Category: Torah

Calendar, His Resurrection, Resurrection

HEAD OF THE BODY

David R Maas

SYNOPSIS – Paul emphasizes the exalted position of Jesus that resulted from his death and resurrection – Colossians 1:18-19. 

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul stresses the exalted position of Jesus that resulted from his obedient death and his resurrection from the dead. Some members of the congregation remained confused about the authority of the Son of God, even over the spiritual powers that are hostile to him and his people. Therefore, Paul reminded them of just how highly God had exalted the one who became the “firstborn of the dead.”

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New Covenant, Torah

CIRCUMCISION – a cUTTING iSSUE

David R Maas

SYNOPSIS – If circumcision is no longer required, there has been a fundamental change in how membership in the covenant community is determined. 

Circumcision is an obstacle to any claim that followers of Jesus must conform to the requirements of the Torah, a rite that was fundamental in the Abrahamic covenant for the identity of the covenant community, and mandatory in the Mosaic legislation for all male members. Thus, if circumcision is no longer required, then the jurisdiction of the Law has changed.

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close up court courthouse hammer
Torah

The Duration of the Law of Moses

David R Maas

The book of Hebrews cites Jeremiah 31:31-34 to argue that God’s previous covenant proved inadequate, otherwise there would have been no need for a new and better one. This logic also indicates the temporary jurisdiction of Torah or the legislation delivered to Moses by angels at Sinai (Hebrews 2:5; 8:7-12). The very need for a new covenant demonstrates that the former covenant was not “faultless.”

Because Israel sinned, the Levitical rites established by the Torah were unable to achieve “the purification of sins.” The old system was inherently inadequate (Exodus 24:1-8; Hebrews 1:3-4).  (Hebrews 8:13) – “In saying, ‘Of a new sort’, he has made obsolete the first.” Continue reading “The Duration of the Law of Moses” →

icra iflas piled book
Calendar, Torah

PROVISIONAL NATURE OF THE LAW

David R Maas

According to Galatians, the jurisdiction of the Torah reached its termination point with the arrival of Jesus – The “seed” of Abraham.

In responding to claims that Gentiles must be circumcised, Paul appealed first to the common experience of the Spirit received by the Galatians.  Did they receive the gift in response to a “hearing of faith” or “from the works of the Law?”  Having begun in the Spirit, why did they now seek “to complete” their faith on the basis of “flesh,” in this case, by submitting to circumcision?

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Spirit, Torah

HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT

David R Maas

SYNOPSIS – The receipt of the Spirit while in an uncircumcised state is irrefutable proof that Gentile Christians are accepted by God – Galatians 3:1-4. 

In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul addressed a growing danger to his congregations. Certain Jewish believers from Jerusalem were claiming that Gentiles must keep at least some of the required deeds and rituals of the Mosaic Law in order to “complete” their faith. They were “compelling Gentiles to Judaize” – To conform to Jewish customs and otherwise “live as Jews.” This included circumcision, the observance of Jewish feast days, and possibly dietary restrictions based on the Levitical purity regulations – (Galatians 2:11-14, 4:10).

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