THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 54 The Law Of Moses

“And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39, KJV).

Is The Law Of Moses Binding Today?

Loved ones, in our Spiritual Battle we realize there is much confusion concerning what spiritual law is binding on the Christian. The Law of Moses is all of the commandments that God gave to the people of Israel through Moses (John 1:17; Deut. 5; Neh. 10:29; Mal. 4:4). This law was never given to other nations (Deut. 4:8; Rom. 2:14). Therefore, if it is binding today, it could only be bound upon Israelites.

The law was added to the promise given unto Abraham "because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made" (Gal. 3:19). That "seed" is Christ (v. 16). The law was a "tutor" (schoolmaster) to bring the Jews “unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (v. 24). Paul then adds: “But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor." (v. 25). The Law of Moses was never binding upon Gentiles and is no longer binding upon Jews.

Jesus came not "to destroy the law or the prophets ... but to fulfill” (Mt. 5:17; cf. Lk. 24:44). Having filled it full, he took "it out of the way, nailing it to the cross" (Col. 2:14). Those who were once subject to it have been “made dead to the law through the body of Christ," and "have been discharged from the law" (Rom. 7:4, 6). Therefore, "ye are not under law but under grace" (Rom. 6:14).

The law has been changed (Heb. 7:12). "He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second" (10:9). Jesus is now "the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises" (8:6-13; cf. 9:15). We are now under the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) - "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2; cf. Jas. 1:25).

If one keeps part of the law, "he is a debtor to do the whole law?” (Gal. 5:3). The Levitical priesthood, animal sacrifices, incense, holy days, the sabbath, tithing, unclean meats, etc., are all a part of Moses' law, which has been "done away in Christ" (2 Cor. 3:14).

Some things that were required in Moses' law are also found in the gospel of Christ. These are to be observed because they are in the New Testament, not because they were in the Old (Heb. 9:15-22; 12:24). Those things commanded in the Old Testament, which are not given in the New, ought not to be bound upon anyone (Gal. 1:6-9; 2:3-5, 15-21; 5:1-7). In Christ, we now have "a new and living way" (Heb. 10:20).

Can One Be Saved Today By Keeping The Ten Commandments?

If so, he is saved without the "gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15: 1-2), without belief in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; John 8:21, 24), without obedience to Christ (Heb. 5:8-9; 2 Cor. 10:5); i.e., without the new birth (John 3:3, 5), as none of these are required in the Ten Commandments (TC). He would also be saved without the life of Christ (Rom. 5:10); without the blood of Christ (Rom. 5:9; Eph. 1:7); and without Christ Himself (Mt. 1:21; 1 John 4:14).

If one is saved by the TC then all the rest of the Bible, including the New Testament, is worthless (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Mt. 24:35). All one needs is a 3" x 5" card with the TC printed on it.

The T.C. were a part of the covenant that God gave at Sinai (Deut. 4:9-14; 5:1-21). They were given to the nation of Israel only (Deut. 4:7-8; cf. Rom. 2:14). Even the ancestors of the Israelites in the wilderness did not have the TC (Deut. 5:3). Only those God led out of Egypt and their descendants were given this law (Ex. 20:2 ff; Deut. 5:6 ff).

The Law of Moses, which contained the TC, was added to the spiritual promise God made to Abraham and was never intended to last always (Gen. 12:3; Gal. 3:8, 16-25). It "is done away in Christ" who is "mediator of a better covenant" (2 Cor. 3; Heb. 8:6-13). To the believer, "Christ is the end of the law" (Rom. 10:4). (Read: Rom. 7:1-7; Gal. 4:21-32; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14; Heb. 7:12; 10:9; 12:8-29).

This does not mean that we are free to bow down to idols, curse parents, kill, steal, etc. We are now under the authority of Christ who forbids those things (Mt. 28:18; Heb. 1:1-2). If any of the TC are found in the New Testament we are to keep them, not because they are a part of the old covenant but because they are in the new.

When men look to the old law (TC) for authority, it indicates that they have not fully accepted Christ (Gal. 2:15-21).

Should We Keep The Sabbath On Saturday Or Sunday?

Neither one! Christians do not have a Sabbath day. God gave Israel the Sabbath day to remind them of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Deut. 5:15). It was on the seventh day of the week (Lev. 23:3). God chose the seventh day because on that day he had rested after creation (Ex. 20:11).

The Sabbath was made known at Mt. Sinai (Neh. 9:13-14). It is nowhere mentioned in Genesis. After the Israelites came out of Egypt, God gave them the Sabbath (Ezek. 20:10-12; Ex. 16:23, 25, 26, 29). It was not given to any other nation, as it was a sign between God and Israel (Ex. 31:13; Deut. 4:8; 5:1-3, 12).

The covenant God made with Israel at Sinai was the TC which included the Sabbath (Ex. 34:27-28; Deut. 4:13). That covenant was to be replaced by a new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34). We now have a better covenant (Heb. 8:6-13; 10:9)

Gentiles have never been under the Sabbath law, and since the Old Testament Law of Moses has been nailed to the cross, Jews should no longer try to keep the Sabbath (Col. 2:14, 16).

Sunday never has been given by God as a Sabbath. Men err in calling it “the Christian Sabbath." Jesus arose from death on the first day of the week (Mk. 16:1-9). Early disciples met on this day to "break bread" or partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). In such a gathering they gave of their prosperity (1 Cor. 16:2). We are to do the same today.

While the first day is not a Sabbath, it is the "Lord's Day" (Rev. 1:10). The word Greek word “kuriakos,” here translated "Lord's," means "of or belonging to the Lord" (Thayer, p.365), and is found only one other time, where it is used of the "Lord's Supper" (1 Cor. 11:20).

Without question, the "Lord's Supper" is the supper of Jesus Christ. Also, the "Lord's Day" (Sunday) belongs to Him in a special way. We should use it as a day of honor and worship unto Christ (John 424).

Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have questions or wish to comment, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.

Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. He is in control, so trust Him. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).