The Torah was Kept Throughout the New Testament

Did you know the Torah was kept throughout the New Testament? Yes, those same Old Testament commandments that many of us today have been quick to dismiss as "done away with," or just vague principles for life, were still be honored even after the Messiah ascended into Heaven.

One example of this is that the Messiah always kept the Sabbath day and so did his followers - even after he was no longer with them! Many of us have made the incorrect assumption that because religious leaders made accusations against them that they weren't following the Torah. But that's not the case. If we study Scripture we see that while Yahusha and the disciples often set aside manmade Jewish traditions, they never violated Biblical law! 

Another example of Biblical law being kept throughout the New Testament is that Peter said he had never once eaten anything that the Bible says we shouldn't. This was years after the Messiah ascended into Heaven...and Peter was still following Biblical food laws.

The New Testament also gives special respect to the Torah when it defines sin as the breaking of the Bible's commandments. 1 John tells us that sin is when we violate the Torah's instructions!

These are just a few of the many examples of the Torah being kept and honored throughout the New Testament, both by the Messiah and by his followers even years after his death. While many people are quick to say that the Torah is an Old Testament thing that no longer applies, we should take time to study Scripture for ourselves to see if that is true or not!

Related posts:
Torah Keeping in the New Covenant
A Hebraic Perspective on Peter's Vision
Commandments or Traditions - Understanding the New Testament

What You Need to Know When You Read Galatians

Galatians is a popular book in the New Testament that everyone seems to have a different take on. Traditional Christianity uses verses from Galatians as justification for setting aside Biblical commandments. Messianic believers might tell you that it's just talking about oral or Jewish law. Others read through it and think it contradicts itself repeatedly, or just feel confused. What is Galatians about?

How can we make sense of this important part of Scripture? This post will tell you how to read and study Galatians, so that you can understand how it is relevant today!

-Galatians is not meant to be read on its own. I grew up thinking that Galatians was some sort of trump card, and even if the Bible said the opposite thing somewhere else it didn't matter because somehow Galatians was more relevant or important than the rest of Scripture. But it's not legitimate to use one Bible verse to write off other parts of God's word. The way we translate and teach Galatians needs to fit with the rest of Scripture, because the Living God did not create his word to be contradictory. All of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is cohesive. It fits together and all of the passages make sense with all of the other passages. If there is something in the Bible that seems to be contrary to other verses, that should call our attention to examine that topic more thoroughly. If something in Scripture is confusing, that's because I don't understand it well enough - not because it really is confusing.

-Different types of law are talked about in Galatians. Did you know that most Bible translations just use the word "law" for different types of law? That's about as clear as walking into a bridal dress shop and saying that you like the white dress! Specifications matter, and in this case Galatians talks about both Biblical law, and Levitical law. We need to rightly discern which type of law it talks about when. Otherwise this book will seem like it's contradicting itself and other parts of the Bible.

-The Bible says that Paul's writings are hard to understand. Peter wrote that in 2 Peter 3:16 and warned that Paul's writings often end up distorted or twisted. Here is a warning from the Bible that we need to slow down and study this book. It's unrealistic to think that a quick, cursory reading of an English translation will lead us to to proper meaning of Galatians when Scripture warns us that it is difficult to understand. That doesn't mean we can't understand it, but this indicates that the true meaning of Galatians might be different than what we've been taught!

Related posts: 
A Hebraic Perspective on Galatians
The Three Types of Laws in Scripture
Comparing the Melchizedek and Levitical Priesthoods

How Does the Bible Define Sin?

What is sin according to the Bible? Is it when we get angry? Is it when we yell at someone or use poor language? Is sin all about our attitude? Is it something vague that we might not be aware of?

It's important that we have a correct understanding of how the Bible defines sin. Without the right definition of this word, we won't be able to hold ourselves to the standards that the Living God has set for us. We won't know how to live, or the things we should repent of and stop doing. It will also be impossible to understand the Bible properly if we don't know what it means by sin.

1 John 3:4 tells us exactly what sin is.

"Everyone who sins breaks God's law, because sin is the same as breaking God's law." 

Sin is when we break Biblical law. Sin happens when we set aside the commandments of Scripture, in order to do what we want. What a blessing to have been given these commandments, because they tell us how to act if we want to stay away from sin! Sin is not a vague concept Biblically. Sin is when when our actions are without the laws of the Living God.

Related posts:
The Three Types of Laws in Scripture
Faith and Works
Biblical Law and the Woman Caught in Adultery

Summertime Sabbath Ideas

How do you like to spend the Sabbath during summer months? Are you taking advantage of the season and enjoying the weather and fresh produce that this time of year offers? Here are a few ideas for making the most of summer!

Summertime Sabbath Ideas:

-Spend your day outside. Get outside for some fresh air! Not only is the fresh air and sunshine good for your health, but it can make for a more restful day. Being outside means I'm not as distracted by all the things there are to do at home, and my focus isn't on whatever work there is to get caught up on or what needs cleaned up around the house. If you have kids, getting them outside means less mess to clean up later. Time in creation naturally calls our attention to the Creator's ways. Enjoy your backyard, a nearby park, lake, or the beach.

-Fresh fruit. Can you beat the convenience or deliciousness of fresh fruit at this time of year? Make fresh produce a big part of your food intake on the Sabbath and you'll spend less time in the kitchen. Pick up whatever is in season at a nearby orchard, the farmers market, or the grocery store and you have instantly taken care of part of the food you'll need for the Sabbath. Have a big bowl of blueberries out to snack on, or serve peaches or melon for part of the meal, or dessert. Support your health while having less work to do!

-Sprinkler baths. While bathing kids can be a lot of work, sometimes it's necessary on the Sabbath. Why not make it a little easier - and a lot more fun - by swapping out the bathtub for the sprinkler, the hose, kiddie pool, or dip in the lake or swimming pool? Send kids out to swim or play in water and call it good enough. Make this chore into something a lot more fun for kids and more peaceful for you.

-Make ahead salads. In the warm weather, I find cold dishes so refreshing. Most salads are simple to make, and if you're utilizing a lot of fresh vegetables in raw form, they come together quickly. And is there a better feeling when you're hungry of opening up the fridge and seeing something delicious ready to eat? You don't need to be coordinated, just grab the salad when you're ready to eat, no need to heat up the kitchen or making sure the crockpot gets started by whatever time. Make a cold salad or two to enjoy on the Sabbath. Here are some great recipes to get you inspired.

Related posts:
Five Ways to Have a More Peaceful Sabbath
Get Outside this Shabbat
Summer Salads for Shabbat