Tuesday 1 August 2017

Doctrine - 2nd Tenet



Second round of tenet anyone?


OAC Confession of Faith: Second Tenet: The Church: “…WE BELIEVE in His holy Apostolic Church, the fellowship of the saints and the Apostle sent to us as the anointed of Jesus Christ”. [Confession of Faith] Founded on God’s Promise or covenant that God made with the Fathers of our Church, (Abraham, Isaac & Israel) – He shall be our God and we shall be His people (Church). [GEN 17:7]…”

To the author of this tenet:
There is only one instance in the whole Bible where Apostle is spelled with a capital “A”:

Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus

The Apostle and High Priest is not a church or some mere mortal thousands of years later, this title belongs only to Jesus the Christ.

Regarding the covenant that God made with Abram, you need to read the single verse quoted in context with the preceding and subsequent verses.

Genesis 17:1-14 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

The promise was made to Abram before he was circumcised. The rite of circumcision was the sign and seal of the covenant established with the descendants of Israel who are descendants of Isaac (Genesis 17:21-27). Isaac is the seed of Abraham.

Jesus Christ is Isaac’s antitype and is the ultimate seed of Abraham (Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 1:1-16, Matthew 22:41-46, Luke 3:23-38, Romans 1:2-6, Romans 15:8-12, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 22:16) and therefore includes more than Israel after the flesh (1 Corinthians 7:17-20) since all who believe on Jesus Christ are counted as the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:28-29).

There’s also a spiritual circumcision which the Bible calls ‘circumcision of the heart’, and this stands for separation of the believer and its significance is permanent (Deuteronomy 10:12-22, Deuteronomy 30:6, Jeremiah 4:1-4, Jeremiah 9:25-26, Romans 4:8-12, Colossians 2:10-15).

The OAC’s first “church father” was Carl George Klibbe.

OAC Confession of Faith: Second Tenet: The Church: “…Institutions and Customs (Old Testament): Music Since early times, the institution of music – both vocal and instrumental – has played an important role in the development and practice of the Church of God.
[I SAM 16:23; COL 3;16]…”

To the author of this tenet:
Music is indeed a very big draw card employed by the OAC to attract more members. Many members show more interest in the choirs without really knowing what the OAC doctrine is all about. Some choirs also seem to encourage a dress code which further enhances a sense of unity and belonging.

Choirs are not unique only to the OAC, other organizations also claim to be the “Church of God” and have choirs which are far more prominent and well known.

Music doesn’t prove anything though, music has been used as a medium to convey good and bad messages, as well as false doctrines.

OAC Confession of Faith: Second Tenet: The Church: “…Immanuel-principle Immanuel (also Emmanuel) is the name, with a unique meaning, that was given to Jesus by the Prophet. [MAT 1:23 & ISA 7:14] The meaning of the name is therefore: “God with us”…”

To the author of this tenet:
It is written in the Prophets:
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

And the Scripture was fulfilled:
Matthew 1:20-23 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.

There is obviously only one Emmanuel and He is Jesus the Christ.

OAC Confession of Faith: Second Tenet: The Church: “…Immanuel-principle The Immanuel-principle is best explained in [JOH 1] describing how God came and lived among us, His special people, in the form of the body of Jesus Christ. The Word (God) became flesh (the man, Jesus). This principle continues to apply today. [JOH 1:1&14]…”

To the author of this tenet:
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.

Notice that John (an apostle) is speaking in the past tense and he’s not referring to his own words or those of the other apostles. Neither is he referring to his own flesh or that of the other apostles.

Jesus is the only begotten of the Father and John was an eyewitness of Jesus the Messiah, whose name is called ‘The Word of God’ (Revelation 19:13). When John names the three that bear record in heaven, he calls Him ‘Word’ rather than ‘Son’ (1 John 5:7). Because Christ is the Word, it not only refers to the Father that begot Him but also to everything made by Him.

John the son of Zebedee and one of the twelve apostles was an original eyewitness of the life of Jesus (Mark 1:19-20, Mark 3:17, John 21:2). John’s purpose for writing the book is best described in his own words.

John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

How does the “Immanuel-principle” apply today if Jesus is sitting in heaven at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:9-11, Acts 7:55-56, Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 8:1-2, Hebrews 9:24, Hebrews 10:12-13, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 3:21-22, Revelation 3:21)?

The Father gave another Comforter which is the Holy Ghost sent in Jesus’ name to abide with us forever (John 14:15-26, John 15:26-27, Acts 2:32-33).

John 16:5-7 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

OAC Confession of Faith: Second Tenet: The Church: History: “…100 to 400 AD This period is characterised by large-scale martyrdom and execution of the followers of Christ, the Christians. The followers of the Apostles (Apostolics) could not freely practice their religion as we can today. They were prosecuted and even executed in an attempt by the Authorities to eradicate the Apostolic doctrine. [LUK 11:49; ACT 6:1-14]…”

To the author of this tenet:
OAC members don’t accept any part of the Bible as historical eye witness accounts, why then would any other history matter? All these things took place long before the OAC was even conceived.

Pentecost marked the beginning of the church as a functioning body (the body of Christ) when the Spirit was poured out on that day about 2,000 years ago (Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:41-47). Joel the prophet prophesied about the pouring out of the spirit (Joel 2:28-32). Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled in the New Testament on the day of Pentecost about 2,000 years ago (Acts 2:14-21).

The disciples were later called Christians (Acts 11:26, 1 Peter 4:16) because they were followers of Christ, not followers of “Apostles”. There’s no such word as “apostolics” in the Bible.

The OAC on the other hand originated in South Africa (1927) and they refer to themselves as “apostolics”. A branch that has fallen off a tree loses its claim to the roots of the tree (John 15:1-6).

OAC Confession of Faith: Second Tenet: The Church: History: “…100 to 400 AD In spite of the persecution, new communities of the Church are established by Apostolic Fathers like Polycarp (a scholar under Apostle John) in other parts of the world – places like Antioch, Rome and Jerusalem. The Church expands until about 400 AD. [ACT 6:1-7 & 11:19-26]…”

To the author of this tenet:
Ditto.

OAC Confession of Faith: Second Tenet: The Church: History: “…100 to 400 AD A document, written in the period between 70 and 100 AD that describes the order/structure of the Church, the baptism, communion, etc. entitled: “Didache – The doctrine of the twelve Apostles” is discovered in 1875. [DEU 4:1-2]…”

To the author of this tenet:
Interesting that the Didache is even mentioned at all, firstly because the Didache was not written by the OAC, and secondly because the OAC doctrines are vastly different to the Didache:
  • The OAC do not baptize in running water or pour water on the head during the sacrament of baptism.
  • OAC members do not fast for a day or two before the sacrament of baptism.
  • OAC members do not fast on Wednesdays and Fridays and do not pray the Lord’s prayer three times a day.
  • The OAC’s sacrament of “avondmaal” is different to the Eucharist.
  • OAC “apostles” receive financial reward from their communities.
  • The OAC do not have bishops or deacons.
  • The OAC of today do not believe that Jesus will return.

The Didache vs the OAC regarding apostles and financial rewards:

Receive every apostle that comes to you as you would the Lord. But he must not stay more than one day, or two if necessary: but if he stays three days, he is a false prophet. When an apostle leaves you, give him nothing except bread until he finds shelter. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.The Didache on teachers, apostles and prophets

An OAC admin member wrote: “...Of all the office bearers in the church none receive financial reward except for the Apostles, whose schedules and responsibilities preclude them from pursuing paid work. The administrative staff of the church are employed by the church and receive salaries for their work, although many of them are also office bearers...”

A former OAC officer wrote: “...It's only from the position of elder and upwards where some costs are refunded such as travel expenses and so on; some are receiving more than their own tithes per month depending on where they operate. Well, we all know that all the apostles are well cared for - with luxury cars and so forth, while the struggling members pay for it all - many times they don't even have a decent meal on their own table. Oh, and don't dare to ask for welfare help either, as in the OAC it just non-existent - that I testify out of personal experience from the giving and receiving end as an Officer and member...”

Compare this to Paul (an apostle) who was a tentmaker.

Acts 18:1-3 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

According to Strong’s, the word “tentmaker” is translated from the Greek word skēnopoios and is defined as:
a manufacturer of tents: - tentmaker

The Didache vs the OAC regarding bishops and deacons:

Therefore appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not lovers of money, who are true and approved, because they also perform the service of prophets and teachers to you.The Didache on church leaders

The Church: Service Structure: Anointed Officers: “...Fourfold Officer: In support of the Apostle and responsible for the Elders, are the Fourfold Office, namely the 1) Prophet, 2) Evangelist; and 3 & 4) The Overseer (Pastor and Teacher). They are performing specialist tasks according to their calling and establish the climate for fruitfulness. [I COR 12 v 28 & EPH 4 v 11-12]...”

The Church: Service Structure: Anointed Officers: “...Priest In support of the Elder and responsible for the Underdeacon and households (families) in a congregation, the Priest – the Shepherd of the flock of God. [MAL 2 v 5-7 & NUM 25 v 11-13]...”

Apostolic Way of Life: Church Activities “...Mondays evenings are earmarked for the spreading / preaching of the gospel – through bread-breaking groups and testimony activities under the auspices of the Underdeacon. [II TIM 4:1-5]...”

An OAC member wrote: “...the underdeacon is just a servant that’s why im saying open the mind of understanding dont look for Jesus with your 2 human eyes you will never see him use the eyes of the spirit let me make it clear the Word that my underdeacon speak tonite that is Jesus only the Word but I must understand the word my brother to see Jesus...”

There are no bishops or deacons in the OAC and the office of “Underdeacon” is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. Neither does the Bible say that the word of an “Underdeacon” is Jesus.

The Didache vs the OAC regarding the return of Jesus:

Then the signs of the truth will appear: firstly a rift in the heavens, then the sound of a trumpet, and thirdly the resurrection of the dead. But not all will rise, because, as it is said, ‘The Lord shall come, and all his saints with him’. Then the world will see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.The Didache on the end times


Catechism of the Old Apostolic Church of Africa…Part 2; Question 27 (pages 62-63):
“Has Christ already come, or do we still expect him?” (Sic)
Ans. (a) Because the world expects that Christ will come on a natural cloud, they still look forward to his coming. From Matt. 16 v. 28, it is however clear, that Christ must already have come…”
Ans. (b) From 2 Tim. 4 v. 7-8 it is clear that Christ must already have come during Apostle Paul’s life on earth…”
Ans. (c) For us Christ has come, and we see Him, because it is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit and is our life…”

Catechism of the Old Apostolic Church of Africa…Part 2; Question 31 (page 65):
“On which clouds will Christ appear?”
Ans. We must not confuse these clouds with natural clouds... It is the cloud of witnessesIt is the same cloud under which the flock of God was led out of Egypt…”

An OAC member wrote: “...Jesus is the gift within all of us.. How can some of you believe that Jesus was a person 2000 years ago?? God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.. The Holy Trinity.. They are ONE!! The SON, Jesus is Spirit, he was always and will forever be Spirit!! You do believe God is Spirit? So is His Son.. We as Old Apostolics is the ONLY church that’s not waiting upon Jesus to arive on a cloud one day!! He already came for us, He lives within and through us...”

The OAC today do not believe that Jesus will return because they believe they are the collective Jesus.

Compare this to what’s written in the Bible.

Matthew 24:23-28 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

2 Peter 3:1-9 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The good news is that there is only one REAL Jesus and He is the ONLY Messiah.


20 comments:

  1. BTW which translation of The Didache did you use? This is important!

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    1. Check out the following links for more information:
      http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/didache.html
      http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm
      https://www.christianhistoryinstitute.org/study/module/didache/

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    2. “Receive every apostle that comes to you as you would the Lord. But he must not stay more than one day, or two if necessary: but if he stays three days, he is a false prophet. When an apostle leaves you, give him nothing except bread until he finds shelter. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.” – The Didache on teachers, apostles and prophets

      ” The average salary of the Apostels were R100 000 per MONTH.
      The average salary of the Fourfold officers that worked for Head Office from 8 to 5 pm as an employee on a natural basis, was around R60 000 per month.
      Then, they also got a FULL 100% Bonus In November, which meant a juicy R100 000 to R120 000 salary. And these positions that these Fourfold officers held were very mundane positions of managing maintenance on the halls and so on. Something that any other person could do for R25 000 per month.
      On top of that, they received R15 000 house subsidies.
      Cell phone alowences and also shared a pool car and received travel allowances.
      These exorbitant salaries and perks totalled 60% of the cost to run KZN region.
      Yes.. only 40% of the funds/ tithes were allocated to maintenance of halls, municipal costs and so on.”
      – 2014 Financial Documents and Budgets for OAC KZN

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    3. Paul, who was the last and the least of all the apostles, had an occupation as a tentmaker.

      Acts 18:1-3
      After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
      And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla;
      (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought:
      for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

      Paul coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. He remembered the words of the Lord Jesus that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:33-35). Paul set the example by working day and night so that he wouldn’t be a burden to anyone, he earned the bread he was given (2 Thessalonians 3:8-9).

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  2. How do you ensure that disabled persons do not enter a church as God commanded in Lev 21: 16-23.
    And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God. For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles. No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the Lord's food offerings; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. He … shall not go through the veil or approach the altar, because he has a blemish, that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the Lord who sanctifies them.'

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    1. That applied if you were called to enter the sanctuary after the order of Aaron, read the whole chapter for context. You do know that he Levitical priesthood is not applicable to the Christian church right (Hebrews 3:1-6)?

      Hebrews 7:11-28 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

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  3. But Christ was with Israel when Moses wrote down the Levitical law.
    1 Cor 10: 4
    And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
    You've got a Catch 22.
    The Order of Melchizedek existed in the time of Abraham. Psa 110: 4.
    The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
    This implicates that Melchizedek was the founder of the Order of whom Chirst was Priest, and Melchizedek predates Christ. That means Melchizedek is the Most High God, to whom even Jesus gave offering through Abraham.
    Hebr 7: 1-3
    1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
    Melchizedek is without beginning, therefore he is God and His Order existed and over ruled Christ. Because, according to your belief, God who like Melchizedek is without beginning used Moses as a Ghost writer, to enact the Levite law, while Christ was with Moses.
    How do you explain Melchizedek then? How do you explain the fact that Christ was already with the Israelites during the Exodus?

    ...and yet you still wait for a man in a beard to come down from the clouds! A man who is also his own father/son, who let himself be crucified, and who has forsaken himself. That is schizophrenic!

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    1. Christ was there from before the beginning (John 1:1). In the beginning the Word (Logos/Divine Expression) already was which means the Word is eternal and existed before the beginning. Eight times in Genesis 1 we read “And God said”. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made (Psalms 33:6). John sums these all up as the Word that created all things. The manifestation of the Word is the light of the world, namely Jesus when the Word took on flesh (John 1:4-5). Notice that John (an apostle) in John 1:14 is speaking in the past tense and John is not referring to his own words or those of the other apostles. Neither is he referring to his own flesh or that of the other apostles. Jesus is the only begotten of the Father and John was an eyewitness of Jesus the Messiah, whose name is called ‘The Word of God’ (Revelation 19:13). When John names the three that bear record in heaven, he calls Him ‘Word’ rather than ‘Son’ (1 John 5:7). Because Christ is the Word, it not only refers to the Father that begot Him but also to everything made by Him.

      …and yet your confession of faith claims that you believe in the Holy Scriptures, the Old and the New Testament, and in the fulfillment of all the promises contained therein. But you don’t believe Acts 1:6-11!

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    2. Jesus made appearances in the OT. For example, the 4th man in the fire who was like the Son of God (book of Daniel). More discussed on this YT sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV8Pis4_LcU

      And as for understanding the Trinity, anyone would understand it after this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKwPJl4jgo8

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  4. So, the book of Leviticus can be removed from the Bible, as it has no use for today's Christians!

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    1. Do you understand the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant? Do you understand that you don’t need to sacrifice livestock for your sins anymore (Leviticus 8:2, Leviticus 9:15, Leviticus 16:5-10, Hebrews 9:12-13, Hebrews 10:4)? Do you appreciate the magnitude of what Jesus actually came to do for us? The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. There’s no need to remove any books from Scripture because they make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

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    2. Most of the Levitical laws do still apply today. Now, the Sabbath, the food laws, carnal ordinances, holidays are no longer in force as they were a picture of things to come (for example, the Sabbath was a day of rest, Hebrews 4 Jesus IS our rest). See Colossians 2, Hebrews 4+9. But all the legal stuff still applies, God never changed His mind. So e.g. if the penalty for adultery, sodomy, etc is death - it should still be death today. If the penalty for theft is restitution 2x-4x-5x, it should be restitution. Just because the governments of the world hate God and legislate the exact opposite, doesn't mean God changed. There is not a single word in the Bible that should be removed, in fact doing that means your name is removed from the book of life while you're yet alive! (Revelation 22:18-19)

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    3. The death penalty was handled differently by Jesus though (Leviticus 20:10, John 8:3-11).

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    4. Christ Came to Fulfill the Law
      Mat 5:17-20 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 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. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

      Under the term, “the law, or the prophets” our Lord includes the entire range of the Old Testament. See Luk 24:44; Act 13:15. Nothing could exceed our Lord’s reverence for the oracles of God. He repeatedly refers to them as of divine authority. His words and teachings are the endorsement of the venerable Scriptures which had nourished His people, preparing them for His further instruction. See Rom 3:31; Rom 8:4.

      To all of us Christ offers rest, not in the other life only, but in this. Rest from the weight of sin, from care and worry, from the load of daily anxiety and foreboding. The rest that arrives from handing all worries over to Christ, and receiving from Christ all we need. If we disobey, we cannot believe; but when we believe we are sure to obey. Our risen Lord has finished the work of Redemption and rests, as God did when He pronounced Creation to be “very good.” When we understand what He meant by “It is finished,” we, too, shall rest.

      Col 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

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    5. Sorry, no. John 8 was not Jesus doing away with the death penalty, in fact the death penalty was even reinforced by it + other places.

      The key phrase which many people miss in John 8 is in verse 6: "This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him." So, the scribes and Pharisees brought Jesus a woman taken in adultery. Now consider this:
      1) the penalty for adultery was death of both adulterer and adulteress. Where was the adulterer? It takes two to commit adultery.
      2) in a court of law; the Jews would have taken her to be tried for adultery, but since there was no man, they are accusing her of adultery without a man present. How can they find her guilty if they can't even confirm who the man was?
      3) Isn't it a bit suspicious that they would take a criminal worthy of death to a man whom they respected not, you take criminals straight to jail/court.
      4) The Jews ask Jesus - "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?" - so the Jews know Jesus claimed to be God, therefore knows every word of God. So they already know that Jesus knows the penalty for adultery is death. Therefore, why are they even bothering to ask Jesus???
      5) Judea was under Roman rule, and by law they couldn't sentence anyone to death, the Romans had to OK it first.
      6) So, if Jesus said "stone the adulterous whore", they would run to the Romans "Jesus is commanding people to kill, that's against the law!". But if Jesus said "according to Roman law, let her go" then He violates the Bible. So the whole situation is not an issue of judgment, it was a trap to get Jesus to either deny God's Word, or to get Him jailed!

      And with that in mind... "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

      This answer works because:
      1) He did not command them to kill her, therefore is not guilty under Roman law
      2) He did not tell them to NOT stone her.

      So often, John 8 is abused to mean "I want to commit adultery, commit sodomy, steal, drink booze, and you can't judge me!!!". The whole point of the passage is that they were trying to lure Jesus into a trap and He didn't fall for it. In God's eyes the death penalty never got abolished - people/regimes changed, God does not change.

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    6. http://www.plainsimplefaith.com/2014/05/he-who-is-without-sin-cast-the-first-taken-out-of-context-stone/

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    7. Understood. Thanks for sharing.

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    8. Rom 8:1-8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

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  5. You must note that some of the sites that you recommend consider disabilities and mental disorders as demon possession, that leads to the conclusion that to you people with disabilities and mental disorders are cursed by God and therefore not welcome in the church.

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    1. You must note that the word “recommend” does not appear anywhere for any site, you’re jumping to your own conclusions.

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