Rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Part 44
Rightly dividing the Word of truth.
This is part 44 in a series of 53 articles about RIGHTLY DIVIDING GOD’S WORD OF TRUTH. All scripture quoted will be from the King James Bible.
In part 44, we continue with some Bible CONTRASTS.
Special Abbreviations: (e.g.) meaning “for example” (ff.) meaning “following verse or following verses” (EP) meaning Earthly Program—(HP) meaning Heavenly Program
(EP) Sabbath Commanded: God “rested on the seventh day” after creation (Gen. 2:2). Thus the Ten Commandments included, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” for “the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord” (Ex. 20:8-11). The Lord through Moses added, “The seventh [day} is the Sabbath of rest,” lithe children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath .. .for a perpetual covenant” as “a sign” with “Israel forever” (Ex. 31:15-17). Jesus Christ and His disciples consistently observed the Sabbath day (e.g.: Luke 4:16; 23:56; Acts 13:14).
(HP) Sabbath Concluded: The Apostle Paul wrote that Christ has now abolished the law of commandments (Eph. 2:15). Believers today are to Iet no man therefore judge you … in respect of … the Sabbath … a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Col. 2:16-17). Today’s “rest (Sabbath rest, in Greek) to the people of God” is to have “ceased from his own works” (Heb. 4:9-10). Thus it came to be that “the first day of the week,” was when the disciples came together for fellowship, preaching, and to gather collections (Acts 20:7; I Cor.16:1-2).
(EP) Tithing Ordered: Abraham and Jacob gave to God “tithes” or “a tenth part of all” (Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Heb. 7:2). “The Lord commanded Moses for… Israel” that “the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 27:30-34). The priests had “a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law” (Heb. 7:5; Num. 18:21). A second and third tithe was paid for festivals and the poor (Deut. 14:22-29). The “sons of Jacob” robbed God when they withheld “tithes and offerings” and were cursed or blessed according to their tithing (Mal. 3:6-10).
(HP) Tithing Omitted: About giving, the Apostle Paul speaks “not by commandment” (II Cor. 8:8) for “the law of commandments” is today “abolished” (Eph. 2:15). The believer now is to give “as God hath prospered him” (I Cor. 16:2). “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” The amount is up to the giver, but God promises to bless accordingly as one gives (II Cor. 9:6-8).
(EP) Under Moses’ Law: The Lord gave the law which Moses set before the children of Israel to keep and do (Deut. 4:44; 5:1-3). If the “house of Jacob” obeyed, they would “be a peculiar treasure… above all people” (Ex. 19:3-5). God promised Israel “life and death, blessing and cursing” in accord with their obedience to the law’s commands (Deut. 30:10-20). Christ on earth was “made under the law” (Gal. 4:4). He did not “come to destroy the law…but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). Under the “new covenant with…Israel,” God will put His “law in their…hearts,” and they will “do them” (Jer. 31:31-33; Ezek. 36:26-27).
To be continued