March - Reading 3

[Clint Kritzer]

Good afternoon -

Our scheduled scriptural reading for today is:

Matthew 22:1-14

Romans 2

Psalm 50

and

Numbers 5-6

May God bless the reading of His word.

[Clint Kritzer]

Good evening -

In Numbers 6 tonight, I became curios about the Nazarites. The scriptures speak as if this was already a recognized group among the Jews but we had not encountered them up until this point. I am supplying a link to a commentary on this passage that I found enlightening as to why these instructions were necessary: Commentary

In Matthew tonight we read the parable of the Wedding Feast. A few different points are made here. First of all, the King (God) becomes angry that the invited guest (the Jews) do not attend. Secondly, the common people (all of mankind) are invited in to share in the banquet. And thirdly, the one guest (believer) that is not in wedding attire (proper conduct for a believer) is tossed from the feast.

In Romans, Paul is setting forth the priciples on which God judges men. God judges on truth (v.2), deeds (v. 6-11), and inner discernment (v. 12-15)

May God bless you

- Clint

[born@35]

Clint,

First of all, Thanks to you for all the work you have done these past couple of months to provide a bit of a commentary to each day's reading. It's been less then a year since the Lord opened my eyes and my heart to the Truth and to His Love. My desire is to learn and grow and the commentary's have at times offered up new thought processes and understandings.

If I could provide a comment/question in reference to the commentary you provided on the reading of Matthew:

"Secondly, the common people (all of mankind)"

---Are these people, all of mankind or a reference to Gentiles?

"And thirdly, the one guest (believer) that is not in wedding attire (proper conduct for a believer) is tossed from the feast."

---Is this a believer or a Gentile who received the invite but does not commit himself?

I guess I ask this in reference to the "Once Saved, Always Saved" belief. Do you see this scripture as supporting that belief or does it support otherwise?

I look forward to your response.

born@35

[Clint Kritzer]

Hi born@35!

"Secondly, the common people (all of mankind)"

---Are these people, all of mankind or a reference to Gentiles?

Verse 9 of Matthew 21 states that the invitation was extended to "anyone you find" so I would think it extends to all mankind, Jew OR Gentile.
The Jews had refused the prophets and corrupted the Law. As shown in verse 5, some went about their business, some to the fields, and others actively proactive in destroying God's messengers. Verse 7 can be taken as a prophecy against the Jewish people in that the King "sent an army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city." This could be a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. See also Luke 23:28-31 for a similar prophecy.

"And thirdly, the one guest (believer) that is not in wedding attire (proper conduct for a believer) is tossed from the feast."

---Is this a believer or a Gentile who received the invite but does not commit himself?

It is thought that the custom of the time was for the host of the wedding to provide proper attire for the guest. To not wear the provided garb would be an insult to the host. I take it to mean proper conduct as instructed in the Bible. This is a parable that was not explained by Christ so it is left to our discernment. If the improperly clad guest is at the banquet, he has received the invitation and accepted it. There is a definite code of conduct that we are expected to follow as Christians. I think if it were one who did not receive the invitation or had turned it down, he would not be at the feast.

I guess I ask this in reference to the "Once Saved, Always Saved" belief. Do you see this scripture as supporting that belief or does it support otherwise?

I think verse 14 makes a good summary, "Many are called, but few are chosen." It is one thing to believe, it is another to accept. Look also to the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-28). He believed and he yearned but he was unable to fulfill his part of the obligation. If we follow Christ, we accept the burdens and resposibilities that come with being a Christian. The reading in Romans on deeds parallels this concept nicely.

I hope others will comment further. Thanks for reading!

May God bless you

- Clint

[Born Again Catholic]

Romans

Paul is writing Romans in anticipation of the Jewish arguments that will be put forth to each of his statements. He has already upset them by sayimg that God's salvation is coming first to the Jew and then to the Gentile in chapter 1 and now in chapter 2 he is letting them know that God's wrath is coming first to the Jew then to the Gentile

In Chapt 1:18-32 he talks in terms of "they" the pagans who new God only through natural reason could not be excused for not following the law.

Now he talks in terms of "you"(the Jews) and with all that God has revealed to them how much more guilty is the Jew. (A christian not living the faith could ask himself the same question)

The Jews condemned the pagans but they themselves have a false assurance of their salvation. Their faith basically rested on that they have been declared one of God's chosen people as marked by their circumcision. But being a true Jew requires that you be circumcised inwardly. Jeremiah 9:24-25 warns of this as well.

Paul streses 8 times that it is important to obey the law. And i would call to mind the purpose of his mission to as stated at the begining and end of Romans to bring about the obediance of the law.

Romans 2:13For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

If you were a Jew what is the next question you would ask? What advantage is there in being a Jew? and that is just where Chapter 3 starts. He will also teach us that none of us may truly keep the law without Jesus, so much so that even our own cooperation with His grace is through grace itself.

God Bless

[Born Again Catholic]

Numbers

The message in Numbers 5 is simple where ever God is present , everything has to be kept clean. As God dwells in the camp it must be kept clean.

It applies to what Paul is teaching the Romans as the Holy Spirit is in us we must keep ourselves clean, we must be a Jew inwardly with a circumcised heart.

[Clint Kritzer]

In Chapt 1:18-32 he talks in terms of "they" the pagans who new God only through natural reason could not be excused for not following the law.

Now he talks in terms of "you"(the Jews) and with all that God has revealed to them how much more guilty is the Jew. (A christian not living the faith could ask himself the same question)

Indeed, the assumption is easily deduced that the church in Rome had a mixed congregation of both converted Jews and Gentiles. The Jews were likely "lording over" the Gentiles causing division as Paul will further address the issue of judgement amongst the congregation in chapter 14, specifically concerning dietary law and sacred days. It is likely that the Jews were a minority in this part of the world and Paul's Letter may well be designed to address them first, right behind the pagans, to "clear the pallette" of the audience, if you will.

Another remarkable feature of this Letter is that it is written to an established congregation that existed long before Paul arrived in Rome. The message of the Gospel had reached far to the west already but these folks had evidently had no Apostolic teaching whatsoever. The placement of Romans in the New Testament is brilliant. It is the basic Gospel message of salvation, justification through faith, Righteousness from God.

BAC, I appreciate your participation.

[Born Again Catholic]

I forgot to include what is one of the most exciting things in Romans Chapter 2 v 24 where he quotes Ezekiel 36:22.. This is one of the 2 most important OT prophecies concerning the New Covenant and it prepares us for what is about to come.

EZEKIEL 36:22-27
It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD , declares the Sovereign LORD , when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.
24 " 'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
------------------------------------------------

God will not only declare us righteous but in fact He will in fact give us a "new heart" and He will put His Spirit in us and make us righteous. The Spirit makes it possible for us to keep the law.

This is were some Protestants denominations and Catholics typically will disagree. The difference between God inputing His righteousness to you (some Protestants)and infusing His righteousness into you (Catholics and some Protestants).

(As a side note this text in Ezekiel in conjunction with other OT studies part of reason why Catholics allow Baptism by sprinkling although immersion is the preferred method.)

God Bless

[ March 04, 2003, 03:49 AM: Message edited by: Born Again Catholic ]

[Born Again Catholic]

In the first century Rome had a Jewish population est. over 50,000 with 13 synagoges. Rome was important to the Jews and the Christians.

The Jews were expecting the Messiah to establish his everlasting kingdom over/through Rome as it was perceived to be the 4th beast in Daniel's prophecy. The leaders of the three other beasts, gentile nations which enslaved Isreal all had what could be called conversions of sorts which benefited the Isrealites. 1Babylon, 2Persian, 3Greek the 4Roman. The Christians also understood Daniel's vision and that they were the isreal of God and thus invested heavily with there blood to evangelize Rome, ultimately both Paul and peter gave up there lives there. This discussion unfortunately would take us far from the current reading list

As far as Rome not having any other Apostolic teaching as of the time of this letter I think we will have to agree to disagree, someone in the other religions board will gladly provide you the evidence for Peter being in Rome prior to this. Historical documents place it originally during the reign of Claudius (41-54AD)
But I am going to try to give up that type of debate during lent which starts weds. Help me on this.

But as far as it relates to Romans, Paul did not want to build on another man's foundation,(most likely another apostle don't you think)

Romans 15
and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, 21but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand." 22This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.

God Bless

PS I am enjoying participating and your commentary, the only thing I wil have to get used to is the speed, I could have easily spent a week on Romans 1 and another week of contemplation on ROmans 2.

I have tried to comment for 3 nights and find it difficult I can see why most seem to read with little commentary.

[ March 04, 2003, 04:17 AM: Message edited by: Born Again Catholic ]

[Born Again Catholic]

Clint

The other thing I think it important to understand is why Paul's support of the Gentiles is so important.

A Jew could scoff at a fisherman interpreting the OT telling gentiles they are part of a new covenant with the God of Isreal. They could say you simply don't understand the text.

Paul was Gamaleon's(sp) star pupil. Gamaleon was the first Rabbi to hold the title Rabbon "Our Rabbi" considered one of the greatest rabbi's among Jews to this day, (he is mentioned briefly in scripture.)

What better way to convince the Jews than to take away the star pupil of their greatest rabbi and convert him. And then have him provide explanations as in the Book of Romans so steeped
in OT teachings and in which Paul anticipates every objection by the non-converted Jews. This is what I believe Romans addresses not Jewish christians lording over their gentile brothers.