Consequently, when Christ came into the world, He said, “Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but a body have You prepared for Me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings You have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God. as it is written of Me in the scroll of the book.’” When He said above, “You have neither desired not taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the Law), then He added, “Behold I have come to do Your will.” He does away with the first in order to established the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

    Next, see 1 Corinthians 5:7, the apostle Paul wrote,

    Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really were unleavened. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.

    Looking then at both Hebrews 10:5-10 and 1 Corinthians 5:7, without a doubt, Jesus Christ indeed fulfilled both the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread at the Cross.

    The apostle Paul clearly spoke of the believers to have been “unleavened,” not because of their own deeds but by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ at the Cross. In Colossians 2:13-14, the apostle Paul also wrote:

    And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the Cross.

    The Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread having been fulfilled, the cancelling of the record of debt that stood against the believers was then consummated at the cross. So Jesus uttered, “It is finished” (John 19:30), then gave up His spirit.

    A side note: Many have always believed that since Christ Jesus had died at the cross and He resurrected, then all is finished, and salvation is available once and for eternity. We often hear the claim “Once saved, always saved,” which sadly, has often led believers to think that no matter how they have lived their lives, since they have claimed faith in Christ, surely they are now saved and will be saved until the end. Here is one subtle yet implied traditional idea often offered.

    Let us again look at 1 Corinthians 5:7, but this time we will include the context:

    Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people – not at all meaning the sexually immoral of the world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler – not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:7-13)

    “Purge the evil person from among you” is an Old Testament quotation found several times in the Law of Moses, Deuteronomy; see 13:5; 17:7; 17:12; 21:21; 22:21 & 22:24. It was also quoted against Israel, specifically the Tribe of Benjamin, in Judges 20:13. It was a call for the believers to set themselves apart or be sanctified. ‘Cause, again Hebrews 10:10 said, “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

    The Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defined “sanctification” as

    the process of God’s grace by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God’s righteousness. Accomplished by the Word of God (John 17:7) and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:3-4), sanctification results in holiness, or purification from guilt and the power of sin.

    I actually see two errors in the explanation of the NNIBD. The first one might be a simple typographical error. Reference for “accomplished by the Word” of John’s Gospel should be from John 17:17, not John 17:7. The second one is a common traditional misunderstanding on Paul’s usage of the “Spirit” (Romans 8:4). In the Bible dictionary, it was explained “as the Holy Spirit,” so a quick reading of Romans 8:3-4 then would lead us to understand that Paul was contrasting the “flesh” from the “Holy Spirit”. But a careful study of the whole discourse of Paul from within the Book of Romans, perhaps Romans 7:4-6, should enlighten us to see what truly Paul was saying.

    Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the Law through the Body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him who has been raised from the dead. In order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the Law, were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we are released from the Law, having died to which held us captive, so that we serve in the NEW WAY OF THE SPIRIT and not in the old way of the written code.

    In other words, Paul’s usage of “flesh” was actually a reference to the “Law,” contrasting it from the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel is the new way of the Spirit, which is not in the old way of written code – the Law of Moses.

    Another passage to look at such be in 2 Corinthians 3:4-8, Paul wrote:

    Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to ministers of the NEW COVENANT, not of letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?

    By “letter,” as against the “Spirit,” Paul was contrasting the Old Covenant from the New Covenant. Therefore, the “letter” refers to the “written code” mentioned also by Paul in Romans, while the “Spirit” refers to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the New Covenant of God.

    Sanctification then, is the process of God’s grace displayed on the cross, setting apart believers for God, declaring them therefore “righteous, holy and pure” from guilt and the power of sin. However, sanctification also is a process by which every believer, now having been declared righteous, free from guilt and the power of sin, should live by. In other works, Christians should walk the talk.

    See Romans 6:17-18:

    But thanks be to God that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching [the Gospel] to which you were committed, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking on human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, SO NOW PRESENT YOUR MEMBERS AS SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS LEADING TO SANCTIFICATION.

    Oh well, let me repeat the passage above, but this time using a paraphrase – easier to understand – English translation. The New Living Translation on Romans 6:17-19 said,

    Thank God! Once you were slaved to sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching [the Gospel] we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper to sin. NOW YOU MUST GIVE YOURSELVES SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUS LIVING SO THAT YOU WILL BECOME HOLY.

    Note: “Holy” and “sanctification” are the same word in Greek. Also, at this point, perhaps we see that the Bible dictionaries as well are not 100% foolproof, just like the Bible commentaries I mentioned earlier. We need to learn to carefully study the Bible, doing the proper exegesis of the Scripture and not allowing traditions to dictate our understanding of the Word of God. For only then may we be sure that indeed what we believe is the truthful revelation of Scripture.

    Now, going back to 1 Corinthians 5:7-13, to celebrate the festival – that is, the Passover and Unleavened Bread – therefore means believers should keep themselves true to their festival celebration or confession of faith with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Again, that’s walking the talk. If we claim to have been sanctified by Christ, then indeed we ought to live a sanctified life. Also Jesus, with His utterance of “It is finished” (John 19:30), actually was declaring His fulfillment of the the first two Jewish Feasts of Leviticus 23 (Passover and Unleavened Bread).

    It is therefore false or wrong to see Jesus’ utterance in John 19:30 and say salvation is a done work at the cross. Rather, it was the initial, yet certainly important, feature of God’s salvation plan. Also, it is illogical and unbiblical to claim “Once saved, always saved” basing on John 19:30, especially since Paul also spoke of a coming judgment on his letter to the same audience, the believers of Corinth. See 2 Corinthians 5:10-11.

    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

    It is also important to understand that Paul’s declaration of judgment in 2 Corinthians 5:10 refers to the Second Coming Judgment of Jesus Christ. See Revelation 20:11-15.

    Then I saw a great white throne and Him who seated on it. From His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the Second Death, the Lake of Fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.

    In conclusion, it cannot be that believers would claim “once saved, always saved” based on the once and forever sacrifice and death of Jesus at the cross. Then, at the time of God’s judgment, salvation would be revoked for they have fallen short. That would make Christ’s redemptive work inept or lacking. Instead, we have to understand that the salvation plan of God demands that Jesus Christ MUST have fulfilled all the Seven Jewish Feasts, not just celebrated. Then salvation becomes a reality. Again, that was why Jesus Christ said in Matthew 5:17-18:

    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.

    I know, this blog would raise a lot of questions in your mind. It also happened to me before I came to understand the Scripture better. The more traditions we have learned or held on, the more difficult it would be for us to comprehend the true teachings of the Bible. As the saying goes, “Patience is a virtue.” Take it one step at a time. I personally have to double my effort allowing the Word of God to speak, rather than making my traditional ideas dictate my understanding of the Scripture.

    In closing, going back to John 9:39, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” By judgment, Jesus Christ was also referring to the same judgment spoken by the apostle Paul both in 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Revelation 20:11-15, which I had explained earlier. On the other hand, with John 9:4-5, it should be clear now that by “day,” Jesus was referring to, but is not limiting to, the time He was in the world (John 9:5). It also extends to the short time after His ascension, when His immediate disciples were also sent, this time by Jesus Christ, to do the work of God the Father (John 20:21) – that is, believing in Jesus Christ, whom the Father has Sent (John 6:29). Meanwhile, “night” pertains to the judgment uttered by Jesus Christ in John 9:39.

    Now, going back to our discussion on John 5:1. So biblically speaking, what was expected to occur with the fulfillment of the Feast of Booths by Jesus Christ? We shall next explore John 5.

    To be continued …

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