Salvation by Faith or Works? (James vs Paul)

After some research I've found some information on who Jesus chosen to lead before he left the disciples, evidence of Paul's writings that he has different ideas about the laws with other Disciples including James brother of Jesus, Peter and Barnabas and in current Bible New Testament both opinions are different about Salvation (Faith and Works). Finally, I found Jesus prophecy and warnings in future for those that came to Jesus that they have used his name but did not follow his original teachings.

1. Who was Chosen by Jesus to Lead after he depart?

Jesus actually says in the Gospel of Thomas 12.
The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you are going to leave us. Who will be our leader?"
Jesus said to them, "No matter where you are you are to go to James the Just, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being."

Answer: Jesus had chosen James as the Leader

2. Saint Paul Speaks About James and Other Disciple (Conflict of ideas about laws of circumcision)

Galatians 2:12-13 - For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. (12)
The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. (13)

Summary: Paul disagree with other Disciples including James, Peter and Barnabas (He said Barnabas was led astray)

3. Dispute of Laws of Faith and Works in Current Bible

James 2:24 - You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Galatians 2:16 - Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.

Difference Summary:

James - A Man justified by works and not by faith alone.
Paul - A Man is not justified by works but through faith alone.

4. What did Jesus Prophecies (Warned us)?

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (21) Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ (22) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (23)

Summary: Jesus prophesised many people will come to him in the end times, and told them that they prophesised and done wonders in Jesus name, but Jesus will declare to them 'I never knew you, depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!' What does lawlessness means? Those who does not follow the original teaching of Jesus and the prophets.

Investigating 3 Claims By Saint Paul

The Epistle to the Galatians, often shortened to Galatians, is the ninth book of the New Testament. It is a letter from Saint Paul to a number of early Christian communities in Galatia which is believed to be modern day Ankara in Turkey. Saint Paul argues that the Gentile Galatians do not need to adhere to the tenets of the Mosaic Law (Law of Moses), particularly circumcision, by contextualizing the role of the law in light of the revelation of Christ. Galatians has exerted enormous influence on the history of Christianity, the development of Christian theology, and the study of the apostle Paul.

Today we want to dive further in Chapter of Galatians 2

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out sour freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—
5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),
9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Verse 1-10 tells us that Saint Paul experiences with other Apostles of Jesus, we learn that Saint Paul was on a missionary mission with Saint Barnabas and Titus. He said Titus who was a Greek was not forced to be circumcised, but asked why other people that are not Jew like the Gentiles are forced by the law to be circumcised.

Let's continue to the next verse 11-14

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

 

Verse 11-14 shows that Saint Paul was having disagreement with and opposes Apostle Peter. The main topic of the disagreement seems to be about the topic of circumcision law.

Let's continue to the final part of the verse 15-21

15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 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.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

From these verses, we can see that Saint Paul did not have an agreement with Saint Peter and other Disciples of Jesus and he made his conclusion in verse 16 that "A man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith of Jesus Christ." He continued, "Even we have believed in Jesus Christ, and not by the works of the law". And then he said "For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified". From this verse he made a conclusion that only by Faith that mankind will be justified not by the works of the law and by the works of the law no mankind shall be justified. This was against the law and teaching of the time of Jesus Christ, thus it was very opposed by Saint Peters and the rest of the Disciples.

Let's take a look at verse number 20, where Saint Paul said "My old self has been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Why did Saint Paul said his old self has been crucified and Jesus himself lives inside his body? Did he wanted to proof to Saint Peter and the rest that Jesus is inside of him and he has the authority in the argument above? But the most important question, does Saint Paul have the rights and is this the right thing to say?

In the history of entire Bible and Torah as well as the revelation of God, we can always see the common pattern where God had chosen a Messenger or Prophet for the people of their time through the Angel from the time of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jonah, David, Solomon and beyond. And the Prophet will always inform to their people about message of Oneness of God and following the law and always declared themselves that they are the Prophet chosen by God. Did Saint Paul declared that he was a Prophet of God? From history, we don't have any evidence that Saint Paul has declared himself as a Prophet that brought new divine messages or revelation from God. But what were the meaning of these messages by Saint Paul in Galatians 2:16 and 2:20

 

 Let's look into Chapter Galatians 6 verse 1-10, which mentions about bearing one another's burden.

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Let's continue with verse 11-18

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

 

In verse 11-18, we can see that Saint Paul has stated that some people from the Jew that were circumcised didn't keep the law, but wanted the Gentiles to circumcised and receive glory from God. He continued in verse 15 "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation." He then praised upon the Jews and said "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God"

The next verse, Saint Paul said "From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus." Why did Saint Paul said that he has the scars that belong to Jesus? First of all is this the right thing to say? What is the motive of saying this? Could it be that he wanted authority as Jesus himself is inside his body? As he continued to preached the people of Galatians "Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."



Let's also look into Chapter 2 Corinthians 11. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (written as 2 Corinthians), is a Pauline epistle and the eighth book of the New Testament of the Bible. Paul the Apostle and "Timothy our brother" wrote this epistle to "the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia". Chapter 11 Verse 1-15 is a basically the writings to defend his apostleship which were questioned by many including other living Disciples of Jesus which met Jesus in person during that time.

1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Verse 16-33, Paul wrote about his sufferings as an apostle.

16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.



In verse 23, Saint Paul said "Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death." which is referring to other Disciple of Christ. He said he is a better one and continues to write the reasons which are with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

Lessons to Learn

In this article, basically we wanted to learn a few things such as:

1. Why did Saint Paul argue with the other Apostles of Jesus (Saint Peter, Saint Barnabas, Saint James and others) - Mostly it's about Law of Moses especially in the rule of circumcision proven to be the topic of argument?

2. Paul concluded that Jesus is inside of him and he bears the scars of Jesus. Does anyone have the rights to say that he is Jesus or has authority from Jesus? What is the motive of him saying this? Is it to gain authority to win the argument he had with other Apostles?

If he was meant to bring revelation to mankind, as of other Prophets, the right thing for him to do is declare himself as a prophet to mankind. Did he declare himself as prophet that brought message from God?

As described in Amos 3:7 - Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

God only reveal his revelation to the Prophets so that they can tell mankind.

3. Why did Paul said he is better than other servants of Christ (Other Disciple of Jesus). An honest and kind person will never say he is better than another and will not list down his works i.e far greater labors, far more imprisonments, more beatings and often near death. Also, noticed that in writings by Saint Paul in the Bible we can see there are many words using "I, my, my" which referring to himself compared to the 4 Gospels i.e Gospel of John, Make, Luke and Matthew which tells a story instead of referring to themselves as the author.

Logically, if someone does a good deed (i.e for charity) or sincere to help, usually the person will not mention about him or herself. If someone mentioned him or herself, it's a sign that it's not pure sincerity or could be to gain something or has a certain motive.

The Story of Prophet Jonah in the Bible

This is the story of Prophet Jonah in the Bible. Jonah is from the descendant of Abraham third son Midian which was from his third wife Kethura. God called to Jonah one day and told him to go preach the people of Nineveh because the people were very wicked at that time. Jonah preached the people to Worship One God and follow his commandments but the people of Nineveh refused to follow his teachings. Nineveh was also one of Israel's greatest enemies at that time.

Let's look at the Bible Chapter Jonah 1

Chapter Jonah 1

1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:
2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.
5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
6 The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”
7 Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”
9 He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
10 This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)
11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”
12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.
14 Then they cried out to the LORD, “Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, LORD, have done as you pleased.”
15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.
16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
17 Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah decided to leave his people and headed on a boat in the opposite direction of Nineveh towards Tarshish. During his journey on the boat, suddenly a great storm appeared and everybody in the ship started to call upon their own gods for help.

Jonah was asleep at that time when they called him and they asked "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble?" Prophet Jonah answered "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of Heaven, who made the sea and dry land".

The sea and storm is getting more violent and violent and they asked Jonah "What should we do to make the sea calm down?" As they cast lots on who should abandon the ship, Jonah names appeared three times and Jonah said "Pick me up and throw me into the sea and it will become calm, I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you". They took Jonah and threw him overboard where God sent a huge great fish to swallow Jonah and saved him from drowning. The storm began to calm after this incident.

Let's carry on to Chapter Jonah 2 in the Bible

Chapter Jonah 2

1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.
2 He said: “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice".
3 You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.
4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’
5 The engulfing waters threatened me,the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit.
7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.
8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.
9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ ”
10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah was alive inside the belly of the great fish and he began to pray in deep repentance and praised the God. He said "In my distress I called to the LORD and he answered me." For three days and three nights, Jonah sat in the belly of the fish and God commanded the huge fish to throw up Jonah onto the shores of Nineveh.

 

Chapter Jonah 3

1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:
2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
3 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.
4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.
7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.
8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.
9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

In Chapter Jonah 3, Jonah preached to Nineveh and warned them to repent before the city is destroyed in 40 days. The people believed Jonah, turned from their wickedness and believed in One true God. God has mercy on the people of Nineveh.

Jonah Chapter 4 could happen before Jonah 3 (Only God knows best) as Jonah felt sick and upon the verge of dying without food and shelter and also he was angry as he realized he's at Nineveh where the people does not know which is right or wrong. God caused the plant to grow for to protect Jonah and also provided him with food

Chapter Jonah 4

1 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.
2 He prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
3 Now, LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
4 But the LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.
6 Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant.
7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered.
8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
10 But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.
11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Moral of the Story

There is a few lessons that can be learned from the story of Prophet Jonah.

1. God will listen to our prayers no matter where we are and how hard our situation in. He is the All-Seeing and All-Listening.
2. God will provide guidance to whom he wish, we never know if a person or group of people like the people of Nineveth will get guidance, but we have to try as best as we can.





History of How Religion Spread Around the World

From this video, courtesy of Business Insider, we believe from Prophet Adam and Noah, there already exist the true religion of One God which was revealed to them and their people. From this map, we can see that Hinduism started around 5000 years ago which started in the Indus River Valley, India. We have seen recorded history in Hinduism Holy Books of Upanishad and Vedas that there is teaching of Oneness of God.

In Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1 - He is One only without a second.
Svetasvatara Upanishad 6:9 - Of Him there are neither parents nor lord.

In the books of Vedas, Yajurveda 32:3 - There is no image of Him
Yajurveda 40:8 - He is bodyless and pure.

Then, around 4600 years ago, Prophet Abraham (The Father of All Prophets) were born in Ur, in the land of Israel which received revelation for the children of Israel, in the land of Israel. Prophet Abraham was thought the Oneness of God to his people and was given laws for mankind to follow.

Around 3500 years ago, Prophet Moses was born and prophesised to save his people from Pharaoh in Egypt who proclaimed himself as God. He performed many miracles by the will of God including turning his cane into serpent, the plagues and parting the red sea. Few hundred years after that, the Israelites conquered Canaan as described in this verse Joshua 22:9 - So the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan to return to Gilead, their own land, which they had acquired in accordance with the command of the LORD through Moses.

Then, in the year 563 BCE, Buddha was born in Lumbini, which spreads Buddhism from Nepal, towards India and China. Buddha's teaching continues to grow rapidly in the land of China. It is believed in the early Buddhism, Buddha teach the oneness of God but later on mixed up with Taoism culture and religion in China. Accordingly to Gospel of Buddah by Carus page 217 and 218 -"Ananda said to the Blessed One, ‘Who shall teach us when thou art gone?' And the Blessed one replied, 'I am not the first Buddha who came upon the earth nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, endowed with wisdom in conduct, auspicious, knowing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a master of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths, which I have taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax and glorious at the goal. He will proclaim a religious life, wholly perfect and pure such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands while mine number many hundreds.'

Around 2000 years ago Jesus was born in Bethlehem and received revelation to lead the children of Israel. Jesus performed many miracles by the will of God in his times (Cure Leprosy, Blindness, Deafness and Raising the Dead) and preached his people to worship One God and follow his laws. In the year 33 A.D., the Crucifixion event occurred. The Romans were in power at that time, Jerusalem was sacked and most Jews were exiled. Saint Paul were persecuting Christians including a disciple of Jesus named Stephen. After that Paul (Who's known as Saul of Tarsus) claimed that he saw Jesus on the way to Damascus and declared himself an Apostle. He tried to preach Christianity in Jerusalem, however, his teaching and ideas were disapproved by Disciple of Jesus including Peter and Barnabas. The main reason is because Paul beliefs and teachings does not adhere to Jewish Laws including unclean food, the old laws are for Jews only and circumcision. Because of this reason, Paul went to preach to the Gentiles outside of Israel. Saint Paul said in his books while he was preaching them that it does not necessary to follow the laws, as long as you have faith in Jesus Christ. This idea was meant to make it easier for Gentiles to accept this new religion. While other Disciple of Jesus have different beliefs and said the laws cannot be simply broken as this was strict words by Jesus himself.

Christianity began to spread with these different beliefs all across Europe and the Roman Empire and until the year 313 A.D, Emperor Constantine was born who was later became Saint Constantine which unite Christians into a single belief and finalize the final laws in the Holy Bible.

Then in the year 570 A.D, Prophet Muhammad was born in the City of Mecca, Arabia. Muhammad was from the descendant of Abraham's first Son, Ishmael. We can also find in history in this article Jewish Praying Traditions and Where did the Black Stone Come From? He was born during the Year of the Elephant, which before he was born, it is believed that his grandfather Abdul Mutalib was the ruler of the Kaa'ba at that time, which are believed to guard the black stone since the time of Abraham and his family of generations. The year is called the Year of the Elephant, because there's an Abyssinian ruler from Yemen, named Abraha wished to destroy the Kaa'ba which was preserved since the time of Abraham. He and his army of 13 elephants marched towards the Kaa'ba but upon reaching the elephants stopped and refused to continue. However Abraha still insist to march on and forced the elephant to go and they were destroyed by large flock of birds carrying stones turning them to ashes which story can be found here.

Around the year 600 CE, it is believed that Muhammad received the first revelation from God from archangel Gabriel who revealed him the verse of the Holy Quran. Muhammad passed on with his head resting on his beloved wife Aisha's lap in the year 632 A.D and Islam continues to spread rapidly throughout Arabia, Africa, Europe and Asia.

In 1492, Christopher Colombus sailed further west and Age of Discovery begins, Christianity further spreads to the west towards America and South Africa until the Philippines. The Othordox Christians spreads mostly to the east towards the land of Russia, while the other denominations such as the Catholics and Protestants spreads more towards the west from Europe to America. Judaism spreads sparsely to America as well and Islam spreads to the borders of Asia towards South East Asia.

Jewish Praying Tradition and Where Did the Mecca Black Stone Come From? (Explanation from Jewish Man)

In this short video Avi Lipkin a Jewish man explains about Jewish praying tradition and history of how Moses led his follower from Pharoah slavery from Egypt across the red sea towards Arabia land. Hag in Hebrew means a holiday or going around in circle. Jethro (Moses Father In-Law) the high priest of Midian is believed to be High Priest of Kaa'ba in Mecca. According to Avi, there was no Kaa'ba at that time, so he was actually the High Priest of the Black Stone.

From this video, we also know that the black stone was there since the time of Abraham and was taken care by their family generations to generations because Jethro was the descendant of Abraham's first son Ishmael.

 

Moses who is the student of Jethro gave his people the Phylactery to put at forehead and left arm which is a sign from God to leave Pyramid Triangular Slavery System from Egypt to the Cubic Square System in the Arabia land.

Also the Phylactery strap is wrap around 7 times (reference here) around the arm and Muslim also tour the Kaa'ba 7 times during Hajj as per info here.

 

 

Exodus 12:14 - This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival (hag) to the LORD. This is a law for all time.

It is also said Moses was at the Kaa'ba performing the celebration of Hag. The word hag can be found here which translated to festival sacrifice or feast where people gather, celebrate and eat. According to the Jewish man in the video, hag also means going around in circles.
Muslims, to this day, perform annual sacrifice at the occasion of Hajj to celebrate the events that took place in the life of Prophet Abraham.

The Law during Abraham and Moses Time

The circumcision covenant was there since the time of Abraham as mentioned by God in
Genesis 17:9 - Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. (9) This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. (10) You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you (11)

The Jews and Christians are also forbidden from eating pork. Here is a quote from the Old Testament to that effect: "And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase." - Deuteronomy 14:8
Many Christians believe that this verse was directed only at the Jews. But Jesus himself says during the Sermon on the Mount;
Matthew 5:17 - "Do not think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Some Christians say that, after a vision by St. Peter, God cleansed all animals and made them fit and lawful for human consumption. If ALL animals are cleansed by Peter's vision, this includes dogs, cats, vultures, and rats: but you just don't see people getting excited about a cat-meat or a rat-meat sandwich, but we will commonly see people eat or serve pork or bacon. Others say that it was Saint Paul who rescinded the law forbidding pork to humans, in order to appease the Romans, who enjoyed the taste of pig-meat. Many excuses have been given, but we still have to go back to what Jesus have told us in Matthew 5:17.

There were also law of fasting which is stated in Leviticus 16:29 - "On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves. Neither native-born Israelites nor foreigners living among you may do any kind of work. This is a permanent law for you.

In addition, many people are aware that God gave the 10 Commandments to the nation of Israel from Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 20:1-17. This event occurred about two months after Israel left Egypt across the Red Sea.

The question many wonder about is whether these law were known before the time of Moses, especially if we see in Genesis 26:5: “Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Since Abraham obeyed God’s voice and kept His commandments hundreds of years before Moses, then surely those commandments must have been known before Mount Sinai. The Bible tells us that sin is breaking God’s law (1 John 3:4). The Bible refers to sin a number of times before the time of Moses (Genesis 4:7; 13:13; 18:20; 39:9; 42:22; 50:17; etc.), so God’s law must have been revealed, at least to some people. In fact, the Bible gives evidence that the 10 Commandments were known and were understood as being important.

The 10 Commandments before Moses

The First and Second Commandments state: “You shall have no other gods before Me [God]” and, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image … you shall not bow down to them nor serve them” (Exodus 20:3-5).

This is the commandments that tell us that there is only one God that is worthy to be worshipped. We can see from proof, hundreds of years earlier before Moses time, God was working with the patriarch Jacob. After God spoke to Jacob, notice what he did with the idols that were among his household:
“Then God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.’ And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.’ So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem” (Genesis 35:1-4).

So we see Jacob understood the importance of getting rid of idols and only worshipping the one true God.

The Third Commandment says, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7).
It seems the patriarch Job lived before Moses, about the time of Isaac, according to the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, quoting the historian Eusebius. Job was concerned that his children might have been taking God’s name in vain, and he knew that was wrong.
“So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them [his children], and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, ‘It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ Thus Job did regularly” (Job 1:5).

The Fourth Commandment tells us to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). To remember the Sabbath is to recall something that was established earlier.

The 10 Commandments were known before Moses, and they are still important laws for all peoples today. God gave His laws for our good. They are based on love and help us know how to show love to God and our fellow man. Interestingly, Israel was reminded to remember the Sabbath even before they came to Mount Sinai. This was when God gave them manna to eat.

“Then he [Moses] said to them, ‘This is what the LORD has said: “Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD.”’ … Then Moses said, ‘Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it [manna] in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.’
“Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. And the LORD said to Moses, ‘How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?’ (Exodus 16:23-28).

So even before they arrived at Mount Sinai, God expected the people to obey His commandments, including the Fourth Commandment.

The Fifth Commandment says to “honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). Jacob and Esau both had dishonored their parents, but Jacob finally did obey. “Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Padan Aram to take himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,’ and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Padan Aram” (Genesis 28:6-7).

“You shall not murder” is the Sixth Commandment (Exodus 20:13). God told Cain he was to rule over and avoid sin, as anger was in Cain’s heart.
“So the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.’ Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him” (Genesis 4:6-8). Cain’s anger led to the sin of murder.
After the Flood, people knew that God was against murder and demanded a penalty for it. “From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed. For in the image of God He made man” (Genesis 9:5-6).

The Seventh Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14), was known and understood by Joseph.
“And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ‘Lie with me.’ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, ‘Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’” (Genesis 39:7-9).
God also had warned Abimelech, king of Gerar, not to commit adultery with Sarah. “God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, ‘Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife’” (Genesis 20:3).

“You shall not steal,” the Eighth Commandment (Exodus 20:15), was apparently on Jacob’s mind when he discussed his wages with Laban.
“So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me” (Genesis 30:33).

The Ninth and Tenth Commandments, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” and, “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:16-17), have been breached ever since Eve saw and desired (coveted) the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam ate of it as well (Genesis 3:6), and then both of them justified their actions (verses 10-13). The result of their disobedience to God was that they were expelled out of the Garden of Eden.
In conclusion, the 10 Commandments were known before Moses, and they are still important laws for all peoples today. And you must always obey the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. (Deuteronomy 10:13).

Article Reference taken from: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/the-ten-commandments/10-commandments-moses/

When was Jesus Born? (Jesus Birthday)

Although millions of people celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25, most scholars agree that he wasn't born on that day, or even in the year 1 A.D as per source here.

The Bible does not give a specific date for the birth of Jesus Christ, as these reference works show:

• “The true birth date of Christ is unknown.”—New Catholic Encyclopedia.
• “The exact date of Christ’s birth is not known.”—Encyclopedia of Early Christianity.

While the Bible does not directly answer the question, ‘When was Jesus born?’ it does describe two events surrounding his birth that lead many to conclude that he was not born on December 25.

Not During Winter

1. The registration. Shortly before Jesus was born, Caesar Augustus issued a decree ordering “all the inhabited earth to be registered.” Everyone had to register in “his own city,” which might have required a journey of a week or more. (Luke 2:1-3) That order—probably made to support taxation and military conscription—would have been unpopular at any time of year, but it is unlikely that Augustus would have provoked his subjects further by forcing many of them to make long trips during the cold winter.
2. The sheep. Shepherds were “living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks.” (Luke 2:8) The book Daily Life in the Time of Jesus notes that flocks lived in the open air from “the week before the Passover [late March]” through mid-November. It then adds: “They passed the winter under cover; and from this alone it may be seen that the traditional date for Christmas, in the winter, is unlikely to be right, since the Gospel says that the shepherds were in the fields.”

In the land of Israel, there's proof that there's winter and snow.

In early fall

We can estimate when Jesus was born by counting backward from the day of Crucifixion on Passover, Nisan 14 in the spring of the year 33 C.E. (John 19:14-16) Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his three-and-a-half-year ministry, so he was born in the early fall of 2 B.C.E.—Luke 3:23.

Why is Christmas on December 25?

Since there is no evidence that the birth of Jesus Christ occurred on December 25, why is Christmas celebrated on this date? The Encyclopaedia Britannica says that church leaders probably chose it “to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the ‘birthday of the unconquered sun,’ at the time of the winter solstice. According to The Encyclopaedia Americana, many scholars believe that this was done “in order to make Christianity more meaningful to pagan converts.”