THE REDEEMER MAGAZINE- The Magazine for Thinking Christians.

 ^{Foreword:  8}Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1st Corinthians 13:8-12. In the above verses paul is writting to the church at Corinth explaining the foundation and basis of charity(love). It is very noticeably to mention that here in these verse Charity(love) is the only thing that will transcend the Old Covenant with dominance and prominence into the New Covenant. Notice of the the things that he says will cease. These things were done in part during the Old Covenant because there were no wholeness in the Old Covenant. These things would cease with the establishing of the New Covenant along with that which was perfect was to arrive. They were prophecies, tongues, and those who claimed to have superior knowledge of the Old Covenant. These are but a few of the things that would cease once God had establish His New covenant with His People. Those things of the Old Covenant was called imperfect. The state of perfect called perfection is (Jesus Christ). That perfection(Jesus Christ) has come and did come years ago. He returned to His Generation just as He promised. The 1st Century Generation. As a matter of fact the whole Old Covenant was done in part an dwas only made whole when Jesus did come. Matthew 5:17-20

THE REDEEMER®- VOLUME 84 ****EDITION 41- OMPS® INC. 2014
 All articles in this magazine are written in whole or part by Dr. Otis T. Williams Sr. Th.D.....© 2014 These articles are the literary properties of Otis Media Publications Syndication Inc. ©

Move On To Perfection

Why can’t the Modern day Church move on to perfection?

1.Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2.Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2................ Dr. Otis T. Williams Sr. Th.D

       In the above text Paul says there is a perfection that must be obtained by the church. Why after all these years the church has not reached that perfection? Are we as a church on the right path to receive that perfection? Wouldn’t it be nice if one could see that perfection in their lifetime? Of the above questions I would venture to say that most will be answered in a negative sense. One of the main reasons that perfection will not be reach soon is because of faulty teaching. Another reason is that the majority of Christians will and cannot realize that the perfection in Jesus Christ is that perfection that is being mentioned. "But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (I Corinthians 13:10). The questioned is asked; “if we have accepted Jesus; then haven’t we reach that perfection”? I would reply “but have we really accepted Jesus”? In reaching that perfection the writer list things we must lay aside to go on to that perfection. In the above he list(s) 1.Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ. 2.The foundation of repentance from Dead Works. 3.Of faith toward God. 4.The doctrine of Baptism. 5.Laying on of hands. 6.Resurrection of the dead. 7.Eternal Judgment. In leaving these behind we push closer to perfection.

             First let’s look at the principles of the doctrines of Christ(the elementary teachings or principles of Christ). The error in describing the principles of the doctrines of Christ is that most think it is the basic teachings to become a Christian. While others think it to be the plan of salvation. I believe these views are in error. The principles of the doctrine of Christ or the elementary teachings about Christ is nothing more than the teachings of the Old Covenant. In Hebrews 5:12 it speaks of the elements of the oracles of God. 12:In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Hebrews 5:12.NIV. The elementary truths here is referring to the elements of the beginning. The beginning being the old covenant that displayed the early teachings of Christ and (or) the rudiments/elementary principle of a religious system. In other words it is called the ABC’s of the Bible. In Galatians 4:3:Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world 4:But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5:to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Here it uses “ elements of the world” in referring to the Law of Moses. This is done in moving forth to a context of renouncing deliverance from the shadows ands types of the law to the reality of Christ. Paul is saying we must move away from the Old Covenant and into the Grace of Jesus Christ. This is so hard to do; be it evident by the old covenant ceremonies being carried out each and every Sunday from the pulpit. We cannot reach that perfection while being in bondage to the Old Covenant.

Foundation of Repentance from Dead Works.........

         Another obstacle in the way of the Church in getting to the perfection that the writer of Hebrews talks about is not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works. Repentance from dead work is referent to the dead works of the Law, not the Gospel. The writer would make the comparison between Moses sacrifices to that of Jesus’. Hebrews 9:13:For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? This verse says nothing about repentance in the Gospel in Jesus Christ. Today’s Christians do not have to repent to the dead works of the Law because their conscience has been cleansed and cleared by the sacrifice made by Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could not do what the blood of Jesus could. Ex: take away sin. Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2:For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3: But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4: For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Receivers of the New Covenant has no more reminder of the same sin. Past sins were remember each year on the Day of Atonement in keeping with the works of the Old Covenant.

Faith Toward God...................

         In this text we have established that the context of the principles of Christ as being elements of the Law. The second of these elements are of “faith toward God”. However; “faith toward God” does not mean the “faith of the Gospel” as preached to New Testament Christians. Rather, it refers to the faith expressed to Old Testament Saints. Old Testament Saint were taught Faith toward God because the faith in Christ had not yet come. Christ is perfection. They could not have perfection because they lived under that(Law) which was IMPERFECT. We now live in perfection but have not yet adopted it because of our loyalty to that which was imperfect, namely the Old Covenant. Those living under the Law witnessed the Spirit of Christ testified in the Prophets. The testimony of the Prophets produced faith in the promise of Christ(the promise of Faith).

         Let’s look at 1 Peter 1:1:10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11:searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. This text explains that the Spirit of Christ was in the Prophets revealing to them the message of the Gospel before it arrived. The same is said of Abraham in Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” In referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. These were promised the spirit of Christ but had to remain faithful toward God in awaiting the Faith of Christ. In confessing “that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” meant all they could do was hold on to the promises. The fruition of the perfection of there faith had not come. Today our faith could no longer be toward the rudiments of the Old Covenant but rather our faith lies in Jesus Christ which is that perfection.

       Peter said the prophets did minister the promises of Christ. However; the prophets did not live in the perfection but it was being revealed to them(1st century generation) through the preaching of the Gospel by the Holy Spirit. And when the fullness of Christ had arrived the perfection then manifested itself. 1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

      If God preached the Gospel before hand to Abraham and if Abraham could not receive “the hope of Glory” then Abraham’s faith toward God was in the instruction of what God would bestow to pass in the future. Those who lived under that which was imperfect(the elements of the Law) had to live by faith. However all Old Testament Saints who died before the coming of the perfection died in faith toward God not having received the promises. They all had faith toward God that some time in the future God would live in them as He lives in us today. The elements or elementary principles of the Law were an instructor to led those to Christ. After Chris came we are no longer in need of or under that instructor. During the teaching of repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus, Paul affirms that he taught no other things than those things which Moses and the prophets said “would come”...........Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:.

The Doctrine of Baptisms...........................

       This text does not teach that there is no further need of Baptism. First of all Baptism is never used in the plural when speaking of Baptism in the Gospel of Christ. The Doctrines of Baptisms are noted under the Law of Moses as being Jewish washings. In the scriptures Paul teaches us to leave the doctrines of Baptisms behinds to move on to perfection. This again is another of the doctrines coming from that which was imperfect; the rules or laws of the Old Covenant.

      In Chapter 9 of Hebrews, Paul discusses the symbolic nature of the earthly sanctuary and earthly service. As long as the earthly sanctuary stood; the Jewish temple could not allow anyone except Christ to approach the presence of God. Hebrews 6:19:Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20: Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

      This is what the writer writes about the earthly Sanctuary and earthly services. Hebrews 9:9: It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10:concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. These Jewish washing were imposed upon Israel until the time of reformation(the time of the Gospel). They would end at the time of the destruction of the Temple in 70 ad during the coming of Christ. Acts 3:21 also reiterates the functionality of the coming of Christ to disavow all the works of that which was imperfect; the(Old Covenant). Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.The source of these Jewish washings maybe found in Numbers 19 (verses 7, 9-10, 12-13, 17, 19-20) along with the Red Heifer and the waters of purification. These were clearly ceremonial cleansing principals associated with the Law. “Baptismos” in the plural(see Hebrews 6:2 &9:14) is not associated with New Testament Gospel of Christ. The two words “Batisma” and the verb “baptidzo” both refer to Baptism in the Gospel of Christ. In Galatians 4:3 Paul inspires those Jewish Christians not to turn back to the “elements of the world” in these Jewish washing. Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. They were comparing the Jewish washings against that of their confessions of being Baptized in Christ. The various washings(Baptisms) are not the one baptism of the Gospel listed in (Ephesians 4:5: One Lord, one faith, one baptism,.

       I have discussed but a few of the things Paul entails that we must leave behind in order to gain the perfection in Christ. This text has demonstrated that faith toward God speaks of the guardian nature of Law of Moses as a shepherd watching over Israel until they became mature under the Gospel. Faith toward God refers to the Law of Moses and not to the Gospel.

       In considering all the terms in the discussed scripture(s) Hebrews 6:1-2; the terms *Elementary principals of Christ, *Foundation of repentance from Dead Works, *Faith toward God, *The Doctrine of Baptisms, and *The Laying on of Hands are to be explained on the grounds of belonging to the Mosaic Law. The writer is desperately trying to tell us to stay away from the things of the Law of Moses to accept Christ in His fulness. Can’t you see how all the religious ceremonies that we carry on in the institutionalized church in mimicking the Laws that Jesus came to fulfill. The Bible honorably explains in the New Testament that those things are no longer needed in bringing together God’s Plan of Man’s redemption.

        In trying to bring a close to Laws of Moses and the ways of the Old Covenant GOD destroyed one of the most beautiful edifice on the face of the earth. Yes, it was Herod’s Temple. The place where sacrifices, tithes, sin atonement, prophecy, altar call and sacrificial offerings took place. The place which contained the Holiest of Holy. THESE THINGS WERE IMPERFECT. Christ was/is the perfection that came along and no longer needed those things which the Bible calls imperfect. If the church never move away from the things of the Law it will never be perfect.

       In our next issue we will continue to expound on the principles of the doctrines of Christ. We take on the principles of the laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Remember none of the elements of Hebrew 6:1-2 belongs to the Gospel domain of perfection. I strongly recommend to the reader to read and pay close attention to the following. Hebrews:9:1 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. Also: Hebrews 9: 11: But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,[a] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12: He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.(NIV) May God Bless.

Move On To Perfection

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THE REDEEMER®- VOLUME 84 ****EDITION 41- OMPS® INC. 2014
 All articles in this magazine are written in whole or part by Dr. Otis T. Williams Sr. Th.D.....© 2014 These articles are the literary properties of Otis Media Publications Syndication Inc. ©