I have another post in the RT series rolling around in my head, but have not had the time or energy to start hammering it out…  May be another couple days before I get to that.

In the meantime, I have been pondering posting a couple emails that I have written as defenses or presentations of what I am learning.  This one is the first of three (or, four?) that I sent to the ordination oversight committee for my denomination.  We’ve had several very pleasant exchanges.  The peace of our Father has been evident, still, I long for them to actually be willing to seek and study the fulness of truth.  Maybe I can write more about the exchanges, one in person over lunch, and how they went with my impressions about ‘dealing with the establishment.’  LOL!

My purpose here in sharing these is to help others in putting together reasoned defenses of our Hebrew roots position.  I understand that it is Yahweh’s Ruach (Spirit) that has to open eyes, therefore, my presentations, though reasoned, are not exhaustive.  My intent is/was to cause thinking and digging.  One key, we always have to maintain the fruit of love, peace, gentleness, etc

**I am hiding names of other parties involved to preserve their anonymity.**

May this help/bless you in your journey.

_______________________

Fathers and brothers,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As you may recall, I wrote to you more than a year ago informing you of my change in perspective on the traditional celebrations of Christmas and Easter, finding no support for either in Scripture. In the same letter I explained that what is prevalent throughout Scripture is the celebration of the “Feasts of the Lord” as articulated in Leviticus 23 and various other passages. I am more convinced of this today than I was then.

A couple of years ago my fervent prayer to the Lord was “show me Truth!” That prayer continues to this day and He has honored it in an overwhelming way.

Through sound and deep Biblical exegesis I have come to the very simple conclusion that the full law, or as Scripture calls it, the Law of Moses, is in effect and we are accountable to it. This includes Sabbath keeping, the dietary laws, feast days/weeks, etc.

The absolute scariest verses I have found in Scripture are Matthew 5:17-19 (NASB): (Jesus speaking) “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Heaven and earth are still here, so not a single ‘jot or tittle’ has passed from the Law.

I affirm that salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:1-10) in the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God, not of works. Salvation has NEVER been of works, however, as obedient children, we are called again and again from Genesis to Revelation to love and OBEY the commandments, ordinances and statues of God.

Not wanting to be ‘the least in the Kingdom’ I have studied, read and prayed seeking the truth our Father promises to those who pursue with diligence. I find NO place in Scripture that authorizes or allows changes in His divine and perfect law that I previously taught to be “abrogated.” Scripture clearly shows these are not matters of salvation, but who wants to be the ‘least in the kingdom?’

In multiple places we are told the ‘feasts of the Lord’ are a ‘perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.’ Multiple places in Scripture the Sabbath is taught as ‘the seventh day’ to be observed ‘throughout your generations’ that you might know that He is ‘the Lord who sanctifies you.’ At no point are either of these commands annulled.

In fact, Jesus says, “If you love Me you will keep my commandments.” Paul says, “Do we nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law” and “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God.” John says, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” James says, “a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” meaning, as I understand it, that the works of the Law evidence the faith.

These verses do not differentiate between laws. In fact, Jesus said that on the love of God and the love of neighbor hang all the Law and the Prophets; and we are to observe and do all that is taught from the chair of Moses.

Fathers and brothers, I am compelled to teach exactly what God is showing me in His Word. As such, I felt it necessary to inform you of my growing love and respect for the whole of His inerrant and inspired Word. If you feel the need to discuss this matter further, I am happy to meet with you and further explain my position.

Peace in Christ our Lord,

A humble servant,

Peter G. Rambo, Sr.

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That email led to a request for a more detailed explanation.  It is posted here.

Shalom,

Pete