JESUS LOVERS UNITE!

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Comment by Latoya Lynn Stewart on April 11, 2012 at 7:35am

I love this song! http://youtu.be/vSXpFsjSc-4

Comment by Paul Cohen on April 10, 2012 at 2:33am

John Paul and Joni, than you for your comments. Christ kept the law of Moses- but not man-made regulations and he expected the same from his followers: "Do not think I came to abolish the law and the prophets, I did not come to abolish but to complete." In the rabbinical thought of the day, to complete meant to teach the complete meaning of. Thus, to murder also meant to hate your brother and to commit adultery was also to lust after a married woman. Since this is part of the gospel, without teaching obedience to the commandments, the gospel is incomplete. When John wrote "sin is lawlessness," he was undoubtedly speaking of the law of Moses. As for Galatians, Paul is actually speaking against a process of  conversion to rabbinic Judaism. It was called circumcision because it was completed with a circumcision (and because there is no word in Hebrew meaning conversion). In it, one had to complete years of study and the adherent had to commit to keeping thousands of man-made rules and incorrect applications of the Laws of Moses which the rabbis had made up, together, they were often called the traditions of Moses, which the apostles had decided against in Acts 15, in accordance with Jesus' teaching in Mark 7. There was also a problem with a lengthy conversion process, which often took several years, because it was taught that it delayed the possibility of salvation since salvation was believed to  only be available to Jews (quite a bit different than Jesus' teaching that "salvation is of the Jews") or to those who converted to Judaism, while the apostles taught that salvation was obtainable immediately  and  to all.  After conversion, one could then learn the finer details of following the bible. As for the ceremonial law, since you correctly state that it will be practiced in the world to come, John Paul, and since , as Isaiah said, the word of God endures forever, I see no reason that we shouldn't practice as much of it as is possible now without the Temple or an active priesthood, as we can at present. Our lives will be enriched by it, we'll feel closer to God, and perhaps it's a best kept secret that it's a lot of fun. Remember, when Paul wrote that all Scripture is inspired and useful for teaching, correction, reproof and right living, he was speaking primarily about the law and prophets since the apostolic scriptures hadn't really become accepted as scriptures at that time. Thus, everything written in the Bible applies to our lives, whether the established church teaches it or not. The history of the rejection of of certain unique Jewish aspects of the bible actually begins before Constantine, although you're right, that he contributed to it and helped to bring paganism into it. Jews have always been hated and were heavily taxed. If a non-Jew adopted the true teachings of Christ, became circumcised, refused to eat animals that are forbidden by the bible, kept the biblical feasts or worshiped on the Sabbath, just as the bible and Christ taught, the Romans would consider him to be Jewish for tax purposes.  Thus, there was a strong temptation to eliminate these things as the church became predominantly gentile. Sunday, the day on which the sun god, Mithra was worshiped, was chosen instead to make their religion seem like the pagan religions. As a person who puts his whole faith in the Word of God, I find  having anything to do with paganism to be repulsive and so, I cannot abide with the man-made traditions that exist in the church today. The bible makes it clear that God is rather particular in the kind of worship he accepts and I have to conclude that much of what the church does today is unacceptable to him and should be questioned and rejected if we're going to go by the bible. Both of you bring up valid points and I hope I've also contributed to your understanding. Please feel free to make any comments or ask anything you'd like if I missed some point. I look forward to discussing this further with you. Shalom.

Comment by Joni on April 9, 2012 at 11:53pm

John Paul. Are you sure the law isn't to be kept any longer. Which law? The ceremonial or the ten commandments or both? The bible never says the ten commandments were done away with. In revelation it says "here are they that keep the commandments-and have the faith of jesus". If it were done away with why would anyone bother to keep them. But God says those are the faithful and redeemed. To be honest I'm glad the commandments aren't Done any with. Thou shat not steal, or kill or commit adultery. Not one commandment is done away with. Paul in Galatians is speaking of the ceremonial laws which are not the same as the commandments. The ceremonial laws were shadows all pointing forward to Christ and his life his work his death and resurrection. The ten commandments are eternal as the are the transcript of Gods beautiful character. The same character we need to develop to live thru what is coming on this earth and enduring to see Christ come and be redeemed. That is why revelation says "here are they keep the commandments". There will be a people who will glorify God in His enabling power.

Comment by Paul Cohen on April 9, 2012 at 2:57pm

I certainly hope so, Jennifer. It seems that biblical knowledge is lacking in most believers. I wonder if this isn't because people simply go to church and expect their ministers to teach them the bible instead of reading it for themselves. And in my experience, the ministers fail in that area. Often the concentrate only on the latter quarter of the Bible when it's necessary to know the earlier part of it to understand the latter. It's such a shame that this is the situation and that people claim to believe the Scriptures but don't study them or live by them. I would encourage everyone not only to read their bibles, starting from Genesis and going through Revelation in a systematic manner, but to read commentaries on, for example, the "Jewish holidays" and how they foreshadow Christ, and the origin of Christian Holidays on the internet.

Comment by Jennifer Juniper on April 9, 2012 at 10:27am

Hi Paul Cohen,
I appreciate your response about Easter Sunday and the biblical holiday Bikkrarim (which I never knew of). It is unfortunate thatso many poeple celebrate Easter with bunny rabits and chocolate eggs. But I know God is reaching poeple all over in a major way. God is such a merciful and glorious God isn't he? :)
God bless,
Jennifer

Comment by Paul Cohen on April 9, 2012 at 6:30am

By coincidence, today is also the biblical holiday of Bikkrarim, Hebrew for First Fruits. It was on this day that he first appeared to his disciples alive. No doubt this is why Paul wrote: Every one will be raised in from the dead it the right order, Christ the first fruits and then when he comes again, those who belong to him. The biblical holidays are called moedim in Hebrew, a word which implies a rehearsal for a later event, and it is easy to see all these holidays as types of Christ's life and return. Easter seems to come from the festival of the fertility goddess Ish-tar which explains the bunny rabbits and eggs- obvious fertility symbols. It seems that the Roman church adopted this popular holiday to attract pagans to their fold even though the bible says not to worship God as the other nations worship their gods. However, it also says to keep Bikkrarim and the other holidays described in Leviticus 23. If more Christians did, instead of picking and choosing which parts of the bible that they want to follow, they would not only have more fun, but the clear illustrations of Christ in them would convince more Jews (like me) to believe in him.

Comment by Jennifer Juniper on April 9, 2012 at 4:24am

The reserection of Christ Jesus. The glory and victory is all His. It is time we recieve our inheritance from Jesus. Sow your biggest seed today and recieve His blessing. God bless you all and have a blessed Easter Sunday!

Comment by Lala M. Apples on April 9, 2012 at 2:04am

Happy Easter fellow lovers of Christ!!!

Comment by Raw.Army.Wife on April 8, 2012 at 3:44pm

wishing everyone a verry Eappy Easter

Comment by Jennifer Juniper on March 31, 2012 at 4:24am

How I came to Jesus

I was extreamely involved in a practice called Dahn Yoga for 4 years training to become a master. I was into just about every new age thing there is. I was so hungry for the super natural. I was looking in every corner and every crevice trying to find something more, something beyond the eathly realm.

It wasn't until the middle of June 2011. I was feeling more confused and lost than ever before. I cryed out to God, "If you can hear me, if you're out there, speak to me!' Tell me the truth!" I was questioning everything. "What is happening!" Soon afterwards I climbed up on the hill behind my house and began meditating and prcticing like I had done many times before and all of a sudden I hear this voice. The voice was the voice of God! He told me "You are being decieved and everythong you have experienced is temporary and not of God." I was so freaked out about what I had heared. I then ran down from the hill, back into my house pacing back and forth trying to gather what was happening. The next day I called my mom on the phone to tell her what happened. She lead me through prayer asking Jesus into my heart and accept him as my Lord and saviore. A few weeks later I was baptized. I praie God everyday for bringing
me out of the darkness and into the true light of God's glory. It is true, if you seek, you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened unto you. Listen for the voice of God calling you and it is up to you to trust in Him and respond to His call.
God bless you!

Jennifer

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