How can we be certain that what we believe as Christians is correct? How can we know that we have interpreted the Scriptures in a way that will lead to salvation? What assurance do we have that we possess the truth? The answer according to the author of Hebrews is consistency. That the ministry of Jesus we subscribe to (or practice) today, is consistent (or the “same”) with what Jesus established in the past (or “yesterday”) – i.e. in the Old Testament (Jud 1:5) (v8). This most especially as it relates to salvation. We should expect continuity (or again consistency) between the system of salvation in the past and the system of salvation in the present (2Ti 3:15 = Paul can’t say this unless consistency existed between the system of salvation in the past and the present). Equally important in our quest for certainty is the rejection of those teachings that pose as Christian but are “diverse” (i.e. different and inconsistent) or “strange” (i.e. unknown to what has already been established) (v9a). This then is the litmus test for discerning truth: is what I believe to be the Christian Faith consistent with the entirety of what God has established in His Word? Or is it different and strange to what has gone before it? Is what I believe a new religion or simply the upgrade to what has already existed (i.e. Judaism 2.0)? [1]
The goal of this study is, therefore, three-fold: 1) apologetic: to defend – as well as give the members of Christ Covenant Church absolute assurance, that what we believe is consistent with the entirety of God’s Word – or what was established by Jesus in the past. In this church, Jesus is the same “today” as He was “yesterday” and will be “forever”; 2) evangelistic: to provide you with the most powerful tool for not only defending what you believe but also convincing others of this fact as well (i.e. the fact that we are consistent!). The reason the Jews called the Christians a “sect” or cult was bc they believed them to be inconsistent w/the OT (Act 21:20-24 w/24:14; Evangelicalism’s gospel [of faith alone] is horribly inconsistent w/the rest of Scripture), 3) discipleship: to (re)introduce you to what we believe and practice – but with the (new) appreciation of knowing that what we do is consistent.
CONSISTENT CHRISTIANITY
Atonement, Circumcision, and Anointed Priests for Salvation. [DISCUSSED]
Consistent with the rest of redemptive history, God still requires atonement, circumcision, a High Priest – and anointed priests (shepherd-teachers – Eph 1:11), for salvation.
Marriage, Faith, Faithful Obedience to the Law and Judgment According to Works for Salvation. [DISCUSSED]
Consistent with the rest of redemptive history, God still requires that we pass a final judgment that will determine whether (or not) we as His people possessed not only faith during our time in covenant, but also faithful obedience to His covenant laws (1Co 3:10-17).
Apostasy and Separation for Salvation. [DISCUSSED]
Consistent with the rest of redemptive history, believers can still go apostate and God still requires that we separate from such people as well as those who claim to follow Him but are idolators.
Judges, Courts of Justice and Jurisprudence for Salvation.
4.1. Under the Old Covenant, God established judges, courts of justice, and jurisprudence for dealing with complaints and crimes in the covenant community.
In relation to:
4.1.1. Judges = God gave the Levites and the anointed priests the authority to investigate complaints or crimes and – in accordance w/His Law and the will of the High Priest, to determine justice for the covenant community (Deu 16:18-20 w/17:2-5, 8-12, 19:18, 21:5; 2Ch 19:8-11; Act 23:5).
4.1.2. Courts of justice = The congregation assisted the judges in determining justice. Though these members possessed no authority, the decision of the judges (those with authority) required their affirmation/agreement for justice to be served. Together they formed the court of justice (or judicial council) for the covenant community (Deu 17:6-7, 13, 19:20; Lev 24:16; Num 35:12/Jos 20:6 = The congregation was a part of the judicial council – or court, affirming and carrying out its judgments).
4.1.3. Jurisprudence (philosophy of law or how justice works): 1) evidence = No one was to be charged with wrongdoing w/o sufficient evidence that God’s law had been broken (Deu 17:6; Num 35:30;
Deu 19:15-21 = The penalty is severe for those who accuse w/o sufficient evidence)[2], 2) trial = When there was difficulty/dispute in relation to a complaint or crime, both parties were to appear before the court (consisting of the judges and congregation) to determine the final judgment (Deu 17:9-13 = Notice, the court’s “decision” was final – i.e. any deviation would mean apostasy; Deu 25:1)[3], 3) equity = There was to be no partiality. It was “one law for all” “the punishment shall fit the crime” (Deu 16:19; Num 15:15-16; Deu 19:21).
4.2. Under the New Covenant, God also established judges, courts of justice and jurisprudence for dealing with complaints and crimes in the covenant community.
In relation to:
4.2.1. Judges = God has given the NC Levites (or ruling elders/shepherds) and priests (ordained elders/shepherd-teachers) the authority to investigate complaints or crimes and -in accordance w/His Law and the will of the High Priest (Jesus), to determine justice for the covenant community (Mat 16:16-19 and Joh 20:21-23 w/Mat 18:18-20 = Notice, Jesus [the High Priest] – as well as God the Father, are backing the NC Levites and priests in their binding and loosing (or judgments) [vv19-20 “if two of you agree…it will be done by My Father…for where two or three are gathered…there I am”]; 1Co 5:1-3; Heb 13:17; e.g. Act 15:1-6, 7-21 = Notice it is the judges [v6 – “the apostles and elders” = NC priests and Levites] who are speaking and determining what is just/right as it regards God’s law for that particular situation; The restoration of such judges was prophesied to be a part of the NC church – Isa 1:26-27 w/Isa 66:21).
4.2.2. Courts of justice = The congregation is to assist the judges in determining justice. Though these members possess no authority, the decision of the judges (those with authority) require their affirmation for justice to be served[4]. Together they form the court of justice (or judicial council) for the covenant community (1Co 5:4-5, 6:1-4; 1Ti 5:20; Mat 18:20 = Jesus and Father’s support is given to the elders’ ruling [their binding and loosing – v18] when they are gathered w/the congregation [“gathered in My Name” – See Eph 3:10-11 w/15]; e.g. Gal 2:1-2; Act 15:12 [congregation/“assembly” in attendance]; Act 15:22 [congregation affirming the judgment])[5].
4.2.3. Jurisprudence (philosophy of law or how justice ): 1) evidence = No one shall be charged with wrongdoing w/o sufficient evidence (“beyond a reasonable doubt”) that God’s law has been broken (Mat 18:15-16; Joh 5:31 w/39; 1Co 5:1 “reported” = Confirmed by testimony; 2Co 13:1; 1Ti 5:19; Heb 10:28), 2) trial = When there is difficulty/dispute in relation to a complaint or crime, both parties are to appear before the court (consisting of the judges and congregation) to determine the final judgment (Mat 18:15-17 = Notice once more, the judgment is final. If the guilty “refuses to listen”, then they are apostate [“let them be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector”]; Joh 7:51 w/40-43; Act 15:1-3; Act ...
