For reference only. Are Christians Still Under the Ten Commandments? Part 2 by Chris St James Isaiah 7 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (God with us) Matthew 5 17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. We�ve had a few comments in the last few months about Part 1 of this article from Seventh Day Adventists. The Adventists believe that we are still subject to the ten commandments and among other things, they still keep the Sabbath. In Sacramento, we have a prominent Adventist television preacher named Doug Batchelor, so that I am familiar with quite a lot of what they teach. I was quite impressed with their sermons on baptism and salvation but less so with their insistence that we are still under the Law of Moses; with their latter day prophet, Ellen G.White; and with a number of other teachings. We believe that they are sincere people but we will just have to continue to disagree on a number of things. One of the points that has been frequently raised concerning our article �Are Christians Still Under the Ten Commandments� is the number of times that the Sabbath is mentioned in the New Testament, and the fact that Jesus Christ Himself worshipped on the Sabbath and kept the Sabbath. Our response to that of course is that Jesus Christ lived His entire life here on earth under the Law and since He did not sin, he kept all the commandments including the Sabbath. Matt 11 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear. A second �proof� that has been offered to show that we are still under the law of Moses is Matthew 5: Matthew:5 The Fulfillment of the Law 17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. The purpose of this article is to address Jesus� comments here in Matthew 5. A great deal of the New Testament is concerned with problems in the church caused by Jews clinging to the Law of Moses and �judaizing� Christians trying very hard to bind the Law of Moses on Christians. The book of Hebrews is an excellent place to go in the New Testament to read about this problem. The writer of Hebrews spends quite a bit of time and patience explaining how much better, how much superior is Jesus Christ, the New Covenant over the Old Covenant; the Law of Moses. In Matthew 5, Jesus says that He did not come to abolish the Law but rather to fulfill the Law. He goes on to say that not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the Law�until everything is accomplished. So, what does Jesus Christ mean when He says fulfill�not abolish? When will �everything be accomplished� because it is clear that the Law will not be changed until that time. Jesus Himself explains a little more when He instructs the Disciples after His resurrection in the text of Luke 24: 44He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Not the smallest letter, not one stroke of the pen will change in the Law until�all is fulfilled that was written about Jesus Christ the Messiah in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. �The several parts of the Old Testament are here mentioned, as containing each of them things concerning Christ: The law of Moses, that is, the Pentateuch, or the five books written by Moses, (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) �the prophets, containing not only the books that are purely prophetical, but those historical books that were written by prophetical men,�the Psalms, containing the other writings, which they called the Hagiographa. See in what various ways of writing God did of old reveal his will; but all proceeded from one and the self-same Spirit, who by them gave notice of the coming and kingdom of the Messiah; for to him bore all the prophets witness.� Matthew Henry According to Jesus Christ in Matthew 5, the Law of Moses will not change or be changed until�everything written about Him in the Old Testament is fulfilled. What things were prophesied about Him in the Old Testament, in the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms? Let�s look at some of them (fulfilled after His ministry began) and we�ll assume that when you read a prophesy that you will recall/understand its fulfillment in the New Testament. Prophecy Synopsis: Moses Tells the People About A New Prophet�Like Himself � Deut 18 15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. 16 For this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die. 17 The LORD said to me: What they say is good. 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. Prophecy Synopsis: Satan shall bruise His (Christs) heel Scripture References: Genesis 3:15; John 19:18; John 12:31-33; Romans 16:20 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen. 3:15) Prophecy Synopsis: Betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Scripture References: Psalm 41:9; Mark 14:10 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (Psalm 41:9) Prophecy Synopsis: Forsaken by His disciples Scripture References: Zechariah 13:7; Mark 14:50; Matthew 26:31 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. (Zechariah 13:7) Prophecy Synopsis: Price paid for His betrayal Scripture References: Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:15 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:11-12) Prophecy Synopsis: What would be done with the betrayal money Scripture References: Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:3-7 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zechariah 11:12-13) Prophecy Synopsis: His scourging predicted Scripture References: Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:26, 30; Matthew 20:19; Mark 15:15 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (Isaiah 50:6) Prophecy Synopsis: Shame, reproach and dishonor; adversaries before Him Scripture References: Psalm 69:19; Matthew 27:28 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. (Psalm 69:17-19) Prophecy Synopsis: False witness against Christ Scripture References: Psalm 35:11; Matthew 26:59-61; Psalm 27:12; Mark 14:56 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him? False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. (Psalm 35:10-11) Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. (Psalm 27:12) Prophecy Synopsis: Parting of His garments; cast lots for them Scripture References: Psalm 22:18; John 19:24 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. (Psalm 22:16-18) Prophecy Synopsis: Christ would not open His mouth at His trial Scripture References: Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:13, 14 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) Prophecy Synopsis: Jesus Christ�s crucifixion Scripture References: Isaiah 53:5, 6, 10; Luke 23:33; John 19:16 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:5-10) Prophecy Synopsis: Gave Him vinegar to drink Scripture References: Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23; John 19:29 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21) Prophecy Synopsis: Feet and hands would be pierced Scripture References: Psalm 22:16; Matthew 27:35; John 20:25, 27 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (Psalm 22:15-16) Prophecy Synopsis: His side would be pierced Scripture References: Zechariah 12:10; Psalm 22:14; John 19:34 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10) I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. (Psalm 22:14-15) Prophecy Synopsis: Mockery of the people; they shook their heads Scripture References: Psalm 109:25; Matthew 27:39, 40 I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads. (Psalm 109:25) Prophecy Synopsis: Reviled and mocked by the mob Scripture References: Psalm 22:7-8; Matthew 27:39-43; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. (Psalm 22:6-8) Prophecy Synopsis: Jesus Christ, our Passover was sacrificed for us Scripture References: Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19; 1 Cor 5:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) Prophecy Synopsis: Christs intercession for the transgressors Scripture References: Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. ( Isaiah 53:12) Prophecy Synopsis: Jesus would be forsaken in His Suffering Scripture References: Psalms 22:1; Matthew 27:46 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. (Psalms 22:1-2) Prophecy Synopsis: His body would be brutalized Scripture References: Isaiah 52:14; Matthew 27:26; Psalm 22:17; John 19:1 As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (Isaiah 52:14) For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. (Psalm 22:16-17) Prophecy Synopsis: Christ would commit His spirit to the Father Scripture References: Psalms 31:5; Luke 23:46 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. (Psalm 31:5) Prophecy Synopsis: Not one of His bones would be broken Scripture References: Psalms 34:20; Exodus 12:46; John 19:33, 36 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. (Psalms 34:20) In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. (Exodus 12:46) Prophecy Synopsis: He was numbered among the transgressors Scripture References: Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:33 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12) Prophecy Synopsis: The place of His burial Scripture References: Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:8-9) Prophesy Synopsis: The Bible gives Date of Messiahs Presentation In the book of Daniel (9:25) we find a startling prediction: ``Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, comes, there will be seven `sevens, and sixty-two sevens. It will be rebuilt with streets and a wall, but in times of trouble. The idiom, a seven, refers to a week of years and was used to describe a ``Sabbath for the land (the land was to lay fallow every seventh year). Messiah the Prince is The Annointed One, the ruler or in Hebrew, Meschiach Nagid. Jesus Christ always avoided the attempts of the people to crown Him king, but on April 6, 32 A.D. Jesus presented Himself as King riding into Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. On March 14, 445 B.C., Artaxerxes Longimanus issued the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. The Jewish and Babylonian calendars used a 360 day year. The angel Gabriel told Daniel that there would be 69 weeks of years between the command to rebuild Jerusalem until the presentation of Messiah the King, which is exactly 173,880 days (69 * 7 *360). How many days are between March 14, 445 B.C when the command was issued to rebuild Jerusalem to April 6, 32 A.D.? 445 B.C. to 32 A.D. is 476 years (there is no year zero) 476 * 365 days per year = 173,740 days March 14 - April 6 = 24 days days for leap years = 116 days Grand Total = 173,880 days. Jesus presented himself as king on the exact day as predicted by Gabriels prophesy. And that, we call Checkmate. This is evidence that demands a verdict. Source: Evidence That Demands A Verdict Source: Bernie Monsalvo The above listed prophesies concerning Jesus Christ are only a few of the hundreds and even thousands of prophesies concerning Him that had to be fulfilled during the course of Jesus� life here on earth up to and through His resurrection. These are the �everythings� that had to be fulfilled before the Law of Moses and its covenant could be replaced by the better covenant prophesied in Jeremiah. To further prove that this was the case�and that these things were fully accomplished so that the Law of Moses could be FULFILLED, here are additional quotes concerning that fulfillment: Luke 18:31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. Matthew 26 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? Mark 14:49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Luke 1:1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us ALMOST COMPLETED Luke 22:37 It is written: And he was numbered with the transgressors; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment. ALL IS COMPLETED John 19:28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, I am thirsty. Luke 24 44He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. 45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 14:15:05 +0000
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