Do the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament) truly direct God’s people not to celebrate the Biblical holidays? Are the Biblical holidays no longer of any value to us as Believers? What might a closer reading of the Biblical text reveal?
Galatians
I have heard a teaching which stated that the term “works of the Law” actually refers to Rabbinical extra-Biblical commandments? Is there any substantiation for this?
How can you say that the Law of Moses is still to be followed by Christians today, when it is quite clear that we are no longer under a tutor?
The Apostle Paul said how Believers were not to be justified, or reckoned as a part of God’s people, via “works of law.” Instead, as it has been commonly quoted to us, we are brought into relationship with God “through faith in Christ Jesus.” We have to place our trust in what Yeshua did for us on the tree at Golgotha, performing what Romans 10:9 tells people to do: “if you confess with your mouth Yeshua as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (NASU). It seems pretty straightforward, right?
Messianic Apologetics editor John McKee continues, by discussing the common issue of people cherry-picking a Bible verse or two out of context. This third presentation discusses how many supporters of a bilateral ecclesiology, found in various parts of Messianic Judaism, are seen to misapply Galatians 5:2-3.
Anyone who enters into Pauline theological studies today will easily encounter the fact that there are scholars and exegetes who think that the term “works of law” or ergōn nomou—appearing first in Galatians (2:16[3x]; 3:2, 5, 10), and then appearing again in Romans (3:20, 28)—actually does designate something other than “works/deeds/actions required by the Mosaic Law,” or at least something a bit more specific than just “observing the law” (NIV) in general. These proposals, though, have been met with a great deal of criticism, and even some hostility, by those of particular theological traditions. Alternatives to the customary meaning of “works of law” have been proposed more frequently, as New Testament theologians, over the past fifty years or so, have had greater access to ancient Jewish literature and resources, and this information has had to be considered in their exegesis.
This further study, of what “under the Law” really means, will consider some of the strengths and weaknesses today’s Messianic Believers have, especially when a Christian family member or friend exclaims “We’re not under the Law!” Not only will this analysis provide some more detailed answers to those who are skeptical of a Messianic’s Torah obedience, but it is engaged with contemporary thought and opinion surrounding the terminology “under the Law,” and why “under the Law” meaning “obedient to the Torah of Moses” is a poor conclusion.
Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries delivers the following Apostolic Scriptures Reflection for Ki-Teitzei: Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-12; 22:23-32; Mark 10:2-12; 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38; 1 Corinthians 9:4-18; Galatians 3:9-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18
Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries delivers the following Apostolic Scriptures Reflection for B’har-B’chuqotai: Luke 4:16-21; 1 Corinthians 7:21-24; Galatians 6:7-10; John 14:15-21; 15:10-12; 1 John
Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries delivers the following Apostolic Scriptures Reflection for Emor: Matthew 5:38-42; Galatians 3:26-29
