Examining Tithing Deceptions

One of the most consistent falsehoods in churches today is that you are obligated to "pay tithes." There are no such instructions anywhere in God's Word. The purpose of this Blog is to examine false doctrines in today's teachings on tithing. Anyone claiming that a Christian must tithe is teaching a falsehood. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." - Acts 17:11

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Three Simple Words

THREE SIMPLE WORDS

Do you people who teach or believe in tithing know what these words mean?...

1. WEAK

2. UNPROFITABLE

3. DISANNULLED

If not, keep reading...

1. WEAK - lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking physical strength and energy. Inability to perform something or cause something to happen.

2. UNPROFITABLE - not yielding profit or financial gain. Not returning anything to an investor, a venture returning nothing to all involved.

3. DISANNULLED - transitive verb. dis·an·nulled, dis·an·null·ing, dis·an·nuls. To annul or cancel. Related Forms: dis′an·nul′ment. To put an end to something.

>> Here are the words WEAK, UNPROFITABLE, and DISANNULLED from the Greek original language used in Hebrews chapter 7...

1. WEAK - Greek: ἀσθενής

Transliteration: asthenēs

Pronunciation: as-then-ace'

Definition: From G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G4599; strengthless (in various applications literally or figuratively and morally): - more feeble impotent sick without strength weak (-er -ness thing).

KJV Usage: weak (12x), sick (6x), weakness (2x), weaker (1x), weak things (1x), impotent (1x), more feeble (1x), without strength (1x).

Occurs: 25

In verses: 23

> IN SHORT - FEEBLE, IMPOTENT, NO STRENGTH.

2. UNPROFITABLE- Greek: ἀνωφέλες

Transliteration: anōpheles

Pronunciation: an-o-fel'-ace

Definition: From G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G5624; useless or (neuter) inutility: - unprofitable(-ness).

KJV Usage: unprofitable (1x), unprofitableness (1x).

Occurs: 2

In verses: 2

> IN SHORT - USELESS.

3. DIS-ANNULLED - Greek: ἀθέτησις

Transliteration: athetēsis

Pronunciation: ath-et'-ay-sis

Definition: From G114; cancellation (literally or figuratively): - disannulling put away.

KJV Usage: disannulling (1x), to put away (with G1519) (1x).

Occurs: 2

In verses: 2

> IN SHORT - CANCELLED, GONE FOREVER!

Or, as CLEARLY STATED IN HEBREWS 7:18...

"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."

What is DISANNULLED? What is WEAK? What is UNPROFITABLE? These three...

1. The Levitical Priesthood (which could bring perfection [salvation] TO NO ONE, Hebrews 7:11).

2. The Law of Moses relative to New Testament Christians who are NOT UNDER THE LAW (Romans 6:14, Acts 15:24).

3. Tithing, which is of the law of Moses (Hebrews 7:5, Numbers 18:21-24, Matthew 23:23).

ALL THREE ARE WEAK, ALL THREE ARE UNPROFITABLE, AND ALL THREE ARE DISANNULLED!!

>> Tithing that God commanded was established in, and part of the Law of Moses; that is VERY CLEAR in Hebrews 7:5...

"And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people ACCORDING TO THE LAW, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:"

THERE IS NO COMMAND TO TITHE GIVEN TO ANYONE, JEW OR GENTILE, OUTSIDE OF THE LAW OF MOSES. ADDITIONALLY, GENTILES HAVE NEVER BEEN COMMANDED TO TITHE...

"He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord." - Psalm 147:19-20

ALL COMMANDMENTS TO TITHE ARE IN THE LAW OF MOSES, OR SCRIPTURE REFERRING TO AND PURSUANT TO THE LAW OF MOSES SUCH AS IN MALACHI 3:10...

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." - Malachi 3:10

Malachi states in Malachi 4:4 that who he is talking to, who he is commanding to "bring in the tithe," ARE UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES...

"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." - Malachi 4:4

And, the command to bring in the tithe to the Storehouse is to the Priests of Aaron, not ANYONE ELSE...

"And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you." - Malachi 2:1...what commandment? THE COMMANDMENT TO BRING IN THE TITHE TO THE STOREHOUSE...

"And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." - Nehemiah 10:38

NO ONE WAS TO BRING THE TITHE TO THE STOREHOUSE EXCEPT THE LEVITES AND PRIESTS OF AARON...NO ONE ELSE LEST THEY DIE...

"And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die." - Numbers 18:21-22

CHRISTIANS ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES, AND THEREFORE HAVE NO COMMANDMENT TO TITHE...

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are NOT UNDER THE LAW but under grace." - Romans 6:14

"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENT:" - Acts 15:24

SORRY TO INFORM YOU TITHING TEACHERS; YOUR TITHING GAME IS OVER, your cash cow has run off, your days of lying to your followers and stealing money from them ARE OVER.

You are described perfectly by the Apostle Peter...

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness (LUST AFTER MONEY AND MATERIAL THINGS) shall they with feigned words (WORDS OF DECEPTION) make merchandise (A SOURCE OF MONEY) of you: whose judgment (THEIR EVIL EXPOSED AND JUDGED BY GOD) now of a long time lingereth not (WILL BE RIGHT ON TIME), and their damnation (BEING SENT TO HELL) slumbereth not." - 2 Peter 2:1-3

>> We are warned to stay away from people who Peter is describing; Paul wrote this...

STAY AWAY FROM TITHING TEACHERS...

"Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain (MONEY) is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." - 1 Timothy 6:5

HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH TITHING TEACHERS, EXPOSE THEM WITH THE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD...

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." - Ephesians 5:11

TITHERS...be free from tithing!

_______________________________________________

Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Executing Non Sabbath Keepers

If Malachi 3:10 is talking to Christians and commanding Christians to tithe, then Malachi 4:4 must therefore also be telling Christians to obey ALL OF THE LAW OF MOSES...

Malachi 4:4 - "Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments."...

Malachi 3:10 - "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

If you must obey Malachi 3:10 and Malachi 4:4, then you must also obey Numbers 15:32-36 and Exodus 31:14 and execute (KILL) non-sabbath keepers...

"Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should be done to him." Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died." - Numbers 15:32-36

"Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people." - Exodus 31:14

WHY?

Why must you obey Numbers 15:32-36, Exodus 31:14 and Malachi 4:4 if you obey Malachi 3:10? THIS IS WHY...

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in ALL THINGS which are written in the book of the law TO DO THEM." - Galatians 3:10

And...

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend on ONE POINT, he is guilty of all." - James 2:10

THEREFORE...

If you obey Malachi 3:10, YOU MUST ALSO KILL NON-SABBATH KEEPERS OR BE CURSED YOURSELF.

That is what God's word CLEARLY SAYS. There is no way around it!

Have you killed any non-sabbath keepers lately? You can't obey one part of the law and not another part.

Now do you see why we are telling you that Malachi 3:10 HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS, and is NOT instructing a Christians to tithe?

The Apostles wrote...

BE FOREVER FREE FROM TITHING (then you won't have to kill non-sabbath keepers).

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Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Without a Biblical Basis...

Without a biblical basis, and deceptively, tithing teachers continue to demand "tithe payments" from their followers.

The tithe referred to in Numbers 18:20-24 was the personal property of the Levites; They owned the tithes given to them as an inheritance from God. God has never taken it back.

Facts;

1. The tithe wasn't based on income because they didn't own the tithe; they couldn't sell it or consume it. It wasn't their's to sell, derive income from or use. Numbers 18:20-24.

2. The tithe wasn't given to the Levites because you can't give something to someone that you don't own. Numbers 18:20-24.

3. The tithe wasn't an offering, love gift, or sacrificial giving because you can't give an offering to someone consisting of something you don't own. Numbers 18:20-24.

4. The tithe was never money (any form of currency; gold, silver, shekels, etc,); all Biblical references to the tithe describes the tithe as consisting only of agricultural products (fruits, vegetables and clean livestock from the Promise Land only). Lev. 27:30, 32, Num. 18:27, Num. 18:28, Deut 12:17, Deut. 14:22, Deut. 14:23, Deut. 24:21, Deut. 26:12, 2 Chron. 31:5, 2 Chron. 31:6, Neh. 10:37, Neh. 13:5, Mal. 3:10, Matt. 23:23, Luke 11:42.

5. God has never levied a tithe on income, and has never commanded individuals to tithe. The tithe was levied on the Nation of Israel, the Nation of Israel was to surrender the tithe from the increase of their land. Malachi 3:9. Malachi 3:8 refers to corrupt Priests who were stealing the "tithe of the tithe" from the Temple storehouse in Jerusalem. Malachi 2:1, Nehemiah 10:38, Nehemiah 13.

6. The ownership of the tithe has never been taken from the Levites and given to anyone. The title deed of ownership has never been revoked and transferred by God to any apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher or anyone else. None of these people own the tithe, none of them have a right to it or a claim on it.

7. All requirements to tithe that had been commanded of anyone has been forever ended as stated clearly in Hebrews 7:18. The commanded practice of tithing, as established by Mosaic Law, has nothing to do with New Testament Believers. Acts 15:24. There is no such New Testament practice as "tithing," and no other scripture outside of the Law of Moses commanding tithing to anyone. God never commanded Gentiles to tithe. Psalm 147:19-20.

8. New Testament pastors are not modern day Levites, there exists no scriptural basis for such a claim, and they have no Biblical right to demand and receive tithes.

9. There is no such Biblical practice or doctrine of tithing described as "love tithing," "grace tithing," or "90 day tithe challenges." They simply do not exist. The Book of Malachi was written to Israelis who were under the law. Malachi 4:4

10. Anyone attempting to "tithe" under the New Testament is doing so wholly without a Biblical basis for their efforts.

11. There is no Biblical basis to claim that churches are "storehouses to be tithed to."

12. There is no such thing as "New Testament tithing" that has been commanded, referred to, recorded, suggested or encouraged in the Bible.

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Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Recently a tithing teacher made this claim on his blog...

"If the Melchizedek priesthood continues, the act of tithing also continues."

This was stated in the context of Hebrews chapter seven and Genesis chapter fourteen. Both chapters refer to Abraham tithing to Melchizedek.

My answer...

Where is Melchizedek so we can tithe to him? Where, in what scripture, have you been authorized to receive tithes for Melchizedek? Upon receiving tithes, do you turn them over to Melchizedek? If so, how? Can you provide proof that you have been turning the tithes you receive over to Melchizedek, and, tell me; how do you do so?

Facts;

1. Nowhere in God's word does it tell us that based on the continuation of the Melchizedek priesthood we are to continue tithing.

2. The priesthood of Melchizedek will last forever, including into the eternal Heavenly Kingdom; are we going to be required to tithe in heaven to Melchizedek? If so, what are we to tithe? You had better be a farmer or a rancher in heaven, and heaven had better be located on the Promise Land on earth because every command to tithe states that the tithe is to consist of fruits, vegetable and clean live stock from, and only from, the Promise Land God gave to the Children of Israel; where does God's word tell us that will be different for tithing to Melchizedek? There is not a single word in God's Word that the tithe commanded by God was to be anything but fruits, vegetable and clean live stock from the Promise Land. There is no scripture stating that tithes are to come from heaven.

3. Hebrews 7:8 does not command that tithing to Melchizedek is to continue into the New Testament...

"And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."

Note: "receiveth them" is in italics, and was ADDED by King James translators. And, it was PAST TENSE... "there" referring to BACK THEN tithes were received; not now, not in the New Testament, not in the future.

Monday, May 18, 2020

The Improper Use of Hebrews 7:8

Many tithing teachers and tithers often refer to Hebrews 7:8 as a "proof text" that a Christian must tithe, and that tithing is commanded in the Bible, the New Testament, today.

Their basic claim is that Hebrews 7:8 says that "Jesus is still receiving tithes today so therefore we must tithe," and they usually claim that Melchizedek was, and is, Jesus.

Prosperity gospel false teacher Kenneth Copeland once claimed "for those of you who don't believe in tithing, the Bible says he who ever lives still receives tithes."

That false and misleading quote of Hebrews 7:8 is found in Copeland's teaching series called "The laws of Prosperity," and is keeping with the prosperity gospel's false teachings on tithing.

Let's take a close look at Hebrews 7:8 and what it actually says by taking it apart and by looking at that verse piece by piece in proper context. We will use the King James Version.

Here is the breakdown of Hebrews 7:8;

"And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."

>> 1. "AND HERE"

Those two words, "AND HERE," are referring to Hebrews 7:5-7...

"And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better."

The "HERE" refers to a time in the past when Abraham met with Melecheidek and paid him tithes, and Melecheidek blessed Abraham, thus demonstrating that Melecheidek was greater than Abraham by receiving tithes from Abraham and blessing him. This is said to be "without all contradiction " that the lessor is blessed by the greater.

Also, "HERE" refers to a time when Levi (tribe of) PAID TITHES IN ABRAHAM (not TO Abraham, but rather IN or THROUGH Abraham); "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham." - Hebrews 7:9. This shows that ALSO Levi (the priesthood of) was inferior to Melchizedek.

>> 2. "MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES"

Those men that die is a reference to Levites who had the command to take tithes of their brethren, namely, from descendants of Abraham and Sarah, and had all died. Another point showing the inferiority of the Levitical priesthood; that they die in contrast to Melchizedek who continues to live. It also is a reference to the sons of Levi paying tithes in Abraham.

Kenneth Copeland, a man who receives tithes, has claimed that "tithing is God's system for living." I it find interesting that God in Hebrews 7:8 calls men that receive tithes as "MEN WHO DIE" ...just a thought, Kenneth.

>> 3. "BUT THERE HE RECEIVETH THEM"

The words "RECEIVETH THEM" are two words added by King James translators, and are not words found in the Greek text that we have which was used as source text for the King James Bible. Though added or not, RECEIVETH THEM is still referring to BACK THERE, ("but THERE he receiveth them") and is not stating that Melchizedek is currently receiving tithes today; "but THERE he receiveth them" is a reference to something that happened in the past, that of Melchizedek receiving tithes from Abraham, and the Levites both taking tithes from their brethren and paying tithe in Abraham. This shows that BOTH Levi and Abraham are inferior to Melchizedek, and in the case of Levi, an inferior Priesthood to Melchizedek.

The Aaronic Priesthood of the Tribe of Levi was a mortal Priesthood comprised of mortal men who die. To sustain the Aaronic Priesthood on earth, God gave them all the tithe of Israel...

This is in obvious contrast to the ever living eternal Priesthood of Melchizedek that is not in need of tithes, or to be sustained by tithes. Why would an eternal being, an eternal Priesthood, require a constant taking of tithes to live? To claim that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is still receiving tithes today is to claim that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is mortal rather than perceptual and eternal, and therefore would not be superior to the Aaronic Priesthood as is declared in Hebrews chapter seven...

"And without all contradiction the less [Abraham and Levi] is blessed of the better [Melchizedek]." - Hebrews 7:7

The eternal nature and condition of the Priesthood of Melchizedek is declared...

"The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." - Psalm 110:4

The tithes paid to Melchizedek by Abraham and Levi were symbolic of, and a demonstration of, the superiority the Priesthood of Melchizedek. Abraham's paying of a one time tithe to Melchizedek was not intended to sustain Melchizedek as were the paying of tithes to the Priesthood of Aaron. The writer of the Book of Hebrews reveals Melchizedek as...

"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." - Hebrews 7:3

This is not a person or Priesthood in need of anyone's continual paying of tithes to them.

>> 4. "OF WHOM IT IS WITNESSED THAT HE LIVETH."

"WITNESSED" in this case means VERIFIED, a truth, has been seen, on record, well known, a clear fact that cannot be denied. And what is the verified fact? ...That Melchizedek is still alive not having died.

>> As you can see, Hebrews 7:8 says NOTHING of Melchizedek (or Jesus) continuing to receive tithes today (i.e., under the New Testament), or Christians being told to tithe based on Hebrews 7:8. That claim is simply FALSE.

>> Hebrews 7:8 In proper context (Hebrews 7:5-11)...

5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

>>> The Interlinear version of the Bible ...

The Interlinear version (exact word for word from the Greek) of Hebrews 7:8 reads like this...

"And here indeed tithes dying men receive in that place moreover being testified that he lives on."

Where do you see anything about "tithes still being received today by anyone"? NOT ONE WORD about Jesus, or Melchizedek, still receiving tithes today.

>> Melchizedek still receiving tithes today? No proof of that at all. We are to be free will givers, NOT tithers. We have no instructions in Hebrews 7:8, or anywhere, to tithe.

_______________________________________________

Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Jesus Spoke of Tithing in the New Testament?

Jesus Spoke of Tithing in the New Testament?

No, He didn't; while on earth He never mentioned tithing even once in the New Testament, not a single word.

Tithing teachers love to refer to Matthew 23:23 (also Luke 11:42) as "proof text" that Jesus not only spoke about tithing in the New Testament, but, as they falsely claim; "validated tithing, and commanded tithing for New Testament Christians." They tell us "tithing is in the New Testament, Jesus commanded tithing, therefore a Christian should tithe." Nothing could be further from the truth.

Neither Matthew 23:23 or Luke 11:42 are in the New Testament; if by "New Testament" you are referring to the New Covenant era we are now in and will be forever.

When Jesus spoke His words in Matthew 23:23 or Luke 11:42, He had not gone to the cross yet, He was operating under the Law of Moses, and the New Covenant was not yet established or in force. Also, Jesus spoke Matthew 23:23 or Luke 11:42 to Jews who were still at that time under the Law of Moses and were, if growing fruits, vegetables or raising live stock on the promise land, required to tithe on them.

Jesus was not commanding New Testament Christians to tithe in Matthew 23:23 or Luke 11:42. To claim so is taking scripture completely out of proper context, the proper Covenant, and applying it to the wrong group of people in the wrong covenant era. The tithing Jesus was referring to was a commandment to the Children of Israel under the Old Covenant.

ORGANIZING THE BIBLE

Over the last few hundred years the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, have been organized into what we call the "Old Testament" and the "New Testament," with the Old Testament ending with The Book of Malachi and the New Testament beginning with The Gospel of Matthew. Sadly, most people do not realize that the majority of the Gospels, the records and events inside the Gospels, take place during the Old Covenant era, including Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42.

The Gospels, all four, can in fact be broken up into two parts; chapters and verses before Jesus' death on the cross (Old Testament period), and chapters and verses after Jesus' death on the cross (New Testament period). Where Jesus' death on the cross is the demarcation line between the end of the Old Covenant (including the Law of Moses which was the Covenant with the Nation of Israel) and the beginning of the New Covenant. The Gospels are placed in their complete condition in what we call "the New Testament" as a method of organization of the Bible. Men decided to place the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in their entirety (all chapters and verses) into what we call "The New Testament" set of scriptures.

If I were to break the Gospels into two parts, based on the Old and New Covenant sections, they would be organized like this...

>> MATTHEW;

Gospel of Matthew, Old Covenant period; Matthew 1:1 to Matthew 27:50 (Jesus' death).
Gospel of Matthew, New Covenant period; Matthew 27:51 to Matthew 28:20.

>> MARK;

Gospel of Mark, Old Covenant period; Mark 1:1 to Mark 15:37 (Jesus' death).
Gospel of Mark, New Covenant period; Mark 15:38 to Mark 16:20.

>> LUKE;

Gospel of Luke, Old Covenant period; Luke 1:1 to Luke 23:46 (Jesus' death).
Gospel of Luke, New Covenant period; Luke 23:47 to Luke 24:53.

>> JOHN;

Gospel of John, Old Covenant period; John 1:1 to John 19:30 (Jesus' death).
Gospel of John, New Covenant period; John 19:31 to John 21:25.

>> Why the demarcation lines in the Gospels placed where I placed them, where Jesus' death is recorded in each Gospel? This is why...

HIGH PRIEST OF THE OLD TESTAMENT ESTABLISHED IN THE LAW OF MOSES

The high priest was the supreme spiritual leader of the Israelites, the Nation of Israel. The office of the high priest was hereditary and was descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the Levite tribe (see: Exodus 28:1; Numbers 18:7). The high priest had to be “whole” physically (without any physical defects) and holy in his personal conduct (see: Leviticus 21:6-8).

Under the Old Covenant only the High Priest was permitted to enter the Temple Holy of Holies. He could only do so once a year (the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, which is the holiest day of the Jewish year) and only after proper ceremonial activity was successfully completed, and after required sacrifices were offered up to God. If any of these requirements were not properly completed he was dead upon entering the Holy of Holies. God would not tolerate sin in His Holy presence. If the High Priest’s sins were not atoned for properly, he would die in the presence of the shekinah - the glory of God that filled the Holy of Holies.

The high priest had to offer a sin offering not only for the sins of the whole congregation (the Nation of Israel), but also for himself (see: Leviticus 4:3-21).

The Holy of Holies was entered into once a year by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement to sprinkle the blood of sacrificial animals (a bull offered as atonement for the Priest and his household, and a goat offered as atonement for the people) and offer incense upon the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat which sat on top of the ark in the First Temple (the Second Temple had no ark and the blood was sprinkled where the Ark would have been and the incense was put on the Brazen Altar of incense). The animal was sacrificed and the blood was carried into the most holy place. The golden censers were also found in the Most Holy Place.

In Leviticus 16:2 it says...

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat." The mercy seat was inside the Holy of Holies.

Anyone entering the Holy of Holies without being the right person (the High Priest) on the proper day (the Day of Atonement) would die in God's presence. Between the outside and inside of the Holy of Holies there was a thick veil covering the entrance.

At the moment Jesus died on the cross...

"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;" - Matthew 27:50-51

...the veil that was torn in two in the temple was the veil over the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Why was it torn in two the moment Jesus died on the cross? Because the sins of mankind were paid for in total, and now anyone could enter the Holy of Holies and stand face to face with God with their sins forgiven and cleansed by Jesus' blood shed in His death.

That could ONLY happen under the New Covenant paid for by Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross. At the moment of Jesus' death the New Covenant was established and came into power, later to be revealed and detailed from the Book of Acts to the Book of Revelation.

The Word of God tells us...

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures," - 1 Corinthians 15:3

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;" - 1 Peter 3:18

"For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." - Romans 5:10

"For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance." - Hebrews 9:15

"Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." - 1 Peter 1:18-19

How does the Bible express the significance of Jesus’ death as recorded in the Gospels? This is exactly what we find at the crucifixion of Jesus and the tearing of the temple "curtain" (or veil) immediately after his death. The tearing of the veil is described in all three Synoptic Gospels (see; Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45) and is God's way of saying that mankind can now approach Him in His holiest place and live.

In understanding the role of the High Priest, we can better comprehend the significance of Christ offering Himself for our sins once for all (see: Hebrews 9:26 and Hebrews 10:10-12). Through Christ’s sacrifice for us, we are sanctified and set apart for Him.

CONCLUSION

Jesus has not commanded any New Testament Believer to tithe under the Old or New Covenants, He did not establish tithing in the New Covenant for anyone. That is the reason no Apostle ever taught tithing, asked for a tithe, rebuked any person or church for not tithing, or received a tithe themselves. Not one of them. The early church (i.e. Book of Acts) NEVER tithed. We have NO record of them doing so. In fact, concerning the law regarding tithing and the rest of the Law of Moses, the Apostles wrote...

"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:" - Acts 15:24

Hebrews 7:18-19 says of the Law of Moses, including the commandment to tithe, which the writer of Hebrews tells us that the commandment is dis-annulled (ended), unprofitable and weak...

"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." - Hebrews 7:18-19

Where was mankind under the New Covenant first given the calling to "draw nigh unto God"? The first place was the Holy of Holies immediately after Jesus' death on the cross. There was no longer to be a veil between mankind and God. By faith anyone could enter.

Additionally, it must be understood that Christians under the New Testament are not under the law...

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:14

"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." - Romans 7:6

>> Concerning Jesus' statement...

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." - Matthew 23:23

And, recorded in the Gospel of Luke...

"But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." - Luke 11:42

...both verses record Jesus' words BEFORE the New Covenant era began, BEFORE Jesus went to the cross, BEFORE he died on the cross, BEFORE the veil to the Holy of Holies was torn in two inviting all to enter in faith (no tithe required).

So, as you can see; When on earth, Jesus never mentioned tithing in the era of the New Covenant. When He was on earth it was the era of the Old Covenant. Jesus waited until the Book of Hebrews (Hebrews chapter seven) after His resurrection, where He, through the Holy Spirit, revealed how and why tithing was forever ended.

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Copyright 2019-2020, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.

Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.

Monday, March 23, 2020

Tithing in the Book of Malachi not a matter of the Law?

When presented with the fact that God's commanded tithing was a product of the Law of Moses (or "the law"), many tithing teachers will insist that the Book of Malachi (Malachi 3:10 being their flagship scripture often used to argue for Christian tithing) is not instructing tithing under the law because, as they claim, strictly speaking Malachi is not one of the books of law, not a part of the Torah or the "Pentateuch."

"Pentateuch" refers to the first five books of the Bible. These books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The word Pentateuch comes from two Greek words that mean "five books" or "five scrolls."

Given that Christians are not under the law, it becomes imperative that tithing teachers attempt to separate the Book of Malachi from the law or lose the Book of Malachi as a tool to convince their listeners to tithe to them.

To begin with, it must be understood that Christians under the New Testament are not under the law...

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:14

"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." - Romans 7:6

"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:" - Acts 15:24

Here are a list of reasons why you cannot separate the Book of Malachi, and the commandment to tithe, from the law;

>> The following is a list of reasons (there are many others) why such a claim of Malachi not being scripture based on the Law of Moses is in error...

1. Because of the development of themes in the book of Malachi, most scholars assign it to a position after Haggai and Zechariah, close to the time when Ezra and Nehemiah came to Jerusalem in 445 BC. At that time the Nation of Israel, to whom Malachi addresses his writing to, were under the law. Malachi opens his document with...

"The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi." - Malachi 1:1

Malachi was not directly addressing Gentiles or any other nation, as he was to Israel...

"He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord." - Psalm 147:19-20

2. In Malachi 1:7-8, Malachi addresses the issue that the Priests were offering "polluted bread upon mine altar," and "ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?"

In Malachi 1:12, Malachi states "But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible."

These issues were matters of a violation of the law that Malachi rebuked them for in Malachi 1:12...

"No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire." - Leviticus 2:11

"And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God." - Deuteronomy 15:21

3. In Malachi 2:1, Malachi focuses on a commandment to the Priests relative to tithing. These Priests were of the Tribe of Levi, and their Priesthood was established under the law, they functioned under the authority and commandments of the law, they took tithes under the authority and commandments of the law...

"And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you." - Malachi 2:1

"And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:" - Hebrews 7:5

"Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?" - Hebrews 7:11

"And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons." - Exodus 28:1

4. In Malachi 2:4, Malachi speaks of a commandment that is directly related to the covenant God has with the Levites. That law, or commandment, gave the Levites the sole authority to bring tithes (the tithe of the tithe) to the Temple storehouse...

"Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe. And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest." - Numbers 18:26-28

Referring to the law in Numbers 18:26-28, Nehemiah gives this instruction to the Priests being addressed in Malachi 2:1...

"And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." - Nehemiah 10:38

5. In Malachi chapter three there are several verses that are taken directly from the law; "mine ordinances" in Malachi 3:7 are a direct reference to the law...

From Malachi...

"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?" - Malachi 3:7

From the law...

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them." - Deuteronomy 4:29-31

"Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD." Deuteronomy 9:7-21

"For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant." - Deuteronomy 31:20

Moses speaking; "For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?" - Deuteronomy 31:27-29

And, Malachi 3:10, the flagship scripture verse tithing teachers use to deceive and coerce people into tithing...

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." - Malachi 3:10

...which is taken from the law...

"And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation." - Numbers 18:21

"But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance." - Numbers 18:24

Also picked up by Nehemiah who was referring to the law, and elaborated on in Nehemiah chapter ten...

"And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." - Nehemiah 10:37-38

6. In the fourth chapter of Malachi, we find Malachi 4:4, which makes what is perhaps the most concise and clear statement that the Book of Malachi is without a doubt based on the Law of Moses...

"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." - Malachi 4:4

Malachi was clearly writing to people, the Nation of Israel (Malachi 1:1), who were under the law, and bases his book on the law.

CONCLUSION; verse after verse, statement after statement from Malachi has their foundation in the law, indeed the entire Book of Malachi has it's foundation in the law.

To declare that Malachi was not based on the law (including Malachi 3:10) is an absurd and false claim, one that is ignoring solid scriptural proof that it was.

If Malachi was not based on the law, one might ask the tithing teacher; what then was it based on? Malachi 4:4 is as clear as it can be; the Book of Malachi was based on the Law of Moses, of which law we are not under as Christians and have NO commandant to tithe anything to anyone...

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." - Galatians 2:16

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." - Romans 10:4

"But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed," - Galatians. 3:23

"Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God," - Romans 7:4

This is not to say that Christians are to be lawless as is claimed in a false doctrine called antinomianism (antinomianism comes from two Greek words, anti, meaning "against"; and nomos, meaning "law."). Rather, it means that we are free from the Mosaic Law which Malachi was based on, and instead we are under the law of Christ...

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2...love God with all of our being and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

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Copyright 2019-2020, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.

Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.

Examining Tithing Deceptions

Sunday, July 5, 2020

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Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Executing Non Sabbath Keepers

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Without a Biblical Basis...

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

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Monday, May 18, 2020

The Improper Use of Hebrews 7:8

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Jesus Spoke of Tithing in the New Testament?

Monday, March 23, 2020

Tithing in the Book of Malachi not a matter of the Law?

A REQUIREMENT TO TITHE?

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