Union Grove Church of CHRIST 

What Better Thing to do than to Study The Bible!
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Only One Law

Only one Law


The Bible is a document from GOD. It teaches us about Who GOD is. It also answers those nagging questions that humanity has: -Where did i come from? Why am i here? Where am i going? GOD has revealed HIS love for us, in HIS Holy Document, The Bible. GOD has always had guides and rules for man. We do not have our own righteousness, righteousness comes from GOD, Is.54:17, Dan.9:14; Dan.12:3; Is.45:19. Since proper behavior can only be learned by GOD's instruction, HE has always had laws for man. There was a law for man in the garden of Eden, are we under that law today. If not, why not, it is written in The Bible. We are not commanded to build an Ark, even though it is written in The Bible. Obviously things have changed. We understand that all commands are not our responsibility. The Law of Moses told the children of Israel to sacrifice animals for their sins. It taught the people that they had to keep certain Jewish feast. Now compare 'The Law of CHRIST.' JESUS is the only sacrifice that could take away sins. Christians keep a memorial feast, remembering JESUS' death, weekly. Why do we want to keep two differing laws. How can we keep a law that looked unto CHRIST, and at the same time keep The Law of CHRIST. Consider the following:



"Priest"


Hebrews 7:12-15 KJVS

[12] For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. [13] For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. [14] For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. [15] And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,


JESUS is not a levitical priest, but HE is from the tribe of Judah. HE is our High Priest, in heaven.


Read all of Hebrews 7



"Therefore"


Deuteronomy 5:2-4,15 KJV

[2] The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. [3] The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. [4] The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, [15] And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.


-Read all of Deuteronomy 5, it is a retelling of the Ten Commandments.

-Who is being spoken to? The passages reveal the answer.

-Who did GOD speak to? (vs.4)

-Verse 3 speaks of "this day", what day, or when is he referring to?

-Does the passage reveal that some people where previously  not responsible to keep the Ten Commandments?(vs.3)

-Are you a physical Jew?

-Were you a servant in the land of Egypt?

-Since GOD brought the people mentioned in vs. 15, out of Egypt with a mighty hand, what did HE command them to keep?

-Let's walk through The Bible and show, our current responsibility toward the 10 commandments?



"Madest known unto them"


Nehemiah 9:13-14 KJV

[13] Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: [14] And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:


-This is once again referring to the giving of the law at mount Sinai.

-GOD gave them, and made known unto them; what about the people who lived before the giving of the law at mount Sinai, what law were they under. 

Is it possible for GOD to alter HIS laws?


Romans 4:15 KJV

[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.


-Since Adam is considered to have sinned, he must have been under a law.

1 John 3:4 KJV

[4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.



-as Deut. 5, and Neh.9 shows, the freed Israelite slaves received a new law.



"New"


2 Corinthians 3:6-8 KJV

[6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. [7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: [8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

(Concerning "engraven in stone" see-Ex.31:18;34:1-4)




"A will"


Hebrews9:16,17

[16] For where a testament is , there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. [17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.


-When does a Testament/will go into effect? 

-Is a will probated or effective during the life of a person?

-A person may change their will during their lifetime, but at death it becomes active or probated.

-JESUS died on the cross. 

JESUS' will, The New Testament went into effect at HIS death. 

-Was JESUS alive, while speaking to the thief on the cross beside HIM? Obvious answer, but it shows that the old law was still in effect. Everyone was still under the law of Moses, the Old Testament, until JESUS died.

-Read through the above verses one more time.



"Abolished /Blotting out" 


Ephesians 2:15 KJV

[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;


-Abolish-to render idle; to deprive of force, influence, power; to cease, to pass away, be done away;


Colossians 2:14 KJV

[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;


-according to this verse, when were the handwriting of ordinances blotted out? 


Hebrews 9:15 KJV

[15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 




"Better covenant"


Hebrews 8:6-7 KJV

[6] But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.


-"The law of CHRIST"

Galatians 6:2 KJV

[2] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.


-So, CHRIST has a law (Gal.6:2), it is the New Covenant (Heb.8:8-13; 12:24), the New Testament (2Cor.3:6), the Law of Liberty (James 1:25; 2:12), Grace (Rom.6:14).


-The law of Moses, the Ten Commandments, all those ordinances, are passed away. 

-Is anyone ready to be under the law of Moses again?

-We have a better law, The law of CHRIST, HIS last Will and Testament for mankind. There is no other law coming after this one.



"Schoolmaster" 


Galatians 3:23-27 KJV

[23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. [24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. [26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.


-When does the verse say that the law will no longer be a schoolmaster?

-Do verses 26 and 27 contradict one another. 

     -Vs.26 says one can be a   child of GOD by faith

     -Vs.27 says that one is not in CHRIST, has not put on CHRIST, until they are baptized.

-Do both verses appear to say, a person is saved if they have met the specified conditions.

-Did everyone who had faith, become a saved person?


John 12:42-43 KJV

[42] Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him , lest they should be put out of the synagogue: [43] For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.


-These had faith, but they did not take the next step, they were not acceptable in GOD's sight.


'The Faith' is the totality of Bible teaching about salvation. See Acts 2:38 and Romans 10:9,10, four items are commanded!



"But I (JESUS), say unto you"


-So, The Scriptures teach that JESUS' law has replaced the law of Moses.

-What of this "Law of CHRIST." How is it different than the Old Testament?


Matthew 5:21-22 KJV

[21] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: [22] But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.


-Notice how JESUS says, "but I say unto you." HIS word has authority above the previous law mentioned.

-Not only is killing wrong, but, being angry without a cause is sinful.



JESUS, "Believe ME"


John 4:21-22 KJV

[21] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. [22] Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.


-During JESUS' life, were the Jews commanded to worship in Jerusalem? (The samaritans were worshipping vainly and in the wrong place.)

-The law of Moses, including the Ten Commandments would be annulled for JESUS' coming Law. (John4:21, you can see that something is going to change).

-We are not under the law of England and the U.S. Constitution. We decided to separate from that countries rule. Likewise two different laws cannot be in effect simultaneously. The law of JESUS now prevails. JESUS confirmed nine of the Ten Commandments in HIS law. We are to love GOD, not steal, not commit adultery, etc., but, remember the sabbath to keep it holy has changed. New Testament Christians worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, not Saturday. (See Acts20:7; 1 Cor.16:1,2; 1Cor.11:17-34; Heb.10:25)


-In Jn.4:12 the Samaritan woman claims Jacob as her forefather, yet JESUS says that the samaritans "worship ye know not what," (John4:22). Their worship was vain. How could this be, she even recognized the scriptures that the messiah, would come. She knew bible and yet worshipped in vain. 

-What about the idea, all good people will be saved, GOD loves everyone. True, GOD does love everyone, but even good people will be lost. (That is another discussion.)

-JESUS living under the law of Moses/the Ten Commandments, said that salvation is exclusive to the Jews, John4:22. 

-Do you still want to live under the Old Testament law?



Veil rent


Matthew 27:50-51 KJV

[50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. [51] And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;


Concerning The Vail

-The ark was covered with The Vail-Ex.26:33;40:3

-Dont touch-2Sam.6:6,7

-Dont look in it-1Sam.6:19

-It was hidden from the people except the high priest, and he saw it once a year-Lev16:2,34; 


Hebrews 4:14 KJV

[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.


The vail being torn/rent shows a change in the law. JESUS is now high priest, the old law has been annulled.



"Better"

 

Hebrews 7:19 KJV

[19] For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did ; by the which we draw nigh unto God.


Hebrews 7:22 KJV

[22] By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.


Hebrews 8:6 KJV

[6] But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.


-JESUS' law is better!



"Cleave"


Matthew 19:3-9 KJV

[3] The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? [4] And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, [5] And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? [6] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. [7] They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? [8] He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. [9] And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.


-The law of JESUS is stronger than the law of Moses and the Ten Commandments



"These sayings of MINE"


Matthew 7:24 KJV

[24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Matthew 7:26 KJV

[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Matthew 7:28-29 KJV

[28] And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [29] For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.



"Hear ye HIM"


Matthew 17:4-5 KJV

[4] Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. [5] While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.


JESUS is to be heard over 

-Moses/The Law

And

-Elijah/The Prophets.


I believe the evidence, that JESUS' law and will are now the presiding rules for man to live by, has been established.




"A new commandment"


John 13:34-35 KJV

[34] A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.


-Backing up a bit. JESUS showed that HIS words took precedence over the o.t. Law, (I.e., "It hath been said,.....but I say unto you" many times in Mt.5.) Here in Jn.13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you".


1 John 2:8-11 KJV

[8] Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. [9] He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. [10] He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. [11] But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.


-John wrote what The HOLY SPIRIT told him to write. And here John is directed to reiterate that command JESUS gave in Jn.13.




What about the thief on the cross.


Luke 23:43 KJV

[43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.



Remember, when does a will go into effect.


Colossians 2:14 KJV

[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;


Mark 2:5,10 KJV

[5] When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. [10] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)


Luke 7:47-50 KJV

[47] Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. [48] And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. [49] And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? [50] And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.


The thief lived and died under the old testament law. We now live under the new testament, which is far better.


John 6:68 KJV

[68] Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.


Who has the words of eternal life, Moses or JESUS?



So, we are responsible to keep The Law of CHRIST today, not The Law of Moses!




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