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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Partly under the Law? | Col 2:14 | DocTrinsograce | 146187 | ||
Dear Brother Mark, The reason you aren't getting a clear response is because the question is by no means a simple one. Believers have varying opinions from one end of the spectrum to the other. Ask an Antinomian, a Theonomist, a Dispensationalist, or Judaizer how they look at this, and you will get more than four different answers! :-) Although the New Testament seems clear on the issue of the sacrificial aspects of the Law, it does not speak with similar clarity in respect to all other aspects of the Law. So, let me explain how I see it -- as long as it is clear that I may not represent anyone else's opinion. We can approach the Mosaic Law in three different ways:: 1. We reject it entirely 2. We imitate it facilely 3. We apply it in a modified fashion Rejection of the Law makes me uncomfortable. Christ frequently reinforced aspects of the Law, even clarifying what was intended. If, on the other hand, I were to imitate it facilely, would that mean that I'd have to sacrifice a lamb each year, offer thank offerings, grain offerings, etc. etc.? That sure doesn't sound right either. Consequently, I'm left with option 3 above. That leaves me with the difficult question: How do I choose what to retain and what to dispense with? We're fortunate in that Christ and the apostles gave us some explicit commands, often reiterating parts of the Mosaic Law. So, clearly, I can choose to retain those Laws. Furthermore, I can pretty easily dispense with the portion of the Law that dealt with the mechanisms that allowed me to obtain forgiveness from God. The Scripture is clear that those things were "a shadow" and have become fulfilled in Christ. God even ripped the veil in the Temple as a clear message about how I approach Him, thus all that stuff about being clean, unclean, etc. doesn't apply. (God provided the means and the Temple has become me!) Okay, now we can dispense with anything that had to do with the ancient theocracy of Israel. (Even the Jews figured this one out.) You see, there are lots of things to consider since the Mosaic Law was given: the original intent of the various laws; the aspects of God's character which they reflect; the changes that have taken place since the giving of the law that might affect the application (e.g. redemptive/historical changes, cultural changes, personal differences between modern Christians and ancient Jews, political changes, etc.); OT and NT commentaries and insights into various stipulations; etc. etc. Now, although we wrestle with this on a personal level, we can use terms to help us discuss it all. For example, when we talk about the moral law, we mean the laws that reflect God's eternal character; when we talk about the civil law, we mean the laws that apply to the Israel's unique theocracy and more primitive religious state; etc. The challenge is working out for ourselves, based on the Word of God, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, where the "fuzzier" laws fit and, therefore, how we ought to live. I know this explanation will not be entirely satisfying to you. However, we can only really say with certainty what the Scripture says. We can further infer based on Scriptural principles some of what we seek. More than that is risky at best. God is gracious, however, and will guide us as we seek to bring Him glory through our submission to His will and study of His Word. In Him, Doc PS Once again, I'm writing rather quickly and "off the cuff." There's a lot more that could be written along the lines of the two covenants, etc. I hope, however, this has, at least, given you food for thought. |
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2 | Partly under the Law? | Col 2:14 | mark d seyler | 146224 | ||
Dear Doc, Hopefully, I will already know the answers to the simple questions ;-) I appreciate your more analytical approach to this question, making it a little easier to look at. This is more what I have been looking for. I have had some partly formed ideas on this topic, and you have certainly given me some food for thought. This is what I love so much about this forum, it is such a terrific opportunity to work these things out so I understand better. Searcher made the comment that Jesus replaced the sacrificial system (from Heb. 9-10). I would rather say Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system, becoming the ultimate sacrifice, the sacrifice intended all along. So we no longer need to sacrifice; this law was fulfilled for all of us. The idea that we reject the Law makes me uncomfortable also. But in this example, we don’t reject the sacrificial law, we embrace the fullness of it, by embracing Jesus’ sacrifice as the ultimate fulfilling sacrifice. We cling to the sacrificial law, because this is what give the foundation of substitutionary atonement. We know that Jesus released us from the dietary law, as has been discussed over the last couple of days. So we do not reject this portion of the Law, we recognize the wisdom of what it decrees, but we also know that we are no longer bound by its requirement, and that “all foods are clean.” As you pointed out, the laws governing fellowship and acceptance were dealt with, as we have become the temple (I like the way you put that!) But isn’t it accurate to say that Jesus fulfilled all of the Mosaic Law, just as He did the sacrificial law? And that the righteousness that Jesus demonstrated by His keeping of the entire Law is imputed to us? We are accounted as having lived the same righteous life that Jesus did by our faith in Him. Just as I am no longer subject to obey the sacrificial system, can I still be subject to obey to rest of the Law? I say “subject” very specifically. Galatians 3:23-25 “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” I.E. no longer under the law. Kalos makes the statement that some would make Jesus’ intent as if to abolish the law in spite of Himself, as if fulfilling the law abolishes it. But to say that we are no longer required to be subject to the law because we receive credit for Jesus’ fulfilling the law does not abolish the law. The law is still good, and is still in force to perform the purpose for with it was instituted. The law also describes the nature of God, as you mentioned, and as we come to Him, and serve Him, our lives will reflect the works of the Law, however, we do not do these works because the law requires it, but because this is the nature of God, and the new nature He has given us. Jesus repeats the commandments of the Law, letting us know that God has not changed, but He also tells “be perfect”, a command we can in no wise keep! I originally asked this question because of statements made by some that in effect said we are still under (subject to) portions of the Mosaic Law, and I wanted to see if there was in fact a Biblical basis to this. I do not believe there is. When the gentiles began to join the church, the apostles gave only four “laws” - Acts 15:20 “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” Lest I be mis-understood: I totally believe that the person who serves God will also be one who’s life reflects the law, as Jesus reaffirmed in His teaching. We must both do, and teach, the commandments of God. But not because the Mosaic Law requires it, but because God does an original work in us to both will and to do His good pleasure. I also like what you said “The challenge is working out for ourselves, based on the Word of God, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, where the "fuzzier" laws fit and, therefore, how we ought to live.” I agree with you, this is by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in each of our lives. Thank you for your thoughts! Love in Christ, Mark |
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3 | Partly under the Law? | Col 2:14 | Searcher56 | 146225 | ||
I should have said He perfected the sacrifice or made it complete. | ||||||
4 | Partly under the Law? | Col 2:14 | mark d seyler | 146228 | ||
Hi Searcher, I think I just "got" what you were saying before. Jesus' sacrifice was the perfect sacrifice, which replaces the giving of imperfect sacrifices, which were offered previously. Is that what you meant? Love in Christ, Mark |
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5 | Partly under the Law? | Col 2:14 | swerv | 146403 | ||
Yes - I would maybe not say imperfect sacrifices but they were put in place to help people understand the penalty of sin and to point to Christ. I believe all other law still stands !!! The Sabbath is Saturday !!! 4th comm. of God Clean and unclean meat still applies !! Merv |
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