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We
pick up our thought process by relating "obedience to the
Law/Commandments particular to our Covenant as "non-Jews". By
that I mean the Covenant of Noah and it's relationship to becoming
righteous and acceptable before God."
I know that this concept of making oneself "acceptable to God" is foreign to Gentile Christianity yet it finds itself smack dab in the middle of the New Testament buried in the Greek, the original language of the text, which is never noticed unless one studies or reads the New Testament in Greek and not English. What we must be conscious of in our study is that the following religious concepts, like making oneself acceptable to God, are not only found in the New Testament but agree totally with the Laws of Noah and Biblical Judaism as well.
Paul continues to reveal the hidden mysteries of God to the Gentiles in the Book of Ephesians 2:3-5, KJV:
Before
the CONVERSION of these GENTILE EPHESIANS, they lived in SIN.
Answer for yourself: What did we discover in the last teaching as to what "sin" was in the New Testament?
Matt 7:23 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV)
The Strong's Concordance: Strong's number #458 anomia (an-om-ee'-ah); from 459; illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness: KJV-- iniquity, X transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness.
Now let us look at the root word:
459 anomos (an'-om-os); from 1 (as a negative particle) and 3551; lawless, i.e. (negatively) not subject to (the Jewish) law; (by implication, a Gentile), or (positively) wicked: KJV-- without law, lawless, transgressor, unlawful, wicked.
Now we have already learned that the "non-Jew", in his
Covenant with Noah, was given 66 Laws and Commandments which are again
repeated as the foundation in the Laws of Moses. So
we see that those who are told to depart from Christ are those who are
ignorance toward, in violation of, and in transgression of the Laws of
Moses, especially for Gentiles who share 66 of these same Laws in the Laws
of Noah!!!
As Gentiles, who
were born as aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from covenant
promises, without hope and without God, the Death Penalty for
transgression of the Law...which is exactly "what" one earns for
committing SIN, as Romans 6:23 says (THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH)-hung over
Gentiles, just as it does for anyone who PRACTICES SIN (remember
transgression of the LAW is defined as "sin" in the New
Testament). Only those who turn FROM sin, and turn in OBEDIENCE to God's
Every Word" will be given the Gift only God can give...Eternal Life!
We will be given access to the Tree of Life!
As we have read in Isaiah 59: 1-2, it is OUR INIQUITIES and SINS (as seen in the breaking God's Laws) that cuts us off from God. These same Scriptures tell us that the reason God will not listen to someone, is because they are a sinner...they practice sin (they practice breaking the Laws in their Covenant with God)!
Before the Word of God was given to the Gentile people as a whole, they were cut off from God. Before this, only the tribes of the Children of Israel (Jews) were given God's Laws, which guided one to God's salvation. Israel has ceased, in large part, being a "light" to the nations and there was little hope for the Gentile peoples unless they could come to the saving knowledge of God, His Laws, and His Covenant.
In Acts 11:18; Acts 10:34-35, KJV:
Let us set the stage. Peter had, against his will, been sent to the
home of an "unclean" Gentile. However this particular Gentile
was a "Godfearer" who had accepted the God of Israel and was
already living by the Laws of Noah which were part of the faith of the
Godfearer. However, since he remained "uncircumcised" he was not
accepted by "certain" Jews since lacking this he was not
eligible for conversion. So he remained "apart" from the Israel
of God in the "certain Jew's" eyes but not in God's eyes as we
are about to see. Paramount for our understanding is that such a one who
turned from idols to serve the living God was "saved". Notice
also that he was "saved" in the text many years after the death
of the New Testament Jesus and he had not even yet heard the typical
Christian message about this Jesus; in fact he knew nothing about this
Jesus or adhering to any established doctrine concerning "Yeshua"
for salvation. He was just a Godfearer as pictured all the way through the
Jewish Scriptures as an example of non-Jews who had faith in the Only True
God and who was "saved" accordingly. Understand as we go on that
this condition of "salvation" for the "non-Jew"
was no longer accepted by bigoted Jews who considered Gentiles "dogs"
and wished no social or religious contact with them. Only if the "non-Jew"
was circumcised was he considered "born" again and acceptable to
the Jews, at least in the eyes of "certain Jews" like the School
of Shammai. This is the whole issue of Paul and Galatians which is
overlooked by most who fail to realize that Paul was talking only about "one"
law..the law of circumcision which the "non-Jew" was not under!
While Peter was in Cornelius' home, before he even talked with him about Yeshua, the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius has He had the Jews years before. This will be very problematic for Christian theology because not knowing to be "saved" by belief in Yeshua or his death or his blood as Christians teach, here is Cornelius "accepted" by God and "filled with the Spirit of God" and he does not yet know or accept any of the Christian theology you and I are told are necessary for salvation.
Answer for yourself: According to Peter, are those who practice and work righteousness accepted with God? Yes.
Before we can go on verse 35 bears our investigation. Let us see who the "nation" refers to in that verse.
Lexicon Greek 1484 1484 ethnos {eth'-nos} probably from 1486; TDNT - 2:364,201; n n AV - Gentiles 93, nation 64, heathen 5, people 2; 164
Answer for yourself: Does not Peter say that in referring to "ethnos" that those of a race, or nation who worketh righteousness (who like Cornelius had not yet learned of Yeshua or the theology connected with his death which would be developed later) find eternal life through obedience to righteous acts? It sure does. Again this negates totally Christianity's salvation message through the death and blood of Yeshua if the account of Cornelius is to be believed. I personally believe it is to be believed because it lines up with Biblical history and Biblical Judaism correctly.
Answer for yourself: Besides, have you ever studied true Biblical Atonement for yourself and seen how it operates and just what is done in it to accomplish forgiveness of sins and Eternal Life? Well, you must and the time is now. After this study it will be impossible to look at the New Testament's depiction of the death of Jesus as an atonement for your sin any longer!
Answer for yourself: Have you ever studied out for yourself the Hebrew Isaiah chapters 52 and 53? Again if you do then you will see that it is impossible to connect any of this to a New Testament Jesus. The truth awaits you and these two studies alone will show you why the Jewish people, who know their faith, and their Rabbis cannot and will not accept the New Testament Jesus.
Now let us reaffirm what these multitude of Gentiles and heathens who were without the knowledge of the True God and who were not worshipping the true God were to DO (accomplish righteous works) to become acceptable to God.
We are told they must WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS to be accepted with God. Notice that ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD is not belief alone but involves the WORKING OUT OF TANGIBLE DEEDS THAT AFFIRM ONE'S FAITH!
Answer for yourself: Can we be assured of acceptance with God if we have faith and no righteous works? No because faith without "works" is dead.
Answer for yourself: Is it possible that this "working out" of practical deeds and manifestation of practical righteousness is nothing more than the accurate and correct response of one's faith in obedience to Laws and Commandments? It sure is.
Lexicon Greek 2038
2038 ergazomai {er-gad'-zom-ahee} middle voice from 2041; TDNT - 2:635,251; v AV - work 22, wrought 7, do 3, minister about 1, forbear working + 3361 1, labour for 1, labour 1, commit 1, trade by 1, trade 1; 39
Answer for yourself: Do you not
recognize that Peter is saying that those Gentiles who perform acts of
righteousness, thereby causing righteous works to exist, are accepted with
God? I hope so.
Answer for yourself: Does this verse
not say that being accepted with God is based upon earning, and working,
and acquiring acceptance with God through righteous acts? It sure does.
Lexicon Greek 2041 2041 ergon {er'-gon} from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); TDNT - 2:635,251; n n AV - work 152, deed 22, doing 1, labour 1; 176
Answer for yourself:
Is a "work" a deed? Yes.
Answer for yourself: Is not the
emphasis upon the "doing" of a deed instead of "believing"
only? It sure is.
Answer for yourself: Did not Jesus say
that by their fruits (not their faith) you shall know them? Yes he sure
did.
Answer for yourself: And what is it that we as Gentiles are to work toward? Biblical Righteousness.
The Greek word for "righteousness" is as follows:
Lexicon Greek 1343 1343 dikaiosune {dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay} from 1342; TDNT - 2:192,168; n f AV - righteousness 92; 92
Answer for yourself: Does "righteousness"
describe a condition that brings a state of acceptance with God? Yes.
Answer for yourself: Does not true Biblical righteousness relate to "doing" more than just "believing?" I hope you said "yes."
Answer for yourself:
Since "working righteousness" relates to the way one can
attain an approved state with God, then does it not stand to reason we
must respond in obedience to commandments (like keeping the Commandments
of the Seven Biblical Festivals, the Sabbath, and the correct use of the
Tithe...all of which most of Christianity violates)? Yes.
Answer for yourself: Since Acts
10:34-35 is written long after the time of Jesus and teaches us that a
condition of "acceptance"
with God may be attained by working righteousness and
practicing righteous deeds, then are we to trust solely
in our faith in Jesus for "acceptance with God" if this verse
connects such "condition of acceptance" with righteous works,
acts, and deeds? No, and if you have the courage to check out our other
web site, even the two links above, we will demonstrate beyond any doubt
how such false ideas got connected to the death of the New Testament
Jesus!
Answer for yourself: Is not "working
and doing righteous acts" the correct way to feel and act according
to the Greek word used by the Holy Spirit in this Scripture? It sure is.
Now let us focus in more detail on what God says we are to "work" toward. We are to work toward righteousness. Let us now investigate the "root" word for righteousness.
Lexicon Greek 1342 1342 dikaios {dik'-ah-yos} from 1349; TDNT - 2:182,168; adj AV - righteous 41, just 33, right 5, meet 2; 81
1) righteous, observing divine laws
Answer for yourself: Did we see the
word for "righteous" in the Bible means observing Divine Laws
like the Laws of Moses for the Jews and the
Laws of Noah for
the "non-Jews"? We sure did.
Answer for yourself: Did we not see
that "righteous" in the Bible means keeping the Commandments and
the Laws of God, these same Laws that make up the many stipulations in our
Covenants with God, either Jewish or Gentile? We sure did.
Answer for yourself: Does "worketh righteousness" that leads to being accepted by God mean (according to the Greek word "diakaios") observing divine Laws and Commandments? It sure does.
Answer for yourself: Does "worketh
righteousness" that leads to being
accepted by God mean (according to the Greek word "diakaios")
keeping the commandments of God? It sure does!
Answer for yourself: Can we be
considered "righteous by God" if we have a DIFFERENT way of
thinking, feeling, and acting that is not totally or wholly conformed to
the will of God? No we cannot be considered "righteous" by God.
Answer for yourself:
Can we be "righteous" by faith alone and be confident of
our acceptance with God since this verse directly says that those who
practice righteous acts and
deeds (and not just have faith or believe) are accepted
with God? You better not bet on it.
Answer for yourself: If we act contrary to the Laws and Commandments of God which are the expressed manifestations of "righteousness" then can we be certain that we are approved and acceptable of God? No. We can be certain that we have displeased Him and are not approved and accepted by Him.
God is NO
"Respecter of persons". ONLY those who REVERE Him (by OBEYING
His word, and who WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS) by practicing God's Commandments,
Laws, Statutes, and Judgments in their daily lives, are accepted BY
YAHWEH.
Before God opened the "Way of Salvation" to the Gentiles, it was considered UNLAWFUL, even to the Believers (who were then all Hebrews, by the way), to rub elbows with the Gentiles. However, this was not an Ordinance from God or part of the Written Law, but from the oral teachings of Shammai who hated Gentiles and was the leading Torah scholar of his day. This ordinance was stated by Peter in Acts 10:28, KJV:...it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to keep company, or come unto, one of another nation...
According to "these" ordinances by a Rabbi named Shammai,
it made no difference that any Gentile might be
practicing RIGHTEOUSNESS...as Cornelius the GENTILE centurion was doing
in Acts 10:1-4, KJV. Cornelius,
a DEVOUT man and one that FEARED God with all his heart was accepted by
God because his prayers and alms (works) had come up to God as acceptable
sacrifices. Let us understand that his prayers and alms were
manifestations of Commandments and Laws, they were his works, his faith in
action, thus they were "works of righteousness." Notice also
that his prayers and alms had come to God and God had declared him
accepted BEFORE PETER ARRIVED AND PREACHED JESUS TO HIM! Thus he was
accepted by God and Peter will come to that understanding shortly when the
same miracle that happened to the Jews at Pentecost in Acts 2, some 17
years ago, will happen to Cornelius. Like the Jews in Acts 2 who gathered
from all nations around the globe at the Festival of Pentecost and had
their "ears and understanding opened" to understand all
languages of mankind once again as man had done before Babel, Cornelius,
who did speak Hebrew, had his "ears and understanding opened" to
Peter speaking Hebrew. This SAME miracle spoke volumes to Peter and he
realized that in spite of "erroneous theology" like that of R.
Shammai God has put no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles! And
this was before Jesus was preached to him!!!
Answer for yourself: Can a Gentile be "accepted by God" by doing and working before he hears about Jesus? Yes.
Answer for yourself: Can a person be "accepted with God" by living a life of "active faith and practical righteousness" and be damned to Hell because he has not heard about Jesus yet? NO, not according to what you just saw in Acts 10 concerning Cornelius! Acts 10 shows us that although one has NOT learned or heard of Jesus, his righteous acts (not his theology about Jesus) brings ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD!
Answer for yourself: Should we not follow the teachings of the Bible concerning what true salvation is regardless of what we have heard others say since childhood about what the church has taught about salvation? Yes.
The word translated 'devout' in Acts 10:2 is as follows:
[A] devout <2152>
[man], and <2532> one that feared <5399> (5740) God <2316>
with <4862> all <3956> his <848> house <3624>,
which <5037> gave <4160> (5723) much <4183> alms <1654>
to the people <2992>, and <2532> prayed <1189> (5740) to
God <2316> always <1275>.
Lexicon Greek 2152 2152 eusebes {yoo-seb-ace'} from 2095 and 4576; TDNT - 7:175,1010; adj AV - devout 3, godly 1; 4
Root Word...Lexicon Greek 4576 4576 sebomai {seb'-om-ahee}middle voice of an apparently primary verb; TDNT - 7:169,1010; v AV - worship 6, devout 3, religious 1; 10
Just a note about "middle voice" of the adverb "devout". Whenever "middle voice" is used it means....SOMETHING ONE DOES HIMSELF.........the action is done to him by himself...
In other words, Cornelius was making himself HOLY by KEEPING the Laws of God (Laws of Noah) and practicing as a life-style righteous works!
Answer for yourself: Did Cornelius'
faith come before God as a memorial or his works? His works.
Answer for yourself: Would Cornelius'
works have been considered "righteous" by God if they had been
works and deeds that violated the Commandments and Laws, yet still being "religious
works?" No. Obedience is better than any sacrifice WE can give God.
We must give God what He asks and not try to improve on it or go beyond
what He asks.
Only "living by" God's Holy Laws and Commandments that frame our respective Covenants, both Jewish and Gentile, can one be "holy" because it separates the obedient person from the majority of mankind who do not obey the LORD but lean on their on understanding and fail to study to learn the truth about God and His revelation given to mankind that was corrected terribly by Rome in the 3rd century when they changed and "reinterpreted" almost everything; even "the Christ" and the "Jesus Messiah" as well as true Biblical Atonement. If one lives any other "way," then he lives in sin and God then, correctly, considers that person to be a sinner. God, assuredly, is no "Respecter of persons", so even IF a GENTILE OBEYS HIM, then that Gentile is "ACCEPTED BY HIM" regardless if that person is a Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindo, etc. God has proven this through the instructions He gave through Moses, saying previously in Exodus 12:48-49, KJV: And when a "stranger" shall sojourn with thee...ONE LAW shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the STRANGER (Gentile) that sojourneth among you.
The word translated 'stranger' in this verse is word # 1616 in Strong's Hebrew Dictionary: the word "ger", and means: foreigner, alien. This is the Gentile like you and me!
Answer for yourself: Did the Text say
that there is "Only
One Law" for both Jews and Gentiles? Sure did!
Answer for yourself: Are the Gentiles
to yield to the Law given to the Jews because salvation if of the Jews or
Jews to decide which of the 2,000 different Christian denominations and
their "various and conflicting laws" to obey? I think the answer
is obvious! The Gentile is to yield to the law given to the Jews which is
the Torah!
Answer for yourself: Is salvation of
the Gentiles or the Jews? Jews. Have you heard them? Have you studied
Judaism and contrasted it theologically and doctrinally with Christianity
and noted how Christianity changed everything in the 3rd century because
they hated the Jews and did not want to live according to the Laws of God?
Answer for yourself: How can the Jew possibly submit to the Law given the Gentile (understand that he is not supposed to) if the Gentile Christian is taught that the Law has passed away? He can't!
Now the Apostle Paul was speaking to the Ephesians, who were strangers
before God's Word was delivered to them. When they received God, they
were no longer "strangers"
to the covenant promises made to Israel (in thy Seed Abraham all NATIONS
(Gentiles) will be blessed)! Through the
teaching of Paul, who shared the God of Israel and His requirements of
them, they had accepted God's Holy Laws, which they had broken in times
past, and these "non-Jews"
were given the opportunity to be justified through repentance to Yeshua's
message (which results in works of righteousness).
In Ephesians 2:19, KJV:
Now therefore you are
no more strangers and foreigners, but FELLOW CITIZENS with the saints,
and of the household of GOD. The Gentile who comes to faith in God
through the ministry of Yeshua and his legacy becomes a fellow-citizen
WITH THE JEWS IN THE ISRAEL OF GOD!
Answer
for yourself: As a Christian, are you standing alone in your
identification with God trusting in a false salvation message of Rome and
opposed to the Jew/Israel, or are you, as Ephesians tells us, part of
Israel and considered as "fellow citizen" with the people of God
in Israel because you have been grafted into Israel and recognize,
cherish, and obey the Laws of your Covenant with God (the Laws of Noah for
the "non-Jew")? You are "the Israel of God" which is a
more true identification and designation that calling yourself a Christian
which was a derogatory term used by the enemies of Way and the sect of the
Nazarene. I hope you are beginning to see that you are engrafted into
Israel and do not stand apart from the root and fatness of the Olive Tree
which supports you; nor the Law of God that provide the very foundation of
your Covenant with the Creator.
Answer for yourself: Are fellow
citizens of the "same nation" (both Jew and Gentile) under the
same Laws. Sure are!
Answer for yourself: For example, in America do the laws of murder apply to everyone or just a certain class of people? To everyone. Get the picture?
Let us end with a big question.
Answer for yourself: Are you really a
follower of Jesus?
Well
read this and then the answer to that become more clear than ever
before for there are two different "gospel" messages out there;
there is a short study were we
contrast
the different salvation messages of Jesus against the
completely
different salvation message of the Romanized Paul and then a 3
article series on
contrasting
the gospel messages of Paul vs Jesus and show the reader how they
are in conflict in "key" places. They plans of salvation and
gospel messages are not the same and to the degree that you understand
this, recognize this, and follow the correct one then and only then can
you call yourself a true
"follower
of the Christ" or a "follower of Jesus".
Shalom.