Key to the Kingdom – For life – Embrace the wisdom of the Old Testament with the New

For numerous reasons, I don’t care too much for Facebook. Still, I utilize it for ministry purposes.

The other day a fellow asked a question that I responded to (on FB). I thought I would share the exchange with you today. The names have been changed to protect the guilty…. I mean innocent… Just kidding. Also, a few minor adjustments have been made for clarity.

I know the young man that posted the question: He is about as sincere as they come. He really walks out his beliefs. I certainly do applaud him for that. That is a rare quality these days.

Although we will all be judged individually, it is my view that the older generations have a burden, a price to pay for how the younger generations, and to some degree, even the country has gone astray.

I am presenting this short dialogue to you as evidence of how far afield America’s mainstream religion has come. It has abandoned its roots and fundamentals to the degree that, in many cases, it can no longer be identified as Christian.

Also, my replies could be viewed as a pretty fair and concise expression of faith.

For context, the young man that posed this question is very zealous in his faith. He is involved in a mainstream Christian church. It is certainly one of the better brick and mortar churches of which I am aware, but nevertheless, it is what it is.

Following is the opening question, in its entirety, that the young man asked which began the discussion:
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 (ESV)

Does Christianity (in general) model this rightly today? What’s your opinion?

Here is my initial reply (one of two):
Great question.
My answer is no: Christianity (in general) does not model Heb.8:13 rightly. This Scripture and others are often taken out of context, adulterating the overall message of all of the Bible.

Hebrews 8:13 is as much a part of the Bible as any other Scripture.
However, there is a far greater message that the Bible conveys.

It is widely accepted that Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Hebrews.

In 1 Cor. 10:11 Apostle Paul says this:
1 Corinthians 10:11
Now, these things (in the OT) happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

In Romans 15:4 he said something similar:
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

There are several other Scriptures that relate the same idea.

If Christianity DID rightly model Heb. 8:13 then there would be far less division among Christians (because they would be looking to the OT for insight to the NT) and far More delineation between those professing faith in the Christ and those who don’t.

We would all be studying to show ourselves approved as 2 Timothy 2:15 says:
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word (OT) of truth.

What many fail to realize today is that the Word of Truth (O/T) that Apostle Paul was referring to is the ONLY “Word” that existed when He wrote those words. That is the Hebrew Scriptures.

It is the same message he was relating when He wrote what he did in 2 Timothy 3:16, again referring to what is now known as the “Old Testament”.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture (O/T) is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

Great question.
Blessings 🙂
(The end)

His silence to my reply was deafening. It was clear that he didn’t like it. As others chimed in I had the opportunity to ask him why he didn’t like what I had written.

A short dialogue led to me writing the following clarification of what I wrote above: (Minor modifications have been made for clarity)

My Reply for clarification to what I wrote above:
“I probably quote Matthew 22:36-39 more than any other with the exception of maybe one or two and that is saying a lot.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, you shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:36-39

Notice that Jesus was asked “what is the greatest COMMANDMENT in the LAW.”

Yeshua could have answered that question any way He wanted. It would have been the perfect time to tell them that the law was no longer valid, that He was replacing it, or whatever: But He didn’t. Rather He responded by quoting and validating it.

Jesus wasn’t making up a new law. In His reply, He quoted Leviticus and Deuteronomy where the same exact instructions given in Mt. 22:36-39 were given before.

By the way, “The Law” in the O/T is translated from the Hebrew word “Torah” which is probably better translated “Instructions”.

In other words, they were never intended to be a list of do’s and don’t given by a dictator. Rather they are loving instructions given by a loving Father to His children.

I wholeheartedly agree with the last statement that Mark made:
“our relationship with the Father has always been based on love since the first man was created.”

Love is the entire basis for all of the Bible from Gen. – Rev., for both the “O/T” and the Renewed Covenant.

As Jack said above: “we (now) have his laws written on our hearts”. It’s not a new law, it is the same law with some adjustments that accentuate the original intention of the original instructions; the intentions of the heart.

However, the reality is that our hearts can fool us. It is not entirely reliable and so the Scriptures provide us with a plumb line.

Jesus didn’t come to abolish “the law” He came to fulfill it.
Matthew 5:17 
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 

And it will not pass away until it is fulfilled at the end of time.

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. 

I appreciate your zeal for the Messiah. He is the focal point of all of the Scriptures from Gen. 3:15 to the end of Revelations.

He is EVERYTHING. By Him I live, breathe and have my being.

It is also important to remember that He IS the Word… Jn. 1:1,14 and that He gave it to us that we might live and not die. Dt. 30:19

“This do and you will live” Jesus (Lk. 10:28)

Blessings Brother! 🙂
(The End)

His reply was short and courteous but showed no hint of agreement. I was fine with that and that concluded my involvement in the “discussion”.

In many cases the reason I respond to Facebook posts is for others to see what I write. I almost never have any expectations of changing the views of the person I am responding to. It seems that about the best you can hope for is to plant some seeds in the hearts of the readers.

The older generation is partly to blame
As I mentioned, in this case, the guy who posted the original question is a very popular, nice, sincere, young man and so there were several who chimed in to the discussion.

I feel sorry for this young man and everyone else who agreed with him. My generation has failed him. I have asked God to forgive me for that.

All of the Bible is rich with the wisdom of life
The Word of God is soooo rich with wisdom yet we have allowed the Scriptures to be adulterated. Younger people have been denied the many blessings that Yahweh God intended for them through His written Word.

Again, 2 Timothy 3:16 says  ALL Scripture (referring to the O/T) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Psalm 119:11 says “Your word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against You.

Malachi 4:4-6 says:
“Remember you the Torah of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

There are numerous similar Scriptures.

By abandoning the Tanach (O/T) people leave themselves open to a number of very bad things that they don’t even realize and certainly wouldn’t want if they understood what they were doing.

The ancient words of God Himself, the Prophets and others of all of the Bible (Gen, – Rev.) are a very rich blessing for us in these days and they will provide us with even more guidance in the tumultuous days ahead if we allow them to.

For life – Embrace the wisdom of the Tanach (Old Testament) with the New.

This is a Key to the Kingdom of God that you can count on.

Conclusion: Today’s mainstream Christianity has abandoned its roots and has now largely gone astray.

While the older generations are partly to blame for this, we are all accountable and will have to answer for ourselves.

Embrace all of the Bible that God has given us: They are the answers, the wisdom and even life itself.

Confession: I will embrace all of the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation so that I, and those who follow after me, will live.

Prayer: Father God thank You for the Bible. Thank You for these words of life that You have provided for me and even all of mankind.

I pray that the eyes of my understanding are enlightened and that I would embrace the hope of my calling through your written Word.

Dr. Rayphe
God’s Kingdom Realm

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