Message to the Churches

Do we teach Scripture or the traditions of men?

Compiled by Yahweh of War Ministries, To the Glory of Yahweh

Contents

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................3 Duration of Christ's Ministry.............................................................................................................7 Historical dates for the crucifixion.................................................................................9 The calculated times of the crucifixion & Resurrection.........................................................10 How the scripture refutes a Sunday resurrection...............................................................14 Visual layout of the Passover and resurrection..............................................................................16 Issue Two: Days begin at sunrise and end at sunrise...............................................................18 Are we guilty for Sins of ignorance?.........................................................................................25 Do we follow the commands of the Messiah or man made traditions?.............................28 Why Jesus condemned the teachings of the Jews.......................................................................45 How Jesus abolished the legalism of the Jews...............................................................................50 How the modern church followed the error of the Jews.............................................................51 Historical reasons for the adoption of Sunday: Anti-Semitism and Government abuses...52 Sunday: The imperial sign of the Catholic Church........................................................................56 Does Paul teach a lawless grace?...........................................................................................................61 The Romans Key: Full explanation of the law from the book of Romans...........................................62 Evidences that the Law was not done away with: Multiple discussions on the use of the word law, and the refutation of many scriptures used to substantiate lawlessness........68 Final Conclusion: Full presentation summery.................................................................................91

I come with a Message of Repentance. Turn back to the first ways of Messiah.
This is my call: And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. (Ezekeil 2: 3-5)

Are you a Rebellious and Stiff necked House?

The definition of rebellious is: To be disposed to rebel; acts of insubordination; defiance; ... resisting government or lawful authority by force. (Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language) The Bibles definition of rebellious is first found in Samuel 15:23 which says, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft ... And witchcraft is a grievous sin, being worthy of death. The definition of stiff-necked is: As it is figuratively used, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, it means "stubborn," "untractable," or "not to be led." If an ox was hard to control or stubborn, it was "hard of neck," or stiff-necked. Hence, the figure was used in the Scriptures to express the stubborn, untractable spirit of a people not responsive to the guiding of their God (Ex 32:9; 33:3; Dt 9:6; 2 Ch 36:13; Jer 17:23, etc.) Definition for 'STIFF-NECKED'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". biblehistory.com - ISBE; 1915. Therefore a rebellious and stiff-necked person is one who resists lawful authority with a stubborn and unchanging attitude. Does this sound like you?

Keeping the 4th commandment:

Evidence that Sunday is not the biblical Sabbath, but a tradition of man.

I am aware that this topic to some has with time become trivial. Yet due to perfect necessity we are going to discus this topic henceforth, and in all due seriousness. Since Yahweh s Law is a topic of grand importance, we must finally and concretely understand its place in our modern Christian lives. In this presentation we will look at the Scriptural, Historical and Astronomical evidences available in order to see what the accurate and scripture based story is regarding the displacement of the Saturday Sabbath. We will peer into the New Testament in order to ascertain whether or not the Saturday Sabbath was done away with, or whether it still remains as something to be observed In Christ, as a fulfilment of His Holy law. (Rom 7:12) We will begin by looking into the actual duration of the Messiah s ministry.

The following comes from an excerpt from a paper titled Dating Christ s Crucifixion This is written by Pallant Ramsundar, University of Cambridge, 2009

5.3.2 The duration of Christ s Ministry

The Synoptics all primarily focus on the portion of Christ s ministry that occurred after John the Baptist was put in prison, and with the calling of Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. (Matt 4:12~22; Mark 1:14~20; Luke 3:20, 5:3~11) This portion of Christ s ministry covers an arc of events beginning in the region of Galilee and culminating in Christ s crucifixion at Jerusalem, within a time frame of the five to six months between the Feast of Tabernacles and the crucifixion Passover. We can conclude this since there were no intermediate visits to Jerusalem during this period, as would be necessary to observe the Holy Days. (Deut 16:16; Luke 2:42; John 7:10) The Gospel of John on the other hand, adds some details of Christ s ministry prior to the period covered in the Synoptics. Some have taken the three Passovers mentioned in John (John 2:13; 6:4; 11:55) as evidence of a ministry lasting more than three years, but this would be incorrect since the Gospel of John is not strictly chronological. A harmonizing of the Gospel of John with the Synoptics leads to the following conclusions:

1. The Passover events described in the section of John 2:13~17 correspond to the crucifixion Passover, while the other events described in John 2:18 ~ 25 relate to a previous Passover. 2. The Passover alluded to in John 6:4 was subsequent to the feeding of the five thousand and Christ walking on water, which also corresponds to the crucifixion Passover. (Matt 14:16~21, Mark 6:38~44; Luke 9:13~17) An indication of the length of Christ s ministry can be deduced from John 10:22, which speaks of Christ being in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication in the winter. Since the Synoptics preclude Christ s presence in Jerusalem during the winter preceding his crucifixion, then the incident described in John 10:22 must have occurred in a previous winter. Another piece of evidence in determining the length of Christ s ministry is provided by John 3:22~23, which shows an overlap with John s ministry during the spring/summer baptizing period. Putting together the above data we can propose a likely framework for Christ s Ministry of almost two years as follows: - Christ was baptized by John in spring/summer of AD 26 - He visited Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication in the winter of AD 26 - His ministry overlapped John s during the spring/summer of AD 27 - Christ called Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John after the Feast of Tabernacles in AD 27 and began his closing ministry - He was crucified in Jerusalem at Passover on Wed April 28, AD 28. (Julian)

Historical date of the Messiahs Crucifixion

In order to get three days and three nights before a Sunday sunrise, the Messiahs crucifixion would have to fall on a Wednesday. The astronomically possible Julian dates for a Wednesday crucifixion are: - Wed March 12, AD 27 - Wed April 28, AD 28 - Wed April 25, AD 31 -Wed March 24, AD 34 5.2 Evidence of the Fig Leaves In Mark 11:13 and Matt 21:19, Jesus sees a fig tree with leaves on the eve of his crucifixion. Since figs are among the late-bearing fruits in Jerusalem, this evidence points to a crucifixion later in the year, and thus a postequinox start of the year[38]. This limits the possible dates of the crucifixion to the following: - Wed April 28, AD 28 -Wed April 25, AD 31 (http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/jesus.htm)

Discovering the minuet and hour Sunrise to Sunset (April 28th to May 1st 28 A.D)
The following data is derived from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sunrise / sunset calculator.

According to Pallant Ramsunder of Cambridge University, Wed April 28th 28 A.D is the only date that qualifies to be the authentic date of the Messiahs crucifixion. Below are the Sunrise and Sunset times for the days surrounding the Messiahs passion.

Wed April 28th: Sunrise at 4:54 am - Sunset at 6:13 pm Thurs April 29th: Sunrise 4:53 am - Sunset 6:15 pm Friday April 30th: Sunrise 4:53 am - Sunset 6:15 pm Saturday May 1st: Sunrise 4:51 am - Sunset 6:16 pm Sunday May 2nd : Sunrise 4:50 am Sunday morning Sunrise 4:50 am
http://www.srrb.noaa.gov/highlights/sunrise/sunrise.html

Was Christ Crucified on Friday and did He rise on Sunday?

Risen before Sunday: A Passover, Wednesday 28 A.D. Crucifixion.
Wednesday April 28th 28 A.D on the historically verifiable Passover of 14 Nisan, Jesus the Messiah was offered up just as the lamb was being sacrificed at the Temple for the Passover service of the Jews. -According to precise date and solar calculations, that Wednesday, had a 6:13 pm sunset. Christ s death had to occur before evening because of the Holyday Sabbath of Unleavened bread. -Thursday of April 29th the sunset occurred at 6:15 pm. From Wednesday to Thursday we have 1 complete 24 hour period. -The next day, Friday, April 30th sunset occurred at 6:15 pm. This now constitutes a 2nd full 24 hour period. -On Saturday May 1st, this being the seventh day holy Sabbath, sunset occurred at 6:16 pm. This constitutes a 3rd complete 24 hour period. Therefore from sunset Wednesday April 28th to sunset Saturday May 1st we have exactly 3 night and three day time periods, which equal an exact 72 completed hours in the grave. Cont d

Since the Jews reckoned their days from evening to evening, the sign of Jonah was perfectly fulfilled, this was before Saturday evening. Since we understand that the Messiah was buried before Wednesday evening which came at 6:13pm, He had to rise before evening on Saturday as well. The Messiah can be seen to have risen from anytime during 4pm to 6 pm that Saturday May 1st, this is before the next day would have officially begun for the Jews.

We know that Messiah gave up His Spirit just after the 9th hour. (Luke 23:44-46) The Passover Wednesday officially began on April 27th at 6:14 pm and ended at 6:13 pm on April 28th. Solar noon came at 11:33 am, and sunrise began at 4:54 am. This would make the sixth hour around 10:57 am. Since an hour in Jewish time consisted of only 53.43 minuets that day, their average time convention differed slightly from our modern clocks. Therefore the 9th hour (beginning sunrise of April 28th 28 A.D.) would have been at 1:37 pm based on our 60 minuet time set. Joseph of Aramenthia was said to have gotten Messiah s body in the late afternoon and before the Sabbath. Messiah was cleansed and buried well before the Sabbath began to dawn. Joseph and the disciples had a solid 4 hours and 15 minuets to do as they had to before the next day arrived (6:13 pm). Also, the Jews didn t declare the Sabbath until the first star was seen in the sky. The dead are often in their graves, according to present custom, within two or three hours after death. The same went for the Messiah. (http://www.biblehistory.com/isbe/B/BURIAL/)

How do the Scriptures explain it?

The scriptural explanation shows that Christ being already risen on Saturday was far off by the early time the women visited the tomb: Matthew 28:1-6 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, [this being at sunrise] Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold...an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door... the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen (Mat 28:1-6) Thus He was gone before sunrise on Sunday. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen... And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side...he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here . (Mar 16:2-6) Once again he was gone before sunrise on Sunday morning. Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." (Joh 20:1-2) Again he is gone before sunrise on Sunday.

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb... And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed... that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments...they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' ". (Luk 24:1-8) This explanation clarifies his third day resurrection. We must remember that this event took place around (Sunrise 4:53 am) that Sunday. All the evidence supports Jesus resurrection to be well before 5 pm on Saturday, which was the third literal day of His burial. In order to get exactly three days and three nights we must consider and calculate every event in its original order. Scripture states that the Messiah was already gone before the women arrived at the tomb. Based on the holydays and events surrounding His death, with Wednesday being the conclusion of Passover, there cannot be enough room for a Sunday morning resurrection; nor would its happening be scripturally validated. There is not even enough room for a Saturday night resurrection. So, evidence for a Sunday resurrection, and its being the hinge on which the Sunday Sabbath depends, is historically and biblically invalid, thus it must be deemed purposefully incorrect.

Clear layout of events

When we let the Bible interpret itself, we see that the Saviour in John 11:9 defines a day as comprising 12 hours: Are there not twelve hours in the day? We may naturally infer from this that the Messiah also ascribes twelve hours to the night. Therefore, in saying three days and nights the Saviour was making reference to six approximate twelve hour periods just as in Jonah chapter 1, and the reference to both night periods and day periods eliminates the possibility of it being figurative. Also modern discourse speaks of parts of days counting as full days, but according to the Messiah this is faulty logic.

Layout of events con t

Issue Two:

The sunrise to sunrise reckoning:

Days begin at sunrise not in the evening

Currently the Jewish people and many Sabbath keepers practice the Saturday Sabbath from evening to evening respectively. This takes place at the going down of the sun, and begins with the revealing of the first star in the sky. Yet, when Messiah lived, He followed a different form of Sabbath observance, one that existed in Israel well before the Babylonian captivity. Being from Galilee, Jesus and his apostles observed the Saturday Sabbath from sunrise to sunrise. This revelation helps explain why the women waited so long to visit His sepulchre.

The Sabbath Sunrise to Sunrise reckoning

from the MacArthur Study Bible From Josephus, the Mishna, and other ancient Jewish sources we learn that the Jews in northern Palestine calculated days from sunrise to sunrise. That area included the region of Galilee, where Jesus and all the disciples, except Judas, had grown up. Apparently most, if not all, of the Pharisees used that system of reckoning. But Jews in the southern part, which centered in Jerusalem, calculated days from sunset to sunset. Because all the priests necessarily lived in or near Jerusalem, as did most of the Sadducees, those groups followed the southern scheme.

Both reckonings appealed to

The words and works of Jesus Christ: a study of the life of Christ By J. Dwight Pentecost pg 420

Tuesday

Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels By Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, I. Howard Marshall pg 121

In regards to the Scripture

In the end of the Sabbath, that is, of the Jewish Sabbath, Saturday, which, according to strict Jewish reckoning, ended at sunset. The words In the end, literally translated, are, And late , in the Sabbath, an indefinite expression, defined by the next clause, "As it began to dawn," etc. Thus, Matthew seems to follow the natural division of the day, from sunrise to sunrise. ... [W]hichever view we take, Matthew evidently means the time before daybreak on the first day of the week, or the Lords day. Mark (16: 1) says, "When the Sabbath was past.
Notes on the Gospel of Matthew; explanatory and practical By George Whitefield Clark.

Conclusion
To recap we see that the women arrived at the tomb while the sun was rising, while it was still dark. The time of it being still dark is when the night sky becomes blue at the raising of the sun. They waited until this time because it was when the Galilean or original Sabbath day ended. Holy days do not follow this same sunrise to sunrise principle, it is only the seventh day Holy Sabbath that does. Messiah was cut off in the midst of the week (Wednesday) and was buried well before Wednesday evening. His burial took around 3 estimated hours, and was left imperfect leaving room for further burial embellishments. Thursday was a Holyday Sabbath. On Friday the women prepared spices for the body. Then came the Saturday Sabbath. During the day on the Saturday Sabbath He rose, this completed His three days and three nights in the heart of the earth as He promised. With the Messiah s resurrection the Sabbath day continued normally for the women and Apostles. Sunday officially began at sundown on Saturday evening. Yet it wasn t until Sunday morning the women came to the tomb thus finding it empty. Thus Sunday is not the day in which Jesus the Messiah arose from the grave.

Are we held guilty for sins of Ignorance?

God may regard something to be sin, but what if someone thinks otherwise and does this thing in good conscience, ignorantly believing it to be innocent? Will God's verdict on this person still be "Guilty"? In the Old Testament, when Yahweh s children did wrongful acts in ignorance, it was still held against them as sin. Although people sinned unintentionally and were unaware of their trespass, they were still held accountable being "certainly guilty before the Lord". As soon as the sin was brought to their attention, they had to make a guilt offering, to be forgiven (Lev 5:17-19). God certainly made a distinction between one who sinned in ignorance, and another who sinned in defiance (Num 15:27-31). But this distinction was not between innocence and guilt, but between different kinds of guilt. If we compare this way of designating sin to the way of the new covenant, we knowing that God is the same yesterday today and forever can rest assured that we are still held accountable for sins we commit even if ignorantly. Now having Christ as our sacrificial lamb we have the ability to be cleansed before God at any time following actual admittance and repentance. For it is written Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands men everywhere to repent Acts 17:30, so according to God there is no forgiveness without repentance.

How God Dealt with Sins of Ignorance.

God's way of dealing with sins of ignorance was very simple and sensible. He caused the sin to be brought to the offender's attention, so that the guilt might be realised, and the path to forgiveness taken. Paul is an example of this. He regarded himself as "chief among sinners". Yet he claims that the terrible things he did were done "ignorantly in unbelief". God took this ignorance into account and showed mercy. By the love, the power, and the grace of Christ Jesus, Saul the sinner was enlightened, and became Paul the apostle (1Tm 1:13-15) through repentance: turning from his wicked ways. Ignorance is not a desirable state. Nor is it a state of excuse. God deals patiently and kindly with the ignorant, but he wants people to know their guilt and repent (Acts 3:17-19, 17:30-31). Likewise, the ministers of God's truth deal "gently with the ignorant". But they do not leave them ignorant; they enlighten them (Heb 5:1-3). In many cases, God looks upon ignorance as blameworthy in itself. Perhaps the strongest and plainest statement concerning ignorance is this: "Walk no longer as the pagans walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to filth" (Eph 4:17-19).

What is the Verdict?

Jesus the issuer of our Faith says: That servant, who knew his lord's will, and didn't prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, but he who didn't know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whoever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked. (Luke 12:47-48) The moral of this parable being that both servants are negatively affected by their disobedience.

Are we held guilty?

(James 4:17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. So if we have awareness that we re supposed to keep Gods commandments, but decide to choose otherwise, to us this is sin. This is beside transgressing the law itself . for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. (Romans 5:13) Even without the written law God still severely punished those who lived unrighteous lives in the times of Noah. So, even apart from the law we are still expected to follow a path of moral righteousness, which is found in Gods character (which is known through His Law). If we forsake Gods law even in ignorance we re still held accountable for our sins. If we are ignorant of our sins we cannot truly repent of them, this is because repentance requires a cessation of wrong actions coupled with the returning to what s correct.

Do we follow the Christianity of Christ or the Traditions of Men:

History, how the Old testament church fell into justified sinfulness
The following information comes from a book titled Is Judaism the Religion of Moses written by Earnest Martin
THE one hundred years following Ezra and Nehemiah can properly be described as a time of peace and prosperity for the Jews (Graetz, History of the Jews, vol. i, pp. 406, 407). The Jews had established themselves firmly in Palestine in every section of the province of Judaea. They were observing the Law of Moses in its entirety. It was the constitutional law of the land. The Great Assembly, established by Ezra and Nehemiah, was the head of Jewish state under the Persian governor. This great religious assembly of priests directed the people in observing the Laws of Scripture. The priests saw that the people had proper religious instruction every Sabbath in the local synagogues scattered throughout the land. The children were educated in the elementary schools that were attached to the synagogues... The extraordinary goodwill that the Persians had for the Jews came to a sudden end in 332 B.C. At that time, Palestine a part of the Persian Empire was conquered by a rising young Empire in the West the Empire of the Greeks! (36)

Hellenism perverts the Jews faith

Upon the death of Alexander the Great, his Empire was divided into FOUR SECTIONS. Each section was headed by one of [his] former generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus and Ptolemy. The Palestine area fell to the Grecian Ptolemy of Egypt. ... the Greek government of Egypt took final control of Palestine and maintained that control for a little over one hundred years until 198 B.C. (38)

The effects of Hellenization

This one hundred year period of Greek-Egyptian domination is very important as a period in the religious history of the Jews. This is the period that great and significant changes took place. While in this period of Egyptian control, the effects of Hellenism upon the Jews were extremely great. What had been started by Alexander the Great was brought to its greatest degree of perfection among the Jews during this one-hundred-year period. The customs and traditions that had been handed down by the Sopherim [the council created by Nehemiah and Ezra] were completely overshadowed by the Hellenistic culture of the Greeks as promulgated by the Egyptians. In plain language, the Jews during this period of Egyptian control, by the sheer force of environment and circumstance, surrendered themselves to Hellenistic ideas and ways of life.

During the comparatively quiet rule of the Ptolemies [the Egyptians], Greek ideas, customs, and morality HAD BEEN MAKING PEACEFUL CONQUESTS IN PALESTINE. Their own inherent attractiveness, and the fact that they were supported by the authority of the dominant race, casted a glamour about them which made the religion of Yahweh, the simple customs and the strict morality of the Jews, seem barren and provincial. To all the other peoples of Palestine Hellenistic Greek was the language of commerce and polite society. Greek literature was widely studied. Greek manners were the standard throughout southeastern Palestine (Kent, History of the Jewish People, pp. 320, 321). It is safe to say that NO ONE, HIGH OR LOW, who was living in Judea in the period which includes the whole of the third and the beginning of the second century B.C., WHOLLY ESCAPED THE INFLUENCE OF HELLENISM (Herford, Talmud and Apocrypha, p. 77). Large numbers were enrolled as citizens of Antioch [the capital of the Seleucid Kingdom]. Many even endeavoured to conceal the fact that they had been circumcised. ... To demonstrate that he had LEFT ALL THE TRADITIONS OF HIS RACE BEHIND, Jason [the High Priest himself] sent a rich present for sacrifices in connection with the great festival at Tyre IN HONOR OF THE GOD HERCULES (Kent, History of the Jewish People, pp. 324-325). This was the beginning of the Jews Corruption.

It is remarkable the extent of the paganism that the Jews were observing at this time. So strong did Hellenistic beliefs become, that the High Priest himself was offering sacrifices to pagan gods. Because of this a reaction began to take place among some of the Jews. Some of them could not bring themselves to go as far as the High priest. (39) It is valuable now to quote two scholars who are recognized among Jews and others alike as pre-eminent historians, particularly for the period under discussion. Both of these men, Lauterbach and Herford, were fully aware of the chaotic conditions which existed in the Egyptian period. The people who had now been in contact with Greek culture ...ACQUIRED NEW IDEAS AND BECAME FAMILIAR WITH NEW VIEWS OF LIFE, ... The leaders of the people ... [nor the] life of the people [were] controlled solely by the laws and customs of the fathers as contained in the Torah (Lauterbach, Rabbinic Essays, p. 194). Greek culture, Greek literature, were thrown open to the peoples of Nearer Asia, and they pressed into its pale. They had native literatures [including the Scriptures], BUT THESE IN THE NEW DAYLIGHT LOOKED POOR AND UNFORMED: NOW THOSE WHO WROTE MUST WRITE GREEK, THOSE WHO THOUGHT MUST THINK ON THE LINES OF GREEK SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY (Bevan, Jerusalem Under the High Priests, p. 37).

Virtually everything was changed to conform to this new way of life. EVEN THE SCRIPTURE, WHEN READ, WAS INTERPRETED IN THE NEW LIGHT OF HELLENISM (Lieberman, Hellenism in Jewish Palestine, pp. 62-64). The people abandoned the simple teachings of Scripture and modified or disregarded them, and in its place substituted the new customs and practices of Hellenism.

Beginning of the Sanhedrin

[A renewed] interest in the religion of their forefathers caused some of the Jews to reflect on the past in order to ascertain how their forefathers had been governed in their religious life. They recognized that from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to Alexander the Great, the Sopherim had been the religious leaders and teachers of the people. [In those 100 years] the Sopherim ... had disappeared from the scene [A man named] Simon the Just [being] the last of them. Understanding that some organization like the Sopherim must exist if there was to be religious unity and the people properly taught the Law, the leaders of this new revival decided to meet in council with one another. Its avowed purpose was to direct those who were desiring to live according to the Law of their forefathers. This council became known by the Greek name, THE SANHEDRIN. (Lauterbach, Rabbinic Essays, p. 207).

Sanhedrin Faces Many New Problems: Allowance of pagan customs

The establishment of the Sanhedrin was recognized as a necessity in order that there could be a resumption of some form of the religion of Moses. The members of this Sanhedrin took up the interrupted activity of the former teachers, the Sopherim, and, like them, sought to teach and interpret the Law and to regulate the life of the people in accordance with the laws and traditions of the fathers. But in their attempt to harmonize the laws of the fathers with the life of their own times, THEY ENCOUNTERED SOME GREAT DIFFICULTIES (Lauterbach, Rabbinic Essays, p. 105). The people were keeping so many new customs, not observed by their forefathers, that the members of the Sanhedrin became perplexed over what to do. It was not easy to find support from the Scriptures which might condone some of the practices of the Jews at this time. The members of the Sanhedrin began to look for ways of JUSTIFYING the people, rather than following the Scripture commands to correct them (Deut. 32:1-47). Many new customs and practices for which there were no precedents in the traditions of the fathers, and NOT THE SLIGHTEST INDICATION IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, were observed by the people and CONSIDERED BY THEM AS A PART OF THEIR RELIGIOUS LAWS AND PRACTICES (ibid., p. 195). These were the newer Hellenistic practices.

The majority of the teachers in the Sanhedrin came to the conclusion that the proper thing to do was to find some way to authoritatively justify these new customs. They were well aware that they could not go to the Scripture for their support. This presented a troublesome situation to the Jewish teachers. The DIFFICULTY was to find a sanction in the Torah for the new customs and practices which had established themselves in the community ... (Herford, Talmud and Apocrypha, p.66).

The only commands the Jews had from Yahweh in this matter were clearly negative. Learn not the way of the heathen (Jer. 10:2). Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them [the heathen] ... and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations [the heathens] serve their gods? EVEN SO WILL I DO LIKEWISE (Deut. 12:30). How to avoid these plain Scripture commands, and get these new customs sanctioned as proper religious observances? The teachers thought it would have been misadventurous to tell the people who wanted to retain these customs the simple commands of the Scriptures. The people were not about to give up these new customs. The teachers were assured of this. What, then, did the teachers do to finally get these new religious customs and practices authorized and as having the sanction of God? They came out with a most ingenious fiction which shows an amazing and clever display of human reasoning. (53-54)

Teachers Pronounce Heathen Customs as Jewish in Origin The ... Jewish teachers ... merely taught that all the [pagan] customs and practices which the Jews were now observing were actually Jewish in origin. They [said]: It is hardly possible that FOREIGN CUSTOMS AND NONJEWISH LAWS SHOULD HAVE MET WITH SUCH UNIVERSAL ACCEPTANCE. THE TOTAL ABSENCE OF OBJECTION ON THE PART OF THE PEOPLE TO SUCH CUSTOMS VOUCHED FOR THEIR JEWISH ORIGIN, IN THE OPINION of the teachers (Lauterbach, Rabbinic Essays, p. 211). The Jewish teachers told the people that it was simply not possible for them, being Jews, to have inherited any heathen custom or practice.

Creation of the Oral Traditions Since the Jewish teachers accepted these customs as actually being Jewish in origin, it became necessary to carry the theory just a little further. The theory went like this: Since the customs were supposedly Jewish, then they must have been taught by the prophets and the teachers of Israel, even by Moses himself! That is how the customs and practices of the Jews, which in reality they had inherited from the heathen within the period of religious anarchy, were falsely termed the traditions of the fathers handed down from Moses, the prophets and teachers of old! These traditions Jesus condemned! There was, however, one difficulty for the Jewish teachers to overcome in this interpretation. There were no such customs and practices as these mentioned in all of Moses Law nor in any other part of the Scripture.

[So they said these customs] were not put down in written form, and because of this, were not found in the text of Scripture. These customs were handed down ORALLY from Moses, ... By assuming that there was an Oral Law, called the traditions of the fathers, this freed the Jewish teachers from having to appeal to the Written Scripture for evidence to back up their statements.

These traditional laws the Oral Laws were not from Moses nor any of the prophets. There is not a single reference in the Scripture that Moses gave the Israelites any Oral or Traditional Laws that were to be handed down along with the Written Word. The Bible states just the opposite. It plainly says that Moses WROTE THE WHOLE LAW IN A BOOK. There was no such thing as an Oral Law of Moses.

Notice this confession of Dr. Lauterbach: These traditional laws naturally had no indication in the Written Law and no basis in the teachings of the Sopherim, BECAUSE THEY DEVELOPED AFTER THE PERIOD OF THE SOPHERIM (ibid., p. 206). Sopherim being the council created by Nehemiah and Ezra. In other words tradition originated in the period of the religious anarchy, when the Egyptians [/Greeks] were in control of Palestine. The reorganized Sanhedrin had to reckon with these NEW LAWS AND CUSTOMS, NOW CONSIDERED AS TRADITIONAL because they were observed and practiced by the people FOR A GENERATION OR MORE (ibid., p. 206).

Lauterbach says that these lay teachers of the Sanhedrin devised the methods for connecting with the Law all those new decisions and customs which were now universally observed by the people, THUS MAKING THEM APPEAR as part of the laws of the fathers (ibid., p. 210). Notice, THEY MADE THEM APPEAR as if they were actual traditions of Moses!

Clever Answers to Opponents

The lay teachers had an answer for almost every question that an opponent might ask them concerning the validity of these Traditional laws. If one would mention that Deuteronomy 4:2 forbade the addition to the Law, the lay teachers would readily admit that fact but staunchly affirm that the recognition of the Traditional laws was not adding to the Law of Moses. They claimed these laws originated with Moses and represented the complete revelation that God gave him (ibid., p. 44). If some opponent would voice the truth about the recent origin of these laws, the lay teachers merely declared that the laws were actually Mosaic but had been long forgotten and had just been recalled and reintroduced (ibid., p.45). And when someone would prove beyond question that these laws were nothing more than pagan practices, Lieberman points out that in such cases the JEWS COULD MAINTAIN THAT THE HEATHEN WERE FOLLOWING JEWISH PRACTICES AND NOT VICE VERSA (Hellenism in Jewish Palestine, p. 129). Such interpretations were absurdly extreme, completely unjustified and utterly false! How they managed to palm off such fallacious interpretations as actual truth can be understood only if we recognize that THE PEOPLE WANTED TO RECEIVE THIS ERROR. With the people behind them, the lay teachers could teach about what they wished.

With the acceptance of these new customs and practices we can date the true beginning of Judaism as a religion! The opportunity of returning to the Law of Moses was rejected. From that time forward, about 150 years before Christ, we become familiar in history with the real Judaism a religion which the apostle Paul calls the Jews religion. (54-55)

From this time forward, we see the development of the Pharisaical Judaism of New Testament times. All the many arduous and burdensome laws concerning the Sabbath the laws of washing the hands, pots, pans, etc. laws regarding fasting and myriads of others had their development in the minds of the Pharisees between the year 165 B.C. and the coming of the Messiah. Once we understand the basis upon which popular Judaism in the days of Christ was founded, we will understand why the Messiah so severely condemned the practices of the Pharisees and of the other sects!

Pharisees Enact Multitudes of Commandments Without Scripture s Support

By the time of the Messiah, the Pharisees had made new commandments numbering into the thousands. They dealt with every phase of religious life among the Jews. Jesus said that these COMMANDMENTS OF MEN were so burdensome that they were extremely difficult to bear, and in fact, many of them were impossible of fulfillment (Matt. 23:4).

The Truth
[A]mong the 34 volumes of the English translation of the Talmud wherein are recorded these traditional laws, there is no mention whatever of how these traditional laws came to be accepted. The history of the development of the Mishnah-form REFLECTS UNFAVORABLY upon the TRADITIONAL CHARACTER of the Pharisaic teachings. THIS IS THE REASON FOR THE TALMUDIC SILENCE ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE MISHNAHFORM (Lauterbach, Rabbinic Essays, p. 248). From this, we should have no difficulty in understanding why thousands of Jews were brought to the truth of Christianity in the First Century. They were told the truth about the laws of the Pharisees by the true ministers of Christ. Once the Jews came to a knowledge of the truth in this matter, many of them abandoned the commandments of men for the truth of God. This is one of the main reasons the Pharisees, and the later Jews, had such an abhorrence for Christianity. The acceptance of Christianity meant the rejection of the teachings of the Pharisees in Judaism, and a return to God and His commandments.

Why Christ Condemned the teachings of the Pharisees

Is it any wonder that Christ was so indignant at the doctrines of the Pharisees? Should we be amazed that He so sharply rebuked them? Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN. FOR LAYING ASIDE THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD YE HOLD THE TRADITION OF MEN ... FULL WELL YE REJECT THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, THAT YE MAY KEEP YOUR OWN TRADITION (Mark 7:6-9). Now that we have the background to the beliefs of the Pharisees and their attitudes regarding the Word of God as has been presented thus far this Scripture should take on much more meaning. Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees as they had never been rebuked before. And they needed every bit of it! Notice what Christ said elsewhere!

Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your own tradition? (Matt. 15:3.) THUS HAVE YE MADE THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD OF NONE EFFECT BY YOUR TRADITION (Matt. 15:6). Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in (Matt. 23:13). Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (Matt. 23:27,28).

The Perversion of the Sabbath

The basic Sabbath Law of God was not annulled by the Jewish leaders. However, it was modified in many, many ways which are only hinted at in the Scriptures. In the sacred Scriptures God does not take volumes of texts to explain what a person's every activity on the Sabbath should be. Rather, we find basic and fundamental principles of Sabbath observance. See especially Isaiah 58:13, 14. But the Jews of Christ's day were not content with Sabbath principles the principles of rest from labor, of having time to study, pray, meditate and go to Sabbath service. They sought to do what the inspired Moses and the prophets never thought necessary. The Pharisees enacted law after law to regulate every single activity that could be done on the Sabbath. They discarded the plain principles of the Scriptures. They instituted in their place without any Scripture authority, the cold and formal Sabbath rules of legalistic Pharisaism, in which no real principles were left only a maze of exacting and overburdensome laws. The Sabbath laws of the Pharisees were part of their erroneous teaching which prompted Christ to denounce their binding heavy burdens "which were grievous to be borne" (Matt. 23: 4). And burdensome they were! And absurd!.

There is a direct analogy between the laws of the Rabbis and those of the Greek philosopher Plato. The Jewish historian, Moses Hodas, admits: "The rabbis were men of faith, and their object was the service of religion, but their method for securing discipline was, like Plato's, to provide authority for men's smallest actions" (Hellenistic Culture, p. 82 ). Such laws as enacted by the Rabbis were never conceived until after Hellenistic influence had implanted itself strongly in Palestine.

Legalism: Man made Sabbath legislations

Let us notice some of their man-made commandments concerning Sabbath observance. First of all, the Pharisees decreed a person would be guilty of breaking the Sabbath if he carried from one place to another any food which weighed as much as a dried fig! Only the weight of half a dried fig or an olive was allowed, otherwise it would be considered, by the Pharisees, as work, and was prohibited (Shabbath, 28a, 70b, 71a). A person would also be guilty of desecrating the Sabbath, in their eyes, if he carried more than one swallow of milk or enough oil to anoint a small part of the body (Shabbath, 76b). Even to carry a sheet of paper was forbidden (Shabbath, 78a). If a fire broke out on the Sabbath in a person's home, he could carry out only the necessary food for the Sabbath. It was interpreted in this manner: If a fire broke out Sabbath evening (Friday night), the owner could take out enough food for three meals; if the fire broke out on Sabbath afternoon, he could take out only enough food for one meal. All the rest of the food had to be left to burn up with the building, for the Pharisees prohibited putting out such a fire that would be working and constitute a grievous sin (Shabbath, 115a-118b).

Messiah's teaching about the Sabbath

Christ taught the Jewish people the true spiritual intent of the Sabbath. God's Sabbath is not a burden to man. It is a spiritual blessing. Christ said: "The Sabbath was made FOR man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27, 28). To do good works on the Sabbath, however, was forbidden by the Pharisees. Notice how they sought to accuse Christ for healing a person on the Sabbath. "And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; THAT THEY MIGHT ACCUSE HIM. And He saith unto the man which had a withered hand, Stand forth. And He saith unto them, is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil?" (Mark 3:1-4). The Pharisees could hardly answer the question, and they did not! They knew that they could not say it was right to do evil. But they also knew that their laws forbade doing this kind of good on the Sabbath. So, the Pharisees "held their peace. (88-89)

The Lord, we noticed, on the Sabbath deliberately acted contrary to prevailing restrictions, in order to liberate the day from the multitude of rabbinical limitations and thereby restore it to its original divine intention, namely, to be a day of physical and spiritual well-being for mankind. We noted, however, that Christ presents the showing of love by acts of kindness on the Sabbath to be not merely the fulfillment of the humanitarian obligations of the commandment, but primarily the expression of the believer s acceptance and experience of the divine blessing of salvation (John 9:4; Matt. 11:28). (Pg. 51 "From Sabbath to Sunday: A Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity." a Doctoral dissertation by Samuel Bacchiocchi)

Modern Christianity mimics pharisaic Judaism:

Today s Churches Follow the Pharisees
In contemporary secular Christianity we find millions of individuals like the Pharisees of the New Testament times. There are numerous professing Christian denominations that have MODIFIED the commandments of Christ; many setting ASIDE or DISREGARDING the Fathers commandments; many intentionally or unintentionally annuling the commandments of God. Our modern Christian civilization is in the same or worse spiritual condition as were those taught by the Pharisaic teachers. It is time to admit that modern Christianity has paralleled the Jewish leaders in assuming the prerogative of altering, overlooking and cancelling the plain commandments of Scripture! Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8), condemns such alterations of His word. For he said, Howbeit in vain do [you] worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God ye hold the tradition of men ... Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition (Mark 7:7-9).

Historical reasons for the switch to Sunday

Dr. Bacchiocchi a theological historian says that according to history Anti-Judaism caused the abandonment of the Sabbath, and pagan sun worship influenced the adoption of Sunday . Evidence of anti-Judaism is found in the writings of Christian leaders such as Ignatius, Barnabas and Justin in the second century. He noted that these three witnessed and participated in the process of separation from Judaism which led the majority of Christians to abandon the Sabbath and adopt Sunday [the legal gentile Roman day of worship] as the new day of worship.

Evidence
Early differentiation between Jews and Christians
In the year A.D. 49 the Emperor Claudius, according to the Roman historian Suetonius (ca. A.D. 70-122), expelled the Jews from Rome since they rioted constantly at the instigation of Chrestus 4 (a probable erroneous transcription of the name of Christ). 5 The fact that on this occasion converted Jews like Aquila and Priscilla were expelled from the city together with the Jews (Acts 18 :2) proves, as Pierre Batiffol observes, that the Roman police had not yet come to distinguish the Christians from the Jews. 6 Fourteen years later, however, Nero identified the Christians as being a separate entity, well distinguished from the Jews. The Emperor, in fact, according to Tacitus (ca. A.D. 55-120), fastened the guilt [i.e. for arson upon them] and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abomination, called Christians by the populace. 7 This recognition on the part of the Romans of Christianity as a religious sect distinct from Judaism seems to be the natural result of attempts made on both sides to differentiate themselves in the eyes of the Roman authorities. Pg 166 "From Sabbath to Sunday: A Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity."

Sunday observance arose, as W. D. Davies states, in conscious opposition to or distinction from the Jewish Sabbath. 135 We have found that the change in the day of worship seems to have been encouraged, on the one hand, by the social, military, political and literary anti-Judaic imperial policies which made it necessary for Christians to sever their ties with the Jews, and, on the other hand, by the very conflict existing between the Jews and Christians. The Church of Rome, whose members, mostly of pagan extraction, experienced a break from the Jews earlier than in the East ... where the unpopularity of the Jews was particularly great, appears to have played a leading role in inducing the adoption of Sunday observance [over that of the Jewish Sabbath}. This we found 187 indicated not only by the introduction and enforcement of the new Easter-Sunday festivity (closely related to the weekly Sunday) but also by the measures Rome took to devaluate the Sabbath theologically and practically. The Sabbath was in fact re-interpreted to be a temporary institution given to the Jews as a sign of their unfaithfulness. Therefore Christians were enjoined to show their dissociation from the Jewish Sabbath by fasting on that day, by abstaining from the Lord s supper and by not attending religious assemblies.

Hadrians Attack on Judeo-Christian Sabbath observance

Hadrian discriminated against all Judeo-Christian sects, but the worst persecution was directed against religious Jews. He made anti-religious decrees forbidding Torah study, Sabbath observance, circumcision, Jewish courts, meeting in synagogues and other ritual practices. ... This age of persecution lasted throughout the remainder of Hadrian s reign, until 138 C.E. (http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/revolt1.html)

Conclusion
Things such as these gave the gentile Christians more reason then one to simply adopt the Roman Sunday, and thus gain favour in this aggravating powers sight. The adoption of Sunday along with the pagan gentile festivities, and then the subsequent baptism of such unbiblical rites harkens back to the acts of the apostate Hellenistic Jews, and this shows that history repeats itself.

1st day Sabbath: The imperial sign of the Catholic church

We have all heard a million and one reasons why Sunday cannot be the scriptural Sabbath. I have presented you with information explaining how the Messiah had to have risen on a Saturday. But some of the most expressive views about Sunday keeping comes from its historical place of origin. The Sunday keeping legislation was the sole issue that stopped the reformation from being a full success. What do the Catholics say about Sunday? Daniel Ferres, ed., Manual of Christian Doctrine (1916), p.67. "Question: How prove you that the Church hath power to command feasts and holy days? "Answer. By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of, and therefore they fondly contradict themselves, by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking most other feasts commanded by the same Church.

Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal Catechism 3rd ed., p. 174. "Question: Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept? "Answer: Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her-she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority."

Peter Geiermann, C.S.S.R., The Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine (1957), p. 50. "Question: Which is the Sabbath day? "Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day. "Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday? "Answer. We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.

Peter R. Kraemer, Catholic Church Extension Society (1975),Chicago, Illinois. "Regarding the change from the observance of the Jewish Sabbath to the Christian Sunday, I wish to draw your attention to the facts: "1) That Protestants, who accept the Bible as the only rule of faith and religion, should by all means go back to the observance of the Sabbath. The fact that they do not, but on the contrary observe the Sunday, stultifies them [or makes to appear to have an unsound mind] in the eyes of every thinking man. "2) We Catholics do not accept the Bible as the only rule of faith. Besides the Bible we have the living Church, the authority of the Church, as a rule to guide us. We say, this Church, instituted by Christ to teach and guide man through life, has the right to change the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament and hence, we accept her change of the Sabbath to Sunday. We frankly say, yes, the Church made this change, made this law, as she made many other laws, for instance, the Friday abstinence, the unmarried priesthood, the laws concerning mixed marriages, the regulation of Catholic marriages and a thousand other laws. "It is always somewhat laughable, to see the Protestant churches, in pulpit and legislation, demand the observance of Sunday, of which there is nothing in their Bible."

T. Enright, C.S.S.R., in a lecture at Hartford, Kansas, Feb. 18,1884. "I have repeatedly offered $1,000 to anyone who can prove to me from the Bible alone that I am bound to keep Sunday holy. There is no such law in the Bible. It is a law of the holy Catholic Church alone. The Bible says, 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.' The Catholic Church says: 'No. By my divine power I abolish the Sabbath day and command you to keep holy the first day of the week.' And lo! The entire civilized world bows down in a reverent obedience to the command of the holy Catholic Church."

Our Sunday Visitor, Feb. 5, 1950 Practically everything that Protestants regard as essential or important they have received from the Catholic Church. They accepted Sunday rather than Saturday as the day for public worship after the Catholic Church made that change. But the Protestant mind does not seem to realize that in accepting the Bible, in observing the Sunday, in keeping Christmas and Easter, they are accepting the authority of the spokesman for the church, the pope. -- Mgr. Segur, Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today, p. 213 It was the Catholic Church which, by the authority of Jesus Christ, has transferred this rest to the Sunday in remembrance of the resurrection of our Lord. [which is false] Thus the observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] church.

Does Paul teach a lawless grace?

The main reason individuals disregard the importance of the entire law of Yahweh is because their confused mostly about the writings of Paul, for even peter said that in Paul s epistles he speaks on things which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2Pe 3:16) So us therefore, being the beloved, are supposed to know this beforehand, and we must beware lest [we] also fall from [our] own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked (2Pe 3:17) Which has already occurred in the churches. The error being the faulty interpretation of scripture resulting in the permission of sin.

Before looking at the proper passages that seem to exemplify a lawless grace, we have to properly understand Romans 7&8 for these passages reveal the key to all the rest of Paul s works in regard to Yahweh s law.

Faith in Christ's Sacrifice = Justification of the soul / body. Obedience to the commandments = Righteousness in the Spirit.
Paul calls the law sin in chapter seven to elaborate a point which begins to develop in chapter eight. When Paul talks about the law of sin in the flesh, and than speaks about the law of the spirit, he is speaking about two distinct parts of the Christian walk that both lead to a complete perfection in the Messiah, The first is un-accomplishable without faith in Jesus the Messiah and repentance through his name. The second is accomplishable by our own will to keep the commandments in our hearts, this is accomplished through Yahweh s spirit in us. The law of the spirit is our personal ability to adhere to the ten commandments. By desiring to be obedient we show Yahweh that we love Him and strive for completion. But, justification des not come through the law. Since our flesh it at enmity with God, by our acceptance of the Messiah and through His offering of Himself, by faith, our soul or flesh becomes justified through its union with Him (we have become one flesh due to our spiritual marriage), These two elements grant us holiness in both our spirit by obedience to his commandments, and flesh by our faith in Christ's grace gained through repentance. Paul in no way denounces the importance of the law, but establishes it. Grace is given to us by faith so we can keep the commandments in our flesh which is something that cannot be controlled by our will s alone.

The Romans Key: a key that unlocks the New covenant Epistles
Rom 7:4-25: Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. (5) For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law [which is knowledge of the law] were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. (6) But now we have been delivered from the law [that is the death that comes by breaking the law], having died to what we were held by [sin], so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. (7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." (8) But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead [or unrecognized]. (9) I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. [in ignorance as a practicing Jew he was alive , but in knowledge of breaking the law he became guilty] (10) And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. (11) For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. (12) Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. (13) Has then what is good become death to me? [or, has the law become death to me?] Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, [that is knowledge of the law] so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.

(14) For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. (16) If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. [That is, if Paul knows that what he is doing is wrong, even though he s unable to do right on his own, he still agrees with the law that what he has done is wrong.] (17) But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. [when our flesh is justified it is sin who works sinfulness in us, not our own desire.] (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. [Paul is saying that in his own power he cannot do what pleases Yahweh, this is because his flesh is carnal and uncontrollable, thus sin works through him and he cannot perfectly stop it from happening](19) For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. (20) Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (21) I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. [it is a fact or law that evil exists in his flesh or carnal drive] (22) For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. [in his spirit or mind he loves Yahweh s law] (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind [mind meaning heart or spirit], and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (25) I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Rom 8:1-18 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,* who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [by following and loving the Royal law to the best of his or her ability by desire, through choice and diligent care] (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. [the spirit of life comes from Jesus Christ freeing us from the law of sin that exists in our flesh which makes us break the commandments, and resulting in death] (3) For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh [this is, our inability to fulfill the law apart from Messiah], God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, (4) that the righteous requirement of the law [Which is our requirement to follow it in both spirit and flesh] might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. [so by our desire to walk in the law spiritually, by faith in the only one who fulfilled the entire law (while He was in his flesh), grants us freedom from our inability or weakness contained in our own flesh, and grants us a way out or forgiveness which allows justification through grace. This process allows us to become completely holy: body and spirit, before God in Jesus the Messiah] (5) For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death [which is being apart from unity with Christ living lawlessly], but to be spiritually minded is life and peace [which is living in the law the best we can and loving God, for if you love [Him you will] keep [His] commandments ].

(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be [our bodies cannot be subject to the law of Yahweh, that is why Christ whose body was completely subjected has become our own bodies through faith]. (8) So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (10) And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. [By accepting Jesus through faith and baptism our carnal flesh becomes crucified with His. If we continue to live in carnality after baptism we remain fleshly and death still reigns in us. But, if we live in the spirit we are made righteous, and Yahweh will resurrect us in the end] (12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. (13) For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [living without obedience to Yahweh s Law will not put to death the deeds of the body] (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (15) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." (16) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Conclusion
So what Romans says is this, if we break Yahweh s law by disrespecting His commandments: if we break one we re guilty of all, we are still by word living in the flesh. This is one reason why the church is so sickly and weak today. One can be baptised and read the scriptures daily and still be carnally minded and sinful, especially when breaking Yahweh s law in ignorance. Without a conscious daily effort to put the body to death, going from grace to grace through the power of the Spirit; repenting when we sin, going to the Messiah and being cleansed in His blood we remain in a state of rebellion against Him. If we as Christians live in a state of unrepentant sin even by ignorance, we can never scripturally be children of the Most high. This is because our carnal beings remain ruling over our lives and thus fight against the Will of our Maker. By breaking His law we have not subjected ourselves to Christ.

The Romans Key applied to grant a clearer understanding of the other Epistles:
Galatians
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. (Gal 2:16) -The works of the law here speak of the oral traditions of the Jews. Galatians 2:12 talks about not eating with Gentiles, this is not a scriptural tradition but is categorized under works of the law. The law written by Yahweh s finger, and the law written by Moses, then the law made by the Jews are all different laws. Yahweh s law is Eternal and can never be altered or broken. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not ! (Gal 2:17)
If I accidently sin while under the grace of the Messiah (this informing all that a law still exists to condemn sin) does ones inability and accidental failure make my liberty in the Messiah a cause to call Him a minister of Sin, certainly not.

For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (Gal 2:18)

If I wilfully return to my sinful ways then I am guilty for my sins alone. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. (Gal 2:19) I through the revelation of sin, died to the effect of death that came by sin (transgression of the law), that I could live to Father in Christ by faith. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20) The life in the flesh here referred to is justified by the acceptance of Jesus Christ s work on the altar of suffering. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." (Gal 2:21) This law is speaking of the ceremonial; Christ came to end such practice of the flesh and changed them into acts of the spirit. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them. (Gal 3:10)

These works of the law are speaking of the Jewish Oral traditions, this scripture openly state that the Works of the Law are incomplete, thus those who follow these unsanctioned laws are placed under the curse of the actual law of Moses which was complete. But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith. (Gal 3:11) Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them. 3:12) (Gal

This quote is from Leviticus 18:5 This law is speaking of the written law found in the book of the law written by Moses. This isn't a justification to disregard the law of Yahweh. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"*) (Gal 3:13) Galatians 3:13 also is a condensed quote of an Old Testament passage that explains exactly who is cursed and why: "If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance"(Deuteronomy 21:22-23, NIV).

So even though we don t follow every piece of the laws given to Moses, our faith in Christ frees us from the curse brought about by breaking it (this excluding the ten commandments entirely, for it is a separate Law altogether). And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. (Gal 3:17) Above presenting evidence of which law is being referred to. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (Gal 3:18) For if the inheritance is of the law can also be seen as saying, if the inheritance comes only through Israel, the law being a symbol for Israel itself. Paul was saying that all that live by faith in Christ's justification are entitled to God s grace and blessings which were promised to Abraham. No matter if he be Jew or Greek. What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels [or messangers] by the hand of a mediator. (Gal 3:19)

This scripture is evidence that the law spoken of here is not the Commandments given to Moses by Yahweh Himself, but the other laws that came by angelic or mediated intervention. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,* and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Gal 5:1) Yoke of bondage being the Jewish oral traditions. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. (Gal 5:2) (evidence that the above is the oral tradition of the Jews) And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. (Gal 5:3) You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Gal 5:4) Once again this is Jewish oral traditions not the commandments. The Oral law is a corrupt commentary of old Testament practises. As seen in scripture It denounces Jesus as the Messiah. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (Gal 5:5)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. (Gal 5:6) For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Gal 5:13) An opportunity for the flesh is assuming breaking the commandments is allowable because of justification. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [18] (Gal 5:14) To fulfill the entire law we include Yahweh as a neighbour also. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Gal 5:16) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (Gal 5:17) This is a reiteration of Romans.

For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. (Gal 6:13) This is evidence that the works of the law are not the 10 commandments or even the Scriptural Holydays, but are the false oral traditions of Judaism.

Conclusion
All though convoluted, we see the same message is preached in Galatians as is in Romans. To understand what law is being spoken of we must look into the Greek lexicons for word use, and also understand contextual information as we read along. This is why peter said Paul's works were difficult to understand. Christ has never committed sin, nor would he allow His disciples to. He wouldn t say that in Him they could break His Fathers law. The Law of Yahweh (the 10 commandments) is a proof of our love to the Father and the Son. To fulfill the command of love, the whole law must be followed. For Messiah said if you love me keep my commandments . If you are aware and convinced that Sunday is not the Sabbath it is time to return to Yahweh through messiah and Repent of breaking His law.

Fasting: the subject of Romans 14

Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) was a MASTER of Torah. He often quotes or alludes to Old Testament Scriptures without ever mentioning the Scripture that he is quoting or to which he is alluding. Romans 14 is one of those very common instances. Yes, it is about "personal convictions" and "personal scruples" but it is in the context of Old Testament Scripture. It is more specifically about "traditions of men" that as The Saviour noted "Makes The Word of none effect". Oh, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with vegetarianism. What then was Paul talking about? He was talking about fast days. The whole 14th chapter of Romans is about food and how people's beliefs about fasting should not be interfered with. The fast days could be observed according to each believer's conscience. A man could eat or not eat, keep the day or not keep it. Each man could observe FAST DAYS, or not observe them, according to his own convictions. He that does not eat, regards the day. He that eats, does not regard the day. The "days" that Paul was referring to were the traditional fast days mentioned in Zechariah 7:5-6. These were anniversary fasts that were observed during the Jews' captivity in Babylon.

It is of interest to note that those dates commemorate the judgments of The Almighty upon a people who refused to keep the Sabbath Day holy. (See Jeremiah 17:19-27) Even the Jews themselves had different convictions about the observance of those days--because those fast days were never commanded by The Almighty. After the Captivity (when the Temple was being rebuilt) the men of Bethel also wondered if they should observe these fasts unto YHVH. For example, they asked Zechariah: "Shall I weep in the fifth month and abstain, as I have done these many years?" (Zechariah 7:2-6) When you read Zechariah's answer, notice the striking similarity of his words to those of Paul to the believers at Rome: Compare Zechariah 7:5-6 : "When ye FASTED and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast UNTO ME, even to Me (YHVH?) And when ye did EAT, and when ye did drink, did ye not EAT FOR YOURSELVES and drink for yourselves?"

With Romans 14:6,7 : "He that regardeth the (fast) day, regardeth it UNTO THE LORD; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that EATETH, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth The Almighty thanks; and he that EATETH NOT, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth The Almighty thanks. For none of us LIVETH TO HIMSELF, and no man dieth to himself. Common churchmen use Romans 14:5-6 as proof that New Testament believers no longer have an obligation to keep the Sabbath day holy. Examine those two verses, just as a judge would consider evidence in his courtroom, and then decide whether or not they testify against Sabbath keeping. Paul wrote: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth (observeth) the day regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth The Almighty thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth The Almighty thanks." The judge would ask: "Where is the Sabbath mentioned in those verses? The Sabbath is not mentioned there, nor in the entire book of Romans! No court in the land would allow verses that do not mention the Sabbath to be used as evidence in an argument against the Sabbath-- so why should we?

You see, Paul could not have been talking about keeping the Sabbath day holy because obedience to Torah is not optional. It is ludicrous to suggest that any of the Ten Commandments can be disobeyed "unto the Lord"! Think of the absurdity of saying, "He that stealeth, to the Lord he stealeth; and he that stealeth not, to the Lord he stealeth not". If you were the judge in the case of the Churchmen versus the Sabbath, would you be willing to say that Paul had cancelled one of the commandments of God based on the evidence you find in the 14th chapter of Romans? The evidence from Romans and Zechariah demands a verdict for Sabbath observance. The church must obey the Fourth Commandment, and that is the only decision that will uphold the Law of God. Understanding Paul s Difficult Scriptures Concerning the Law and Commandments of God. By Fred R. Coulter

Colossians Two: Were the Ten Commandments Really Nailed to the Cross When Jesus Was Crucified?
Another example of misinterpreting Paul s writings is found in Colossians 2:14, 16-17, and stems from an extremely poor translation of the Greek text. Unfortunately, this particular misunderstanding has led millions to believe that all the laws and commandments were nailed to the cross when Jesus was crucified. As in the case of Galatians Four, we will notice that [this] false interpretation is exactly the opposite of what Paul actually wrote and meant. First, we will examine the KJV translation of each of these key passages, beginning with verse 14: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. From this obscure translation, people presume that the phrase handwriting of ordinances constitutes the laws and commandments of God. Therefore, they conclude incorrectly that the Ten Commandments were nailed to the cross. In the Greek, handwriting of ordinances is chriographon tois dogmasin which literally means handwriting in decrees or dogmas. In the New Testament, dogma always refers to decrees written by men (Luke 2:1; Acts 16:4; 17:7; Eph. 2:15). Nowhere in the entirety of the Bible does dogma, decrees, refer to any part of the Law of God. Therefore, this phrase in Col. 2:14 has nothing to do with biblical Law.

But what does the expression handwriting of ordinances actually mean? As we will see, the phrase refers to a written account of one s sins, called a note of debt. In his epical book The Two Babylons, Alexander Hislop writes concerning this pagan, Greek religious practice, which the converts in Colosse had undoubtedly formerly practiced (the practice was also found in ancient Chinese religion): A work of some note on morals, called Merits and Demerits Examined, [describes how] a man is directed to keep a [written] debtor and creditor account with himself of the acts of each day, and at the end of the year to wind it up [in summary]. If the balance is in his favor, it serves as the foundation of a stock of merits for the ensuing year; and if against him, it must be liquidated by future good deeds [justification by works]. Various lists and comparative tables are given of both good and bad actions in the several relations of life; and benevolence is strongly inculcated in regard first to man, and, secondly, to the brute creation. To cause another s death is reckoned at one hundred on the side of demerit; while a single act of charitable relief counts as one on the other side (page 147). Thus, the phrase in Colossians 2:14 should be translated as note of debt against us with the decrees of our sins or a symbolic listing of our sins against God. Our sins and the debt of our sins were nailed to the cross when Jesus Christ was crucified and died. Upon true repentance of sins to God the Father, Jesus Christ blots out the note of debt through the remission of our sins. Jesus Christ, Who knew no sin, was made sin for us. He was nailed to the cross as a sin offering for the sins of the whole world. The note of debt of our sins was symbolically nailed to the cross, NOT the commandments of God which stand forever.

When Col. 2:13 is included with the correct translation of verse 14, the true meaning of what Paul wrote becomes clear: For you, who were once dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has now made alive with Him, having forgiven all your trespasses. He has blotted out the note of debt against us with the decrees of our sins, which was contrary to us; and He has taken it away, having nailed it to the cross. Therefore, the actual meaning of these verses has nothing to do with nailing the Law to the cross, as falsely believed by millions of professing Christians. Understanding Paul s Difficult Scriptures Concerning the Law and Commandments of God. By Fred R. Coulter.

The True Meaning of Colossians 2:16-17 The erroneous distortion of these two verses has caused Protestantism to denounce the observance of the biblical Sabbath, holy days and clean and unclean meats more than any other passage in the New Testament. Consequently, it has caused ministers and laymen alike to rummage through the New Testament in search of other Scriptures to substantiate this misinterpretation resulting in a myriad of additional false interpretations and beliefs that appear to bolster [the practice] of Sunday-keeping and observing [the traditions of men, or extra scriptural] holidays. When one casually reads these verses, it does give the appearance that such an interpretation may be correct but such is not the case. In the KJV, Colossians 2:16 reads: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days verse 17 which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. More distortion To add further confusion to this doctrinal puzzle, the New International Version savaged verse 17 with the following... mistranslation: These are a shadow of things that were to come. In so doing, they reinforced the false idea that, since Christ has already come, the things that were to come have been fulfilled. Thus, they cling tenaciously to their mistaken belief that indeed the life, death and resurrection terminated all these laws and commandments of God. However, the Greek preposition the NIV translators mistranslated as the English past tense phrase were to come is actually a present tense, articular active plural participle, toon mellontoon, which is impossible to translate as a past tense completed action. An honest translation can only reflect the present tense, continuous, ongoing meaning of the things to come, or the coming things

which can only mean the continuous unfolding of prophecy and the plan of God. Importantly, we know the Colossian church was composed entirely of Gentile converts. Paul preached the mystery among the Gentiles (Col. 1:27), and refers to their spiritual circumcision of the heart through Jesus Christ their conversion in contrast to their physical condition of uncircumcision of the flesh (Col. 2:13). As we find in Acts 19, Gentile converts forsook their pagan religion and worship of Greek gods and goddesses, when they were met with resistance and ridicule. And in the case of Paul, he was threatened with death because he gave up Judaism. Likewise, when the Colossians were converted, their lives were completely changed. They abandoned their past pagan religious practices, forsook the idol temples, and ceased to participate in pagan religious festivals and days of worship. Instead, they observed the seventh-day weekly Sabbath; and as Paul taught in all the churches, they were faithful to the holy days and festivals of the true God. This caused those outside the church to make judgments against the Colossian brethren for having abandoned their former religious philosophy and worship of angels. When we understand the circumstances with which Paul was dealing when he wrote Colossians 2:16-17, then the true meaning of the passage becomes clear.

An Analysis of Colossians 2:16-17

Here is an accurate translation from the original Greek of Col. 2:16-17: Therefore, do not allow anyone to judge you in eating or in drinking, or with regard to a festival, or new moon, or the Sabbaths verse 17 which are a foreshadow of the things that are coming, but the body of Christ. 1) The first phrase Therefore, do not allow anyone to judge you means that because they were now converted and had changed their lives to believe and obey the Gospel, and were now keeping the laws and commandments of God instead of their former pagan ways, therefore, they were not to let anyone outside the Church judge them because of their new way of life. 2) in eating, or in drinking When they were pagans they ate all meats clean and unclean. After conversion they no longer ate unclean meats (I Tim. 4:1-5). Likewise, they no longer engaged in drunkenness as in the past, which was also part of their pagan religious practices. Now, because they had changed their ways, they were to ignore the judgments and criticisms of those outside the Church.

3) with regard to a festival, or new moon, or the Sabbaths Rather than showing that the Colossians were being judged for rejecting the festivals and Sabbaths of God, this phrase means the exact opposite. As in the case of the Galatians, as former pagans they had never observed any of the biblical festivals and Sabbaths before their conversion. Therefore, those outside the Church were not judging the Colossians because they were no longer keeping these things, rather they were judging them because after their conversion they were, indeed, keeping them. A word about new moon. Since this is in the singular, it refers to the calculated Hebrew Calendar, and must be referring to the Feast of Trumpets, a holy day, because the first day of the seventh month (a new moon) is the beginning date for the calculations of the Hebrew Calendar. 4) which are a foreshadow of the things that are coming This important phrase shows that true Christians those obeying God s way of life will have an understanding of coming events in prophecy as the plan of God unfolds. 5) but the body of Christ. This phrase can reflect two meanings. First, since the Colossian brethren were being judged by those outside the church for their new, converted conduct, any judging concerning these matters should only be done in and by the Church, which is the body of Christ. Second, this phrase can also mean that the reality of observing God s Sabbath and holy days can be found only in the body of Christ the Church not from outside the Church.

In other words, the true knowledge and meaning of such days can be found only in the churches of God. As Jesus said, Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them [outside the body of Christ outside the authentic Church of God] it has not been given . But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous men have desired to see what you see, and have not seen; and to hear what you hear, and have not heard (Matt. 13:11, 16-17). The entire chapter of Colossians Two is a contrast between the way of God through Jesus Christ and the way of pagans with their religious philosophies and worship of fallen angels. When the verses of this chapter are divided into these two contrasting elements, the true meaning and full intent of what Paul wrote becomes clear. Below, the verses of Colossians Two are divided into: A. Things relating to Christ and God the Father and the Christian way of life; and B. Warnings against paganism, religious philosophy and the worship of fallen angels.

Colossians Two Divided into Elements A and B A. Now I want you to understand what great concern I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (verses 1-3). B. Now I say this so that no one may deceive you by persuasive speech (verse 4). A. For though I am indeed absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, be walking in Him; being rooted and built up in Him, and being confirmed in the faith, exactly as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving (verses 4-7). B. Beware lest anyone takes you captive through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ (verse 8).

A. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, Who is the Head of all principality and power; in Whom you have also been circumcised with the circumcision not made by hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, by which you have also been raised with Him through the inner working of God, Who raised Him from the dead. For you, who were once dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has now made alive with Him, having forgiven all your trespasses. He has blotted out the note of debt against us with the decrees of our sins, which was contrary to us; and He has taken it away, having nailed it to the cross. After stripping the principalities and the powers, He made a public spectacle of them, and has triumphed over them in it [through His crucifixion and resurrection] (verses 9-15). B. Therefore, do not allow anyone to judge you in eating or in drinking, or with regard to a festival, or new moon, or the Sabbaths, which are a foreshadow of the things that are coming, but the body of Christ. Do not allow anyone to defraud you of the prize by doing his will in selfabasement and the worship of angels, intruding into things that he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his own carnal mind and not holding fast to the Head (verses 16-19).

A.

[T]he Head from Whom all the body, being supplied and knit together by the joints and bands, is increasing with the increase of God. Therefore, if you have died together with Christ from the elements [see Gal. 4:8-10] of the world (verses 19-20).

B. why are you subjecting yourselves to the decrees of men as if you were living in the world? They say, You may not handle! You may not taste! You may not touch! The use of all such things leads to corruption. It is according to the commandments and doctrines of men, which indeed have an outward appearance of wisdom in voluntary worship of angels, and selfabasement, and unsparing treatment of the body, not in any respect to the satisfying of the needs of the flesh (verses 20-23). When the chapter is taken as a whole and one examines Paul s contrasting admonitions it becomes obvious that Paul did not abolish the dietary laws of clean and unclean meats, the annual festivals or the weekly Sabbath, or adopt a pagan calendar system. Moreover, none of God s laws were nailed to the cross. Rather, Paul is clearly affirming that the Gentiles in Colosse were to continue to observe God s laws and commandments as they had been taught. Paul was instructing the Colossians to disregard the criticisms and harsh judgments of those outside the Church, because the observance of God s Sabbath and holy days are a continuous foreshadowing of events yet to occur in God s plan. By being faithful and keeping these commandments of God, they would always be worshiping the true God, be built up in Jesus Christ and never lose the understanding of God s plan. By true obedience to God the Father and Jesus Christ, they would never again be deceived by vain philosophies and decrees of men, nor would they be seduced into the worship of fallen angels Satan and his demons. This is the true meaning of Colossians Two!

Ending Conclusion
-From this presentation we have seen that the Messiah did not rise on Sunday, nor could he have, because his body was gone before the sun rose that day. -We saw that the pure religion of Yahweh re-established by Nehemiah and Ezra became polluted due to Hellenistic injections, this was allowed by the addition to scripture by Apostate men of faith . -We saw that the Sabbath day was embellished with strict legalistic procedures, that were contained in the oral Law. We saw that Jesus the promised Messiah rebuked said Oral traditions and liberated the chains from a vilified commandment of the Fathers Law. -We saw that the Messiah through his acts on the Sabbath showed its true, good and spiritual benefit to mankind, that is, it was a time for a relationship with Him the Father and spiritual healing apart from all worldly endeavours. -We saw that after Jewish uprisings and destruction of the Temple, Christians who followed the law of Yahweh were persecuted beside the Jews. We saw that because of said persecutions Christians adopted Roman pagan traditions in order to be separate and protected from further attack.

-We saw that the Roman church admitted that they had changed the Holy Sabbath to a pagan Sunday, this being a sign as their authority. -We saw that the scriptures didn't allow the breaking of Yahweh s holy law, and that all the major scriptures used to justify Sunday keeping were erroneously misunderstood.

Therefore, if you are a Sunday observing Christian, and you now understand that this observance is a man made traditions and not the Law of Yahweh, you must immediately repent, and teach your flocks the truth! Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. If you choose to ignore this call, know that blood of others is placed directly on your head.
I wish you life and revelation in the spirit of Jesus the Messiah. All glory be to Yahweh the most High always!