Torah for Christians???

We have a couple sets of friends who are Christians and are convinced that believers today should be following the Torah (Jewish Law). They claim that Jesus never said we were to quit its observation-after all He was a Torah follower. I've seen some "messianic" congregations spring up, even a couple in our small community. But I was very surprised a few days ago when I realized the true size of this movement. A link was posted on the internet by an end times writer who is quite well known in some circles saying he was heading to Albuquerque last weekend (I live near ABQ). As I went to the event's site, I saw that it was a three day seminar with a long list of speakers, several of which were teaching on this very subject-Christians should be following Torah. (Some of the other seminars were about end time prophecy and dancing as part of worship {don't get me started on THAT one}). And these seminars were being held all over the country!

OK, what is going on here? I understand that Jesus was Jewish, that much of the context for Scripture was based on the laws and customs passed down to Israel from God. I've even enjoyed putting out a menorah style light in December instead of the pagan "christmas tree". BUT, when one of these "friends" said that when we say the name "Jesus" we are really calling upon a pagan god (like Zeus or something) and that we really aren't Christians if we ignore Torah-well, that's about the limit! Immediately I saw the hand of satan coming in to divide under the guise of "religious fervor". Reminds me of the Apostle Paul who thought he was doing God a favor by killing and imprisoning the early Jewish Christians because of their following what he felt was an heretical sect that defiled Torah. At the very least, there seems to be a slight air of superiority by those practicing such beliefs over us "law-less" ones. I looked on one of the speaker's web sites to see his explanation for all this, and the arguments were lame indeed-especially in trying to refute the VERY clear teachings of Paul against this very thing. And he never did explain exactly HOW MUCH of the Torah to follow. Sure, Sabbath observing is easy-but what about all the dietary laws, the laws for ritual cleansing after childbirth and menstruation, for animal sacrifices, etc, etc, etc. Some groups such as the Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses pick and choose what to observe-coming no where near following every "jot and tittle" that Jesus said would not pass away.

In the first Council of Jerusalem, many of these questions were posed by Gentiles who were being converted in droves by the preaching of Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, and others. They wanted to know what they should and should not follow of Torah. The Pharisees (remember Paul was once a Pharisee) wanted all to be circumcised and to follow the law of Moses. But Peter rose up and said the words that brought freedom to the Gentiles: "Ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:7-11) (Interesting to note that Peter said "we shall be saved, even as they"-putting salvation for the Jews firmly on the same footing as the Gentiles-by grace!) After Paul and Barnabas testified to the miracles wrought among the Gentiles, James arose and proclaimed what would be the final judgment of the Council: "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from beginning of the world. {before the Law} Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day." (Acts 15:14-21) Both Peter and James called following the Law a burden and yoke unable to be borne. James said that the Law of Moses was being preached in synagogues and that was enough. The tabernacle that is being rebuilt is the Body of Christ-an eternal tabernacle of God's dwelling within man and with man. The fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles. He didn't say to go out and build an actual tabernacle, he said that the coming in of the Gentiles would be the missing part of the eternal tabernacle that would stand once again. Most of Israel rejected Jesus, but the tabernacle would be rebuilt in those who made Jesus Lord of their lives.

There are many more Scriptures,and most of the book of Galatians, that refute this false turning to laws that were completely fulfilled in Christ. Paul called such people foolish. But is can be much more deadly than that-it brings strife and contentions, which in turn lead to every evil work. (James 3:16) Again I say that I can see the hand of satan all over this. Yes, there are works consistent with righteousness, and we will be judged by our words and works. But the "works" aren't following shadowy symbols of what Jesus fulfilled on the cross-it's walking in love, joy, and peace; dealing in just measures (honest business practices), refraining from envying and strife, not back biting or gossiping, being humble rather than proud, and so on. It is a complete exchange of life! Trading in the sinful old Adam (law) for the new creation in Christ Jesus. How simple can it get? Yet simplicity seems to be a stumbling block for those who want to follow a million rules and regulations. 

Another point is about the word "Jesus". If this is truly some vulgarization of a heathen god, why do demons run at this Name? Yes, the English word "Jesus" has sent literal demons fleeing, healed the sick, raised the dead. I'm sorry, but very few ever said "Yeshua"when performing these God given miracles. How about the word "Lord"? Or "Christ"? If we are all to speak Hebrew before anything can be done right, then we are all lost indeed. (Hmmm, did the Council of Jerusalem require the Gentiles to take Hebrew lessons? Oh wait, "Yeshua" spoke Aramaic-not true "Hebrew"-my, my.) 

Anyway, you can see how sadly ridiculous all of this is. Following rabbit trails in the name of being more "holy" than the run of the mill Christian. Another divided front for the world to laugh at while they go to hell. Another false doctrine to get our eyes off the Savior and His redeeming work in our lives and to get them on our own "whiteness". Jesus, how it must grieve You! The days of extreme demonic attack and darkness are here NOW! Get your house in order! These things will destroy you in the end if you don't repent and return to your first love. God wash us all clean of the filthiness of the flesh and the uplifting of ourselves above Your Word. Amen