Home > Good News, Theology and Eschatology > “The Forbidden Chapter” Of The Hebrew Bible

“The Forbidden Chapter” Of The Hebrew Bible


Tip of the hat to Joel Richardson for the link. “There’s a chapter in [the Hebrew Bible] that used to be read in the synagogues as part of the Haftarah (yearly reading), but later the rabbis decided to take it out of the Haftarah reading. Today it’s considered ‘The Forbidden Chapter.’ Have you heard about it?” Watch the powerful video below …

Isaiah 62:11, “Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy YESHU’AH cometh; behold, HIS reward [is] with HIM, and HIS work before HIM.”

Jeremiah 23:6, “… Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Revelation 22:12, “And behold, I [YESHUA] am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me …

2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

  1. 09/30/2015 at 6:23 PM

    To quote:

    “But in order for us to receive Him there are several things we must do… confess our sins, repent of them, commit not to do them again, and to believe in Messiah and transfer our sins to him.”

    I love to see Jews being challenged by scripture but the above quotes are a false gospel. There is absolutely zero we musty “do” in this dispensation of grace. Christ has done it all. When Peter preached repentance it was specifically to the Jews gathered in the Temple. He preached a murder indictment in Acts 2 and 3 and it was this they were to repent of; the killing of their Messiah.

    At that time, God was still attempting to get through to His nation Israel by way of Holy Spirit empowerment. Peter and the rest were able to do great signs and wonders as was Christ. At the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 God gave Israel up as they committed the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as Stephen was empowered by Him when he was killed. That was Israel’s “third strike”.

    God then called Saul, a Jew who was hunting and killing those who believed that Christ was Messiah, saved him who could not have formerly been saved, and began a new dispensation of free grace toward the entire world. As Israel was to be God’s channel of blessing to the world, God has now cast them aside. They are no longer His people but they will be again in the future when this current 2,000 plus year grace period is ended.

    Hosea 1:9-10… “Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.”

    Saul, become Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles, confirms.

    Romans 9:25-26… “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”

    The gospel today is that Christ died for our sins and was raised again for our justification. Period (1 Cor 15:1-4).

    Romans 5:8… “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

    While we were YET sinners Christ died. He died because we are sinners. We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. There is not a man alive that while existing in this body of flesh can stop sinning. A man cannot confess all his sins. There is nothing for him to do except to realize that he IS a sinner and is in desperate need of a Savior. God did everything on man’s behalf.

    It is our belief in what God says to us today through Paul that God counts as righteous; not anything that we can do. There is no righteousness whatsoever in human flesh.

    Romans 4:1-5… “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

    God justifies ungodly man by simple belief in what He says to us. Christ died for our sins and was raised again for our justification.

    To quote again… “Only if we believe in this Messiah and receive Him into our life will He take our sins away and upon Himself.”

    This is not true. God has reconciled the entire world to Himself through the crucifixion of His Son. All sin was put away 2,000 years ago. Sin is no longer mankind’s issue (though it will be yet again at the dispensations end); belief in the gospel committed unto Paul is. As Moses is to the Jews, Paul is to the Gentiles.

    Romans 16:25-27… “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to MY gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the MYSTERY, which was kept SECRET since the world began, BUT NOW is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to ALL nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”

    It is up to man to be reconciled back to God through simple belief that Christ died for our sin. God is not imputing mans sins (trespasses) unto us today. Those saved today are left here by God to minister His final terms of peace to a world which has rejected Him, before He returns in wrath, judgement and war

    2 Corinthians 5:19-21… “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, NOT imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

    It is finished.

    Amen.

    Grace and peace…

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    • 10/01/2015 at 4:49 AM

      Jesus did it all on the cross, but that doesn’t mean He does not expect us to do something.

      (Luk 10:28) And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”

      (Luk 13:3) “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”

      (Luk 13:24) “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

      (Luk 9:23) And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

      (Mat 18:3) and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

      (Mat 10:32) “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.

      (Mat 19:17) … if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

      So far, Jesus has taught that in order to inherit eternal life, one must follow Him (Luke 18:22), love God and other people (Luke 10:27-28), repent (Luke 13:3), strive to enter through the narrow door, which is Jesus (Luke 13:24), deny one’s self and again, follow Jesus (Luke 9:23) be converted and be like little children (with a humble, dependent faith, Matt 18:3), to confess Jesus publicly (Matt 10:32) and to ‘keep the commandments’ (Matt 19:17), meaning, to continue doing the commandments (also in 1 Cor 7:19, Rev 12:17, 14:12, 22:14)

      AFTER THE CROSS

      When the apostle Peter was asked “….What shall we do”? His answer was…
      (Act 2:38)…… “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

      Peter was speaking to a crowd of first century Jews. Repenting from sin (including unbelief) and being baptized was something they were to do, independent of what Jesus already did for them on the cross.

      The apostle Paul was also asked “What must I do to be saved?” His answer was…
      (Act 16:31) …..”Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
      Believing is something we do, but nothing we can boast of. Salvation by God’s grace is the gift of God (Eph 2:8), something only God can accomplish for us so that our boast is in Christ. But God still expects us to do much, even if what we do does not merit our salvation.

      Salvation is CONDITIONAL

      (1Co 15:1-2) Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, IF YOU HOLD FAST the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

      (Heb 3:6) but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house–whose house we are, IF we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

      (Colossians 1:21-23) “And you who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight – IF INDEED YOU CONTINUE in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…”

      We must show evidence of a genuine salvation by being obedient (Heb 5:9) and to keep the commandments (1 Cor 7:19, Rev 12:17, 14:12, 22:14).

      Also, there is no salvation without repentance. Repentance is a change of will, to turn away from sin and to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no salvation without repentance.

      Repentance taught by Jesus at the beginning (Mark 1:15, Matt 3:2)
      Repentance taught by Jesus to the churches of Revelation (Rev chapters 2:5, Rev 2:16 among others)
      Repentance taught by the disciples (Mar 6:12)
      Repentance taught by James (James 4:8)
      Repentance taught by Paul (2 Cor 12:21)
      Repentance taught by Peter (Acts 2:38,

      Repentance is for non-Jews

      (Act 11:18) When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”

      Repentance is necessary for eternal life

      (2Pe 3:9) The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

      Contrary to the ‘easy believism’ being preached today (including the “one,two,three say this prayer after me” nonsense), Jesus’ and the apostle’s own statements show that it is actually difficult to be saved. Jesus did the work of salvation for us on the cross, the work that we cannot boast about. But there are still things God wants us to do. They’re just things we cannot put our trust in for our own salvation.

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      • 10/01/2015 at 11:44 AM

        Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I won’t for a moment disagree with you that Jesus expects us to “do” something. As I quoted in Ephesians 2:10 we are saved “unto” good works. This is the reason God does not save us and take us directly to heaven! We have a job, we are ambassadors for Christ.

        In your first statement however, you immediately contradict yourself.

        “Jesus did it all on the cross, but that doesn’t mean He does not expect us to do something.”

        “Jesus did it ALL on the cross, BUT…”

        If there is a “but” then Jesus did not do it “all”. The atonement becomes less than all sufficient. I am saying unequivocally that Christ’s atoning death is all I need for salvation. Allow me to explain further what I have written previously and, though this is not widely understood, keep in mind my basic premise, that there is a gospel OF the circumcision (the Jews and Gentiles under them) and a gospel OF the uncircumcision (neither Jew nor Gentile). See Galatians 2:7-8 (KJB).

        You quote numerous instances where Jesus is commanding His followers to do what He commands. You demonstrate clearly and correctly that salvation to these people is conditional; based on If/Then covenants. That is the very nature of the Law. God says “IF” you do “this”, “then” I will do “that”.

        You leave out the one condition which everyone I discuss this issue with leaves out. One you nor anyone else follow when you claim that you “follow” Christ. Jesus also commands a man to sell everything he owns in order to be a follower. It begins in proverb fashion…

        Mat 13:44… “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

        Mat 13:45-46… “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

        Jesus instructs the rich young ruler, after hearing that the man kept “all” the commandments, to sell all that he has…

        Mat 19:20-22… “The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”

        The typical response to this is to say that Jesus was making a specific appeal to this particular man because he “loved” his worldly goods too much. That it was his love for material things which will keep him out of the Kingdom and not that actual ownership of those things. That is just a “spiritualization” of a verse to suit a religious doctrine.

        What did Peter and the rest do about “selling all” that thou hast? They in fact did exactly that.

        Mat 19:27… “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?”

        Christ goes on to tell them that they will be seated on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel in the Kingdom “come to” earth “as it is in” heaven. (An aside here: ask any Jew if they “go to” heaven as we expect to, or if heaven comes to them. Different things entirely.)

        To further make my point lets look in the book of Acts to see what the early Jerusalem church was up to in regards to personal possessions.

        Acts 4:32-35… “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”

        In order to “follow Jesus” they were living in a “commune” one with another. All these “multitudes” had sold all that they had and had all things “common”. This is Divine Communism and the beginning of today’s perverted “social gospel”. Those that were not honest about selling all were killed (see Ananias and Sapphira).

        Have you sold all? No you have not. There is no reason for you to do so. Back then, the Kingdom of heaven was “at hand”, meaning that God’s wrath was about to be poured out on the world as judgement comes before the Kingdom. 2,000 years have gone by and no judgement.

        There is a very good reason for this. God postponed His just wrath by calling the Apostle Paul and giving him a new dispensational truth. Something kept secret since the world began as opposed to that which was prophesied since the world began.

        “Unconditional” grace. No more “If/Then” conditions.

        Examine these two scriptures knowing logically that things that are different cannot be the same.

        Acts 3:19-21… “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, WHICH GOD HATH SPOKEN by the mouth of all his holy prophets SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN.”

        Romans 16:25-27… “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”

        Salvation yesterday WAS conditional. Salvation today is NOT. Salvation WILL BE conditional once again in the future.

        Lets examine the Pauline verses you quote, not from the actual Bible, the King James, but from another religious book. A man cannot learn this information from new “bible” translations as this information has bees selectively and satanically edited out.

        Here is salvation today.

        1 Cor 15:1-4… “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

        The “if” in verse 2 is not in relation to any work; it is in relation to simple belief. IF a man does not “keep in memory” (believe) what Paul says, or if that man believes in vain, THEN that man will not be saved. Makes sense to me. Belief related and not works related.

        Col 1:20-23… “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”

        Paul here is speaking to already saved Colossian believers. The IF in verse 23 is not in condition to their salvation but to their very works in Christ. They were saved UNTO good works. In order for Paul to be able to present them “holy”, “unblameable” and “unreprovable”, the believers must “continue in the faith grounded and settled”. What was that faith? It was the gospel given unto Paul by the risen and glorified Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 and beyond. The gospel which was for “every creature” and not just the Jews as was the gospel of the Kingdom.

        Repentance of sins is correctly taught by Jesus, Peter, James and John. Repentance of sins is not taught by Paul. Paul teaches that sin is no longer mans issue.

        Romans 6:1-2… “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

        Dead to sin.

        2 Cor 5:19… “19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

        Not imputing trespasses.

        I delve into far greater depth on my own site and I would be pleased to continue to show you these amazing Bible truths if you would like to learn more.

        Religion is mans biggest problem today. Religion says that there is something a man can and must do in order to be pleasing to God. In actuality God has said that there is NOTHING man can do to please Him outside of Christ. This is why Christ came, this is why Christ died for our sin, this is why Christ rose again for our justification.

        Christ did it all. No “ifs”, “ands” or “buts”.

        If there is something you have to do to earn your salvation, you are not saved in this current dispensation and honestly and truly need to re-examine what God is saying to believers today. God speaks to believers today through the Apostle Paul, not by way of the “red letters” in most bibles. I understand that this is new to you, but simply because the information is unfamiliar does not render it false. I ask not that you believe what I say, but simply believe the words on the pages of Gods Book, the KJB. The “red letters” confirm…

        John 13:20… “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me.

        Christ sent Paul to the Gentiles. He sent Peter and the 11 to the Jews.

        Romans 11:13… “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:”

        2 Tim 1:11… “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”

        Paul got his message not from Peter or any man, but from the risen and glorified Lord Jesus. It was a different message than that delivered unto Peter.

        Galatians 1:11-12… “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

        You write… “We must show evidence of a genuine salvation by being obedient (Heb 5:9) and to keep the commandments (1 Cor 7:19, Rev 12:17, 14:12, 22:14).”

        You can’t keep the commandments. Jesus magnified them on the sermon on the mount. Now if one is angry at another he is guilty of murder. If one even thinks lustful thoughts about a woman, he is guilty of adultery. Failure to comply with the WHOLE law if a failure to comply with any of it.

        James 2:10… “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

        Rethink what you are saying. Rethink what you are asking yourself to do. The men who COULD actually do these things were Holy Spirit empowered in ways that we are not. They were baptized BY Jesus Christ WITH the Holy Spirit. We are baptized BY the Holy Spirit INTO the body of Christ. Theirs was a physical baptism because they required such physical gifts as the great tribulation was about to begin and they had to “endure to the end” to be saved!

        Mat 24:13… “But he that endure to the end, the same shall be saved.”

        The end of what? The prophesied time of Jacob’s trouble.

        Ours is a spiritual baptism into a “new creature”… the body of Christ. We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3).

        2 Cor 5:17… “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

        The old dispensation of the law is passed away. We are currently in the dispensation of free grace.

        Ephesians 3:1-12… “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

        2 IF ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

        3 How that by revelation he made known unto ME the MYSTERY; (as I wrote afore in few words,

        4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

        5 Which in other ages WAS NOT made known unto the sons of men, as it is NOW revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

        6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

        7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto ME by the effectual working of his power.

        8 Unto ME, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

        9 And to make ALL MEN see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

        10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

        11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

        12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

        It is this “fellowship of the mystery” all men are to see in this day. Not the traditions of religious men who preach law keeping.

        Galatians 5:4… “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

        You write… “Contrary to the ‘easy believism’ being preached today (including the “one,two,three say this prayer after me” nonsense), Jesus’ and the apostle’s own statements show that it is actually difficult to be saved.”

        It is difficult for a religious man to be saved because a religious man has to do something for his salvation like follow the commandments. I give you the Holy Spirit’s words as spoken through Paul…

        2 Cor 11:3… “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

        Religion has corrupted your mind. Salvation is the easiest thing in the universe. You simply have to realize that you DON’T deserve it in order to get it.

        I leave you with great hope…

        Galatians 2:16… “Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we may be justified by the faith OF Christ, and NOT by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

        Stop trying to be saved and just be saved! Christ died for our sin. Trust that, and that alone and ye shall be saved! It is finished!

        Like

      • 10/01/2015 at 12:46 PM

        @infidelrising. Thanks for your input. Very thorough and to the point. This “free grace” stuff that has infiltrated the Church is diabolical! People say a ‘one, two, three’ quick prayer and then think they’re ‘eternally saved’ by grace (because of a ONE TIME event — which BTW actually amounts to performing the ACTION/ WORK of praying). Christ taught us that we must live by and obey EVERY WORD spoken by the mouth of God. They call that “legalism” and “salvation by works”, but I repeat (and they refuse to acknowledge) that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD! I believe it is safe to say that IN EVERY INSTANCE where Christ called out to someone, HE gave them INSTRUCTIONS on what they needed TO DO in order to receive the promise. Miracles (including the miracle of salvation) always hinge on obedience AND FAITH. Let the naysayers be forever IGNORANT!!!!!

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        • 10/01/2015 at 12:52 PM

          I repeat, this video is powerful and so excellent! I can see the ‘wheels’ of conviction start to turn as some of the interviewees begin to contemplate the WORK of Christ on the Cross for our salvation and forgiveness!

          Like

        • 10/01/2015 at 1:09 PM

          Hopefully my rather long reply to infidelrising will be posted. I try to explain my position clearly. You Roger write:

          “This “free grace” stuff that has infiltrated the Church is diabolical!”

          Actually it is Pauline and not diabolical.

          Romans 5:15-18… “But not as the offence, so also is the FREE gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the FREE gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the FREE gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

          That free gift is Gods grace. Eternal salvation is a one time event. When one accepts the free gift, one is eternally saved. Belief is not a work or action either. It is a state of mind.

          You write… “Christ taught us that we must live by and obey EVERY WORD spoken by the mouth of God.”

          Than you ought to go build an Ark because it is going to start raining. How ridiculous, no? You know darn well God is not speaking to you when He commanded Noah to do this. Why? Because you know He was speaking to Noah. It is absurd to believe we are to obey “every” word spoken from the mouth of God.

          As God was speaking to Noah before the flood, so too was He speaking to His nation Israel in the majority of the Bible. He speaks to us via the Apostle Paul. If you choose to ignore this, that is your choice.

          You write again that faith without works is dead. How then do you reckon this verse to be Gods Word when it contradicts your position?

          Romans 4:5.. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

          You write… “Miracles (including the miracle of salvation) always hinge on obedience AND FAITH.”

          I agree. Obedience to what though is the question. You know not to obey God when God is speaking to Noah. Why do you not know the difference when God is speaking to Israel? Because you believe yourself to be “spiritual Israel”. Believers today are not spiritual Israel. God has promised believers today far greater things that what He promised Israel. You can learn about them if you wish, in the epistles of Paul.

          I am not being argumentative, I am arguing my point. There is a difference. You have been and are being rude.

          Like

          • 10/01/2015 at 1:26 PM

            Christ called the scribes and the Pharisees ‘hypocrites’ and ‘white washed sepulchers’! I MAKE NO APOLOGIES FOR ANYTHING I HAVE WRITTEN HERE!!! Let him who is ignorant be IGNORANT STILL!!!!! Your insults against me only serve to prove the point that “you are truly totally wrapped up in YOURSELF”!!!!!

            I REST MY CASE!!!!! FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO INSULT!!!

            THANK YOU AND GOOD-BYE!!!!

            Like

            • 10/01/2015 at 1:29 PM

              “Christ called the scribes and the Pharisees ‘hypocrites’ and ‘white washed sepulchers’!”

              That is because they were.

              “Let him who is ignorant be IGNORANT STILL!!!!! ”

              Indeed.

              Like

  2. 09/30/2015 at 6:30 PM

    Very powerful video!

    Like

  3. 09/30/2015 at 6:40 PM

    @gracecountrypastor. You’re definitely part of the problem, ‘brother’! How many Jews have you led to the Lord? You’re grasping at straws and semantics! Clearly you do not believe that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD!!!

    “Only if we believe in this Messiah and receive Him into our life will He take our sins away and upon Himself.” THAT, MY FRIEND, IS THE GOSPEL! Anything less is simply “faith without works”!!!

    P.S. This is not open for discussion! Please DO NOT RESPOND!!!!! Thank you!

    Like

    • 09/30/2015 at 6:54 PM

      All things should be open for discussion. Politely as well… Clearly you believe that faith without works is dead. What you are believing is part of a gospel not written to you but to the Hebrew people during the “time of Jacob’s trouble” or the great tribulation.

      James 2:20-24… “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

      Compare these scriptures directly with those I quoted in Romans chapter 4 above. If all the Bible is true (and it is) how can these two verses coexist in the same book? They are directly contradictory.

      The key is knowing which parts of the Bible are written directly to believers today and which are not. Most of the Bible is written to and about the nation Israel. The epistles of Paul are written as instruction to believers today.

      Note who James is directing his epistle to…

      James 1:1… “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.”

      Are you a member of one of the 12 tribes? Likely not. But even if you were, the gospel of the circumcision is not in effect today; but the gospel of the uncircumcision.

      Galatians 2:7-8… “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)” 2 gospel messages to 2 groups of people contained within.

      Paul writes to believers today…

      Ephesians 2:8-10… “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

      We are saved not BY good works but UNTO good works. There is a universe of difference, no?

      Like

  4. 09/30/2015 at 6:48 PM

    @gcp. You sound way too much like someone belonging to a “grace only” cult started by a Pastor Carl Stevens!

    Like

    • 09/30/2015 at 6:56 PM

      Never heard of the man. I just believe the words on the pages of Gods Book, the King James Bible.

      Like

  5. 09/30/2015 at 7:40 PM

    @gracecountrypastor. Like I said, You’re definitely part of the problem! Roger, over and OUT!

    Like

    • 09/30/2015 at 7:46 PM

      Well, if the King James Bible is part of the “problem” then I am glad to be a part of it :)

      grace and peace, Roger… I highly recommend you try some on for size.

      Like

  6. 09/30/2015 at 8:10 PM

    @ICA. Who is this guy, ‘gracecountrypastor’? Does he ever have anything good to say about anybody??? What a total bore!!!! Totally wrapped up in himself!!!!

    Like

  7. ICA
    10/01/2015 at 12:47 PM

    grace country pastor, “‘But in order for us to receive Him there are several things we must do… confess our sins, repent of them, commit not to do them again, and to believe in Messiah and transfer our sins to him.’

    I love to see Jews being challenged by scripture but the above quotes are a false gospel. There is absolutely zero we musty ‘do’ in this dispensation of grace.”

    Hi gcp, thank you for your comments, but you are completely wrong. Scripture is very clear what you must do, namely, first you must BELIEVE:

    Romans 10:9, “… IF you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and BELIEVE in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

    grace country pastor, “When Peter preached repentance it was specifically to the Jews gathered in the Temple… The gospel today is that Christ died for our sins and was raised again for our justification. Period (1 Cor 15:1-4).”

    Repentance is required for all sinners and cannot be separated from the Gospel. A sinner cannot be saved unless they change their minds about sin and trust in Christ and Him crucified:

    Luke 13:3, “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

    Acts 17:30, “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent.”

    Do not mistaken this, however, as salvation by works. We are not saved simply because we stop doing what is wrong, but rather we stop doing what is wrong because we are saved. In other words, repentance is the result of a saving faith. A saving faith is not the result of repentance. First we hear the Word, and then we BELIEVE and are saved, which then brings about REPENTANCE to produce fruit in the good soil of our hearts.

    grace country pastor, “God has reconciled the entire world to Himself through the crucifixion of His Son. All sin was put away 2,000 years ago. Sin is no longer mankind’s issue (though it will be yet again at the dispensations end); belief in the gospel committed unto Paul is.”

    You are referring to 2 Corinthians 5:19 but seem to be omitting a very important stipulation just two verses earlier:

    2 Corinthians 5:17-19, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

    Sin is still mankind’s issue because man continues to reject Christ. But God, in loving the whole world, gave Christ to reconcile the world to Himself to receive the free gift of salvation, but only if they believe and are in Christ (cf. John 3:16).

    grace country pastor, “It is up to man to be reconciled back to God through simple belief that Christ died for our sin.”

    Ah ha, this contradicts your earlier statement that “there is absolutely zero we musty ‘do’ in this dispensation of grace” in order to be saved. Remember, however, that although we are saved by faith alone, the faith that saves is not alone. It is followed by repentance, for “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (Heb 10:26:27).

    Hope this helps, God bless …

    Like

    • 10/01/2015 at 1:28 PM

      “Hi gcp, thank you for your comments, but you are completely wrong.”

      Greetings and you are welcome, but I don’t believe I am. Certainly we must believe what God says to us. Today He says Christ died for our sins and was raised again for our justification (1 Cor 15:1-4). You quote…

      Romans 10:9… “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

      Of course these words are true, but Romans chapters 9, 10 and 11 document what has taken place with the nation Israel now that God has temporarily set them aside in favor of this dispensation of free grace.

      Where in this verse of Romans is my sin? Paul is explaining what the Jewish believers had to believe and then do, confess.

      you write… “Repentance is required for all sinners and cannot be separated from the Gospel. A sinner cannot be saved unless they change their minds about sin and trust in Christ and Him crucified:”

      Question… which gospel? I agree that repentance of sin is paramount to the gospel of the Kingdom but I disagree that it has anything to do with the gospel of grace. This is what y’all are not seeing in my words. There are more than one gospels in the “new testament”. Just look at Galatians 2:7-8 which I have posted already. Repentance of sin is a different thing that repentance of mind. Was Paul repentant of sin when he was saved?

      Acts 9:1… “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”

      I think not… Something different is happening here.

      You write… “We are not saved simply because we stop doing what is wrong, but rather we stop doing what is wrong because we are saved.”

      I agree completely.

      You write… “Sin is still mankind’s issue because man continues to reject Christ.”

      I disagree completely. If God has reconciled the world unto Himself through Christ NOT IMPUTING OUR TRESPASSES UNTO US, how then are our trespasses an issue? What is the issue today is belief in the gospel of grace or not.

      You write… “Ah ha, this contradicts your earlier statement that “there is absolutely zero we musty ‘do’ in this dispensation of grace” in order to be saved.”

      Not at all. Belief is not a work. belief is not something that we do. belief is simple belief that what God says is true. Christ died for our sin. If you believe that you are saved. What you then go and do about it is between you and God. This is why God through Paul tells us to…

      2 Tim 2:15… “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

      grace and peace…

      PS. please post my earlier comments as they took some time to compile. I look forward to your arguments but please read carefully what I am saying. I understand that I am saying things that not many people say. All the more reason to carefully consider, just like those noble Bereans in Acts 17!

      Like

    • 10/01/2015 at 1:56 PM

      Quite unlike rimyerson, should we agree to disagree, in the end, we can be amicable about it no?

      Proverbs 27:17… “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

      Takes courage to challenge your most deeply held convictions. I just allow the words on the page to say what they mean and mean what they say.

      Peace…

      Like

    • 10/01/2015 at 5:41 PM

      @ICA. A wise pastor friend of mine once said it all in a ‘nutshell’–“CONVINCE A FOOL AGAINST HIS WILL–HE’S OF THE SAME OPINION STILL.” Another wise man once wrote, “Strive not with a fool, lest thou become like unto him” (or words to that effect) — Solomon. Joel Osteen once said, “I never pursue a fight unless I deem it worth my time and energy to follow through and win it.” — wise man!!! Unfortunately, there are those among us who really do think that it’s their way or the highway! To such an individual I would simply say, don’t come crying with your big brown tears talking about ‘I just want to have a dialogue’ after everything you’ve already said IS RUDE AND INSULTING!

      And I still say, THANK YOU, ICA, FOR THIS EXCELLENT VIDEO CLIP! I found it extremely exhilarating to see what God is doing among His Chosen People, Israel, and God bless Joel Richardson for providing this excellent clip! BLESS YOU! And thank you, again, EVEN IF SOME PEOPLE CAN’T FIND IT IN THEIR HEARTS TO HAVE SOMETHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT IT!!!!! Stick a fork in me, I’M DONE….

      Like

  8. ICA
    10/01/2015 at 2:04 PM

    grace country pastor, “You write again that faith without works is dead. How then do you reckon this verse to be Gods Word when it contradicts your position?

    Romans 4:5.. ‘But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.'”

    There is no contradiction. You simply need to understand the context in which both James and Paul are speaking. As John Piper, chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary, explains:

    So when James says in verse 21 that Abraham was “justified by works” he has a meaning in mind different from Paul’s when Paul denies that a man is justified by works (Romans 3:28; 4:2; 4:5). James is answering the question: Does the ongoing and final reckoning of Abraham’s righteousness depend on works as the necessary evidence of true and living faith? James’ answer to that question is Yes. And Paul’s answer is also Yes, in Galatians 5:6 (the only thing that counts is “faith working through love”). If you ask James and Paul, “How does an ungodly person get right with God and receive the righteousness of God in Christ as a gift?” both James and Paul would answer with the words of James 2:23: “Trust God (trust Christ) and that faith alone will be reckoned as righteousness.”

    But if you ask them, “Does justification as an ongoing and final right standing with God depend on the works of love?” Paul is going to say, “No, if by works you mean deeds done to show that you deserve God’s ongoing blessing (the point of Romans 4:4).” And James is going to say, “Yes, if by works you mean the fruit and evidence of faith like Abraham’s obedience on Mount Moriah.” And Paul is going to say, “I agree with James, based on his definitions.” And James is going to say, “I agree with Paul, based on his definitions.”

    So when Paul renounces “justification by works” he renounces the view that anything we do along with faith is credited to us as righteousness. Only faith obtains the verdict, not guilty, when we become Christians. Works of any kind are not acceptable in the moment of initial justification. But when James affirms “justification by works” he means that works are absolutely necessary in the ongoing life of a Christian to confirm and prove the reality of the faith which justifies.

    For Paul, “justification by works” (which he rejects) means “gaining right standing with God by the merit of works.” For James, “justification by works” (which he accepts) means “maintaining a right standing with God by faith along with the necessary evidence of faith, namely, the works of love.”

    To put it yet another way: When Paul teaches in Romans 4:5 that we are justified by faith alone, he means that the only thing that unites us to Christ for righteousness is dependence on Christ. When James says in James 2:24 that we are not justified by faith alone he means that the faith which justifies does not remain alone. These two positions are not contradictory. Faith alone unites us to Christ for righteousness, and the faith that unites us to Christ for righteousness does not remain alone. It bears the fruit of love. It must do so or it is dead, demon, useless faith and does not justify.

    Read more here.

    Like

    • 10/01/2015 at 3:59 PM

      “There is no contradiction.”

      One man is saying that salvation is by grace through faith WITHOUT works and the other is saying that salvation is by grace through faith WITH works. That is a contradiction if there was ever a contradiction. This is simple English.

      Note well that I am NOT saying that the Bible is contradicting itself and is therefore imperfect, even though there is a seeming contradiction in the words of these two men.

      What John Piper is doing is attempting to pound a square peg into a round hole. With enough force and enough fracturing of material, the square peg will fit. What John Piper and anyone else who sees NOT that these two men are saying the opposite things one from another are doing, is combining things (dispensations – Eph 3) that were never meant to be combined. Namely, the dispensation of the law given through Moses to the Jews; and the dispensation of grace given through Paul to the Gentiles.

      You write… “To put it yet another way: When Paul teaches in Romans 4:5 that we are justified by faith alone, he means that the only thing that unites us to Christ for righteousness is dependence on Christ.”

      How about just believing the words on the page without assigning altered spiritual meaning to them? Why can’t Paul just mean that we are justified by faith alone? That is what the words actually say. Contrarily, why can’t James mean that faith without works is actually dead?

      This is the way I see things. Let the words say what they mean and mean what they say. What John Piper does is alter the natural meaning of the words to suit his particular man centered doctrine. All denominations do the exact same thing but in their own particular ways. God is not a denominationalist, He is a dispensationalist; meaning, that while God never changes, the ways in which He deals with mankind over the eons has in fact changed.

      1 Corinthians 12:5-6… “And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

      Like

      • ICA
        10/01/2015 at 4:35 PM

        grace country pastor, “What John Piper and anyone else who sees NOT that these two men are saying the opposite things one from another are doing, is combining things (dispensations – Eph 3) that were never meant to be combined. Namely, the dispensation of the law given through Moses to the Jews; and the dispensation of grace given through Paul to the Gentiles.”

        Mr. Piper isn’t “combining” anything. He simply and aptly explained those passages of Scripture quite well, but you didn’t like the explanation because it conflicts with your view. The thief on the cross next to Christ was justified by faith alone. He had no works, as Paul alludes to, but he believed that Jesus was who He said he was and was therefore justified by his faith, which was not merely claimed faith but was rather the type of true faith that James wrote about, otherwise Christ would have known his heart and would not have saved him.

        Furthermore, as for the old Law — which never saved anyone (see Hebrews 10:1-10) — it has been abrogated with Christ. Whether Jew or Gentile, we do not keep the old law contained in ordinances (Gal 5:4) – the rules and requirements of the law of Moses with the various civil, ceremonial, sacrificial, and dietary laws. These have been fulfilled. They have been satisfied with Christ and have been nailed to the cross with Him.

        Col 2:13-14, “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.”

        If we keep the two commandments upon which all of the law and prophets hung upon — loving God with all our heart, soul and mind, and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves (and we can only do this if we have a genuine faith) — then we have fulfilled the law of God. Remember, Scripture repeatedly refers to Jewish believers and Gentile believers in Messiah in singular terms — “made both one”, “one new man from the two”, “one body”, “fellow citizens”, “household”, “built together”. Christianity is fulfilled Judaism, and although the old law contained in ordinances has been made obsolete, the moral law of God remains.

        Like

  9. ICA
    10/01/2015 at 2:13 PM

    grace country pastor, “Where in this verse of Romans is my sin? Paul is explaining what the Jewish believers had to believe and then do, confess.”

    All, whether Jew or Gentile, are saved the same way.

    grace country pastor, “Question… which gospel? I agree that repentance of sin is paramount to the gospel of the Kingdom but I disagree that it has anything to do with the gospel of grace. This is what y’all are not seeing in my words. There are more than one gospels in the ‘new testament”.’

    There is only one Gospel, and it is the Gospel of Christ, which incorporates the kingdom facet of the Good News. It is eternal. The type of dispensationalism that you are presenting is severely mired by theological inconsistencies and errors. I know you mean well, but it is a false teaching.

    Revelation 14:6-7, 12, “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people– saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’ … Here is the patience of the saints; here [are] those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

    The Gospel in the Old Testament is the same as it is in the New Testament. It was taught to the children of Israel in the Old Testament, which is to have complete faith in God and His Messiah. They looked forward to the Messiah. We look back to the Messiah.

    Notice what Paul was referring to in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4. Was Christ not the Savior of Old Testament saints as well?

    1 Cor 10:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

    Yes, Christ was their Savior. In fact, Paul also writes in the epistle of Hebrews the following:

    Hebrews 3:16-4:3a, “For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, [was it] not all who came out of Egypt, [led] by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? [Was it] not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard [it]. For we who have believed do enter that rest …”

    Old Testament saints were born again. They were saved by grace through faith, just as we are today. But the New Testament explains and expounds upon what Israel experienced, because now the Holy Spirit was being sent to bring in a world of Gentiles into the household of Israel, to be grafted in to the family of God.

    grace country pastor, “You write… ‘Ah ha, this contradicts your earlier statement that ‘there is absolutely zero we musty ‘do’ in this dispensation of grace’ in order to be saved.’

    Not at all. Belief is not a work. belief is not something that we do.”

    Again, my friend, you are incorrect:

    Acts 16:30-31, “And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.'”

    grace country pastor, “‘Unconditional’ grace. No more ‘If/Then’ conditions.”

    This is incorrect:

    Romans 10:9, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

    John 15:7, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

    John 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love …”

    Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

    Matthew 19:17, “… But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

    Romans 8:13, “For if you live … by the Spirit … you will live.”

    Romans 11:22, “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.”

    1 Thess 3:7-8, “… in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.”

    Revelation 3:3, “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”

    Like

  10. 01/21/2016 at 5:43 AM

    Dear Midnight Watcher,
    Thanks for sharing our video, “The Forbidden Chapter in the Tanakh” with others through your website.

    We do want to get this message out to as many people as possible, and initially allowed many people to upload the video from their own account.

    However, we’re realizing that in basically every case, “anti-missionaries” (people who are trained to argue against Jesus and the Gospel) have flooded the comments with arguments against the Gospel that most Christians don’t know how to answer. Of course, there are very good answers to these, but the average Christian has never had to deal with trained anti-missionaries. So we’re seeing many people get confused and we’ve even seen some lose their faith in the past.

    So what we’d like to do is just have one version of the video on Youtube – our own version – so that we can control the comments and respond appropriately. That way, people will receive the full answer and full Gospel and not get confused with arguments from anti-missionaries.

    We asked those who uploaded the video on their own Youtube Channel to remove their versions and just point to ours. So it will soon disappear from your website, since you’re not using our original version. Would you consider please putting up our original version instead? Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGz9BVJ_k6s.

    Of course, it doesn’t have very many views yet, unlike our Facebook version which was uploaded much earlier and has gone viral (now over 2 million views in all the languages). But still, we’d appreciate your help is spreading it more, and together we can reach more people with the Gospel!

    May the Lord bless you richly!
    Ariel Hyde
    http://www.TreeofLifeIsrael.org
    http://www.Medabrim.org.il

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