Three
Questions Answered
Following is a series of 3 questions often asked by Christians. You may
want to print this and study it in order that you can give an answer
for your faith. I have also attached it. This is a dialogue between
myself and a Christian, recently. MD
Question 1:
What changes are made to Torah by the
New Covenant? We know that Jesus
fulfilled the sacrifice part, so that is done away with; but how else
is Torah affected by the New Covenant?
First, it is important to note that the “New Covenant” has not fully
developed. At the most, I would say that the terminology should be
“renewed covenant” and that it is with the House of Israel. (note: NOT
with Gentiles as the Church claims).
The terms of this covenant are found in: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Where
we are told that G-d will make a "New Covenant" with "the House of
Israel and the House of Judah"
Also see Jeremiah 32:40-44 Ezekiel 16:60-63; 37:26-27 Isaiah 59:20-21
Those with whom the Mosaic Covenant [at Sinai] had been made (Hebrews
9:15, 18-20). This covenant, like the others, is to be eternal
(Jeremiah 31:35-37; 32:40; Ezekiel. 37:26). The terms of this "New
Covenant" are:
-- G-d will put His Torah in Israel's inward parts and write it in
their hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33; 32:40)
-- G-d will maintain a special relationship with Israel (Jeremiah
31:33; Ezekiel. 37:27-28)
-- All Israel shall know the L-RD. (Jeremiah 31:34)
-- Israel's transgressions will be forgiven. (Jeremiah 31:35;Ezekiel
16:63; Hebrews 9:15, 22)
-- ALL of the promised land will be given to Israel. (Jeremiah
32:41-44; Ezekiel 37:26)
-- G-d will multiply Israel. (Ezekiel 37:26)
-- The Temple will permanently stand in Israel (Ezekiel 37:26-28)
There is more confusion about the New Covenant than any of the other
covenants. The following are just a few of the misunderstandings being
propagated:
The truth is that the New Covenant is not the Good News (Gospel) but is
a covenant which G-D will make with "the House of Israel and the House
of Judah" when He establishes the Kingdom.
There is nothing in the Scriptures to indicate that there is more than
one New Covenant.
The following are just a few reasons we know the New Covenant is not
for today: The New Covenant is always mentioned in connection with the
Kingdom. (For example Jeremiah 31:31-34 in context of 34:10-40;
Jeremiah 32:40-44 in context of 32:37-44; Ezekiel 37:26-27 in context
of 37: 1-28; See also Matthew 26:28-29, and Mark 14:25) When the New
Covenant comes all Israel will know G-d.(which obviously is not true at
this time. (Jeremiah 31:31,34) When the New Covenant comes Israel will
receive ALL of the land promised to Abraham. (Jeremiah 32:41-44;
Ezekiel 37:26;This has yet to happen, see Gen. 16:18-21) When the New
Covenant arrives the Millennial Temple will stand in Israel forever.
(Ezekiel 37:26-28) (which has not happened as yet). Yahshua refused to
partake of the cup of the New Covenant until his return to establish
the Kingdom. (Matthew 26:28-29= Mark 14:25 = Luke 22:20)
If the New Covenant were in effect, the Mosaic Covenant at Sinai would
have already faded away, yet as of the writing of Hebrews it had not.
(Hebrews 8:13) Hebrews. 8 simply teaches that the New Covenant is
better than the Mosaic Covenant, not because it has replaced it, but
because the Mosaic Covenant was to be found in the earthly holy of
holies. The corresponding item in the Heavenly holy of holies is the
New Covenant.
In Hebrews 8, Paul argues that Jeremiah's usage of the word "new" made
the Mosaic Covenant "old." However, if this in itself made the Mosaic
Law obsolete, then the Law was made obsolete by JEREMIAH'S use of the
phrase NEW COVENANT around 600 BC!!! Obviously, this is not what Paul
meant. When the New Covenant comes there will be no longer be sin
offerings. (Hebrews 10:16-18) However, Hebrews 10:1-3 states that the
offerings continue as a remembrance.
- Paul made sin offerings (Acts 21:23-26 with Numbers 6:13-21 also Acts
24:17-18)
- Offerings will be made at the Tribulation Temple. (Daniel 9:27)
- Acts 2:46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple
(and the 1st Century Temple conducted sacrifices after the death of
Yahshua) and this is where we find the 1st Church members, every
Shabbat . . . in the Temple.
Hebrerws 10 is an example of Proem Homiletic Midrash. This is a form of
Midrashic exegesis which utilizes Hillel's second rule (g'zara sheva -
equivalence of expressions) to tie together two passages, present a
drash (exposition) and then close by quoting a third verse which also
ties through a phrase and which helps summarize the results of the
exegesis.
Paul begins this midrash by quoting Ps. 40:6-8 (Hebrews 10:5-10). Paul
ties this passage to Jeremiah 31:34 (Hebrews 10:16-18) based on the key
words SIN and IN THEIR HEARTS (which appears in Ps. 40 but is truncated
off in Paul's quote) and [no] OFFERING. Finally Paul concludes by
quoting Habukuk 2:3-4 (Hebrews 10:37-38) through the key words HE WHO
IS COMING and HAS NO PLEASURE. Paul's source is the Aramaic of the
Peshitta Tenach, for it is only here that the word "pleasure/will" is
the same in Ps. 40 and Habakuk 2:4 and the LXX does not agree with the
wording of Habakuk 2:3-4 = Hebrews 10:37-38.
The context of Hebrews 10 is that Paul has just discussed Yahshua in
relation to the Yom Kippur ceremony in Hebrews 8 through 9. Then in
Hebrews 10:1-3, Paul argues that the sacrifices continue as a
remembrance. Paul then opposes those who oppose the Temple and
encourages Temple attendance (Hebrews 10:25).
The keywords tell us what Paul's subject is: The offerings, and what is
and is not pleasing to G-d. Paul argues that the end of offerings for
sin in Psalm 40:6-8 and the placing of the law in the heart (Psalm
40:8) tie Psalm 40:6-8 to the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:34 which has
yet to occur. To Paul, Psalm 40 describes a time when sin offerings
will not be offered because sin will not be remembered, all of this
because G-d does not have pleasure in sin offerings because they result
from sin which, when the New Covenant is made, God will forget. Thus,
the offerings will end with the coming of the New Covenant (Hebrews
11:18 see also Hebrews 8:13). Paul closes by citing Habukuk 2:3-4
(giving what seems a polemic against the interpretation given in the
Habukuk commentary at Qumran) All of this Paul ties to the [second]
COMING of the Messiah and the establishing of the New Covenant.
In Hebrews 8-10, Paul does not teach that the New Covenant has come or
that it has abolished the Mosaic Law.
Secondly, you asked “what changes were made to the Torah by the New
Covenant?”
Yahshua said in Matthew 5:17- 20 "Do not think that I came to
destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to
fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass
away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Torah till
all is fulfilled. 19 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. 20 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.
Paul said in Romans 3:31 Do we then by [this] faith make the Torah
of no effect, overthrow it or make it a dead letter? Certainly not! On
the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Torah.
The key words here are: Fulfill: pleroo (to cause God's will (as made
known in the Torah) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises
(given through the prophets) to receive fulfillment fulfilled: ginomai
(come to pass; completed) uphold: histemi (to make firm, to keep it in
its place, to be kept intact)
Conclusion:
The Apostolic Writings (New Testament) uphold the continuance of Torah
observance. Nothing in these writings make changes to the Torah of
Adonai. Paul told Timothy to depend on Torah to for his understanding
of salvation, and to establish doctrines, discipline, correction and
teachings based on Torah. (remember, there were no New Testament
writings at the time). “But you must
continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of,
knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you
have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yahshua. 16 All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the
man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work..
2 Timothy 3:14-17.
Question 2:
Are you saying that all of these 613
Torah laws are still in effect
today and are to be obeyed by Christians? I am new at this, need some
real answers.
It is not what I am saying, it is what G-d and Yahshua has said.
There is a difference, however, between something that is in effect
today as you have stated, and something that has been temporarily
suspended. First, you need to understand that many of the Torah laws
are NOT practiced today for many reasons that affect you and others
observance of them.
Are we living in a theocracy, in the land of Israel? No. Then those
laws don't apply to be practiced by us today. Yet, they are suspended
for a time in the future (not done away with, again, see Matthew 5).
-- The Torah has commandments in it that apply only to those living in
the land of Israel.
-- It also has rules that apply only to the priests -- It contains laws
that apply solely for the High Priest.
-- There are instructions for men and others for women
-- Some to the married versus not married.
-- It contains laws that apply only to agriculture in the Land of
Israel
-- It contains laws that apply only when the 3rd Temple is restored
Thus, a very large part of the 613 that you have listed are not
applicable to us today, in the land which we live, etc.
Secondly, you need to understand the Hebrew meaning of the word keep
as in keep my laws and commandments. To the English, western
mind, keep means to do them all, keep them all, observe them all. Keep
in Hebrew is shamar, meaning to guard them, to
understand that they are not abrogated or finished, and that they are
all precious to us in our hearts as those that express the will of G-d
for the successful lives of true believers. It is to understand that
though some are not being practiced today (because of the above
reasons) that they, nevertheless, are valid and will one day be
re-instituted as a form of practice and belief. These 613 are those
that are written on the hearts of all . . . and serve as a guide for
our conscience and our hearts.
Romans 2
14 for when Gentiles (Christians), who do not have the Torah, by
nature do the things in the Torah, these, although not having the
Torah, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the Torah
written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and
between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in
the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Yahshua the Messiah,
according to my gospel.
There are three ways to view Torah:
1 -- Torah is past and over.
2 -- Torah is valid for the Jews only.
3 -- Torah is valid for all mankind today and always.
I stand on number three (3) "Torah is valid for all mankind today and
always," because we believe there is no other biblical way to view it,
for these reasons. To accept number one (1) would mean that G-d changes
His ways, which is impossible, for He said, "I am YHVH, I change
not," Malachi 3:6, and "I tell you, until heaven and earth pass
away, not one small letter or one punctuation mark will in any way be
removed from the Torah," Matthew 5:18.
To accept number two (2) would mean G-d has a double standard, which
cannot be since it is written, "Let us hear the conclusion of the
whole matter: Fear Elohim, and keep His commandments, for this is the
whole duty of mankind, for Elohim will bring every work into judgment,
with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil."
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, and "The soul who acts presumptuously,
whether he is born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproaches
YHVH, and that soul shall be cut off from among his people, "
Numbers 15:30.
That leaves us with number three (3). The usual opposition to number
three comes from misunderstanding both the nature of Torah and the
principles behind it. The key to understanding the truth is this:
Establish first that G-d does not change.
If you believe that Yahshua is the representation of G-d in the flesh
then you must accept that His own "hand" invented Torah and He cannot
conflict with Himself. If He is the same "yesterday, today and forever"
then His thoughts are the same at all times.
Establish that the foundation for the New Covenant is the former (Old)
Covenants. Not visa versa. If Moses is the house, and Yahshua is the
builder, why would Yahshua tear down His own house(Hebrews 3:2-4)?
None of G-d's covenants can conflict or contradict, so the only thing
that is truth is that understanding which allows for unity between
them, without removing any of them.
G-d blessed Israel with His truth, and as a just and loving G-d He
wants all people to have what He gave Israel. That is why G-d commanded
Israel to be a witness of His commandments to the nations (Isaiah
43:9,10)?
The teaching that "we are free from the Torah," is a product of
hundreds of years of anti-Semitic theology and is in opposition to
Scripture. The "New Testament," when put back into its Hebrew context,
says this about the Torah and believers in Yahshua:
Faith does not abolish any part of the Torah as a whole (Matthew
5:17-21, James 2:10)
Keeping the Torah is part of the faith that gets you to heaven (Matthew
19:17; Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 22:14)
You will abide in Yahshua's love, if you keep Torah (John 14:15-23) as
He abided in the Father's love by keeping Torah (John 15:10; Hebrews
2:17-18, 4:15)
Faith in Yahshua does not cancel out what the Torah says, it
establishes it (Romans 3:31)
Torah is itself "liberty" and the standard we are to judge ourselves by
(James 1:22-25)
It is those of the flesh who are not subject to the Torah (Romans
8:5-8)
If you say you know Him, and ignore His Torah, you are a liar (1 John
2:3-7)
It does not matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, what matters is
keeping God's Torah (1 Cor. 7:19)
The "law of love" is that we keep his Torah - which is by no means a
"burden" (1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6; Matt. 11:29,30)
These "New Testament" references to "Torah" might at first confuse
people as they aren't used to thinking in these terms. However, when
the Jewish New Testament authors, and Yahshua, spoke of
law/commandments in a religious context, it must be interpreted as
"Torah," unless there is a clear reason to do otherwise, as this was
what it meant to them in their culture.
This Torah, including the rest of the Tenakh ("Old Testament"), are the
Scriptures Paul wrote about to Timothy; "And that from a child thou hast known the
holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2
Timothy 3:17)
There are several important teachings in these three verses:
Timothy had the Scriptures, since he was a child. This did NOT include
the "New Testament."
God's plan of salvation in the "Old Testament" Scriptures was faith not
works.
The "Old Testament" Scriptures were what was to be used by believers in
Yahshua for; doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in
righteousness.
With the "Old Testament" Scriptures, the man of God is thoroughly
furnished. Works is inseparable from faith.
Christianity preaches "Jesus" almost exclusively from the New
Testament. Did Paul and the other disciples preach Yahshua using the
New Testament? Of course not -- all they had was the Tenakh.
This is not diminishing the books of the New Testament which are indeed
Scripture. The point is that the Torah, which is the Word of God, came
first, and nothing can contradict it or it is to be rejected. Torah is
the foundation for properly interpreting the teachings of the "New
Testament" -- NOT the other way around.
Every book of the "New Testament" was written by a writer with a
Messianic Hebrew mindset with the assumption that it would be read
and/or taught by someone with the same Messianic Hebrew mindset. Thanks
to 1900 years of anti-Torah theology, this is no longer the case. The
result is the false teachings about Torah and the "New Testament" that
define Christianity.
The Role of the Torah in the Future
The verses in the Tenakh (Old Testament) that point to the return of
the Messiah and the "millennium," all show Torah observance. The
sacrificial system (for reconciliation, NOT salvation) returns.
(Ezekiel 45:13-20 The nations don't come to do Christmas in Jerusalem,
they come to do Succot. (Zechariah 14:16-19) True Believers are going
to be priests in the Kingdom -- you cannot be a priest and disregard
Torah. (Hebrews 7:12) The priests are all dressed in the 4 garments of
the High Priest, reflecting a continual state of Yom Kippur. (Ezekiel
44:17-18 - Also see Exodus 28, Leviticus 16:4) (67) Men will take the
tzitzit (fringes or tassels) of a Jew in that day and say "take me to
the Lord." (Zechariah 8:23)
The Millennium itself is the fulfillment of what the weekly Sabbath
points us to. In Isaiah 61:3 (the portion Yahshua read part of in Luke
4:16-21) it speaks of the Messiah, in the Millennium, calling His
people "trees of righteousness." This term is a Jewish euphemism for
being Torah observant. Revelation chapter 22 reflects the same idea,
where "tree of life" also represents Torah. As mentioned earlier,
Revelation places a stipulation on those hoping to enter New Jerusalem
-- they are the ones who kept his Torah: Revelation 22:14a -- "Blessed
are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree
of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Outside the city are those who violate Torah (Rev. 22:14b).
Christianity has had its way for a long time, reinterpreting the verses
of the both the "Old" and "New" Testaments in an anti-Torah, "Greek"
mindset, to mean something other than what they say.
We are saved by faith alone -- but this faith, according to the Hebrew
Scriptures, (both "Old" and "New" Hebrew Testaments) is inseparable
from following God's word on how we are to live -- His Torah. Yahshua
Himself is inseparable from the Torah, as He is its goal and
fulfillment -- the "walking Torah."
This teaching is consistent through the "New Testament" when
interpreted correctly. Paul himself says if you are a Gentile who has
chosen to follow the Messiah -- welcome to the Torah of Israel!
(Ephesians 2:10-12)
Question 3:
Has anyone gone over the 613
commandments to make a list of which ones
are to apply to Christians living out of Israel (with special notes for
whom they apply to; women, men, married or not, etc.) or is this an
individual's duty to do so?
I am sure that someone has, however, I do not know of such a list.
Torah observant believers typically observe those parts of Torah that
apply universally . . . that is, non-discriminate of being in the Land
or not, Temple or not, etc.
These, of course, include the 10 commandments. The one most typically
missed by Christians is the 4th . . . that is the Sabbath day, to keep
it Holy.
-- Also, the laws of eating only Biblically identified food, avoiding
swine, shellfish, etc. (Leviticus 16).
-- Keeping the Biblically ordained Holy-days . . Leviticus 23, avoiding
the pagan festivals of Christmas, Easter, Sunday worship, etc.
-- Honoring the Shabbat
-- Refraining from those things listed in Galatians 5:19
As you study the Torah, in a organized manner such as following after
the weekly readings, G-d will quicken your heart regarding those things
that He expects of you . . . that is if you are honest with Him, and
say, as our ancient brothers stated: So Moses came and called for
the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which
the LORD commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said,
"All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the
words of the people to the LORD. Exodus 19:7-8
I suggest that you begin by reading the 119 Psalm, daily, for 5 days.
Get the view of Torah that our great King David felt. His personality
will be emulated by Yahshua ben David when he returns for his people.
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