Chp.47 - Fellowship Is Only Found In Christ Alone And Not The Law

"And Trypho again inquired, “But if some one, knowing that this is so, after he recognises that this man is Christ, and has believed in and obeys Him, wishes, however, to observe these [institutions], will he be saved?” I said, “In my opinion, Trypho, such an one will be saved, if he does not strive in every way to persuade other men,—I mean those Gentiles who have been circumcised from error by Christ, to observe the same things as himself, telling them that they will not be saved unless they do so. This you did yourself at the commencement of the discourse, when you declared that I would not be saved unless I observe these institutions.” Then he replied, “Why then have you said, ‘In my opinion, such an one will be saved,’ unless there are some5 who affirm that such will not be saved?”" Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 218). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. Trypho hears and even understands the gospel but stiffens his neck further against the new institution. By looking for a loophole in Justin's theology he finds a nugget of hope to hold onto his trust in the Hebrew customs. If we are not careful to define, what Justin intends, by reason of lowering the fences for fellowship, we may find ourselves heretics.

Justin does not mean, that if one believes intellectually the facts of Christ, but continues to trust in his performance in obedience to the law, that he will be saved; but rather means, that one can obey the [principles] found in the law that honor Christ, often times gives saving evidence that they have been circumcised from the error of Israel's unbelief. Justin is addressing the error of those Judaizers who were God fearing Gentiles who converted to Judaism; then received the teaching of Christ, but are now returning to the customs of Judaism and forsaking "the mission" of the Gospel. Justin is merely aiming to explain to Trypho, the Jew, that these are heretics of the name of Christ who refuse fellowship with those who do not observe the law according to "the prescription" of the Old Covenant; and that these actually forfeit salvation not discerning prescription from principle. "“There are such people, Trypho,” I answered; “and these do not venture to have any intercourse with or to extend hospitality to such persons; but I do not agree with them. But if some, through weak-mindedness, wish to observe such institutions as were given by Moses, from which they expect some virtue, but which we believe were appointed by reason of the hardness of the people’s hearts, along with their hope in this Christ, and [wish to perform] the eternal and natural acts of righteousness and piety, yet choose to live with the Christians and the faithful, as I said before, not inducing them either to be circumcised like themselves, or to keep the Sabbath, or to observe any other such ceremonies, then I hold that we ought to join ourselves to such, and associate with them in all things as kinsmen and brethren." Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 218). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. Justin brings out, to Trypho, the error of Judaism, which teaches you must become of the nationality of Israel to be saved. This was and is a false teaching concerning the Old Covenant. Nineveh, in the generation of Jonah, repented in the teaching of the old form, but did not have to redefine their nationality. They were called to forsake their idols in the same manner God continuously called Israel to forsake hers, which were "national" sins. But the New Covenant is not a national covenant! It is a spiritual covenant that is inclusive to all nations. However, Justin does refer to those, who would seek the wisdom found in the old form of the national covenant and apply them principally (not prescriptively) in the honor and trust of the new covenant, as "kinsmen" and brethren (Matt.13:52). This is to say, that they are not forsaking whatever national covenant they were born into by obeying principles of Israel's covenant, if they continue in the churches of the brethren born of God in the New Covenant.

Therefore, in the New Covenant we do not fly "national" banners in the "institution" of the church. We honor all people of all nations by flying the "one" banner of love (1Pet.2:17). The church does a real dishonor to the name of the Lord when they use his commandments as a standard to build themselves up and dishonor the liberty of another who serves Christ (Rom.14:4;James 4:12). This is a violation of the Lord's commandment to love. It also is a vain use of the Lord's name and dishonors the very commandment they say they honor. The legalistic Pharisees were condemned by Christ for using traditions (customs) to violate the law of God (Mk.7:9-16). God is not concerned with money, days, or food that profit him nothing. Too often, in our current generation, there are those Judaizers who creep in and violate the Lord's standard of love to honor money, days, and food. These things have an appearance of piety but are doctrines of demons and should be "deported" immediately. These things do not make for peace but divide and devour the unity of the Lord's sheep and make their pasture a wasteland. Our unity is in the love of Christ, not days and feasts and in the appearance of the cleanliness of the flesh; it [our unity] is in the purity of the heart that has been redeemed by God. How have you dishonored love towards your own children in the name of honoring a personal "tradition" set aside for God? You have left your first love (Rev.2:4)! This has an appearance of godliness, but in vain it is the worship of devils! "And I hold, further, that such as have confessed and known this man to be Christ, yet who have gone back from some cause to the legal dispensation, and have denied that this man is Christ, and have repented not before death, shall by no means be saved. Further, I hold that those of the seed of Abraham who live according to the law, and do not believe in this Christ before death, shall likewise not be saved, and especially those who have anathematized and do anathematize this very Christ in the synagogues, and everything by which they might obtain salvation and escape the vengeance of fire.6" Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 218). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. Therefore, let "us" not fall to this error and condemn our souls to destruction! Those who observe the old form in principle will be saved, but not without a true and enduring trust on the works of God in Christ Jesus (Jn.15:5). Justin declares all of this to open Trypho's eyes to the judgment of God upon his nation! Look at its destruction and desolation of spirit! It is a conquered nation near extinction. But the Lord's promise to the fathers will stand and will endure time's testing and the trial by fire (1Cor.3:15).

"Wherefore also our Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘In whatsoever things I shall take you, in these I shall judge you.’ ”2" Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 219). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. While some believe that this was taken from the apocryphal writings, the quotation is not found in any of the 66 canonical books, and others believe that it became a traditional saying for the early church; but it is most likely that Justin is simply paraphrasing something Christ has indeed said. The editors of this translation use Jn.12:47-48 to compare Justin's paraphrase and gives good evidence what Justin most certainly intended. Therefore he intends Trypho to pay attention to the Lord's judgments and repent, placing his hope in the works of Christ alone for salvation.

Chp.48 - Trypho Avoids Conviction By Requiring More Proof Of Divinity

"And Trypho said, “We have heard what you think of these matters. Resume the discourse where you left off, and bring it to an end. For some of it appears to me to be paradoxical, and wholly incapable of proof. For when you say that this Christ existed as God before the ages, then that He submitted to be born and become man, yet that He is not man of man, this [assertion] appears to me to be not merely paradoxical, but also foolish.”" Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 219). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.

To avoid conviction, Trypho quickly changes the subject back to the original question of Christ's ontology. It is always the goal of the unregenerate heart to suppress conviction of conscience with questions of doubt concerning the identity of Christ. If the power and evidence of the Lord Jesus Christ's life and witness doesn't bring repentance, neither will intellectual affirmation of the Lord's identity as the prophesied Messiah. It was the power of Christ's witness that made men confess him as Yahweh of Yahweh. "And I replied to this, “I know that the statement does appear to be paradoxical, especially to those of your race [nation], who are ever unwilling to understand or to perform the [requirements] of God, but [ready to perform] those of your teachers, as God Himself declares.3" Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 219). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. Justin clearly sees through the heart of Trypho's objection. I can picture him with a smile on face, as he responds to Trypho. It is like a routine traffic stop, in which the violator refuses guilt and blames the system of Justice, to eat the leaven of his own corruption, being filled with sin and unbelief. Justin reminds him that they had already gone through all this, and that even if the Christ was mere man of man, "national" election would not be enough to redeem man from sin. Therefore Justin rejects human doctrines that contradict the Law and the Prophets. In other words, at this point in the spiritual conversation, Trypho doesn't have the mind or Spirit to reason these things out from the Word of God (1Cor.2:14). "For there are some, my friends.” I said, “of our race [nation],5 who admit that He is Christ, while holding Him to be man of men; with whom I do not agree, nor would I,6 even though most of those who have [now] the same opinions as myself should say so; since we were enjoined by Christ Himself to put no faith in human doctrines,7 but in those proclaimed by the blessed prophets and taught by Himself.”" Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 219). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. Justin accepts no other teachings concerning the Christ than what is to be found in the Scriptures [alone]. He believes they are sufficient for the salvation of men and for reasoning through Satan's deception and distortion of the truth, concerning the Christ. Trypho, however, believes in the Scriptures plus human tradition by which he was trained in "national" Judaism. This is what severs him from Christ and the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore, Trypho gives evidence that he heard nothing of Justin's labor in expounding the Word. He does not hear the Spirit of God because he is not of the Spirit of God (Lk.10:16;Jn.8:43;18:37;Rev.3:20;1Cor.2:4). By way of application, we would do well to believe every word of God is pure; and good for doctrine and instruction in righteousness, and that these alone [reveal] the Christ. God DID NOT sneak this revelation into the church. This revelation is the foundation of the church. It is those wolves in sheep's clothing that have crept in unnoticed and introduced the doctrines of demons.

Galatians 1:6–16 (NKJV) 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, . . .

The new covenant is not a covenant reserved for one nation, but that the mission of Christ would be fulfilled in every nation (Matt.28:19). The Old Covenant was given to preserve a people and the lineage that the Christ was promised to come through, but in the days of His fulfillment a New Covenant was to be established that the name of Lord would be glorified, and that his glory should fill the whole earth (Jn.1:14). The new mission is not to abide in a national covenant made with Israel, but to abide in the love and commandments that God gives every nation. 1 Corinthians 7:19 (NKJV) 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Galatians 5:6 (NKJV) 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 6:15 (NKJV) 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. Acts 17:30–32 (NKJV) 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” God does not promise us more time to repent, but that you seek him [now] in the appointed time. You are commanded to know him, his judgments against sin, and the resurrection of his beloved Son. The good news is that if you are given another day, it is another day of mercy to hear him on the matters pertaining to eternal life. Will you hear him again on this matter or will you die in your sins and the hardness of your impenitent heart? Though you be found by Him like a dead fish in the water, hope floats in His divine mercy.