01.27 Judaism And Christianity
XXVII. Judaism and Christianity
We must make a sharp contrast between "JUDAISM" and "CHRISTIANITY" or there will be confusion in our Scriptural Thinking. There is an overlapping between them, and the debatable ground is in that V "Transition Period" between "Pentecost," A. D. 30, and the "Destruction of Jerusalem," A. D. 70, when the "JEWISH AGE" really ended in the "Dispersion" of the Jews. See the Chart, page 294. Hebrews 9:26, we read-
"For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world; but now once in the ’END OF THE WORLD’ (AGE) hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." The "Age," in the "END" of which Jesus came to put away sin, was the "JEWISH AGE." Jesus did not live in this "Christian Age." He was crucified, dead, buried and ascended before it began. It began with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the "Day of Pentecost." Jesus said-"Think not that I am come to destroy the ’Law,’ or the ’Prophets;’ I am not come to destroy, but to FULFIL." Matthew 5:17. The "Law" that Jesus came to fulfil was not the "Moral Law" (the Ten Commandments), though He kept that in every particular, but the "Ceremonial Law." The "Ceremonial Law" typified what the Messiah was to do, or fulfil, when He came. He was to be the "Passover Lamb." As such He was offered up at the "Passover Season." In Him the "Sin Offering" was fulfilled. As the Goat of the "Sin Offering" He shed His blood at the Altar of the Cross, and as the "Scape Goat" He carried His own blood away, not into the Wilderness, but into the Holy Place of the Heavenly Tabernacle. Hebrews 9:11-12. In His conversation with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, on the afternoon of the day He arose, He said-"O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His Glory? And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things CONCERNING HIMSELF." Luke 24:25-27. The same evening in the city of Jerusalem Jesus appeared to the "Eleven" and them that were with them, and said-"These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be FULFILLED, which were written in the ’Law of Moses,’ and in the ’Prophets,’ and in the ’Psalms,’ CONCERNING ME." Luke 24:44. So we see that "Christ is the ’END OF THE LAW for Righteousness to every one that believeth." Romans 10:4. That is, He fulfilled the Law, and we as Believers are no longer under Law but under GRACE. But while we are no longer under the "Ceremonial Law," that being fulfilled in Christ, we are under the "Moral Law," the "Ten Commandments," for while they are distinctly Jewish, yet their observance is required of every Christian Believer as laid down by the Apostles in their Epistles, with one exception, and that the observance of the Sabbath, or the Seventh Day of the Week. That is not obligatory upon the Christian. He is supposed to observe the First Day of the Week.10-11 The Ten Commandments as reproduced in the New Testament are as follows: (1). One God. 1 Timothy 2:5. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. (2). Idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:7; 1 Corinthians 10:14. 1 John 5:21. (3). Profanity. Colossians 3:8. Matthew 6:9. (4). Sabbath. They are warned against keeping it. Galatians 4:10-11. Colossians 2:16-17. (5). Honor Parents. Ephesians 6:2. (6). Murder. 1 John 3:14-15. (7). Adultery. Ephesians 5:3-5. Galatians 5:19. (8). Stealing. Ephesians 4:28. (9). False Witness. Ephesians 4:25. 1 Corinthians 13:5. (10). Covetousness. Ephesians 5:3. In the "Transition Period" from Egypt to Canaan of the Children of Israel, the Lord employed "Signs" (Miracles) to authenticate the Divine Mission of Moses. Exodus 4:1-9. The same method was employed in the "Transition Period" between "Judaism" and "Christianity" to authenticate the Messiahship of Jesus, and the Divine Mission of the Apostles. The length of the "Period" in both instances was the same, about 40 years. It was foretold of the "Messiah" that when He should come-"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." Isaiah 35:5-6. When John the Baptist, shut up in prison, had his doubts as to the Messiahship of Jesus, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask him-’"Art Thou He that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus seemingly did not directly answer John’s question, but after performing a number of miracles said to John’s disciples-"Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them." Matthew 11:1-5. Now the above reference from Isaiah, as the context shows, has reference to the Millennium, and therefore is a "Kingdom Sign," and as the Jews expected the Messiah when He came to set up the "Millennial Kingdom," the "Miracles of Healing" of Jesus were "Kingdom Signs" to prove His Messiahship. In what is spoken of as "The Great Commission," we read-"Go ye into all the. world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these ’SIGNS’ shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils (demons); they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:15-18. While it is true that verses 9-20 of this chapter are not found in the two oldest Greek manuscripts, and that their authenticity is questioned, nevertheless the signs here promised, with the exception of "drinking deadly things," followed the preaching of the Gospel by the Apostles. It must not be overlooked that the command to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, was given to the "Eleven Apostles" and not’ the followers of Jesus in general. The difference between Matthew’s account (Matthew 28:16-20), and Mark’s account (Mark 16:14-18) is striking. In Matthew’s account no "Signs" are promised and it was to continue until the "end of the world," or this present "Age." While in Mark’s account the promise seems limited to the days of the Apostles. Be sure it says- "And these ’Signs’ shall follow them that believe," but that may mean only those who believed the Apostles, for such did "speak with tongues." Acts 10:46; Acts 19:6. As further evidence of the "time limit" of the promise we have the words of verse 20, "And they (the Eleven Apostles) went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with SIGNS FOLLOWING." To the "Eleven Apostles" we must add Paul who was chosen of the Lord to take Judas’ place. Acts 9:15-19. Romans 1:1. 1 Timothy 2:7. That these "Signs" were "Apostolic Signs," and were to confirm the claims of the Apostles, was the teaching of Paul. "Truly the ’SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE’ were wrought among you in all patience, in ’SIGNS,’ and ’WONDERS,’ and ’MIGHTY DEEDS.’ " 2 Corinthians 12:12. These "Signs" were to convince the Gentiles (Romans 15:16-19), and to confirm the "Great Salvation" promised through the Gospel (Hebrews 2:3-4), and when their purpose was fulfilled they ceased. The reason they ceased was because they were no longer needed to confirm the Gospel or authenticate the mission of the preacher of the Word. While it is true that some of these "Signs" have attended the preaching of God’s messengers where it was necessary to confirm their Divine authority, the fact that they have not generally attended the preaching of the Word since the days of the Apostles is an implication that they are not to be expected or looked for in these days. We do not need them to confirm the Scriptures. We have nearly nineteen centuries of Church History as evidence to the Divine origin of Christianity. We must not forget that in that "Transition Period" between "Judaism" and "Christianity" the Christian Church was largely Jewish, and it was hard for many to break away from the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish religion, but gradually they were weaned away until "Signs" were no longer necessary. We must not forget that there was no New Testament for the Apostles to appeal to in the first half of that "Transition Period." Therefore "Signs" and "Wonders" were necessary. The first New Testament book to be written was 1 Thessalonians, A. D. 52. The first Gospel was that of Mark, written between A. D. 57-63. The Acts was written about A. D. 65. Most of the New Testament was written between A. D. 60-70. All was written, except the writings of the Apostle John, before the Destruction of Jerusalem in A. D. 70. With the death of the Apostles and New Testament Prophets, the Apostolic and Prophetic Office ceased. Since then the Church of Christ has had no new revelation. Signs are not needed in these days because we have the more sure "Word of Prophecy." As still further evidence that the "Signs," particularly that of healing, ceased before the close of that "Transition Period," we have the treatment of Paul of his fellow workers. In writing to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23) he advised him to-"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities." And of Trophimus he wrote-"But Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick." 2 Timothy 4:20. If "Divine Healing" was more than a "Sign," if it was part of the Gospel, and was conferred on the Believer because Christ’s death on the Cross included physical healing along with the salvation of the soul, then why did the Apostle Paul advise Timothy as he did, and leave Trophimus at Miletum sick? The writer is a firm believer in "Divine Healing," and that the "Prayer of Faith" will heal the sick. He has had too much evidence in his own family and congregation to that effect. But he does not believe that it is a lack of saving faith to be sick. Some go so far as to say that if a Christian has not faith to be healed, he has not the faith that saves. God does heal, and in many cases instantly, in answer to the "PRAYER OF FAITH." James 5:14-15. But that "Faith" must be implanted by God Himself. All "Divine Healing" is of "God’s Sovereign Will." If prayer alone could heal there would be none of us sick. The fact that the majority of God’s saints have not had their bodily infirmities removed in answer to prayer, implies that healing of the body is not a part of the atoning work of Christ, else they would have been healed the moment they took Christ as their Saviour. If the pulpit would teach the Scriptural method of Divine Healing, professing Christian people would not resort to the Satanic devised Healing Cults of the day for healing.
SPEAKING WITH TONGUES
Another "Sign" of the "Transition Period" between "Judaism" and "Christianity" was "Speaking With Tongues." In the last hundred years there has been an attempt to revive this Apostolic "Sign." In discussing this "Sign" it is necessary to know why it was given. John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the one who would "Baptize His Disciples with the HOLY GHOST and FIRE." Matthew 3:11. And Jesus just before His Ascension commanded His Disciples to not depart from Jerusalem until they received the promised "Gift" of the Father of the "Baptism of the Holy Ghost." Acts 1:4-5. This "Baptism" was for a twofold purpose. First to endue them with POWER (Luke 24:49), and secondly to incorporate them into the "BODY OF CHRIST"-the CHURCH. The "Church" did not exist until Pentecost. There could be no "Body" until there was a HEAD, and there was no HEAD until Jesus had died, risen, and ascended to the Father. In Ephesians 1:22-23, we read-"And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him (Jesus) to be the ’HEAD’ over all things to the ’Church,’ which is His BODY." The Church came into existence by the union of all "Believers" at that time into ONE BODY. This union was brought about by the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" on the "Day of Pentecost." It is referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:13, R. V. "For in one SPIRIT (Holy Spirit) were we all baptized into ONE BODY, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit." This does not refer to "Water" baptism, but to SPIRIT baptism. The "Upper Room" being the "BAPTISTRY" in which the disciples of Jesus were immersed in the Holy Spirit. The "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" was not for the purpose of regenerating the disciples of Jesus, they had already been regenerated. Jesus had said to them in the "Upper Room"-"Now ye are clean THROUGH THE WORD which I have spoken unto you." John 15:3. What does that mean? Let Peter answer-"Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the ’WORD OF GOD.’ " 1 Peter 1:23. The disciples then had been "Born Again," yet they needed to be "Baptized with the Holy Spirit" for POWER. From this we see that the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" is something separate and distinct from being "Born of the Holy Spirit." There can be no question but that Jesus was regenerated from His birth, and yet He needed the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" before He could enter upon His public ministry. This He received at the Jordan when the Holy Spirit as a "Dove" descended on Him. John 1:32-33. The Holy Spirit took the form of a "Dove" when He baptized Jesus, the "Dove" being an emblem of purity, but when He baptized the disciples at Pentecost He took the form of "FIRE"-the emblem of purification. In regeneration the Holy Spirit imparts LIFE. In Holy Spirit Baptism He imparts POWER. These two may be simultaneously imparted, or there may be a "time space" between them, due to a lack of complete consecration, or a lack of scriptural knowledge. The "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" on the Day of Pentecost was preceded by a "sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind." There was no wind, only a sound of wind, and it was the sound, not a wind, that filled the house where they were sitting. There also appeared unto them "Cloven Tongues" like as of fire, it does not say it was literal fire, but the "Flaming Tongues" typified the purifying effect of literal fire, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The result of this Baptism of the Holy Spirit was that all who were in the house began to speak with "other tongues" as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. There was no confusion of Tongues, as at Babel, of which Pentecost was the reversal, but each one praised God in a foreign language. It was this fact, that was noised abroad, that caused outsiders to assemble, and they were amazed and marvelled at each man hearing in his mother tongue. The "Gift of Tongues" was given, not to evidence to the disciples that they had received the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit," they knew that from the power of the Holy Spirit in them, but it was given as a "Sign" to the assembled multitude.
Why was the "Gift of Tongues" given on the "Day of Pentecost?" Because it was a "Feast Day," and there were gathered in Jerusalem Jews from all parts of the world. Acts 2:8-11. Some probably had remained over from the Passover, and during those 50 days many startling and wonderful things had occurred at Jerusalem. Jesus had been crucified and buried, and it was reported that He had risen from the dead, and had appeared at different times to His Disciples, and that they were expecting some special "Gift" from Heaven. Opinion was divided as to the truthfulness of all these tales. Tomorrow, the Feast of Pentecost being over, these Jews were going to depart for their distant homes, and would carry with them the strange tales they had heard. It was necessary that they should know exactly what all these things meant. The report that the disciples of Jesus had been given the power to "Speak with Tongues" spread like "Wild-fire," and soon the street in front of the house where they were stopping was filled with a crowd of Jews of all nationalities anxious to hear in their own tongue what had happened. Notice that no Tongue was an UNKNOWN Tongue. They each heard in their OWN TONGUE, the Tongue of the nation in which they had been born. The "Sign" of the "Gift of Tongues" was very appropriate. Every Jew would understand it. Like "Healing" it was a "Kingdom Sign." It furnished Peter with a "Text" for his sermon. His text was-"This is THAT." This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel, that it shall come to pass in the "Last Days," saith God, "I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh," etc. Joel 2:28-32. While Peter said "This is that," he did not say this is the fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel, for what happened that day was only a partial fulfilment, for there were no wonders in the heavens and on the earth, such as blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke, with the sun turned into darkness, and the moon into blood. The complete fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel awaits the future. The prophecy of Joel has nothing to do with the Church. It relates to Israel. It belongs to the "Day of the Lord," which is the Millennium. Joel 1:15. A careful reading of the context shows that the "Gift of Tongues" is not to be given until after the Jews have been gathered back to their own land and been converted, then the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon them and they shall prophesy, etc. Again the prophecy shall not be fulfilled until after the "Latter Rain" has been restored to Palestine, which "Latter Rain" is not Spiritual but literal, as the context shows. Palestine today is suffering for water. It is a curse that came upon it because the Children of Israel turned aside to worship other gods. Deuteronomy 11:13-17. The "Former" and "Latter Rain" are to be restored (Joel 2:23-27), and the land of Palestine shall again blossom as the rose, and be covered with vineyards and olive groves. Isaiah 35:1-2. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was but a "foretaste" of what is to happen after the Lord Jesus Christ comes back, and was used by Peter as an argument for the Jews to repent nationally at that time that their sins might be blotted out, that the "Times of Refreshing," the fulfilment of the Prophecy of Joel, might come. Acts 3:19-21. From this we see that the "Gift of Tongues" is a "Kingdom Sign," that it has nothing to do with the Church, or this Age, and when the need for it in that "Transitional Period" passed it ceased, and is not to be restored until Christ comes to set up His Kingdom.
While it is true, as has been already stated, that there is a bestowal of the Holy Spirit separate and following the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, which is given to impart power, there is no command or exhortation in any of the Epistles that we should pray for another Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with its accompanying gift of "Speaking with Tongues." We might as well look for another Calvary as for another Pentecost in this Age. The second account of "Speaking with Tongues" is recorded in Acts 10:44-48. This occurred in the house of Cornelius at Caesarea, and was to convince Peter and the Jews that accompanied him, that the Gentiles also were included in the Church. Acts 11:15-18. The third account is found in Acts 19:1-7. When Paul visited Ephesus he found some disciples of John the Baptist, who probably had been converted by the preaching of Apollos, but who were ignorant of the work of the Holy Spirit, whom, when they had been properly instructed and baptized Paul laid his hands on, and the Holy Spirit came on them and they "spake with Tongues" and prophesied. This "Sign" was to convince these 12 disciples that there was such a thing as the Holy Spirit. See verse 2. When Peter and John went to the Samaritans and laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit, it was not evidenced by "Speaking with Tongues." Acts 8:14-17. So we see that the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" may be received without the testimony of "Speaking with Tongues."
It was not the "Sign" of "Speaking with Tongues" that converted the Jews on the Day of Pentecost, it was Peter’s sermon, and Peter did not speak with "Tongues," but in the ordinary language of the people, and his sermon was interpreted by the Disciples who received the "Gift of Tongues," to the foreign Jews who were present. This led to the conversion of many, and fitted them to carry the Gospel to their home land. They doubtless received the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit," for Peter told them that if they repented and were baptized (with water) they would receive the "Gift" of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38. But we are not told that with the "Gift" of the Holy Spirit they received the power to "Speak with Tongues." Those who spoke with "Tongues" on the Day of Pentecost only needed the "Gift" for that special occasion, and we are nowhere told that they exercised it afterward. The only Epistle where the "Gift of Tongues" is mentioned is the First Epistle to the Corinthians, the twelfth to the fourteenth chapters inclusive, and there it is looked upon with disfavor. The "Gifts of the Spirit" are enumerated in chapter 12, verses 4-11. They are nine in number, and the "Gift of Tongues" is next to the last, showing that it is of minor importance. It must not be forgotten, that, while there are "Nine Gifts" of the Holy Spirit, it does not follow that these "Gifts" are dispensed regularly and in equal proportions, and that each individual may possess all of them, for we are told in verse 11, that the Holy Spirit divides to every man severally as He will, and the inference is that some "Gifts" are limited to certain periods or stages of the world’s history, as for instance the "Gift of Tongues" to the Apostolic Period, and in the future to Israel in the commencement of the Millennial Age.
Again we must not forget the condition of the Church at Corinth to whom the Epistle to the Corinthians was written. The walk of the members was carnal, they tolerated all kinds of sinful practices, and were filled with sectarianism and vainglory. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2. It is no wonder then that some of them for the purpose of display sought the "Gift of Tongues." For this Paul reproved them, and said-"Let all things be done decently and in order," for God is not the author of CONFUSION. 1 Corinthians 14:33; 1 Corinthians 14:40. It also appears from 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, that the women of the Church were prominent in the "Speaking with Tongues Movement," and for this cause Paul commanded that they keep "silent" in the churches, and if they wanted to know anything to ask at home of their husbands. From this it would appear that the "Speaking with Tongues" in the early church was for a "Sign," that it was not for edification, nor was it the practice of the Apostles. The Apostles emphasized the "Filling" of the Spirit, but not the "Baptism," and nowhere in their Epistles do they affirm that "Speaking with Tongues" is an evidence that one has been Baptized with the Holy Spirit, and is necessary for such evidence. Paul says-"Wherefore ’Tongues’ are for a ’SIGN,’ not to them that believe, but to them that BELIEVE NOT." 1 Corinthians 14:22. Therefore the "Believer" is not to seek the "Gift of Tongues" for any witness to himself. It is also strongly hinted that "Speaking with Tongues" is peculiarly open to SPURIOUS IMITATION. Satan is always on the watch to take advantage of any opportunity to "ape" the "Gifts" of the Holy Spirit, and when those who claim to have the "Gift" of "Speaking with Tongues" speak in an inarticulate and unintelligible manner, and behave unseemly, it is an evidence of the work of the Devil, for the Holy Spirit is always dignified, quiet, and edifying in His manifestations. As has been already said the Church is the BODY OF CHRIST. Now a body is made up of different members and organs, each of which has its own peculiar function, and limitation. If one is diseased or improperly functions the whole body suffers. Even the muscles and joints have their functions, and the Apostle says that the Church, as the "Body of Christ," is to be- "FITLY JOINED TOGETHER and compacted by that which every JOINT supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of EVERY PART." Ephesians 4:11-16. That is every individual member of the Church, even though he be but an insignificant JOINT, must function properly, or there will be schism. Any undue emphasizing, or dislocation of any Scriptural truth, only tends to disturbance in the "Body of Christ," the Church. As a negative argument it is well to note the OMISSIONS of the "Gift of Tongues" in the Apostolic Church. There is no record that the 3000 converts of the Day of Pentecost, or the 5000 converts of a short time afterward, nor the converts at Samaria who received the Baptism of the Spirit by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14-17), received the "Gift of Tongues." With the exception of the Church at Corinth, where the "Gift" was of no practical value, the Churches do not appear to have possessed the "Gift." The Apostles did not consider it of sufficient importance to mention it in their Epistles to the Churches, and the fact that it has never been a doctrine of the Church, is evidence that it does not belong to the Church, but was simply a Judaistic SIGN.
It is not proper to use the word "Pentecostal" in connection with the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Pentecost was a Jewish Feast, and was associated with the Jewish calendar, and has no meaning outside of that fact. The "Baptism" of the Holy Spirit" on the Day of Pentecost was not a "Pentecostal Blessing," it had nothing to do with the day. The Feast Day was utilized simply because, as has been stated, it was a suitable occasion to reach those Jews of all lands who had come up to the Feast and were soon to depart for their homes.
We must not forget that other "Gifts," beside those mentioned, that were bestowed upon the Church in that "Transition Period," passed away with the Period. The Apostles were a "Gift" to the Church (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-12), but they passed away. The New Testament Prophet was a "Gift," but as soon as the Canon of Scripture was closed his office ceased. This was anticipated by Paul when he said-"Whether there .be prophecies, they shall fail (cease)." 1 Corinthians 13:8. During that "Transition Period" the dead were raised to life. Are they still raised? Prison doors miraculously opened and prisoners were set free. Handkerchiefs, and aprons and "Shadow Casting" (Acts 5:15) were used as instruments of healing-have they any such power today? It is not a question of what God can do, but what He has been doing in the Church for the past nineteen centuries. There is just as strong faith in the Church today as in Apostolic times. To demand and depend on physical signs is not of faith. The distinguishing difference between "Judaism" and "Christianity" is, that "Judaism" is a "Ceremonial Religion," largely dependent upon "Signs," while "Christianity" is a LIFE. Those "Transition Days" were days of "GRACE" to the Jews, and when they failed to profit by them, they were scattered over the earth and "Judaism" passed into a state of ECLIPSE.