Posted on 08/04/2009 7:20:37 AM PDT by topcat54
Especially when the NT is quite clear what the temple and the bricks are
That was to those asking a sign of HIS messiahship/authority.
Resurrection would certainly be a fitting sign.
Coincidentally, it would also have been proof that the sadducees hadn’t been Berean enough in their understanding of future events.
They should have been looking for one who would resurrect, as the scriptures foretold.
The bottom line, DrE, with Israel and the Church is Romans 9-11 and Acts 15.
Re Acts 15, do you see James' quote of Amos as being about something else than the immediate cause of the Jerusalem council (", “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”"), and referring to an end times millennial situation?
13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,16 “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, saysr> the Lord, who makes these things
I’m not sure about your question, but I do see a Christian church comprised of both gentiles and a Jewish remnant.
Significantly, though, there are DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS for the 2 groups. That’s one of the dynamite revelations in Acts 15.
Mark 13:22 and John 4:48 refer to deceptions done by false Christs and false prophets, while Acts 4:30, Acts 5:12, Acts 14:3, Romans 15:19 and Hebrews 2:4 each speaks of the miracles performed by the Apostles which are no more being performed.
Beyond that, the resurrection.
Signs are from God....not from us.
See Mt 24 & 25
I don't see any "different expectations" for any Jew or Gentile who is brought to faith in Christ. It's the exact same path which each man walks accordng to the times and boundaries and circumstances God has set.
I don't know what God's plans are for the Jews who do not receive Christ. I trust in His perfect mercy for them while believing that in this life a man must be born again to Christ in order to be saved. Beyond that, it's God's business.
Different allowances for the walk in Christ once in Christ.
Jews are not forbidden the continuing of their uniquely Jewish customs, and Gentiles are not required them.
Also, don’t you think the anti-you-know-who is also a prophecy requiring interpretation?
The apostles and elders met to consider this question.I don't see two standards being advocated here, xzins. I certainly don't see the apostles placing or advocating a higher or different set of expectations on the Jewish believers.
After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are"........"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."Peter speaking, in Acts 15:6-11, 19-21
"Dual Covenant" Christian theology basically says, "Yes to all of that ... except when it comes to the Jews." According to this theological variant, the Jews, based on their special status as God's Chosen People, have their own, separate, covenant with God. They can achieve salvation by faithfully following the Law of Moses....
....Dual Covenant adherents argue that there is no need to preach to the Jews or to convert them, because they have already been saved. It accepts Judaism as it is. All other religions must convert to Christianity in order to achieve salvation. Opponents maintain that ALL people must hear the Gospel of Jesus and must reject other beliefs....
....if you buy into the Dual Covenant theory, that’s fine. You just can’t ALSO then go around trying to convert Jews, inviting them to your church and telling them they need to be perfected. At least, not if your theology is to remain internally consistent.
From the thread Ann Coulter and Dual Covenant Theology
"The Jewish people have a relationship to God through the law of God as given through Moses," Hagee said. "I believe that every Gentile person can only come to God through the cross of Christ. I believe that every Jewish person who lives in the light of the Torah, which is the word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption.
"The law of Moses is sufficient enough to bring a person into the knowledge of God until God gives him a greater revelation. And God has not," said Hagee....
-- from the thread Hagee denies belief in 'dual covenant theology'
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.
- Galatians 3:26-29But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;
nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED."
That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.
- Romans 9:6-8
Expanded upon in #29 to Dr E with: Different allowances for the walk in Christ once in Christ.
Jews are not forbidden the continuing of their uniquely Jewish customs, and Gentiles are not required them.
28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things
Gentiles are not burdened "beyond."
These things with which they WERE burdened were not salvific. They were about post-salvation-by-grace-through-faith lifestyle.
Acts 21: 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality." 26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.
As you can see, Paul, had a greater appreciation for the allowances still available to him as a Jewish Christian.
Is Peter recommending that gentiles worship YHvH on Shabbat ?shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiachAs his Word, our salvation, is preached on Shabbat.
NAsbU Acts 15:21 "For Moses from ancient generations has in every city
those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
I don’t see a recommendation in that passage. I see a statement of fact about Jewish reading that takes place on the Sabbath.
Is there not one thought from vs 19 - 21 ?shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
I wish I were closer. I’d love to go and hand out copies of DeMar’s article.
The word “for” says that the Gentiles are encouraged to practice these 4 avoidances FOR Moses has been preached & read in synagogues for a long time.
In other words, these avoidances have universal merit, and can be recommended BECAUSE (FOR)they’re already well broadcast via the proliferation of Jewish synagogues around the Roman world.
Sabbath synagogue practice was not one of the 4 encouragements.
However, a Christian can worship on Saturday if he feels like it. (Or Tuesday, for that matter...or...Every Day.)
That was then, this is now.
Would-be prophets should remember the wisdom of Daniel - prophesy only after the events have happened.
Although I agree that we should worship the LORD every day of the week, it is very clear through Scripture that the Sabbath is something special.
The commandments given by God (the 10 primary) state specifically that we are to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. We are also reminded of this in Exodus 31:14 & 31:16 and Deuteronomy 5:12 & 5:15. It is so important to the LORD that the land was to keep the Sabbath rest as well Leviticus 25:2.
Exodus 20:8-11
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work; you, your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
The Sabbath is of the LORD and should be honored and set apart by all that honor Him. The Scrpitures do not state that the Sabbath is of the Jews or Hebrews but it is directly of, by and for the LORD.
Why is it that the 10 commandments are so revered and yet this particular one is poo-pooed away? This commandment is just as important as having no other gods before Him, not making idols or worshiping them, not stealing, or murdering, etc.
It is a joy to keep the Sabbath. This is a day set aside specifically by God to draw near to Him. He honors those who honor Him and do as He says.
I wish more Calvinists were as gentle and loving in disagreement as you are. Excellent writing.
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