Is it heretical to pray that Jews continue to follow the Old Covenant?

[cassman]

The Catholic Church believes that it is the sole ark of salvation. Jesus Christ was a Jew, and came to save them too. Therefore, we pray that Jews convert to the Church in order to save their souls. This is not disrespectful of their religion, as Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies in the Old Testament. We also pray that others convert to the Catholic Church, because Jesus Christ desires that all men might save their souls through Him. It is certainly not anti-semitic to pray for the Jews. It is considered a spiritual work of mercy to convert the sinner - to pray for Jews and others as well for their salvation.

Amen to that!

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Are you referring to the “old one” with Moses, or the “old one” with Abraham?

Or the one with Noah?

 

[Abenadar]

Thanks. Can you help me see where the Church teaches that the old covenant was abrogated? I haven’t been able to find it. thanks again.

Both systems can’t simultaneously be in place. The old covenant was abrogated by the new. Christ was the fulfillment of all. The OT system was flawed…Christ perfected it and voila, the new and eternal covenant.

Are you, as a Catholic, claiming that the old wasn’t abrogated? Do you really believe that the old is eternal and valid still???

 

[Abenadar]

From ScriptureCatholic.com…Read the whole thing here scripturecatholic.com/zionism.html
The author is John Salza

"Scripture is clear that God owes the Jews nothing more, and suggests that the Jews are suffering the ramifications of rejecting Jesus Christ. They have been “broken off” of the root of Christ “because of their unbelief” (Rom. 11:19-20). However, Paul says that the Jews can be grafted in again, “if they do not persist in their unbelief,” for God has the power to do so (Rom. 11:23).

"We should also note that the Old Covenant that God entered into with the Jews has been superseded by the New Covenant of Christ (the Church calls this doctrine “supercessionism”). This happened the moment that God tore the curtain of the Jewish Temple in two (Matt. 27:51). When we speak of the “Old Covenant,” we are referring to the “Mosaic covenant,” that is, the law that God gave the Jews through Moses (see 2 Cor. 3:14). We are not referring to the Abrahamic covenant which, because it was based on grace through faith, was incorporated into the New Covenant of Christ. This is why Paul says that Abraham is the father of the children of the New Covenant (see Rom. 4:16; 9:7; Gal. 3:29; James 2:21; see also Gal. 3:9,14,16,18).

"The only place where the phrase “Old Covenant” is used in the New Testament is in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, and Paul says that “through Christ it is taken away” (see 2 Cor. 3:14). Referring to the abrogation of the Old Covenant, Paul tells the Hebrews that “a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness” (Heb. 7:18). The phrase “set aside” (from the Greek aphetesis) means to annul. Again, referring to the Old Covenant, Paul says “He abolishes the first in order to establish the second” (Heb. 10:9). The word “abolish” (from the Greek anaireo) means to abrogate or destroy. Paul uses very specific language to teach that the Old Covenant has been rendered null and void by the New Covenant of Jesus Christ (see also Heb. 8:7).

“This means that the Jews are no longer in a saving covenant with God until they renounce Judaism and are baptized into Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church has affirmed this fact throughout her history (e.g., the Council of Florence; the Council of Trent; Second Vatican Council, Pius XII’s Mystici Corporis). Thus, even though the Second Vatican Council affirmed a person’s civil (but not moral) right to religious liberty, it taught that the Church must preach the gospel to the Jews, as she does to everyone else (Nostra Aetate, 23).”

 

[JReducation]

I think the problem here is that we’re thinking of two covenants existing parallel to each other, rather than as corresponding covenants. The covenants that God made with man through the ages are not abrogated by the following covenant. Rather, each covenant flows from the other and intensifies the relationship between God and man. Thus the covenants through history begin with Israel and finally include the Gentiles. Thus, the new covenant does not replace the old, but fulfills it. It brings to fruition what the covenants with Moses, Abraham, Noah and the othe patriarchs forshadowed.

When looked at under this paradigm, we can honestly say that God’s covenant with Israel was never abrogated and will continue to the end of time. Why so? Because the covenant that God made with Israel increases and intesifies the relationship between God and man to include not only the people of Israel, but all of humanity and it is sealed with the blood of Christ who is the new paschal lamb. What makes the covenant new is not that it disposes of the previous covenants, but that it includes the Gentiles and that Israel is no longer a nomadic people, but is now part of a nation called the Church with Christ at its head.

Therefore, when the Church prays for the Jewish people, she does ot pray because they exist outside of the covenant, but becaues they are part of the covenant and have yet to travel the full length and scope of the covenant that began with our forefathers and is brought to its fulfillment through Jesus Christ. In reality, what we are praying for is that those brothers and sisters who are lagging behind us on their journey through the covenant relationship will someday catch up with us. We can pray this way, not because it’s an act of charity, but because we believe that the Jewish people are invited and included in the entire evolution of the correspondent covenants.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

Here is what the Vatican has to say about the prayer and its implications. Written by Cardinal Kasper.

**With its prayer, the Church, therefore, does not assume control of the realization of the inscrutable mystery. It cannot do so in any way. But rather, it leaves all of the “when” and the “how” of this realization in the hands of God. Only God can bring about His Kingdom, in which all Israel will be saved and eschatological peace will come to the world.

To support this interpretation, one can refer to a text by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, which says that it is not up to us to concern ourselves about the Jews, but belongs to God himself (7). How correct this interpretation is also emerges from the doxology that concludes chapter 11 of the letter to the Romans: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!” (11:33). This doxology once again shows that this is a matter of the worshipful glorification of God and of his inscrutable election through grace, and not an appeal to any sort of action, including mission.

The exclusion of a targeted and institutionalized mission to the Jews does not mean that Christians must stand around with their hands in their pockets. Targeted and organized mission on one side, and Christian witness on the other, must be distinguished. Naturally, Christians must, where it is opportune, give to their older brothers and sisters in the faith of Abraham (John Paul II) a witness of their own faith and of the richness and beauty of their faith in Christ. Paul did this as well. During his missionary journeys, Paul always went first to the synagogue, and only when he did not find faith there did he go to the pagans (Acts of the Apostles, 13:5,14ff., 42-52; 14:1-6 and others; Romans 1:16 is fundamental). **

pontificalorientalinstitute.com/newsengl/ne/oremus-pro-conversione-judaeorum.html

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[EasterJoy]

There is only one covenant, namely the NEW and EVERLASTING covenant. The old one was abrogated because Christ fulfilled it and replaced it with the new one. I think I’ll mention, again, that there is only one (1) covenant.

God’s covenant with the Jews is neither eternal nor is it valid as you claim. If it were eternal and still valid, then you and I could just as quickly get to heaven by being Jewish as by being Catholic.

From Unam Sanctam of some 700 years ago we read that EVERY human creature is subject to the Roman pontiff. If there were a second covenant, then this would be false.

I think this is why the Holy Father explains this in terms of there only being one covenant.

The new and everlasting covenant is God’s covenant with all humankind in its full realization: Jesus Christ. But if you read the Hebrew Scriptures, you see that this is the covenant the Jews look forward to. Jesus explained that, on the road to Emmaus…the train is in! So for the Jews, it is kind of like being at the right station, but not recognizing that the train has arrived. That is the right station, you don’t want to leave it. God didn’t build a station around them so that they could stay there forever, either. You build a station for the sake of the train.

The Jews are looking to catch a train they’ve been promised. That is the new and everlasting covenant. We pray for them, at the station God built around them for all our sakes, through which our own salvation comes, that they may not leave the place from which their salvation comes. We also pray, though, that they and all mankind eventually get on the train.

Once everyone is one train, then yes, the station is obsolete. For those Jews not on the train yet, though, wandering away from the station for *any reason other than getting on the train *won’t help things. And we know that some of the Jews will be the last ones on the platform, until the last have boarded first. We know we are in debt to the Jews, for the Savior came to us through them. The Jews did not place us in their debt; God did. Yet it was his pleasure to give them that pre-eminence, and his wisdom to make them blind for a time for our sakes. This makes antisemitism, of all hatreds, among the most repugnant, for it is hatred of the Lord’s own nation and, in a way, hatred of God’s own plan. May God have mercy on us: there are Jews who have abandoned their own faith and others who are hardened against leaving the station, because of our hatred towards them…we, who have been strictly enjoined by Our Lord and God to love all, even our enemies, as evidence of His arrival.

The train is Christ and His Body, the Church. There is no other. It is possible to be carried toward the station and the train without at first realizing it. It is possible to benefit from the truth without being fully aware of it. But in the end, you have to choose: on this train, or nothing. There isn’t another way to eternal life.

 

[JReducation]

I think this is why the Holy Father explains this in terms of there only being one covenant.

The new and everlasting covenant is God’s covenant with all humankind in its full realization: Jesus Christ. But if you read the Hebrew Scriptures, you see that this is the covenant the Jews look forward to. Jesus explained that, on the road to Emmaus…the train is in! So for the Jews, it is kind of like being at the right station, but not recognizing that the train has arrived. That is the right station, you don’t want to leave it. God didn’t build a station around them so that they could stay there forever, either. You build a station for the sake of the train.

The Jews are looking to catch a train they’ve been promised. That is the new and everlasting covenant. We pray for them, at the station God built around them for all our sakes, through which our own salvation comes, that they may not leave the place from which their salvation comes. We also pray, though, that they and all mankind eventually get on the train.

Once everyone is one train, then yes, the station is obsolete. For those Jews not on the train yet, though, wandering away from the station for *any reason other than getting on the train *won’t help things. And we know that some of the Jews will be the last ones on the platform, until the last have boarded first. We know we are in debt to the Jews, for the Savior came to us through them. The Jews did not place us in their debt; God did. Yet it was his pleasure to give them that pre-eminence, and his wisdom to make them blind for a time for our sakes. This makes antisemitism, of all hatreds, among the most repugnant, for it is hatred of the Lord’s own nation and, in a way, hatred of God’s own plan. May God have mercy on us: there are Jews who have abandoned their own faith and others who are hardened against leaving the station, because of our hatred towards them…we, who have been strictly enjoined by Our Lord and God to love all, even our enemies, as evidence of His arrival.

The train is Christ and His Body, the Church. There is no other. It is possible to be carried toward the station and the train without at first realizing it. It is possible to benefit from the truth without being fully aware of it. But in the end, you have to choose: on this train, or nothing. There isn’t another way to eternal life.

I think the analogy that you give is a good one. I would simply add this. As long as the Jewish people live up to the covenants that God made with Abraham, Noah and Moses, they will eventually end up in the New Covenant with through Jesus Christ. The covenants are interconnected. One leads to the other.

Those Jews who abandon their faith will suffer the same consequences as Christians who abandon their faith. We must be very careful not to get so smug as to believe that because wer are Christians we are always within the covenant. Nothing can be furrther fromt he truth. I’ll offer one simple example. A Christian who tolerates abortion is living outside of the Covenant and a Jew who is prolife is on the right track.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[diggerdomer]

Both systems can’t simultaneously be in place. The old covenant was abrogated by the new. Christ was the fulfillment of all. The OT system was flawed…Christ perfected it and voila, the new and eternal covenant.

Are you, as a Catholic, claiming that the old wasn’t abrogated? Do you really believe that the old is eternal and valid still???

No I am asking where the Church teaches what was claimed, i.e. that the old covenant was abrogated. I value your opinion, but I’m looking for Church teaching (not John Salza’s, whoever he is). Thanks.

 

[JReducation]

No I am asking where the Church teaches what was claimed, i.e. that the old covenant was abrogated. I value your opinion, but I’m looking for Church teaching (not John Salza’s, whoever he is). Thanks.

If you read my post #66, you will see the official standing of the Church on this issue. Cardinal Kasper is the head of the commission and has the blessing of the Holy Father to speak on this matter.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[diggerdomer]

If you read my post #66, you will see the official standing of the Church on this issue. Cardinal Kasper is the head of the commission and has the blessing of the Holy Father to speak on this matter.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Thank you Br. JR, I did read it and I appreciate it.

 

[una_fides]

The point is very simple. A prayer must reflect the spiritual life of those who pray it. There is nothing in Christian spirituality that says that Jews are faithless or perfidious. Those words may have had a different meaning once upon a time. Today, they trigger very negative thoughts and images about Jews in the average man in the pews. The words to not add anything to the prayer and reflect very badly on the spirituality of the Church, because the spirituality of the Church is not anti Jew or much less does Catholic spiritualtiy promote that Judaism is faithless or evil in any way. Catholic spirituality holds that Jews are our older brothers and sisters in the faith. Therefore, the prayer for the Jews must represent a fraternal love for this community of people. Yes, it is fraternal love to want the best for another. One need to express such fraternal love in language that is also loving.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Can you please explain what the “different meaning” that the word “faithless” had “once upon a time”? Have you studied the etymology of the word, and are you able to defend such a claim? The Church uses Latin for precisely this reason: because it is a dead language and does not take on new meanings. Our English words may change, but the Latin remains the same.
I’m not exactly sure what you are referring to by “Christian spirituality” and of what that exactly consists, but the Catholic faith clearly teaches that the Jews are faithless, as she has been praying for 2000 years. Since the Church believes what she prays, the Church has believed and taught that the Jews are faithless at least in some degrees to call them that. They are most certainly faithless concerning Christ, and they have most certainly been faithless concerning their covenant in that they have not accepted its fullfilment in Christ their Messiah. Let’s see what Christ taught concerning the Jews who rejected him:

(note: the book of Matthew was written by a Jew, and the book itself was directed to the Jewish people.)

Matt. 5:20 For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 16:11 Why do you not understand that it was not concerning bread I said to you: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? 12 Then they understood that he said not that they should beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Matt 21:33 Hear ye another parable. There was a man, an householder, who planted a vineyard and made a hedge round about it and dug in it a press and built a tower and let it out to husbandmen and went into a strange country. 34 And when the time of the fruits drew nigh, he sent his servants to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits thereof. 35 And the husbandmen laying hands on his servants, beat one and killed another and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the former; and they did to them in like manner. 37 And last of all he sent to them his son, saying: They will reverence my son. 38 But the husbandmen seeing the son, said among themselves: This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and we shall have his inheritance. 39 And taking him, they cast him forth out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those husbandmen? 41 They say to him: He will bring those evil men to an evil end and let out his vineyard to other husbandmen that shall render him the fruit in due season. [Parallel passage: Mark 12:[/COLOR]9 “What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those husbandmen and will give the vineyard to others.”] 42 Jesus saith to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone [Christ] which the builders [Jews] rejected, the same is become the head of the corner [the Church]? By the Lord this has been done; and it is wonderful in our eyes. 43 Therefore I say to you that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and shall be given to a nation yielding the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. 45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they knew that he spoke of them. 46 And seeking to lay hands on him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him as a prophet. [See also parallel in Luke 20:1-19.]

Jesus seven times in Matt 23 exclaims, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites”! Here are a few:
Matt. 23:13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men: for you yourselves do not enter in and those that are going in, you suffer not to enter. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you go round about the sea and the land to make one proselyte. And when he is made, you make him the child of hell twofold more than yourselves. … 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, that build the sepulchres of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the just, 30 And say: If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore you are witnesses against yourselves, that you are the sons of them that killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 You serpents, generation of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of hell? 34 Therefore behold I send to you prophets and wise men and scribes: and some of them you will put to death and crucify: and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. 35 That upon you may come all the just blood that hath been shed upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the just, even unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. 36 Amen I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation. 37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered together thy children, as the hen doth gather her chickens under her wings, and thou wouldst not? 38 Behold, your house shall be left to you, desolate.

 

[una_fides]

John 8:23 And he said to them: You are from beneath: I am from above. You are of this world: I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you shall die in your sins. For if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sin. … 37 I know that you are the children of Abraham: but you seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do the things that you have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said to him: Abraham is our father. Jesus saith them: If you be the children of Abraham, do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill me, a man who have spoken the truth to you, which I have heard of God. This Abraham did not. 41 You do the works of your father. They said therefore to him: We are not born of fornication: we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus therefore said to them: If God were your Father, you would indeed love me. For from God I proceeded and came. For I came not of myself: but he sent me. 43 Why do you not know my speech? Because you cannot hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil: and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning: and he stood not in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. 45 But if I say the truth, you believe me not. 46 Which of you shall convince me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe me: 47 He that is of God heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God. … 51 Amen, amen, I say to you: If any man keep my word, he shall not see death for ever. 52 The Jews therefore said: Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets: and thou sayest: If any man keep my word, he shall not taste death for ever. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Whom dost thou make thyself? … 56 Abraham your father rejoiced that he might see my day: he saw it and was glad. 57 The Jews therefore said to him: Thou art not yet fifty years old. And hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said to them: Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I AM. 59 They took up stones therefore to cast at him. But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

The Jews responded to Christ’s teachings by picking up stones in an attempt to kill him and eventually turned him over to be crucified. The Jews killed the prophets before him and then killed the Messiah himself. As a result of the faithlessness of the Jews to God and to his covenant with them, God has turned over salvation to the Gentiles, as Scripture clearly teaches.

 

[diggerdomer]

but the Catholic faith clearly teaches that the Jews are faithless,

Where does the Catholic Church teach this today? I can’t find it. Thanks for any help.

(note: the book of Matthew was written by a Jew, and the book itself was directed to the Jewish people.)

I thought it was written by a Christian. I thought it was directed to Christians. You’re not saying part of the Christian New Testament was written by a non-Christian are you? Don’t you think it was written for Christians? Thanks for any clarification.

 

[una_fides]

Notice how St. Stephen, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, preached to the Jews and their faithless response to the truth:

Acts: 7:51 You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Ghost. As your fathers did, so do you also. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them who foretold of the coming of the Just One: of whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers. 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels and have not kept it. 54 Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart: and they gnashed with their teeth at him. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 56 And they, crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears and with one accord ran violently upon him. 57 And casting him forth without the city. they stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. 58 And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 59 And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not his sin to their charge: And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

Though St. Paul was in the same lot with these Jews who stoned St. Stephen to death for sharing with them the truth, we know he later was converted to the same Christ whom he was persecuting in his followers. We pray also for all the Jews that they would be converted to Christ as St. Paul. Let us see also what else St. Paul has to say on this issue…

 

[una_fides]

Where does the Catholic Church teach this today? I can’t find it. Thanks for any help.

No problem. The current Catholic Church says she is the same Church as the Church before Vatican II. I can easily find you references. She also said that Vatican II has not changed her dogmas. Again references available upon request. Thus, if the Church prior to Vatican II taught that the Jews were faithless, then the Church after Vatican II, which is the same Catholic Church instituted by Christ with the same teachings and Tradition it has preserved for 2000 years also teaches the same. The teaching that the Jews are faithless is part of the Universal and Ordinary Magisterium of the Church and is therefore infallible. The Church could not have this prayer as part of her liturgy for 2000 years and it be a lie that entire time. The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth, not error (1 Tim 3:15). And doctrinal development does not mean doctrinal change. To say that dogmas change has been infallibly condemned as heresy by Vatican I and is specifically modernism. I think you and I have had this discussion before.

I thought it was written by a Christian. I thought it was directed to Christians. You’re not saying part of the Christian New Testament was written by a non-Christian are you? Don’t you think it was written for Christians? Thanks for any clarification.

A Jew can be a Christian. St. Matthew was a Jew and directed the gospel of Matthew to Jews. Just do a quick Google search, “book of Matthew written to Jews” and see what you come up with.

 

[diggerdomer]

No problem. The current Catholic Church says she is the same Church as the Church before Vatican II. I can easily find you references.

Current references that support the claim that Jews are faithless would be appreciated. Thanks.

A Jew can be a Christian. .

Really? How? I thought the two were mutually exclusive. One believes Jesus Christ is God, the other does not. How can that be the same?

 

[una_fides]

Current references that support the claim that Jews are faithless would be appreciated. Thanks.

Just because they Church is not currently actively proclaiming the unpopular truth like she used to does not mean that she no longer believes the same truth. The Church is currently trying to be as politically correct as possible and not offend anyone and by saying that the Jews–who follow the Old Covenant–are faithless offends them, though it is the truth. Instead the Church is taking a more positive approach. Also just because the Church no longer refers to Protestants as heretics by name, does that mean that they no longer are?

Really? How? I thought the two were mutually exclusive. One believes Jesus Christ is God, the other does not. How can that be the same?

Jew meaning race. The apostles were Jews and Christians. I’m assuming you are trying to be sarcastic here. To be a Jew that is faithful to the covenant God made with them would be to embrace the New Covenant in Christ.

 

[una_fides]

St. Paul says that the Jews–meaning those who follow the Jewish Old Covenant and do not embrace Christ–are our “enemies” concerning the gospel, yet are most dear for the sake of the “fathers” meaning the patriarchs who found favor in God’s eyes (Rom 11:28). They are the enemies of Christ and of our gospel because they teach that Jesus was not God and that he was a false prophet.

John 1:11 He came unto his own: and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name. 13 Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.

           Jesus was a Jew and loved the Jews, and he died for all mankind including most specifically for his people to whom he first came. 

                The word "faithless" when applied to the Jews may be offensive to those who do not have faith in Christ, but the gospel itself is offensive. Jesus tells us that we will have persecution and tribulation in the world, and when the world hates us and persecutes us that it is really hating and persecuting him. They persecuted and killed Jesus because of his teachings, and they will persecute us as well. It is our duty and responsibility, however, as faithful followers of Christ to continue to preach his message of salvation "to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Rom 1:16, 2:9-10).

 

[una_fides]

Here are a few things St. Paul taught about the Old Covenant and whether or not it could save. The “law” being referenced in the below passage is referring to the Torah, or Old Testament law.

                                Gal 3:6 As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice.  7 Know ye, therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.  8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God justifieth the Gentiles by faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed.  9 Therefore, they that are of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.  10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  11 But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith.  12 But the law is not of faith: but he that doth those things shall live in them.  13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree).  14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.  15 Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man’s testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it.  16 To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect.  18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.  19 **Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise**, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter [of the law] but in the spirit. For the letter killeth: but the spirit quickeneth. 7 Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious (so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance), which is made void: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather in glory? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory. … 13 And not as Moses put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel might not steadfastly look on the face of that which is made void. 14 But their senses were made dull. For, until this present day, the selfsame veil, in the reading of the old testament, remaineth not taken away (because in Christ it is made void). 15 But even until this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. 16 But **when they shall be converted to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. **

Heb. 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, by the selfsame sacrifices which they offer continually every year, can never make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then they would have ceased to be offered: because the worshippers once cleansed should have no conscience of sin any longer. 3 But in them there is made a commemoration of sins every year: 4 For it is impossible that with the blood of oxen and goats sin should be taken away. … 10 In the which will, we are sanctified by the oblation of the body of Jesus Christ once. 11 And every priest indeed standeth daily ministering and often offering the same sacrifices which can never take away sins. 12 But this man, offering one sacrifice for sins, for ever sitteth on the right hand of God, 13 From henceforth expecting until his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one oblation he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Ghost also doth testify this to us. For after that he said: 16 And **this is the testament **which I will make unto them after those days, saith the Lord. I will give my laws in their hearts and on their minds will I write them: 17 And their sins and iniquities I will remember no more. 18 Now, where there is a remission of these, there is no more an oblation for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in the entering into the holies by the blood of Christ:

Matt. 26:27 And taking the chalice, he gave thanks and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. 28 For this is my blood of the new testament [or “covenant”], which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.

The Jews must embrace the New Covenant in Christ’s blood to enter into the ark of salvation and be saved.