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Unbanned Bible Publications |
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Defending God’s Truth in Church Doctrine and Political History – Renette Vermeulen |
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(Continued from Jesus’ New Testament Covenant is the Only Way to the Father)
THE BIBLE IS DIVIDED INTO THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS FOR AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT REASON
INTRODUCTION: Hosea 4:6-10, “MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. BECAUSE YOU HAVE REJECTED [TRUE SCRIPTURAL] KNOWLEDGE [AND SO CHOSE SPIRITUAL DEATH,] I WILL REJECT YOU [WITH DIRE CONSEQUENCES...]” ► BELIEVERS MUST REALIZE THAT THE TWO DIFFERENT BIBLE TESTAMENTS ARE TWO SEPARATE COVENANTS. THUS IT IS CRITICAL TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY OPERATE IN TWO DIFFERENT TIME SLOTS, WHICH INFLUENCE BELIEVERS IN DIVERSE WAYS. YET CORRECTLY INTERPRETED, THE TWO INDIVIDUAL COVENANTS FORM THE WHOLE OF BIBLICAL TRUTH. BY HIDING THESE KEY INSIGHTS, SATAN HAS A BALL WITH THE MINDS AND THUS THE LIVES AND ETERNAL DESTINIES OF BELIEVERS IN CHRIST.
Topics in this study: Þ The Old Testament covenant was rooted literal temple religion; the New Testament Covenant is a personal, spiritual, enveloping relationship with God through Christ. Þ The Old Testament was a religious “copy of Heavenly things:” The New Testament is a Spiritual Relationship with God through Jesus Christ, (Hebrews 8:5-13; John 1:29.) Þ Jesus’ Spiritual New Testament Covenant versus Ousted Judaist, Old Testament religion Þ The literal Old Testament temple was utterly destroyed to establish the spiritual, New Testament Temple of the Hoy Spirit “made without hands!” Þ The old Levitical priesthood was forever changed to the spiritual priesthood of Melchizedek Þ Hybridizing the two different covenants or Testaments of the Bible is spiritual death Þ God spoke through prophets in the Old Testament but through Christ in the New Testament Þ Religious Judaist and christian temple rituals and sacraments are as filthy rags before God
TO THE DISMAY OF CLERGIES THE BOOK OF HEBREWS TELLS THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT THE TWO TESTAMENTS OR COVENANTS The principal findings about the Two Bible Covenants in the Book of Hebrews is so illuminating, precise, and uncomplicated, Protestant Reformer Martin Luther put it on the list of “disputed books;” rejecting unadulterated Bible history and God’s vital declarations concerning each of the Two Testaments, so that the Truth about church, christianity, and clergies do not come to light. But this Book is crucial in how to understand the Bible; which not only influences our lives on earth but especially our obedience to God and eternal life in heaven. That is why Truth Seekers must understand why clergies keep themselves out of the limelight when questions arise about Genuine Bible Truth, the church system, their hierarchical rule, and what is going on in the estimated 50,000 denominations or divisions of christianity. “[For through the fruit of the Spirit] we find out what is acceptable to the Lord. So have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them… Awake you who sleep [in a lack of knowledge.] Arise from the dead and Christ will give you Light,” (Eph. 5:8-15!)
THE OLD TESTAMENT COVENANT WAS ROOTED IN LITERAL TEMPLE RELIGION; THE NEW TESTAMENT COVENANT IS A PERSONAL, SPIRITUAL, ENVELOPING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD It is essential to understand that the Indisputable Creator and One God of Bible Scripture must be our highest priority, (Mt. 22:37!) If we attempt to fill His place with anything or anyone else, (either privately or in corporate belief systems,) we are religionists. Formal religious institutions are usually contained in christian churches and other temples; ruled by hierarchical overseers and outward religious practices. So, membership of anything under the notion of ‘salvation’ pertains to financial infidelity, meaningless works, and ritual ‘salvation.’ CONVERSELY, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST OF THE BIBLE AND HIS NEW TESTAMENT COVENANT IS NOT A RELIGION. CHRIST JESUS Himself IS The Way, Truth, and Life, and NO ONE can enter God’s Holy Presence and heaven without Him, (John 14:5-11.) Hence, His follower-disciples after the cross and Pentecost were simply called “The Followers Of The Way,” (Acts 9:1-2.) Accordingly, in the New Testament Covenant, “GOD DOES NOT DWELL IN TEMPLES [churches,] MADE BY HANDS AND HE IS NOT SERVED BY [CLERICAL] HANDS AS IF HE NEEDS ANYTHING.” (Acts 17:24-25.) The Only Way to belong to the One God of the Bible is to choose to fully believe in Him, totally accept Christ as Lord and God, submit to Him in totality, and live in a spiritual RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM forever more.
THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS A RELIGIOUS “COPY OF HEAVENLY THINGS;” THE NEW TESTAMENT IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH CHRIST, Heb. 8:5-13; John 1:29.) As said, the Book of Hebrews details such a vivid, comprehensive account of the Two Testaments, (rooted in historical facts no one can contest,) that it bridges the Two Covenants perfectly to present complete understanding of the Bible from beginning to end. During the Lord Jesus Christ’s time on earth He ministered only to the old Hebrews under the Old Covenant, because His blood atonement for all believers was not accomplished yet, (Jn. 7:38-39 KJV!) Until the moment Christ died on the cross, the Old Testament Covenant and the external, ceremonial law of the Hebrew temple remained in force, (Heb. 7:18-19; 8:7-13.) Hebrews 8:5-13 details, “[The Old Testament Covenant with the Hebrew nation was] A [physical, religious] COPY AND SHADOW, [symbolic] OF THE HEAVENLY THINGS, [which can only be obtained through Jesus Christ.] MOSES WAS DIVINELY INSTRUCTED WHEN HE MADE THE [literal] TABERNACLE… BUT NOW JESUS THE CHRIST HAS OBTAINED A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY [in the New Testament,] AS HE IS ALSO [the only] MEDIATOR OF A BETTER [Everlasting] COVENANT; ESTABLISHED ON BETTER PROMISES; [leading His real believers right into God’s Holy Presence.] “IF THE FIRST, [Old Testament/Covenant with the Hebrews] WAS FAULTLESS, [so that its temple sacramentalism could WASH AWAY SIN, NOT ONLY COVER IT — while including the whole believing world, not only the Hebrews: John 1:29; 3:16,] NO PLACE WOULD BE SOUGHT FOR A SECOND… “BUT [at the cross] GOD MADE A NEW [international, eternal, Spiritual] COVENANT [with the whole believing world; NOT only believing Jews, (John 18:36.] “NOT ACCORDING TO THE [literal, temple/sacramental Old Testament] COVENANT… [because] HE PUT HIS [New Covenant Moral] LAWS IN [every believer’s] HEART [and mind: believing Hebrews as well,] AND HE BECAME THEIR GOD AND THEY ALL BECAME HIS PEOPLE… (Heb. 10:16.) “IN THAT GOD SAID ‘A NEW COVENANT,’ HE MADE THE FIRST [covenant with Old Israel] OBSOLETE. [So, through the cross and Jesus’ resurrection, the Old Testament covenant with Israel totally] VANISHED AWAY!” (Heb. 8:5-13; 9:8-12!) ► Everything literal about the Old Testament Hebrews; their covenant, nation, country, temple, priesthood, sacramental law or ‘saving’ rituals, sabbaths, feasts, etcetera, were FULFILLED and then annulled at the cross, (Mt. 5:17-20; Jn. 19:28-30.) And when Jesus rose from the grave, He established His Spiritual New Testament Covenant with sincere believers worldwide — Israelis included, (Jn. 3:16-21.) CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN INSTITUTING THE LORD’S SUPPER SHORTLY BEFORE JESUS WENT TO THE CROSS, He instructed: “[The physical wine and bread are mere symbols showing towards everlasting redemption and salvation.] IT [refers to] MY BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT, WHICH IS SHED FOR [all believers globally] FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS…” (Mt. 26:28.) ► “THUS, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST HE IS A NEW [spiritual] CREATION, (Colossians 2:8-15!) [Old Testament sacramental temple salvation for Israelis] HAVE PASSED AWAY [at the cross and] ALL THINGS [under the New Testament Covenant] BECAME NEW WHEN HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD. [Old Testament temple sacramentalism only covered sin, but] GOD RECONCILED THE [entire believing] WORLD TO HIMSELF THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, AND GAVE [all His real disciples] THE [Spiritual] MINISTRY OF [preaching His] RECONCILIATION…” (2 Cor. 5:17-21; 1 Pet. 2:5-9!)
JESUS’ SPIRITUAL NEW COVENANT VS OUSTED JUDAIST, OLD COVENANT RELIGION The significance of Jesus’ atonement and genuine Word are profound. But just as in raw paganism and church christianity, people from all walks of life continue to yearn for temple establishments, religious formalities, ruling clericals, outward ritualism and tangible sacramentalism. They crave materialism; so-called “gods” they can see and feel! The awareness of a deep, spiritual relationship through decided devotion to the One and Only Creator God of the Bible, does NOT influence them enough to repent from pagan temples, godless churches, (Acts 17:24-25; 7:44-56,) false dogma, useless religious rituals, and silly sacraments. Acts 21:20-21 laments: “[After the cross and Pentecost,] Myriads of Jews believed in [Jesus Christ,] yet they [remained] zealous for the [rejected temple and sacramental] law, (Heb. 9:8-10! 7:18-19!) But they were informed that all the Jews must FORSAKE MOSES, [the ended, outward sacramental temple law,] SAYING THEY OUGHT NOT TO CIRCUMCISE THEIR CHILDREN [physically anymore,] NOR WALK ACCORDING TO [concluded Old Testament] CUSTOMS. Verse 25: CONCERNING BELIEVING GENTILES… THEY TOO SHOULD NOT OBSERVE ANY SUCH THING…” Hebrews 10:14-16, “FOR BY ONE OFFERING [Christ] HAS [spiritually] PERFECTED FOREVER THOSE WHO WERE SANCTIFIED by His sacrifice of BLOOD SPRINKLING, [NOT sacramental ‘water sprinkling,’ Hebrews 12:24,]” and He renews their minds by submission to Him to understand and obey His Scriptural knowledge, (Jn. 1:12-13; Rom. 12:1-2!]
THE LITERAL OLD TESTAMENT TEMPLE WAS UTTERLY DESTROYED TO ESTABLISH THE SPIRITUAL, NEW TESTAMENT TEMPLE OF THE HOLY-SPIRIT “MADE WITHOUT HANDS!” Some of Jesus’ accusers said that they heard Him say: “I will destroy this temple that is [literally] made with hands and within three days, [when I rise from the dead,] I will build another [spiritual temple] made WITHOUT HANDS,” (Mark 14:58! 1 Cor. 3:16-17!) And yes, “The Holy Spirit prophesied that The Way into the [true] Holy of Holies is not opened as long as the literal [ousted Old Testament temple] remains standing as a recognized institution,” (Heb. 9:8-15; 1 Cor. 6:15-20!) Not only the Old Covenant and its ceremonial Law, but also the temple itself became forever “obsolete” (Isaiah 66:1-2,) when Jesus fulfilled everything in the Law; destroying the literal, sacramental part of the Old Covenant Law, but keeping the inward Moral Law in its entirety, (Mt. 5:17-20; Heb. 7:18-19; 10:1-17.) Everything about the Old Testament temple and sacramental law was only symbolic; endorsing the spiritual, New Covenant temple of the Holy Spirit, which grows since Pentecost when He began to indwell blood-cleansed believers, (Heb. 7:18-19; 1 Cor. 3:16-17.) Hebrews 9:11-12; 10:11-22 explain why the literal old temple COULD NOT remain a standing institution.’ It reads: “Christ, becoming the [eternal and Only] High Priest… to a greater and more perfect [spiritual] tabernacle NOT MADE WITH HANDS… by His own blood entered [only] once into the Holy Place; having obtained eternal redemption for us… [True believers have…] boldness to enter into the holiest [presence of God] by the blood [Covenant] of Christ; by the New and Living Way, [Jesus Himself; the Only New Testament Christ and Mediator between God and man…] which He consecrated for us through the [spiritual] veil, which is His [own] blood [and marred flesh:]” Isaiah 52:13-15. In Matthew 24:1-2, Jesus’ disciples “showed Him the buildings of the temple. And He said, ‘Assuredly, not one stone will be left here upon another that will not be thrown down.’” Besides being torn down at the cross to create the eternal New Testament Covenant in Christ and the spiritual Holy-Spirit temple of real believers, the Hebrew temple was also physically destroyed in 70 A.D., when the Romans conquered Jerusalem to subdue Hebrew insurrection. Supposedly, a portion on the Western wall remained, but Jesus prophesied that the temple would be obliterated.
WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD WAS FOREVER CHANGED TO THE SPIRITUAL PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK “If perfection were through the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the [now ousted] Old Testament [ceremonial] Law,) there would not have been need that another High Priest should arise, [under Whom all believers receive God’s Grace…] So the priesthood was [forever] changed… because [Christ] IS Melchizedek the High Priest forever:” (Heb. 7:11-12.) The Old, Levitical temple priesthood or “clerical hands” literally lost their office that day at the cross when the man Jesus Christ became the eternal and last sacrifice for spiritually dead, lost, and cursed humanity, (1 Pt. 2:5-10.) It was no longer necessary to fulfill the literal requirements of the ceremonial law on a physical altar in a material temple, (Heb. 7:11-19.) The temple of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual Body of Christ, (all genuine believer-disciples of Jesus Christ,) are now “His chosen [New Covenant, spiritual] generation, royal priesthood, holy nation. His own special people, that they may proclaim the [GOSPEL and] praises of Him Who called the OUT OF darkness INTO His marvelous Light,” (1 Pt. 2:5-10.)
HYBRIDIZING THE TWO DIFFERENT COVENANTS OF THE BIBLE IS DEATH What we really need to know is that we can only live in one of the Two Testament Covenants. God annulled the first covenant forever, (Heb. 8:7,13!) Nothing of the Old Testament literalism exists anymore for the physical Israelites — and so much less for anyone else, who also choose to live in spiritual death through abolished, ceremonial Judaist religion, (Gal. 5-1-6!) To become spiritual partakers of the New Covenant in Christ, we must execute our free will to wholeheartedly choose Jesus as the Only God and Christ, Redeemer, Blessor, and Savior, (Jn. 1:1-14.) Salvation in Christ is a One-Way relationship with God, (Jn. 14:5-11.) With one foot stuck in the disproved Old Covenant, the other foot cannot reach God’s saving New Covenant, (Heb. 3:6-14.) In Jesus Christ it is all or nothing, (1 Jn. 2:3-4!; Jn. 14:5-11!) The abolished Old Covenant (Heb. 8:7-13) is NOT still canonized in the Bible to follow sacramentally. It now serves as “EXAMPLES” to show how Moral-Law commandments apply to New Covenant believers, (Jn. 13:34; 1 Cor. 10:6-11!) Hybridizing the two different Covenants of the Bible is one of the most deadly methodologies Satan invented. Since after the cross and Pentecost in late 1 A.D., the devil has been fusing the Old and New Covenants into “church membership” to confuse and control believers. Of course his agenda is to rob them of everything in Christ to take them with him to perdition, (2 Pet. 2:1-3.)
GOD SPOKE THROUGH PROPHETS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT BUT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT HE SPEAKS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, Hebrews 1:1-3 God spoke through prophets in the Old Testament. But except for functions of His inward Moral Law that can continually teach, guide, demonstrate, discipline, and uplift us, everything about that was fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, all the literalism of Hebrew history, religious temple structure, and sacramentalism collapsed, (1 Cor. 10:5-11! Hebrews Chapters 7-10!) In the New Testament God speaks through Jesus Christ, Who IS His New Covenant Word. We hear the True Voice of Christ when we study His Word, (the Bible,) contextually and devoid of church doctrine confusion and defilement; “testing everything to see if it is from God,” (Heb. 1:1-14; 1 Ths. 5:21-22.) And we always need to do that from the full perspective of the New Testament Covenant in Christ, which pertains to everything spiritual: God’s [spiritual] Kingdom in the hearts or human spirits of sincere believers, His full Scriptural Truth to systematically renew our minds to understand His teachings and will and obey Him — and all that is clearly and immovably linked to His Everlasting Covenant with believing humanity, (Jn. 3:16-17.) Besides all of the above, to clearly understand God’s Voice through Bible Scripture, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit, God Himself, to “guide us into all truth,” (Jn. 16:13.) The entire Bible, understood in context, is God’s “all truth,” (Heb. 1:1-3!) “New revelation” that adds or takes away from authentic Scripture is another of Satan’s effective tools. Everything we need to know about God and what He teach and commands, was already entrusted to us millenniums ago.
RELIGIOUS WORKS SUCH AS CLINGING TO OUSTED JUDAIST TEMPLE RITUALS AND USELESS CHURCH SACRAMENTALISM ARE AS FILTHY RAGS BEFORE GOD, (Isa. 64:6.) Because the first New Testament church, (in utter defiance of God’s Word and will, Acts 17:24-25,) was built at Antioch on ousted Judaist temple sacramentalism, mixed with christianized paganism, most church denominations still blend the Old and New Covenants of the Bible to sustain their churches, ritualism, and dogmas, (Acts 11:26.) Scriptural Truth: “[All Old Testament sacramentalism or outward religious works are self-made] righteousness, which make us unclean and [are before God] like filthy rags.” We either accept God’s New Testament Covenant of grace in Christ wholeheartedly and repent from all sacramentalism, or we go astray in deliberate insubordination that rejects The Lord Jesus Christ, His complete atonement, and His New Testament Covenant Truth to cling to futile religious works, rituals, feasts, etcetera of the ousted Old Testament covenant, (Jn. 15:1-6.) No one was ever accepted by God on their own merits (Rom. 5:19.) That is why, especially in the New Testament Covenant, no one can do anything “for” God. Christ did it ALL for those who sincerely believe in Him, accepted Him, and follow Him through the Truth of His Word, (Jn. 8:31-32.) God does not require workers but follower-disciples who genuinely worship Him “in spirit and in truth” with their whole being, (Jn. 4:21-24.) If ever we ‘do’ anything ‘for’ God, (and we must always do our best in everything, Mat. 25:14-30,) it is because we love Him, worship Him, and seek to glorify Him by serving the Body of Christ with what He entrusted to us. ‘Good works’ merely prove our dedication to our Father in heaven, (Jam. 2:14-20; John 14:5-11.) And we cannot even do anything of that in our own strength; only in the power of His Holy Spirit (Jn. 15:4-5.) Read this study from the beginning Israel’s National, Old Testament Law or The First Covenant was Their Way to GodThe New Covenant of Christ is the New and Living Way to God |