Saturday is Sabbath day...

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Angelina

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Oh dear Angelina, is that the sidestepping strategy you are using, just so you can avoid my questions.

And your comment is invalid, because I never get any answers at all from you, so why debate when you won't answer certain questions that you don't like? May I remind you Angelina this is a DEBATE thread.

Then debate dear brother but please...no leading questions ^_^

here we go...
Let's just say God said that...then all of a sudden God sent his only Son and told us that we could worship him in Spirit and in truth by faith because the Holy mountain was only a shadow of the real mountain, being Christ himself. Then just for the argument sake, those who continued to meet on the Holy mountain which was only a shadow...are they not being disobedient by are rejecting God who sent his son whom we were to worship.... in Spirit and truth by faith? :huh:

Bless ya!
 

Angelina

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Oh dear Angelina, so you are refusing to answer my questions so we can debate, because you think my questions are too "controlled and too leading"? Oh dear, ok fine.
and are you refusing to answer mine dear brother because it takes away your ability to control your environment and enables us to debate outside your predetermined set of ideals? :huh:

K...fine then ^_^
 

lawrance

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Truthseeker2012 can't understand post 194. i don't think he wants to, me thinks maybe the reason is because it dose not fall into line with his position, as it blows his out of the water.

I asked you first etc ? it reminds me of the Grinch saying all that stuff he rants on with.
Are you the Grinch.
 

goodshepard55

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Well I for one will be washing clothes, having a garage sale...preparing for Easter Sunday...talking with God while doing said chores, singing to God while doing said chores, listening to God sing to me while doing said chores...
 

TruthSeeker2012

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Truthseeker2012 can't understand post 194. i don't think he wants to, me thinks maybe the reason is because it dose not fall into line with his position, as it blows his out of the water.

I asked you first etc ? it reminds me of the Grinch saying all that stuff he rants on with.
Are you the Grinch.

LOL :) I am constantly amazed at your sidestepping.

God bless.

Well I for one will be washing clothes, having a garage sale...preparing for Easter Sunday...talking with God while doing said chores, singing to God while doing said chores, listening to God sing to me while doing said chores...

Your choice and between you and God.

As for me, I will be keeping the Sabbath Holy, no work, no profit, no selling.

God bless.
 

goodshepard55

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Truthseeker....every day I spend with God is Holy....I just choose the day..Everyday that is..God wants a relationship with His children, He wants to be a Father...I can spend time with Him all day and all night, for He is with me always...There are days I do nothing at all...except with Him....I am His child...You are also, why do you keep just on day Holy, why not everyday...If on the one day you keep Holy, if you are following the law of Moses...if do do anything you are breaking the whole 10....Even if you come on the net..you have broken them...
 
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HOW TO OBSERVE THE SABBATH

1. Abstention from work
2. Abstain from buying or selling
3. Refrainment from our own pleasures
4. Attention to the worship & service of God

In the wilderness, God demonstrated how the Sabbath was to be observed. He supplied the Israelites with manna for six consecutive days. They were instructed to gather each morning only that which they would consume that day. If the manna remained overnight it began to stink and breed maggots. On the sixth day they were commanded to gather enough for two days and not to expect any manna or attempt to look for it on the Sabbath. The sixth days' ration of manna did not spoil overnight. Thus God miraculously fed the Israelites for FORTY YEARS and instilled in His people the principle of keeping the Sabbath. (Exodus 16)

The word "Sabbath" is mentioned 116 times in the Bible (61 times in the OT and 55 times in the NT). It is interesting to note, that they are almost equally represented in both testaments. Here is Strong's
definition of the word 'sabbath':

H7673
שׁבת
sha^bath
shaw-bath'
A primitive root; to repose, that is, desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causatively, figuratively or specifically): - (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away.

1. WE ARE COMMANDED TO REST Gen. 2:1-3 Exo.16:23 Exo.16:30 Exo. 35:2 Isa. 28:12 Heb. 4:9

Intrinsic to the meaning of the Hebrew word for Sabbath is the concept of REST, i.e., the putting away of the myriad of our earthly cares, chores and duties and as loving, obedient children we are to emulate Our Heavenly Father's actions and set aside this seventh day as a day of rest and sacred commemoration in a time of full contemplation of the majesty of all God's Creation.
 
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What if your job requires you to work on Saturday?

Good question! We have a loving, omniscient, understanding heavenly Father who knows our hearts and intent as well as our needs.

Luk 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.


Besides being obedient to the Ten Commandments, we are also obligated to provide for our family's welfare and to be wise and faithful stewards of our time and talents. The OT priests worked on the Sabbath yet were not held accountable (Mat.12:5).

Jesus also understood that there were valid circumstances for not strictly obeying the sabbath statutes to the letter of the Law.

Luke 14:5 And (Jesus) answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?


To specifically answer your question, if your job requires you to work on Saturday, God understands. It's OK to "pull your ass out of a pit" as the scripture above teaches. Many jobs in the health or govt. sectors have shifts that are required work on Friday evening or Saturday. Set apart another day for your spiritual devotions. Ideally, we can pray to be transferred to another shift or possibly find another job that doesn't conflict with the sabbath. Let your heart be your guide in such matters.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
 

mark s

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So you are not saying then that keeping the Sabbath is required, but that you may if you wish? And if you wish, you can choose a different day? Simply that we all pick one day to do no work on?

That I have no disagreement with that. It's good to have a day off. However, I find that my days off from work can be very useful in accomplishing many good and meaningful things, things that I believe God wants me to do, that many would call work. And that would most certainly violate the Jewish concept of the Sabbath.

Pulling your donkey out of a pit is an unplanned, unscheduled, occasional event.

Whereas I can plan my employment to avoid working on Saturday, is that not true?

What work is "required" for Saturday? After all, the Israelites were required to gather food everyday, except the one prohibited, for which God made special provision for them. Would He not likewise provide all Christians with jobs that only work Sunday through Friday, to keep their Saturday free?

Love in Christ,
Mark
 
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So you are not saying then that keeping the Sabbath is required, but that you may if you wish? And if you wish, you can choose a different day? Simply that we all pick one day to do no work on?

No, the Sabbath is/was/shall be from sundown Friday till sundown Saturday and it still is required. None of the Ten Commandments have changed. What I stated was that God understands that there are valid exceptions to even some of His sacred commandments, as Christ explained about the duties of the priests. Technically, they were transgressing the Law but God gave them other commandments concerning the priesthood which naturally conflicted with 'proper' Sabbath observance.

The Sabbath is NOT just 'picking a day that we don't work'. Refraining from work is an integral PART of Sabbath observance, however, the main gist is a consecrated tithe of our time offered up to our Heavenly Father for spiritual pursuits INSTEAD of accomplishing a host of menial tasks that tend to occupy our free time.



That I have no disagreement with that. It's good to have a day off. However, I find that my days off from work can be very useful in accomplishing many good and meaningful things, things that I believe God wants me to do, that many would call work. And that would most certainly violate the Jewish concept of the Sabbath.

Sure, our leisure time is, indeed, wonderful and very useful but as God's faithful servants our first duty and priority is to honor and obey His commandments which He personally ethched in stone. The Sabbath still requires abstaining from manual labor (IF AT ALL POSSIBLE) and should NOT be rightfully understood as going about "accomplishing many good and meaningful things" on the weekends unless they are directly spiritually based. For instance, if the elderly lady next door needs a ride to the store then, by all means, do it without hesitation. However, I would wait in the car for her to return rather than shopping along side her (using such a witness to explain my heart's desire to follow God's commands). I'd wait til the morrow for my personal shopping (but that's how I'd handle the situation). However, you are free to follow the dictates of your heart in those kinds of situations. No one is going to stone you for your Sabbath transgressions but we all must not take God's commandments for granted as one day we must all give account unto Our Creator.



Pulling your donkey out of a pit is an unplanned, unscheduled, occasional event.

That's correct. To the best of our ablilities, we should plan ahead and totally set aside the Sabbath for spiritual matters, however, should "an unplanned, unscheduled, occasional event", present itself we are free to follow the dictates of our heart and then return to 'keeping the Sabbath holy' after those contingencies have been fulfilled. Do you love God enough to 'tithe your time' as well as your treasure?


Whereas I can plan my employment to avoid working on Saturday, is that not true?

Hopefully, yes. Should your boss tell you there is an important deadline that must be met and it requires working overtime on Saturday, God is merciful and understands our earthly dilemmas. Ask for forgiveness and resume regular Sabbath observance the following week or set aside another day during that week as 'the Sabbath'. But we shouldn't casually use God's mercy and grace as an excuse to avoiding following His commandments.


What work is "required" for Saturday? After all, the Israelites were required to gather food everyday, except the one prohibited, for which God made special provision for them. Would He not likewise provide all Christians with jobs that only work Sunday through Friday, to keep their Saturday free?

There were valid exceptions (OT priests) and God Himself was miraculously providing those daily meals for the Israelites in the wilderness. You've got it backwards, it is our primary duty to obey God's commandments (to the best of our human capacity) because we love and honor Him , NOT to expect God Almighty to provide all Christians with Monday-Friday jobs. He is the Master, we are the servants. We can humbly petition Him to grant our requests but He is under no obligation to grant our every desire.

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." -- Ecc.12:13
 

mark s

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Hi James,

I think you may have misunderstood me.

I do not say that we make demands of God. What I am saying is that the exceptions given in the Law were specific. The duties of the priest, and taking emergency action. Jesus also let us know another. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. And having a regular job that you work on Saturday, well, I just can't find that exception.

This is a problem I have understanding those who want to keep the OT Law, who even believe truly that we are required to. There are always exceptions, which are not granted by the Law. Some say the 10 commandments, some say the 10 + the "moral law", some parse out the "civil law", or the "ceremonial law", but the Bible never separates any of them. You have to keep them all.

Every able-bodied adult male was to return to Jerusalem annually for the 3 feasts. How many do that? Is that what you save your money for, for that plane ticket? Do you scrimp on other things to be able to go?

I don't understand how we can single out certain laws.

But on the Sabbath itself, Yes, the priests did not break the Sabbath though they worked. But wouldn't a shop keeper have been breaking the Sabbath? Though they say, My boss scheduled me for a Saturday shift, what would Nehemiah have done?

If we truly want to keep the Sabbath, won't we gather our sticks on Friday? Gather our manna on Friday, and trust God?

God gave exceptions, yes. But He never gave the exception of convenience, did He? Isn't it simply more convenient to stay with a Saturday job than to find one in which you can truly honor the LORD? Is it that someone couldn't get as good of a job? Is profit sufficient motive to dishonor the LORD? If, that is, working on Saturday dishonors the LORD.

"I am you Master, and I command you to abstain from work on Saturday. However, the only Job I will provide you with will require you to work on Saturday." Isn't that inconsistent?

On "tithing your time", why should we think to only give God one tenth?

Paul wrote to the Roman church, present your body a living sacrifice. This means all, does it not? So actually, the Isrealite who wants to keep the Mosaic Law actually has a lessor burden than the Gentile, who never was under the Law given to Israel, yet who is admonished to give all.

Love in Christ
Mark
 
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I think you may have misunderstood me.
I do not say that we make demands of God. What I am saying is that the exceptions given in the Law were specific. The duties of the priest, and taking emergency action. Jesus also let us know another. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. And having a regular job that you work on Saturday, well, I just can't find that exception.

Hello Mark,
Sorry for misunderstanding you. Oft times the interpretation of what's written gets confused. I'll try to pay more attention. Every possible instance of the Law of God is not spelled out directly in the text of the Bible. For instance, there's no specific laws against abortion, contraception or drug use, etc. We are now largely under New Covenant rules and we should rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit within to direct our lives where the scriptures are silent. However, no one ever disputes the validity of the other Ten Commandments. Why should the fourth commandment be subject to debate?

This is a problem I have understanding those who want to keep the OT Law, who even believe truly that we are required to. There are always exceptions, which are not granted by the Law. Some say the 10 commandments, some say the 10 + the "moral law", some parse out the "civil law", or the "ceremonial law", but the Bible never separates any of them. You have to keep them all.

The Ten Commandments IS the moral law. And it's universally agreed in all Christian churches that every other commandment still stands. Jesus calls Himself "The Lord of the Sabbath". Is Jesus the Lord of a day that His followers largely ignore?



Every able-bodied adult male was to return to Jerusalem annually for the 3 feasts. How many do that? Is that what you save your money for, for that plane ticket? Do you scrimp on other things to be able to go?

There is no Solomon's temple in Jerusalem to patronize. No priesthood to offer sacrifice because the ultimate sacrifice was paid by Christ on the cross. Regarding the feasts, I'm researching the specifics of those holy days. My first impression would be that it would seem to be infinitely preferable to be guided by the Holy Spirit in consecrating those biblical feast days is some fashion rather than buying thousands of dollars of presents and adorning Christmas trees or having the children hunt for Easter eggs while wearing bunny ears. Let your heart be your guide. . .


I don't understand how we can single out certain laws.

You are one that is singling out the Sabbath for non-observance from the other Ten. There is scant NT documentation for your position.



But on the Sabbath itself, Yes, the priests did not break the Sabbath though they worked. But wouldn't a shop keeper have been breaking the Sabbath? Though they say, My boss scheduled me for a Saturday shift, what would Nehemiah have done?

Yes, the faithful shop keeper would not have the same exclusion as the priests. There's no reason a store owner couldn't post a sign "Closed on Saturday for the Sabbath". It bears repeating that the NT does do away with some of the carnal punishments of the law. No one is going to stone you for working on the Sabbath, however, God did originally declare such transgressions as worthy of captial punishment. It is God we have to answer to in such matters, NOT the prophet Nehemiah or our Christian brethren. Jesus told the healed cripple to "pick up his bed and walk" on the Sabbath, nor did he rebuke His disciples from picking a few ears of corn while walking through a cornfield. Every instance does NOT have to spelled out for us. The Law is now written upon our hearts (Rom. 2:15) and we wilfully obey God's Law out of our love of our blessed Heavenly Father.

If we truly want to keep the Sabbath, won't we gather our sticks on Friday? Gather our manna on Friday, and trust God?

I agree with that wholeheartedly. That is the ideal situation. However, life isn't always ideal, now is it?


God gave exceptions, yes. But He never gave the exception of convenience, did He? Isn't it simply more convenient to stay with a Saturday job than to find one in which you can truly honor the LORD? Is it that someone couldn't get as good of a job? Is profit sufficient motive to dishonor the LORD? If, that is, working on Saturday dishonors the LORD. "I am you Master, and I command you to abstain from work on Saturday. However, the only Job I will provide you with will require you to work on Saturday." Isn't that inconsistent?

We are also commanded to provide for our families. In case you haven't noticed: Jobs are scarce. My recommendation is to find a job that allows you to have Saturday off. If none are available now, pray for another and meanwhile set aside another day for your spiritual obligations. Sabbath transgression is NOT the unpardonable sin. "Go and sin no more." was Jesus' advice to a woman breaking a different commandment (John 8:11)


On "tithing your time", why should we think to only give God one tenth?

That's the bare MINIMUM, we are commanded to give. No one claimed you can't set aside more time for spiritual pursuits be my guest. Just follow the dictates of your heart. Claiming that 'every day is dedicated to God' is disingenuous and you're not fooling anyone but yourself.


Paul wrote to the Roman church, present your body a living sacrifice. This means all, does it not? So actually, the Isrealite who wants to keep the Mosaic Law actually has a lessor burden than the Gentile, who never was under the Law given to Israel, yet who is admonished to give all.

We do indeed present our bodies as a living sacrifice but this does not mean we are free to ignore any of God's commandments or rationalize our commitment as 'something we do everyday' when God has clearly specified a certain day as the Sabbath.
 

jiggyfly

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The Ten Commandments IS the moral law. And it's universally agreed in all Christian churches that every other commandment still stands. Jesus calls Himself "The Lord of the Sabbath". Is Jesus the Lord of a day that His followers largely ignore?

What is your source that all christian churches universally agreed that the other commandments still stand? The very first gentile churches were not instructed by any of the apostles to follow the ten commandments including keeping the sabbath, Acts 15:24-29 it's all right there.

24 “We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them!25 So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27 We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements:29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
Acts 15:24-29 (NLT)

Nope no mention of keeping the sabbath.

7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
2 Cor 3:7-15 (NLT)

Paul said that the old way which included the ten commandments (this also includes keeping the sabbath) has been set aside, put away, done away with, completed. I expect this to be ignored rather than a discussion about what Paul has said here because it throws a wrench into your religious paradigm, but you may prove me wrong and decide to study and discuss the ramifications of this text. :wacko:
 
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What is your source that all christian churches universally agreed that the other commandments still stand?

If you’d be so kind, Jiggyfly, please name me a single Christian church denomination that considers, worshipping other gods, making idols, using the LORD’s name in vain, murder, stealing, adultery, dishonoring parents, bearing false witness or covetousness as acceptable practices? (I won’t hold my breath. . .)


The very first gentile churches were not instructed by any of the apostles to follow the ten commandments including keeping the sabbath, Acts 15:24-29 it's all right there.

24 “We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them!25 So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27 We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements:29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
Acts 15:24-29 (NLT)

Nope no mention of keeping the sabbath.

“Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Your forensic logic is flawed and is a textbook example of an “Argument from ignorance” see link below:
http://en.wikipedia...._from_ignorance

Just because the writer of the Book of Acts doesn’t mention the traditional Ten Commandments does not, necessarily mean that they were not previously instructed in the Law of God. Do you really believe that it’s permissible for Gentile Christians to blaspheme, murder, lie, steal, practice idolatry, etc., in the First Century or in any century, for that matter? The apostle Paul certainly addressed these same transgressions in other epistles directed to the very same Gentile Churches.

Another point that you should always consider when reading the Bible is; to whom and why was the letter written? The passages you quoted were written to a heathen Gentile culture which was steeped in idolatry and largely ignorant of the teachings of sacred scripture. The few items mentioned in Acts 15:24-29 was the introductory ‘milk of the Word’ directed to largely ignorant heathen nations. Children must learn to crawl before attempting to ‘walk in the Spirit’. Because those specific passages do not specifically mention the Ten Commandments does not mean that they weren’t to be later instructed in those precepts or that it was ‘understood’ that such basic spiritual concepts weren’t already part of their previous doctrinal teachings. These were merely fundamental teachings to a nascent body of believers. As fully mature Christians we should strive to higher standards.

Heb 5:12 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. -KJV

Whether you choose to consider yourself an Israelite Christian or Gentile follower of Christ, we have been raised in Western Christendom where the Law of God is far from an alien concept (as it was in First Century Greece/Rome) but where “In God We Trust” implies the God of Abraham & Moses Law is an intrinsic element of our culture and the foundation of our jurisprudence.
Because of our societal immersion in the precepts of the Law of God, in my view, the writings of the apostle James and Peter would probably be more directly appropriate to our present world. Today’s Christians would be better served if they studied and applied their epistles than those of the apostle Paul. This should NOT be taken as a slight on the Pauline epistles. Heaven forbid! For what other apostle had the testicular fortitude to tell women to ‘be silent in the church’ (1Cor.14:35)?

7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
2 Cor 3:7-15 (NLT)

Paul said that the old way which included the ten commandments (this also includes keeping the sabbath) has been set aside, put away, done away with, completed. I expect this to be ignored rather than a discussion about what Paul has said here because it throws a wrench into your religious paradigm, but you may prove me wrong and decide to study and discuss the ramifications of this text.
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Surprise! I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge. First of all, your choice of Bible versions (NLT) is a rather poor choice for study purposes. Most scriptural scholars prefer to use more precise ‘translations’ rather than relying on transliterations such as the NLT as proof texts. Such non-literal versions are fine for casual reading but merely paraphrase or utilize ‘dynamic equivalence’ of scriptural passages to convey concepts rather than represent literal word-for-word translations from the ancient languages and as such, are more susceptible to error or introducing personal doctrinal opinion.

See the link below for a critical analysis of the New Living Translation:
http://www.bible-res...er.com/nlt.html

What 2 Cor 3:7-15 relates is that the veil (a degree of spiritual blindness) has now been lifted and removed from reading the OT laws because we are now ‘in Christ’ and can see the God’s Law in its full glory, NOT that the laws themselves are removed or in any way superceded. Follow Christ and focus not upon what Paul directed largely to an audience of scripturally unlearned Grecian heathens but what the Lord Jesus re-iterated concerning the permanence and importance of the Law of God:

Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

Jesus didn’t abolish a single law of the Ten Commandments. Christ fulfilled all of the sacrificial and priestly laws AND demonstrated to us how we, likewise, should fulfill the moral laws contained in the Ten Commandments (which included ‘keeping the Sabbath holy’) by walking in the Spirit of the Living God.


Mat 5:18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

The last time I checked, heaven and earth have not yet passed away and the Law is still to be enforced. Idolators and blasphemers, perjurers, murderers and thieves etc., still are being punished and likewise, await their eternal judgments . . . that is, unless they repent of their transgressions of God’s Law. And even if the sinner repents and believes in Christ he is not free to continue to ignore the Ten Commandments at will. (John 5:14, John 8:11)


Mat 5:19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Take careful notice Jesus’ warning in Matt 5:19 to those who would attempt to annul one of God’s commandments (such as the Sabbath). No, it doesn’t specifically say you’ll be damned, just considered ‘the least in the Kingdom of God’ (not a goal to which I’d wish to aspire).

Mat 5:20 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

We are to be MORE righteous than the Jews who obey the letter of the law but NOT the spirit of the law. We are to ‘follow Christ’s example’ who never transgressed a single commandment in His entire life and walked in the Spirit as well. Yes, our righteousness is ‘in Christ’ but we are still obligated to follow the Father’s commandments. (John 15:10)

Mat 5:21 "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'
Mat 5:22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." –NASB

Notice: Instead of removing God’s commandment of “Thou shalt not murder.” Jesus AMPLIFIES the Law to include even becoming angry against our brothers without cause. The scribes and Pharisees fully understood the basics of the commandment etched in stone but were oblivious to the higher command which should have also been etched in their hearts. (Deut 32:46, 1Ki. 8:58)



2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.


We are to be living, breathing, walking New Testaments examples of Christ’s faithful walk obeying God’s Law which is written on our hearts, not upon tablets of stone. Sure, we do have a measure of liberty in Christ but we should never use that liberty as an excuse for lawlessness (1Pe. 2:16). We recognize that our salvation is strictly a byproduct of Christ’s fulfillment of God’s Law and we, likewise, obey the heavenly Father’s commandments because we love to serve Him and are truly appreciative of the grace He has bestowed upon us through faith in His blessed Son, and our savior Christ Jesus.
 
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