Hebrews 7:11,12,15-19,27,28: “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood …….. 12 FOR WHEN THE PRIESTHOOD IS CHANGED, THE LAW MUST BE CHANGED ALSO ……… 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest NOT ON THE BASIS OF A REGULATION AS TO HIS ANCESTRY but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’ 18 THE FORMER REGULATION IS SET ASIDE because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God …….. 27 Unlike the other high priests he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day …….. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” — Today’s New International Version
11 Now if perfection [a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper] had been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were given the Law) what further need was there for another and different kind of priest to arise, one in the manner of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed to the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is of necessity a change of the law [concerning the priesthood] as well ……15 And this becomes even more evident if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a [a]physical and legal requirement in the Law [concerning his ancestry as a descendant of Levi], but on the basis of the power of an indestructible and endless life. 17 For it is attested [by God] of Him, ‘You (Christ) are a Priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.’ 18 For, on the one hand, a former commandment is cancelled because of its weakness and uselessness [because of its inability to justify the sinner before God] 19 (for the Law never made anything perfect); while on the other hand a better hope is introduced through which we now continually draw near to God …… 27 who has no day by day need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices, first of all for his own [personal] sins and then for those of the people, because He [met all the requirements and] did this once for all when He offered up Himself [as a willing sacrifice]. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak [frail, sinful, dying men], but the word of the oath [of God], which came after [the institution of] the Law, permanently appoints [as priest] a Son [b]who has been made perfect forever. (The Amplified Bible)
ANALYSIS: The subject here in verse 18 is the annulling of ONLY ONE specific law concerning the physical, Aaronic priesthood and priesthood only, NOT ALL of the Mosaic laws. Verse 19: “(for the law made nothing perfect).” Which law made nothing perfect? Verse 11 pinpoints the exact law that made nothing perfect: the Levitical priesthood law. Many reputable translations explain in a more understandable way the transition (and abolishment or annulling) of the old Mosaic, Aaronic priesthood to the new priesthood led by Jesus Christ. Also, since when does one equal many? I thought one always equals one, not many dozens of laws. The above words “former regulation” in verse 18 contain no “s” in the word “regulation,” so it is far more likely only one specific law is being referred to here, not a large number of laws. Also, according to the original, literal Greek Hebrews 7:16 reads: “Who has become not according to law of CARNAL COMMANDMENT but according to power of indestructible life.” The Greek definition of “carnal” refers specifically to only one fleshly law such as ancestry or biological lineage, not something abstract, conceptual, or non physical like taking the name of the Lord in vain, coveting, working on Saturdays, or wrongfully convicting a parent for the sins of his son, and so on which are parts of the general law. By reading the following 12 additional translations you can see that the emphasis is on ONLY a genealogical qualification or ONLY the law requiring an ancestral line of priests to serve that was nullified, not the entire law of Moses.
Hebrews 7:16-18:
“He has become a priest by the power of a life that can’t be destroyed, rather than A LEGAL REQUIREMENT ABOUT PHYSICAL DESCENT. 17 This is confirmed: ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’ 18 On the one hand, AN earlier command is set aside because it was weak and useless.” Common English Bible
16 who became a priest, not on the basis of A LEGAL REQUIREMENT ABOUT PHYSICAL DESCENT, but on the basis of the power of an endless life. 17 For it has been testified in Scripture about him: ‘You are a priest forever, like Melchizedek.’ 18 To be sure, the former requirement is annulled, because it was weak and useless—” Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)
The Expanded Bible says basically that Jesus did not become a priest by a MAN MADE LAW ABOUT PHYSICAL ANCESTRY because that law was abolished since it was ineffective. He became a priest by the power of his indestructable life. Man made human rules and laws, of course, do not refer to Biblically recorded Old Testament laws, which are divine, created by God.
“who was appointed to be a priest, not on the basis of a REGULATION CONCERNING HIS ANCESTRY, but rather on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared about Him, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’ 18 Indeed, the CANCELLATION OF THE FORMER REGULATION has occurred because it was weak and ineffective.” International Standard Version
“Who has been constituted a Priest, not on the basis of a BODILY LEGAL REQUIREMENT [an externally imposed command concerning HIS PHYSICAL ANCESTRY], but on the basis of the power of an endless and indestructible Life. 17 For it is witnessed of Him, You are a Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek. 18 So A PREVIOUS PHYSICAL REGULATION AND COMMAND IS CANCELLED because of its weakness and ineffectiveness and uselessness–” The Amplified Bible
“who doesn’t become a [priest] based on A LEGAL COMMAND CONCERNING PHYSICAL DESCENT but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it has been testified: You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. 18 So the previous commandment is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable.” Holman Christian Standard Bible
“who has become a priest, not on the basis of A LEGAL REQUIREMENT, CONCERNING BODILY DESCENT, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of Him, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’ 18 On the one hand, A FORMER COMMANDMENT is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness.” Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
” who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, ‘Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchiz?edek.’ 18 On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness.” Revised Standard Version, still editing
“one who has become a priest, not through A LEGAL REQUIREMENT CONCERNING PHYSICAL DESCENT, but through the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’ 18 There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of AN EARLIER COMMANDMENT because it was weak and ineffectual.” The New Revised Standard Version
“who has been made, not after the LAW OF A FLESHLY MITZVAH, but after the power of an endless life: 17 for it is testified, ‘You are a Kohen forever, According to the order of Malki-Tzedek.’ 18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing mitzvah because of its weakness and uselessness.” Hebrew Names Version of World English Bible (Mitzvah refers technically not to all the Mosaic laws, but to only one, single law.)
The New Living Translation also says basically that Jesus did not become a priest by the OLD REQUIREMENT OF BEING FROM THE TRIBE OF LEVI, which was set aside, because of its weakness and uselessness. He became a priest by the power of a life that will never die.
“who becomes, not after the TORAH OF A FLESHLY MISVAH, but after the dynamis of an endless life. 17 For he witnesses, You are a priest to the eons after the order of Malki-Sedeq. 18 For indeed there becomes a putting away of the preceding misvah because of its frailty and unbeneficialness thereof.” (A misvah is about the same as a mitzvah which basically means one, single law or commandment, not the entire set of OT laws.) exeGeses Companion Bible
“16 for he is appointed not for possessing any LEGAL PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS, but by virtue of a life that cannot end.” Goodspeed New Testament
“16 who is appointed NOT ON THE BASIS OF A PHYSICAL QUALIFICATION but on the basis of a power flowing from a life that cannot end …….. 18 …….. the RESCINDING OF A PREVIOUS REGULATION TAKES PLACE …….” Williams New Testament
The ultra literal Greek to English translation A Conservative Version Interlinear translates Hebrews 7:15,16,18 as follows:
“and it is still far more evident according to tha likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest 16 who has become NOT ACCORDING TO LAW OF CARNAL COMMANDMENT but according to power of indestructible life 18 for indeed there becomes annulment of preceding COMMANDMENT because of the weak and useless of it”
The original Greek for COMMANDMENT in verses 16 and 18 is entole, Strong’s 1785. In this interlinear translation, the ACVI, there is no “s” in the translated COMMANDMENT word. Therefore, again, ONLY ONE COMMANDMENT OR LAW was annulled in these verses, not many Old Testament laws. Also, one of the definitions of the Greek word entole, translated as COMMANDMENT in this translation, according to Thayer, is “A PRECEPT RELATING TO LINEAGE, OF THE MOSAIC PRECEPT CONCERNING THE PRIESTHOOD.”
Mainstream Christians seem to think nothing of incorrectly assuming that the New Testament is self contradictory concerning law keeping. If the Bible really is self contradictory, then some people, logically, might say that you might as well throw the New Testament away. The Bible, though, IS NOT self contradictory about law keeping. The pro-law keeping verses really do outnumber the (seemingly) anti-law keeping verses by 280+ to zero. The seemingly anti-law verses, excluding the ones about the now abolished sacrifice, circumcision, Levitical priesthood, and eternal death penalty laws which the Apostles clearly identified as now annulled, are not really true anti-law verses when closely analyzed. Therefore, to blindly assume that a Hebrews verse above, without closely analyzing it, proves that many Old Testament laws have been abolished is a huge mistake, and that false assumption also makes the Bible self contradictory, potentially destroying the credibility of the entire New Testament.
IF YOU WANT TO GET THE SALVATION REQUIRED HOLY SPIRIT, ACTS 2:38 STRICTLY DEMANDS, DESPITE WHAT YOUR IMPRESSIVE LOCAL MINISTER MIGHT SAY, THAT YOU OBEY THE LAW, WHICH MEANS ALSO OBEYING COMPLETELY ALL THE DIETARY AND FESTIVAL LAWS BECAUSE THOSE LAWS NEVER WERE NAMED BY THE APOSTLES AS ABOLISHED LAWS.
ACTS 2:38: “Peter replied, ‘All of you MUST TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SINS and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.”
(New International Reader’s Version) The Greek for “SINS” refers to anomia, defined as breaking mostly OT laws. “Turn away from your sins” means EXACTLY the same as STOP BREAKING BIBLICAL LAWS. The ONLY way to show evidence of sincere repentance for sinning is to stop breaking Biblical laws, by OBEYING Biblical laws.
Therefore a Christian will never, ever receive the Holy Spirit UNTIL HE STARTS OBEYING THE LAW!!
For those who mistakenly believe that all the OT laws have been abolished, why does Acts 2:38 require us to stop breaking OT laws if those laws have been abolished? Obvious conclusion: Many of those laws never were abolished!!
Now you can easily see why it is so patently absurd to interpret these Hebrews verses as saying that all or many of the Old Testament laws have been changed or abolished. Only one law was abolished, just one, which was the continuance of the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood. Old Testament laws certainly cannot be described as useless, weak, ineffective, unprofitable, or frail. Those laws literally save lives, preserve health, allow prosperity, and show reverence and obedience to our Creator. Many New Testament verses describe the “law,” which includes the Mosaic laws, as good, profitable, holy, just, and worthy of being upheld and established. The law referred to in verse 19 that made nothing perfect only refers to the law requiring the Levitical priesthood to teach righteousness, described specifically in verse 11 as a failure in perfection. Verse 28 further identifies what is weak: the Levitical high priests. The better hope brought in or introduced by Jesus involves the addition (not the abolition of anything except the Levitical priesthood law) of the gift of the Holy Spirit (not available in the Old Covenant), the gift of eventual immortality (also not available in the Old Covenant), and the gift of complete forgiveness of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus. Also, if the above Hebrew verses mean that all Old Testament laws have been done away with, we can now break laws of basic decency that even most pagan societies do not break, laws not specifically listed in the New Testament, such as the laws forbidding bestiality, bribery, membership in vandalizing mobs, removing property landmarks, convicting a son for a crime his father committed, and incest which of course is a ridiculous supposition.
Please also read the lower half of http://www.ucg.org/booklet/new-covenant-does-it-abolish-gods-law/high-priest-essential-salvation/. For further insight go to http://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/covenants/the-new-covenant/.
Remember,
Romans 2:13: “For not the hearers of the LAW are just in the sight of God, but the DOERS of the LAW will be justified.”
Romans 6:1,2: “…… Shall we continue in SIN that grace may abound? 2 CERTAINLY NOT! How shall we …… live any longer in it?”
Romans 3:31: “Are we abolishing Moses’ Teachings by this faith? THAT’S UNTHINKABLE! Rather, we are SUPPORTING Moses’ teachings.” (God’s Word Translation)
Yes, the death of Jesus did wipe away and atone for our sins (violations of the law), BUT IT WAS GENERALLY ONLY FOR OUR PAST, REPEAT, PAST SINS, NOT DELIBERATE, SUSTAINED, UNCONFESSED SINS AFTER REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM!!
ROMANS 3:24,25: “…… GRACE, through …… Jesus: …… 25 in His pity God let the SINS OF EARLIER TIMES GO UNPUNISHED.” (Bible in Basic English) That is why we need to keep on obeying the law after our baptism. New, post baptismal sins, though, when confessed and sincerely repented of, can also be forgiven (1 John 1:9, 2:1,2). Abandoning one’s conversion and baptism, however, or deliberately and consistently sinning may ultimately be judged as unforgiveable according to Hebrews 6:4-6, and 10:26-27.
Remember, only 7 verses in the entire Bible say literally that Christians are no longer under the law, but every single one of those 7 verses focuses only on a very narrow range of laws, which are the sacrifice, circumcision, Levitical priesthood, or eternal death penalty laws. The topic is never the general law, so that means the safe meat, mostly prophetic festivals, and tithing laws are still in full force despite what the popular, verse skipping, mainstream churches fanatically preach. Please read the page ROMANS 6:15: “…… SHALL WE SIN BECAUSE WE ARE NOT UNDER LAW BUT UNDER GRACE? GOD FORBID! ……
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