Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about various Christian topics. We will be adding to this page regularly as we receive more questions, so check back frequently for new Q & A.
You can also send your questions to us by contacting us.
MARRIAGE
FAVORITISM
- There is room for what others might see as favoritism, likely because they would like to be part of the inner circle too.
- If Pastors spend more time with certain people at church than others, can it be construed as favoritism? If they spend more time with leaders than non-leaders, with staff than congregants, with those whose personalities mesh (friends)?
- Jesus spent much more time with Peter, James and John even to the point of taking only those three with him to the Mt of Transfiguration, amongst other occasions. Isn’t that favoritism?
- Could one be accused of favoritism just because one spends more time with some than others?
JEWISH TRADITION
- Why did John the Baptist eat locusts when Jews aren’t allowed to eat insects?
- Did Jesus cover his head?
- The Apostle Paul says men should not cover their heads, so why do Jewish men cover their heads?
WATER BAPTISM
- What does water baptism mean?
- Do you have to be baptized in water before receiving the Holy Spirit?
- Does everyone receive the Holy Spirit when they are water baptized?
- Now that Jesus came, is there only one baptism?
- The bible says belief comes from hearing, can’t you believe in Jesus without becoming repentant?
HOLY SPIRIT
- Is there another condition for receiving the Holy Spirit apart from belief?
- Did John the Baptist have the Holy Spirit?
- Why do I need the Holy Spirit?
THE LAW
- Did Jesus make the Old Testament Law obsolete?
- Do Christians still have to obey the Old Testament law?
THE TEMPLE OF GOD
FAITH BY WORKS
Exodus 21:10-11 says “If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. 11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.” Does this mean that if a husband does not provide food or clothing for his wife, or if he sexually denies her, that his wife can divorce her husband?
No. Exodus 21:10-11 is specifically written in the instance of a man who has two wives, not a man with one wife.
1 Corinthians 7:2 – But because of sexual immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.
To the man with one wife, the Apostle Paul says:
1 Corinthians 7:3-4 – The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise the wife also to her husband. 4The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise the husband also does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
Paul does not consent to sexual denial in a marriage on either the wife or husband’s part. That being said, he does not allow sexual denial to be a reason for divorce for neither the husband nor the wife.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
Paul specifically states that the commandment of a wife not divorcing her husband for any reason is not from himself but rather from Jesus.
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Should we be asking Christians to dress all the same and eat the same foods then?
Hairstyles, clothing, language and food are not significant. The culture and tradition I am referring to pertains to priorities, thought patterns, ways, philosophies, etc.
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There is room for what others might see as favoritism, likely because they would like to be part of the inner circle too.
I would have to disagree and say that I see this as compromise and an addition of exceptions to the concept of no favoritism.
Likewise, if someone wished to be part of your inner circle, you should not drive them away due to favoritism. We see this in Jesus’ example of allowing Judas to be present, even though Judas would ultimately betray him, which Jesus knew from the beginning of his ministry.
Matthew 10:1-4 – Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
I don’t think they meshed at all, yet Jesus permitted him and spent 3 intimate years with Judas. Judas was even given the power to cast out demons and heal the sick. Jesus truly was partial to none! So much so, even the disciples didn’t know Judas was going to betray Jesus when the Lord said “go, and do what you must’. They thought he was going to give money to the poor. I don’t think Jesus treated Judas any differently than others. He included Judas and showed no favoritism even though the scriptures state:
John 6:64 – Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
John 13:11 – For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was
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If Pastors spend more time with certain people at church than others, can it be construed as favoritism? If they spend more time with leaders than non-leaders, with staff than congregants, with those whose personalities mesh (friends)?
Yes, spending more time with certain people due to these factors (if not strictly work related), is favoritism, especially with personalities that mesh with yours. The truth is, if we truly all had the Spirit, we would have all things in common since we would actually share the same spirit. Unfortunately, cultural differences and traditions, which should have been ‘checked at the door’, are brought into the church.
Mark 7:13 – Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
In turn, the Spirit cannot be received, and so there remains many differences between believers, that cause division or at the least cause us not to ‘mesh’.
Galatians 1:14 – I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Paul refers to the former philosophy and beliefs he used to follow as merely ‘traditions’. It should be the same with us.
Philippians 3:4-8 – though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…
Paul considers all of his old culture, ways and traditions as garbage in order to receive the Spirit of Christ. So it should be with us also.
I am not referring to cultural differences and tradition in terms of language, clothing, food and hairstyles. As Jesus said, life is more than food and clothing for the body. I am speaking of priorities, philosophies, thought patterns and peoples’ ways that come from traditions and cultures. These cultural and traditional differences are what divides us and prevents the Holy Spirit from being able to fully function amongst believers.
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Jesus spent much more time with Peter, James and John even to the point of taking only those three with him to the Mt of Transfiguration, amongst other occasions. Isn’t that favoritism?
John 6:37 – All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
I don’t believe Jesus showed favoritism to anyone. I see that as close as someone wanted to draw to Jesus, that was their decision and Jesus would allow it. Just as today, some choose to draw very near to Jesus while others wish to watch from a distance. This doesn’t mean that Jesus is showing favoritism to some and not others. It was John that gave himself the title of ‘the disciple that Jesus loved’, not Christ himself.
These three (Peter, James and John) desired to be closer to Jesus and so they did just that, which Jesus was aware of and allowed.
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Could one be accused of favoritism just because one spends more time with some than others?
Yes.
James 2:1- My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
James states clearly that all forms of favoritism are wrong and then proceeds in verse 2 onwards to give merely an example:
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
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Why did John the Baptist eat locusts when Jews aren’t allowed to eat insects?
Leviticus 11 lays out the animals that are considered clean and unclean for the Jewish people. Although winged insects that walk along the ground are considered unclean, winged insects that walk along the ground and have jointed legs so they can jump, are considered clean. Locusts fall under this category and so John the Baptist would have known that he was permitted to eat Locusts under the law. If you read Leviticus 11:20-23, you will see that it specifically mentions that all kinds of locusts are permitted to eat.
Leviticus 11:20-23 – “You must not eat winged insects that walk along the ground; they are detestable to you. 21 You may, however, eat winged insects that walk along the ground and have jointed legs so they can jump. 22 The insects you are permitted to eat include all kinds of locusts, bald locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers. 23 All other winged insects that walk along the ground are detestable to you
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Did Jesus cover his head?
It has been portrayed in the movies that Jesus often covered his head with a shawl when he prayed. However, this is not an accurate account.
Numbers 15:38 – ““Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord.
Any item of clothing that the Jewish men wore had to have these tassels and blue cord attached to the corners. There is nothing in this scripture that states these tassels are for a specific type of garment like a shawl. The tassels are meant to serve as a reminder of God’s law and commandments.
Furthermore, there is no scripture that states a man should cover his head with these garments when praying.
Deuteronomy 22:12 – “You must put four tassels on the hem of the cloak with which you cover yourself—on the front, back, and sides.
This scripture does not say for men to cover their heads with this cloak while praying.
Matthew 9:20 – Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
When the woman wished to touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak, she was expressing her agreement with Jesus’ interpretation and teachings of how to fulfill the ten commandments and God’s law in her life. She was saying that she agrees with Jesus’ interpretation of God’s word and law. Reaching out to touch Jesus’ hem is a statement of faith that she believed in Jesus as the Messiah, Son of God, way, truth and life.
Matthew 14:35-36 – And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Mark 6:56 – And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
By touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak, these people were agreeing with his interpretation of how to fulfill the Ten Commandments and God’s law in their life.
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The Apostle Paul says men should not cover their heads, so why do Jewish men cover their heads?
In 1 Corinthians 11:7, Paul says “A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.”
A man is to be in the likeness of God, but a woman/wife is the likeness of her husband.
1 Corinthians 11:16 – If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.
The Jewish people have no other custom, and neither did the other Christian churches.
In Judaism, Jewish men cover their heads when praying, or attending a synagogue or religious event/festival. Wearing a skull cap is seen as a sign of devoutness.
However, there is no such commandment in the Bible for men to cover their heads. The idea of men covering their heads, comes from traditional sources outside of the Bible such as the Halaka: a collection of Jewish religious laws derived from the written and oral Torah. It also stems from the Talmud; a collection of different Rabbi’s interpretations of the Torah. Rambam, a very influential Jewish scholar who recorded his own interpretation of the Old Testament scriptures, also supported male head covering.
These are some of the sources outside of the Old Testament that created the tradition of Jewish men covering their heads. This tradition comes from various Rabbis and not from any Old Testament prophets or scriptures.
Many Jews feel that by wearing a skullcap, they are proudly announcing to the world that they are Jewish. This is classed as an outward sign of their faith.
Other Jewish sources suggest that the reason for the male head covering was to distinguish Jews from their non-Jewish counterparts, especially while at prayer.
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What does water baptism mean?
Jesus teaches Nicodemus that a man cannot see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again of water and the Spirit.
John 3:3-6 – Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
‘Entering into a womb’ means to become repentant. To do this, we must acknowledge that our ways, thoughts and beliefs about the scriptures are wrong. We cannot receive righteousness or salvation using our own interpretation. Once we have acknowledged this, we enter into a ‘fetus’ like stage where we are in a ‘womb’; surrounded by repentance (signified by the water in the womb that surrounds a baby). While we are in this state of repentance, we must believe and have faith in Jesus’ understanding of the scriptures without compromise. We will continue to develop in this state through the teachings of Jesus until one day, we are ‘born again’ by receiving the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 3:21 says “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also, not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”
Water baptism is simply a symbol of a clear conscience towards God or a repentant spirit. Now you have to use this repentant spirit to understand Jesus’ teachings without compromise. Jesus’ teachings will change your repentant spirit into the Holy Spirit. This is the meaning behind his first miracle in Canaa, where he changed the water (repentance) into wine (Holy Spirit).
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Do you have to be baptized in water before receiving the Holy Spirit?
No. In the case of Cornelius and his family, the whole family received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized. This proves that baptism is merely a symbolic act representing a repentant spirit. And since Cornelius and his family were already repentant, the Holy Spirit fell upon them before they went through the symbolic ceremony of baptism.
The key here is that you must be broken and contrite in your own spirit (have a repentant spirit) before you can receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:30-33 & 44-48 – 30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”.
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
We also see this with the thief on the cross. He was not baptized, but he expressed sincere repentance by declaring Jesus as an innocent King. He was referring to Jesus as the Messiah in this way. In turn, Jesus said he would be accepted in paradise! We don’t need much more confirmation than that folks!
Luke 23:40-43 – But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? 41We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”43And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
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Does everyone receive the Holy Spirit when they are water baptized?
No. After water baptism the Holy Spirit is only received once you understand and accept Jesus’ teachings through a repentant spirit. Being baptized by water symbolizes a repentant spirit (a clear conscience towards God). The following are examples of people being baptized by water in the New Testament and they did not receive the Holy Spirit afterwards:
- Acts 8:14-17 – When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Your spirit cannot believe Jesus without first being made repentant. Baptism is a symbolic act representing your spirit becoming repentant. Now in this repentant state, you can hear the words of Jesus and then believe.
- Acts 11:15-18 – And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 Therefore, if God gave them the same gift as He also gave to us after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way’? 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.’
‘Repentance that leads to life’ means to have a repentant spirit that leads to receiving the Holy Spirit. This is achieved through full acceptance of the teachings of Jesus, resulting in eternal life.
- Acts 18:24-26 – Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
- In Acts 19 when Paul goes to Ephesus, he meets disciples and asks if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They replied by saying they have never even heard of the Holy Spirit. Then Paul lays hands on them and the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
- Philip also baptized an Ethiopian eunuch who did not receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit whisked Philip away and the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:26-40 – Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
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Now that Jesus came, is there only one baptism?
A: No, there are still 2 baptisms. As we can see in the case of Cornelius as well as the new disciples in Ephesus and Samaria, they all underwent two baptisms; water and Holy Spirit.
First you must undergo a water baptism, meaning to repent from your old ways. This involves declaring your own spirit as wrong and adopting the teachings of Jesus to replace your old ways.
Once you have entered this state of repentance, and begin to understand and obey the teachings of Jesus without compromising, adding exceptions or manipulating them, you will be able to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The first step is to be baptized in repentance which is signified by water. In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist says:
Matthew 3:11 – “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
And Also in Acts 19:1-7 – While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
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The bible says belief comes from hearing, can’t you believe in Jesus without becoming repentant?
You ‘hear’ by becoming repentant. You cannot hear the truth in Jesus’ teachings if your heart is callous.
In Matthew 13:15 & 16, Jesus said: For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Jesus is praising the disciples for being repentant and able to hear and accept his message of salvation. He is speaking of spiritual eyes and ears.
In Acts 8:21, Simon the Magician is rebuked by Peter because he only believed in Jesus because of the signs and wonders that he saw. He wanted to buy and sell the Holy Spirit.
Acts:21-23 – 20Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
You must believe the Bible through a complete repentance.
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Is there another condition for receiving the Holy Spirit apart from belief?
The condition for receiving the Holy Spirit is obedience to Jesus’ teachings without compromise or manipulation. God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey him. He does not give the Holy Spirit to cause people to obey him.
Acts 5:32 – And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.
Galatians 5:16 – So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
This scripture states once you receive the Spirit, then you must let him guide you by remaining repentant and to obey the Holy Spirit and not your own spirit.
Matthew 3:8 – Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
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Did John the Baptist have the Holy Spirit?
Before Jesus, the Holy Spirit did operate through people, however, no one had the fullness of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did. Take John the Baptist, for example. John the Baptist had the Holy Spirit, but not in its fullness.
Luke 1:15 – For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
This scripture is referring to John the Baptist.
But Jesus states in Luke 7:28 – I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Matthew 11:11 – Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Jesus is stating the disciples who will receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit will be greater than John the Baptist.
Luke 1:17 “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
The spirit of Elijah is not the same as the fullness of the Spirit Jesus had. The spirit of Elijah was also one of repentance. He was teaching people to soak and saturate their sacrifice in repentance in order for the Holy Spirit to be sent from heaven. This would signify God’s acceptance of your sacrifice.
Acts 13:25 – As John was finishing his ministry he asked, ‘Do you think I am the Messiah’ No, I am not! But he is coming soon?and I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.’
John 1:15 – John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
Mark 1:7 – John announced: ‘Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am; so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.’
After Jesus was glorified, others were able to receive the fullness of the Spirit just as Jesus had.
John 16:7 – But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 14:16 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever–
John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 7:39 – But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
John 15:26 – “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father–the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father–he will testify about me.
Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
So we are meant to have the fullness of the spirit like Jesus, that was the point of Jesus the Messiah coming.
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Why do I need the Holy Spirit?
It is the Holy Spirit that makes you a child of God. It is the Holy Spirit that is the proof that you’ve entered the kingdom of heaven.
Paul speaks about this in Romans 8:14 & 16 – For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
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Did Jesus make the Old Testament Law obsolete?
No. There is nothing wrong with the law. The law is perfect. It is peoples’ interpretation that is wrong. The law was so perfect that it seemed open to interpretation. But Jesus explained the practical application and interpretation of the law. This was the Messiah’s work.
The Samaritan woman at the well said when the Messiah comes, he will explain all things and Jesus said “I am he”. Now, we don’t have to do this work anymore. To righteously apply the law, we just have to have faith in Jesus’ interpretation of the law. This is what it means to have faith and not works. Jesus said he came to fulfill the law, not to abolish it. His teachings show us how to fulfill the law.
Romans 3:31 – Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Jesus came to show us how to righteously uphold the law through having faith in his interpretation.
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Do Christians still have to obey the Old Testament law?
Yes Christians still have to uphold the Law. Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.
The Jews were trying to fulfill the law through their own interpretation which is by works. But we can only fulfill the law through accepting Jesus’ interpretation of the law which is done so by faith.
Romans 10:3-4 – Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
No one can fulfill the law of God themselves. They must adopt Jesus’ teachings and interpretation in order to uphold the law.
James 2:17 – In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
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How did Jesus replace the Temple of God?
Before Jesus’ ministry, the Jewish people had the temple system. Through a system of blood sacrifices and offerings, God allowed the Jews to atone for their iniquity (sin they did not know about) because of their flawed interpretation. The temple system, with its sacrifices, allowed the Pharisees to understand the law according to their own interpretation but still be forgiven for their iniquity (unknown sin due to their wrong interpretation).
Jesus replaced the temple system by making us aware of our iniquity and exposing hidden sin in our interpretation of God’s word. Now that Jesus has removed sin (iniquity) through his perfect teachings, there no longer needs to be a temple to make atonement for iniquity. Thus, making the Temple of God obsolete. The Temple system was part of an old covenant. Through Jesus, we have a new covenant. Now, there is only one way to fulfill the law and that is through the complete acceptance of Jesus’ teachings without compromise.
Hebrews 8:13 – By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
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What is faith by works?
John 14:10 & 11 – 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11″Believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.”
Most translations say: ‘believe me of the works themselves.’
John 5:36 – “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.
John 10:24-27 – The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
The works of Jesus were his teachings – his interpretation. Not signs, wonders and miracles. That is why Paul states it is by faith and not works. Meaning it’s our faith in Jesus’ interpretation not our own interpretation of God’s word.
Simon however, believed only because of the miracles as he was formerly a magician, who caused people to believe in him through tricks, and was attempting to bring that same mentality of belief through tricks into Christianity.
Acts 8:9-24 – Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
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