Opponents of the unadulterated gospel are in the majority. Most are themselves mistaken and, due to a lack of self-study of the Bible, promote corresponding false teachings. Others, however, arouse strong suspicion of deliberately and purposefully misleading. This is anything but crude, but rather very sophisticated and subtle. One must be truly careful, because the strategy behind it is as old as ancient Babylon: the mixing of truth with distortions of the gospel and the resulting errors.
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Lively reactions are inevitable
At least there’s still a fair amount of activity on social media regarding the gospel and everything related to it. As always, not everything, or rather very little, of what’s being unleashed on the public is absolutely consistent with the gospel.
Some channel operators, often pastors, publish daily posts on specific gospel topics. Especially those topics that, unlike the broad masses of the numerous denominations, clearly deviate from the gospel. One such topic addressed concerned the widely read claim that the 7th-day Sabbath need not be observed, since, after all, Jesus Christ is our Sabbath and we rest in Him. That this cannot be true is clear from the fact that the 7th day was established by God immediately after creation, as the completion of His 6-day creation (Genesis 2:1-3).
The Sabbath is also a component of the Ten Commandments, written in stone by God Himself. The eternal law, which is to be seen as completely separate from the “Law of Moses,” is the ceremonial law (Info). The Ten Commandments define sin, while the ceremonial laws were introduced because of (acted) sin. These festival and sacrificial ceremonies were a shadow of Jesus’ work of salvation and were abolished by Him when He died on the cross and rose again on the third day. For the sacrifices in the tabernacle or temple were a symbol of Jesus Christ’s own blood sacrifice. This was now fulfilled through Him.
Often fueled by misunderstandings
A great deal of chaos in the “multiplicity of misunderstandings” concerns precisely these distinct sets of rules, the Ten Commandments and ceremonial laws. These are usually lumped together and thus all declared obsolete. This is precisely a mistake. The same applies to the handling of the New Covenant compared to the Old Covenant. As if the New Covenant were something “completely new,” a new concept, a new path to salvation. Which is not the case at all. This would also contradict the eternal justice of God and His quality of immutability. God does not simply change His path of salvation prepared for mankind at some point, somehow, for whatever reason.
Thus, this topic automatically also affects the handling between ancient Israel, the physical people, and spiritual Israel, and thus also the non-Jews or Gentiles. Once such a discussion has been initiated, with the topic of the “Sabbath” having great potential for sometimes violent reactions, it flows seamlessly from one topic to the next.
One such remarkable comment:
One of these social media comments, however, seems particularly interesting. At first glance, it appears logical and convincing, but a second glance reveals several problems, and a third glance even reveals the recognizable character of a particular handwriting.
Separation between Israel and Gentiles
“This is to a remarkable turning point in the New Testament when the salvation offered by God through Jesus Christ was extended to the Gentiles— non-Jewish people. Previously, God’s promises were thought to be solely for the Jewish people, who traced their lineage back to Abraham and were referred to as God’s chosen people.(Deuteronomy 7:6 & Isaiah 42:6)The Gentiles‘ (which is us) separate status was evident first and foremost in a cultural and religious sense. Both Jewish religious laws and societal norms separated Jews and Gentiles, creating a strong division between the groups.“
Deuteronomy 7:6 actually demonstrates that God sanctified the people of Israel as His chosen people.
“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”
The people were to recognize God as the true, faithful God who keeps His promise to their fathers (e.g., Abraham), and they were to keep His commandments (Deuteronomy 7:8-9). The people would prosper if they kept God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 8:6-10) and would also suffer the same fate as the (finally) apostate Gentiles if they disregarded God’s law and followed other gods (Deuteronomy 8:19-20).
This admonition to obey God’s commandments and statutes runs like a thread from the Book of Moses to Revelation 22. For this is also a prerequisite for God to keep His protective hand over His people (Deuteronomy 11:18-25)..
Isaiah 42:6 describes another very important task for the people of Israel:
“I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;”
Israel was to be a model for all Gentile nations. A prosperous life, free from want, and no need to fear enemies because the true, living God holds His hand over them. However, the prerequisite for this is keeping God’s commandments. In this way, the Gentile nations were to be convinced that the God of Israel is the real God and all other “gods” are merely fictions invented by man (Isaiah 42:10-16)..
Spiritual Israel
“Paul in (Romans 9:6-8) conveys that not all of physical Israel are the true children of God, but those of the promise, introducing the concept of a spiritual Israel— both Jews and non-Jews who put their faith in Jesus. This does not annul the role of Jewish people, but expands God’s covenantal promise to include people of all ethnicities, making all believers a part of God’s chosen people in Christ.(Faith in Jesus Christ)“Romans 9:6-8:
“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.“
This promise of God was never unconditional. Its core is obedience to God and His commandments. Paul also emphasized that the Gentiles were not fundamentally excluded from salvation. Paul already referred this to the time of ancient Israel, not only after the “turn” to the New Covenant, Romans 9:24-26:
“Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.“
Jesus the Bridger to Unity
“We see in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:11-12) acknowledges this divide: “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ‘the circumcision’ (which is done in the body by human hands)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” John 3:16 is a good reminder of his sacrifice for us. Humility, gratitude, and a recognition of unity across cultural, racial, and social divisions, made possible through Jesus Christ. It is a call to engage in unity despite differences, demonstrating the inclusive and universal nature of God’s Kingdom.“
Ephesians 2:11-13:
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.“
John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“
Babylonian territory
The commentator now slides into territory that was not addressed at all in the Gospel with regard to the Gentiles: “Cultural, racial, and social differences.” When it comes to the topic of “culture,” the cause is often confused with the effect. Is it culture that causes a people’s religion, or is it religion from which the corresponding culture arises? These are Gentiles who followed foreign “gods,” worshipped idols, and also offered sacrifices to idols, coupled with a whole range of superstitions. “Precisely culture.” However, this “unity” described by the commentator does not work with such diverse cultures, as this is usually associated with the false theories that are a thorn in God’s side.
Faith in Jesus Christ, or better yet, faith like Jesus Christ, rigorously excludes any false theology (“culture”). There can be no cross-cultural agreement here, absolutely out of the question, just as any compromise. The latter, in particular, was where the people of Israel failed: mixing with the “culture” of the pagan peoples by adopting their religious peculiarities, including, above all, idolatry. Jesus Christ is definitely not a link for bridging or connecting different cultures.
“Hard to understand” – Yes, that’s right!
“Nowadays, many may struggle to understand this idea because religious division and exclusion aren’t as noticeably prevalent in their everyday lives. What divides us today is the different denominations, which is not biblical but does exist.“
Indeed, it’s very difficult to understand “this idea,” as it’s completely incomprehensible. After all, division and exclusion were a principle of ancient Israel toward the surrounding Gentile peoples, as the commentator himself initially stated. The people of Israel were supposed to be a shining example and open to Gentiles who wanted to approach the true, living God. But not the adoption of their pagan customs. But now the commentator explains this as a fundamental problem. The real “change” lies not between the Old Testament and the New Testament, but in its argumentation.
Ezra 10:11:
“Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.“
So also in the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 6:17:
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”
Jesus brought separation!
Either obey God’s commandments, do His will, or you’re “out” if you disobey them against your better judgment, out of disinterest, or out of misplaced priorities. It’s that simple. That was true then and it’s true today. Furthermore, Jesus Christ was also clear on the subject of “cross-cultural unity” in Matthew 10:34-35:
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.“
It’s also noteworthy that the commentator believes he can identify the division solely on the basis of the many (Protestant) denominations. How should this be understood? Only the division between those who call themselves Christians, or the divisions within the numerous “cultures” as a whole? With this argument, he would either completely exclude the latter, or he sees no problematic difference at all between the Gospel and, for example, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, or shamanism.
The intoxicating wine of Babylon
Then, so too today. The ancient people of Israel were to isolate themselves from paganism and its false religions. At the same time, the people were to be the light of the world, a good example and a proclaimer of the truth of the gospel. Isolation can also be described as “separation, exclusion.” Adapting pagan “culture,” even in the slightest degree, was an absolute no-go. Today, it is the same. The people of God, who keep the commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, are called to be the light of the world, to act as a good example and proclaim the truth of the gospel. There is only one truth (Info).
Purity, the authenticity of the good news, and not a hodgepodge that creates the illusion of a supposed common denominator, which is then highlighted in isolation to suggest unity. The figure of Jesus is placed somewhere in between. The philosophy of Babylon is merely partial truth. And this commentator suggests such things in his “ecumenical language.” The manuscript clearly points to natural law, or the social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. A supposed unity of humanity under its wing. This is the poisoned wine of the whore in Revelation 17.
I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Revelation 17:1-2
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
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