Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As previously discussed on ebible.com at https://ebible.com/questions/15924-why-do-some-christians-blow-the-shofar-when-nowhere-in-the-nt-we-re-told-to-do-so
there is symbolic significance to the use of the shofar that, for the questioner (based on unique personal experiences and emotions), appears to bring an acute awareness of the presence and working of the Holy Spirit, and that (in my opinion) the questioner should take full advantage of in drawing ever closer to God, and in engaging in efforts to bring the same benefit to others.

July 20 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Don Petersburg

The Bible is more than just the New Testament (NT). In fact, when Paul wrote 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the NT hadn't even been canonized! So "all Scripture" is actually what you refer to as the Old Testament (OT) and it is there where the significance and directive to blow the shofar is contained. 

Psalm 98:6 tells us to make a joyful noise. It is for a warning and declaration (Joel 2:1) and assembly (Joel 2:5). Our God will fight for us (Nehemiah 4:20) and we are to celebrate the feast days (in Leviticus 23) by blowing the shofar - Psalm 81:3.

If you are only going to read and heed ONLY the NT, then you may as well rip out the OT, in my opinion. Most of Christendom has done so already. But if you believe what Jesus spoke, then think about what He said in John 5:46-47. Those who follow Him, who want to know Him, who love Him, will read everything about Him.

Shalom Aleichem

July 28 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

2 Tim 3:16
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

However, we must also remember to...

2 Tim 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

'Rightly dividing the word of truth' is how we know today not to stone people for working on a day that was once known as 'the Sabbath', and I mean no offense, but even blowing the shofar.

Are we to follow Jesus Christ in the flesh (His earthly life) for salvation?

2 Corinthians 5:16
"Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more."

Christ's life on earth demonstrated to mankind that we are not capable of following Him. This is why His blood had to be shed at Calvary.

1 Corinthians 11:1
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."

We (post-cross) follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascended in glory from heaven. What Christ gave Paul from heaven to give to us regarding these things is very clear here:

Col 2:8-23
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”

When we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ we are then "complete" in Him. There's nothing wrong with attempting to model our lives after the earthly life of Jesus Christ, but "beware" of believing that how well you succeed in this adds any value to your salvation. It will actually have a negating effect as you have overlooked the blood at the cross and placed your faith in yourself and your own acts of righteousness, thus not submitting to the righteousness of God:

Rom 4:4-5
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

Rom 10:3
"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."

Peace and grace!

July 28 2023 • 14 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report