





Blind Faith vs. True Faith
New Testament Pauls Letters Denominations and Disciplines Context Acts
Please help me reconcile “We are not under the law of Moses,” with the discrepancies that I see in Acts and Paul’s letters:
The writers of the Old Testament never speak against the law and they ONLY speak positively about the law. Paul confirms this: He has never offended anything against the law of the Jews (Act 25:8); he believes all things in the Law and prophets (Acts 24:12-14); I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers (Acts 28:17); we establish the law (Romans 3:31); the law is Holy Just and Good (Romans 7:12); He delights in the Law of God (Romans 7:22); in the law, blameless (Philippians 3:5-6.) How can Paul mean “We are not under the Law of Moses”?
It was said that Jesus “would change the customs handed down to us from Moses” (Acts 6:14) If Paul meant: “We are not under the law of Moses.” (Romans 6:15) Both of these statements lead to not keeping the Law. Why aren't these statements equivalent?
There were many thousands of Jews that believed and were zealous of the law. (Act 21:20) James and the Jerusalem Counsel told Paul to pay for himself and four others to complete the Nazarite vow (Acts 21:23-24), which involved animal sacrifice. (Numbers 6:2-21) If Paul meant “We are not under the Law of Moses.” Then at best, aren't Paul, James and the counsel hypocrites? Or at worst aren't they hypocrites and orchestrating a massive deception for the benefit of the believing - zealous for the law Jews in Acts 21:20? Either way this is a big problem.
If Paul meant “We are not under the Law of Moses.” Then why does Paul’s testimony to the crowd, the High Priest, Felix, Festus, King Agrippa and the Jewish leaders in Rome say: “taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers” (Act 22:3); “believing all things in the Law and prophets” (Acts 24:12-14); “Neither against the law of the Jews… have I offended anything at all. (Act 25:8); “saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:” (Act 26:22); “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?..."(Act 26:27 ); “though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers..” (Act 28:17); “persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets…” (Act 28:23) These don’t appear to be statements of someone that believes: “We are not under the Law of Moses.”
It appears that the presupposition “We are not under the Law of Moses.” Has forced these inconsistencies to be ignored. “Blind faith” is not “true faith” when it overlooks these types of inconsistencies and discrepancies. That’s willful blindness.
To me there are only two conclusions that can be reached:
- Paul was a liar and a hypocrite to teach “We are not under the Law of Moses” then lie about it and deceive others that he wasn't against the Law of Moses.
- Paul didn't mean “We are not under the Law of Moses” Perhaps some other law? the "commandments of men" perhaps?
Mat_15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mar_7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Col 2:21-22 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Titus 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Clint
The issues that I stated above with Acts and Paul's writings cannot be reconciled by the “We are not under the Law of Moses” interpretation. Can this doctrine be considered true with all these discrepancies? If you choose to be honest with yourself there is no other choice than to discard the "“We are not under the Law of Moses” doctrine.
That led me to look at what was being followed and what CAN reconcile Acts, Paul's Writings, the Entire New Testament, and the Old Testament. For Christians to keep the law of Moses, without man made additions and receiving "grace" when we stumble does this. Doing what I had done all my life not matter how comfortable it was didn't matter.
As far as me "choosing" what to follow: