(NET) Matt 5:19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands
and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of
heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be
called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
There are some commentators who says it signifies exclusion from the kingdom of heaven, ie. hell; whereas some argue that they remain in kingdom as least, meaning they remain saved in heaven. Which one is accurate? Is Christ giving a provision for small sins here or giving no provision at all?
For example, Daniel Whedon commentary:
Many of the best commentators understand this as signifying that he
shall be excluded. Yet such, surely, is not its exact meaning. Clearly
to be least IN the kingdom of heaven is far less than shall in no
case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Heinrich Meyer’s Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament mentions:
He is not to be excluded (as Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Calovius,
Wolf, Bengel, and others have misinterpreted the meaning of ἐλάχ.
κληθ.), because his antinomianism is not a principle, not directed
against the law as such, but only against individual precepts of the
law, which in themselves are small, and whose importance as a whole he
does not recognise
Johann Albrecht Bengel’s Gnomon of the New Testament
Mat 5:19. Αύσῃ, shall break) The antithetical word to this is
ποιήσῃ, shall do, which occurs further on in this verse. The Scribes,
who thought themselves “great,” were in the habit of breaking them.
The same verb, λύω, occurs in Joh 7:23; Joh 10:35.—τούτων, of these)
those, namely, which follow in Mat 5:22; Mat 5:28, etc.—τῶν ἐλαχίστων,
of the least) These precepts, “Thou shalt not kill,” etc., are not
essentially the least, for in them the whole law is contained. But
they are so only inasmuch as, when rightly explained, they regulate
even the most subtile affections and emotions of the soul, and the
slightest movements of the tongue, and thus, when compared with other
precepts, appear to men to be the least.—ἐλάχιστος, least) Referring
to the preceding ἐλαχίστων. An instance of Ploce.[191] As we treat the
Word of God, so does God treat us; see Joh 17:6; Joh 17:11; Rev 3:10.
“A little” signifies “almost nothing,” whence “the least” comes to
mean “none at all” (for they considered anger, for instance, as of no
consequence whatever); cf. in Mat 5:20, “ye shall not enter.”
ἐλάχιστος; has a different force in this passage from that which ὁ
μικρότερος (the least) “in the kingdom of heaven” has in ch. Mat
11:11.—ἐν τῂ βασιλείᾳ τὼν οὐρανῶν, in the kingdom of heaven) which
cannot endure the presence of the unrighteous.—ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ,
shall do and teach) The same order of words occurs in Act 1:1.—ποιήσῃ,
shall do them, sc. all; for it is not lawful to break or neglect even
one of them.—οὗτος, this man, he) A pronoun used emphatically. Comp.
with this use of οὗτος, ch. Mat 7:21 (Latin Version[192]); Luk 9:24;
Joh 7:18.—μέγας, great) All the commandments are of great account to
him, especially in their full compass[193] (see Mat 5:18); therefore
he shall be called great.
Varnel Watson
I do believe this to be still the truth Gary Micheal Epping
Gary Micheal Epping
Article doesn’t open on the link.
Gary Micheal Epping
A majority of evangelical leaders believe that Jesus Christ will return to earth and then reign with his followers for 1,000 years, a new survey shows.
This end times theology is called premillennialism and 65 percent of surveyed evangelical leaders identify with it.
Premillennialists disagree on the timing of the rapture, whether Christians will rise and join Jesus during or after the tribulation period – which comes before the return of Christ. https://www.christianpost.com/news/poll-what-evangelical-leaders-believe-about-the-end-times.html
Varnel Watson
now evangelical is NOT the same as Pentecostal
Gary Micheal Epping
Troy Day I think they are both Christians. Doesn’t hurt to get out of the box every now and then. If you check it, it confirms what you said in the OP>
Varnel Watson
I;ve foudn the NAR agenda to be much more than just getting out of the box if you ask me
Gary Micheal Epping
Fighting some imaginary bogey man is a good reason to hide out in your box? At least address some real enemies like the strange fire proposed by John MacAutthor. Overall, the AOG stance is probably the best among modern denominations, but it has flaws that need to be addressed. Staying in the box will not help change them.
Varnel Watson
Michael Brown says NAR never existed – really
Gary Micheal Epping
The PEW polls have no category called NAR. They do have one called “Renewalist,” which is used as an umbrella term throughout reports to refer to pentecostals and charismatics as a group.
Varnel Watson
“Renewalist” is no NAR or not only NAR
Gary Micheal Epping
So, now we have a ‘rapture index’ to tell us the likelihood of it happening this year. Trending down since 2015. https://www.raptureready.com/rapture-ready-index/
Varnel Watson
this been there for quite longer than 2015
Varnel Watson
Gary Micheal Epping Why imaginary bogey man ? The post has very serious series of quotes to prove a very real point
J.D. King
While premillennialism is still the majority view, particularly among Classical Pentecostals, there is movement away from that position. Dispensational premillennialism, in particular, is being rejected. Many are turning toward historic premillennialism or what some call “hopeful premillennialism.” Some of this is evidence in the forthcoming book by Michael Brown and Craig Keener. https://www.amazon.com/Not-Afraid-Antichrist-Believe-Pre-Tribulation-ebook/dp/B07F3F9576
Varnel Watson
I for one cant believe Keener partnering with Brown BUT I do see how the current political agenda is being pressed on American Pentecostals YET I’ll fly away to glory…
J.D. King
Others are outright embracing amillennialism and postmillennialism. This is particularly evident in the theological journey of younger leaders. I would expect these shifts to be more prominent in the years to come.
Varnel Watson
this is TRUE Dr. King – amil comes from NAR who masks it with post-mil claiming it was Luther Calvin and Augustine when even a child knows Augustine was a-mil
Varnel Watson
WELL where do we go from here? Gary Micheal Epping Terry Wiles
Gary Micheal Epping
Troy Day Got me. I initially posted in agreement with the OP that most Pentecostals hold to a pre millennial eschatology. The poll I presented showed that evangelical leaders in general are in agreement with that same position with 65%. Only 13% were amillennialists, 4% postmillennial , and 17% other or no position. So, we are are back to the OP point of most Pentecostals adhere to a pre millennial eschatology. BUT, the poll does not clarify the timing of the Rapture.
Varnel Watson
65% is barely a majority nowadays as it seems
Gary Micheal Epping
I agree. What is puzzling is that the second highest percentage is other.
Varnel Watson
other in theology means WHATever basically
Brian Roden
65% is almost 2/3, which is a significant majority, especially when the next-largest group is only 1/5 that (13×5=65).
Gary Micheal Epping
I have searched and find no poll that breaks down the Pentecostal position other than the one above indicating 65% are pre millennial eschatology. The only one I found was among protestant pastors in 2016.
Varnel Watson
made by LifeWay which is BAPTIST Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Gary Micheal Epping
Troy Day Yes I know. As I said, I found no similar poll of pentecostals that breaks the pre millennial eschatology down to this level. At least you can see what is going on with other christian groups. May or may not be similar to the AOG.
Varnel Watson
So pentecostal stats dont come too often on PEW I’ve seen them more often in the Lilly Foundation publications
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Troy Day were you shocked by any of the answers
Varnel Watson
I am never shocked by LifeWay just sad
Gary Micheal Epping
In regard to the LifeWay study, John McConnell said, “The big picture of Revelation is clear: Jesus returns, people must be ready, evil is defeated,” he said. “With the rest of the details, there is room for disagreement.”