The Distinction Between the Old and the New Law
Introduction:
A. The Bible is a book divided into 66 books.I. The Old Law Was for a People, for a Purpose, for a Time1. 39 books from Genesis – Malachi make up what is known as the Old Testament
B. Many have an issue understanding that there is a separation of the Old and New Law:a. Genesis – Deuteronomy make up the books of Law
b. Joshua – Esther make up the books of History
c. Job – Song of Solomon make up the books of Poetry
d. Isaiah – Daniel make up the Major Prophets
e. Hosea – Malachi are the Minor Prophets
- Prior to the law of Moses, Israel was under the Law of the Patriarchs [head of the household].
- As we will see in our lesson, the Law of Moses was for Israel, thus it is a necessary inference that the Gentiles were still und the Law of the Patriarchs seeing as how they could still sin (i.e. Jonah calling Nineveh to repent).
2. 27 books from Matthew – Revelation make up what is known as the New Testamenta. Matthew – John make up the 4 accounts of the one Gospel
b. Acts is the book of History
c. Romans – Jude are the epistles [letters]
d. Revelation is the book of Prophesy1. Some in the New Testament had a problem finding a distinction:C. It is imperative to understand which of two laws governs man today.a. Acts 10:17-20; 28-34; 11:1-32. Some today have that same problem (note a brief selection of examples):
b. Acts 15:5a. The Seventh Day Adventists: “The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age.” – http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/index.html
b. The Roman Catholic Church: “The obligation of the Decalogue. # 2072 Since they express man’s fundamental duties towards God and towards his neighbor, the Ten Commandments reveal, in their primordial content, grave obligations. They are fundamentally immutable, and they oblige always and everywhere. No one can dispense from them. The Ten Commandments are engraved by God in the human heart.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church1. We must determine which is what Jesus spoke of in John 12:48.
2. We must understand that one law was to bring about a more perfect law.
3. We will not, once informed, understand why so many want to cling to a law that did not offer salvation.
A. The Old Testament Law was for the Jews:II. The Old Law Was Imperfect1. Exodus 34:27-B. The Old Testament Law was for a purpose:
2. Deuteronomy 4:1; 7-13; 44-45; 5:1-6
3. I Kings 8:9; 21
4. Ephesians 2:11-121. God made a promise to Abraham (Genesis 22:18).C. The Old Testament Law was for a time:
2. God put a law in affect to bring this promise about (Galatians 3:16-19).1. A time when a better law would be (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13).
2. A time in which the Law [a schoolmaster] brought the people unto Christ (Galatians 3:24-29).
A. For two of many examples; Paul illustrates the imperfection of the Old Law to the church in Rome and Corinth (Romans 8:3-4 and II Corinthians 3:16-17).III. The Imperfect Old Law Was Put Aside for a New and Perfect Testament of Jesus ChristB. It was not complete, as Christ would have to come and fulfill it:
1. Matthew 5:17-18C. Salvation was not offered through the Old Testament Law:
2. Luke 24:441. John 1:17
2. Acts 13:33-39
3. Hebrews 9:19-28
4. Hebrews 10:1-22
A. No man is subject to the Old Testament Law:Conclusion:1. We are delivered from the Old Testament Law (Romans 7:1-6).B. Jesus came bringing His words, which had not been taught by the Law of Moses, but would be taught bringing salvation to those whom heard, believed, and obeyed:
2. Through Christ we are complete, delivered from our sins through conversion, and delivered from a law that was against us [Gentiles] (Colossians 2:8-14).
3. The death of Christ is the significant mark of the putting away of the Old Law and the bringing in of the New (Hebrews 9:14-18; Matthew 26:28).1. Hebrews 1:1-2
2. Luke 24:45-47
3. Romans 16:25-26
A. Even though the Old Law had been put aside we can still learn and teach many lessons from it:1. Acts 28:23B. We have to keep in mind that all scriptures are (II Timothy 3:16-17 and II Peter 1:20-21):
2. Romans 15:41. InspiredC. While we can study and teach the Old Testament, we are not governed by it.
2. Profitable to teach
3. Profitable for reproof
4. Profitable for correction
5. Profitable for instruction in righteousness
6. Fully equips us unto every good work
2003 by Brian A. Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.