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What Are the 'Ordinances' of Colossians 2:14 and Ephesians 2:15?
Bible Questions & AnswersThe word 'ordinances' does not refer to God's laws. It is translated from the Greek word dogma and refers generally to opinions, judgments, and decrees.
The Jerusalem Council's Conclusion
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughJust as parents send children out with specific cautions while all household rules still apply, the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 addressed whether Gentile converts had to follow Jewish customs like circumcision to be saved. Certain Judean believers insisted on circumcision according to the Law of Moses, but the apostle Paul and Barnabas disputed this and appealed to the apostles in Jerusalem. The apostle Peter testified that God had already accepted Gentiles—shown in the conversion of Cornelius the Centurion—by giving them the Holy Spirit and purifying their hearts through faith, not through ritual law. James affirmed this using the prophecy of Book of Amos, concluding that salvation is by grace through Jesus Christ for both Jews and Gentiles. The council therefore rejected imposing the heavy burden of accumulated Jewish traditions, asking Gentile believers only to avoid idolatry-related food, sexual immorality, and blood—practices common in pagan culture that would disrupt fellowship. Overall, the decision affirmed that justification comes through grace and faith rather than works like circumcision, while God's moral commandments still guide holy living and unity among believers
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)When Hebrews was written, the newly converted Jew to the Way encountered persecution from the established religion and culture similar to what we experience.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Galatians, Paul took issue with the Halakhah, not God's word. Halakhah was a massive collection of human opinion that placed a yoke on its followers.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCircumcision is a token, sign, or seal that one was the heir of Abraham. No physical sign has the power to transfer righteousness to the doer.
Christ Our Peace
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe do not have the ability to bring peace to the world; only Christ can do that, first reconciling people to God and then with other people.
Unity (Part 6): Ephesians 4 (C)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughUnity has to come from the inside out, with God raising a leader which His people, having their minds opened by His Spirit, will voluntarily submit to.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Eight): Hebrews 1
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHebrews 1 delivers a knock-out punch to skeptics like many first-century Jews who claimed He falls short in qualifying as our High Priest and Savior.
Fellowship With God
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOnly those who have fellowship with God can have any hope, understanding, peace, or rest. The world remains under the sway of Satan, unable to live righteously.
Sanctification and Holiness (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Numbers 16-18, God performed several miracles to demonstrate conclusively that not everyone is called to the same function and that He remains the Boss.
Spiritual Fine Tuning
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasAs maturing Christians, we are called to lay aside the childlike tendency to over-correct, violently and impulsively moving from one ditch to the other.