[Mat 5:17-20]
Matthew 5:17-20 seems to be the heart of the issue. I've asked this before, but I'm not sure I recall the answer, how does anyone square the language of Matt. 5 with, for example, the book of Hebrews esp. with respect to all the laws regarding the sacrifices and the Levitical priesthood? How do you square Matt. 5 with regard to the law being a "shadow" (Heb. 10:1)?
Unles you say that absolutely nothing has changed from old covenant to new covenant, then Matt. 5 is really not an issue. All we are doing is arguing over the details of what has changed and what as not.
Seems to me that "Sunday keepers" as you call us are in more more trouble with Matt. 5 (or any of the other verses you quoted) than anyone who does all the old covenant laws precisely as they are written down in the Old Testament.
Perhaps if you can point out specifically where in these passage "Sunday keepers" are in trouble, but those who do not keep kosher or sacrifice small animals or celebrate "new moon" festivals on a regular basis are not, then I would say you may have a point.
No, TC, all the scriptures I cited in post 105 have a common theme - The Law. What you reference regarding Levitical Laws have been covered time and time again. The animal sacrifices were required for the forgiveness of sin prior to Christ. Christ fulfilled that part. Sin remains, obviously, but Christ's sacrifice once for all is the fulfillment part of 5:17. Another part, that is a continuation of this fulfillment, is that we confess our sins directly to the Lord now, thus we don't need the priesthood.
Now, if sin remains, and sin is the transgression of the Law, then the Law remains. How do you define the Law? Christ warns us to not break "these least Commandments" and especially not to teach men to do so. What can possibly be considered "these least Commandments" if not the 10 Commandments spoken by God directly to the Chosen People and written in stone by His finger? Revelation says the remnant keep the Commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. What can possibly be the Commandments of God if not the 10 Commandments. I'm open to it being more, but it simply cannot be less than those precious 10.
Paul writes that the brethren are to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. Aren't you the least bit worried about your salvation? What is your definition of "lawlessness"? Do you really want to bank your afterlife on the "penumbra of an emanation" of scripture that is Sunday worship?
And please refrain from answering by quoting some theologian. I want to know what it is you believe. Most of us on the right side of this issue have bared our theology for all the world to see. Let us see yours now.