why do you connect those two, i gotta ask?
im just not finding that connection anywhere in Scripture, wadr
we are freed from the law of sin and death, and judged by our works, near as i can tell?
Why separate law and grace? That’s a very important question.
Consider the following two portions of scripture – one by Paul and the other by James:
Ephesianans 2:8-9 (KJV)
8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
James 2:14-18 (KJV)
14
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Some will claim that the Bible contradicts itself and may even use the above as ‘proof’. Here’s where ‘rightly dividing’Gods’ Word makes all the difference in the world.
When studying scripture, one should always ask: Who is speaking or writing? To whom are they speaking or writing? and What are the circumstances?
Paul is Gods’ chosen apostle to the Gentiles, so he writes to Gentiles only (he writes to Jews in Hebrews). It is Paul alone that speaks of salvation by grace through faith. So, in the age of grace that Paul was directly taught by Jesus while he spent 3 years in the desert, Paul can speak authoritatively about salvation through
grace alone, without works.
Contrast that with James, the brother of Jesus, and still following all of the law, going to the temple, making sacrifices, etc, as required by the law. For what it’s worth, various Bible commentary authors believe the Book of James was the first book of the New Testament to be written, probably not long after Jesus’ ascension. In James 1:1, he states he is writing specifically to the 12 tribes - Jews scattered by the likes of Saul (later Paul) and others that persecuted those Jews that believed that Jesus
was the promised Messiah. There are no Gentiles in his letter nor is there any discussion of Jesus’ death for our sins as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. James clearly shows in chapter 2 that works are required to clearly demonstrate that one is faithful and following the law. It’s very clear that all Jews understand the necessity of faith plus works (following the law) for salvation.
Bottom line, Christians are gentiles, not Jews. (Yes, I personally know several saved Jews. Rabbi Kurt Schnieder on TV is, too! They CAN be saved just like we are) Therefore, we should follow Pauls’ writing to Gentiles and not the writings to Jews.
WHOA!!!! JUST A MINUTE!!!
What about the teachings of Jesus? Am I ‘throwing out’ the 4 Gospels as well as the rest of the New Testament not written by Paul?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Paul specifically addresses this in Romans 15:4
Romans 15:4 (KJV)
4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
That statement from Paul tells us to learn from the Old Testament and the 4 Gospels. Don't forget the ‘Jewish’ epistles James-Jude, and, of course, Revelation are written to Jews. We are to learn from them as well. But are we ‘locked in’ to follow everything there ‘to the letter’? No.
For example, should we ignore the Great Commission?
Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Of course not! Jesus is talking to the disciples only and telling them specifically to go into the world. Note, too, there is nothing in what Jesus told them that indicates that He died for the sins of the world. Nor did Jesus -ever- tell them He will die for their sins. They are to teach Jews only that He is the promised Messiah and has risen from the dead.
As an aside, many believe that being baptised is what makes one saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at the same time. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Water is water. It cannot wash away sin, only dirt. Philip and the Eunuch clarifies this, that faith that Jesus is the Christ preceeds baptism, which is only a public proclamation of ones’ faith.
Acts 8:26 (KJV)
26
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Philip makes it abundantly clear in verse 37 and the Eunuch confirms it, faith that Jesus is the Son of God (the Messiah) comes
before baptism.
I would be remiss if I did not note that some translations of the Bible omit verse 37, effectively
removing the
heart of entire story by removing faith requirement! Make your own choice of which Bible version you read. They are not ‘all the same’.
Getting back to the Great Commission, Jesus is talking to the apostles, not all Jews in general. By the way…Jesus even stated that He has come to save the lost sheep of Israel…not Gentiles.
Matthew 15:24 (KJV)
24
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Jesus only went to 2.5 Gentiles in his ministry – the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15, the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8, and the Samaritan woman (half Gentile) at the well in John 4.
Most, if not all Christian churches today believe that each and every one of us are to be missionaries and quote the Great Commission. But Paul states clearly that we do not all have the same calling:
1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV)
27
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV)
11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Again, rightly dividing the Word of God makes all the difference! Separating law and grace is part of that.
