The Law Of Moses
Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia [1]
By the phrase "law of Moses" is meant all that was revealed through Moses. The New Testament treats it with great fullness and perpiscuity:
# Typical Aspects . The law of Moses was only the shadow of good Things to come ( Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10:1 ).
# Fulfillment . Jesus Christ declared His intention to Fulfill every word of the law ( Matthew 5:17,18 ), and He did it ( Luke 24:44 ).
# Its Weakness . The law could not, #bring about justification ( Acts 13:39 ); #produce righteousness ( Galatians 2:21 ); #produce life ( Galatians 3:21 ); #bring about perfection ( Hebrews 7:19 ); #or free the conscience from a knowledge of sin ( Hebrews 10:1-4 ).
# Impossible for All Men to Keep It . The law was given to and for Israel only ( Exodus 19:1-20:17; Malachi 4:4; John 1:1-17 ). Take two proofs of this: #All the males of the Hebrews were commanded to appear before the Lord at a designated place three times a year ( Exodus 23:14-17; Exodus 12:4-16 ); #those to whom the law was given were commanded, on penalty of death, not to kindle a fire throughout their habitation on the sabbath day ( Exodus 35:1-3 ).
# Abolishment of the Law . It is declared, #that the law is abolished ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-13; Ephesians 2:15 ); #that Christ is the end of the law ( Romans 10:4 ); #that it was the ministration of death ( Exodus 32:1-28 ), and that it is "done away" ( 2 Corinthians 3:7 ); #that Jesus took away the first that He might establish the second ( Hebrews 10:5-9 ); #that it was nailed to the cross ( Colossians 2:14-16 ); #that those who had been under it had been delivered from it ( Romans 7:6 ); #that they were dead to it ( Romans 7:4 ); #that they were not under the law, but under grace ( Romans 6:14 ); #that they were no longer under the schoolmaster ( Galatians 3:24,25 ); #that they were not required to serve the law ( Acts 15:1-24; Galatians 3:19 ); #that the Christian who sought justification under the law had fallen from grace ( Galatians 5:4 ); #and that now the righteousness of God is revealed without the aid of the law ( Romans 3:21,22 ).
# Contrasted with the Gospel . #The law was intended for one nation--Israel ( Exodus 20:1-17 Malachi 4:4 ); the gospel of Christ is intended for the whole creation ( Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16 ). #The first covenant was dedicated with the blood of animals ( Exodus 24:6-8 ), the new covenant was dedicated with the blood of Jesus Christ ( 1 Peter 1:18,19 ). #The first institution was administered by frail men--the Levites ( Leviticus 16:1-34; Hebrews 7:11-23 ); the second is administered by Jesus Christ, who was made priest, not by carnal commandment, but "after the power of an endless life" ( Hebrews 7:16 ). #Circumcision in the flesh was a sign of the first ( Genesis 17:1-14; Leviticus 12:1-13 ); circumcision in the heart and spirit is the sign of the second ( Romans 2:25 ). #The law of Moses guaranteed to the obedient Hebrews temporal blessings ( Deuteronomy 28:1-6 ); the gospel of Christ guarantees spiritual blessings to those who live up to its requirements ( 1 Peter 1:4 ). #The law of Moses guaranteed to the Hebrews the land of Canaan ( Deuteronomy 30:5-10 ); the gospel guarantees eternal life beyond the grave to those who honor the Lord ( 1 John 5:20 ). #The law of Moses required obedience to the one true God ( Exodus 20:1-5 ); the gospel emphasizes the Fatherhood of God ( Matthew 6:9 ). #The law of Moses prohibited the people from taking the name of the Lord in vain ( Exodus 20:7 ); the gospel requires that out communications be "yea" and "nay", declaring that everything beyond is evil ( Matthew 5:37 ). #The law of Moses required the Hebrews to remember the Sabbath day ( Exodus 20:8-11 ); in apostolic times, the people of God remembered the Savior in the feast that He ordained ( Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 ) on the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7 ). #The law of Moses required children to honor their parents ( Exodus 20:12 ); the gospel requires children to obey their parents in the Lord ( Ephesians 6:1-4 ). #The law of Moses prohibited murder ( Exodus 20:13 ); the gospel prohibits hatred ( 1 John 3:15 ). #The law of Moses forbade adultery ( Exodus 20:14 ); the gospel prohibits even lust ( Matthew 5:28 ). #The law of Moses prohibits stealing ( Exodus 20:15 ); the gospel prohibits stealing and requires benevolence ( Ephesians 4:28 ). #The law of Moses forbade the bearing of false witness ( Exodus 20:16 ); the gospel requires us to speak the truth in love ( Ephesians 4:15 ). #The law of Moses prohibited covetousness ( Exodus 20:17 ); the gospel requires us to do good unto men according to our opportunities ( Galatians 6:10 ), and love our neighbors as ourselves ( Romans 13:10;
