THE Pharisees, scribes and indeed the Jews were trying so much by quoting the Bible to Jesus to prove to Him that He wasn’t the Messiah but a scam and labelled Him all sorts of names.
Scripture tells us in John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
Jesus told them that He was the Person the Scriptures pointed to. They were in awe and disbelief.
Previously we said that the Bible is Jesus’ Book. John 5:39, Amplified, is instructive, “You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me;” The Bible can be used to drive Him away in as much as we use it to prove He is the flesh behind the words.
While studying the evolution of the church we saw how each age has been responding to the Gospel of Christ.
The words of Jesus in the Gospels have been quoted to drive Him out of the church.
We have what is called the Red Letter movement which always quotes the words of Jesus to deny His teachings.
For example the common explanation that we have to fulfil the law because Jesus fulfilled it.
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In biblical terms, we call it double jeopardy just as in law.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:18, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
We have to understand the context of His words.
The Amplified puts it clearer, Matthew 5:18, “For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished.”
The law was a shadow not the reality.
I repeat, the law was a shadow. We need to understand the reality. Please get this. Jesus fulfilled the law that we might live in His obedience because He was our substitutionary sacrifice. Jesus is the reality.
We are told in Galatians 4:4-5, “[4]But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Jesus fulfilled the law for us to be free from its demands.
The law ended with Jesus. Romans 10:4 explains, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Believers use the righteousness of Jesus Christ and not the law.
Therefore, trying to follow the law or get righteousness by deeds or works is denial of Jesus.
It’s possible to use the words of Jesus to deny Him.
There are many verses that we abuse by misinterpreting them and don’t hear what the Bible will be telling us.
Let me add probably the most contentious one. Many are still struggling with Matthew 3:15, Amplified, “But Jesus replied to him, “Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted [it and baptized] Him.” Water baptism was John the Baptist’s way of identifying Jesus.
Jesus has His own way of baptising. John the Baptist put a disclaimer to water baptism.
We read Matthew 3:11, New King James, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
There’s an exhaustive teaching on baptisms on this platform for those interested in studying. The New Testament is powered by the Holy Spirit and fire.
Let me finish with probably the most controversial one. The last supper is used to administer Holy Communion also known as the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper.
Let’s read Luke 22:19-20, “[22] And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” [20] Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”
The word that causes challenges is remembrance. In this context it means with Jesus in mind. Jesus is both the bread and the vine.
He tells us in John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” It’s not physical bread.
Jesus is the True Vine according to John 15:1, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.”
We also know that the wine stood for His blood shed for the remission of our sins.
Jesus Himself explained in Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Let me add that while during the sufferings of Jesus, there was blood flowing on the way to Golgotha and on Calvary itself, His blood was shed in the eternal realm not the physical cross.
We also don’t plead or sprinkle His blood. Full teachings are on this platform.
The New Covenant is based on the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
It’s not for elements which were shadows of the reality. The Reality is Jesus.
We have dealt with the schism that led to the doctrines of Cessationism (teaching that the gifts of the Holy Spirit ended with the apostolic age and Canonisation) and Continuationism (teaching that gifts of the Holy Spirit are still operative in the church today).
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
