My good friend Pastor Robert Anderson posted a video on Facebook on September 3, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Before the video actually “aired,” there were some individuals posting comments about it. So, I entered the discussion. Pastor Anderson titled his video presentation “Israel is not the Church.”
Comment by WFIII:
The bible disagrees with you. Along with your false lawless doctrine
38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Acts 7:38 KJV
I commented:
WFIII, It may help to read your Bible better. I trust Pastor Robert Anderson will have some helpful things to say. We must always have a teachable spirit and the openness to learn something new or receive correction.
WFIII responded:
Jerome Smith, This man doesn’t have any understanding. He doesn’t keep the commandments of God
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalm 111:10 KJV
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:104-105 KJV
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Proverbs 6:23 KJV
Any person that doesn’t keep the law are void of Light!!
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Isaiah 8:16, 20 KJV
I responded:
WFIII, You have presented much good Scripture. Some of the passages you cite are among my favorite verses. I believe, however, that you have misapplied some of the Bible passages you have quoted. To understand the Bible correctly, we must compare Scripture with Scripture. We must carefully consider the context of each Bible passage we quote. We must carefully follow the rules of Bible interpretation. I have discussed these things at my little “blog” since 2010. I invite you to participate there by making a comment on anything I have posted there. There is more room there for careful discussion than on FB. Visit Real Bible Study dot com. I have posted much there for everyone’s edification.
WFIII responded:
Jerome Smith, We also need to make sure that we’re not twisting Paul’s epistles to teach lawlessness. Paul states time and times again he taught and kept the law. That’s why he took a nazarite vow (Numbers 6) proving he kept and taught the law. People lied on Paul back then. The same way they do today
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
Acts 21:18-24 KJV
I commented in return:
WFIII, Of course, Paul was responding to a specific situation in that given cultural context at that time in history. He was in background a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, who had advanced much further in his Jewish faith than others of his own age. Paul warned us against the Judaizers who attempted to teach that one must “be circumcised after the manner of Moses” or you cannot be saved (see Acts 15:1 and the whole chapter). See also Galatians 4:9-11.
You can readily determine who is teaching correct Bible doctrine by whether the teaching represents the balance of emphasis found in the New Testament. Emphasis upon law-keeping, such as an insistence that one must assemble for Christian worship on the Seventh Day Sabbath.
WFIII responded:
You’re teaching another Jesus and gospel. Anybody teaching against the law is a heretic!!!
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:4, 13-15 KJV
Sunday Christians today are no different than Pharisees. They both teach traditions of men. Sunday Christians observe pagan holidays, eat unclean foods and etc…
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Mark 7:6-9 KJV
I commented:
WFIII, Once again, I kindly would advise you to be very careful who you accuse of teaching false doctrine. Have you visited my Real Bible Study site yet? You will find that I have discussed this particular issue more extensively than you are likely to find anywhere else.
Let my comment just above about how to determine who is teaching false doctrine sink in. Anyone who overemphasizes a Biblical theme by giving it an importance beyond the emphasis it is given in the New Testament is very likely to be teaching false doctrine.
Please furnish me a verse from the New Testament written in the form of a commandment to Christians that requires Christians to observe the Fourth Commandment.
WFIII responded:
Jerome Smith, Right here! This is after the death of Jesus.
55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Luke 23:55-56 KJV
Jesus’s death ushered in the new covenant. You’re without excuse!!!!
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Hebrews 9:16-17 KJV
Pharisees were zealous after traditions of their fathers..
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Galatians 1:13-14 KJV
These are Christians that believe in Jesus and zealous for the law not traditions of men
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
Acts 21:20 KJV
True Saints believe in Jesus and keep the commandments
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12 KJV
I responded:
WFIII, The verse you cite is not a commandment directed to Christians. It is a historical reference to what Jewish believers who followed Jesus did or did not do on His behalf upon His death on the cross.
I look forward to your presentation of a verse from the New Testament that is written in the form of a command to Christians directing Christians to observe the Sabbath Commandment. To qualify, the verse must be in the imperative mood, the mood of command, not the indicative mood, the mood of reality or historical reference.
WFIII responded:
Jerome Smith, The first Christans were Jews.
19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 11:19, 26 KJV
You have all Roman Christianity education. Yet! The book sealed to you. You have zero understanding of the scriptures…smh. YOU’RE DRUNK OFF FALSE DOCTRINE
9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. 10 For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
Isaiah 29:9-11 KJV
I responded to WFIII:
Without question you are correct that the first Christians were Jews. As Jews, they were obedient to the Mosaic Law. Some Gentiles, as “God-fearers,” attended synagogue worship on the Sabbath, obviously because that is the day that Jews met for worship. But none of this establishes that Christians have ever in the New Testament been commanded to observe the Fourth Commandment.
You have yet to furnish me a single verse of command in the New Testament in the imperative mood that directs Christians to worship on the Seventh Day Sabbath in accordance with the Fourth Commandment.
WFIII responded:
Gentiles were given 4 commandments. We know people can’t lie, steal, kill, and etc. Those commandments weren’t mentioned. Verse 21 clearly states Gentiles would learn the rest of the law on the sabbath not Sunday
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
Acts 15:19-21 KJV
This is prove Gentiles and Jews met up in the synagogues on the sabbath not Sunday.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Acts 18:4 KJV
I responded to WFIII:
You are very good at supplying Bible references pertaining to Sabbath observance. But as of yet, not ONE verse in the New Testament have you produced that constitutes a direct statement of command in the imperative mood addressed to Christians commanding them to observe the Seventh Day as their specific day for Christian worship.
Until you DO produce such a verse, it is obvious that the doctrine you are promulgating is not in agreement with the doctrine carefully proclaimed in the New Testament.
WFIII responded to me:
You’re a [wolf] in [sheep’s] clothing. I see right through you. You couldn’t refute any of those passages..smh
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:15 KJV
You’re teaching against the commandments. Even if you believe the sabbath is a least commandment. You won’t get into the kingdom. You’re a modern day Pharisee teaching traditions of men
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19-20 KJV
Since you’re teaching lawlessness, condemnation awaits you. I’ve already proven using Luke 23: 56 the sabbath is a commandment in the new covenant
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
James 3:1 KJV
I responded to WFIII comment (now missing!) about the Council of Laodicea:
I am not appealing to the Council of Laodicea which took place long after the New Testament was completed.
I have asked you to do a very simple thing: Produce even a single verse stated as a command in the imperative mood in the New Testament that directs all Christian believers to worship on the Seventh Day Sabbath in accordance with the Fourth Commandment.
If this issue is as important as you seem to think, then there surely ought to be at least one verse in the New Testament that says so.
I believe that it is extremely important that we are strictly Biblical in our formulation of Bible and Christian doctrine.
As you have so far not produced the requisite text from the New Testament that commands all Christians to strictly observe the Seventh Day Sabbath Commandment, I must conclude that it is you, not me, who has been promulgating false doctrine.
WFIII responded:
You’ve been warned! REPENT!! Before its too late. My job here is finished!!!!
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matthew 7:6 KJV
In response, I commented to WFIII:
If that is the best you can do in answer to my simple and straightforward challenge, your position is sadly lacking in terms of Biblical warrant.
Your repeated use of ad hominem remarks is very telling.
I trust you will continue to study your Bible so that you may become better grounded in its truth.
WFIII’s (concluding) reply to me:
Truth is when a believer in Christ keeps the law. Unlike you!!
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. 150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Psalm 119:142, 150 KJV
The bible calls you a liar because you’re lawless. Take it up with God not me. You have a reprobate mind. Read Romans 1…
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 John 2:3-4 KJV
My Comment:
That is where our discussion ended.
There is another question which may be asked: Can you find one instance of specifically Christian worship (involving taking the Lord’s Supper) on the Seventh Day Sabbath recorded in the New Testament?
Yet another question may be asked: If keeping the Seventh Day Sabbath is so very crucially important, can you find any statement of warning that this is the case within the New Testament?
I have been reading and studying the Bible for a good long time, and I have not found any such statements in the New Testament. But I am still reading, and always willing to learn something new.
Perhaps some reader here can help me out on these for me as yet unanswered questions.
I believe that it is important that we focus our attention and emphasize the truths that the New Testament does and with the same balance of attention and emphasis. It appears to me that the New Testament is strikingly silent on this matter of requiring Christian believers to observe the Fourth Commandment regarding the Seventh Day Sabbath.