Get Understanding*

Scriptures tell us to "get understanding": "He taught me also and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding." (Prov. 4:4-7). The New Testament also tells us to ask for wisdom if we lack it (James 1:5-6). We will find that the light upon the path towards both wisdom and understanding is the Word of God, including the Torah. Psalm 119:104-105 says: "Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." In fact, the getting of wisdom and understanding is better than the getting of gold and silver (Prov. 16:16). As Paul expressed his great desire that all Israel be saved, he explained that while Israel had zeal for God, they lacked knowledge, seeking their own righteousness rather than God's (Rom. 10:1-3). Paul wrote: "For Christ is the end (telos - that by which a thing is finished, the purpose or aim, the end to which all things relate) of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." (v. 4). Christ does not oppose the Law of Moses, He completes its purpose. The apostle James wrote of the importance of doing the Word of God. In saying this, he would have been referring to the Torah and the Prophets, or the Old Testament, because the New Testament did not yet exist as we have it today: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted (emphytos - inborn, implanted by nature or instruction, to germinate in, to shoot forth) word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves...But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:19-25).The Word, the perfect law of liberty, is not just heard or read, but becomes engrafted within us, and is expressed in works. Paul also wrote: "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified...Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness...In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (Rom. 2:13-16)). James wrote that we would be doing well to "fulfill the royal law" expressed by the scripture: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself", having no partiality or favoritism (James 2:8-9). The engrafted law, written within us, applies to the believer in Christ, as James wrote: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all...So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." (v. 10-13). James also wrote that faith alone is incomplete, but must also include the works mentioned above that are produced by the Word within us, which is built upon "Love thy neighbor...": "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (v. 14-17). We cannot see our neighbor hungry and without clothes to wear, and offer only prayer and a blessing - we must give him food to eat, and clothes to wear, which is the work of the Word. Jesus also spoke of all of these same things. This is not a law of legalism, but of liberty and mercy in its working, and based in love, as we will see next. John wrote that there is no separation between Jesus and His commandments, and love: "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." (1 Jn. 2:3-5). As James wrote above, John also tells us that "knowing" is not enough, but must be reflected in our "walking" as well: "He that saith he abideth in him (Jesus) ought himself also to walk, even as he walked." (v. 6). John wrote that he gives the church a new commandment, but the commandment is not new at all, "but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning...He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling (from darkness) in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes...And this is his (God's) commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." (1 Jn. 2:7-11, 3:23-24). Not only does keeping His commandments cause us to abide in Him, and He in us, and His love in us and in our walk, but the Holy Spirit has been given to us to confirm this. This is not all, however: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight." (1 Jn. 3:22). We see further the role of love. This love, spoken of in connection with God and His commandments, causes our love to be made perfect, "...because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear...And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." (1 Jn. 4:17-21). When we understand and walk in this love, fear is cast out, and we walk in light. Without this love of God and for our brother, fear takes rule, and darkness pervades. It is distressing to see more and more so-called Christian groups, like Chritian Nationalists, who advocate hatred against the Jewish people and others, while thinking they are doing God a favor. This does not reflect the love of God with which He loves us, nor the commandments of God, by which He keeps us. John wrote in summary: "Whoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 Jn. 5:1-3). This is the understanding that has been given to us: This is the true God, and eternal life. (see. v. 20). The return of Christ draws near for all men. Those who believe in Him should "get understanding" of the indivisible connection between God, His Son-Christ, His love for us, our keeping and doing His commandments, our love for Him, and our love for our brother. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 1/29/23 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.The ShroudofTurin.org/freebook.

What Is Grace?*

In the Church, there are those who greet each other saying, "Grace and Peace", as Paul also greeted the churches in his letters to them. The Hebrew sages approach scripture with the understanding that there are multiple facets to each verse by which men may learn the heart and will of God. Jesus also commanded us to "Search the scriptures...", so we will now look into the scriptures for the meaning and vital importance of grace. The Greek the word "grace", as used in the New Testament, is charis, which means: "that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, good will, loving-kindness, favor, the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence on souls, turns them to Christ and keeps, strengthens, and increases them in Christian faith...and kindles them to the exercise of Christian virtues". The word "peace" as mentioned above is the Greek word eirene meaning "security, safety, prosperity, felicity - of the Messiah's peace in Christianity: the tanquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and the blessed state of devout and upright men after death". Our peace comes from the assurance of our faith in Christ. For today's purpose, our discussion will focus on grace. In the Book of Ephesians, Paul begins his letter to this church with the salutation: "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 1:1-2). He wrote of all blessings in heavenly places that have been bestowed upon us in Christ. We were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world "that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." We were chosen by Christ for adoption to Himself. "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved". (v. 3-6). It is through the riches of His grace that we have forgiveness of our sins, and redemption by His blood (v. 7). The purpose of His grace towards us is to accomplish a great reconciliation "that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ...which are in heaven, and which are on earth..." (v. 10). Grace makes us accepted, and grace reconciles us, and all things, into Christ. We have obtained an inheritance of riches in glory by the power of that grace, given to us by the will of God (v. 11-18). This grace full of power and glory was "wrought in Christ when he raised him from then dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come..." (20-21). The grace of acceptance and inheritance is not accomplished by the will of man, but of God, through the overcoming of spiritual principalities by Christ's death and resurrection. As Paul wrote regarding the change in us: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That...he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:4-9). God has created us for good works, and has ordained that we should walk in those works (v. 10). This is not the kind "greasy grace" with which some believers excuse or justify their continuing walk in sin. The grace of God achieved through Christ on our behalf empowers a godly and righteous walk of works by the Spirit for which we were created and ordained by Him. This grace builds a citizenship with the saints, of the household of God, "...built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone." (Eph. 2:19-20). Grace is not confined to the New Testament, but, as Psul wrote, is encompassed within the Torah, the law and the prophets. The first mention of "grace" in scripture is from the Book of Genesis: "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." (Gen. 6:8-9). We see here that grace was appointed to Noah, and as a result of the work of grace, he was a just and perfect man, and his walk was with God. This is also what Paul taught regarding grace, above. We saw the meaning of grace in the Greek language, but with these verses from Genesis, we can see the meaning of grace in Hebrew. The Hebrew word is han/hanan, meaning "grace, favor, pleasant, precious, acceptance, kindness, good-will, prayer, supplication/mercy, merciful, be inclined towards". In Exodus, God described His name and character to Moses as He descended from a cloud on the mountaintop, and stood with Moses: "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and fourth generation." (Ex. 34:5-7). The LORD joined His mercy and grace together in these verses as He described His goodness, or hesed in Hebrew, meaning mercy, kindness, loving-kindness, beauty, favor). The message of grace hasn't changed from the Torah to the New Testament. The commandments of God are not limited to tablets of stone, but through the working of His grace, God wants His commandments to be written upon our hearts, and reflected in our walk. Notice that the LORD refers to "the guilty" in the above verses. The guilty are those who are unrepentant of their sin. Not only can grace not do its work in them because of that, but the iniquity of their sin passes to their future generations. The commandments of God are for our good, coming to us from His goodness. Paul wrote of this goodness of God found in His scriptures to his fellow worker in the Gospel, Timothy. The scriptures to which Paul referred would have been the Torah and the prophets, the Old Testament scriptures, because the New Testament had not yet been written: "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim. 3:15-17). We can follow the presence of grace from the beginning of scripture as it leads to Christ's death and resurrection, and on through the New Testament as the gift of the favor and mercy of God in our salvation and inheritance as believers in Christ. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 1/22/23 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.The ShroudofTurin.org/freebook.

Think Not*

Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill..." (Mt. 5:17-18). The word "Think" used in this verse is the Greek word nomizo, meaning "to hold by custom or usage". How many customary practices within the Church are not based on the truth of scripture, but are based upon errant teachings handed down over generations? Various teachers and writers in church history basically introduced the idea that the God of the Old Testament was different than the God of the New Testament, wrongly setting a division between the Old Testament as Law, and the New Testament as grace.. Other heresies like this, in addition to anti-Semitic doctrines, were part of Church history, and have been carried down to today. The prophet Hosea brought a correction from the LORD for His people. The LORD said that there was "no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." (Hos. 4:1). Because of this lack of knowledge, and rejection of knowledge, His people are destroyed. Since the priests had rejected knowledge, He would reject them, adding: "...seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame." (v. 6-7). The law of God was never meant to be forgotten, but incorporated into the hearts of His people. In fact, the apostles taught about Jesus Christ, His death, and resurrection, through the law and the prophets in the early foundational years of the Church. The apostle Paul, who eventually wrote much of the New Testament, is recorded as doing this many times. As Paul traveled to Corinth, he reasoned with both the Jews and the Greeks in the synagogue every sabbath, and being pressed in spirit, testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ (Acts 18:4-5). When his teaching was rejected in the synagogue, he told the Jews there that their blood was on their own heads, and he brought the Gospel to the Gentiles on the other side of the city. The house in which he was staying was right next to another synagogue: "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized." (v. 6-8). A vision from the Lord one night assured Paul: "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." (v. 9-10). For 1 1/2 years, Paul taught the word of God, which at that time did not include the New Testament, which was not yet written, but the "Old" Testament only. He was falsely accused by some Jews of teaching "contrary to the law", but the deputy of Achaia, Gallio, rejected their complaints, saying that he was no judge over such matters (v. 12-17). Another teacher of the Gospel at that time, Apollos, who was preaching Jesus based upon the baptism of John, was taken aside and shown by those who had been with Paul the more perfect way to present the Gospel. He then began teaching from the Torah scriptures: "...he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ." (v. 25-28). On another occasion, Paul appeared before the apostle James and the elders of the church in Jerusalem, where he declared before them "the things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry" (Acts 21:17-19). They glorified God, and testified that there were many thousands of Jews who were believers in Christ, and continued to also be zealous for the law. The elders informed Paul that there were rumors that Paul was teaching the Jews who were living among the Gentiles to forsake the commandments of the law of Moses. Because of this, the apostles in Jerusalem advised him to practice a cleansing in the temple with four other men, so that "all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law." (v. 20-24). James and the elders had no doubt that Paul did indeed observe and teach by the law of Moses, and his act of purification in the temple would assure the other Jews of the same (v. 26). However, the accusations from the Jews came against him again, not based upon fact, but upon a lie, and a false assumption: "Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place." (Acts 21:27-29). Paul began to speak to his accusers in their language, Hebrew, because he was accused of being an Egyptian (v. 38, 40). To this crowd, Paul identified himself as he spoke still in the Hebrew language: "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus...yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous towards God, as ye all are this day." Acts 22:1-3). Paul told the crowd how he had been one who persecuted, even to death, those who believed in Christ (v. 4). However, Paul saqid, he then had an encounter with a glorious Jesus while on his way to arrest believers in another city. Jesus spoke to Paul from heaven, and that moment changed his life, as well as having been temporarily blinded by the light of Christ's glory. A devout Jewish believer who walked according to the law, healed Paul of the blindness and told him: "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men...be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (v. 6-16). Later, Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin council, the same religious council that had condemned Jesus a few years before, and began speaking to them quoting the law of Moses (Acts 23:1-5). He was then brought before Festus and King Agrippa to be questioned, based on accusations made by the Jews regarding their law. Paul again had an opportunity before these political leaders to open the law and the prophets, and the revelation from them of Jesus as the Messiah. He explained how he lived as a Pharisee, in the strictest sect of the Jewish religion: "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come...Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? "(Acts 26:1-8). As Paul said, the promise of resurrection from the dead had always been part of the promise made to the fathers, and it was always part of the service of the twelves tribes of Israel before God. Paul said that Jesus Christ and His resurrection was what the prophets and Moses did say would come (v. 22). He wasn't preaching against the law and the prophets, but from the law and the prophets. Festus told Paul that he must be mad from all of his study and learning. Paul assured Festus that he was not, and that he knew that Festus was already aware of these things that had been going on before his face. It was not hidden from him (v. 24-25). To King Agrippa, Paul said: "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Paul said that he wished that all who heard him that day would be as he was in faith in Christ, except for the chains with which he was bound (v. 27-29). Even as Paul continued to be held under house arrest for two years in Rome, "...he expounded and testified to the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning to evening." (Acts 28:23). Some who came to hear him believed, and some didn't, which, Paul said, also fulfilled the prophets (v. 25-27). Paul explained the rejection by some of the Gospel taught through the law and prophets this way: "...their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." (2 Cor. 3:14-16). Paul said that it is the Holy Spirit that frees man to see: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (v. 17-18). When we see the connection, by the Holy Spirit, of Christ, the law and the prophets, a blindness is lifted from us, and we not only see His glory, but we are changed in degrees of glory as well. Those who are lost are blinded by the spirit of this world, in order to prevent them from being able to see the light of the Gospel of glory, which is the image of Christ, and by that light be changed. "For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Ccor. 4:3-6). As Paul spoke to the Corinthians about seeing the face of Jesus Christ, he must have been speaking to a people who had seen that face. There is historical evidence that the Shroud of Turin, with the image of the crucified Christ supernaturally imposed upon it, was seen throughout the large area throughout which Paul preached. As we understand what Paul preached from the law and the prophets, we know that he was not preaching legalism, but the fulfillment of both by Christ, as Jesus also taught. If we have asked Jesus into our hearts, then the law and the prophets must also reside in our hearts, as God always intended for His people. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 1/15/23 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.The ShroudofTurin.org/freebook.

The Torah = The Law and the Prophets*

Church history, including some of its important leaders and influencers like Martin Luther, St. Augustine, the Emperor Constantine and the Council of Nicaea, were filled with Anti-Semitism. As well as having a disregard for the commandments of God as they appeared in the Torah, or Old Testament, because of that contempt for the Jews, the Church also disregarded scripture in order to appeal to pagan converts. The commandments regarding the sabbath and the Feasts of the LORD were changed or ignored resulting in the spiritual impoverishment of the Church, and the removal of the Church from its Torah and Jewish foundation. The phrase, "the law and the prophets" appears five times (five is the number of grace) in the Old Testament, but it appears ten times (ten is the number of completion) in the New Testament! So why does the Church systematically exclude the law and the prophets from its direct relationship with grace? Let us look at the mentions of "the law and the prophets" in the New Testament. Jesus said: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Mt. 7:12). The intention of this Torah principle that Jesus taught is based on one of the two great commandments, again from the law and the prophets, which we will see later. John the Baptist, whose purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus, was connected by Jesus directly to the law and the prophets which preceded John, including His revealing of John the Baptist as Elijah, the great prophet of Israel (Mt. 11:11-14, see also Lk. 16:16). Jesus was tested by Torah lawyers on His knowledge and interpretation of the law, and He answered them according to the law when asked: "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Mt. 22:36-40, see also Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18). Regarding the Torah, Jesus revealed: "...it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle (small mark over a Hebrew letter) of the law to fail."(Lk. 16:17). The Torah is not about legalism, but it is about teaching us that God is a good God. This is the source of the grace of God - His goodness towards us. Jesus reminded His disciples when He met with them after His resurrection, that He had told them of what would happen to Him when He was previously with them :...that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things." (Lk. 24:44-48). Everything concerning Christ was written beforehand in the Torah. At that same time, Jesus also spoke about another promise from the law and the prophets: "And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (v. 49). Jesus is referring to the promise in the prophets that God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. This outpouring, as recorded in Acts 2, occurred on the Feast of Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks. Again, we must say that the Church has not been taught the ordained and prophetic Feasts of the LORD. In another example of the law and the prophets in the New Testament, Jesus was travelling into Galilee, in Bethsaida, where He called Philip as a disciple, and told him, "Follow me." (Jn. 1:43). Then Philip went to Nathaneal and told him: "...We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathaneal said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see." (v. 45-46). Jesus had seen Nathanael in the Spirit, and said to him: "Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee." (v. 47-48). Nathanael was amazed that Jesus had seen him in this manner beforehand, and proclaimed to Jesus: "...Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." Jesus answered: "Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these...Hereafter, ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." (v. 49-51). When Paul arrived in Antioch, he was in the synagogue on the sabbath. The law and the prophets had been read during the service, and then Paul was invited to speak (Acts 13:13-16). Paul then opened up the Torah in a manner that revealed the sovereignty and goodness of God to His people throughout their history (v. 17-21). Then Paul spoke to them about how the Torah brought the people of God to the provision of His salvation: "...he (God) raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel." (v. 22-24). The people in the synagogue had been reading the law and the prophets on the sabbath, and Paul brought them the Gospel of salvation out of the same law and the prophets. When Paul was brought to trial before Felix, the governor of Cesarea, by false accusers among the Jews who wished him dead. Paul defended himself before the governor saying: "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets: and have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." (Acts 24:14-16). As Paul said, our consciences towards both God and man are developed and ordered by the law and the prophets, and Paul structured his life upon the knowledge of them. As Jesus said (above), all the law and the prophets hang upon our keeping the two great commandments relating to our love for God, and equally, our love for our neighbor, man. The last few years of Paul's life were spent in Rome, where he was kept under house arrest, and would eventually be executed.
However, scripture tells us how Paul spent this time: "And when they had appointed him a day (for his hearing), there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not." (Acts. 28:22-23). The Church of believers was founded through Paul and the other apostles through the revealing of the truth of Christ in the law and the prophets. Paul also wrote that the Jews have an advantage in every way because the oracles of God have been entrusted to them. These oracles include the Torah, the Word of God. The fact that some may not believe does not make the faith of God expressed by His Word, without effect. God is going to judge the world righteously based upon His Word, whether they believe or not: "...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (Rom. 3:1-5, see also Ps. 51:4)). Because of this, Paul wrote that one is not a Jew who is one outwardly, by circumcision in the flesh: "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Rom. 2:28-29). This also is directly from the law and the prophets. We need both the Old Testament and the New Testament, both of which are wrapped into Yeshua, Jesus. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 1/8/23 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.The ShroudofTurin.org/freebook.

Renewal Not Resolution*

When I saw the thousands of people celebrating the new year, especially in New York City, I had great concern for the nation, including New York City, and for the Body of Christ. It is customary that when the new year begins, people make resolutions to change certain things in their lives and circumstances. However, scripture teaches something different: "...be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Rom. 12:2). Our minds are washed and renewed by one thing- the Word of God. One thing that can prevent the renewing of our minds is a religious mindset that refuses to hear the truth that is revealed in the scriptures, both in the Torah and the Prophets, and in the New Testament.Jesus healed a man on the sabbath of a Feast of the LORD, who suffered from infirmity for thirty-eight years, and was confined to a bed at the pool of Bethesda, by the sheep market. When healing the man, Jesus said to him: "Rise, take up thy bed and walk." (Jn. 8:1-8). The religious Jews who saw the cured man carrying his bed, scolded him saying: "It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed." (v. 9-10). Instead of rejoicing in the healing blessing received by this man on the sabbath, they condemned him for carrying his bed away. They needed a renewing of their minds, because what they condemned as a sinful behavior was really the manifestation of the power and mercy of God. Later, when Jesus saw the healed man again in the temple, He said to him: "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more , lest a worse thing come onto thee." (v. 14). Once we have received the grace of God, we are not to continue in sin. When the religious Jews found out that it was Jesus who had healed the man, instead of seeking Him out as the Son of God, they persecuted Him, and sought to slay Him for doing these things on the sabbath (v. 16). Unrenewed minds are dangerous. However, Jesus confronted them with not just the healing of God, but with the resurrection power of His Father placed into Jesus' hands: "Verily, verily...the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do...For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father...hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as they honour the Father...He that heareth my word, and believeth on him who sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life...The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live...Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (v. 19-29, excerpt). Instead of believing Jesus, who could bring them everlasting life by the authority given to Him by His Father, those who had not renewed their minds in the Word of God (who was speaking to them) condemned Jesus again, this time for blasphemy for claiming that God was His Father. Jesus finally said to them: "...these things I say that ye might be saved...And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye may have life...But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you...Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" (v. 34, 37-47). What Jesus was telling them in no way contradicted the Law of Moses, but confirmed and fulfilled it. All of scripture bears witness of Jesus, as He said. We keep the law because of Christ in us, not legalistically, but by understanding the intent of God. Man's resolutions often fail, but the Word of God, as we are conformed to it, and renewed by it, does not fail. The Bible is unlike any book written by man, because it is living and active, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote that just because the Word of God is not believed, does not mean that it is of no effect: "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true and every man a liar.; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Rom. 3:1-5). God is true, and will judge the world by this truth, and not in injustice (v. 5). Life is not a New Year's Eve party in Times Square NYC, where everyone sings the John Lennon song, "Imagine". Unlike the lyrics of that song, there is a heaven, and there is a hell. As Paul wrote: "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (v. 18). Paul asked if faith makes the law of God void: "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." (v. 31). The Law is not being destroyed by faith in Christ - it is being established. The sin that destroys us, and destroys the world, is not done away with by New Year's resolutions. Also, grace is not in place to continue covering a life of repeated sin. Paul wrote about the renewing of our mind regarding sin with this knowledge: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid, How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.. Knowing this, our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin...Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 6:1-7, 11). We have died to sin in this body, and are alive in Christ in His resurrected body. We are not to continue in sin because we are under grace and not under law: "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin , but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you. Being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness...For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (v. 15-18, 23). In this renewal of our minds, we are not to think like the world. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Cor. 3:16-17, 19, see also 1 Cor. 6:5-8, 19). What we were in the world, we are to be no longer by the renewal of Christ: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God...For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor. 6:9-11, 20). This nation has turned its back on God, being full of abominations, and it cannot be fixed with New Year celebrations and resolutions. The Renewal we need is not in "religion", but in Christ. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 1/1/23 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook. You can also get a free ebook titled "The Shroud of Turin- A Perfect Summary" at www.The ShroudofTurin.org/freebook.