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Christianity vs America and the World

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America and the World have everything backwards when it comes to Jesus' commandments to his disciples and to all Christians. I will give some scriptural examples to support this truth.

Jesus said not to call any man father, like the Catholics do.

"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:9
Jesus said not to pray with vain repetition, as the Catholics do with their many "Hail Mary's" prayers.

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7

Jesus said to never swear at all, for any reason. This includes vows, oaths, and pledges to anything or anyone, like the pledge of allegiance or the oaths to defend the constitution. All such things are not of the Christian way.

"33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matthew 5:33-37

These are Jesus' commandments, and He said those who love him will keep his commandments.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15

Now we get on with the real controversial stuff.

The New Testament literally means "New Covenant", and it is written for Christians to follow. Covenant is a synonym of Testament. The Old Testament means "Old Covenant," and it was written for the Jews. The Bible says the Old Covenant has been made obsolete.

"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." Hebrews 8:13

The only part of the Old Testament that Jesus upheld in His teachings were the ten commandments.

"17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth." Mark 10:17-20

This same man in the above passage was also a rich man, and lacking in compassion for others, refused to follow Jesus' commandments for him to sell all he has and give to the poor, and then he will have treasure in heaven. Jesus also said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

"21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." Mark 10:21-27

This same calling applies to all rich people living today, they must give their wealth to the poor and only then can they pick up their cross and follow Jesus. For the Bible said the love of money is the root of all evil.

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10

And now we have the most controversial doctrine of Christianity of all.

"And the soldiers likewise demanded of him (John the Baptist), saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages." Luke 3:14

Jesus taught to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, pray for those who hate us, and to do good to those that hate us. This includes ISIS terrorists, because no one hates us more than they. Ask yourself what would Jesus do about ISIS? Jesus did not kill his enemies, and neither did his disciples, many of whom were martyred for their faith. Jesus loved his enemies, and loving your enemies is the hardest part of true Christianity, because true Christianity might cost your life.

"Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it." Luke 17:33

"27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Luke 6:27-36

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16

True Christianity in its purest form is almost impossible to follow. It is by far the hardest thing a person will ever do in their life. Faith alone will not save you, because faith without works is dead.

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26

If you truly have faith in God, you will try your hardest to keep his commandments to the best of your ability, knowing it is not possible to be perfect but it is something we should strive for all our lives.

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48
God bless you all.
 
Personally I believe the author of this OP needs to do a more research in the OT before he/she can have an understanding of many of Jesus' teachings in the Gospels.
It has made a difference in my understanding of what went on and was said during the Messiah's ministry and I am still working it out. The Holy Spirit teaches us but we don't always understand correctly.

I'm not sure that this OP belongs in Current Events ?
 
paul took an oath.

the idea of oath is also a type of contract. so we shouldn't sign loans or mortgages?

Jesus was talking about what Christians are supposed to say, not write. He simply said let your yes be yes and your no be no. Contracts are simply agreements with a signature.

"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." James 5:12

con·tract
noun
noun: contract; plural noun: contracts
ˈkäntrakt/
  1. 1.
    a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law.
The dictionary shows a contract is not an oath but simply a written agreement.
 
Personally I believe the author of this OP needs to do a more research in the OT before he/she can have an understanding of many of Jesus' teachings in the Gospels.
It has made a difference in my understanding of what went on and was said during the Messiah's ministry and I am still working it out. The Holy Spirit teaches us but we don't always understand correctly.

I'm not sure that this OP belongs in Current Events ?

Yeah sorry about that. I didn't know where else to post this. What part of the Old Testament are you referring to that would shed more light on Jesus' teachings? As you may know, the Leviticus laws, the laws in Exodus, and the laws in Deuteronomy have been made obsolete.

"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." Hebrews 8:13

Here are some reasons why:

"Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him." Leviticus 24:14

"And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death." Leviticus 24:16

"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Leviticus 20:13

"And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death." Exodus 21:16

"Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death." Exodus 22:19

"And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast." Leviticus 20:15

"And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear." Deuteronomy 21:20-21

The Old Testament, which was written for the Jews, shows a type of living in which communities of Jews stoned those who broke these many old laws. Christians do not follow these laws of the Old Testament. Jesus did not teach us to follow these old rules in His ministry. The Old and New Testament are quite different. That is why Christians follow Jesus and His new commandments in the New Testament today.
 
Yeah sorry about that. I didn't know where else to post this. What part of the Old Testament are you referring to that would shed more light on Jesus' teachings? As you may know, the Leviticus laws, the laws in Exodus, and the laws in Deuteronomy have been made obsolete.

"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." Hebrews 8:13

Here are some reasons why:

"Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him." Leviticus 24:14

"And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death." Leviticus 24:16

"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Leviticus 20:13

"And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death." Exodus 21:16

"Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death." Exodus 22:19

"And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast." Leviticus 20:15

"And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. 21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear." Deuteronomy 21:20-21

The Old Testament, which was written for the Jews, shows a type of living in which communities of Jews stoned those who broke these many old laws. Christians do not follow these laws of the Old Testament. Jesus did not teach us to follow these old rules in His ministry. The Old and New Testament are quite different. That is why Christians follow Jesus and His new commandments in the New Testament today.
Yes the covenant has been made obsolete but Jesus refers to it often. The apostles quote from the OT. The 1st century Jewish believers in Christ were raised under Moses' Law, Paul was a Pharisee under the Law. Jesus chose those who were from the Law to lead His church.
Simply there is good stuff in the OT. :) Knowing God over a few thousand yrs. and His love for His people.
It makes you know that....the gates of hell can never overcome God's people. He is faithful.
 
Jesus was talking about what Christians are supposed to say, not write. He simply said let your yes be yes and your no be no. Contracts are simply agreements with a signature.

"But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." James 5:12

con·tract
noun
noun: contract; plural noun: contracts
ˈkäntrakt/
  1. 1.
    a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law.
The dictionary shows a contract is not an oath but simply a written agreement.
oath? really?
this what im saying and and I signed that contract.its called the oath of enlistement
so its not a sin to break a contract but an oath is?

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Oath

sworn statements! oh wait its a sin to sign those? I hope you don't mind that when you are calling a cop to have someone arrested they do have you sign those and in court. never mind.



I do solemnly swear to defend the constution of the united of America against foreign and domestic...View attachment 6371
 
well I guess jesus sinned when he legally answered this question under an oath. adjure is a form of an oath.

The high priest stood up and said to Him, "Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?" 63But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." 64Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."…

as Deborah said they were making that oath of no effect. which the Pharisees were good at with the torah.
 
well I guess jesus sinned when he legally answered this question under an oath. adjure is a form of an oath.



as Deborah said they were making that oath of no effect. which the Pharisees were good at with the torah.
You know Jesus never sinned, but He answered them simply, without saying "I Swear." For example, one can say without sinning "I affirm" like "I affirm allegiance to the flag...". And I have been to court before and they asked me if I swear to tell the truth and I simply answered "I affirm" to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. That concession has already been made for those in which swearing goes against one's religious beliefs, (like Christians) and saying "I affirm" is always acceptable in place of swearing. The judge did not mind one bit.

And I looked up the definition from the hyperlink provided by you, and it proves this to be true. Just look. http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Oath

"Similarly an affirmation is a solemn and formal declaration that a statement is true; however, an affirmation includes no reference to God so it can be made by someone who does not believe in God or by an individual who has conscientious objections against swearing to God. Provisions in state statutes or constitutions ordinarily allow affirmations to be made as alternatives to oaths."
 
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You know Jesus never sinned, but He answered them simply, without saying "I Swear." For example, one can say without sinning "I affirm" like "I affirm allegiance to the flag...". And I have been to court before and they asked me if I swear to tell the truth and I simply answered "I affirm" to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. That concession has already been made for those in which swearing goes against one's religious beliefs, (like Christians) and saying "I affirm" is always acceptable in place of swearing. The judge did not mind one bit.

And I looked up the definition from the hyperlink provided by you, and it proves this to be true. Just look. http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Oath

"Similarly an affirmation is a solemn and formal declaration that a statement is true; however, an affirmation includes no reference to God so it can be made by someone who does not believe in God or by an individual who has conscientious objections against swearing to God. Provisions in state statutes or constitutions ordinarily allow affirmations to be made as alternatives to oaths."
What you say is very good.
If you said much more, you probably would have lost most people.
However, all you have said is only the tip of the iceberg.
Why don't you continue?
 
Hi discipleofjesus777,

A few thoughts on your notes -

Most of what you said was in relation to Jesus talking to Israel who were under the Law. Jesus was telling them that it was the heart issue that God was looking at. Now as the Body of Christ, we are told to obey those in authorities (obviously not when against God) & that we fight not against `flesh & blood.` We also have the Holy Spirit who works out Christ`s life within so that we are Spirit led. Trying to keep the commandments in your own strength is not possible, as you admit.

Also as regards the Old Testament writings -

`All Scripture is inspired by God & profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good word.` (2 Tim. 3: 16 & 17)

God`s word is about revealing Christ to us. Yes parts were written to & about Israel, but it is for us all to read & learn about God & His wonderful plan through Christ to redeem us.

Marilyn.
 
Hi discipleofjesus777,

A few thoughts on your notes -

Most of what you said was in relation to Jesus talking to Israel who were under the Law. Jesus was telling them that it was the heart issue that God was looking at. Now as the Body of Christ, we are told to obey those in authorities (obviously not when against God) & that we fight not against `flesh & blood.` We also have the Holy Spirit who works out Christ`s life within so that we are Spirit led. Trying to keep the commandments in your own strength is not possible, as you admit.

Also as regards the Old Testament writings -

`All Scripture is inspired by God & profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good word.` (2 Tim. 3: 16 & 17)

God`s word is about revealing Christ to us. Yes parts were written to & about Israel, but it is for us all to read & learn about God & His wonderful plan through Christ to redeem us.

Marilyn.
:goodpost
 
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