In vain do they worship me...

 

In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men

Translations of biblical texts may have unintentional biases as well as intentional interpolations. It is claimed that King James when ordering the translation of the scripture forbade the use of congregation for ekklēsia, because he had no authority in a congregation, but was the head of the church.

The Bible is not a single book, it is a library of sixty-six books. This fact has been lost leading to misconceptions and erroneous interpretations.

There is no division, Old and New Testament, there are two covenants: the first, and second. The word “Testament” is found only in old English versions; all modern versions translate the Greek word diathēkē as covenant.

Chapters and verses while helpful to finding what you are looking for can confuse the context. See Mark 8:38, Mark 9:1.

Punctuation, capitalization, and the use of the definite article can drastically change the meaning of a passage.

When an anglicized word is used it is generally to obscure the meaning of the original word. baptizō = baptize, which is to immerse or submerge. But baptize can mean any form of initiation into a church.

Does this mean we are unable to determine the correct meaning of scripture? Not at all. Our primary focus must be on Jesus. John wrote that Jesus did a lot more than what he included in his letter and added, “these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name.” The Hebrew letter starts with “God, after he spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in his Son.” At his transfiguration, seeing that Moses and Elija had joined Jesus, Peter blurted out that he would establish three sacred tents, God spoke saying, This is my son, “listen to him!”

The primary means to accurately decipher the meaning of a word in scripture is to see how it is used in other scriptures. The consistency of usage must be followed. Matt 16:18 “I will build my church” is nonsense. The word ekklēsia is used around seventy times in the Greek Septuagint version of Hebrew scriptures. Matthew wrote in Greek and assigned the word ekklēsia to what Jesus was going to build. Jesus referred to his kingdom using the same word for the assembly, the congregation and kingdom of Israel. Ekklēsia first used of the congregation of people at the foot of mount Sinai.

When translating scripture, the four steps of the hermeneutical process must be followed – (1) understanding the historical and cultural context, (2) understanding the literary context, (3) making observations, and (4) drawing application.

It is also important to consider the various terms of human to God interface when interpretating or translating scripture.

Eden was the perfect setting for Adam and Eve’s relationship with God.  It remained that way until Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit of one tree. That tree represented choice; the choice to believe and honour God or to dishonour God. Adam and Eve made a bad choice. After Eden God maintained a close relationship with Adam’s family, but not like it was in the Garden. Cain’s exile, because of killing Abel meant he would be hidden from God’s face, “Cain went out from the presence of the LORD.” Cain and Abel’s sacrifices were not expiatory; they were acts to honour God. Cain forfeited the close relationship he had with God in Adam’s family.

God did not specify any form of worship. God did not impose religious ordinances on people. He wanted people of their own volition to interact with him. Three people who behaved appropriately were: Noah, Job, and Abraham. Other than offering sacrifices to God, no cultic rituals were connected to these people. “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” Job “was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Told by God to leave his homeland Abraham did as ordered. Later Abraham did what God required and offered Isaac as a sacrifice. “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness', and he was called the friend of God.” There was no prescribed or institutional form of worship, there was no organized religion. Relating to God was personal. Our relationship with God is personal and individual. The human connection with God is through faith.

When choosing Israel as his special nation, God didn’t discard non-Israelite people. “When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness;” Rom 2:14, 15 

God called Israel while they were still in slavery in Egypt. He brought them out of slavery, offering them the land he gave to Abraham. God established the law and covenant. “The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. Not with our ancestors did the LORD make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today.” God kept the promise that through Abraham all nations of earth would be blessed through Israel. The covenant and law were exclusively for Israel, they did not apply to other nations or people. Israel’s relationship with God included ritualistic practices, and institutional obligations. God’s relationship with Israel lasted from Sinai to the destruction of the temple circa 70 CE.

“The last days” probably began with John’s ministry. “The last days” was a period of transition from the first covenant to the new covenant. Jesus told his disciples, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Jesus “has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Jesus “was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.” “These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.” “…in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” God accomplished his plan and fulfilled his promise in Jesus. Through Jesus people can be reconciled with God. “The end of the age” culminated with the return of Jesus.

The return of Jesus:

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, and Jude are known authors of early scriptures, Hebrews is anonymous.

Hebrews:

Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.  

For yet 'in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay

Matthew:

Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see "the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven" with power and great glory. 

Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 

From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.

Mark:

…of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

…some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.

…they will see "the Son of Man coming in clouds" with great power and glory. …this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 

Luke:

…they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud" with power and great glory. 

…when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.

Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets. 

John:

Seeing John, Peter “he said to Jesus, 'Lord, what about him?' Jesus said to him, 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;

Jesus said, “I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have,”

Paul:

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

…may the Lord “strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus…”

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James:

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord.

You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 

Peter:

Scoffers will come saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!”

It is obvious that early Christians believed Jesus would return soon. The letters written reminded believers that Jesus was coming back. There is no physical evidence, or record of the return of Jesus. I cannot explain what occurred, but I believe Jesus did as he said he would in the timeframe he gave. To believe otherwise suggests Jesus was wrong.

The coming of Jesus was linked to the destruction of the temple and the end of the first covenant. All scriptures were written before the destruction of the temple. The four gospels and all the letters were written in and tell about “the last days” or “end of the age.” The short period of Jesus life was a unique period, God was on earth. Jesus brought grace to people in the age of law. The law and covenant were of force until the destruction of the temple. “Christianity” was a Jewish offspring, Jesus was the promised blessing. For some years Christianity was exclusively Jewish. The promise to Abrham was that all nations would be blessed. Against the protest of zealous Jews Gentiles were admitted into God’s family. Gentiles were not required to follow the law, nor were they covered by the first covenant. During the last days Christianity and Judaism existed concurrently. The old law and covenant were becoming obsolete, and the new covenant was initiated.

Except for Luke the scriptures were written by Jews generally reflecting a Jewish point of view. The teaching of Jesus is most important, knowing Jesus is imperative. The practices of early believers must be seen in the context of the law and first covenant. A relationship with God is still personal and individual. It is based on faith and God’s grace. As it has been from the beginning God has not prescribed any form of worship. “Just as Abraham 'believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness', so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham.” And “…if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.”

 

Truth or Tradition

 

Tradition has played a significant role in how scriptures are viewed. We take for granted that translations, interpretations, and doctrines handed down through time accurately represent the will of God. From what I see, nothing could be further from the truth. Biblical translators have failed to produce an accurate interpretation of scripture.  This doesn’t mean that God’s message is lost; the essential message can be understood by following the principals of interpreting statutory law:

The principal rules of statutory (biblical) interpretation are as follows: (1) An Act (the context) must be construed as a whole, so that internal inconsistencies are avoided. (2) Words that are reasonably capable of only one meaning must be given that meaning whatever the result.

The practice of finding scriptures to support an accepted belief will not lead to an accurate interpretation. It is the root of the catastrophic fragmentation of Christianity.

Institutional Christianity adopts traditional interpretations of scripture, and denominational biases. “Churchism” is the same as Judaism was at the time of Jesus. Jesus repudiated the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and challenged the Jewish hierarchy. “This people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.”

The ancient Hebrew scriptures were the core of Israel’s religion; they were the scriptures of the early followers of Jesus. Writings of the apostolic era were directed to recipients and circumstances of that time. The law of Moses remained in force Jewish Christians. That was the last days of the Law and first covenant and the end of the age. The writings of that period were addressed to people at that time. The Christian scriptures and Hebrew scripture have the same status. Together, the Hebrew and Christian scriptures provide principals and examples for people after the end of the first covenant.

The sixty six books of scripture represent God’s interaction with people from Adam to the end of the first covenant. During that time God executed his plan to bring humans back into a relationship with himself.

God’s reconciliation of man:

For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 

With the end of the first law and covenant the new covenant became of full force; there was no more law, no rules or rituals.

Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…

Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 

…if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. 

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD.  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

A man least likely to succeed

 

This is not so much about Peter doing what he did, or about him being inappropriate, it is about God’s love and patience. God looks at our hearts not at our humanity.

I don’t know what Peter was thinking about when he said, “if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water…” –what if it wasn’t Jesus? Peter walked on the water until reality kicked in. Then, as he was sinking, called, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him…” Jesus spoke to Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus didn’t tell Peter he should have remained in the safety of the boat. It was a rash decision, but not wrong. Peter looked around and saw all the reasons why it was impossible for him to be walking on water. We must focus on Jesus, and realize that faith is not rational.

Peter asked Jesus to, explain the parable to the disciples. Jesus responded, are you senseless?  Don’t you understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man…” The parable was related to the leaders complaining that his disciples were breaking the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they ate. Jesus quoted Isaiah, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.” I believe the same is true of church doctrines and rituals today.

Jesus asked his disciples who they believed he was. Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” With no hesitation or loss of focus, Peter stated that Jesus was God’s Messiah. There is nothing more important than believing in Jesus.

When Jesus told the disciples that he would suffer an die, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's.” Peter’s intentions were not bad; like most Jews he presumed the restoration of Israel by the Messiah was physical. Jesus was aware at that moment that Satan was using Peter’s misunderstanding as he used Eve’s weakness in the garden. At our peril we adopt the world’s position that “God” is to blame for everything that goes wrong. Satan is happy being a Halloween feature and having bogeyman status. Satan is evil and opposed to everything good.

Peter James and John were with Jesus on the mountain when he was transfigured. All three saw Elijah and Moses speaking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus that he would make three tabernacles, one for each of them. While he was still saying that, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’” The three disciples fell to the ground in fear when God said “This is my son, listen to him!” There was only one authority they were to listen to, that was Jesus. There is only one authority we are to listen to – Jesus.

After listening to Jesus teach about forgiveness Peter asked him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Peter was demonstrating his forbearance and generosity suggesting seven times; Rabbinical teaching was three times. Jesus said to him, not seven times, but seventy times seven. Jesus wanted Peter to know there is no limit to forgiveness. Jesus did not set a limit of four hundred and ninety times, he taught the need to forgive has no limited.

Jesus said that it was impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom which caused the disciples to wonder who could be saved. Peter said to Jesus, “we have left everything and followed you; what then will there be for us?” to which Jesus said; “…in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Everyone who had left houses or relatives or farms for my name's sake, will receive much more, and inherit eternal life. “What’s in it for us?” Not the same as for the disciples and others under to old covenant. We are children of God, we are his family now and in eternity. There is no future judgment for believers since in Christ there is no condemnation. There is no greater blessing.

After the supper Jesus told the disciples that all of them would fall away; Peter said, “Even though all may fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” To which Jesus said, “Tonight, before a rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”  No, “even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you.” All the disciples said the same thing. In the garden when Jesus prayed Peter James and John were unable to stay awake to support. Jesus’ statement aptly describes the human situation, “…the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus recognized human failing not critically, but factually.

When the mob arrived to arrest Jesus, Peter who had a sword struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. Jesus said to Peter, put your sword away; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me? Again the expectations of the disciples and God’s way were in conflict. The disciples would have willingly fought to the death to protect the Lord. But that was not heaven’s plan. “…all the disciples left Him and fled.” I don’t believe it was due to fear that the disciples to fled. They were bewildered when Jesus surrendered to the mob. They were confused and suddenly without purpose, the only recourse was to flee with their hopes and aspirations in tatters. Spirituality is not measured by rites or rules but through acceptance and submission to God’s way.

Peter went to where Jesus was being tried. He wanted to avoid being recognized and three times denied any connection with Jesus; the third time he said “I do not know the man!” and immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered Jesus saying, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny me three times” he left the courtyard and wept bitterly. Peter was brave enough to enter the stronghold of the enemies, but fearful to commit to being Jesus’ disciple. Where was his bravado, where was his willingness to die? Peter’s denial and Judas’ betrayal are equally wrong. Peter’s remorse led him closer to Jesus; Judas chose a different path. Jesus is the way, the only access to God. Through him we enter the family of God.

Peter was the most prominent disciple; Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom. Jesus told Peter to feed his lambs, and to feed and shepherd his sheep. Peter opened salvation to Jews on the first Pentecost following the death of Jesus, he introduced salvation to Gentiles when teaching Cornelius a Roman soldier. Peter was in every way a human. How Jesus related to him permits us to see God’s forbearance and patience, in which we can be confident that God is loving and patient with us.

 

The spiritual objectives to which we aspire are lofty; if we could, we would gladly do things beyond our means, yet do not do what we can. We would never deny the Lord or fail to do our best, although we will. We focus on loving God and forget our neighbour. We are elevated by faith and brought low by despair. We experience the peace of grace and the pain of guilt. We sing of God’s unconditional love but feel a need to earn it.

This is due to the human dichotomy summed up by Jesus, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” We can take comfort in John’s statement that when we feel guilty, “God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” We need to replace trying to earn God’s love with relying on his word that we have it.