Today, points are shared on faith, divine law, and covenant relationship with divinity through Spirit. The apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ initially understood their work as one of declaring and demonstrating the fulfillment of promises and prophecies received as their inheritance through the covenants of GOD with the Jews. Eventually, all were guided by the Holy Spirit to center on proclaiming new provisions and the new creation covenant through the atoning blood and testament of Jesus Christ. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information appears) posted the following:
Christians/JW/Mormons/RC/SDA: when Paul said we "establish the Law" what did he mean?
Update: Folks, it's not hard, Paul who many Christians claim supported the establishment of God's 10 Commandments said the Apostles were ESTABLISHING the Law. What's your take on that Scripture please?
Update 2: GTower, yes, but you've actually not answered the question's premise, which is that the Law of God, His 10 Commandments, aren't abolished.
Update 3: Paul, true, so go find it and make an informed opinion, it's in Romans.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (Galatians 3: 16-23, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divine Law Is Demanding (04/10/2018); Whoso Keepeth His Word (03/09/2018); Sacred Law and Practice (02/12/2018); Secular History, Sacred Revelation? (01/11/2018); Deeds Of The Law? (09/10/2017); Continuing A Perpetual Covenant (08/03/2017); Operations of Christian Faith (04/28/2017)
“Anonymous”, here are some points on faith, divine law, and Spirit that mature Christians have found useful to avoid spiritual confusion. By being “born again“” and receiving a fresh endowment of life essence (breath, spirit, word) from the makeup of GOD that includes faith, we are established in covenant relationship with GOD:
1. The word “law” has multiple applications and meanings throughout the holy writings and does not always refer to the Ten Commandments (we also say, the Decalogue) that were spoken by GOD himself to proclaim divine authority through covenant relationship with mankind using the Hebrew tribes and Gentiles who traveled from Egypt with Moses.
2. The law declared at Sinai continued the ongoing revelation by the invisible Creator to the created beings and living creatures of the earth that is provided to make divinity knowable, known, accessible, and approachable. This law also was given to transform a collection of nomadic tribes into a sovereign state, and addressed the regular communication, exchange, interaction, and lifestyle required among men for living together as a godly community.
3. The covenant relationship (also called “the law”; the covenant of Moses; the Mosaic covenant) for GOD and Israel is to be understood as permanent, stable, and unchanging. Israel pleaded that GOD employ chastisement, correction, punishment, and even death to enforce the agreement, and to freely express divine disfavor and wrath against sin, yet, never annul or cancel the sacred accord.
4. Israel developed its own culture, institutions, political process, and social practices for expansion, trade, and survival. When Israel again became subject within global empires (like that of Egypt) that legislated co-existence with idol-worshiping and heathen peoples, efforts by those within the Nation generated pressure to demystify “the law and the prophets,” and replace sacred knowledge with secular knowledge. Doctrine became centered on declaring and enforcing the law in a way that did not also acknowledge that GOD is a spirit whom we must worship in spirit and truth.
There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 5. Repeatedly, the argument that the perpetual covenant may only be maintained by strict obedience to the letter of the law granted through Moses has been made in ways that deny operations of faith and righteousness also fulfill the intent and purpose of the law, and ensure continuing, correct relationship with the Lawgiver. Interpretations that speak to the indwelling of divine spirit rather than flesh open the qualifications for covenant relationship as also being for those who are not Hebrews, and are not of Israel as a nation. Also, because spirit endowments from divinity contain inseparable substances from the makeup of GOD, wherever faith and righteousness appear aspects of Deity also will be active and present such as forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, oneness without sameness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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