Social Media Statement:
Paul told us there is no division in 1 Corinthians 3. We are to submit to Christ above all teachers, including Paul himself. I have an issue with the claim that we are not expected to follow the commands Jesus himself spoke in Matthew. Are you saying we can ignore the law because Paul said we are free from the law. If I am not accurately reflecting your post, please elaborate.
My Reply:
The Bible clearly tells us that the earthly ministry of Jesus was to Israel only, as mentioned in Matt.15:24 and Rom.15:8. Jesus, a minister of the circumcision (Jews), promoted and taught according to the Mosaic law, which is a doctrine and dispensation we are not under today. Consider that we do not sacrifice animals. We do not have to do ritual washings. We are not under the Sabbath law/covenant. We do not have Kosher dietary limitations. All these and more are what Jesus taught during His earthly ministry.
On the other hand, Paul was called and separated by God to be the apostle to the Gentiles, Rom.11:13, and the epistles he wrote is the doctrine (the principles of living) for us as the Body of Christ today. Paul tells us the following, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.", 1Cor.14:37-38. As much as the Old Testament and 4-Gospels were the prophetic and law-based doctrine for Israel at that time, Paul's letters are the grace-based doctrine which is what Jesus Christ instructs us to follow as members of the Body of Christ today. This is why Paul tells us to follow his example as he follows Christ, 1Cor.4:16; 1Cor.11:1, since Paul set the pattern of living in his life that we are to adhere to, 1Tim.1:16.
The above only becomes clear if you recognise the dispensational changes that occur in the Bible. A dispensation involves a change in how God administers His will and interactions with humanity. Since Israel, God's own nation, rejected His Son, He blinded Israel (for a season, Rom.11:25) and started a new dispensation by saving Saul (Paul) and sending him to the Gentiles with a new gospel and mystery doctrine (set of principles not connected to Mosaic law). If you compare the kingdom doctrine (what Jesus taught to Israel) and the grace doctrine (what Paul taught for the Body of Christ), you will see many differences which are important to recognise. Mixing or blending these two doctrines together creates confusion and contradictions that cause much division and disputes in our churches today.
If you need more scriptural proofs, I can provide many examples that you can weigh up and consider if you would like to investigate more. The important thing, as Paul says above, is that you be not ignorant of this change in doctrine.
God bless.
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