The Place of the Mosaic Law in the Life of the Believer

Romans 7:12

A Crisis in Society and in Christendom

The Church of the New Testament was born in the cradle of Judaism with all of its rituals
and ceremonies. As a result, the time came when conflict arose regarding the meaning of the
symbols of faith. For centuries conservative Jews were taught to honor the Law of Moses and
observe all of the Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil codexs of the Law. To make certain that this was
done the Jewish Rabbis counted and categorized the Law. In their final analysis it was concluded
that there were 613 precepts and prohibitions which fell into two classifications.


Mandatory Laws, of which there 218. These were divided into 18 sections.


Prohibition Laws, of which there 365. These were divided into 13 sections.

Sections of the Mandatory Laws Sections of the Prohibition Laws

1. God 1. Idolatry
2. Torah 2. Post-exilic prohibitions
3. Temple and Priest 3. Blasphemy
4 Sacrifices 4. Temple
5. Vows 5. Sacrifices
6. Ritual Purity 6. Priests
7. Donations to the Temple 7. Dietary Laws
8. The Sabbatical Year 8. Nazarites
9. Concerning Animals for Consumption 9. Agriculture
10. Festivals 10. Finances
11. Community 11. Justice
12. Idolatry 12.Sexual relationships
13. War 13. The Monarchy
14. Social
15. Family
16. Judicial
17. Slaves
18. 18. Torts

Because the Law of Moses was the central document that held the Jewish society
together, because the Law regulated every facet of life to the smallest detail, it was both a
blessing and a burden. The Law was a blessing for it brought stability to society and allowed a
sense of continuity from one generation to the next. But the Law was a burden in that it
demanded strict obedience with harsh penalties for its violation. Nevertheless, for the most part,
the people of Palestine learned to adjust to the Law. They honored the Law with their lips, if not
always with their lives. In principle the people held a fundamental respect for the Law, much the
same way that people today hold a fundamental respect for the Constitution of the United States
with their lips though comparatively few have ever bothered to read the Law of the Land through
completely.
 Because of a fundamental respect for the Law of Moses, because they believed that God
Himself gave the Law, because the Law brought stability to society, the members of the
Sanhedrian were alarmed and horrified when they discovered that members of Jewish society
were being taught by other Jews that the Law was no longer valid as a way of life. Perhaps a
modern day analogy might be the reaction our Congressmen would have, along with millions of
others, if they woke up one morning to the news that the Constitution was no longer the Law of
the Land. The potential would be present for social anarchy—not to mention loss of power and
prestige. For the Jewish rulers two thousand years ago, they awoke one morning to hear that their
whole way of life was being overthrown and they wanted to know.


If the Law of Moses was no longer valid, what New Law was?


If the Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil Laws of Society were being set, what would take
their place?


If the Sanhedrian were no longer the best and the brightest religious and political
leaders of the land, who were?

When members of the Sanhedrian were told that the nation should follow after a crucified
Carpenter and His merry men, one of which was a despised tax collector, it was just two much.
An immediate and intense persecution against the Christian community was launched. The name
of Christ and the followers of Christ had to be destroyed. There was a crisis in the land of
Canaan. To complicate matters, there was a crisis in Christendom itself for not all that came to
faith in Christ understood all of the implications that such faith entailed. In particular, there was
still the question of the Law of Moses that dominated society. Three responses emerged.


Some people turned away from the gospel so that the religious ceremonies could
continue and the civil law and social laws of Jewish society could be enforced.


Others embraced the gospel and immediately abandoned any keeping of the Law of
Moses. There was a great appreciation for the freedom the gospel message brought
from observing the rules and regulations imposed by the Law. Within the Gentile
community, acceptance of the gospel was easy enough to do for there were no
emotional or cultural ties to the Mosaic Law.


A third response to the developing situation between the history of society and the
new message of the Messiah was a compromise between Law and Grace. Those in
the Jewish community were inclined to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior but then they
tried to keep certain portions of the Law. One clear example of the attempt to
embrace the principles of Christianity while maintaining the practices of Judaism is
reflected in the situation in Galatia.
 The term Galatia was used in an ethnic sense, referring to those Gauls who had settled in
north central Asia Minor. During his second missionary journey, Paul had established churches
in the region of Galatia. But the term Galatia was also used in a political and geographical sense
referring to the Roman province that included such cities as Lystra, Derbe, Iconium, and Pisidian
Antioch. It is unclear to which region Paul was writing, either those in the north, or those in the
south. On one level, it does not matter for the problem was more or less universal in the Jewish
community. Those who came to Christ has to consider their relationship to the Law. As the
epistle unfolds, Paul commends the believers to whom he writes because they had made progress
in the Christian life and were doing well spiritually. But he was alarmed to learn that some
Jewish teachers, called Judaizers, had taught them that they must also obey the Law of Moses
and continue to perform the rite of circumcision, which was the sign of the covenant people in
the Old Testament. The apostle asked, Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now
made perfect by the flesh? (Gal. 3:3) And then he chides them for not obeying the gospel
principles. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Gal. 5:7)
Because of a compromise position between the Law of Moses and the grace of the
gospel, neither the Law was being fully honored nor grace. The end result of an inconsistent
doctrine was detrimental. Gospel obedience was being hindered. (Gal. 5:7) Because some parts
of the Law were observed (Gal. 4:10) renewed consideration was being given to returning to the
whole. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ
unto another gospel: But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how
turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
(Gal. 1:6; 4:9).
Paul’s purpose in writing was to arrest the false teaching of the Judaizers and to expose
their impure motives of being authoritative so that they would not have to suffer for the cause of
Christ. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised;
only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves
who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in
your flesh. (Gal. 6:12,13) Paul does not want his converts to go back under a system of rules and
regulations that no longer served the purpose for which they were designed, nor did he want the
believers to inter into a state of legalism. To set forth the doctrine of justification by God’s grace
through faith, Paul wrote this epistle.
It would be nice if the story ended with the Galatians refusing to go back under the Law
of Moses and casting out the Judaizers—which is probably what happened. But the old
controversy will not go away because there is a part of the Mosaic Law, which confuses
Christians to this very day and that is the Moral facet summarized in the Ten Commandments.
Today, few Christians would concede that the Church should observe the civil and
ceremonial codexs of the Mosaic Law. I am careful to say that “few Christians” believe these
things because there are some that are advocating this very thing. Those in the Reconstruction
Movement seem to be teaching that the Law of Moses is still a valid way to regulate society. In
fact, the argument goes, if the Moses principles and practices were revived and applied to society
the Kingdom of God would prevail upon the earth. It is a tempting proposition to embrace.
Then there are others known as Messianic Jews. These are racial Jews who accept Jesus
as the Messiah but they want to keep their Jewish heritage. They believe that the church,
including Gentiles, should join them in celebrating the ancient Jewish festivals but with the new
understanding of how they relate to Christ.
 While these movements might be suspect, there are still two other factions in the church
that must be dealt with for they are fiercely debating, not the civil law (as the Reconstructionist)
nor the ceremonial laws (as the Messianic congregations) but the place of the Moral Law.
Concerning this debate, there are several things to known.


It is an old debate. Catholics and Protestants argued over the place of the Moral Law in the
Church and then the Reformers argued with each other. Four hundred years the discussion is
just as heated for nothing has been resolved to everyone satisfaction.


Like any debate there is a lot of name calling that goes on and some rather extreme
statements made on both side in order to press a point.


Because positions are staked out and name-calling becomes personal, it is easy for those
who believe so much alike to separate in anger because they begin to talk past one
another. After a while, it seems that no one is listening and people are hearing only what they
want to hear, and not what is being said.

The names that have come to represent the two major factions over the place of the law
are Anti-nomianism and Legalism. In other words, those who believe that the Moral Law of God
summarized in the Ten Commandments is still binding on the Church today are called legalist by
their opponents. Not to be outdone, the Legalist (so called) accuse their opponents of being Anti-
nomian which means literally, Against the Law or Lawless.
Personally, as I have listened to those on both sides of this religious debate talk and
present their arguments, I am saddened at the rhetoric which is often so close at times as to be
indistinguishable. And I am grieved that so many good people can talk past one another for the
Anti-nomian is usually not a true Anti-nomian and the Legalist is not a true Legalist. But the
rhetoric is hard to over come once the name-calling begins.
If someone were to ask me if I believed the Ten Commandments are morally binding on
Christians today and I said, “Yes,” I would not want to be accused of being a legalist. In like
manner, If I asked someone if they did believe the Ten Commandments were not binding on men
today, they would not want to be accused of being “Anti-nomian” or “Lawless.” I believe there
is a way out the dilemma between Law and Grace. May the Lord help us to discover that way
out.
 The Ten Commandments

“And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,
which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage.”
~*~
Exodus 20:1-17


The First Commandment: Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.


The Second Commandment: Exodus 20:4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven
image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve
them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the
children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy
unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.


The Third Commandment: Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy
God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.


The Fourth Commandment: Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the
LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested
the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.


The Fifth Commandment: Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days
may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.


The Sixth Commandment: Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.


The Seventh Commandment: Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.


The Eighth Commandment: Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.


The Ninth Commandment: Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbour.


The Tenth Commandment: Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou
shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor
his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
 The Ten Commandments

“I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee

out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”
~*~
Deuteronomy 5:6-21


The First Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.


The Second Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:8-9 Thou shalt not make thee any graven
image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the waters beneath the earth: 9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor
serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers
upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,


The Third Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:10-11 And shewing mercy unto thousands of
them that love me and keep my commandments. 11 Thou shalt not take the name of the
LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in
vain.


The Fourth Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as
the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. 13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:
14 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work,
thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox,
nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy
manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. 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.


The Fifth Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:16-17 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the
LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go
well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.


The Sixth Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:17 Thou shalt not kill.


The Seventh Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.


The Eighth Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:19 Neither shalt thou steal.


The Ninth Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness
against thy neighbour.

The Tenth Commandment: Deuteronomy 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's
wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his
maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.
 A Brief Catechism on the Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1-17

1. Question. Who gave the Ten Commandments to Moses?

Answer. God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. Exodus 20: 1-2 And God spake all
these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of
Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

2. Question. What does the First Commandment teach?

Answer. The First Commandment teaches there are to be no other gods in the life of the
believer but the Lord God. Exodus 20: 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

3. Question. What does the Second Commandment prohibit?

Answer. The Second Commandment prohibits the making of any forms that will be
worshipped. Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness
of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water
under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD
thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third
and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them
that love me, and keep my commandments.

4. Question. What does the Third Commandment forbid?

Answer. The Third Commandment forbids using the Lord’s name in a profane way. Exodus
20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold
him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

5. What day is set-aside for worship according to the Fourth Commandment and why?
Answer. The Fourth Commandment sets the seventh day aside for worship in honor of the
creative rest of God. Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days
shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD
thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested
the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

6. Question. What instruction does the Fifth Commandment give and what promise is
associated with it?
Answer. The Fifth Commandment promises more days of life for those that honor their
parents. Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon
the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
7. Question. What is forbidden by the Sixth Commandment?
Answer. The Sixth Commandment forbids murder. Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt
not kill.
8. Question. What does the Seventh Commandment forbid?
Answer. The Seventh Commandment forbids committing adultery. Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt
not commit adultery.

9. Question. What does the Eighth Commandment forbid?

Answer. The Eighth Commandment forbids stealing. Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.

10. Question. What does the Ninth Commandment forbid?

Answer. The Ninth Commandment forbids giving a false testimony. Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt
not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

11. Question. What does the Tenth Commandment forbid?

Answer. The Tenth Commandment forbids wanting what others possess. Exodus 20:17 Thou
shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his
manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy
neighbour's.
 A Simple Test on the Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1-17

List the provisions of the Ten Commandments in their proper order


The First Commandment


The Second Commandment


The Third Commandment


The Fourth Commandment


The Fifth Commandment


The Sixth Commandment


The Seventh Commandment


The Eighth Commandment


The Ninth Commandment


The Tenth Commandment
 The Law of God

A Question of Concern
1. Great care is taken by some to teach that the Bible never uses the terms ‘moral law’,
‘ceremonial law’ or ‘judicial law’ (civil law). The terms ‘law’, ‘statutes’, ‘ordinances’, and
‘judgments’ are referred to.

2. However, some distinction between types of law or elements in the law does exist for the law
has a present authority for the Christian.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law.

Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

3. In contrast to these passages are those, which speak of the law, being terminated for the
Christian.

Ephesians 2:15 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;

Colossians 2:14 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;

4. When the scriptures are placed side by side, it becomes apparent that there must be different
kinds of law or of different elements in the same law. The Christian must be able to discern
which law or element has been blotted out, being nailed to the cross of Calvary.

Three Types of Laws

Over the centuries, the Creeds of Christendom have recognized the permanent moral law
of God, summarized in the Ten Commandments, and the temporary ceremonial and judicial (or
civil) laws. Moral law continues in force while ceremonial and judicial law has been abolished.


Ceremonial laws. The reference is to the commandments that conveyed to the Jews glorious
spiritual truths by means of ritual. (Gal. 4:1-3) Most ceremonial laws focused attention on
formulas of worship, feasts, sacrifices, the priesthood, and the place of worship. These things
are now abolished.

Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an
holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to
come; but the body is of Christ.
Hebrews 8:4-5 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests
that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly
things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for,
See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image
of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually
make the comers thereunto perfect.


Judicial Laws. These laws kept Gentiles ‘far off’ by Divine design.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the
blood of Christ. The civil regulations build a ‘wall of partition’ shutting all others out from
the gospel to which the Jews were shut in.

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the
middle wall of partition between us; There could be no Great Commission until this partition
was destroyed. Christ broke down the partition according to the promise given to Adam and
Eve and then to Abraham.

Ephesians 2:15 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;

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having
slain the enmity thereby:


The Moral Law. Though the ceremonial and judicial laws have been abolished, the Moral
Law remains in force for it expresses God’s will for mankind. It can never change, be
destroyed, or repealed. By saying this, it is remembered that this threefold distinction must
not undermine the reality that within the ceremonial and judicial laws there was the moral
code. It is not easy to separate them. (Study Ex. 24:10-16)
 Six Laws of the Scriptures

1. The Law of Moses contained 613 commandments. All of the commandments fall into two
broad classifications of mandatory laws (248 in number) and prohibition laws (365 in
number).

Sections of the Mandatory Laws Sections of the Prohibition Laws

1. God 1. Idolatry
2. Torah 2. Post-exilic prohibitions
3. Temple and Priest 3. Blasphemy
4. Sacrifices 4. Temple
5. Vows 5. Sacrifices
6. Ritual Purity 6. Priests
7. Donations to the Temple 7. Dietary Laws
8. The Sabbatical Year 8. Nazarites
9. Concerning Animals for Consumption 9. Agriculture
10. Festivals 10. Finances
11. Community 11. Justice
12. Idolatry 12.Sexual relationships
13. War 13. The Monarchy
14. Social
15. Family
16. Judicial
17. Slaves
18. Torts

2. The Law of Moses regulated social behavior.


Marriage. Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her
husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of
her husband.


Personal cleansing. Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the
law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the
Lord;


Children. Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the
womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)


Animals. 1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle
the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?


Sacrifices. Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of
the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
3. The Law of Moses regulated ceremonial rituals.


Concerning the newborn. Luke 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to
the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.


The Sabbath. John 7:23 If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of
Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit
whole on the Sabbath day?

4. The Law of Moses, summarized in the Decalogue (Ex. 20:1-17) regulated the moral aspect of
life and was delighted in.

Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

5. The Law of Moses set forth-predictive prophecy concerning the Messiah.

Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was
yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in
the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his
lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them
concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till
evening.

6. The Law of Moses could never justify despite the zeal individuals had for it.

Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not
be justified by the law of Moses.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That
it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up
in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of
the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Acts 25:8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against
the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

4. The Law of Moses was based on a works-righteousness but not evangelical

righteousness.

Romans 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not
attained to the law of righteousness.
7. There is the Law of Faith.

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but
by the law of faith.

8. There is the Law of Sin.

Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself
serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind,
and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the
law of God, neither indeed can be.

9. There is the Law of the Spirit.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the
law of sin and death.

10. There is the Law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

11. There is the Law of Liberty

James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he
being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
 The Teaching of the Anti-nomian

In the initial study the thought was introduced that there is a crisis in Christendom. The
topic of concern is the place of the Law in the Life of the Believer. We noted that Christianity
was born in Judaism with all of its rules and rituals set forth in the Law of Moses. The Law of
Moses, we noted was divided into three parts:
The Ceremonial Laws concerning the sacrifices
The Civil Law governing the conduct of society
The Moral Law guiding the spiritual behavior of the soul.
From infancy a devout Jew was taught to love and respect the Law in principle and in
practice. Of particular concern to the Jewish community was the Decalogue or the Ten
Commandments, which summarized the essence of the whole law.
In passing, a question arose about the meaning of the fourth commandment and the
keeping of the Sabbath. For a Jew the fourth commandment was very important. It was important
to God too, for the fourth commandment crystallizes in an observable manner the life of faith.
On the Sabbath day, men were to rest, but they were also to worship.
The fact that the Sabbath was meant as a day of worship as well as rest is confirmed by
the testimony of Scripture and by the secular understanding of Jewish society for the last 4,000
years. Because the Sabbath,


foreshadowed the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ,

was given prior to the law as a time of worship,

was severely punished by death when broken,

was designed to be a sign of a perpetual covenant,

was considered to be a holy day,

was the day of many priestly duties,

was the day for the burnt offering (for sins) to be made,

had a psalm written for its commemoration and observation,

honors the Lord when kept,

was designed to be a source of delight for the purpose of worship,

was kept by Christ who engaged in ministerial acts on that holy day,

allowed for acts of kindness and mercy

the Scriptural evidence is compelling that the Sabbath was made for men to rest in order to
worship. It was not just a nice day off. This fact is confirmed by the secular understanding of the
Sabbath articulated by those within the Jewish community.
It is important to realize the importance of the Sabbath being kept for conservative Jews
because that was part of the great controversy that the early church had to work through. The
Jews who wanted new Christians to keep the Law were not simply lobbying to keep a day off;
they expected Gentile Christians to join them in acts of worship on the Sabbath which included
the keeping of the weekly Passover meal (which was not commanded by Scripture) and perhaps
the offering of sacrifices in the Temple (which had been commanded until the coming of Christ).
 We went on to observe that the place of the Law became a critical point and still is today.
While few would argue that the Civil and Ceremonial parts of the Law are still binding on
Christians, a battleground has been drawn around the Moral Law of God.
The question arises: is the Moral Law of God binding on the believer today. Specifically,
are the Ten Commandments part of the Christian ethics or, have the Ten Commandments been
abolished along with the rest of the Law. Good people have camped out on either side of the
answer. Those who are zealous for a particular point of view are prone to call the other side
names. Two names are usually hurled at one another: ‘Anti-nomian’ and ‘Legalist.’ Our study
resumes at this point.
 The Law in the Life of the Believer

The Passion of a Particular Position

One of the great challenges in the discussion is to try and discern what each position is
really trying to teach.

The Position of the ‘Anti-nomian’ The Position of the ‘Legalist’

Those who advocate abolishing the Law Those who advocate upholding the
Moral
of Moses including the Moral Law Facet of the Law of Moses

1. What the ‘anti-nomian’ is saying 1. What the ‘legalist’ is saying

2. What the ‘anti-nomian’ is not saying 2. What the ‘legalist’ is not saying

The next great challenge in the discussion in discerning the place of the Law in the life of
the Believer is to discover just what the Scriptures teach for both sides appeal to the Scriptures in
support of their position.

What the ‘Legalist’ is Saying

The pre-suppositional thought set forth by those who believe that the Ten
Commandments are binding upon Christians today may be summarized in this way:

God has given to all men in all ages

a Moral Law which
is to be obeyed until the end of time.

This Moral Law is enumerated and

summarized by Moses in the Decalogue
of Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21;
it is upheld, honored, and summarized by
Christ in Matthew 5:17-20 and is
is expounded through out the epistles
A Summary of the [Moral] Law by Moses (Ex. 20:1-17)

1. Do not have any other gods

2. Do not make any graven images
3. Do not take the name of God in vain
4. Keep the Sabbath
5. Honor parents
6. Do not kill
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not bear false witnesses
10. Do no covet

A Summary of the [Moral] Law by Christ (Matt. 22:35-40)

1. Love God
2. Love man

A Summary of the [Moral] Law in the Epistles

1. Do not have any other gods.

1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

2. Do not make any graven images.

Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image
made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things.

Romans 11:4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to
myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

3. Do not take the name of God in vain

1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own
masters worthy of all Honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not
blasphemed.

Titus 2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own
husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

4. Keep a time of worship

John 20: 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when
the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came
Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
 Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner
of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.

5. Honor parents

Ephesians 6:2 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment
with promise;)

6. Do not kill

Romans 13:9 “…thou shalt not kill”

7. Do not commit adultery

Romans 13:9…”Thou shalt not commit adultery…”

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

8. Do not steal

Romans 13:9 “…thou shalt not steal”

9. Do not bear false witnesses

Romans 13:9 “…thou shalt not bear false witness”

10. Do no covet

Romans 13:9 “…thou shalt not covet.” cp. Romans 7:7 What shall we say then?
Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not
known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

There is a Moral Law, written in the hearts of men, summarized by Moses, upheld by
Jesus, and re-iterated by the apostles. This Moral Law ought to be honored and obeyed because
of specific reasons.

1. God Himself gave the Moral Law. It was given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
and to Moses at Mt. Sinai. The fact that it was written in stone when given to Moses
emphasizes its permanence.

2. The existence of the Moral Law prior to Moses and for all mankind is proven.
 
People were charged with transgressions prior to Moses. The Bible teaches that
where there is no law, there is no transgression. (Rom. 4:15; 5:13) But we know that
Adam and Eve were disobedient, Cain committed murder, Noah got drunk, Abraham
lied, Jacob was a cheat, and Lot was covetous. If there was no Moral Law to condemn
them, they could not be guilty of transgressions.


The existence of a Moral Law is future proved by the death of individuals,
including children. Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who
is the figure of him that was to come. How could death reign from Adam to Moses
unless there was a basis for condemnation, even the Moral Law of God, not written in
stone, but written on the hearts of men?

3. The Moral Law is perfect in nature and so is not to be negated or terminated. Psalms 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple. The Ceremonial codex of the Law is never said to be perfect, nor
the Civil portion. They can be and should be set aside by something better.

4. The Moral Law was inscribed perfectly upon the heart of Adam [as the Federal
Representative of Mankind] and remained there imperfectly after the Fall.

Ten Commandments for Adam (Stated or Implied)


The Fellowship Commandment (The First Commandment: no other gods) Genesis 3:8 And
they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and
Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of
the garden. Adam was not to worship the lovely creation over which he was given dominion.
He was to have daily fellowship with the Lord God.


The Dominion Commandment (The Second Commandment: no graven images) Genesis
1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male
and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful,
and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the
sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Adam was not to exalt the creation and make it the source of his own existence—as modern
evolutionist do in the name of science.


The Prohibition Commandment (The Third Commandment: no taking of the Lord’s name
in vain) Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of
the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou
shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. When Adam
ate of the forbidden fruit he took the name of God in vain in the sense that he did not fully
believe the word of the Lord. Spoken had spoken but Adam considered his threats empty or
non-sensical. His defiance of the Deity was astonishing.
 Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD
God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every
tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the
trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath
said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto
the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then
your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the
woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to
be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her
husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew
that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Genesis 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of
the tree, and I did eat.


The Sabbath Commandment (The Fourth Commandment: keep the Sabbath) Genesis 2:2-3
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh
day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified
it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. The
commandment to rest was not just another commandment to find a way to make man more
happy and focus more attention upon himself. The Divine implication is that time was to be
made to meditate upon the Lord and fellowship with Him.


The Leave and Cleave Commandment (The Fifth Commandment: honoring of parents)
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his
wife: and they shall be one flesh. While a clear institution is ordained and new families are
anticipated, in order for that to happen role models have to be followed. There are going to
be fathers and mothers. They should be respected.


The Life Commandment (The Sixth Commandment: no killing [of self or others]) Genesis
2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou
mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of
it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. When Adam ate of the
forbidden fruit he committed soul murder as well as physical murder on himself and his
posterity.


The Procreation Commandment (The Seventh Commandment: no adultery) Genesis 1:27-
28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and
female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and
multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his
wife: and they shall be one flesh. In the process of being ‘fruitful,’ God has ordained one
woman for one man. There is to be “one flesh.”

The Work Commandment (The Eight Commandment: no stealing) Genesis 2:15 And the
LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
When a person works hard and is allowed to keep the product of his own labor, there will be
no need to steal from someone else. God will provide for his own.


The Integrity Commandment (The Ninth Commandment: no false testimony) When
confronted with their sin, both Adam and Eve tried to shift the blame. They gave a testimony
that was designed to divert attention from themselves in order to give a false impression of
innocence. Genesis 3:12-13 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me,
she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is
this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.


The Marriage Commandment (The Tenth Commandment: no coveting) Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and
they shall be one flesh. Later, in Exodus 20, the Lord would remind mankind not to covet
another man’s wife, or cattle, or servants, or anything that the person has. A commitment to
the marriage commandment will stop the breaking, in part, of the tenth commandment.

Special note. Whether or not all of these particular observations merit an exact parallel with the
commandments given in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 the general point is still established that
there has been a Moral Law since the dawn of creation. The prohibition of eating the forbidden
is only one of many ‘laws’ given to Adam. Since Adam, all of mankind has been placed under the
[Moral] law. Romans 1:19-20 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for
God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world
are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 2:14-15 For when the Gentiles, which have
not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law
unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also
bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

5. The Moral Law was never established to be a covenant of works. That the Jews turned it
into one is unfortunate. That the Jews began to seek for eternal life and personal
righteousness based upon keeping the Law is tragic for they soon found themselves in a
place of bondage. Why? Because no one can keep the Law! Moreover, God had decreed
that by the works of the Law no flesh would ever be justified in His sight. (Rom. 3:20)

6. The Moral Law was designed to set forth the perfect essence of God and His
righteousness. Man, made in the image of God, was to reflect the Divine ideal through
acts of gospel obedience—which was not an unreasonable expectation according to the
original creation.

7. The Moral Law is spiritual.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under
sin.

The Ceremonial Law is readily admitted to be carnal.

 Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after
the power of an endless life.

Hebrews 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and
carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

The Ceremonial Law touched only the flesh, but the Moral Law is so spiritual that
when Paul considered it, he was convicted and fell down and confessed he was a
sinful and covetous man.

Because it is spiritual, the Moral Law reaches into the thoughts and intents of the
heart of man. By the Law it is learned not only that murder is wrong, but so is hatred.
No only is adultery wrong, but so is inordinate lust.

8. Not only the Law spiritual, but it is holy, just, and good.

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just,
and good.
Conclusion
 Because the Moral Law is spiritual,
 because the Moral Law is holy, just, and good,
 because the Moral Law was written by the finger of God,
 because the Moral Law was given perfectly to Adam and reaffirmed to Moses in
stone,
 because the Moral Law was upheld by Christ and re-affirmed by the apostles ”it
continues as a rule of walk and conversation” to the Christian community of the
New Testament Church. It is to be observed, “and is to be regarded by them as in
the hands of Christ; by whom it is held forth as King and Lawgiver, in his church;
and who, and not Moses, is to be heard, and His voice hearkened to, as the Son
and Master, in His own house.”
Believers are “not without law to God, but [are] under the law to Christ” (1 Cor.
9:21) Christians are obligated to regard the Moral Law as something to be served, as
unto the Lord, with great pleasure. Great peace have they which love thy law: and
nothing shall offend them. (Psa. 119:165)

What the “Legalist” is not Saying

Those who believe that the Moral Law is still binding on the believer today do believe
that there is a sense in which the law is done away, and saints are delivered from it. Once the
Law of Moses [including the Moral Law] held the soul in a spiritual prison and under the
sentence of condemnation. But the believer became dead to it all by being identified with Christ
in His obedience and sufferings.

2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that
which remaineth is glorious.
 Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body
of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the
dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were
held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Therefore,

1. The ‘Legalist’ is not saying that the Moral Law continues as a covenant of works. It
doesn’t. Believers are not under the Moral Law as a covenant of works-righteousness
but under grace as a covenant of grace.

2. The ‘Legalist’ is not saying that the Moral Law continues as to the form of its
administration as given to Moses; it is now no longer in his hands, nor [is] to be
considered as such; the whole Mosaic economy is broken to pieces, and [is] at an
end, which was prefigured by Moses casting the two tables of stone out of his hands,
and breaking them, when he came down from the mount: the law, especially as it lies
in the Decalogue, and as to the form of the administration of that by Moses, was
peculiar to the Jews, as appears by the preface to it, which can agree with none but
them; by the time of worship prescribed them in the fourth command, which was
temporary and typical; and by the promise of long life in the land of Canaan, annexed
to the fifth command.” (John Gill)

3. The ‘Legalist’ is not saying that the Law should terrify the believer; it shouldn’t. The
Christian is not asked to come near to Mt. Sinai but to go to Mount Calvary.

The believer is not under the legal stormy and terrible dispensation. Rather, the
Christian is bidden to flee to Mt. Zion, to enjoy all the privileges of a gospel state.

The saint is not to be brought back into bondage by the rigorous exactions of the law.
Perfect obedience, perfect peace, and perfect comfort does not depend upon the law
and legal obedience but upon Christ.

The Christian is not awed by the law and urged by its menaces and curses to be an
observer of it; but the love of God and Christ constrains the saint to run with
cheerfulness in the way of its commandments.

The soul that comes to Christ is made willing to serve the law with their mind and
spirit, through the power and efficacy of divine grace upon them; and they do serve it,
not in the oldness of the letter but in the newness of the spirit; or, as they are renewed
by the free Spirit of God. (Extracted from the writings of John Gill)

4. The ‘Legalist’ does not say that the Christian is subject any longer to the curses and
condemnations of the law for he is not.
 Christ has redeemed them from the curse of the law, being made a curse for them;
and so there is no more curse to them here or hereafter; they are out of the reach of
the curses, and of condemnation by it, there is none to them that are in Christ.

Who shall condemn? It is Christ that died; and who by dying has bore their sentence
of condemnation, and freed them from it, and having passed from death to life they
shall never enter into condemnation. (John Gill)

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it
is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in
the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on
him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is
passed from death unto life.

What the Anti-nomian is Saying

Having established what the ‘Legalist’ is saying and what the ‘Legalist’ is not saying, attention
can be turned to the ‘Anti-nomian’ position. The main concern of the ‘Anti-nomian’ is that the
Church will be placed back under a system of works-salvation and/or a system of works-
sanctification. This is a legitimate concern.
Historically, the early Church was challenged with Judaizers who insisted that the
ceremonial codexs of the Law of Moses be honored. Currently, there are those who contend that
the ceremonial sacrifices of old be honored symbolically by observing the Jewish holy days
including the Sabbath. Among those who embrace this view are the Messianic Congregations.
Others contend that the social laws of society should be incorporated into the Christian
culture that will then permeate the rest of society. In this way, the gospel will take deeper root
and bear greater fruit. In fact, so pervasive will this approach be that the whole world will be
converted to Christ—and then the Lord will come again to receive the Kingdoms of this world.
People who believe this are called ‘theonomist.’
In contrast to those in the Messianic Movement and those in the Reconstruction
Movement, are those who do not believe that any part of the Mosaic Law—Ceremonial, Social,
or Moral—is binding on the Believer today in an absolute sense. [They are often called by their
critics, ‘Anti-nomians.’]
The ‘Anti-nomians’ are challenged by those who believe that while the Ceremonial and
Social codexes of the Mosaic Law have passed away, the Moral Law of God, summarized in the
Ten Commandments, is still binding upon the Christian community. [Such individuals are often
called ‘Legalist’ by their critics.]
Various reasons why the Moral Law is considered to be still binding have been
considered so that attention can now be turned to what the ‘Anti-nomian’ is saying about this
very important issue.

The Teaching of the ‘Anti-nomian’

A Review of Parts I-II with Introduction to Part III

In summary form the ‘Legalist’ teaches that there is a Moral Law which was incorporated

into the Mosaic Law and is summarized in the Ten Commandments. It is argued that while the
Ceremonial and the Social facets of the Mosaic Law have ceased with the coming of the Christ,

the Moral Law continues for specific reasons.

1. The Moral Law continues to the present hour because it is eternal. The Moral Law was given
prior to Moses reflected in the fact that it was written on the heart of Adam.


 Adam knew that he was not to worship anyone else except the Lord. He was not to
give undue honor and glory to the shining serpent, for example, that appeared to Eve.


 Adam knew that he was not to make a false image of something in creation and bow
down before it.


 Adam knew that he was to believe the word of the Lord lest he take it in vain or make
it meaningless.


 Adam knew that there was an appointed time of fellowship with the Lord.


 Adam knew that he should teach his coming children to honor and respect himself so
that principles of obedience could be passed on.


 Adam knew he was not to kill, commit immorality of any form, steal, lie, bear false
witness, nor to covet.

That Adam knew these things makes his revolt against reason, moral righteousness, and

perfect environment all the more heinous. Eve might be a sympathetic figure in the transgression,

(1 Tim. 2:14) but not Adam. He knew what he was doing and yet he ate of the forbidden fruit

thereby breaking at least nine of the Ten Commandments.

When Adam listened with awed respect to an exalted being greater than himself, but less
than the Creator, he was guilty of worshipping another god and so he broke the First
Commandment. He put Satan first.

When Adam submitted his will to the satanic suggestion to eat of the Forbidden Fruit, he
was guilty of idolatry for the fruit was far too pleasant to his eyes. Adam believed that it
contained secret power. He broke the Second Commandment.
When Adam disbelieved what the Lord said concerning the Divine prohibition and its
punishment, or did not care if it were true or not, he made the words of the Lord vain or
empty of meaning for the moment. In this manner Adam broke the Third Commandment.

Because of his transgression, Adam did not keep the appointed time of worship with the
Lord. The Creator had to come searching for His creature. Adam broke the spirit of the
Fourth Commandment.
 By his sin of disobedience Adam dishonored his own Father-God-Creator and so broke
the Fifth Commandment.

Because he was the Federal Representative of the Human race and responsible for all of
mankind in seminal form, Adam committed spiritual suicide when he disobeyed the Lord.
He should not have killed himself and sentenced all others to death. Adam is rightfully
charged with breaking the Sixth Commandment.

If adultery is the betrayal of an intimate relationship then Adam is guilty of violating the
7th commandment for his soul and body united with the soul of Satan and the physical
fruit that was offered.

When Adam took fruit that was not his to possess according to divine law, he was guilty
of stealing, and in thus broke the Eighth Commandment.

Once he was confronted with his sin, Adam did not directly accept responsibility but
mentioned that the woman, whom the Lord had given him, offered fruit to eat. By
diverting attention through Eve back to the Lord, the implication was leveled that ultimate
accountability lay in God. By his words Adam spoke in a shameful manner and should be
charged with giving a false witness against the Lord. Adam broke the Ninth
Commandment.

The author of Genesis, inspired by the Holy Spirit, charges Adam and Eve with
covetousness for we read that when they saw that the fruit was to be desired, they ate.
Adam is charged with violation of the Tenth Commandment.

2. The Moral Law continues to the present hour because even after the Fall, what was written
perfectly upon the heart of Adam is reflected imperfectly upon the hearts of his descendants.
Every society, ancient and modern, has had prohibition, written or unwritten, against one or
all of the Ten Commandments. True, it may be that in some depraved society murder is
exalted, but it is murder of the enemy not the community—or the community would soon die
out. The apostle Paul speaks of this general knowledge of the Moral Law of God by non
Jewish people in Romans 2:11-16.

For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law
shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by
the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law
shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the
things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing
witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In
the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
 The evidence that the Moral Law is written upon the hearts of all people since Adam is
confirmed in several ways.

There are the Laws of society such as the [Moral] Code of Hammurabi.
There is the honoring of a Sabbath rest by the Akkadians.
There is the fact that God holds individuals accountable whether they had the Mosaic
Law or not.
There is the execution of the death penalty on all who lived from Adam to Moses—
and afterwards as well.
On these facts the ‘Legalist’ will rest his case that there is an a Moral Law which the Law

of Moses only incorporated but could not terminate when it passed away by fulfillment in Christ.

By arguing for the continuation of the Moral Law down to the present hour, the

‘Legalist” is not saying some things of which he is accused.

1. The ‘Legalist’ is not saying that the Moral Law continues into the New
Testament era as a covenant of works whereby eternal life is promised for those
who can keep them. Christians are under a covenant of grace.

2. The ‘Legalist’ is not saying that the Moral Law continues as to the form of its
administration as given to Moses; it is now no longer in his hands, nor [is] to be
considered as such; the whole Mosaic economy is broken to pieces, and [is] at an end,
which was prefigured by Moses casting the two tables of stone out of his hands, and
breaking them, when he came down from the mount: the law, especially as it lies in
the Decalogue, and as to the form of the administration of that by Moses, was
peculiar to the Jews, as appears by the preface to it, which can agree with none but
them; by the time of worship prescribed them in the fourth command, which was
temporary and typical; and by the promise of long life in the land of Canaan, annexed
to the fifth command.” (John Gill)

3. The ‘Legalist’ is not saying that the Law should terrify the believer; it shouldn’t. The
Christian is not asked to come near to Mt. Sinai but to go to Mount Calvary.

The believer is not under the legal stormy and terrible dispensation of the Law. Rather, the
Christian is bidden to flee to Mt. Zion, to enjoy all the privileges of a gospel state.

The saint is not to be brought back into bondage by the rigorous exactions of the law. Perfect
obedience, perfect peace, and perfect comfort does not depend upon the law and legal
obedience but upon Christ.

The Christian is not awed by the law and urged by its menaces and curses to be an observer
of it; but the love of God and Christ constrains the saint to run with cheerfulness in the way
of its commandments.
 The soul that comes to Christ is made willing to serve the law with their mind and spirit,
through the power and efficacy of divine grace upon them; and they do serve it, not in the
oldness of the letter but in the newness of the spirit; or, as they are renewed by the free Spirit
of God. (Extracted from the writings of John Gill)

4. The ‘Legalist’ does not say that the Christian is subject any longer to the curses and
condemnations of the law for he is not.

Christ has redeemed His own from the curse of the law, being made a curse for them; and so
there is no more curse to them here or hereafter; they are out of the reach of the curses, and
of condemnation by it, there is none to them that are in Christ.

Who shall condemn? It is Christ that died; and who by dying has bore their sentence of
condemnation, and freed them from it, and having passed from death to life they shall never
enter into condemnation. (John Gill)

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is
written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the
book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for
us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him
that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed
from death unto life.

With the position of the ‘Legalist’ fixed in the mind, attention can be turned to the ‘Anti-

nomian’ position. The following points are made.

The Mosaic Law, taken as a unit, had a definite beginning. The beginning of the

Mosaic Law can be pinpointed. It was given 430 after God made a covenant with Abraham.

Galatians 3:19
 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should
come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a
mediator.

To be added means there was something that existed before the Law came. If you have a
recipe that tells you to add an egg to two cups of flour, the assumption is that two cups of flour
are already present and the egg is added to them. In like manner, if the Law was added, there had
to be something there to be added to. What existed before the Mosaic Law?

In context, the promises, which God made to Abraham, were present. (Gal. 3:16-18) God
made a covenant with Abraham and in this covenant God gave him specific promises. He was to
have a large inheritance of wealth, he was to have a specific piece of real estate, and he was to
have a seed.

The physical seed would include spiritual blessings for through the physical seed would
come the Messiah who would save His people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21)

Now why is this significant? Why is the covenant to Abraham brought into view when
discussing the coming of the Law? The answer is this. The covenant made with Abraham was
according to the principle of grace. Abraham did not do anything to earn or deserve a
relationship with God let alone all the blessings of Divine mercy. It was all according to grace.

That is important to understand in light of the great question at stake, which is how men
are saved. The Judaizers came to town saying that souls are saved by grace plus a keeping of the
Mosaic Law. But that is not true for the principle of salvation by grace alone was established
prior to the giving of the Law.

If the covenant made with Abraham was according to grace then any salvation that comes
through the seed of Abraham must also be based upon the principle of grace. If salvation comes
through grace then it cannot come through keeping the Law of Moses. The Law was not even
formally present when the covenant with Abraham was made.

The important point for the present to keep in mind is that the Law had a beginning—430
years after Abraham.

The Mosaic Law had an end. Galatians 3:19

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed
should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a
mediator.

The Mosaic Law, given 430 after the Covenant with Abraham was made, was intended to
last till the seed should come to whom the promise was made. Who was the seed that should
come but the Messiah! So the Mosaic Law, as a unit, was to last until Christ came. Then it was to
end, as a unit. It is as simple and straightforward as that.
 The end of the Law as a cohesive unit would have far reaching repercussions of course
for a whole way of life was coming to an end.

Judaism, with all of its ceremonies and rituals,

Judaism, with all of its rules and regulations,
Judaism, with it pomp and pageantry,
Judaism, with its specialized priesthood,
Judaism, with its special days and blood offerings was coming to an end.

And the Great Temple into which the wealth and religious welfare of a nation was poured
was also coming to an end according to the prophecy of the Messiah. The Great Temple had to
be destroyed in order to crystallize the concept that the Mosaic Law and all that it entailed was
meant to end when the seed should come to whom the promise was made.

At this point, some basic questions might be anticipated. “If the Mosaic Law had a late
beginning and was targeted to end with the coming of the Messiah, why bother to give it. If the
principle of salvation by grace was established apart from the Law with the covenant to Abraham
why set before men all of the rules and regulations associated with the Law?” The answer is this.

1. The Mosaic Law had a stated threefold purpose:


to stir up sin

to condemn

to bring souls to the Savior.

(1) The Mosaic Law was given to stir up sin. Romans 5:20

Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound.

The law put sin into motion. Romans 3:20 teaches, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Why would God want to stir up sin? Why would God want to make men see just how
wicked they are after He has come to them on the principle of grace?

The Divine answer is to enhance the greatness of grace! If I can understand the evil of my
heart, I can appreciate the greatness of God’s grace. But if I am ignorant of the desperate
condition of my heart, then I will minimize grace or worse yet think that I do not need grace.

Rather than let this happen, God gave to His chosen people something that would
magnify His mercy to them. He gave them something to stir up sin in their souls. Nothing stirs
up the soul than a law of prohibition or attempting to keep laws of good conduct. Once the
horribleness of sin is seen then the grace of God can be perceived. Romans 5:20 But where sin
abounded, grace did much more abound:

(2) The Law was given to condemn. Speaking from personal experience Paul
 said that he had not known sin and been condemned by it except the Law said thou shalt
not covet. (Rom. 7:7)

(3) The Law was given to bring souls to the Savior. Once it is realized that men cannot
save themselves by keeping the Law, attention will be turned to an object, external
source. The Law cannot justify, it cannot change a heart of sin, and it cannot pardon or
redeem. However, there is good news, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it
was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and
for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled
in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom. 8:2-4)

Supplemental Material
Appendix

The Book of the Covenant

Exodus 20

And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought
thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods
before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is
in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou
shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them
that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my
commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will
not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the
LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For
in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the
seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy
father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou
shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's
house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor
his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. 18 And all the people saw the
thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and
when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak
thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said
unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your
faces, that ye sin not. 21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick
darkness where God was. 22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the
children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 Ye shall not make
with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. 24 An altar of earth thou
shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy
sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will
bless thee. 25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone:
for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. 26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto
mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

Exodus 21

Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. 2 If thou buy an Hebrew
servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3 If he came
in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her
children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. 5 And if the servant shall plainly
say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6 Then his master shall
bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his
master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. 7 And if a man
sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. 8 If she please
not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her
unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her. 9 And if
he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters. 10 If he
take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. 11
And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money. 12 He that
smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. 13 And if a man lie not in wait, but
God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. 14 But if a
man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from
mine altar, that he may die. 15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put
to death. 16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall
surely be put to death. 17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to
death. 18 And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he
die not, but keepeth his bed: 19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he
that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be
thoroughly healed. 20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under
his hand; he shall be surely punished. 21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall
not be punished: for he is his money. 22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her
fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the
woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 And if any
mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,
foot for foot, 25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. 26 And if a man smite
the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's
sake. 27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him
go free for his tooth's sake. 28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall
be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. 29 But if
the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and
he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his
owner also shall be put to death. 30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for
the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him. 31 Whether he have gored a son, or have
gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him. 32 If the ox shall push a
manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox
shall be stoned. 33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and
an ox or an ass fall therein; 34 The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the
owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his. 35 And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he
die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall
divide. 36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not
kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

Exodus 22

If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for
an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die,
there shall no blood be shed for him. 3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for
him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If
the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore
double. 5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and
shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard,
shall he make restitution.6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the
standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make
restitution. 7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out
of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double. 8 If the thief be not found, then the
master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto
his neighbour's goods. 9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for
raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both
parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double
unto his neighbour. 10 If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any
beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it: 11 Then shall an oath of
the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and
the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good. 12 And if it be stolen from
him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof. 13 If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring
it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn. 14 And if a man borrow ought of
his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it
good.15 But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it
came for his hire. 16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall
surely endow her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay
money according to the dowry of virgins. 18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. 19 Whosoever
lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. 20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the
LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. 21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him:
for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24
And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows,
and your children fatherless. 25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou
shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. 26 If thou at all take thy
neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: 27 For
that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come
to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. 28 Thou shalt not revile the
gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. 29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits,
and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.30 Likewise shalt thou do
with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou
shalt give it me.31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of
beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine
hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil;
neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:3 Neither shalt thou
countenance a poor man in his cause.4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray,
thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying
under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.6 Thou shalt
not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the
innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. 8 And thou shalt take no
gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous 9 Also thou shalt not
oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of
Egypt. 10 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: 11 But the
seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they
leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with
thy oliveyard.12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that
thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be
refreshed.13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of
the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.14 Three times thou shalt keep a
feast unto me in the year.15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat
unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for
in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)16 And the feast of
harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of
ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the
field.17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.18 Thou shalt
not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice
remain until the morning.19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house
of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.20 Behold, I send an Angel
before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.21
Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions:
for my name is in him.22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I
will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.23 For mine Angel
shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and
the Canaanites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. 24 Thou shalt not bow
down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow
them, and quite break down their images. 25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he
shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26
There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will
fulfil. 27 I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come,
and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. 28 And I will send hornets before
thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. 29 I will
not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of
the field multiply against thee 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until
thou be increased, and inherit the land. 31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto
the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of
the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee. 32 Thou shalt make no
covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee
sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

Exodus 23

Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an
unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a
cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: 3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in
his cause. 4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back
to him again. 5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest
forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. 6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy
poor in his cause. 7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou
not: for I will not justify the wicked. 8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise,
and perverteth the words of the righteous. 9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know
the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 10 And six years thou shalt
sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: 11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest
and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall
eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. 12 Six days thou
shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest,
and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. 13 And in all things that I have
said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be
heard out of thy mouth. 14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. 15 Thou shalt
keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I
commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt:
and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy
labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the
year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. 17 Three times in the year all thy
males shall appear before the Lord GOD. 18 Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with
leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning. 19 The first of the
firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe
a kid in his mother's milk. 20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and
to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of him, and obey his voice,
provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.22 But if
thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine
enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. 23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and
bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the
Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. 24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor
serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break
down their images. 25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and
thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26 There shall nothing cast their
young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. 27 I will send my fear
before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine
enemies turn their backs unto thee. 28 And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out
the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. 29 I will not drive them out from
before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against
thee. 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and
inherit the land. 31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the
Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into
your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee. 32 Thou shalt make no covenant with
them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me:
for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

The People Agreed to Obey

The Book of the covenant

Exodus 24:3-8

And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments:
and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said
will we do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and
builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And
he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace
offerings of oxen unto the LORD. 6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and
half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in
the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be
obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood
of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.