₦airaland Forum

by Emeal ("E.Z." Zwayne
edited by Matt Slick

The book of Leviticus is perhaps the least read and most misunderstood book in the entire Old Testament. From a New Covenant perspective, this God-breathed revelation, with all of its detailed dietary, sacrificial and sacerdotal Laws, is perceived to be wholly irrelevant by many evangelical Christians.

At the same time, however, it is considered by most Orthodox Jews and some professing Christians, in both this generation and generations past, to be an indispensable element in prescribing true godly conduct for God’s chosen people.

But the question regarding the Levitical Law’s relevance to Christians was perhaps the most hotly debated issue confronting the first-century church. The issue was clearly settled at that time, during the first church council in Jerusalem. And yet some Christians today are still unclear as to whether they are obligated to observe the full requirements of the Mosaic Law, as delineated in the pages of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

God has not, however, left us without answer in this regard, but has in the pages of Scripture outlined for us the express function of His Law and its relationship to the Christian.

The first Christians were Jews, and Jews predominated in the church in its developing stages. These first-century Messianic Jewish believers did not initially forego their observance of God’s Law, but rather continued in it, as was their custom from the days of their youth.

The question of the relevance of the Mosaic Law for Christians arose when God began adding Gentile believers to the Body of Christ. In Acts chapter 10, God directed a God-fearing Gentile Centurion named Cornelius to summon the apostle Peter. God subsequently revealed His will to the apostle in a very disturbing vision. This vision eventually led to Peter proclaiming the gospel before Cornelius and all of his close friends and relatives. This resulted in their dramatic conversion to Christianity.

As the Lord began to raise up Paul the apostle and use him mightily for His glory, this brought about many more Gentile conversions. This great influx of Gentile believers into the early church attracted much attention to the issue of the Mosaic Law’s relevance for the Christian. In Acts 15:1, we learn, "And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." And Acts 15:24 tells us that they were saying "you must be circumcised and keep the Law."

It was determined that Paul and Barnabas should go up to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders in order to settle this dispute. And it was here that the historic decision was made regarding the Christian’s relationship to the Law of Moses. Amid much debate and discussion, the apostle Peter asked regarding this matter: "Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15:10). It was then revealed by the Holy Spirit that the Gentile believers were not obligated to keep the Law of Moses, but they, as well as the Jews, are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.

It would seem at this point that the Law delivered by Moses to the Jews has no purpose whatsoever for the Christian; that it is altogether irrelevant. In Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, he addressed this issue extensively as this church was also coming under the influence of "those of the circumcision," who were also known as the "Judaizers."

In the midst of his letter to the believers in Galatia, Paul proceeds to ask the following question:

"What purpose then does the Law serve?" (Galatians 3:19).

Paul then goes on to answer this question, and while doing so he makes the following statement:

"...for if there had been a Law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the Law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the Law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the Law was our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor," (Galatians 3:21–24).

According to Paul, the Law was added because of "transgressions." This implies, as the NEB paraphrase suggests, that God’s Law was used to "make wrongdoing a legal offense." In other words, it was intended to reveal to us our moral bankruptcy so that we might discover how sinful we really are.

After an individual has come to faith in Christ, the "tutor’s" job in showing them their sinfulness and therefore leading them to the Savior is accomplished, and they are, at that point, no longer under the "schoolmaster." As Paul so aptly stated in Romans 3:20,

"Therefore by the deeds of the Law no flesh shall be justified in His sight, for by the Law is the knowledge of sin." And again in Romans 7:7, "I would not have known sin except through the Law."

It is therefore indisputable that the Law of God is both relevant and pertinent. In its Levitical sense, God’s Law continues to serve as that schoolmaster to those Jews who still adhere to it as the standard for their conduct. And in its general, moral sense, as found in the heart of the Law, the Ten Commandments, it continues to serve as a moral compass and God’s prescription for holy conduct, while convicting the consciences of men and women throughout the world as it reveals sinfulness and thus the true depth of need for the Savior.

The apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:9,10

"…we know that the Law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the Law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine…"

It is, therefore, fitting for the wise and sensible servant of the Lord to lawfully wield the holy commandments of God while faithfully laboring in the field that is white for the harvest.

The belief that the “Law is a curse”, is a doctrine that has been handed down for many generations in Christianity. Each New born Christian is taught one way, or the other, that the Law is useless, done away and even a curse. They are taught that whoever “obeys/does” the Law of God is “under a curse”. The proof for this idea comes from the letters of Paul – “the misunderstood apostle” as I call him. Today, we will delve into the Scriptures in hope of uncovering the truth behind his words and clear out any misunderstandings these verses have created.

Let us review the words of Paul that have been misinterpreted by most Christians
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Reading the above, it is easy to jump to the conclusion that whoever obeys “God’s Law” is “under a curse” and that the “Law is a curse”. If many more Christians knew the context of Scripture, that Paul himself is quoting the Old Testament here, and understood the Covenant God made with His people, these misunderstandings would cease to exist. The core of this misunderstanding lies in not knowing that God set forth both Blessing & Curses, and Life & Death, when He made the Covenant with His people.

The Blessings & Curses of the Law
When God made the Covenant at Sinai & confirmed it at Horeb, He set forth Blessings & Curses before His people. If the people obeyed, they would be blessed. If the people disobeyed, they would be cursed.

Deu 11:26-28 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
Deu 30:15,19 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deu 29:21 And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
Dan 9:11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
Jos 8:34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

Read the list of Blessings for obedience(keeping His Covenant by obeying God’s Law) in Deut 28:1-14 & Lev 26:1-13

Read the list of Curses for disobedience(breaking His Covenant by disobeying God’s Law) in Deut 28:15-68 & Lev 26:14-39


The above verses are clear on the fact that God set forth blessings and curses for the ones who obey or disobey.

Life, good & Blessings were for the obedient.
Death, evil & Curses were for the disobedient.
This was the Law of God. The Law of God could save no one. Neither did it have a mind of its own. It was merely a set of instructions to live by. Whoever lived by them had life, good & blessings, while whoever disobeyed had death, evil & curses on their lives.

Now let’s focus our attention on what Paul wrote about, in Gal 3:10-13

Gal 3:10
Paul quotes Deut 27:26 saying that whoever “does not continue/does not abide” in God’s Law is “cursed”. Deut 27:26 reads “Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.” (Also read Jer 11:3, Eze 18:24)

Gal 3:11
Paul differentiates the Law & Faith, saying no one will be justified through the Law of God but by faith quoting Hab 2:4 “the just/righteous shall live by faith” in God. This is exactly what the Prophet Habakkuk spoke through the Spirit, in Hab 2:4 which reads “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.“

Gal 3:12
Paul furthers his argument saying that the Law has no connection to faith, but that whoever does/obeys the Law will live in them (will have life through it) quoting Lev 18:5 “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.” (Also read Neh 9:29, Eze 20:11,13)

Gal 3:13
Then, Paul goes onto explain an important point that is the root of this misunderstanding. It is important to note that, it is not the fault of Paul but our own, that we have misunderstood this for so long. Paul says that through Christ’s death on the cross, He has redeemed us from the curse of the law. It is clear that Paul is not calling “God’s Law” a curse. He is simply saying that Christ redeemed us from the “Curse OF THE Law”.

What was the curse of the Law? The Curse of the Law was that whoever disobeyed/sinned would die(Eze 18:24). Sin led man to death(Rom 5:12). We know what Sin is, only through the Law(Rom 7:7)

What did Christ redeem us from? He redeemed us from death which was the wages of Sin(Rom 6:23). Paul was right to say that Yeshua(Jesus’ true name) saved us from the Curse of the Law, as the “Curse of the Law = Death”.

A short review of the points made by Paul in the above 4 verses;
• Whoever does not obey God’s Law is cursed (Gal 3:10/Deut 27:26)
• The righteous are not justified before God, through Law, but by Faith (Gal 3:11/Hab 2:4)
• The Law is different to Faith, but who “obeys/does” the Law will have life(Gal 3:12/Lev 18:5). So, conversely, if someone does not obey/do the Law, they will have death.
• But Through Christ’s sacrifice we are free from the curse of the Law, which is Death(Gal 3:13). Not that we can be disobedient to Him, but that we would have grace & mercy, through repentance, whenever we fall short of obeying God’s Law.

With the above understanding, let’s review Gal 3:10-13
Paul has made his case that no one is “justified/made righteous” before God through the Law, but by having Faith in God. But he has also said that whoever disobeys God’s Law is under a curse. Even though we are “justified/made righteous” through faith, Obedience to God’s Law is necessary to not be under the curse of Death. In other words, We are saved/justified/made righteous through Faith, but our obedience to God & His Laws decides whether we stay under His favour/grace and obtain Life eternal. Just because someone who believes in God’s mercy, is saved, does not mean he/she can go on disobeying God and still have His favour/grace towards him/herself. But, whenever we fall short, and break His Law (Sin), we are now not under the curse of the Law, because Christ has taken the Curse, which is Death, on Himself.

“Sin” or “Disobedience” against God is the “breaking of God’s Law” (1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.) This could be written as a simple equation as given below;

COMMITTING SIN = BREAKING GOD’S LAW brings CURSE OF THE LAW = DEATH
LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY = OBEYING GOD’S LAW brings BLESSING OF THE LAW = LIFE

Because of Christ, even when we break The Law, we can still receive mercy through repentance, and not be under the “Curse of the Law” which is Death.

Conclusion
Paul never called God’s Law, “a curse”. This is a man-made doctrine which has existed in the Christian congregations, from as early as the 3rd Century AD. The “Curse of the Law” was Death, which was the wage needed to be paid for Sin. Through Christ’s intervention and death, He took this curse on Himself, giving us freedom from Death and passage to eternal Life. Our Messiah did not take away the Law through His death. He took away the “Curse of the Law” through His death. We receive salvation through Faith, and not by keeping God’s Law. This was the same with the people of Israel, as they were saved from Egypt & Slavery through God’s Grace & Mercy, and not because of any righteousness they had. After they were saved, God wanted obedience from them. This is the same pattern seen throughout the Scriptures. We are also required to be obedient towards our Heavenly Father after He saves us through His grace. And whenever we fall short, He still has mercy towards the repentant, because of the redemption work of Messiah Yeshua.

We cannot call the Law of God, a curse, as it is only a guide on how we should live. The choice is upto us. We can choose to live in the blessings or to die in the curses. We cannot blame God’s Law for the choices we make. Let us walk in the “Blessings of the Law” by being obedient to our Creator and choose life Eternal, for He has paid the ultimate price for our lives, so that we are never under the “Curse of Law”, which is death.

cornerstone4ty:
What is the riches of God? Ephesians. 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. We should have the spiritual and scripture understanding what the riches of God.

With man it is imposible but with God all things are possible. A wealthy man can make heaven with God's grace. Read Mark 10:24 -27 and Matthew 19: 24 -26

2 corinthians 9:7 - "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver".


1 corinthians 16:1-2 - "1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come"



Can someone explain this two verses. One is talking about giving in proportion (according to how God has prospered you and to be given every first day of the week) and the other is talking about giving according to what you have proposed in your heart

Interested 08027115051

dayo2me:
Jesus is for everybody, islam is for muslims and you know muslims are violent, intolerant and take a offence when you don't share the same faith with them, well, those actions are justifiable in their quran.

Yes I guess this makes sense.

0ubenji:
I understand u...
But I advise u MK meaningful use of ur life rather than bother urself with needless issues on religion factions.
Serve your God nd leave him to bother abt the ppl mocking his religion.
You chose Christianity to serve God nd improve on ur spiritual life as well as impart others..
Not to give urself headaches on what shud not be your problem in any reasonable way..

This is true.

0ubenji:
nd this supposedly bothers u because?

It doesn't bother me. it is just what I observe. The people running nairaland are very comfortable with the mock and criticism of Christianity but are guiding lslam from being mocked or criticized. Just an observation.

Why can't I comment on any Muslim tread? I am asked a question: "are you a Muslim?" if your answer is no then you are blocked from commenting. The christian treads are open to everyone. what you happening here?

Profiling the Nigerian anti-tithe coalition is no mean task. For, it is a potpourri assembly comprising many non-Pentecostal Christians, old church reverends, adherents of such other faiths which consider Christianity a heresy against God, 24-carat atheists and people, who, frankly speaking, never cared about any public issue debate other than which of the P-Square brothers married the more beautiful wife.
Some say a number of Pentecostal church members as well are closet anti-tithers and were happy to assist outsiders who attempted to upset the ecclesiastical status quo. And so important was this task that such a diverse congregation put all differences aside to mass under the ministration of OAP Freeze, who ironically, was himself a Bible-quoting sort of alternative Daddy.
The task of profiling a tithe payer is nevertheless made easier; and for this, we have the anti-tithe heroes to express our gratitude. Tithe payers and offering givers, we were told, are a bunch of brainless, unemployed, underemployed, lazy, miracle-seeking idiots who have been brainwashed by pastors. Moreover, anti-tithing posts labelled those tithers with fat droppings as thieves, rogues, embezzlers and 419ers. Otherwise, where would they get the billions and hundreds of millions and thousands Naira and Dollar donations from? How do you buy a jet for a pastor in this broken country of beggarly peasants?
An anti-tither yields no inch. He takes no prisoners. To him, no Pentecostal church deserves credit for a minuscule grain of good works. In the language of the campaign therefore, no pastor was just a pastor. None at all. The unflattering prefixes qualifying the title are numerous. They are jet-flying, money grabbing, Gucci-sporting, miracle-faking, hell-bound, abracadabra, extortionist, corrupt, corruption-sponsoring and evil, auditorium freaks, to mention but a few. As if these were not enough to sink men’s souls, pastors were further debited as conniving with criminals in high places to wreak havoc on the country.
In the heat of the debate, Bible verses were rolled out to ‘prove beyond doubt’ that tithing is not only legalistic in the Christian setting, but a treasonable form of modern slavery. There were incontrovertible arguments about the foolishness of hungry, thirsty parishioners giving only to service jets of con artist spiritual daddies.
We had never seen a protest like it. The free airtime radio ministry of the alternative Daddy had enabled his liberating sermons to reach millions of lost Pentecostal souls and their hell bound Bishops. WhatsApp Avenue was littered with thousands of screenbills; and such was the sea of anti-tithe protesters at Facebook Square that you wondered if there were people left at Instagram Close to manage the life-saving business of snapping selfies.
Going through social media posts, newspaper opinions and reactions in the chat rooms, one was tempted to wonder: Where are the tithe payers and collectors to speak themselves? Has it become tiring for followers to defend the excesses of their General Overseers, Bishops,and Superintendents? Just muted voices, even from pastoral biggies, who responded with weak doses of Malachi.
Anti-tithers were emboldened. The message had obviously sunk in. Tithers, under the weight of undeniable, overwhelming theological summations, must have abandoned their leaders. The opposition gloated. Year 2017 will definitely be a meatless Christmas season in The House of God, they celebrated. Eat your heart out then, Prophet Malachi, you carnivorous minor prophet elevated to prominence by nigeria’s bloodsucking Pentecostal charlatans!
Then, enter the convention season. Will the pews be really empty this year in those money-grubbing auditoriums, or will they file out sheepishly like chained slaves to fill up the insatiable offering baskets? Baited breath all around….
And as they had done for many decades, as they still obediently do every Sunday, faithful worshippers filed into the safety of churches and convention grounds:
“Here, we are safe. We are far far away from the siege of the spiritually ignorant and their daddy. We are encircled with walls of fire against the ungodly coalition of Persian kings…. How can they comprehend The Lord’s doing in our lives? What is money compared to the blessings that money cannot buy? Here we are, in this fortress, on these holy grounds, these hallowed temples, to give thanks and to receive much more from ‘Our own Daddy.”The preachers poured in as well. Alpha males in own territories. Awe. Reverence. The spirit of Malachi pervaded the air. Alternative daddy’s personality would be starved of oxygen in this sanctified atmosphere. More Malachi. Why not? It has worked for many generations all over the world. Why abandon it now just because of a few self-appointed supermen circling to rescue the faithful? Who is a human super celebrity in the presence of archangels with the flaming sword?
Then the killer punch. More effective than the darling minor prophet. Testimony time! The naysayers may dig from Genesis to Revelation, but who can argue with results? Hard evidence is what we trade. Miraculous healing, pregnancies upon newborn babes, miracle jobs, a 31 times salary increase for a measly one year income pledge, and the dead receive life! Everyone is clapping. They are on their feet, claiming and tapping into.
Testimonies are followed by testimonies. We are Pentecostals. We love rhymes.
So, troop out they did, but not like shacked, fettered captives. Not once, not twice…. They danced, sang and rejoiced and they gave. Critics say they paid up, but that’s what critics are for. The grateful faithful were not only giving for what had been done and delivered. They did also for what was prophesied.
So, the results have tumbled in. Successful seminars and conferences all over; and we know the parameters of success. You can’t argue with God’s blessings. More people. More money. Dollar rain. New converts. Church leaders are smiling all the way. No. Not to the bank. Banks come to them in Nigeria. When they have to go to one, they fly. The itinerary is universal and the work is tedious….
In the tactics of theology versus evidence therefore, the latter has won hands down. Anti- tithers say the opposition’s victory is only in the short run. But I dare say if the war tactics remain unchanged, then the long run is already here.
When you call someone a brainless fool and expect him to follow your advise, look in the mirror. Besides, you can abuse a political party leader and his followers will anoint you a hero. But this is religion. Different game. Different rules.
. Babalola, writer and satirist, writes from Ibadan and can be reached

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8ycSJyh9U&t=1261s

Daddy Freeze Selfish Hidden Agenda On Tithing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyw-A3z3BEBiblical Response To Daddy Freeze On Tithing By Apostle Israel Jimah Part 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-OgleMN65YBiblical Response To Daddy Freeze On Tithing By Apostle Israel Jimah Part 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW3M5vZMzksBiblical Response To Daddy Freeze On Tithing By Apostle Israel Jimah Part 2

mickeymimi:
SYNCRETISM IN RELATION TO MEN OF GOD




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf52q8Wz6L0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU74JKqiiSw EXPOSING PASTOR ADELAJA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8ycSJyh9U&t=1261s Daddy Freeze Selfish Hidden Agenda On Tithing

Daddy Freeze Selfish Hidden Agenda On Tithing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8ycSJyh9U&t=1261s

Daddy Freeze Selfish Hidden Agenda On Tithing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8ycSJyh9U&t=1261s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8ycSJyh9U&t=1261s Daddy Freeze Selfish Hidden Agenda On Tithing

Daddy Freeze Selfish Hidden Agenda On Tithing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8ycSJyh9U&t=1261s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8ycSJyh9U&t=1261s Daddy Freeze Selfish Hidden Agenda On Tithing

PaChukwudi44:
bros abeg no vex Its just that we are looking for that specific verse.We are done with the jewish law as the scripture clearly tells us.So unless you can provide that specific verse in the verse where Christians tithed or where asked to tithe you don't have any point

Take time to watch the videos above. You will comprehend.

fellowman:
give me one, or if you've watched it then explain so I can counter your narrative, secondly my data subscription is not meant for YouTube.

Like I said I am not here for arguments or counter narratives. I see you blazing and ready to shoot from all directions. God is not the author of confusion. Any argument that will not edify me and the church at large but will cause divisions in the body of christ count me out. As christians (don't know if you are ) we should be concerned more about the weightier matters of Salvation, how to reach the lost souls, evangelism, living a life of holiness and righteousness. The issue of tithe should not divide the church. Best Regards

fellowman:
give me scriptural evidence not some copy and paste stuff.

secondly when you say Daddy freeze is selfish, is Daddy freeze the one collecting the tithe?

I will urge you to remove pride and humbly watch these videos. There are a lot of scriptural verses and evidences. mind you its not my work but I have taken time to watch and comprehend. The issues should not be about competition but for us to get knowledge and be edified. You are also free to disagree or agree. Regards.

fellowman:
I'm not clicking on it why don't you explain it here

It will do you a whole lot of good to patiently watch and comprehend. Regards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyw-A3z3BE

Biblical Response To Daddy Freeze On Tithing By Apostle Israel Jimah Part 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-OgleMN65Y

Biblical Response To Daddy Freeze On Tithing By Apostle Israel Jimah Part 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW3M5vZMzks

Biblical Response To Daddy Freeze On Tithing By Apostle Israel Jimah Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8ycSJyh9U&t=1261s

Daddy Freeze Selfish Hidden Agenda On Tithing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftyw-A3z3BE

Biblical Response To Daddy Freeze On Tithing By Apostle Israel Jimah Part 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-OgleMN65Y

Biblical Response To Daddy Freeze On Tithing By Apostle Israel Jimah Part 3