AboutBrenton Hepburn Expertise I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I can answer questions on the reliability of the NWT, the so called mind control problems, so called prophecies, and general practices and history of Jehovah’s Witnesses.....
>>>>WARNING<<<<<< ....Please be aware that there are at least ... 3 .... people here who ARE NOT practicing JWs and, (at other times there have been as many as 5.) These ones will, at times, appear to have an agenda against JWs., and will often give answers that are not correct in regard to JW teachings and practices. If you are after a answer from one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, please read some of the answers that the various experts have published before choosing someone. If you want to ask them a question that is fine, but if you want a balancing view after asking one of the NON JWs, ask a JW the same question
Experience I have been a publisher since 1964. When I first went on the internet I found a lot of negative information dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses covering prophecy, mind control and what many said was a very bad translation of the Bible known as the NWT. It shook my faith. After may hours researching these topics I could see why some felt that way, but, I was also able to explain why there were these misleading views. I can now set matters straight for anyone that has negative information about Jehovah’s Witness to show them that such information is at best misleading and at worst dangerous lies.
Education/Credentials I have been a student of the Bible for many years, am trying to teach myself Biblical Greek.
Was a public tax accountant for many yrars untill SEP 2009 when I gave it up.
Question Hello Brenton. I am glad that you wrote, because I was actually going to send you a couple of questions/comments also, as there were some issues I was going to ask you to expound upon.
First, let me answer your question...”I want to know what about the question from readers I posted you found as mumbo jumbo”
Answer...My comment was in reference to the fact that this lady had asked a simple question, and got a copy and pasted article as an answer. I have never understood why it is that almost anytime a question is asked of a JW, they cannot seem to respond without a Watchtower article. In addition to this, there were a number of misrepresentations in the article, which I am hoping you can explain to me later on.
When I spoke of “sorting through all the mumbo-jumbo”, I was simply trying to give her the answer she was asking for...that JWs do not believe that Jesus is the Mediator for mankind in general.
I re-read the article, as you requested me to. Many things stood out to me. I am going to be honest with you sir, and I mean no disrespect towards you in what I am about to say, but that article was so unscriptural and inaccurate in its statements, that I honestly don't know how anyone with an even average knowledge of Scripture would ever believe that its statements were the TRUE Bible teaching on this subject. I will elaborate more on that point later also.
While the article may have stated the legal nature of the covenant, as you said, it did NOT prove or demonstrate that the New Covenant is only for 144,000, or that Christ is only the Mediator for 144,000. There are, in fact, many statements in Scripture that disprove this. But the REAL eye-opener here, is the TOTAL LACK of even a SINGLE Scripture stating these ideas. There is no Scripture that even hints that:
1. Jesus is Mediator for a limited number of people.
2. Jesus can be a “go-between” in prayer for others outside His Mediatorial role, but nothing else.
3. Heaven is only for a limited number of people.
Something else I noticed that was very interesting...The article you sent to Laurie has numerous Scripture references listed after certain statements, which would give the impression that the Scriptures support the point that was just made. In fact, when one takes the time to LOOK UP these Scriptures, they find that the Scriptures say nothing of the sort. I would encourage you, or anyone reading this correspondence, to look the passages up for themselves.
Now, I am going to make a few comments on the question you sent me, and then I wish to comment on your original article to Laurie, which I referred to as “mumbo-jumbo.”
First, the question you sent me...
You state...”I also want to say that I did not word part of my answer as well as I should have. You correctly picked up on this, which I did not at the time, because in my mind I knew what it was I was trying to say and it was not until I read your comments that I could see the meaning was very muddy.”
Answer...Well, sir, I want to be fair. I want to give you the opportunity to tell me, and all who read this, exactly what you WERE trying to say.
Here is what you said, and I quote...”Verse 5 is telling us that jesus is a Mediator. Verse 6 is saying that Jesus died for us, but, his death was not part of his 'job' as mediator. It just tells us that the “mediator” died as a ransom. It is like saying ... “Sam the doctor, who plays golf for Austalia” Sam is not the doctor for all Australians but he does represent Austalia on the golf circuit, but he is a doctor for a small group of people.”
The way I read the statement, you clearly said that 1 Tim. 2:5-6 states that Jesus is Mediator, and that Jesus died. You went on to imply that this was simply stating 2 separate facts about the same Person...that He was a Mediator, and that Jesus died, and then you SAID that His death was NOT part of His job as Mediator. And to further illustrate this point, you gave an example about Sam, the golfer who represents Australia.
I don‘t think the meaning of your statement was “muddy“ at all. It seems pretty clear to me.
By the way, I take exception to your statement that “Verse 5 is telling us that Jesus is A Mediator”. This is not true, and it seems like a clever attempt to change what the verse actually says. It does NOT say that Jesus is A Mediator, but that Jesus is THE ONE Mediator between God and man.
I can only imagine how it must have felt to see your statement compared with the Scripture in Hebrews 9:15, which clearly contradicted your statement. However, as I said, I want to be fair and give you the opportunity to correct any misunderstandings your statement might have caused, especially if that is not really what you meant to say.
Perhaps we could make this simple, by my asking you a “yes” or “no” question...WAS JESUS' DEATH PART OF HIS JOB AS MEDIATOR?”
You also said...”I am preparing a more detailed response for you on the subject of Jesus being a mediator to only the 144,000.”
Answer...That is fine. I would LOVE to see the Scriptures that you use to support your view, since this article didn't give them. What I do NOT want, is a pasted WT article. I ask you to give me your thoughts, through your research. That is what I do, and I respectfully ask you to do the same. It takes you only minutes to paste these articles, and it takes me hours to type a response to the points in the article. It is probably going to take me that long to respond to the points in the article you sent Laurie (which I was going to do anyway), but I cannot do that on a regular basis.
I will be looking forward to your response.
Now I have some comments about the article you sent to Laurie...
You stated...”1) The term mediator has a broad and a narrow meaning. We feel that the term “mrediator” as reference to jesus has a narrow meaning, (as I will explain)and is to do with the meadiationg of a leagl document, the New Covernment”.
2) This limited roll as a mediator does not stop for us all to approach our God in prayer. That privalage is outside the roll of Jesus mediation. Jesus is still our “go between” for us to God in the matter of prayer. His roll as “mediator” is”
Answer...So, you are saying that Jesus only has a legal, Mediatorial role in a narrow sense, for a limited number of people, but He is still our “go between” in the matter of prayer. Again, where is your Scripture for this?
You overlooked the simple Bible teaching that Jesus' death is FULLY connected with His role as Mediator, and THIS is also the provision by which we can approach Him in prayer. Consider the following Scripture...
Heb. 10:19- “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.”
And this Scripture regarding our access to God through Christ's blood, is found right in context with the discussion of Christ's role as Mediator of the New Covenant.
Brenton, I would ask you do something...Lay aside your publications and articles, and just read Hebrews chapters 7-10 for yourself. There are numerous references to the New Covenant, and to Christ's role as Mediator, THROUGH His death.
You simply CANNOT separate Christ's death, His role as Mediator, or His being a “go between in prayer from each other. They ALL fit together, and depend on each other.
Next, you stated...”2)Also, some tend to associate the fact that Jesus is a mediator with the provition for salvation, which was his death. The ransom of Jesus is very broad and is for the benefit of mankind in general, where as, his roll as a mediator was for a small group.”
Answer...Yes, because that is what the Bible teaches. Please explain just HOW Jesus' death benefits those for whom He is not Mediator?
At this point, it might be a good idea to define the word “Mediator”. It means “a go-between, an internunciator, or A RECONCILER.” Perhaps later on, we will examine a few Scriptures which talk about Jesus' reconciling us to God, and see if they tell us just WHO is reconciled to God. Let us consider one such passage here...
Romans 5:8-10- “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US. Much more then, being now justified BY HIS BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES, WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Please explain something here, sir...
If “reconciler” is a meaning of the word “Mediator”, and since it clearly says here that Christ's death and shed blood are WHAT reconciles us to God, how can you possibly say that Christ's death is separate from His Mediatorial role? And how can you say that He is Mediator for only a small group of people? And PLEASE answer this question...How can you say that “Jesus died for us”, and then say He is not the Mediator for all who call upon Him?
This teaching robs people of what the Bible says they can have, sir, and it will cause them to be eternally lost if they follow this teaching. I sincerely hope you will do some SERIOUS thinking and praying about this issue.
By the way, you seem to be overlooking another important point. Towards the end of your article, you stated that...
”Jesus also serves as a compassionate High Priest who is able to apply in their behalf the benefits of his sacrifice, allowing them to gain forgiveness and eventual salvation.—Acts 4:12; Hebrews 4:15.”
Brenton, according to the Scriptures, there is NO possible way to be forgiven of a single sin, apart from the New Covenant. If you exclude people from the New Covenant, you also exclude them from approaching God for forgiveness of sins, because the New Covenant is the PROVISION which was given for us to obtain forgiveness. Jesus couldn't have stated this any more clearly, when He said...
Matthew 26:28- “For this is my blood of the New Testament (Covenant), which is shed for many FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.”
Now, please tell me...Exactly how is it that we are supposed to have our sins remitted outside of the New Covenant?
You made a very intriguing statement here, when you said...
”Though he is not their legal Mediator, for they are not in the new covenant, he is their means of approaching Jehovah. Christ said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)”
Brenton, did you not even realize what this verse just said? It says that NO MAN (not just 144,000) comes to the Father EXCEPT THROUGH ME.” The phrase “except through me” is a reference to Christ's role as Mediator! That is what a Mediator is...one whom we “go through” to be reconciled to another party. Let me prove this from your own statement...You said...
“The Greek word me·si´tes, used for “mediator,” means ‘one who finds himself between two bodies or parties.”
This is WHY we must “go through” Christ to get to God...Because He is the Mediator BETWEEN God and man (1 Tim. 2:5).
You spend all that time telling this dear sister that Christ is not the Mediator for the rest of mankind, and then you apply a Scripture to all of mankind which clearly shows He IS the mediator for everyone. How did you miss that?
Also, you said...”To grasp what Paul is saying, we must first appreciate that the Bible sets out two destinies for faithful humans: (1) perfect life on a restored earthly paradise and (2) life in heaven for Christ's “little flock,” numbering 144,000. (Luke 12:32; Revelation 5:10; 14:1-3) “
Answer...This is actually the crux of the whole matter here. Your whole basis for denying Christ's role as Mediator, is dependent on this teaching. And like our current discussion, there IS NOT ONE SINGLE, SOLITARY SCRIPTURE that teaches this. If this teaching can be shown to be false, then this doctrine of Jesus' limited mediatorship crumbles and falls to the ground. So, let us have the Scripture which states that only 144,000 go to heaven.
I will give the Watchtower Society credit here for something. They have done a masterful job of inter-twining all of their false doctrines together. In order to refute 1 false teaching, it is usually necessary to refute 5 more.
In short, there is NO Scripture which supports this teaching either, and without this teaching, your idea of Jesus being a limited Mediator has no basis.
I have much more to type, but this has already become very lengthy. I am going to ask you to comment on one more thing, in particular. I am referring to a statement in the article which told and outright lie, and completely misrepresented what Christians believe on this subject. Here is the statement I am talking about...
“Christendom teaches that all good people go to heaven, which unscriptural position has colored the general view, so that Jesus is considered a go-between for all such people. What, though, does the Bible indicate?”
Brenton, I am going to ask you right here to show enough honesty and virtue to admit that this statement is a lie.
I have been associated with Bible-believing Christian churches for over 20 years now, and I can tell you that I don't know of even ONE that teaches this. “Being good” has nothing to do with going to heaven. In order to find a church that believes that, you have to go to one that doesn't accept the Bible as God's Word, and they also usually deny that Jesus is the only way to God.
All, and I repeat ALL, Bible-believing churches teach that humans are WICKED and bad by nature, and need a Mediator, Jesus Christ to be saved. The Bible says...”there is none good, no not one.”
Apparently they did not see the ridiculous contradiction this statement causes. They say that we believe “all good people go to heaven”, and then say that this idea has caused the false idea that Jesus is the Mediator for everyone. This is a contradiction! If we REALLY thought that “all good people go to heaven”, then WHAT WOULD BE THE POINT OF A MEDIATOR? We wouldn't need one...we could just “be good'. The very fact that we believe Jesus is our Mediator, proves that we believe man is sinful and wicked, and cannot attain God's favor on his own WITHOUT a Mediator.
To make a statement like the article made here, is ignorance of the highest degree. Whoever wrote that article is either lying and deliberately misrepresenting, or he doesn't know what he is talking about. In either case, he has no business writing on the subject.
I know you didn't write the article, but you DID use it as part of your answer, so you are responsible for the statement. I may have strong disagreements with JWs, but I have enough integrity to at least tell the truth about what they believe. I have never willfully lied about their teachings.
I hope you will be honest enough to admit that statement was wrong, sir.
Brenton, I re-read your article because you asked me to. I am now asking you to read Hebrews 7-10. When you do, please notice especially the following Scriptures, which show Christ is Mediator for all people who come to Him...
I said I would send you this as a “follow-up” answer, which I will do. I am also sending it to you as a question, so that you can respond, and so that it will hopefully get posted on the public board also.
I will be awaiting your reply. Thanks, and have a great day.
Derrick
Answer Derrick,
I am responding to your answer on “Is Jesus the Mediator” because you wanted to know how I would answer Hebrews 9:15, and the person that we both answered did not follow up as yet with that question to me as you suggested. I am sorry you did not get an answer from the JW you wrote to before. Often JWs will give up on responding to people if they discern that they are just beating the air with their words. I am sure you would stop conversing with people when you consider that the time you spend is wasted.
I also want to say that I did not word part of my answer as well as I should have. You correctly picked up on this, which I did not at the time, because in my mind I knew what it was I was trying to say and it was not until I read your comments that I could see the meaning was very muddy. In my mind the article that followed made the mater clear. After re reading the article I could see that it was intended to answer a question for a JW how had prior knowledge of the JW belief system.
“Verse 5 is telling us that Jesus is a Mediator. Verse 6 is saying that Jesus died for us, but, his death was not part of his 'job' as mediator.” I failed to finish the statement to make it clearer. Verse 5 tells us who the mediator is –Jesus and verse 6 tells us something that this mediator did – he died for us. Jesus's death had a 2 part role. And his being the Mediator also had a 2 part roll, where as Moses had only one part. Jesus Mediated the new covenant and also acted as the blood offering to seal the covenant, where as Moses was only the Mediator of the covenant. The blood of Jesus was NOT The New Covenant. It just sealed the deal. Like a company seal here in Australia. Companies have a stamp that contains information identifying the company. This stamp is used on legal documents. Jesus blood was that stamp. His death replaced the sacrifices the priests had to offer on behalf of the Israelites in particular the one offered by the High priest on the day of “atonement” Hebrew 10:5-10 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, as recorded by Paul …… "Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,' as it is written of me in the roll of the book." 8 When he said above, "Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, "Lo, I have come to do thy will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (RSV)
I will restate what I said in my first post …….some tend to associate the fact that Jesus is a mediator with the provision for salvation, which was his death. The ransom of Jesus is very broad and is for the benefit of mankind in general, where as, his roll as a mediator was for a small group……. This is where we are at odds with each other. You made the following comments……
quote
You overlooked the simple Bible teaching that Jesus' death is FULLY connected with His role as Mediator, and THIS is also the provision by which we can approach Him in prayer. Consider the following Scripture....
Heb. 10:19 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.”
And this Scripture regarding our access to God through Christ's blood, is found right in context with the discussion of Christ's role as Mediator of the New Covenant.
end quote
Your understanding of this is quite different to mine. Yes Jesus death does have a connected with the New covenant. As a very brief overview Jesus death had 2 important uses. 1 The blood of Jesus is what ratified, or set in concrete, the new covenant. It WAS NOT the new covenant. Reading through Hebrew 9 one can see a parallel between the old covenant and the new one. Parallels are drawn as to the meaning of sanctuary, the holly place the curtain that only the high priest was allowed to pass The pouring out of Jesus blood ratified the new covenant Hebrews 9:19-22. His blood was the stamp that sealed the covenant. (More on this verse further in the essay)
2 Jesus death was a ransom for all mankind. Using Gods perfect justice a perfect life had to be given for the perfect life that Adam lost for all mankind. Jesus was that ransom. He was not just a ransom but a perfectly corresponding ransom for the life that Adam lost for us all. The commentary by Jamieson, Fausset Brown says of the word ransom ….. ” The Greek implies not merely ransom, but a substituted or equivalent ransom: the Greek preposition, "anti, " implying reciprocity and vicarious substitution.”……
Now derrick, seeing you have done “17 years of Biblical research into the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith,” I do hope that your study has gone deeper than just “the fundamentals”.
Please remember the context of my reply. The answer I posted was in direct relation with 1 Timothy 2:5. and the question “Is Jesus the mediator for JW's?” I do hope you appreciate that the Bible is a complex book where one just can not take one or two passages with out seeing how they fit into the Bible as a whole.
It is easy to come to the conclusions most people do on the matter of Jesus being a mediator for “all Christians” based on a couple of texts. However when the complete picture is viewed a different perspective is seen. It is important when trying to build a complete picture to examine some important ideas.
Points I am going to discuss. (I will not cut and past from Watchtower info, nor will I use the NWT)
The audience to whom the letter was written.
Why it was written
The context.
The Jewish model that the “New Covenant” is based on
The relationship of those in the “New Covenant”
How others can benefit
So, first, who was Paul writing to. By the name of the book it is easy to see that Paul was addressing the Hebrew Christians, to those that remained in Jerusalem as well as the ones that had been scattered by the assault on them by the Jewish religious leaders resulting in the death of some of Jesus's followers.
Hebrews 2:1-4 gives us some idea as to why Paul wrote that letter. “1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, LEST WE DRIFT AWAY. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will” (NJKV)... (Capitals and italics mine)]
Some of the Christians may have become neglectful of their salvation through Christ and needed a reminder. Also, reading though Hebrews Paul is giving answers to some serious questions to help equip the Hebrew Christians to answer objections that were actually being raised by the Jews
‘What did this new “heresy” have to point to, as evidence of its genuineness and of God's favor? Where was their temple, and where is their priesthood? In fact, where was their leader? Where was his kingdom? This Jesus, a Galilean, a carpenter's son, with no rabbinic education, what important leadership roll did he have among the nation during his lifetime? And who were his apostles and followers? Mere fishermen and tax collectors, unlettered and ordinary?., who are these Christians, for the most part? The poor and lowly persons of the earth and, even worse, uncircumcised Gentiles!
Now as regards Hebrews 9. (as per RSV) Starting at verse 1 and Paul is reminding the Hebrews about the original sanctuary and Holy Place and the roll of the priests. Then in verse 11 he brings them up to date ...“11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent.. .. 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. “..... The description goes on to show how much better this new relationship was to be. Jesus is the High priest of a new and better “tent” The fist “temple”, was excited in the wilderness, was transportable. A permanent temple was later built By King Solomon. Paul is bringing his readers right back to the beginning of the arrangement in the wilderness after Moses had mediated the first covenant.
Now verse 15 “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant,”.…... Keeping in mind here the audience. Paul tells his listeners that it is a new covenant and that Jesus is the mediator. The Hebrews knew that Moses was the mediator of the old covenant (Exodus 20:19; Numbers 12:8; Hebrews 9:19). Moses dod not die or have his blood spilt in order to ratify the covenant. The covenant was ratified by blood (Exodus 24:3-8….. 3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, "All the words which the LORD has spoken we will do." 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD. 6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it upon the people, and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made” RSV ) The new covenant also had to ratified by blood. Instead of using a beast, Jesus shed his blood to ratify the covenant. Besides ratifying the covenant, Jesus blood was also likened to the sacrifice the High Priest made each year on the “day of atonement” (Hebrew 7:27 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself”.; Hebrews 9: 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” [RSV])
The Blood of Jesus had 2 purposes. 1 To ratify the covenant as well as to replace the sacrifices that were made by The high priests
Now to have a covenant we must have at least 2 parties to it. The one initiating the covenant and the beneficiary of the covenant. With the “old covenant” who were the parties? The one initiating it was the God of the Hebrews Jehovah. The beneficiaries were the Hebrews, the nation of Israel. The shed blood of Jesus ratified the New Covenant just as blood ratified the old covenant
What about the new covenant ”The one initiating it is the same, and the beneficiaries of it were “…..those who are called” (Heb 9:15). Just who are those that were called?
Hebrews 8 :10 starts to give us the answer “ 10 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (RSV) Paul is reminding the Hebrews of the words recorded at Jeremiah 31:33; Jeremiah 32:40; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26
Heb 12:22-24 “22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.” (RSV) ..... Keeping the audience in mind, Paul is now telling these Hebrews that along with this new covenant is a New Jerusalem (see Rev.3:12) The New Jerusalem is of heavenly origin.
Rom 2:28,29 “ 28 For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical 29 He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal. His praise is not from men but from God.” (RSV) ....... The Jews were the recipients of the “old covenant” now the recipients are “spiritual Jews”, ones that chose to follow Jesus
Gall 3:26-28 “26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” (RSV) ...... Again we see the spiritual nature of the recipients of the new covenant. (NOTE: Please note this phrase “heirs according to promise” I will come back to that latter)
Gala. 6:15,16 5 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.” (RSV) The ones chosen are called the Israel of God. Why? Because Jehovah had abandoned the natural Jews as a nation. For many centuries the God of the Jew had been patient with them, pleading with them to return to him. Jesus ministry was to the Jews (except for the Samaritan Woman Jesus ministered only to the Jews) Before His death Jesus said at Matthew 23:37 …. “ 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” …. God is now going to chose people from all nations to be his people, his spiritual Jews Rom 9:25 ….. “As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." 26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God."….. The prpohpecy shows that non Israelites ( “who were not My people”) will be chosen to become Gods people
There are more texts that I could use. The point that I have been trying to make is that Jesus is mediator of a new covenant that would involve “spiritual Jews” from all nations not just the nation of Israel.
OK, so why do not those texts apply to all Christians?
Lets look at the nation of Israel to see what happened there. Remember the Law Code was given to the natural Jews with Moses as their mediator. It did not cover all nations, Just the Jews. Others thou could benefit from that law code. Many non Israelites joined with the Jews as “alien residents (Hebrew word meaning a guest; a foreigner: alien, , stranger. mainly rendered as sojourner in most Bibles) in the land had to obey the law code that was given to them. (for example see Ex 12:19; Ex 12:48, 49; Ex 20:10; 23:12; Nu 9:14; De 16:10, 11;13, 14). These strangers always remand “strangers” but had the benefit of the laws and blessings form the God of the Jews (especially when the Jews as a nation followed the laws of God the nation prospered. However there were many times when as a nation the Jews lost favour with God and the nation suffered)
How does all this fit into Jesus being the Mediator of the new covenant to spiritual Israel?
In the time of the Israelites only the Priests could enter the temple courtyard to offer sacrifices, and only the High Priest was allowed into the Holy of Holies. He did so once a year on the “day of attonment” to offere a sacfice for all Israel. In Solomon's temple, there was an outer courtyard where Israelites and proselytes, men and women, worshiped together. In the Temple built By King Herod, he included an outer courtyard called the Court of the Gentiles where only strangers (non Jewish converts proselytes) could worship
So with regard to the spiritual Israelites and the “heavenly new Jerusalem” who is the high priest and who are the underpriests”?
The Book of Hebrews identifies Jesus as the High priest. In the Authorized Version he is mentioned 16 times as high priest. (Hebrews 2:17 ; 3:1 ; 4:14,15 ; 5:1,5,10 ; 6:20 ; 7:26 ; 8:1,3 ; 9:7,11,25 ; 10:21 ; 13:11 ) By his death as high priest he entered into the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:1-14) His body was prefigured by the curtain (Hebrews 10:20) that was in front of the Holy of Holies. When Jesus died the curtain in the temple was torn in two (Matt 27:21). Now there was no longer a need for an earthly high priest to offer up sacrifices on our behalf because Jesus now had that roll (Hebrews 9:11-14)
Peter, in his letter to all those that had become followers of Jesus, (spiritual Israelites) Jews and none Jews, he says that they are priests 1 Peter 2:9…. “But you are a chosen race, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (capitals mine)….. Like the priests of ancient Israel they were able to serve in the temple. This nation of Royal Priests were now able to serve in the temple
You said previously
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You overlooked the simple Bible teaching that Jesus' death is FULLY connected with His role as Mediator, and THIS is also the provision by which we can approach Him in prayer. Consider the following Scripture....
Heb. 10:19- “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS.”
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The context of verse 19 is not talking about prayer as you seem to be suggesting here. The context is talking about this new arrangement of Jesus as high priest and the nation of a royal priest hood. See the context from verse 16 –21 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God;” ( AV) The ones involved in the new covenant were to be priests.
Remember back up the page I said I was going to talk more about Gall 3:26-28 in particular this phrase “heirs according to promise” . Well that is what I am doing now. Is it not true that those are get an inheritance are also heirs. The followers of Jesus were said to get an inheritance
Acts 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the INHERITANCE among all those who are sanctified.
Ephesians 1:14 which is the guarantee of our INHERITANCE until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious INHERITANCE in the saints,
Ephesians 5:5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any INHERITANCE in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the INHERITANCE of the saints in light.
Colossians 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.
Hebrews 9:15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal INHERITANCE, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.
And where is this inheritance? Notice what 1 Peter 1:4 “and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU” (Capitals mine)
Paul's letter to the Romans tells us that his audience were to be heirs with Jesus Rom 8:17 “and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
What where they to be heirs to? James 2:5 answers that “5 Listen, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?”
These ones were to be priests with Jesus Rev 1:6 “ and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever”
Not only are they to be priests but also Kings and to rule with Jesus over the earth. (Rev 5:10 10 “and made them to our God kings and priests; and they shall reign over the earth.” [Darby version])
Who are they to be kings and priests of? Those that are on the earth. The Bible teaches that the earth was made to be inhabited (RSV)
Isaiah. 45:18, “18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other.”
Ps 37:11 “ But the meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”
Mat 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Rev 21:3-4 3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."
Gods purpose has never changed for the earth. It was created for man. Now just think. Adam was created perfect. He only died because he sinned (Romans 5:12 “ Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned”) …. If Adam had not sinned we would not have sin, and Adam would still be alive today. We have death only because Adam sinned. There would have been no need for Jesus to have come to earth to buy back what Adam had lost. Isaiah 55:11 tells us Gods purposes never change … “ so shall MY WORD BE THAT GOES FORTH FROM MY MOUTH; it SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME EMPTY, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (RSV Capitals mine) Part of the words that have gone forth from Gods mouth is his command to Adam to be fruitful and fill the earth and in so doing the Garden of Eden would spread to all corners of the earth. The texts mentioned just above (Isaiah. 45:18; Ps 37:11 ; Mat 5:5 ; Rev 21:3-4 3 )show that is still Gods purpose for manking to inherit the earth and when death is done away with man will live forever .(1 Corinth. 15 26 “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”)
The roll of those in the new covenant is to be kings and priest over those residing on the earth until death is abolished, then along with Jesus all authority will be handed back to the Father 1 Corinth. 15 27,28…. “ "For God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection under him," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, THEN THE SON HIMSELF WILL ALSO BE SUBJECTED TO HIM WHO PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIM, that God may be everything to every one.” RSV Capitals mine)
SUMMARY
Jesus death had 2 rolls
1) to ratify the New Covenant
2) to act as a perpetual sacrifice for all mankind
The New covenant was between God and Spiritual Israel”
Those in the new covenant are to be joint heirs with Jesus and are to be kings and priest
The death of Jesus was to replace the sacrifices made by the high priest for the atonement of our sins. Every one can take advantage of that sacrifice.
In the days of Israel non Jews living in the land could benefit by the sacrifices made by the High Priest as the High priest interceded for those that lived in Israel.
Today we can benefit by Jesus scarifies as his death was for all mankind. We can approach God through Pray because Jesus intercedes for us
I hope that I have been able to explain the matter so that a more complete picture can been seen. If not please feel free to ask for clarification.
