Amazingly, going against all common sense, most mainstream Christian churches REFUSE to acknowledge the first, primary definitions of the original, critically important Greek words in too many of those sometimes, seemingly at first glance, ambiguous “controversial” law keeping verses! To make matters even worse, the vast majority of the English translations are slightly BIASED AGAINST OLD TESTAMENT LAW KEEPING!!
LUKE 16:16: “The law and the prophets WERE until John: from that time the kingdom of God is announced ……” (Analytical Literal Translation) The word “were” is artificially inserted by translators and is not in the original Greek. This verse is basically repeated in Matthew 11:13 below and explained.
JOHN 3:36: “One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (WEB) Hijacking the first half of John 3:36, lifting it “sky high” out of context, and dumping the second half of that verse, most mainstreamers assert that obedience to Jesus is not necessary for salvation. The second half of John 3:36, however, says: “but one who DISOBEYS the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him,” which “spells out” that obedience most definitely really is necessary.
MATTHEW 11:13: “For all the prophets and the law prophesied UNTIL John.” (WEB) In both Luke 16:16 and Matthew 11:13 the original Greek word for the pivotally important word “until” is heos, Strong’s number 2193. It is often translated as “until,” but is translated about as often as “unto.” Other translations are “to,” “while,” and “whilst.” In the following 12 different translations you can see that there is no indication at all that the law was abolished in this verse: The New Living Translation, New Century Version, New Life Bible, The Darby Translation, Goodspeed New Testament, Knox New Testament, Living Oracles New Testament, Williams New Testament, Worsley New Testament, and An Understandable Version. Therefore this verse is not conclusively anti-Mosaic law. The “until” word usually does not even appear in these translations. The Message: “But if you read the books of the Prophets and God’s Law closely, you will see them culminate in John, teaming up with him in preparing the way for the Messiah of the kingdom.” These Matthew and Luke verses essentially just state that John the Baptist learned Old Testament laws and prophecies, which was the only religious material available to learn since the New Testament did not exist when he was alive. After John arrived he announced the soon coming kingdom of God. That announcement in itself was not a clear statement, beyond reasonable doubt, that OT laws then became abolished.
ACTS 15:10-11: “Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which NEITHER OUR FATHERS NOR WE WERE ABLE TO BEAR? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.” (WEB) The overall context or main topic of Acts 15 was a ministerial conference in Jerusalem to decide if the law of circumcision, not the other Mosaic laws, should still be obeyed. The disciples concluded that requiring Gentile Christian males to be circumcised would have been an unnecessarily burdensome yoke on them, and that circumcision therefore was no longer required. Luke’s use of the Greek word ischuo, Strong’s number 2480, translated into the English “were able” in Acts 15:10 shows or suggests that the fathers and their descendants were actually able to bear such a yoke, but not in a “forceful” or “robust” or “strong” or “extraordinary” way. Ischuo indicates a more forceful strength or ability to prevail than the Greek word dunamai, Strong’s number 1410 which simply means “to be able” or just “be possible,” “can,” or “may.” For many hundreds of years the tribes of Judah (the Jews), Benjamin, and the other tribes of Israel did observe circumcision which did not seem to significantly harm their physical or mental health, so in a sense they were able to bear circumcision. Visit ucg.org/un/un0608/treasure/digest and read the bottom one eighth of that page for additional study of these verses.
ACTS 15:24: When ministers quote the most common translation of Acts 15:24 without explaining that another translation is just as easily possible, they give their congregations the impression that the common translation is the ONLY one possible, which is a LIE, deception by omission. Acts 15:24:”Since we have heard that some who went out from us have disturbed you with words, upsetting your souls; saying you must be circumcised AND to keep the law, to whom we ordered no such thing;” (Modern Literal Version) Fact: The Greek for AND is kai, Strong’s 2532, usually translated as “and.” Kai definitely can be translated in other ways, however, depending on the context. It can be translated as “even, so, then, so then, certainly, just, now, while, for, that, therefore.” Kai can mean “as a consequence or result of an action taken” in which verse 24 could very well mean that circumcision would merely be an act or consequence of keeping the law of Moses, and Mosaic law observance in general then was not addressed. Verse 24: “…… upsetting your souls; saying, you must be circumcised (SO THEN or CERTAINLY or NOW or WHILE or FOR or THAT or THEREFORE) to keep the law, to whom we ordered no such thing” (Modern Literal Version, parenthesized words added) are most definitely other very possible translations. The Apostles merely concluded that imposing circumcision, not the law in general, on Christians would be too much of a burden.
ROMANS 8:1-2: “There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION TO THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and death.” (WEB) These verses do not say that law keeping Christians are free from the law, which is the law in general, but are now free from a more specific law, the law of sin and death (the penalty), which is the penalty part of breaking the law. Jesus repeatedly said in other verses that Christians must obey the law. There is now no condemnation FOR PAST, PRE-BAPTISMAL SINS since Jesus paid the price, which was His own death, for those old sins (Romans 3:24,25). 1 Corinthians 9:27 indicates that Christians (even Paul when he was alive) CAN still be condemned to the “lake of fire” for deliberate post-baptismal sins that are not later repented of.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:5,6: “…… God, 6 who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant, NOT OF THE LETTER, but of the Spirit; FOR THE LETTER KILLS, but the Spirit gives life.” (WEB) Since the principles of the Ten Commandments formed the basis of the civil statutes and judgments, a violation of these PRINCIPLES WAS punished by Old Covenant civil authority. The administration of death was the civil execution of punishment for violation of certain laws in the civil law code which Moses spoke to the people. Such sins as murder, kidnaping and adultery were punishable by death. Sinners were thus made to realize fully that they had transgressed the law of God. They were made to realize how woefully they had failed to measure up to the keeping of the law. Israel sinned constantly, and was constantly reminded of it. Their history is a lesson to us, today (1 Corinthians 10:11), to make us also realize our weakness and need of divine power in overcoming our natures. This is why the ministration of death was glorious. It accomplished a glorious purpose. Old Covenant Israel did not have God’s Holy Spirit of love with which to keep the law of God in its spiritual intent. All they could possibly do was try to keep the law in the letter by their own human power. Had the Israelites kept the law in the letter, God would have fulfilled His part of the Old Covenant and given them all the material promises of this material covenant. But they would never have received eternal life by keeping this covenant. One would still ultimately die eternal death because there was absolutely no promise of eternal life in the old covenant! For it is only the Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God, that will give “life,” eternal life! (2 Corinthians 3:6.) The following discussion provides additional insight as to why “the letter kills or can kill.” Matthew 5:17: “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.” (WEB) Verse 17 is explained in item 8 above. Verse 17 means that Jesus came to EXPAND (fill the Law more fully), MAGNIFY, and GO BEYOND THE “LETTER” OF THE LAW. Matthew 5:20: “…… unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (WEB) The scribes and Pharisees prided themselves on obeying ONLY the literal letter of the law, not the FULL INTENT and SPIRIT OF THE LAW. Verse 20 obviously and of course means that the letter of the law itself needs to be obeyed. THE STANDARDS FOR TRUE CHRISTIAN CONDUCT NEED TO NOT ONLY INCLUDE OBEYING THE LETTER OF THE LAW BUT ALSO NEED TO EXCEED AND BE EVEN HIGHER THAN THE CONDUCT EXPRESSED IN THE LITERAL WORDS OF THE LAW (THE “LETTER” OF THE LAWS) THAT WERE RECORDED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. The “letter” of the law by itself is sometimes too spiritually limiting and not inclusive enough, and that is why it can lead to or later allow sin which can ultimately “kill” (Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death ……” [WEB]). The spirit of the law (the law’s spiritual intent) is much broader than the letter of the law and even encompasses our thoughts toward other people. The wrong thoughts can later lead to sin (breaking the law) if only the letter of the law (which is deficient in the spiritual intent of the law) is observed. For further study please visit https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-study-course/bible-study-course-lesson-9/the-letter-and-spirit-of-the-law.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:7,11: “But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away, 8 won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory? 9 For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. 11 For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.” (WEB) Briefly, what was passing away was the eternal death penalty for righteous Christians, the lack of certain promises, and certain Apostle itemized OT laws, ESPECIALLY the sacrifices which were still going on in the Temple when this epistle was written. Mainstreamers mistakenly assume ALL OR MOST OT laws were abolished, too, when the Old Covenant, which was separate from OT laws, was replaced with the New Covenant. The Old Covenant DID NOT offer the promises of 1) eternal life, 2) the Holy Spirit, or the complete forgiveness of sins. It did offer earthly protection and physical blessings for obedience, but it required the DEATH PENALTY, often automatic, for sinning, so the phrase “ministry of death” appropriately describes that now abolished part of the Old Covenant. Romans 8:2 reveals that righteous, law keeping Christians have been freed from the automatic death penalty (which temporarily killed Adam and Eve who will be given a second chance at salvation in the second resurrection), which is now part of the much improved Old Covenant, now called the New Covenant.
JOHN 10:27-29: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (WEB) Jesus is stating that no EXTERNAL power such as Satan, religious leaders, or other people could “snatch them out of His hand.” Jesus DID NOT say that His followers would live forever regardless of their own future behavior and actions. Many mainstream Christians believe in the man concocted “once saved, always saved, and law keeping is not necessary” idea, but the Bible does not support that belief. A number of verses reveal that baptized Christians CAN ultimately fail to be given eternal life if they deliberately continue to knowingly sin and do not later sincerely repent of those sins (Hebrews 6:4-6). The Bible says that salvation is guaranteed to righteous Christians, but that salvation is a CONDITIONAL salvation. Christians must put forth reasonable effort to remain righteous up to the very day of their death. 1 Corinthians 15:2:”By which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.” (WEB) Hebrews 10:36: “For you need endurance so that, having DONE the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (WEB) Also, there are many itemized NT sins, of course, such as fornication, murder, theft, adultery, homosexuality, lying, disrespect for parents, working on the Sabbath (“keep the Sabbath”), coveting, drunkenness, and so on, which can in no uncertain terms jeopardize the salvation of a Christian. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:27: “but I beat (discipline) my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be REJECTED (disqualified).” (WEB, parenthesized words added) Paul admits that he himself could fail to be saved! The Greek word for “DISQUALIFIED” is adokimos, Strong’s 96, defined as unapproved, rejected, worthless, castaway, and reprobate.
EPHESIANS 2:8,9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, that no one would boast.” (WEB) Unless you believe (incorrectly) in a self contradictory Bible, you cannot just lift this verse up and make it stand on its own, ignoring what the rest of the New Testament reveals. Remember, grace requires the presence of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:18), but to acquire the Holy Spirit in the first place you must repent, sincerely, of your past sins (Acts 2:38). Sins are violations of the law (the Torah and NT magnified Torah laws) according to 1 John 3:4. So you must stop sinning to obtain the Holy Spirit, and obviously the only way to stop breaking God’s laws is to start obeying His laws. Ephesians 2:8,9 above does not directly or indirectly say that Christians can abandon law keeping. It does say that works, or law keeping, BY ITSELF, is not the main engine of salvation. Verses 8 and 9 are merely an observation, or a comparison of the 2 elements required for salvation, which are faith and works. Many dozens of other verses quite emphatically assert that law keeping is an integral part of the salvation process. As a reminder, in the NT two frequently mentioned failures to keep the law involve deliberate, repeated LYING and HOMOSEXUAL behavior. The Bible in no uncertain terms warns us that either one of those sins can cause a Christian to lose his salvation, if they are not later sincerely repented of. Lying homosexuals will not be saved, no matter how much “faith” they have! Therefore Christians must continue to obey the law. Paul apparently also wanted to remind or explain to hard core, “die hard” Jews that they cannot rely only on their own law keeping to save them from eternal death.
So how much longer are you going to continue to “suck up” mainstreamers’ BIG LIE that the law has been “abolished”? How much longer are you going to continue to believe that the majority must always be right 100 percent of the time with no exceptions, and that the verses mainstream Christians twist out of context claiming to prove that the Old Testament laws have been abolished, is correct???? Long ago the majority of people believed the earth was flat. Hundreds of years ago the majority of British people believed it was safe to decorate the interior of their homes with arsenic laden wallpaper. In the 1950’s the majority of doctors smoked cigarettes believing they were safe to smoke. In recent decades the majority of Americans assumed it was safe to use leaded gasoline. And now the majority of Americans believe it is safe to ingest cholesterol lowering statin drugs, while the number of people succumbing to Alzheimer’s Disease has been rising sharply ever since statins were introduced. (The brain is composed mostly of cholesterol, and it needs a steady and healthy supply of cholesterol. Without sufficient cholesterol the brain begins to slowly deteriorate. Inflammation and high blood pressure can be the initial causes of clogged arteries [CriticalHealthNews.com]). To comply with certain laws the following statement is needed. The last 4 sentences about statin drugs are for general information purposes only and are not necessarily intended to prevent, diagnose, or treat any ailment or dispense medical advice. Consult a licensed medical professional if expert advice is desired.