Should we read the “Old Testament”? Should we follow the law and the prophets?

What is the law and the prophets?

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Mt 7)

So, in other words, the golden rule is the “Old Testament”. If it isn’t important to keep and follow the law and the prophets, then it isn’t important to love your neighbour.

“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well” (Ja 2)

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am Yahweh.” (Le 19)

“Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Ro 13)

The Geneva translators attached a note to this verse:

“For the whole Law commandeth nothing else, but that we love God and our neighbor. But seeing Paul speaketh here of the duties we owe one to another, we must restrain this word, Law to the second Table.”

Not so; they propose adding to what God has written instead of either confessing or changing their lack of understanding what he has written.

What is the first commandment of the Ten? “Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.” What is the last? “Thou shalt not covet.” What does Paul say of covetousness in Col 3? It is idolatry.

As Christ said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these by brethren, ye have done it unto me.” This is what he meant when he said “Love thy neighbour” is “like unto” the command “Love Yahweh”: as man is made in the likeness of God, so the second of the Two great commandments is like the first: to keep the one, you must keep the other, and keeping the other is to keep the one. Thus indeed, as God said, every commandment is comprehended in the second of the Two great commandments, including the greatest command.

“This is the law and the prophets.”

As a note, the uncircumcised were never generally commanded to become circumcised, and are in this age commanded not to enter the covenant of circumcision:

“Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.” (1Cor 7)

2023/02/25 #SabbathPosts