[A.W. Bowman]

Part 9

A COMMONTAIRY

Over the past several weeks we have been looking at the ‘universal’ instructions Jesus gave His disciples. There are a bunch of them! I also included one or two instructions that He gave that were not universal, but specific to either particular to individuals or situations. These were included for additional study.

First, there is nothing in the New Covenant writings that was not first brought up under the Old Covenant writings. No, nothing new! Be it grace, circumcision of the heart, or baptisms, the identity of the “son of God”, etc. In the New Testament we have over seven hundred quotes from the Old. That alone should gives us all pause to stop and reflect on the importance of the Old Covent writings to our understanding of the New Covenant scriptures. Yet, there is more.

It is written that the Old Covent writings were given to us as a ‘school master’, to lead us to Jesus Christ, even to the O.T. hearers/readers. They were also identified as “types and shadows”, which would be fully expressed in the coming Messiah. Something to consider: In order to have a type of anything, or its shadow, there must first be an original somewhere. What and where was the original? Then there is the question of authorship of the scriptures. If the ‘living word of God’ was also the full deity of God manifested (expressed) in the flesh, frequently misidentified as the nonexistent Godhead (1), who was the source of the patriarchs and prophets inspiration, from where did they receive their instructions/revelations? Right, they received their instructions from the deity what indwelled the man, Jesus, the anointed one of God (the Messiah). Remember, Jesus had the Holy Spirit poured out upon Him without measure.

So, what does all of this Old Testament – New Testament stuff have to do with this series on the instructions (commandments) that Jesus gave to His disciples? These were not some holy sounding suggestions given by man, but rather instructions, teachings, and commandments given by God Himself! Therefore, what did every Apostle teach? Well, since there is no record either in the Bible or in secular history concerning any Apostle going astray (except Judas Iscariot of course), even when they were facing death for their teaching (faith expressed and shared), then we can safely assume that each and every one of them taught exactly what Jesus taught them, just as any good disciple (student, Talmid) of a teaching master (Rabbi) would have done. We have neglected the teachings of the Apostles by neglecting the teaching of Jesus. How do I know this? Simply because most of us, including me, do not know, understand, nor practice all His teachings or follow His commands (2). How can I be so sure? I have been in many churches representing almost every major Christian denomination that did not teach much of everything that Jesus taught! Actually, in some of those churches the minister even repudiated some of Jesus’ words!

What we are doing here is to bring back to light the neglected instructions that God gave to mankind so that we might live a life pleasing to God. Not to be hearers of the word only – but also to be doers of the word.

Going through this study I have been driven to my knees in repentance simply because I did not know all of these instructions that I am listing in this series. Among those that I did know, many I did not fully understand, and what I did understand I often failed to obey. Now, consider the consequences of the failure to know, understand, and obey God’s instructions (commandments). Consider also the judgment reserved for those who teach error (incomplete, misleading, or even outright false doctrine, or who omits some of God’s instructions for righteous living) to a congregation. What price shall we be called upon to pay for our failures?

Whatever happened to allowing members of the congregation to share and discuss what God has given them concerning Himself and His word? To take personal responsibility for their own salvation? Who ordained any of us to be “the final spiritual authority and resident expert and all things biblical when there may be others sitting in the pews who know more and/or better understand what God is teaching us? Whatever happened to “I don’t know”? My answer is, “I don’t know.”

So, where do we go from here?

Perhaps one place would be repentance, confessing our sin before God and our congregations. To hit the Book once again, leaving behind our religious indoctrinations, church dogma, personal doctrines and allowing God to open up the scriptures to our understanding. To test what we think we know and understand against both The Word and other Disciples of Christ.

Perhaps that is why I am more known for the questions that I ask, than I am for the answers of give. I freely admit that I am frightened for myself, as well as for the souls that I have mislead or acted more as a road block to their salvation, rather than pointing them past me and on to Jesus Christ. May God forgive me. Meanwhile, I try to drive, push, pull and encourage folks to get into the word for themselves, and not to take my words too seriously – unless and until they have been proven to be correct – even this commentary.

Shalom Aleichem,
Peace be Unto you