"It is God's Word that is the final authority above all practices of men. " Well stated, aMPU, well stated. That's why we offer incense to the One True God,the Trinity, Creator of Heaven and Earth and sovereign Lord of all the Universe. Because it is so repeatedly approved and recommended in Scripture, God's Word.
And you ignored the larger question: your assumption that anything that is not explicitly commanded in the NT, is forbidden. The OT foresees and foreshadows the NT, and both foreshadow the Church: which is to say, "us," the Body of Christ, which includes you and me.
You explained nothing from the OT--- except you proved yourself adept at explaining it away.
But never mind. I am going out to dig up a bed for my celery-herb and fava beans, and I'm going to put a statue of the Holy Family in it. It's good. It's true. It's beautiful. I dearly wish you could rejoice in it.
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη! (Khristós anésti! Alithós anésti!)
Revelation 8:3
“ Because it is so repeatedly approved and recommended in Scripture, God’s Word.
Yes, for Israel.
Yes, in heaven.
No, never for the church on earth.
Thou shalt not steal.
“ And you ignored the larger question: your assumption that anything that is not explicitly commanded in the NT, is forbidden.”
This was what I responded to as your list of category mistakes.
Ex. While Sunday School serves a Biblical purpose, it is not a Biblical church office.
Once you add to God’s Word, as Rome does, you are wrong.
Once you take away from God’s Word, which Rome does, you are wrong.
Once you change God’s Word, as Rome does, you are wrong.
“ You explained nothing from the OT”
The OT temple practices were commanded by God, to Israel - and not for His Church.
There is no explaining necessary beyond that. Thou shalt not steal.
Best.