Colossians 2:8-10"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the TRADITION of men, according to the BASIC PRINCIPLES of the world, and NOT ACCORDING to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."

Paul here is going to deal with the 2 covenants of the Old Testament the Abrahamic and the Mosaic covenants.

There were those that were trying to persuade those of the New Covenant "IN CHRIST" that they must adhere to those old signs still.

That is why Paul calls it BASIC principles and NOT according to Christ.

He tells us to be aware and not become captive (ensnared) by these basic principles OR tradition and those things that are not OF Christ.

Paul deals with the Abrahamic Covenant first.

Colossians2:11-16 "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."

Colossians 3:13-16 continues "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses."

"Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Now the handwriting of requirements that was against us IS the law, the Law of Moses, and including specifically the Ten Commandments, the law in its entirety.

The book of Colossians basically deals with philosophy, the philosophy of false doctrines and the teachings of men.

I will not spent too much time dealing with this portion of Scripture as most of the discussions I have had with SDA about this book, is, that their conclusions are fixed/set, that this is NOT the Sabbath (Saturday) and are convinced it’s Ceremonial Sabbaths spoken of here.

Yet we have already seen that the Modern day Ceremonial /Moral Law Doctrines are lacking Scriptural evidence and are in conflict with God word. [see message 7]

Yet I believe there is so much that indicates this is including the Saturday Sabbath that such opposing views seem to be swimming against a torrential river flow.

Furthermore from the "Sabbatarian" perspectives that I have seen, one needs to be a theologian among "theologians" to explain this verse away. In fact most refer to some theologian authority for the explanation of this verse or believe in blind faith (not meant demeaningly) in the Church’s Doctrinal explanation: "this is not the Saturday Sabbath" and leave it there.

The Scriptures by all accounts are making a clear point regarding the Law / Covenant of Moses. When one requires the insight of denominational theologians to determine the understanding of apparent clear text that runs in conflict with ones Denominations doctrine. Such reasoning has had a checkered past. Example the Jehovah Witness organization lean heavily on "Denominational Theologian’s" understandings", to explain away clear text regarding the trinity. Such allegiance to a "Denomination" or a "theologian" inspite of such substantive clear teaching from the Bible itself, puts one on very shaky ground. In fact one has chosen to follow a denomination rather than the Scriptures. In essence the denomination has become an "Idol" which has come then before obedience to Christ Himself. (very bad theology)

A few of the inconsistencies with the Sabbatarian argument –vs- the Colossian text that I see is this.

Isaiah 66:23 "And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the Lord.

This verse is used to PROVE Saturday Sabbath keeping Today.

However:

Colossians 2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or A NEW MOON or SABBATHS,

Which interpretation of Sabbath applies?

New moons and Sabbath prove Sabbath (Isa 66) (SDA say: The Scriptures are talking about Sabbath keeping today). And then in (Col 2:16) when New moons and Sabbaths appear "together" again but Sabbatarians say they are not talking about the Saturday Sabbath.

To be consistent with this verse (Isaiah 66) from a Sabbatarian perspective one would also need to include the "NEW MOON" feast which SDA doctrine agrees was done away at the cross.

However the conclusions of this text in Colossians 2:14-17 is not interpreted on the Isaiah 66:23 verse alone.

Again Colossians 3:13-16 continues "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses."

"Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Some Sabbatarians have tried to explain this verse as the handwritten record of our sins.

Such a view just doesn’t make sense at all Paul is talking about the Covenants.

Where is the Scripture that our sins are "handwritten"?

Since when did our handwritten record of our sins have requirements? In context however this is Paul talking about the two Covenants.

1^st the Abrahamic and then 2^nd the Mosaic.

Colossians 2:14 "having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."

Note the Word "handwriting" & which were "against us"..

Romans 7:6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Note the words "we were held by &, "stood against us".

What written code did stand against us, or contrary to us? What written code "held us" that we needed delivering from? The 10 Commandments including the law!

2 Corinthians 3:9 "A ministry that condemns.." (held by and stands against us and condemns us guilty.)

In Ephesians 2:15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

What man can say, "I keep the 10 Commandments". No man in history can or could keep the commandments in themselves (Except From Christ). For the law that they thought would bring life, actually brought death, further on Paul explains it as the commandment came so that sin might become utterly sinful. Establishing God standard of righteousness not mans.

James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Here’s an important point, If some one says, "I’M A COMMANDMENT KEEPER" implying that they in themselves keep the 10 Commandments they are looking the same way the Pharisees did at the physical Commandments. But the 10 Commandments are spiritual and no man can physically keep them. Period!!! If someone says "I keep them, I haven’t blasphemed in years"!!!

You blasphemer you!!! Time doesn’t make sin go away. Time doesn’t console God.!!!

One can go through all the 10 Commandments and apply the time principle I’m sure you’ll find a large deficit on mans part.

The fact remains the Law was to bring us TO Christ. Christians have died to the Law to belong to another! [See message 5]

If the righteousness of unregenerate man can extradite a man for war crimes 50 years later, how MUCH MORE the righteousness of a RIGHTEOUS GOD be justified to call you into account for breaking his law no matter how long ago. Be it a week or 5 years since the transgression YOU ARE A LAW BREAKER!!!! But nothing. No Excuses! There you are guilty ,guilty, guilty. If you put your self under the Mosaic Law - 10 Commandments, then that law shall judge you.

And since none (other than Christ) have fulfilled the righteousness required of the law including the 10 Commandments, one should with great haste make sure one is not under that law, nor voluntarily put oneself under that law. [ message 3&4]

However that is the reason for the GOOD news of the Gospel. We (Born again New Covenant believers) are NOT under that law anymore, Period!! 10 Commandments, Ceremonial laws, the whole lot. We have been bought with a price. That is why we are dead to the law. Dead men are not able to break the 10 Commandments. (Colossians 2:14,& Romans 7:6, That is why we were bought with a price and we are now slaves to Christ, not to that law. We are not our own, yet that is still freedom compared to the Mosaic Law. Because the standard that stood against us and condemned us as guilty has been disarmed (Even though that standard was perfect but we were not, thus the need of a saviour).

We are now clothed in Christ’s righteousness we are perfect IN HIM. The standard that the devil used to accuse us has been put away or disarmed, thus "there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus".

Through grace we are a holy priesthood.

Christ fulfilled the law "IN US" . Period! That’s the end of the law (Mosaic), it is FULFILLED IN US.

(Talking about the Mosaic Law), Then truly Christ is the end of the law.

We have passed the righteous requirement of the law IN HIM.

If you fail to have the requirements to become a New Zealand citizen but,

If you pass the requirements (through adoption) to become a New Zealand citizen and follow through with the adoption process. Do you have to sit the test again and again? No!!!!!!

It is done, complete. Finished. Passed. Elementary even. Its time to move on.

You don’t go back to try "in yourself" to pass that test again, you will fail along with every one else.

It is ONLY through adoption that you pass the test. So it is with the law, it is ONLY "IN HIM" that we pass the test. We can only enter in by default, it’s not of ourselves, but only because of the adoption / Christ’s qualifying for us because we in ourselves could not.

NOW HERE"S THE KEY: After successful adoption, Are we under the laws of the Government or country we just left? No!

Are we under our NEW Countries Government/ laws? YES!

Do the laws of the old country HOLD US when we are no longer under its rule? NO!

So it is also with the Covenants: We are adopted into the New Covenant (country) the old laws of the Old Covenant (Country) no longer apply to us. We are under or in a New Covenant (country).

Are some of the New law similar to the old country laws ? Yes!

But the Old Covenant (Country) cannot enforce its laws on us!

Are some of the laws different? YES!!

Circumcision is a good example.(As seen before).

So then now since we are in this new relationship (Covenant) its: Time to move on and start producing fruit for God.

(Romans 7:4) "We died to the law through the body of Christ ….so that we might produce fruit for God". The fruit being Gal 5:22

Note that keeping the Mosaic law doesn’t produce fruit for God, though the law is perfect, we were not, therefore Scripture indicates that the fruit Mosaic law condemns, kills, brings death and so on. In fact Paul indicates clearly what the law does in Romans 7:8 "Sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced all manner of evil desire."

When the commandment says "do not "….(something)…the rebellious part of man is enticed by the law to break it. Thus the clear example that the law was perfect but man was not and therefore the law produced death in me or evil in me Paul says.

Recap thus far:

So we’ve looked at the hand written code and it’s regulations that stood against us, and the other similar Scriptures along the same lines that were clearly talking about the 10 Commandments (specifically Romans 7:6). "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter".

We’ve also looked at the comparisons of New moon and Sabbath association in Isaiah 66:23 & Colossians 2:16 and the clash of interpretations on very similar text wording, including the inconsistency in the Isaiah 66 text as a proof text.

Now lets look at another verse

Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Remembering that after this, the passage continues and talks about the written code and its regulations that stood against us…Sabbath day(s), new moon feasts etc.)

Again 2 types are distinguished: being "human tradition" The Jews made plenty of human rules and interpretations of law and regulations I’m sure they were nailed to the cross but the aspect we will look at is the "basic principles of the world".

What does Paul and the Bible describe as the "basic principles of the world". Again letting the Bible disclose its understanding on this text.

Gal 4:3-11 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. (Elementary or basic principles of this world) 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (*so its talking about the law thus our "bondage" and "elements" of this world are the "law".) 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave (*in bondage to the basic principles) but a son, and if a son, then and heir of God through Christ. 4:8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 4:9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? (What type of bondage?)…text continues….

4:10 you observe days and months and seasons and years. 4:11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

Another Scripture indicating that which is weak Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

Going back to the text of Galatians it continues in the same chapter further laboring the point about these weak principles/ elements of the world that enslaved/ or bound us and then tells the story about the bondwoman and the free woman. An analogy of the Covenants, we are not children of the bondwoman {10 commandments} But of the free (in Christ)!

Get rid – cast out the "bond woman". That a New Testament Commandment by the way!

Some suggest that the Bondage of days month and years is the Ceremonial law. Despite the context that Paul is talking about the Covenant of the 10 Commandments in the same Chapter.

Is one returning to the doctrinal perspective of Moral/ ceremonial laws? If so one needs a refresher on message 7. The modern day Moral/Ceremonial laws are in conflict with the Scriptures.

In Colossians 2:14 "cancelled the written code" 2:14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Romans 7:6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Despite whether one agrees with this analysis of the Colossian text it does run in harmony with all these previous messages. To disagree with the seemingly obvious conclusions of the Colossian text then place one into a conflict with very clear specific text on the Mosaic Covenant. (die to, set aside, cast it out!, its adultery to join the 2 etc.)

FLASH BACK ON ALL RECAPS:

1. Recap:

In Galatians speaking of the Old Covenant:

The Old is of the FLESH [Gal 4:23] (Works)

The New is of the SPIRIT [Gal 4:29] (Faith).
We are Biblically commanded to "cast out the Old Covenant" [Gal 4:30], it is put
aside "IN" Christ. [2 Corinthians 3:vs11,13,&14].
Those holding onto the Old Covenant -10 Commandments- will persecute those of the New Covenant. [Gal 4:29]

There is a New Covenant coming that is NOT like the Old Covenant of Moses.[Jeremiah 31:31]

But now we have been delivered from the law (Old Covenant) In Christ. [Romans 7:6]

We are delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by. [Romans 7:6]

We die to the Old Covenant so to bear fruit for God [Romans7:4]
It likened to Adultery to combine the Old & the New. [Romans 7:3]

The New Covenant is NOT "like" the Old. [Jeremiah 31:31-32]

It is NOT the same but now on our hearts because it would have the same fruit.

Changing the location from tablets of stone to the heart, doesn’t make it adultery.

The changing of location doesn’t make it adultery!(Same wife, different bed)

Changing of the Covenants does make it adultery (Different wife, while alive to the other).

How can the content of New be exactly the same as the Old Covenant, the Old is fading (3:7 & 3:13), has no glory (3:9 & 3:10) whereas the New is Permanent (3:11) and is MORE glorious (3:9 & 3:11).[2 Corinthians 3]

Again if the Covenant is the SAME then how can it be adultery to join the two together? (Romans 7:1-4)

It is not adultery if one partner dies.

That is why we are to die to the Mosaic Covenant. (Which the Bible specifies, specifically as the Ten Commandments) Why?..

So we can serve in the "New Way" of the Spirit NOT in the way of the "written code"(law) "Romans 7:6

Changing the location from tablets of stone to the heart, doesn’t make it adultery.

2) Recap

When it says that you are dead to the law, that is what you are.

When it says that the law is put aside "IN CHRIST" then that is what happens.

When it says the law brings wrath and death, then that is what it does.

When it says you are to cast out the bondwoman (10 C), then it is to be done.

When it says the law is NOT for the righteous, then it is indeed so.

When it says the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in me through Christ, then it is so.

When it says the law incl. (10 commandments) is fulfilled IN me not BY me, then that is indeed so.

When it says the law was added UNTIL Christ. Then that is indeed so.

3) Recap:

Sabbatarians say: the Law is dependant upon the 10 Commandments.

Christ says: the whole law is dependent on 2 laws outside of the 10 commandments.

The Ten Commandments are not pre-existent or eternal they were given through Moses (Duet 5:3)

And Specifically the Ten Commandments was not given BEFORE Moses (Duet 5:3)

"The law" came though Moses (John 1:17 & Romans 5:13-14)

Sin was BEFORE the law. (Romans 5:13)

Sin was not accounted UNTIL Moses. (Romans 5:14)

The law was added 430 later and is UNTIL Christ (Gal 3:19)

Was made known for the first time through Moses [Nehemiah 9:13-14]

God’s own words describe that he Gave his Covenant to Moses. [Jeremiah 31:32]

Before Moses, The Bibles silence on the forefathers keeping the Sabbath is in harmony with all scripture.

The modern day ceremonial / Moral law Doctrine and specifically the 10 commandments existing before the fall and /or given before Moses’ time does not stand up to the Biblical test and is in conflict with the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.

Why? A=(All the above Scriptures)

The source of such teaching is out of step with the Holy Spirit.

4) Recap

Circumcision:

Are we to keep it; we are Abraham’s heirs.

It is an everlasting covenant.

God tells us to keep it, establishing that he is, "GOD to us". (Genesis 17:7)

There is a severe warning if you break it! You’ll be cut off from God’s people.!!!

However the REVEALED TRUTH is:

The circumcision of the foreskin was a shadow.

Christ is the fulfilling and TRUTH of the shadow.

When we are "IN HIM" we do fulfill the truth of shadow and keep it requirements.

To go back and try to fulfill and adhere to the shadow requirements (foreskin circumcision) Christ profits you nothing!

And again to try to fulfill the requirements of the shadow (foreskin circumcision) even with the best of intentions and out of an act of love toward God. "Faith without works is dead". Is to deny what Christ has fulfilled for us.

INDEED Christ profits you nothing.

For one has undermined and negated the work of the Cross.

Regarding the Colossian Text in Chapter 2

Is the Holy Spirit who inspired the scriptures a trickster? That one has to be a theologian to find out the actual real truth. That one who believes what is written in consistency with other text on the topic "that we are not under the law". Dead to the law, In Christ the law including specifically the 10 Commandments is set aside, that it is adultery to combine the Old and the New Covenants specifically the 10 Commandments. That Christ is the end of the Law, That we are commanded to cast out the bondwoman (the 10 Commandments) all of these are negated, false inspired writings of the Holy Spirit to trick people, deceive them even. All to establish that there be a core of worthy elect chosen brethren left who were not "deceived" by this Mountain of clear and specific Scripture that lead to deceived people into a false worship of God.

Does the Holy Spirit’s Clear text deceived people into a false worship of God? No.

Firstly the Holy Spirit is not into deceiving people that’s satans domain and God wants all to repent so God would make it pretty clear would one not think. And God made it pretty clear thus far.

So therefore any ambiguous text is to be "determined" by clear specific text.

So let clear text determine unclear text.

The purpose of the law:

The law served 4 purposes.

1. To reveal sin

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 7:13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet."

2. To show man as helpless to save himself

Galatians 2:16 "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

 

 

3. To foreshadow Christ

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

 

4. To preserve Israel from other nations

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.

The Mosaic Law including the10 Commandments was ADDED and UNTIL Christ. (Gal 3:19 & Gal 3:22-24)

Q: It can be said "Added to what"?

A: The Abrahamic covenant.

It did not change the promise but the law was added to keep the people from dispersing among other nations so that the lineage of Christ would be kept.

Thus the Mosaic law played an important role of the promise of the Abrahamic Covenant.

Abrahamic Covenant having the shedding of blood of the foreskin of man. Important because man is; "made in the image of God".

Mosaic Covenant the shedding of animals blood.

New Covenant having not the shedding of animals blood, mans blood, but has the blood of CHRIST, GOD himself sealing this covenant.

The Mosaic Covenant (the 10 Commandments) + its regulations was added and until Christ. Remembering its 4-fold purpose, all which serve the promise of the Abrahamic Covenant.

By all indications it appears to be the lesser of the Covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant through which the promise of the seed would come (Christ). And the types of blood used affirm these conclusions. A Biblical fact and the significance of such that cannot be over looked, or negated, just because it doesn’t fit nicely into ones theology.

Bearing this in mind along with the fact that circumcision is a SIGN of the Abrahamic Covenant, and the Sabbath is the SIGN of the Mosaic Covenant how does this fair in the light of the Colossian text.

If the Covenant of circumcision is a shadow despite being sealed with the blood of Man (made in God image) how MUCH MORE does the Sabbath qualify as a shadow (being sealed only with animals blood).

If the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant is done away with (outwardly)

On to the next message: The Sabbath and its fulfillment IN Christ.