Ask the Rabbi:
How can I explain to him that the ‘law’ is more than just the ten commandments?
Thank you. Joseph
Joseph,
Your pastor is a typical antinomian (one who believe the Torah (law) has been pretty much done away with). You did not say which denomination to which you belong, but it really does not matter. The difference with a pastor having such a belief as opposed to a church member is that your pastor has a lot to lose if you are correct (which you are). He has an easy living and works very little while being held in high esteem at the church and in the community. He risks losing all that if he admits you are correct. Heaven forbid!
If your pastor really believes that only the Ten Commandments still apply, ask him “which commandment is the greatest?” If he answers the same as Yeshua, then his answer would be Deuteronomy 6:4-5:
(Mark 12:28 NASB) And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?”
(Mark 12:29 NASB) Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;
(Mark 12:30 NASB) AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’
(Deu 6:4 NASB) “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
(Deu 6:5 NASB) “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
It is definitely a direct quote from the Torah and it is not in the alleged “Top Ten.”
The second greatest commandment is not in the Ten Commandments either. It is a direct quote from Leviticus 19:18:
(Mark 12:31 NASB) “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
(Lev 19:18 NASB) ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
If they are the two greatest, why are they not listed in the only commandments that allegedly apply?
Does your preacher speak of the tithe? It is commanded, but not to be given to the preacher or the church. It is to be given to the Levite (because he has duty in the Tabernacle and is not allowed to own property), the widow, and fatherless, and the stranger among us who is seeking the Father and His ways. Does your preacher think that the tithe still applies? It is not in the Ten Commandments. If it does still apply, he must forfeit it and give it to the needy among you.
If your preacher says that only the Ten Commandments apply, does he remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy (set-apart)? If not, why not? The command is not to “forget that the Sabbath Day is Saturday and make it Sun-god-day,” but “REMEMBER” the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
Does your preacher promote or allow homosexuality or incest? The Ten Commandments say nothing about such perversions. Are they acceptable? If not, why not?
Does your preacher promote or allow cross-dressing or bestiality? The Ten Commandments nor the Brit Chadashah say anything about those perversions. Are they acceptable? If not, why not?
Is Elohim consistent and without change? Is Scripture true?
(Psa 119:89 NASB) Forever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven.
(Psa 119:111 NASB) I have inherited Thy testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart.
(Psa 119:112 NASB) I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes Forever, even to the end.
(Psa 119:142 NASB) Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Thy law is truth.
(Psa 119:144 NASB) Thy testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.
(Psa 119:152 NASB) Of old I have known from Thy testimonies, That Thou hast founded them forever.
(Psa 119:160 NASB) The sum of Thy word is truth, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.
(Deu 27:26 NASB) ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
(Deu 6:25 NASB) “And it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us.
(Isa 51:6 NASB) “Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment, And its inhabitants will die in like manner, But My salvation shall be forever, And My righteousness shall not wane.
(Isa 51:7 NASB) “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, A people in whose heart is My law; Do not fear the reproach of man, Neither be dismayed at their revilings.
(Isa 51:8 NASB) “For the moth will eat them like a garment, And the grub will eat them like wool. But My righteousness shall be forever, And My salvation to all generations.”
(Eccl 12:13 NASB) The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
(Eccl 12:14 NASB) For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
Patrick McGuire