Study of Denomintions 06/13/2010

A Study of Denominations
Cont. from last week

Judaic Practices
A Study of Denominations


Statement of Belief
The Scriptures teach that the Law of Moses was to pass away in favor of the covenant with Christ,
In that he saith, "A new covenant," he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away ( Hebrews 8:13 ),
done away with because it was written against us and served as a tutor to lead to Christ,

having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross, (Colossians 2:14),


So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor, ( Galatians 3:24-25 ),


and therefore replaced,

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law, ( Hebrews 7:12 ),


And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, ( Hebrews 9:15 ).

Sections

● The Ten Commandments and the "Moral Law"
● Tithing
● Conclusion


The Ten Commandments and the "Moral Law"
Many denominations teach that we as Christians are under the Ten Commandments today, and that the "moral law" established by it represents the unchanging law of God. Let us examine how and why this conclusion was reached and then examine if the Scriptures teach if this is so.

This belief system began as a response to a question brought about by a seeming contradiction within the Scriptures: how can we have "liberty in Christ," set free by His death on the cross and the grace made manifest in that act, and yet still maintain a moral/ethical standard by which a Christian might live? Verses like Romans 8:2 , Romans 3:20 , and Romans 5:20-21 are compared in this viewpoint:
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.


And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


The conclusion reached by these denominations is that knowledge of sin comes through the Law of Moses, and that we receive our redemption through the "law of grace" of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the "Law" as described by Moses is the "law" under which we are to live.

It was understood, however, that the death of Christ demanded the end of certain parts of the Law; these are described as the "ceremonial" or "ritual" portions of the Law along with the "dietary laws" in the Law. By necessity, therefore, these denominations distinguish the "moral law," the principles of which are clearly illustrated in the Ten Commandments and that is to be followed, from these other groups. Do we see this distinction in the Scriptures?

We do not see within the Scriptures concerning the Law any distinction between the "moral" law, the "ceremonial" law, and the "dietary" law. It is considered to be the same law. Furthermore, the concept of the "moral law" brings about many questions: upon what standard is the "moral law" determined? The Ten Commandments alone? The specific instructions given by God concerning each of these commandments? The Scriptures do not give any such instruction.

The Scriptures themselves demonstrate that Christians are not under the "moral law" of the Law of Moses; this is seen in Matthew 19:7-9, Ephesians 2:13-16 , and Colossians 2:14-16:

They say unto him, "Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?"
He saith unto them, "Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery." [Matthew 19:7-9]

But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. [Ephesians 2:13-16]


Having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out that way, nailing it to the cross; having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day. [Colossians 2:14-16]


Each of these examples refer to one of the commandments within the Ten Commandments and what would be deemed the "moral" law. According to Jesus, laws concerning divorce were different from the beginning than they were under Moses; divorce under the Law of Moses was granted for many more reasons than in the beginning and under Christ. Therefore, someone who divorced his mate legally under the Law of Moses in many cases could not do so legally either in the beginning or under the covenant in Christ. It may be argued, however, that since the commandment says simply to not commit adultery, that this commandment is still in effect. This cannot be, however, since the whole thrust behind a commandment is in how the language is defined. If adultery is defined differently in the Old Testament than it is in the New (as shown above and Mat 5:27-28), the commandment to not commit adultery in the Old Testament will be examined differently than it is in the New. Since the meaning of the term "adultery" changed between the Law of Moses and the covenant of Christ, we cannot be under the commandment as it was given to the Israelites by Moses.