So…
We have just collectively witnessed the prophesied Great Rebellion and falling away of the majority of the Church…
But how did it happen?
There are so many reasons. Scripture describes the ‘cares of this world,’ the ‘deceitfulness of riches,’ and the ‘lusts of other things entering in’ which choke the Word of Truth. (Mark 4:19)
However, one of the most glaring issues in Christian doctrine is the failure to keep God’s commandments, even after the manner of Christ, His disciples, Paul, and more.
One of the commandments broken in the hour of temptation was the command to ‘keep charge of the sanctuary, and let no stranger come nigh’ (Num 18). Hence, how the Antichrist got into the body and left of trail of blood all over the world...(!)
But now that we understand the importance of keeping the Father’s laws, statutes, and commandments, the question arises - should we follow His laws after the interpretation of Moses and the prophets? Or should we follow after the interpretation of Christ?
Or is it really all the same?
My answer to that question is,
Keep Tôrâ in the interpretation of Christ.
The life, death, and resurrection of Christ fulfilled much biblical prophecy, and the change to the Levitical priesthood necessitated a change to the law, namely, the use of animal and other sacrifices as an atonement for sin (Heb 7:12). But Christ accomplished many additional things throughout His legacy:
He expounded upon the laws of God.
He established new commands.
He affirmed Moses and the Prophets’ sayings.
He asserted His authority as mediator of a new covenant.
He recovered the original intent of the laws.
He fulfilled parts of the law.
He exemplified novel aspects of religious practice, such as what it means to be a “Christian.”
He set forth a path for believers who would have to face persecution before entering into the Kingdom.
He settled matters which were heavily debated.
He raised the new spiritual house for all believers and expounded upon spiritual things.
The sayings of Christ are paramount in understanding Tôrâ. Without exalting the words of Christ, believers can end up zealous for leaven rather than the Truth, especially as it relates to highly debated topics of polygyny, women in ministry, healing power and miracles, Gentiles, and more.
Below is a list of (10) legacies of the ministry of Christ which impact the modern practice of Tôrâ, particularly as it relates to the following areas: Salvation, Temple, Atonement, Gentiles, Christianity, Baptism, Healing, Blasphemy, Murder, Adultery, Enemies, Marriage, Sin, Sabbath, Prayer & Fasting, Wealth, Women, Oaths, and Ritual Purity.
Christ expounded upon the laws of God.
“And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” (Mark 2:23-28)
Christ expounded upon the laws of God which, in the new covenant, would be written in our hearts and put into our minds (Heb 10:16). This emphasized heart-centeredness as the true intent of the laws. With regard to Sabbath observance, Christ expounded upon the necessity of nourishment when famished. With regard to ritual purity, Christ denounced the traditions of elders, traditions that were superseding and making null the commandments of God. With regard to wealth, Christ explained that it would be hard (rather impossible) for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead, He advocated selling away those goods and giving provision to the poor.
Christ established new commands.
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
Christ established new commands as mediator of the new covenant. The commandment to love was not necessarily new within Tôrâ. But to love one another, in the same manner as Christ loved us, was distinct. It pointed to a more relational and sacrificial bond between members of the body of Christ, which later resulted in charitable practices such as communal living and radical healing.
Christ also set a novel example for how to pray and fast. He emphasized the need to be more discreet in worship, to use specific prayer language for intercession, and to avoid the showmanship of the religious leaders of the day. He also set forth the commandment to be baptized. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16)
He also explained that the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost would be wholly unforgivable (Matt 12:31-32). Under the old covenant, blaspheming the name of God was punishable by death. But in the new covenant’s relational change to the Holy Ghost as indwelling the body, this particular sin would be damnable.
Christ affirmed Moses and the Prophets’ sayings.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt 5:17-18)
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)
Christ affirmed the contributions of Moses and all the prophets, and He did not destroy their sayings or legacy. In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared alongside Christ, yet God instructed witnesses to “listen” to Christ (Matt 17:5). This served as a type of ceremonial transfer and recognition of Christ as the ultimate representative of the Father’s will.
When asked about how to inherit eternal life, Christ responded, “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” He continued listing beyond the ten (10) commandments into laws related to giving to the poor (Mark 10:17). So He recognized the whole body of law, despite the disannulment.
Christ also observed Tôrâ by commemorating the Sabbath and High Holy Days as well as following its moral and ethical requirements. This affirmed the legacies and contributions of Moses and the prophets.
Christ asserted His authority as mediator of a new covenant.
Christ asserted His authority as mediator of a new covenant, often by invoking the saying, “Ye have heard, but I say…” when expounding upon the law. In this passage, He addresses the matter of retribution, lawsuits, giving, enemies, and relationships:
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:38-48)
Christ recovered the original intent of the laws.
Christ recovered the original intent of the laws which had been established from the beginning of time. In this passage, Christ explains the original design for marriage and the penalty for violating it:
“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” (Matt 19:3-9)
He fulfilled parts of the law.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt 5:17-18)
Christ fulfilled prophecies related to atonement through His crucifixion. No longer would atonement for sin require the blood of bulls, goats, or any other offerings. He was the perfect atonement for sin…forever (Heb 10:12). Yet, His sacrifice did not replace the entire body of law.
Christ also fulfilled Messianic prophecies concerning His lineage, birth, mission, suffering, rejection, death, resurrection, exaltation, and future kingdom. He is called the “priest forever after the order of Melchisedek.” (Heb 7:17)
Although He fulfilled many prophecies, He made it clear that “all” would need to be fulfilled before the time of the end.
Christ exemplified novel aspects of religious practice such as what it means to be a “Christian.”
“Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever…” (John 14:11-16)
Christ exemplified what it meant to be a Christian, as in a follower of Christ, and this was distinct from ancient Israelite customs. The phrase “Christian” was first used in Antioch, but predecessors were known as “Followers of The Way.” This Narrow Path, also known as the paths of God or The Way, was embodied by the ministry of Christ. The ministry of Christ emphasized baptism, Holy Spirit indwelling, healing and other miracles, repentance from sin, intercession with God, outreach to Gentiles and sinners, women in ministry, and more.
Following Christ meant believing on Him, not only as the Son, but as “one” with the Father (i.e. “I am in the Father, and the Father in me…”). It also meant petitioning the Father in the name of Christ, and not simply calling upon the Father alone. Believers were expected to love Christ, in addition to the Father, and each of these changes revolutionized the practice of faith.
Christ set forth a path for believers who would have to face persecution.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Christ set forth a novel path for believers who would have to face persecution before being counted worthy to enter into the Kingdom. This contrasts with Tôrâ which, in the context of Moses leading Israel out of Egypt for deliverance, was especially framed for a people preparing to enter into their glory. Laws and commandments directed at a people in rulership, such as how to manage the surrounding land and how to execute judicial oversight, were distinct from what would be required from a flock of persecuted sheep. The Israelites, upon conquering the Promised Land, had to wage war and subdue enemy nations. Followers of the Way, or Christians, would have to demonstrate their sacrificial love of God by overcoming the world. They would have to endure persecution and “bear their cross” in a world purposely flipped “upside down” at the hand of God.
Christ settled matters which were heavily debated.
At the interrogation of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Christ settled matters of the day. He settled matters pertaining to Sabbath violations, marriage and divorce, resurrection, traditions of elders, paying taxes, and more. In the below passage, in response to a claim about Levirate marriage, Christ makes plain that in the resurrection, the children of God are made equal unto the angels and are not given in marriage, so that the question is a moot point:
“Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: but they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.” (Luke 20:27-38)
Christ raised the new spiritual house for all believers and expounded upon spiritual things.
“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matt 21:13)
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (I Pet 2:5)
Christ raised the new spiritual house of God and expounded upon spiritual things. The customary Temple system had become exploitative with trafficking operations. The priests of the day were omitting the weightier matters of the law and exhibiting strict harshness against the people. The Temple of God became a den of thieves and robbers rather than a place of prayer and communion with God for all nations. Thus, God’s name had been profaned. Yet, Christ, by the power of His resurrection, raised up the third temple, the spiritual house of God, offering a new and better way for believers to access and worship the Father, and walk the Narrow Path.
Thank you for reading!
…and always be sure to keep the biblical commandments on behalf of the Father and Son!
Love, Sara
