Half in Moses, Half in Christ
Philipose Vaidyar
Have you
noticed how many denominational churches operate like shuttle buses—running
back and forth between the Old and New Testaments, stopping only at the verses
that suit them?
They talk, teach, and impose faith or practices not necessarily to equip
believers, but often to sustain their own power, leadership, or identity.
Depending
on their orientation, they choose what seems right in their eyes. In the same
book—whether Old or New Testament—they bypass some regulations and hold on to
others that serve their convenience.
Old Cloth, New Patch – Old Wine, New Wineskins
Jesus
clearly said He fulfilled the Old Covenant and called us into His New Covenant
(Matthew 5:17; Luke 22:20). He even warned us not to stitch old cloth with the
new or pour old wine into new wineskins (Mark 2:21-22). Yet many still try to
mix them.
- Sacrificial laws? Completely ignored—because
Christ Himself became the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12).
- Tithing? That one is highlighted,
preached, and demanded. But the release of debts, which was part of the
same Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 15:1–2), is conveniently forgotten.
- Baptism? Preached strongly on
believers’ baptism. But believers’ responsibility to love their neighbors
and care for the poor (James 1:27) is rarely emphasized.
- Harvest festival? Celebrated. Other Old
Testament festivals? Forgotten.
Water
baptism is upheld as the greatest command for new believers from nominal
Christian backgrounds. But what did Jesus say was truly the greatest command? “Love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind… and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Those
commandments are often painted on church walls but rarely preached or explained
from the pulpit—perhaps because they are too simple, without any mystery to
exploit!
Tithing
from the Old Testament is imposed on poor believers, but to whom does the pastor
tithe? Forgiving debtors and releasing financial burdens (Deuteronomy
15:1–2) is never spoken about. What a convenient, selective theology!
Some
pastors insist on giving one-tenth. Some priests even demand at least half of
one-tenth. But here’s the biblical contrast: the New Testament never commands
tithing. Instead, the apostles encouraged giving according to one’s
decision, not as a fixed percentage. “Each of you should give what you have
decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God
loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Paul also instructed, “On
the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in
keeping with your income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Giving in the New Testament
was voluntary, Spirit-led, and cheerful—not a tax.
Meanwhile,
Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount—His radical commandments about love, mercy,
holiness, and forgiveness (Matthew 5–7)—rarely make it into weekly sermons.
Jesus never organized fundraisers, nor did He teach extensively on giving
money. He simply commended the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41–44) but never
demanded money from His followers. So why do wealth-oriented pastors run to
Malachi 3:10 to justify endless teaching on tithing?
Pick-and-Choose Theology
One
popular theme is preached again and again: “We are justified by faith alone.
Just believe, and heaven is yours.”
But another verse—“Without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews
12:14)—is skipped over.
Acts 2 is
quoted often, but the following chapters are conveniently ignored.
Justification
is only the beginning of the believer’s journey—sins forgiven through Christ.
But what about the spiritual walk that follows? What about maturity,
fruit-bearing, and Christlikeness (Galatians 5:22-23)? How many pastors preach
righteousness, sanctification, and glorification—not just the historical moment
of repentance?
Consider
Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:9-24. He believed, was baptized, and enjoyed
fellowship with the apostles. Yet later, Peter rebuked him sharply because his
heart was not right before God. How often do churches address such realities?
Which
pastor truly wants to live like Jesus lived—in humility, sacrifice, and
holiness?
The Tongues Debate
Acts 2
describes the day of Pentecost:
- People spoke.
- People of many nations heard
them in their own languages.
Tongues
meant “languages,” not a private performance of sounds or the play of words. Yet
in many Pentecostal circles, speaking in tongues has been made the ultimate
sign of the Holy Spirit. This has led to confusion and even counterfeit
displays in the name of “spirits.”
Here’s
the paradox: they emphasize tongues
but ignore the sharing of possessions, which
is in the same chapter.
- “All the believers were
together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions
to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44-45).
- “No one claimed that any of
their possessions was their own, but they shared everything… they brought
the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was
distributed to anyone who had need” (Acts 4:32-35).
Today’s
churches dismiss this as “impractical.” But tongues? That’s still heavily promoted.
The early
church endured hardship, persecution, and suffering (Acts 5:41; 2 Timothy
3:12). But self-appointed pastors today rarely talk about suffering. Instead,
they preach financial gain, better jobs, prosperity, and wealth. According to
them, God wants you to drive not just a car, but the best car! God wants to take
you to the wealthiest countries. Villages in India? Never part of the “promised
land.”
They
twist Old Testament covenant promises to preach a prosperity gospel. If someone
succeeds in migrating abroad, the pastor takes credit as if his prayers caused
it. If you prosper, your blessing is his marketing.
Some even
prophesy about witchcraft in your house, chicken heads buried in your compound,
or other sensational claims—so they can claim authority to “break your curse.”
All this is a wrong gospel of fear and money.
The Luxury Gap
Why avoid
common sharing? Because if they practiced it, pastors could no longer buy
luxury cars or build mansions. They would have to live like the other members,
receiving only what they need.
Imagine
this:
- A church of 100 families. Average
income: ₹30,000 per family. Total: ₹30 lakhs.
If
members tithe, the pastor could easily collect ₹3,00,000 every month. Members
survive on ₹27,000, while the pastor enjoys ₹3,00,000—ten times more—driving a
better car, living in a bigger house, and traveling to places in comfort. This
is not rare. It has become the norm. Independent pastors who crown themselves
“apostles” take it even further.
The Real Paradox
So here
we are—
- Tongues? Yes.
- Sharing everything in
common? No.
- Tithes? Yes.
- Freewill, Spirit-led giving?
Rare.
- Faith? Yes.
- Holiness? Silence.
- Great Commission? Yes.
- Deeds of righteousness? Rarely.
How many
pastors truly teach their members how to read, meditate on, and study the Word
of God? Instead, many carry the attitude: “God speaks to me, and I will
explain His Word and will to you.” Members are made dependent on their
pastor’s supposed revelations rather than being equipped to listen to God
themselves.
So we
have prophets who talk about hidden “mysteries” (marmmam), as if God’s
will is a secret only they can reveal. But the true mystery hidden for ages was
Christ Himself—now revealed to all (Colossians 1:26-27). Yet such
pastors flourish, and their gatherings grow.
Conclusion
The early
church lived out radical faith: sharing, serving, suffering, and sacrificing.
Today, many churches live out selective faith: picking, choosing, and
bypassing.
The
paradox is clear: the verses that cost us nothing are preached loudly, but the
ones that demand humility, sacrifice, or accountability are quietly left out.
The real
question we must ask: Are we living in the New Covenant Jesus gave us—or
just between the testaments, patching old and new together for our own comfort?
To Be Continued…
These confusions are not ends in themselves; they are meant to stir reflection and move us toward action. This is not the conclusion, only a pause. In the next post, I hope to pick up from here and explore possible steps we can take—personally and together—to live more faithfully in the light of the New Covenant.
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