The Lord has ensured that there is nothing hid from those who truthfully seek Him. Indeed, it is the Lord's desire that we all would come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4) It is for this reason that we should study His Word "to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)
Too often, however, the worldly confusion that abounds emanates from a modern day culture that attempts to muddy the line between the old covenant and the new testament, and thus, similarly, mixing the old wine [the law and ordinances] with the new wine [by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves]. Thus, part of our understanding of the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation should begin with the current dispensation of grace in which we live -- knowing that this is the day that the Lord hath made! In so doing, we recognize that as Gentiles, we are no longer under the law, with the exception of the following two commandments confirmed by Jesus [and later, James' Holy Ghost led instruction to the Gentiles.
And James, in agreement with Paul and the other apostles: "But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts 15:20)
Admittedly, it is a rare occasion that we hear this latter instruction taught within our church congregations. Part of the issue comes from not rightly dividing the dispensations, and as a consequence, we take instruction meant specifically for Israel of old as our own. In that sense, it is no wonder we cannot achieve the "one accord" which was clearly evident on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-47) But there also appears to be a lack of desire for the spiritual meat that would wean us from the milk once and for all, grounding us in His Word and upon the Rock which is Christ.
Looking specifically to Hebrews, wherein the manifold wisdom of God our Saviour is revealed in the context of the dispensations, the following scripture in and of itself may seem harsh:
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14 ; Hebrews 6:1-2)
But in the context of this chapter as a whole (and in studying comparable scripture) we begin to understand the totality of what the Lord is saying herein to our hearts. This is why it is critical that we first understand that we are not one and the same with the Israel of the old covenant, wherein the Lord said to them (before He came forth as a mighty man) that they would never enter His rest. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23; Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)
You see, God is not the author of confusion. This is why we are encouraged to read line upon line, precept upon precept, and study His Word for clarity and understanding. For example, if we return to Hebrews 5 (referenced in part above), we learn that the meat described therein includes knowing the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself. We then see that these same scriptures from Hebrews 5 are not contradictory but rather, enhance and expand upon the same message offered in Ephesians 1:9-10. That is:
"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that, He Himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof He ought, as for the people, so also for Himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, "Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten thee."
As He saith also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec, who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:1-14)
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:1-14)
Understandably, reading the entire book of Hebrews would bring a broader and more defined knowledge but for the sake of space, let this chapter suffice, so that we can return to apostle Paul in this conversation. For those who may not be aware, Saul, who later became apostle Paul is the messenger appointed by the Lord Jesus to preach specifically to the Gentiles (those who are traditionally considered non-Jews).
This is confirmed in Romans 11:13 -- "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office;" Romans 15:16 -- "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost;" and also II Timothy 1:11 -- "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."
So, when we observe a similar contention (re: the law and grace) occurring between those who believe in the circumcision after the manner of Moses, and those who believe in Jesus (in His now glorified state -- renewed in the Holy Ghost re: Acts 1:2-3) as King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, we come to the knowledge that this issue has been settled once and for all. (Revelation 1:8,11) We now have the knowledge and wisdom to become grounded in the teachings specifically for the Gentiles. Herein the insights from Acts 15:
"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, "That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them:
"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, "That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them:
"Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name -- and to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My Name is called," saith the Lord, who doeth all these things, known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world."
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach Him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren: and they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, "Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul -- Men that have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also." (Acts 15:1-35)
And why is the Word important? "So that [the Lord] would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name -- and to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My Name is called," saith the Lord, who doeth all these things, known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world."
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach Him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren: and they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, "Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul -- Men that have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also." (Acts 15:1-35)
And why is the Word important? "So that [the Lord] would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)
But also so that "the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (II Timothy 2:24-26)
Lots here to digest and feed upon. In moving forward, remain faithful to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, who paid the ultimate price for our salvation, and He did so because of His abundant love and mercy for His people. Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment