Summary:
...Meddle not with them that are given to change. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Continue in the faith grounded and settled. For the customs of the people are vain.
...And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.
...If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation.
...Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For I am the Lord, I change not: Be still, and know that I am God.
...Jesus Christ (the Word made flesh) the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Further reading:
(1) We have heard him (Stephen) say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place (the temple made with hands, cf.Act0748), and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us (the handwriting of ordinances of divine service, a worldly sanctuary, rites, ceremonies, Heb0901-15: Col0214), Act0614.
(2) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth, Rom1004. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, Jhn0117.
(3) 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? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 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, Heb0711-19.
(4) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith, Gal0322-24.
(5) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin, Heb1016,18.
(6) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (under the law, Gal0405). Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised (Moses and the customs, Act0614), Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love, Gal0501-06.
(7) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul, Heb1038,39.
(8) And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister, Col0121-23.
(9) How shall we escape (damnation, because they have cast off their first faith, 1Tn0512), if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by th that heard him, Heb0203. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me (Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, 2Co0101) among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also, 2Tm0201,02.
(10) God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 1Tm0204-06.
(11) And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore, Heb0720-28.
(12) Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you, Act1338-41.
(13) Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it, Jer0616-19.
(14) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Isa2913-15.
(15) My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment, Pro2421-23.
(16) And of the angels he (God) saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Heb0107-14. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec, Heb0715-17. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever, Heb1308.
(17) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness (having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart, Eph0418), we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us, 1Jn0106-10.
(18) If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, Isa0820.
(19) He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him, Jhn0333-36.
(20) Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt (that binds; or straitens; or troubles; or oppresses), as thou wast ashamed of Assyria (associates). Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them, Jer0236,37.
(21) Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil, Pro0124-33.
(22) I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early, Hos0515.
(23) Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth (the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever, 1Pe0123): it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it, Isa5506-11.
(24) If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God, 1Pe0411. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation, Isa3306. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men, Mat1509.
(25) For I am the Lord, I change not, Mal0306. Be still,
and know that I am God, Pss4610.
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