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Tag: old covenant

Andrew Strom: RETURN of THE JUDAIZERS??

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On September 6, 2009

In Andrew Strom, Doctrines Demystified, Doctrines of Demons?

From Andrew Strom

RETURN of THE JUDAIZERS??
-by Andrew Strom.

I have friends who call Jesus “Yeshua”. I don’t mind it at all. I have other friends who keep the Saturday Sabbath. It doesn’t bother me too much, unless there is a kind-of “aggressive attitude” about it. But in recent years I have witnessed a worrying trend – that in my opinion is growing worse – and we need to address it.

Today when a Christian tells me that they are “Torah-observant” then all kinds of alarms go off. It may be that they are just into ‘Hebrew roots’ – but usually it is a lot more than that. We all know that in the early church, the biggest problem they had was with the “Judaizers” who went around trying to convince the Gentile Christians that they must obey the letter of the Old Testament Law. This shipwrecked the faith of many. It was the biggest problem they had. The book of Galatians is all about it – and many other sections of the New Testament. It was a battle between the old Law – with its subtle bondages – and the new walk of the Spirit and of grace.

A few months back, we published the testimony of a Christian woman who got involved with a Messianic group that slowly under-mined her faith in Jesus – and basically converted her gradually into a practicing Jew – even though they all thought of themselves as “Messianic Christians”! She realized later that in almost every way she had slowly had her faith in Jesus and the New Testament replaced with the keeping of the Torah. She had been “Judaized”! And I fear this is happening to a great many Christians today – in all kinds of subtle ways.

This is exactly what the Bible warns against – losing the “simplicity” of the faith. And that is why Paul was so strong against the Juda-izers. He saw that Christians were being tempted – not to place their faith in Christ alone – but rather in Christ PLUS the keeping of the Law. It was no longer a simple trust in JESUS to be their righteousness. They now started to feel they had to keep the letter of the Old Law too – in order to be truly “holy”. And so they became “Judaized”. This is the worst trap possible. And so subtle!

Let us look at a few vital Scriptures. Please open your Bible to Acts 15:1-29. This whole passage is about a great meeting of the apostles to decide whether – with the new Gentile Christians – it was “necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses” (v 5). So what did the apostles conclude about this? As Peter declared during the debate about it, “Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” (v 10).

At the end of the great meeting, the apostles put out a letter to the Gentile Christians that declared: “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (v. 28-29). And as far as the Old Law went, that was it!

In other words, no “Torah observance”, no Sabbath, no circumcision, no Old Law apart from these few things. This brief list only. That was the pronouncement of the apostles. If they wanted to tell the Gentiles, “You must keep the Jewish Sabbath,” then this was the place to do it. But it is definitely not included. And neither are a thousand-and-one other things from the Old Testament. [including tithing – editor]

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Russell Earl Kelly, Ph.D.: Tithing is Not a Christian Doctrine — "Tithing, today, is reaching the levels of a modern scandal"

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On June 3, 2008

In Doctrines Demystified, Doctrines of Demons?, Tithing or Spirit-led

“Tithing, today, is reaching the levels,
I believe, of a modern scandal.”

– Russell Earl Kelly, Ph.D.

* * *

This is a slam-dunk, you all. Praise God!

And bless you, Russell Kelly!!!

May we be obedient and get it right — finally.

Phew!

I wrote the above right after I first saw Russell’s video. I was so excited because in this one presentation, Russell Kelly completely demolishes this “love of money” doctrine that is keeping so many from being led by the Holy Spirit.

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Many Pastors Still Teach Old Covenant, Pre-Pentecost Tithing—Not Spirit-Led Giving

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On May 27, 2008

In Tithing or Spirit-led

From: The Barna Group, New Study Shows Trends in Tithing and Donating, April 14, 2008

Tithing Since 2000

The percentage of adults who tithe has stayed constant since the turn of the decade, falling in the 5% to 7% range. The Barna tracking reported that the proportion of adults who tithed was 7% in 2006 and 2005; 5% in 2004 and 2003; 6% in 2002; and 5% in 2001.

Origins of Tithing

Strangely, tithing is a Jewish practice, not a Christian principle espoused in the New Testament. The idea of a tithe – which literally means one-tenth or the tenth part – originated as the tax that Israelites paid from the produce of the land to support the priestly tribe (the Levites), to fund Jewish religious festivals, and to help the poor. The ministry of Jesus Christ [actually, the arrival of the Holy Spirit – editor], however, brought an end to adherence to many of the ceremonial codes that were fundamental to the Jewish faith. Tithing was such a casualty. Since the first-century, Christians have believed in generous giving, but have not been under any obligation to contribute a specific percentage of their income.

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Amazingly, the disinfo continues in American churches. Notice the reasoning used in the following article, while considering the state of churches today—where the money comes in no matter what—where people aren’t being taught to be led by the Holy Spirit and common sense in the crucial issue of $money$—the love of money being the root….
Many pastors aren’t currently qualified to lead—so shouldn’t be getting any money. The money shouldn’t automatically come in. The law of tithing was set up so those who were born into the Levitical priesthood would have provision to be able to perform their old covenant duties.
Now we have “a better way”—Hebrews 7.

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From: Pioneer Press, June 23, 2008

“The pastor should tithe, the church should tithe, and everybody that attends should tithe,” Matthews [pastor of the 1,200-member New Life Interfaith Ministries in Bessemer, Ala] said. “It’s fair for everybody, high income or low income. It’s still the first dime out of every dollar. It’s a management system. Do I trust God? If I can’t be trusted with that, how can I be trusted with more?“

Many [pre-new covenant/pre-Pentecost – editor] passages in the Bible cite the command to set aside the first 10 percent of the harvest for God.

“It’s something God insti-tuted even before the Bible, with the tree in the Garden of Eden,” Matthews said. “You have every tree, but of one tree, don’t touch.” [This is even farther out there than the more commonly taught, if-pre-law-then-must-also-be-post-law fallacy, which states that because tithing happened before the law (once with Abraham & Melchizedek) it must apply after the law – editor.]

Pateo recalled how tight finances were when her children were in day care and her salary barely covered the costs. But she believes it’s a religious duty to tithe to her church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

“It’s not easy,” she said. “But other blessings come to you if you are faithful.”

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Related:
The Day that Tithing Ended — To Now Be Led By the Holy Spirit
Russell Earl Kelly, Ph.D.: Tithing is Not a Christian Doctrine — “Tithing, today, is reaching the levels of a modern scandal”
Russell Kelly, Ph.D.: Reply to Jim Feeney, Ph.D. on Tithing
Tithing or the Carriage Driver?
David Bercot CD teaching: What The Early Christians Believed About Tithing and Fasting? “You might be surprised to know…”
Teaching tithing keeps the little (and the big) children from coming to Jesus where they can have life!
All of my Tithing or Spirit-led posts

The Day that Tithing Ended, to Now Be Led By the Holy Spirit — No-More-Tithing Scriptures

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On November 26, 2007

In Doctrines Demystified, Doctrines of Demons?, Revival

The Day that Tithing Ended, to Now Be Led by the Holy Spirit — No-More-Tithing Scriptures

Compiled by Jeff Fenske

The better, new covenant way:

John 16:13 (WEB) …when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth….

Gal. 5:18 (WEB) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

2 Cor. 9:7 (WEB) Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart….

Rom. 8:1-4, 14 (WEB) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. … 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.

1 John 2:20, 27 (WEB) 20 You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. … 27 As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.

Paul never mentions tithing, but says giving should be determined in our hearts, the deepest seat of our emotions. Giving isn’t meant to be a brain-only, formula based, emotion free decision. We are to feel right, deep within, about to whom and how much we give.

2 Cor. 9:7 (WEB) Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Tithing puts people under a curse?/ the day tithing ended/ ”fallen away from grace”/ led by the Spirit:

Gal. 3:10 (WEB) For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. …

Gal. 3:13 (WEB) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” [The Day that Tithing Ended] …

Gal. 4:4 (WEB) But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. …

Gal. 4:21 (WEB) Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? …

Gal. 5:3 (WEB) Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. …

Gal. 5:18 (WEB) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The elders gathered in Jerusalem to determine what should be retained from the old covenant, and tithing wasn’t one of them:

Acts 15:5 (WEB) But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.”

Acts 15:6 (WEB) The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. …

Acts 15:22 (WEB) Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. 23 They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. 24 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; 25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”

The commandment to tithe was “annulled because of its weakness and uselessness.” Now we have a better way, through which we draw near to God, to be led by Him:

Heb. 7:4 (WEB) Now consider how great this man [Melchizedek] was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best spoils. 5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham, 6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has taken tithes of Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. 7 But without any dispute the less is blessed by the better. 8 tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 So to say, through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes, …. 15 there arises another priest, 16 who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life: 17 for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Heb. 7:18 (WEB) For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

The much-quoted, Jesus’ admonition to tithe applied only to before he died on the cross and before the veil was rent (so we can all enter the Holy of Holies to talk to God directly). The Levitical priests are now all replaced by Jesus, our High Priest, who then sent the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth (including to know to whom and how much to give).

Matt. 23:23 (WEB) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin,a and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

Related:

[My Dream] Tithing? “No, it’s a Holy Spirit thing!!”

Russell Earl Kelly, Ph.D.: Tithing is Not a Christian Doctrine — “Tithing, today, is reaching the levels of a modern scandal”

Russell Earl Kelly, Ph.D.: Where in the Bible Were Tithes Abolished?

Russell Kelly: REASONS TO OPPOSE N.T. TITHING

Russell Kelly: TITHERS’ MATTHEW 5:17 PROBLEM

Russell Kelly, Ph.D.: Reply to Jim Feeney, Ph.D. on Tithing

Many Pastors Still Teach Old Covenant, Pre-Pentecost Tithing—Not Spirit-Led Giving

Tithing or the Carriage Driver? [From the Let Us Be ONE prophecy]

David Bercot CD teaching: What The Early Christians Believed About

Tithing and Fasting? “You might be surprised to know…”

Teaching tithing keeps the little (and the big) children from coming to Jesus where they can have life!

Baruch: “Not only is DECEPTION of the church possible, it was PROPHESIED TO HAPPEN!” — Jesus said “IN THE LAST DAYS THE MAJORITY WILL BE DECEIVED, take heed that it doesn’t happen to you” — “FALSE TEACHERS are actually SPEAKING SPELLS with the words of their FALSE DOCTRINES!”

All of my Tithing or Spirit-led posts

Paul’s Elders’ qualifications revisited: What does ‘BLAMELESS’ mean? — Most pastors are biblically disqualified

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