GOD'S SABBATH AND THE REAL TRUTH OF COL 2:14-17 WHO DO WE BELIEVE GOD or MAN?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
how does Paul define "weak in the faith" ?

One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
(Romans 14:2)

hmm the one with comparatively "strong" faith doesn't appear to keep the dietary restrictions of the Law.

hey, doesn't Col. 2 mentions something about the dietary commandments in the Law?
So then, a strong
the conventional, traditional, mainstream argument from the side who wishes to prevent any understanding of this chapter from interfering with submission to physical sabbath ordinance regulation is to say, this is all about food, and it's not about anything other than food. that "days" is only about purely human-origin, totally extra-scriptural and therefore wholly non-binding 'commandments of men' which some people, solely by weight of opinion and imagination, set apart as days for fasting from meat and only eating vegetables.
that there was some kind of "
vegetarian day" celebrated in the ancient Mediterranean, and that's what Paul's talking about.

well..

y'all can think about that. i don't want to get into all that here, now, again for brevity's sake. but insofar as it relates to Colossians 2:14, it's not really important. there is already the connection to diet. put the justifications given in the scripture here in Romans 14 together with the justifications in the scripture in Colossians 2; do they make sense if we're only talking about some totally non-authoritative cultic human rules? are these arguments addressing freedom mere customs and traditions, or are they addressing potential objections to freedom from the Mosaic Law itself?

we have to remember, in Col. 2 ((among several other places)) we're warned not to be led astray by deceptive arguments. that's implying that they are in fact externally persuasive arguments being addressed here, particularly persuasive to believers who are not well grounded in the faith.

just for an example to get us thinking that way, what's more persuasive to a Christian without a firm understanding of the gospel? Hebrew Roots or Scientology?
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
Is Christ wrong to say the law of Moses?

Consider what He states.. quite telling.. may you perceive.
If he said it was literally Moses' law and not that Moses was typified as the law giver to be used as a metaphor in parables. Its God's law written by the finger of God not of man as a private interpretation.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
The word faith used through the scriptures represents Christ in respect to the faith or work of God . Weak in his faith (Christ's) as that which works in us is to have little amount when reasoning .(not using the scriptures) Whenever the disciples did not understand a parable they would resort to a reasoning of men using the philosophies of men as in "who is the greatest" (not walking by faith) therefore making the faith of God without effect.

Unbelievers as a froward nation are considered as those who have "no faith" . Not weak or little... but none
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
the conventional, traditional, mainstream argument from the side who wishes to prevent any understanding of this chapter from interfering with submission to physical Sabbath ordinance regulation is to say, this is all about food, and it's not about anything other than food.


I don't think this chapter is about food at all. I think it's about what Paul says it's about. Those who are "young" (weak) in the Faith.

Every person is weak in Faith in the beginning, this is why we need help from the Christ. (I believe, help me in my unbelief)

It will take a new Christian some time to learn what it means to "Pick up their Cross, and Follow Jesus. These folks Paul is speaking about here are not folks off the street. They are converted members of the true Church. This means Paul has given them the following instructions based on the "revelation of the Gospel of Christ" given him be Jesus Himself.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

WE already know the Apostles taught the New Converts not to eat Blood, or animals which have been strangled, as to the commandments given by the Word which became Flesh to Moses.

So a person "Strong in Faith" knows a Godly man doesn't "Eat all things", nor is he restricted to just "herbs". A Godly man knows Jesus didn't treat all "animals" the same. "don't give pearls to swine",

Didn't He cast evil spirits on sheep? Oh, No, that's not true, He distinguished the difference between animals created for food and animals NOT created for food and cast EVIL spirits on the animal that He, as the Word which became Flesh, created as unclean.

But you can't make a person Love God or want to honor Him. It is a "voluntary humility" that the repentant bring to God's Fold.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Persuaded of what? That there is no difference between the Word's of God and the words of Post or the Pharisees or others? That we can all create whatever path to eternity that best fits our choices, our ancient religious traditions? I don't think so.

Did God treat all days the same? Did Jesus treat all Days the same? Did Paul treat all days the same? You know the answer to all 3 questions is no. Why is this? Because they were all "Convinced in their own mind" that God is the Master, His Word's are the Word's we live by. NOT Man's.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
Unbelievers as a froward nation are considered as those who have "no faith" . Not weak or little... but none[/QUOTE]
The word faith used through the scriptures represents Christ in respect to the faith or work of God . Weak in his faith (Christ's) as that which works in us is to have little amount when reasoning .(not using the scriptures) Whenever the disciples did not understand a parable they would resort to a reasoning of men using the philosophies of men as in "who is the greatest" (not walking by faith) therefore making the faith of God without effect.

Unbelievers as a froward nation are considered as those who have "no faith" . Not weak or little... but none

Very good point. Paul is talking about folks who have repented, their repentance was accepted and they were welcomed into God's Fold. Not unlike those in Acts 15.

Paul is teaching them. "Let each man be convinced". Not judging them. A child learns to crawl before he can walk. Would I scold a baby for not walking, for making a mess? Of course not. With the correct teaching this child will learn to walk, then run, pick up his toys and go to the bathroom on his own. We need to let the process work itself out through encouragement and consistency.

Paul treats the "Strong" in Faith differently as his rebuke of Peter shows.

Excellent point.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
If the interpretation is that both the one who only eats vegetables and the one who eats anything is weak, then also both the one esteems every day alike and the one who sets a single day apart are each likewise weak.

But this interpretation contradicts the text, because Paul says he knows that all foods are clean - putting him squarely in the camp of 'eats anything sold in the market'

And then there's also Galatians 4:10-11...

Unless you're calling Paul, who is teaching us the truth of gospel, directly inspired by God, weak in the faith when he says these things?

Do you know the truth better than Paul does? If so I guess you're qualified to rewrite the Bible. But I'm sceptical.
 
Sep 4, 2012
14,424
692
113
If the interpretation is that both the one who only eats vegetables and the one who eats anything is weak, then also both the one esteems every day alike and the one who sets a single day apart are each likewise weak.

But this interpretation contradicts the text, because Paul says he knows that all foods are clean - putting him squarely in the camp of 'eats anything sold in the market'

And then there's also Galatians 4:10-11...

Unless you're calling Paul, who is teaching us the truth of gospel, directly inspired by God, weak in the faith when he says these things?

Do you know the truth better than Paul does? If so I guess you're qualified to rewrite the Bible. But I'm sceptical.
So let me get this straight (I haven't been keeping up). Does Studyman think that those who follow the letter have a strong conscience and those who live by faith have a weak one?
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
="posthuman, post: 3610389, member: 170505"]
If the interpretation is that both the one who only eats vegetables and the one who eats anything is weak, then also both the one esteems every day alike and the one who sets a single day apart are each likewise weak.
Absolutely. Man has their religious "High Days" and "Feasts unto the Lord" that they sanctified and made holy, and God created His "Feast's" and Sabbaths that HE Sanctified and CREATED as Holy. If Jesus is the Author of my Faith, then I would follow His Word's, and I would let Him define whether one day is set apart, or if all days are the same.

But this interpretation contradicts the text, because Paul says he knows that all foods are clean - putting him squarely in the camp of 'eats anything sold in the market'
No he doesn't. You are injecting your religious traditions into his text.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

A pig didn't make itself unclean. Strangled animals didn't make themselves unclean. Who did? Where does the term "Unclean animals" even come from? The Pope, Jimmy Swaggart? No Post, this whole program was created by the Word which became Flesh, and followed through out the Bibles history by all the Faithful, including Jesus and the head of His Church, Peter, and His Apostles including Paul.

Once again, we are to be convinced in our own mind who to listen to and who not to listen to, God or Man.

And then there's also Galatians 4:10-11...
8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

Gal. 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

So what are you preaching here Post? That before these people "knew God" they were following God's Commandments? How can that be if before their conversion they did service to them who are "NOT gods".

That doesn't even make any sense.


10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.


Why do you inject "God's Laws" where Paul didn't?? The Mainstream religion of his time had created their own "images of God in the likeness of man", they have created their own "Feasts unto the Lord", they had corrupted the Sabbath of the Christ. Jesus said they taught the "Commandments of man" and that they;

" For they (Pharisees, Not God) bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."

And yet after all this you are preaching it was God and His instructions, not the religious tradition of man, that is the problem.

Unless you're calling Paul, who is teaching us the truth of gospel, directly inspired by God, weak in the faith when he says these things?

Do you know the truth better than Paul does? If so I guess you're qualified to rewrite the Bible. But I'm sceptical.
Paul is teaching the truth. I listen precisely because Paul knows better than me. But I listen to all his word's, not just those which can be used to promote ancient religious traditions of man.
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
So let me get this straight (I haven't been keeping up). Does Studyman think that those who follow the letter have a strong conscience and those who live by faith have a weak one?
Rejecting the Word's of the Word which became Flesh doesn't make one have "strong" Faith. Jesus didn't treat all animals the same, He didn't treat all days the same. Either did Peter or Paul. To say that they did is not true. We can discuss why? Post will say it is because of their man made religious traditions, "they were Jews". But I believe it is because God created differences for our admonition, and then this same God as a Man followed these instructions out of Love and Faithfulness to God..

Since I have no ancient religious traditions to defend that doesn't come directly from the mouth of my Savior, I have no problem letting Him be God. He sanctified this day or that, fine with me. He created some things for food, and other things not for food, that is fine with me as well.

Let each of be convinced in our own mind whose Voice to follow.

Remember, it is rebellion, disrespect, disobedience, pride, stubbornness, These all come from inside our mind and defile us. Not the nakedness, or the food, or the day which comes from without.

This is what Studyman thinks.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
Paul explicitly says he is convinced that no food is unclean of itself, and studydude says this means Paul is convinced that certain foods are unclean.

Mmhmmm..
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
1 Timothy 4:4-5
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Does everything mean everything and does nothing mean nothing and does consecrated mean consecrated?

Or do we change this to say exactly the opposite of what it actually says, too?
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
Jesus made all food clean.

Peter had a revelation about it.

Jerusalem synod confirmed that Christians should not been bound anything like this.

It would be strange to me if Paul will be in the opposite camp. So the "traditional view" of his words, that Paul believes that there is no unclean food, makes the only sense to me.
 
Sep 4, 2012
14,424
692
113
Rejecting the Word's of the Word which became Flesh doesn't make one have "strong" Faith. Jesus didn't treat all animals the same, He didn't treat all days the same. Either did Peter or Paul. To say that they did is not true. We can discuss why? Post will say it is because of their man made religious traditions, "they were Jews". But I believe it is because God created differences for our admonition, and then this same God as a Man followed these instructions out of Love and Faithfulness to God..

Since I have no ancient religious traditions to defend that doesn't come directly from the mouth of my Savior, I have no problem letting Him be God. He sanctified this day or that, fine with me. He created some things for food, and other things not for food, that is fine with me as well.

Let each of be convinced in our own mind whose Voice to follow.

Remember, it is rebellion, disrespect, disobedience, pride, stubbornness, These all come from inside our mind and defile us. Not the nakedness, or the food, or the day which comes from without.

This is what Studyman thinks.
I notice that with your desire to be righteous there is usually always a subtle thread of condemnation and guilt running though your posts.
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
I notice that with your desire to be righteous there is usually always a subtle thread of condemnation and guilt running though your posts.
I might say the same thing about your posts. Why not just address what is written and make your case against it if you disagree.
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
Paul explicitly says he is convinced that no food is unclean of itself, and studydude says this means Paul is convinced that certain foods are unclean.

Mmhmmm..
Yes,

Blood didn't make itself unacceptable to eat. Strangled animals didn't create themselves as unsuitable for the New Converts to eat. Fornication didn't make itself a sin. God's Sabbath didn't sanctify itself. The pigs Jesus gave the evil spirits to did not make themselves unclean.

You believe they did?

Mmhmmm.
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
Jesus made all food clean.

Peter had a revelation about it.

Jerusalem synod confirmed that Christians should not been bound anything like this.

It would be strange to me if Paul will be in the opposite camp. So the "traditional view" of his words, that Paul believes that there is no unclean food, makes the only sense to me.
I think the teaching that Jesus changed the creation of God is not a true teaching, at least given what scripture you are referring to.

Matt. 15:
16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.


The preaching that these verses prove that Jesus destroyed all or part of the Law and Prophets is popular in ancient religious traditions, but the scriptures don't say Jesus made all things clean here. He simply says what defiles you is not anything from outside the mind, but rebellions, dishonor, disobedience, disrespect to God, all these come from within.

It isn't the naked woman which defiles you, it's the fleshy desire to look and lust after which comes from within. It's not the unwashed hands, which was not a commandment of God for His people, it's the transgression of God's Commandments by their own religious traditions that defile a man.

Maybe Jesus made all things clean somewhere else, but not here.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
that Jesus changed the creation of God...
that Jesus destroyed...
Why such strong expressions? I just said that Jesus made all food clean. Dietary laws were temporal, symbolic.

...but the scriptures don't say Jesus made all things clean here... Maybe Jesus made all things clean somewhere else, but not here.
I had this place in mind:

"...because it does not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the sewer?" (Thus purifying all foods.)"
Mk 7:19, BLB

ὅτι οὐκ εἰσπορεύεται αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν καρδίαν ἀλλ’ εἰς τὴν κοιλίαν, καὶ εἰς τὸν ἀφεδρῶνα ἐκπορεύεται, καθαρίζων πάντα τὰ βρώματα;
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
The Greek here is quite ambiguous, it depends where we place the question mark etc. It can be translated as:

a) a commentary of the gospel author - "Jesus declared all foods clean"
b) a part of His speech - "goes out into the sewer, thus purifying all foods"

But in every case, there is no basis for saying that some food is unclean.
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
1 Timothy 4:4-5
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Can you show me where the "Word of God" consecrated fornication? He created women. Women are "good". He created the way we reproduce and the desire to do so. Does this mean you can have any women you please as long as we that God for it? Or do we look into the "Word of God" to find what He says?

God created blood as well did He not? Is Blood good? Sure it is. Can I drink blood if I thank God before drinking?

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected
Well there you go Post. Everything God created is good and nothing to be rejected.

Does everything mean everything and does nothing mean nothing and does consecrated mean consecrated?
It seems Everything means everything when it comes to your ancient religious traditions. But "everything" doesn't mean everything when it comes to God's Instructions.

Was the Sabbath not created by God? Was it not consecrated by God?


Or do we change this to say exactly the opposite of what it actually says, too?
How should I receive another man's wife? Is there limits? Or does "Everything mean everything". What is the difference between the God which placed limits on how I treat my brothers wife, and the God which consecrated one day over another, or consecrated this animal for food and another animal for something else. Or created nightshade and other poisonous plants and also created plants that are safe for food.

Does saying "thank you God" for the chance to exercise your lust on your brothers wife make the action lawful? If I say "thank you God" for giving a poison plant to a brother, I am guiltless?

Of course not.

No, I think it is hypocrisy to only preach "Everything means everything" when it justifies man's transgression of God's Commandments, but not when talking about what God has actually consecrated.
 

Studyman

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2017
3,570
516
113
The Greek here is quite ambiguous, it depends where we place the question mark etc. It can be translated as:

a) a commentary of the gospel author - "Jesus declared all foods clean"
b) a part of His speech - "goes out into the sewer, thus purifying all foods"

But in every case, there is no basis for saying that some food is unclean.
But if you believe in the Word which became Flesh, and that it was Him which created clean and unclean animals, that is, Animals which were created for food and animals which were created for something else.

God's Word must have a part in this question. This one ambiguous verse doesn't destroy the entire Law and the Prophets in my opinion.

Peter, the head of Christ's church, must have missed this teaching of yours (Mainstream teaching) for some 14 years. How is it Peter never said after his vision that there is no more clean or unclean? Did he miss the memo? Why did Jesus cast the evil spirits into swine and not sheep?

My argument isn't telling you what to eat, my issue is the twisting of scriptures to mean something they don't.

Matt. 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?