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“<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE”
MINISTRIES</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="CENTER">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>Jim & Marie Watt</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="CENTER">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email:
<a href="mailto:jmbetter@gmail.com">jmbetter@gmail.com</a></b></font></p>
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<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>Web: <a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="CENTER">
October 10, 2011</p><p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;" align="CENTER"><br></p>
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<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><b>TORAH
OBSERVANT: A DECEPTION? - 2011-10-17</b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><b>Andrew
Strom's Note: Below is an excellent study of this subject by Jim
Pruitt. We already discussed the dangers of the 'Hebrew Roots'
movement some time ago. I truly don't mind people calling Jesus
“Yeshua” - unless they want to force us all to do it. Paul
certainly wrote in Greek, and “Iesous” (or 'Jesus') was the word
he used. But Yeshua is fine too. However I certainly DO mind when
people start telling Gentile Christians to become “Torah Observant”
- back under the Old Law. This is deadly deception in my view -
directly opposed to the New Testament. But this movement has been
growing and we need to be aware of what the Bible clearly teaches on
this subject. Jim Pruitt's study below will help us to that.</b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="CENTER"><b>The
ISIDIOUS NATURE of FALSE DOCTRINE by Jim Pruitt</b></p>
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</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
Three issues have popped up in other areas within the public arena
and it is important to address them before they become defacto
doctrine. In the first century some of the Jewish Christians sought
to impose these behaviors on Gentile Christians and they were
addressed in several places in the New Testament (most notably in
Acts 15). They are the doctrinal view that all Christians should
worship on Saturday (as opposed to Sunday), should abstain from
non-kosher foods, and that the Jewish holidays and festivals should
still be observed. Adherence to these behaviors were explicitly
commanded by God of the Hebrews in the Old Testament and most were
found from the book of Leviticus.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">However, when Christ came He
fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17-20) and “things which were a mere
shadow of what was to come” were no longer applicable.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Here are verses which
specifically address the Sabbath and Jewish holidays and festivals:</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore no
one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect
to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day - things which are a
mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Romans 14:15 One person regards
one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person
must be fully convinced in his own mind.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">John 9:16 Therefore some of the
Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does
not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who
is a sinner perform such signs?” And there was a division among
them.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Mark 2:27 Jesus said to them,
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">If you read these verses without
preconception (i.e., without a doctrine that you're trying to
rationalize), then their meaning is perfectly clear and
self-explanatory. It's wrong to consider someone as sinning because
they don't keep the Old Testament definition of the Sabbath. The
Sabbath is made for man. If you want to consider every day holy then
that's fine. If you want to pick one day or a series of days as above
others to worship God, then that's fine, too. You won't find any
verses in the New Testament which contradicts this</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Here are verses which
specifically address food (in addition to Colossians 2:16, 17):</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Mark 7:18-20 And He said to
them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not
understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile
him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and
is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was
saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles
the man.”</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">1 Timothy 4:3-5 Men who forbid
marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to
be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For
everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if
it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the
word of God and prayer.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Romans 14:14 I know and am
convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself ...</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Colossians 2:20-23 If you have
died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as
if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees,
such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all
refer to things destined to perish with use) - in accordance with the
commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to
be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and
self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value
against fleshly indulgence.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">1 Corinthians 8:8 But food will
not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor
the better if we do eat. </font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Again, These verses are
self-explanatory and you will find nothing in the New Testament which
offers any contradictory stance concerning food. Jesus declared all
foods clean. The dietary restriction delineated in Leviticus no
longer apply.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>How Is It That You Compel the
Gentiles To Live Like Jews? </b>In Acts 15, Jewish Christians tried
to get the Gentiles to follow their traditions. However, after a
heated discussion between those who advocated having them observe
Jewish customs and the Apostles (including Paul), they only advised
them to keep a minimal set of rules. There was no mention of having
them observe the Sabbath, restricting their diet to kosher foods, or
observing Jewish holidays. In addition, in all of Paul's epistles to
the Gentiles, there is no mention of it. In fact, I can find no
indication in the New Testament or in historical records of the early
church of any time where Christian Gentiles were instructed to do so.
It is not mentioned much less commanded in the New Testament; why is
it important for us to re institute in now?</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Looking at these three issues
brings to mind Galatians 2 where some Jews had secretly infiltrated
the Gentile Christians in order to “spy out our liberty which we
have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.” When
Paul met with the Apostles, Peter began to refuse to sit or speak
with the Gentiles (which he would normally and which was against
Jewish tradition) because he was trying to keep from offending the
Jewish Christians who were present. But Paul wouldn't let it slide:</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Galatians 2:13-16 The rest of
Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was
carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not
straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in
the presence of all, “If you being a Jew, live like the Gentiles
and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live
like Jews. We who are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the
Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the
works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have
believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in
Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law
no flesh will be justified.”</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">I find no evidence in the New
Testament or in the early church histories where Gentile Christians
worshiped on Saturday, ate only kosher foods, or observed Jewish
holidays. Scripture clearly indicates that these subjects are a
matter of personal choice and that we are not to allow anyone to try
and bring us into bondage by saying that God's Word says otherwise.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>Causing A Brother To Stumble.
</b>However, there is clear guidance concerning not offending
someone by what you eat or by what days you worship in Romans 14:</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Romans 14:2-4 One persona has
faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables
only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who
does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one
who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant
of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand,
for the Lord is able to make him stand.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Romans 14:5-6 One person
regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each
person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the
day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord,
for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does
not eat, and gives thanks to God.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Romans 14:14-17 I know and am
convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to
him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if
because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking
according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ
died. Therefore do not let what is for a good thing be spoken of as
evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2">Romans 14:20-23 Do not tear
down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are
clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It
is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which
your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own
conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in
what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because
his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>Personal
Choice versus Doctrine. </b><span style=""> How
should we interpret Romans 14 in light of the other scriptures we
find in the New Testament concerning food? Should we allow doctrines
such as we are discussing to be taught and promoted without
challenging them? If so, where does the deviation from sound doctrine
end? Hasn't history taught us that error uncorrected only increases
in magnitude over time?</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">I
think the key is the phrase “one person.” Romans 14 is talking
about how to interact with a Christian brother who has made a
personal choice concerning diet or observance of one day over
another. If someone chooses to eat only vegetables or restrict their
diet in some other way because they believe it is better for them, or
they feel God leading them to do so for a time, or any other personal
reason, then we should respect that. To try and get them to eat
something which they don't want to (for whatever reason) would be to
try and cause your brother to stumble or sin because they would be
doing something that they believe is wrong. The same goes for
religious observances on a certain day. If they feel God leading them
to pray, or study the Bible, or worship on a certain day or days,
then we should respect that.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">However,
it is entirely another matter when someone begins to teach their
fellow brethren that God has commanded these behaviors, and to do
otherwise is to disobey God. It then is no longer a matter of
respecting personal choice, but a matter of legalism and the “leaven
of the Pharisees” creeping in to restrict our liberty in Christ and
begin to put us back into the bondage of the law. Although its
initial effects may be innocuous, such thinking inevitably leads to
further restrictions until at last we find ourselves back trying to
earn God's favor through works.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>All
Things To All Men. </b><span style="">One reason
put forth as justification for such restrictions is that our liberty
gives offense to Jews and Muslims who still adhere to these sorts of
doctrines. Granted, it is entirely scriptural to avoid giving offense
to those of another culture or religion where it is possible without
disobeying God when trying to minister to that group:</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">1
Corinthians 9:20-22 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might
win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not
being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under
the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not
being with the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I
might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that
I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I
may by all means save some.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">But
to say that such restrictions are to be observed at all times as a
way of life in order to avoid offending anyone is to misrepresent the
meaning of the passage. Paul himself didn't live like a Jew except
when he was trying to reach Jews. Paul didn't stay “weak” in
order to avoid offending those who were weak but only when he was
trying to reach them.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>What
Does Christ-Like Mean? </b><span style="">Another
rationalization given for these doctrines is that they make you more
“Christ-like” since these were behaviors that we believe Jesus
observed since he was, after all, Jewish. However, if that is the
reason for doing these things then where does it end? There are many
rituals and customs which were commanded by God in the Old Testament
and which were observed by the Jews of Jesus' time. Are we now to say
that God commands all Christians to observe the following:</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">Christians
are to be considered unclean and untouchable for period of time after
having had contact with a dead non-kosher animal (for instance,
touching bacon), during menstruation, after giving birth, and after a
seminal emission (Leviticus 1l, 12 and 15).</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">*
Women can't wear men's clothing and vice-versa (Deuteronomy 11:5)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">*
It is forbidden to wear a garment where wool and linen are mixed
(Deuteronomy 22:11)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">*
You can't eat the fruit of a tree for the first three years after you
plant it (Leviticus 19:23)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">*
Anyone who works on the Sabbath shall be put to death (Exodus 35:2)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">*
Anyone who curses their mother or father, commits adultery, or has
sexual relations with someone in their immediate family or of the
same sex shall be put to death (Leviticus 20:9-13)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">*
If you're in full time ministry, then you can't shave your head or
trim your beard (Leviticus 21:5)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">*
If you have a garden or are a farmer, then every seventh year you are
forbidden from sowing any seed, gathering any crops, or weeding and
trimming (Leviticus 25:4-5)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">These
are just a handful of the restrictions found. If the commandments
concerning observing the Sabbath only on a certain day, eating only
kosher foods, and observing Jewish festivals are still in effect then
it stands to reason that all the others are also still in effect.
Isn't it hypocrisy to pick out one or two and choose to just obey
them? Isn't that part of the “leaven of the Pharisees” that Jesus
spoke against?</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">There
are many aspects of Jesus' life which differs from most people today.
Unlike Jesus, most of us drive when going long distances, have homes
and mortgages, bathe daily, and use deodorant. It is obvious to even
a casual student of the Bible that trying to be “Christ-like”
means to emulate His character and not his cultural customs.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>The
Appearance of Wisdom. </b><span style="">There is
something in our “old self” (Colossians 3:9) which longs for
religious ritual and self-abasement. It has to do with the same
reason that Christ and salvation by grace is a stumbling block to
those of other religions and non-Christians. We have trouble
accepting the fact that there isn't something which we can do to earn
our own salvation. If we can do things to show how pious we are, then
we can feel better about ourselves. It's all part of a “works”
mentality (Ephesians 2:8-9) and helps to feed the most common of sins
... pride.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">The
pride we take in how devout we are is something which all the other
religions of the world can relate to. Those who sincerely seek to
follow those religions must by nature focus on discipline and what
they can outwardly achieve. When your spiritual future is entirely up
to what you can accomplish by the force of your own will then you can
count on many tasks and rituals being required so that you have a
means of measuring your success. Again, this is one of the reasons
that followers of other religions hold much of Christianity in such
contempt, because we insist that we are saved by grace alone and that
there is nothing we can do to merit it.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">Within
Christianity, the concept of being saved by grace alone often causes
people to stumble into extremes at both ends of the spectrum. On the
one hand you find those who believe they have their “fire
insurance” so they can pretty much do what they feel is right
(often phrased as “being led by the Spirit” in order to make it
sound spiritual). On the other hand, there are those who set out to
offset that very perception and go right past sanctification and wind
up in the same techniques used by other religions to curry God's
favor. Of course, we should be led by the Spirit; but the Holy Spirit
will never lead you to ignore the Word of God. And we should seek
sanctification as we continue in the process of repentance and
maturity, but that doesn't mean seeking to revive restrictions from
the Old Testament which the New Testament has removed. Doing so may
have the “appearance of wisdom” (Colossians 2:23), but is
actually just a step towards putting yourself back into the bondage
of the Law.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><b>Conclusion.
</b><span style="">There appears to be a wider
(and more bizarre) variety of false doctrines among Pentecostals and
Charismatics (which I consider myself a member of). I think the
reason for this is that we have swung more towards the experiential
in our efforts to know God, and have begun to neglect the Word of
God. The Word of God should be our standard against which we measure
any experience or compulsion which we believe is from the Spirit. If
we did so, then many of these aberrations could be avoided.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">1
John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits
to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have
gone into the world.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">In
summary, we need to respect the personal choices of our fellow
Christians even if we find no Biblical basis for them as long as they
do not actually conflict with God's Word. However, when false
doctrines begin to be taught which go beyond personal choice and
declare that God has commanded something which His Word contradicts,
then we need to address it before it multiplies and mutates. Satan
(although better known for his tactical methods eliciting immediate
gratification) has been around for thousands of years and acts
strategically as well. He can take the long view to achieve his means
and, failing to get us to abandon our faith outright, he will use
methods both subtle and gross in an attempt to bend our passion for
God. Remember brothers, that each bizarre doctrine, sect, and
denomination which is in the world today started but with a single
man.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">Galatians
5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">Galatians
5:1-4 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep
standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Behold I, Paul, say to you that if your receive circumcision, Christ
will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who
receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole
Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be
justified by law; you have fallen from grace.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="">Romans
7:6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that
by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and
not in oldness of the letter.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>:
</b></span><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
In 1 Corinthians 9:1-27 Paul is revealing most clearly his position
as Apostle to the Nations - we Gentiles. He became like us - to win
us - just as our Lord Jesus became man that as Son of God He could
become Savior of the human race - the lost seed of Adam - both Jews
and Greeks.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">Marie
and I have attended a Messianic Jewish Congregation since 1990. When
I noted that our Jewish leaders were treating us as Gentile believers
- as 2</span></span><sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">nd</span></span></sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
class citizens - and not giving us the right to vote - I challenged
such leaders, but received a silent response. In the light of Paul's
teaching of the </span></span><u><span style="">Mystery</span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
of the One New Man of Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:1-13 - that </span></span><u><span style="">Gentiles</span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
are equal fellow-heirs with Jews in this unfolding mystery, such
needs to be challenged. Then when we read Acts 15 and the Book of
Galatians, we realize that legalizing Torah Observance is entirely
contrary to the New Testament Gospel and Covenant.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">I
wrote the above Note early in 2008, and give it now as an appendage
to this article by Jim Pruitt, forwarded by Andrew Strom of New
Zealand. To read my full note - open our Website </span></span><b><span style="text-decoration: none;"><<a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/">www.2rbetter.org</a>></span></b><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">,
click on “Interlinear” - and scroll down to 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
and the Note at its close.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">As
many of you are aware - I have as a motto: “Let God say what </span></span><u><span style="">He</span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
wants to say - and let the Bible mean what </span></span><u><span style="">it</span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
want to mean.” So I believe the above article ought to be read.
</span></span><u><span style="">Jesus</span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
and His New Covenant takes precedence over Moses' Old Covenant word.
The latter is a </span></span><u><span style="">shadow</span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
or </span></span><u><span style="">type</span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">,
and must be interpreted in the light of the New. When Peter and
Barnabas were led astray in this area - it should not be surprising
that we still have modern Judaizers leading congregations of the “One
New Man” astray. And Jesus said that when such Judaizers make
converts from Gentiles, they often become twice the sons of Gehenna
as their Judaizing mentors. </span></span></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">It
is important to note that today </span></span><u><span style="">not
even Jews</span></u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">
can be fully Torah Observant since the destruction of the Temple in
70 A.D. Of the 613 commandments to observe in the Torah, 200 can no
longer be observed since the Temple Destruction. So how can Jews and
Gentile converts to this, require Gentiles to be Torah Observant,
when not even Jews can now do so? In the light of this, the article
by Jim Pruitt becomes yet more relevant.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.01in; margin-bottom: 0in;" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size: 11pt;" size="2"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="">From
1998-2007 I led as a rabbinical pastor Congregation Beth Chesed in
Tacoma. It was clear to my wife and myself that many of our people
had a strong penchant to lay a legalistic burden upon us to come
under the bondage of becoming Torah Observant. We stood against this
- and because of our past experience feel we have the right to add
this note to the above article, and with Jim Pruitt add our warning
also. J.A.Watt</span></span></font></p>
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