Alma and Paul
Alma 58:40; “But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.”
Galatians 5:1; “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
How it is Alma would be using the same vocabulary in 63 BC that Paul would use circa 50 AD?
Upon reading Paul’s letter to the Galatians we learn that he’s encouraging the new Christians by way of reminder for them not to fall for the tricks of judaizing leaders who wanted to bring the new believers in Christ back under the Law.
When we read further we see that Paul tells the Galatians that if they are going to live according to the Law they’ll be a debtor to the whole Law and Christ’s redemptive power in your life means nothing for you personally.
Vs. 3-4; “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
Now compare Paul’s well thought out, not to mention inspired, writing here to Alma’s. Alma’s telling the people to stay strong even through another war and Jesus is going to be with them and hopefully they’ll get their things back that the Lamanites took from them. It’s 63 BC.
Alma 58:41; “And now, my beloved brother, Moroni, may the Lord our God, who has redeemed us and made us free, keep you continually in his presence; yea, and may he favor this people, even that ye may have success in obtaining the possession of all that which the Lamanites have taken from us, which was for our support. And now, behold, I close mine epistle. I am Helaman, the son of Alma.”
Notice the lack of detail in his warning to the “Nephites”. No specific war is mentioned or location. No detailed information of why Jesus is their Redeemer in 63 BC and why believing in Him before He was born would be beneficial to them while keeping the Law.
What things did the Lamanites take away?
How do they go about keeping the Law and trust in Jesus’ redemptive work who was the fulfillment of the Law?
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