RetiredGySgt
Diamond Member
But you see, I don't necessarily agree wtih your interpretation of those passages. I am of the school that you take the whole of the writings and the whole of the context to come up with whatever message the ancient scriptures have for us today. In my faith, Jesus paid the price and I don't have to, in fact am unable to do anything to deserve that. His sacrifice fulfilled all the requirements of the Law. All we have to do is accept that gift. Plucking this verse or that verse out of context and holding it up as a mandatory rule suggests that Jesus's death and resurrection wasn't sufficient and we are still required to earn our salvation by keeping the Law.
What is to interpret? He said one must follow those 4 commandments. There is no ambiguity to the passages.
People that chose to ignore the bible amaze me when they then defend that choice by claiming they just don't have to.
In my opinion, it doesn't take too much looking for find verses who contradict your interpretation of those 'four commandments'. That's the whole problem with such proof texting. You can pretty much prove or disprove anything you want by taking it out of the whole context.
My belief is based on other teachings of Peter and Paul and others elsewhere in the New Testament, where they explained that such scriptures were not a matter of 'law' but a matter of expediency. They were not to offend their hosts, be they Jew or Pagan, when they were doing ministry. They were not required to follow the law but neither should they encourage sin by those who believed they were required to follow the law.
No biggie though. If you are convinced you have to obey those four commandments, I am not going to tell you that your belief is wrong for you.
Ok, FIND some passages by Jesus that contradict his DIRECT commandment to follow those 4. You made the claim, back it up.
This is the problem, next you will be telling us that baptism is optional and that believing Jesus is the son of God is just a suggestion.