Some newb questions...

[Frangible]

1. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy... thou shalt not do any work" I don't understand what this means. In the large catechism, what I read Luther as basically saying is to do what we're supposed to be doing everyday anyway. And what does it mean by "work"? A job for a wage? Yardwork? Laundry?

2. "Honor thy mother and thy father." What Luther says in the large Catechism expands this to include all authority; a bit ironic considering the very nature of Luther's teachings was not honoring the Catholic authority, and his book "On the Jews and Their Lies" didn't exactly propose to follow the laws of the state either. In fact, Luther's very statement here, contradicts itself, as the statement itself (and the whole book of Concord) goes against the authority of the Catholic Church at the time.

This seems to reference Romans 13:1 where Paul basically states "always do what the state tells you to do"... a bit ironic considering he was hung for crimes against the state.

I can't remember where I saw it but I know this was in Jesus's teachings as well, where he tells slaves to be content, and again, to always follow authority.

However, what I didn't see was where Jesus tied this into an actual commandment, which seems to be an interpretive inferrance by man to me.

So is always following authority God's law or not?

3. Temptation as sin. Jesus states that "lusting" is committing adultry in your heart. He also states that hating your brother (fellow man), is murdering him in your heart (can't remember exact phrasing). Is temptation a sin, or is Jesus just warning it leads to sin?

4. "He who believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." But what baptism are they talking about here? Luther indicates it's the ceremony with water, but there is a clear distinction in Matt 3:11; "I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:".

So the baptism performed by John was to show that someone had repetented, and Jesus confirms it is required by God for "righteousness". If that is the case, how are infant baptisms as suggest by Luther, valid? An infant could not understand repentance, yet this ceremony was to prove repentance.

Next, the second type of baptism that John talks about; I assume this is talking figuratively about Jesus's later sacrifice?

So is baptism necessary for repentance? From what Jesus says later, it doesn't sound like it. And when Jesus talks about baptism later, is he referring to this specific ceremony, or something else entirely? Baptism seems to be used in two different ways; what John is doing (the ceremony) and the allusion to something Jesus will do later.


Anyway, thanks for any corrections or helping me understand these things better in advance.

[LutherNut]

1. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy... thou shalt not do any work" I don't understand what this means. In the large catechism, what I read Luther as basically saying is to do what we're supposed to be doing everyday anyway. And what does it mean by "work"? A job for a wage? Yardwork? Laundry?

2. "Honor thy mother and thy father." What Luther says in the large Catechism expands this to include all authority; a bit ironic considering the very nature of Luther's teachings was not honoring the Catholic authority, and his book "On the Jews and Their Lies" didn't exactly propose to follow the laws of the state either. In fact, Luther's very statement here, contradicts itself, as the statement itself (and the whole book of Concord) goes against the authority of the Catholic Church at the time.

This seems to reference Romans 13:1 where Paul basically states "always do what the state tells you to do"... a bit ironic considering he was hung for crimes against the state.

I can't remember where I saw it but I know this was in Jesus's teachings as well, where he tells slaves to be content, and again, to always follow authority.

However, what I didn't see was where Jesus tied this into an actual commandment, which seems to be an interpretive inferrance by man to me.

So is always following authority God's law or not?

3. Temptation as sin. Jesus states that "lusting" is committing adultry in your heart. He also states that hating your brother (fellow man), is murdering him in your heart (can't remember exact phrasing). Is temptation a sin, or is Jesus just warning it leads to sin?

4. "He who believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." But what baptism are they talking about here? Luther indicates it's the ceremony with water, but there is a clear distinction in Matt 3:11; "I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:".

So the baptism performed by John was to show that someone had repetented, and Jesus confirms it is required by God for "righteousness". If that is the case, how are infant baptisms as suggest by Luther, valid? An infant could not understand repentance, yet this ceremony was to prove repentance.

Next, the second type of baptism that John talks about; I assume this is talking figuratively about Jesus's later sacrifice?

So is baptism necessary for repentance? From what Jesus says later, it doesn't sound like it. And when Jesus talks about baptism later, is he referring to this specific ceremony, or something else entirely? Baptism seems to be used in two different ways; what John is doing (the ceremony) and the allusion to something Jesus will do later.


Anyway, thanks for any corrections or helping me understand these things better in advance.

I'll take a stab...

1. The 3rd Commandment deals mainly with regular worship and the reception of the Means of Grace of Word and Sacrament. The "work" spoken of in the commandment refers to the ceremonial Law of the Jews that Jesus Himself fulfilled.

2. We are to adhere to the laws of the state except when such adhering is sinful. The state authority is put in place by God. When that authority goes against God's word, it is no longer of God but of sinful man. This is what happened to the Roman Church. Luther wasn't going against the God given authority, but the man-made authority that had infested the Roman Church.

3. Since Jesus Himself was tempted, we can't say that "temptation" is itself sinful. Lust is more than mere temptation. So is harboring ill will against another. They are actual sins of the heart.

4. The baptism of John the Baptizer is not the same as our Baptism that was instituted by Jesus. John's was an outward act of repentence and obedience. It did not save. Read Acts 19:3-5.
Since the true Baptsim instituted by Christ is a gift of God for forgiveness and salvation, there is nothing that we can do to merit it. There is no prerequisite for Baptism, except faith, which is also a gift of God, given by His grace with no merit or worthiness on our part. Jesus' words in Matthew 28, "Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." indicates that this Baptism is intended for all people, regardless of age or reason. Read Acts 2:39.


Hope this helps... a little anyway.:)


Jay:wave:

[Frangible]

Jay,

Thanks for the reply.


When that authority goes against God's word, it is no longer of God but of sinful man. This is what happened to the Roman Church. Luther wasn't going against the God given authority, but the man-made authority that had infested the Roman Church.

So to make sure I'm understanding this correctly, the qualification lies in whether or not the government requires sin as a matter of law, is that correct?

3. Since Jesus Himself was tempted, we can't say that "temptation" is itself sinful. Lust is more than mere temptation. So is harboring ill will against another. They are actual sins of the heart.

I guess I can see the difference between hate and temptation, but I'm a bit fuzzy on the distiction between lust and temptation. Is the difference Jesus refers to that of willful lust (ie, you seek it out deliberately) vs. temptation being something that happens but is not intended, and is not acted upon?

I'll study Acts better as suggested.

[AngelusSax]

So to make sure I'm understanding this correctly, the qualification lies in whether or not the government requires sin as a matter of law, is that correct?

Right. Let's say the government said "it shall be illegal to remain monagomous throughout marriage, another person must be slept with once every 2 years" or something. Ludicrous, yes. But if it ever happened, following that governmental law would be wrong.

Is the difference Jesus refers to that of willful lust (ie, you seek it out deliberately) vs. temptation being something that happens but is not intended, and is not acted upon?

I would say so. If, for example, a hot young blonde walks by me and she's wearing next to nothing, I am tempted to look at her and, well, you can see where that can go. However, if upon seeing her walk by (for, let's say, a second or two) and I look away, I have not sinned.

[KEPLER]

Right. Let's say the government said "it shall be illegal to remain monagomous throughout marriage, another person must be slept with once every 2 years" or something. Ludicrous, yes. But if it ever happened, following that governmental law would be wrong.
Sadly, there is amuch less far-fetched and all too real example.

Currently, the central government of the People's Republic of China allows parents only one child between them. If the parents get pregnant a second time, they are required be law to terminate the pregnancy.

Our Chinese Christian sisters and brothers face a very real conflict here, and we should pray for them, that they have the strength to resist their government.

Kepler