Month: November 2019

Did Jesus come to abolish the law or to fulfill?

Bokk of Matthew in the Bible
Book of Matthew foto

Supposed Contradiction: In [Matthew 5:17-18], Jesus did not come to abolish the law, But in [Ephesians 2:13-15], Jesus abolished the law of Moses 

Questioned verses: 

[Matthew 5:17-18 & Luke 16:17] Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished

Contradict with 

[Ephesians 2:14-15] In his body he has made Jewish and non-Jewish people one by breaking down the wall of hostility that kept them apart. He brought an end to the commandments and demands found in Moses’ Teachings so that he could take Jewish and non-Jewish people and create one new humanity in himself. So he made peace 

[Hebrews 7:18-19] The former requirements are rejected because they are weak and useless. Moses’ Teachings couldn’t accomplish everything that God required. But we have something else that gives us greater confidence and allows us to approach God.

ANSWER: In [Matthew 5:17-18], Jesus does not say, “I uphold the law,” but merely says He came to fulfill all the things that were written about Him in Tanakh (Old Testament) being the Messiah, prophet or messenger, savior, etc.. Kindly read the supporting verses below: 

[Luke 24:44] “These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” 

[Matthew 26:53-54] Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

On the other hand, [Ephesians 2:14-15] does not say all the laws of Moses are abolished, but some of the demands found in Moses’ Teachings. Because there are laws of Moses that are intended only for the Israelites especially when it comes to cleansing and atonement rituals such as circumcision, animal sacrifice, food prohibition, and others. These mentioned Mosaic demands make the Jews separated from non-Jews. Jesus Christ, being our ultimate sacrificial lamb to God, the purifier of the world, superseded all these cleansing and atonement rituals. Circumcision is no longer necessary to the Church, animal sacrifice is no longer performed by us, impure animals that were forbidden to eat before were already purified by Him [Acts 10:15]. And because of this sacrifice and purification through Jesus, the Jewish and non-Jewish became one Church or humanity. The arrival of Jesus is also the arrival of the New Covenant, the everlasting covenant, which is intended for all peoples. This is to fulfill what God had promised roughly 700 hundred years before Jesus;

[Jeremiah 31:31-32] “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. 

But when it comes to the Moral teachings, the Ten Commandments, and prophecies; Jesus confirmed them.

While in [Hebrews 7:18-19], it says that the Former Law is useless not in the sense that it’s wrong, but it is impossible for us to follow it. The one who can have eternal life is only the perfect or sinless man (Psalm 37:37 & Revelation 21:27), therefore it is impossible for us to enter into Heaven since mankind fell to sin. Because of our sinful nature, our body is weakened to combat the urges of sins. But in the New law or Covenant, Jesus is our perfecter and justifier of faith, thus very possible for us to follow it and enter the kingdom of God. Kindly read; 

[Hebrews 12:2] Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

[Romans 3:26] to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

[Romans 8:3] 

New International Version
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,

New Living Translation
The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

GOD’S WORD® Translation
It is impossible to do what God’s standards demand because of the weakness our human nature has. But God sent his Son to have a human nature as sinners have and to pay for sin. That way God condemned sin in our corrupt nature.

Amplified Bible
For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son] 

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ALSO READ: My Answers to Muslim Accusations Against Christianity

Matthew 5:17-18 Versus Ephesians 2:13-15

Supposed Contradiction: In [Matthew 5:17-18], Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but in [Ephesians 2:13-15], Jesus abolished the law of Moses 

Questioned verses: 

[Matthew 5:17-18 & Luke 16:17] Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished

Contradict with 

[Ephesians 2:14-15] In his body he has made Jewish and non-Jewish people one by breaking down the wall of hostility that kept them apart. He brought an end to the commandments and demands found in Moses’ Teachings so that he could take Jewish and non-Jewish people and create one new humanity in himself. So he made peace 

[Hebrews 7:18-19] The former requirements are rejected because they are weak and useless. Moses’ Teachings couldn’t accomplish everything that God required. But we have something else that gives us greater confidence and allows us to approach God.

ANSWER: In [Matthew 5:17-18], Jesus does not say, “I uphold the law,” but merely says He came to fulfill all the things that were written about Him in the Old Testament being the Messiah, prophet or messenger, savior, etc.. Kindly read the supporting verses below: 

[Luke 24:44] “These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” 

[Matthew 26:53-54] Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

On the other hand, [Ephesians 2:14-15] does not say all the laws of Moses are abolished, but some of the demands found in Moses’ Teachings. Because there are laws of Moses that are intended only for the Israelites, especially when it comes to cleansing and atonement rituals (such as circumcision, animal sacrifice, food prohibition, and others). These mentioned Mosaic demands make the Jews separated from non-Jews. Jesus Christ, being our ultimate sacrificial lamb to God, the purifier of the world, superseded all these cleansing and atonement rituals. Circumcision is no longer necessary to the Church, animal sacrifice is no longer performed by us, impure animals that were forbidden to eat before were already purified by Him [Acts 10:15]. And because of this sacrifice and purification through Jesus, the Jewish and non-Jewish became one Church or humanity. The arrival of Jesus is also the arrival of the New Covenant, the everlasting covenant which is intended for all peoples. This is to fulfill what God had promised roughly 700 hundred years before Jesus;

[Jeremiah 31:31-32] “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. 

But when it comes to the Moral teachings, the Ten Commandments, and prophesies;  Jesus confirmed them.

While in [Hebrews 7:18-19], it says that the Former Law is useless not in the sense that it’s wrong, but it is impossible for us to follow it. The one who can have eternal life is only the perfect or sinless man (Psalm 37:37 & Revelation 21:27), therefore it is impossible for us to enter into Heaven since mankind fell to sin. But in the New Law, Jesus is our perfecter and justifier of faith, thus very possible for us to follow it. Kindly read; 

[Hebrews 12:2] Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

[Romans 3:26] to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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ALSO READ: Ezra 2:65 vs. Nehemiah 7:67, numerical discrepancy

Psalms 102:25-26 Versus Ecclesiastes 1:4 & Psalms 78:69

The mentioned title of this post is one of the supposed contradictions raised by many Bible critics; (Psalms 102:25-26) says the earth will perish, but (Ecclesiastes 1:4 & Psalms 78:69) say the earth abides forever.   

[Psalm 102:25-26 & Hebrews 1:10-11] In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 

Versus

[Ecclesiastes 1:4] “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.”

[Psalms 78:69] And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has established forever.

ANSWER: 

A.) First let us take up verse [Ecclesiastes 1:4]; 

“One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.”

ANALYSIS: The ‘earth’ used in this passage means “soil or land”, and not the planet Earth. This earth, soil, or land refers to the delightful or good people who abide the will of God.

Kindly read the verses below to identify who is this earth, soil, or land;

[Malachi 3:12] “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts. 

COMMENT: In this verse, the righteous Israelites are called a ‘delightful land’ by God.

[Luke 8:15] And the seed that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest 

COMMENT: In this verse, ‘seed’ represents the word of God [Luke 8:11]; and ‘good soil’ represents good people. God liken the good people as good soil which produces huge harvest. They are the ones who have influenced others to come to God. ‘Good soil or people’ are the ones who abide the will of God.

Kindly compare [Ecclesiastes 1:4] with [1 John 2:17] that says;

[1 John 2:17] And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

♦Therefore, it is man who does the will of God that will abide forever, and not the planet Earth.

B. NOW, let us take up the second questioned verse from [Psalm 78:69] which says;

“And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has established forever.”

ANALYSIS: I believe this verse is not accurately translated, because in other translations we can find the following verses;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He built his holy place upon the height and he prepared it in the Earth for eternity.

Douay-Rheims Bible 
And he built his sanctuary as of unicorns, in the land which he founded for ever.

COMMENT: Based on the translations above, it is obvious that it is not the earth which is founded forever, but the sanctuary (Church) of God prepared on Earth. This is referred to the Church built by Jesus on Earth, and this Church is for eternity. Meaning the Catholic Church is the kingdom to be brought to the Heaven.  

Kindly compare (Psalm 78:69) to its parallel verses in (2 Samuel 7:13 & 1 Chronicles 17:12) we can know;

[2 Samuel 7:13] He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 

[1 Chronicles 17:12] He is the one who will build a house–a temple–for me. And I will secure his throne forever. 

God wants a descendant of David to build His house or temple, and He will establish His throne forever. This descendant is Jesus whom God will establish His throne or kingdom, kindly read the following verses about the kingdom of Jesus;

[Jeremiah 23:5] The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

[Daniel 7:14]  And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.

[Luke 1:33] and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!

♦Therefore, it is the kingdom of God Jesus which is founded forever, and not the planet Earth.  

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ALSO READ: Matthew 5:17-18 Versus Ephesians 2:13-15

Why God commanded to wipe out the Amalekites?

battle in the old

When Christians denounce Islam because it commands to kill and terrorize other people, Muslims used to counter it by citing [1 Samuel 15:3] as more severe than what Allah commanded. 

Questioned Verse:

[1 Samuel 15:2-3] ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they hindered them on their way up from Egypt. Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

ANSWER:

Firstly, that extermination order from God was limited for a particular tribe only, and not for all other people as what Allah commanded their believers. Secondly, that event does not justify the massive killings of non-Muslims carried out by Islam. Did Yahweh kill other people because they were not adherent to Judaism? Nope, He killed Amalekites because aside from being idolatrous, Amalekites attacked the innocent Israelites while exhausted from their exodus. The Israelites were led by God but still the Amalekites attacked them because they had no fear of God. Kindly read; 

[Exodus 17:8] After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.

[Deuteronomy 25:17] Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt, how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God. 

And this is the main reason why God wanted to blot out the Amalekites, kindly read; 

[Exodus 17:14] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

The destruction of Amalekites was already prophesied by Balaam 400 years before the time of king Saul, kindly read;

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

[Numbers 24:20-22]:

Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Amalek was first among the nations,
but his end shall be destruction.”

Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Your dwelling place is secure,
and your nest is set in a cliff.

Yet Kain will be destroyed
when Asshur takes you captive.”

Why not imitate the behavior of the Kenites whose lives were spared by God because they showed kindness to Israelites when they journeyed from Egypt? Kindly read; 

[1 Samuel 15:5-6] Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. And he warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt, go on and get away from the Amalekites. Otherwise I will sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. 

God waited 400 years for Amalekites to change from their evil ways, but nothing happened. If you attack Israel, you will suffer the wrath of God, so I advice you Muslims to stop attacking Israel if you want to maintain your eternal lives. It’s not true that God hates the Jews as propagated by your religion. In fact today, the Islamic countries have been attempting to destroy Israel but failed though Israel is just a tiny nation. This is to fulfill what God had promised in Tanakh that He will bring the Israelites back to their land, and from that point, no one can uproot them anymore. Kindly read the following verses; 

[Amos 9:15] I will plant the people of Israel in their land, and they won’t be uprooted again from the land that I gave them, says the lord your God.

[Jeremiah 32:37] I will surely gather my people from all the lands to which I have banished them in my furious anger and great wrath, and I will return them to this place and make them dwell in safety. 

Read: Warning To The Muslims Who Want To Exterminate The Jews

Yahweh cares for other people unlike Allah, to prove; 

[Exodus 23:9] Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. 

[Deuteronomy 23:7] Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land.

[Deuteronomy 24:17] Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. 

Read: Yahweh cares for Nonbelievers

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ALSO READ: Did Jesus Come Not To Bring Peace But A Sword?