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Church

5 COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CHURCH

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1.) Church is only a New Testament Institution

 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2: 19-22

For context, Paul is talking to Gentiles (v.11).

 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh.

Ephesians 2:11

Paul tells them that they (Gentiles) were once “strangers” and “foreigners.” The Unchosen, as I call them. But a change has occurred. They are now “members of the household of God.” How did that happen?

This “household” was built on the foundation of two groups of God-inspired people: “apostles and prophets.: The 12 New Testament apostles and the many Old Testament prophets are co-contributors to the foundation household of God.

Jesus is the chief cornerstone. He is what anchors and fits the building together. Paul continues…the building grows into a holy temple and states “you” (Gentiles) become a “dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Paul points out that this temple of people “fitted together” and becomes a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Paul told the Gentile believers (See verse 2:11) something that caused great joy. They were now “members of the household of God.” This is a complete turnaround for them! Because, at one time, they were “aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers.” What made this change from strangers to members? It was Jesus! The great unifier! They believed Him! Sadly, a good part of the people of promise did not!

 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesian 2: 13

In Old Testament times, the Jews separated themselves from the Gentiles. But Jesus did something very radical. He broke down the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles.

For He, Himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of separation.

Ephesians 2:14

Many have speculated about the identity of this “middle wall of separation.” Some say it was the Mosiac law. These laws made Israel unique., but that was a good thing. Why? Because God gave them to Moses to instruct His people in the ways of salvation and the coming character and purpose of the Messiah.

They were to obey them for their own good, but not to be saved. It was to lead them to the source of Salvation…the “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. ” But, they made their way of life a wall to keep out the undesirables i.e. the Gentiles or anyone that was not of Israel.

Paul calls the laws regarding sacrifice and ceremonies a “Schoolmaster” that taught them about the coming Messiah and His method of Salvation (Sacrifice). As the children of Israel participated in the ceremonies, they learned about God, the Messiah’s nature, and His great solution to the sin problem (i.e. sacrifice of God and justification through faith).

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Galatians 3: 24

It is faith in Christ, the Messiah, that unites both the believers of the Old Testament and those of the New Testament. This brings them into the “household of God.”

“…since there is one God who will justify the circumcised (Jew) by faith and the uncircumcised (Gentile) through faith.

Romans 3:30

Without this faith, it is impossible to please God (See Hebrews 11:6). God was teaching, by the people of God in the Old Testament and the New Testament, the great lessons on faith (or trust in Him as their God.). Many of the Old Testament Characters who lived by faith are listed in Hebrews 11.

The point is this: Jesus’ church (believers) now has no walls or boundaries that separate Jews and Gentiles. We are all one in Christ.


There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

Therefore, the church is the fellowship of believers from the Garden of Eden to the last church before Jesus comes. Metaphorically speaking, the believers are the building. The building is not brick and mortar or a denominational name. His temple is made of redeemed flesh and spirit. This is where God wants to dwell…in our hearts and minds. Therefore, our bodies and minds is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body AND in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6: 19-20

God has always had His people. Although the word “church” is not used in the Old Testament, it is used 177 times In the New Testament. The Greek word is ekklēsia. The primary translation, according to Strong’s Greek Concordance, is “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly. It can also mean the assembly of the Israelites.

In Old Testament times, the church is referred to as an assembly of the congregation. The Hebrew word for this group is qāhēl and is used 123 times.

So the terms church and assembly are universal in nature. It is a simple term for the coming together of God’s people, but the building (people) is what Jesus loved, similar to a husband in love with His wife. He lived and died because of this great love for His people, whether in ages past or modern times.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it.“

Jesus gave Himself for the church (assembly) of those who accepted the sacrifice of Jesus by faith, regardless of the time period they lived. The sacrificial system taught sacrifice and faith. It pointed forward to Jesus. It was the shadow of “things to come.”

“… the shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 

Colossians 2:17

2.) Jesus built the church on Peter

“…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,”

Ephesians 2:20

As mentioned at the start, the “building” of believers was built on the “apostles and prophets.” and they are unified or stabilized by Christ the cornerstone. The prophets mentioned here are a direct reference to the many prophets of the Old Testament.

So, it is not Peter alone who participates in the building; it is all the other eleven apostles as well. Included in these numbers are Old Testament believers such as Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, David, and many others. Each had a particular purpose in building a body of faithful believers.

Nevertheless, Peter’s confession or statement of faith is the bedrock of Christ’s church.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16

Here is the starting point for all believers, both Old and New Testament people. To be people of faith, the believer must acknowledge and trust that Jesus is the promised Messiah, but also the Son of God, to be true members of the household of God i.e. the church.

Jesus reminded Peter that he was a stone even though his God-inspired statement was a rock; it is the foundation for all believers who make up the church.

Jesus stated He would build “His church” on Peter’s inspired confession. It is the transition from the shadows of the Old Testament….the faith of the loyal who looked forward to the day the Apostles were living the reality of their experience of “God with Us.”

Jesus gave Peter (petros) his name, which means a pebble or stone:

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

John 1:42

Compared to the mighty power of the bedrock belief in Jesus as both the Messiah and His deity, Peter is just a stone. While Simon Peter is referred to as a stone, Jesus is often called the Rock (Petra). Peter had nothing to do with the work of Jesus in Old Testament times, but Jesus did! Here are just a few examples:

“…all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. “

1 Corinthians 10:4

“No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.

1 Samuel 2:2

“The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!

1 Samuel 22:47

For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?

Psalm 18:31

The only head of the church is Christ. No man, no prophet, no pope , no man or womand can claim that title:
He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1: 20-23

There is no other name (including Peter, John, Paul, Pope Francis, etc.) that is responsible for our salvation.


Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

Jesus is to be given “preeminence” (first place) above all others:

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 

Colossians 1:18

 Preeminence in Greek is Prōteuō.  It means to be first or hold first place.  He is in first place before Peter, Paul, Mary, John, and any other.  Is there any doubt as to who is the head of the church?  Who should be first in our lives, and where we go to seek answers?

I like Paul, but Jesus is better.  I like John, Isaiah, and Moses, but Jesus is better.  He is number 1!  He must have preeminence in our lives. He is number 1 ahead of our pastor or priest. No one is entitled to come between us.

A pastor priest is no longer needed in the process of salvation. God has made a way for us to go directly to the throne of grace for confession, forgiveness, and help:

Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Only Jesus can forgive sins. He doesn’t assign silly things to do or recite to be forgiven. If sin is confessed to God, He freely forgives and provides what no earthly priest can give…power over the sin.

Only Jesus can forgive sins. He doesn’t assign silly things to do or recite in order to be forgiven. If sin is confessed to God, He freely forgives and provides what no earthly priest can give…power over the sin.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing. 

John 15:5

3.) God commands us to go to church

Going to church is sometimes used as a test of whether a person is in Christ or not. When asked if Jesus is Lord and Savior, the response might be, “Yes, I go to church.”

Someone once said, “Going to church doesn’t make me a Christian any more than going to a garage makes me a mechanic.”

Can it be shown from the Bible any commandment to “go to church?” How about the 4th commandment?

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.  For in six days, the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20: 8-11

Many people say that the 4th commandment is obeyed by going to church. But the commandment says nothing about remembering to go to church. The direction from God is to “Remember.” It gives the believer the right to rest by ceasing from the labor of the previous six days and by keeping it holy. Why? Because God blessed the Sabbath (Seventh-Day) and made it holy. Keeping it holy is confusing to many believers because the experience of being holy or sanctified is foreign in a materialistic secular world. This is a study for another time.

Most of Christendom does not remember the seventh day to cease labor and keep it holy because it is not convenient. It is often rationalized away as being for Jews only or changed by Jesus (both unbiblical).

God is not just giving another rule to follow or showing that He is God. He is giving His creation the gift of rest from their labors, both physical and spiritual.

Obviously, missing from the commandment is the idea of going to church. Going to church on the Sabbath is not prohibited. It is no doubt part of keeping the day holy. But neither is attending church on any other day of the week prohibited. Either way, the blessing of the seventh day still stands as a day that God blessed and made holy.

We can not make anything holy, but God can. Any other day of the week is not blessed and made holy as with the seventh day.

Jesus said,

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Mark 2:27

From Jesus’ words, we understand that God made the Sabbath for you and me (mankind), but, too often, restrictions were made by the religious leaders so that people felt like they were serving the Sabbath. The only things God asked us to do is to remember that He blessed the day and made it holy and to cease our labors. If you do, you now have time to be with God, whether in worship, with family, or hiking along a trail. The Sabbath is to be a delight:

if you call the Sabbath a delight
    and the Lord’s holy day honorable,…then you will find your joy in the Lord, Isaiah 58 13b-14a

Unfortunately, the religious leaders in Christ’s time put a burden of a multitude of rules and regulations on the Sabbath and turned it into a day of restrictions rather than allowing people to find their joy in the Lord. In many ways, these restrictions continue today. On a Jewish website, I found a few of these restrictions customized to modern times:

  • No writing, erasing, or tearing;
  • No business transactions:
  • No driving or riding in cars or other vehicles;
  • No shopping;
  • No using the telephone:
  • No turning on or off anything which uses electricity, including lights, radios, television, computer, air-conditioners, and alarm clocks;
  • No cooking, baking, or kindling a fire;
  • No gardening and grass-mowing.
  • Reference: The Thirty-Nine Categories of Sabbath Work Prohibited By Law (ou.org)

Fortunately, God did not give lists of “no-nos”. He gave guidance using the words: “Remember,” “holy,” and “joy“. The only restriction was to cease our labor. Of course, religionists felt a need to help God out by making lists related to what labor or work meant. It seems that “not working” is the emphasis of the commandment rather than a day of joy in the Lord with family, friends, and fellow believers.

The only encouragement I can find in scripture about assembling together is here:

“ …not forsaking the assembling (episynagōgē) of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:25

This passage in words or context does not specify the day of assembling (church-going). At every opportunity, we should gather with other Christians, especially as we see the signs of Christ’s return.

After Christ ascended and the Day of Pentecost had come, Jesus’ followers did not limit coming together to just one day. It was daily! And they met in each other’s houses! Small groups! They were so excited about Jesus!

“…continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, Acts 2:46

Oh, that Christ meant that much to us today, and we greatly anticipated His return!

4.) Going to church will save me

The assembling of God’s people in a building of brick and mortar is for at least seven good reasons that I can think of: In no particular order, it is to…

1.) Worship the Creator;

2.) Encourage others;

3.) Encourage self;

4.) Learn about God;

5.) Serve others in the congregation (particularly those in need)

6.) Disciple the lost;

7.) Serve the community

Not one of these seven reasons saves a person as good as the reasons may be. Salvation is through Christ alone.

Going to Jesus saves you. Going to church should encourage you, but it won’t save you. It doesn’t help gain any favor with God. Faith or trust in God please Him.

Going to Jesus saves a person, not going to church. But, participating in these activities builds up strength in the Lord and thereby helps keep them from the sinful pull of the world. Involvement in the church, with good leaders, will build up (edify) the body of Christ and encourage each individual to go and make disciples of the lost. The church, or assembly of believers, has one main purpose: To equip the saints and take the gospel to the world.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

Ephesian 4: 11-13

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16: 15

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19

5.) My church is the only true church

There is a true church.  It is the body of Christ.  The church is not a building, not a name above the doors or on the sign out front.  It is a body of believers wherever they may be.  His church transcends time and space.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Of the 2.5 billion Christians in the world today, there are over 34,000 denominations to choose from Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Church of Christ, Baptist, and Non-denominational, plus many others. 

But Jesus says there is only one body, one Spirit, one faith, and one baptism.

Jesus prayed for unity among us.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17: 20-21

Was this prayer answered? It would appear that God the Father ignored this prayer. But, I propose to you it was answered. The great Unifier, Jesus, brings us all into one body identified in a particular way.

If a person is in this one body, they are “in Christ.” The phrase “in Christ” appears some 85 times in the New Testament. Here are just a few:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Galatians 3: 26-27

A summary of these few verses states clearly, “in Christ” we :

  • Have eternal life “in Christ.”
  • There is no condemnation “in Christ.”
  • The old past is passed away, and all things are now new…
  • You are sons of God “in Christ.” We have “put on Christ” if we are baptized “into Christ.”

So the true church is not one of the massive numbers of denominations. It is the Cornerstone, the Unifier, and Stabilizer of Christ alone.

My wife and I have enjoyed this truth. It gives us the joy to seek out our brothers and sisters who are “in Christ” at the different churches or denominations. It is by our love towards each other (not fear, suspicion, or judgment) that demonstrates to the world we are part of the body of Christ and are His disciples:

By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

Let us be careful not to make snap judgments about a person’s relationship with Christ based on the name of their church.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Romans 12:10

“There will be people in heaven whose theology may not be totally correct, but they have the right spirit of Jesus, but there will not be a person there who has right theology, but the wrong spirit.”

Pastor Ignacio Silverio

A Quick Summary:

1.)  The church (God’s People) has been the “apple of His eye” since the beginning of time. His love for the church transcends time and space.

2.)  Jesus built His church (His people) on the truth that He is the Christ and the Son of God.  The church is not built on anyone else.  He is in First Place above all other names.

3.)  Just going to church does not save us…Only Jesus. The church’s purpose is to edify its members and prepare them for ministry to the community and seek out the lost.

4.)  Jesus doesn’t command us to go to church. The 4th Commandment invites us to have a date with Jesus, whether in church or not.   He invites us to rest in Him.  The Sabbath is to be called a delight. Not a day of dos or don’ts to gain favor with God. We go to church because Jesus saved us or we are looking for him, but the act of attendance does not save us.

5.)  You are the true church only if you are “in Christ“.  A set of beliefs, traditions, lineage, and theology does not make a true Church.  His people are those “in Him” regardless of where they have their membership. Love for each fellow Christian proves that we are truly His disciples—no love…no discipleship.

Faith, Reasons to Believe

Real Faith Part 2-What is the New Testament Church?

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There are Christian jargons, we often use, which sound good to many church members but are confusing to non-religious folks. These religious catch-phrases can sometimes imply something confusing and misleading. The phrase “New Testament Church” is one of those. What does it mean?

Bible.org provides 5 characteristics of a New Testament Church. The very first characteristic is, ” A New Testament church is a church which derives its doctrine from the New Testament.” Is this true? New Testament Church sounds right, but a closer look at the Bible teaching on the church reveals where the doctrines of the church originated.

The church foundation of Jesus is a radical change from the Israelite system of worship and mission. The church of the New Testament was raised up by the Apostles and disciples under the guidance of the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ ascension to the Father and the Spirit descending on the day of Pentecost. In today’s language, they were “Church Planters.” To say this church-planting program was successful is an understatement! But, there has been division about doctrine and teachings throughout the centuries.

The 13 inspired writers of the New Testament wrote about their experience with Jesus and provided direction and instruction for the creation and administration of the new church plants (As found primarily in the book of Acts and the writings of Paul). The question we want to clarify is this: Was the doctrine of the “New Testament churches” different than the writers of the Old Testament as expressed by Bible.org? Did the Apostles direct that the Old Testament teachings (doctrines) be ignored in favor of the new teachings? As we will see, the answer to this question is No. However, there were some elements of the Old Testament services that have little application since the cross but are valuable to study because of their significance to the original people of God. But, be careful, there many who confuse this premise and may throw out the baby with the bath water!

Doctrine and the Church

When Paul wrote a letter to Timothy, he encouraged his young protege to follow the Holy Scripture he had known since he was a child:

“..and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

Young Timothy was raised up from childhood on the writings of the Tanakh, which is the Old Testament. Timothy did not have a New Testament pocket Bible, but rather the writings of Moses, the major and minor Prophets, and the Psalms. The entire Old Testament can be grouped under one of these headings. All of these were able, according to Paul to make Timothy and any reader “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”So, Timothy could be wise from the Tanakh about salvation and Jesus Christ. Many would consider this primarily a New Testament teaching, but make no mistake, it is found throughout scripture.

Paul then tells Timothy that these scriptures of the Tanakh were good for teaching including doctrine:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16

Don’t miss this! The reference Paul makes to “All Scripture” refers to what we Gentile Christians call the Old Testament! Timothy, as did Paul, got their doctrine from the Old Testament! In fact, The New Testament church members got their doctrine from the Old Testament, but connected Jesus with it as the Apostles began to preach about Jesus! Many who ignore the teachings of the Old Testament create a handicap in their experience because those divenly inspired books teach about Jesus, righteousness, and salvation from the start in Genesis all the way to Malachi. It is the basis for the beliefs of the New Testament writers and followers of Jesus.

All the writers of the New Testament taught from the Tanakh or the Old Testament. Why? Because the New Testament writings would not be written and canonized for many years after Jesus ascended to God the Father. The earliest texts were written sometime after 50 AD, some 20 years after the cross and the beginning of the original church plantings. The oldest New Testament letters came from Paul’s epistles including the two letters to young Timothy. The New Testament with its 27 books was not brought together and canonized until decades later, after the new churches were up and running. The earliest estimate is around 120 AD. Almost 100 years after the resurrection of Jesus!

When Jesus taught His disciples, he used the Tanakh only. That was all that was available. His explanation about His ministry and prophecies about Him are found in the Tanakh. It was the words of these books Jesus used to open the eyes of the disappointed and fearful disciples walking away from Jerusalem and the horrible scenes of the crucifixion to Emmaus and those who stayed behind cowered behind locked doors prior to His appearing to them. Look closely at this amazing story found in the book of Luke 24. Here are a few highlights:

Jesus and the two disciples leaving Jerusalem and the site of the crucifixion:

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27

Jesus and the many disciples hiding in the room fearful for their lives on the First Day of the week:

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for FEAR of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. John 20:19

The disciples were not assembled to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, they were together afraid they would be killed by the Jews or the Romans. At this point, they didn’t believe Jesus was resurrected, It would take Thomas eight days after the following event to convince him that Jesus was alive.

” Then He said to them (the disciples in the locked room), “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24: 44-45

Jesus and Doubting Thomas:

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. John 20: 26-28

Jesus referred His disciples to the Tanakh about the prophecies and elements of faith in Him i.e. His life, death, resurrection, His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary as well as His ascension, judgment, and His 2nd coming. All of this is in the books of the Old Testament. Often Christians ignore these books in favor of the easier to read and understand New Testament! But, the basis for belief and faith is found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. As Paul told Timothy, the scripture (Tanakh) is good and profitable for righteousness to make us complete in God and equipped to do the will of God.


To ignore the words of the Tanakh is to restrict the Christian experience. It is like trying to build a house on 1/3 of the instructions!

New Testament and Old Testament -The Two Witnesses

Please do not be confused. All of th discussion thus far is not to minimize or say that the New Testament is less than the teachings of the Old Testament. On the contrary! Both were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The New Testament writers wrote what they saw and what they learned through Jesus. As we have seen, Jesus threw light on the writing on the Tanakh to reveal himself and to claify things made confusing by the religious leaders of that day. He also gave them the Holy Spirit to write about their experience with Jesus. In fact, Peter referred to Paul’s writing as Scripture:

… as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 2 Peter 3: 15-16

Untaught and unstable people will make general statements about the Old Testament and the New Testament such as:

“Oh, the Old Testament has been done away with. I only go by the New Testament.” OR

“The law of God (10 commandments) were nailed to the cross. We don’t go by them anymore. We live by faith.”

To further confuse things, verses like the following will be used as evidence that the Tanakh is null and void:

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Hebrews 9:16

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2 Corinthians 3:6

There was a change after Jesus came, but it was not an elimination of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. They all are made clearer under Jesus. There is a prophecy in the Old Testament regarding the Messiah or the Lord’s Servant which states Jesus will magnify (expound or make larger and clearer) the law.


…he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. Isaiah 42:21

Jesus did this very thing…clarifying, but also adding honor to the law. These clarifications cut across the traditions and authority of the religious leaders of the day and have the same effect today. For example regarding the 10 commandments, He enlarged the law so we could see it better when He said,


“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5: 27-28

The religious leaders and the people now saw clearer the spirit of the law i.e. a sinful heart that desires to commit adultery. But this does not make the actual act permissible. The breaking of this law literally begins with a sinful heart. The spiritual application does not eliminate the literal application. If it did, our spouses would have a hard time dealing with our breaking of the literal law. Wouldn’t you agree?

To try to obtain righteousness and salvation by the letter of the law is destined for failure, but a changed heart that obeys God from within will also obey the letter…not for salvation purposes, but because it is the fruit of salvation.

Jesus was quick to tell His disciples that He did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill. Some would say that fulfill means He kept the 10 commandments and we don’t have to any more. How absurd is this! We can now lie, cheat, and steal because Jesus “fulfilled” the Law?! Listen closely to the words of Jesus Himself.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5: 17-20

Jesus told us we are not even to think He came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. Both of these he fulfilled in doing the law and being the fulfillment of the prophecies! He emphasizes that not even the smallest stroke of the pen in the law will change until heaven and earth passes away which is the final fulfillment of prophecies found in both the Old and New Testaments. The heavens and earth have not passed away yet, so I would say, the law is still valid. Christ does not minimize the law rather He minimizes those who don’t teach and do them!

Now comes the big ending. Our righteousness has to exceed the scribes and Pharisees who often bragged about the meticulous keeping of the law! If we fail here, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven! So I would say the law of God as contained in the 10 Commandments is very important. But keep in mind, the only righteousness we can obtain is found in Christ alone, not by works or even an attempt to keep the law with a sinful heart. The righteousness that exceeds the scribes and Pharisees is Christ working in us to will and do His good pleasure from a renewed and sincere heart.

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Righteousness does not exclude obedience. The topic of righteousness by faith we will explore at another time, but the main idea is that without Jesus we can do nothing, including obedience to His law, but through Him we can do everything.

What Ended at the Cross?

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Galatians 3: 24,25

The laws in the Bible are grouped as Sacrificial, Ceremonial, Moral, Health laws, and sometimes all of the writings of the Old Testament. So, what was ended at the cross that we don’t have to follow? It was not the moral law! But it was the sacrificial laws and ceremonies!

Why would the moral law end? Is it still not a sin to lie cheat, steal, kill, covet, have other gods, etc? Of course, the definition of sin has never changed, “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4

The laws regarding diet were meant to keep the Israelites healthy. Why would they end? They had no religious meaning. They were never given as a requirement for salvation, but to rather what the great Creator knew would make them healthy. If they followed God’s command, He promised to keep them free from diseases:

I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians.  Exodus 15:6

Do not confuse the unclean foods from foods that were actually unclean. Food sacrificed to idols was considered unclean, but were not necessarily unclean animals. Paul stated he had no problem eating foods sacrificed to idols, but he respected those who wished not to do so and would not weaken someone’s faith because of what He ate.

Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is no other God but one… However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled…
Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. ” 1 Corinthians 8: 4, 7, 13

Peter never ate unclean meat even when he was told in a vision three times to eat them. He understood later that the purpose of the vision was to show that the Gentiles were not to be considered unclean

But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean…
But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean Acts 10: 14,28

My digestive system and body is no different from those who received these health laws. I can benefit from abstaining from unclean food just as did the disciples. Science has caught up with God’s word. These unclean foods as described in Leviticus are not healthy to eat.

The optimal diet is found in the garden of Eden before sin entered into the world. It is a plant-based diet. Since there will be no death in heave and the new heaven and the new earth that the Lord will make, animals will not be slaughtered for food. Our diet will return to a plant based diet.

Nailed to the Cross

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2: 13-14

No doubt, something was “nailed to the cross” and “taken out of the way.” Is it the 10 commandments? Is it the health laws meant to keep Israel and any other person from the diseases? Was it all of the Old Testament?

There are two key words that tell us what was nailed to the cross: 1.) handwriting 2.) ordinances. These ordinances written by Moses’ own hand were against us and contrary to us. What was against us and contrary to us? How could the moral law, written by the finger of God, to document in stone how we are to relate to God and our neighbor be against us? The context of this chapter has to do with legalism and circumcision and the dreadful duty of sacrifices. Doing these things were contrary to our nature and burdens to the good news of Jesus’ sacrifice. They would be difficult to maintain with the conversion of the Gentiles and the spreading of the gospel.

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These ordinances (ceremonial and sacrificial laws) had their purpose. God initiated them for the nation of Israel as a “School Master” to teach them about Jesus and His coming sacrifice for our sins. But the blood of bulls and goats and lambs did not save anyone. Each participant in the daily sacrifices looked forward, by faith, to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. Just as today, we look backward in faith to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for salvation. The cross is the central meeting point for both systems of worship and teaching.

This chart will help demonstrate the difference between God’s 10 commandments and the ordinances that were against us.

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“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Galatians 3: 24-25

The ceremonial laws taught about the plan of salvation in Christ and were the shadows that pointed forward to the Cross.

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

There were meat and drink offerings under the sacrificial system and special days for them to celebrate that were “shadows” Their substance was found in the “body of Christ” There were special celebration Sabbaths that had nothing to do with the weekly Sabbath. These Sabbaths were sometimes counted from days different than the first day of the week.

The Sabbath of the 10 Commandments was from the beginning and was not a shadow like the feast days and sacrifices. It is a commandment for all mankind initiated on the 7th day of Creation. It was a day to remember because of God’s creative and redemptive powers. He is Lord of the Sabbath which makes it the Lord’s day.

So, the sacrificial and ceremonial laws were nailed to the cross. We no longer need to sacrifice lambs in faith because it was only a shadow and figure of the true Lamb of God. When Jesus died on the Cross, type (sacrificial law) had met Antitype (Jesus). The system of priests, sacrifices, and feast days all ended. They were blotted out as demonstrated by what happened in the temple on the day Jesus died:

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom Matthew 27: 50, 51

This large veil in the temple split open and the Most Holy place, allowed to be seen by a priest once a year, was now open for all to see signifying that we had direct access to the throne room of God through Jesus.

Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

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Those services performed by earthly priests every day were but a shadow of the heavenly sanctuary and its services that are conducted now by Jesus as our one and only high priest.

For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;  who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. Hebrews 8: 4-5

The New Testament Church

There have never been two methods of salvation i.e. works VS Grace. God’s people from the Old Testament days knew of grace and faith as well as the people of God in New Testament. Both are saved by faith through the blood of Jesus alone and not by any amount of works. Good works originate from God and are evidence of salvation and a new birth experience not as a method of salvation.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Hebrew 10: 4

To imply the Old Covenant was a method of salvation of works and the New Testament is by Grace alone shows a lack of knowledge of the plan of salvation. Man sinned. Death passed upon all men for all have sinned and have an ancestry of sinners. Jesus paid for the penalty of sins (eternal death) and He will resurrect them to eternal life when He returns. Man is saved by Grace alone through faith and not of works. It has always been that way. But our works or obedience demonstrates real faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”  Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2: 18

The New Testament Church, therefore, includes the teachings of the Old Testament, but the ceremonial laws and sacrificial laws ended at the cross of Jesus. They met their significance in the body of Jesus. But the prophecies and the moral laws continue today. Pick any of the 10 commandments. It was a sin back then to break it and it is a sin today.

Want to be healthy? Follow the health laws God gave to the children of Israel.

The New Testament Church received its instructions from Jesus and the Holy Spirit for organization, leadership, and the work of taking the good news of Jesus to the world. This is found in Acts and the letters of the Apostles to the growing Christian churches. However, It is supported by the willing giving of tithes (10%) and free-will offerings (An Old Testament teaching).

The moral law uplifts the principals of love to God and to our neighbors as demonstrated by the 10 commandments. These laws are divided into two tables and written by the finger of God. Each commandment lines up under one of the two loves: Love to God and Love to our neighbor.

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it:‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Mathew 22: 27-30

The New Testament Church upholds the entire word of God knowing that the gospel is not limited to only 27 letters.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

The sacrifices and ceremonies of the Old Testament were taken out of the way by the death of Jesus. He replaced them with only two ceremonies: Baptism and the Ordinance of Humility (The washing of feet and followed by the Lord’s Supper.

Conclusion:

The church after the death, resurrection, and ascension is built on the rock of Jesus who is revealed throughout the Old Testament. The administration and structure are clearly described in the New Testament. The church’s members and workers include not just Jews, but everyone else without the respect of persons if they are “in Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Without a doubt, God’s marching orders are communicated through 27 letters of the New Testament to church members and leaders. But, its teachings and clarifications are founded on Jesus’s teachings who never once indicated that the Old Testament writers (also inspired by God) were to be ignored. On the contrary, the Tanakh is considered “Scripture” providing the backbone and depth of understanding to the New Testament church. its teachings provide a deeper understanding of Jesus, and the things yet to come…

The phrase, New Testament church can be misleading. The more Biblical pronouncement should be: “We are all members of the body of Christ.” “We base our doctrine on All Scripture.”

so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:5