Articles
Old or New Law?
In teaching one about Jesus Christ, one of the first lessons to be learned is that men today live under the New Law of Jesus Christ, not the Old Law of Moses. Many denominational people today follow or use as their authority in religion the Old Law of Moses. Herein is a cause of division among religious folks. Some follow just the Old Law of Moses; some follow just the New Law of Jesus Christ; and some follow a little of both. Who is right? Does it really make any difference? Please open your Bibles and study with me.
Notice in the front of your Bibles the Old Testament books are Genesis to Malachi. Toward the back of your Bible is the New Testament books Matthew to Revelation. The word Testament simply means, "will; one of the two great divisions of the Bible" (Webster’s). A testament or will is simply a covenant, also called Law in the Bible.
The children of Israel came to Mt. Sinai under the leadership of Moses and were given the Old Law, also called the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). The New Testament writers call the Old Law of Moses the First Covenant (Hebrews 8:7) and the Old Testament (2 Corinthians 3:14). It is very important to notice that the Old Law of Moses was made between Jehovah and Israel ONLY (cf. Deuteronomy 5:1-3). Moses records, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel" (Exodus 34:27). The Old Law of Moses was for the children of Israel, NOT FOR US TODAY! The Old Law of Moses was in effect until Christ came and died on the cross and by His resurrection established the New Law of Christ. Paul said, "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, TILL the SEED SHOULD COME to whom the promise was made" (Galatians 3:19, emp LS). Paul identifies the "seed" as “Christ" (Galatians 3:16). What did Paul say? He said that the Old Law was added "till" the Christ should come. My friend, Christ has come! We are no longer under the Old Law of Moses, but the New Law of Christ.
There are those who would bind parts of the Old Law today. Some try to justify instrumental music, tithing, and Sabbath worship under the Law of Christ arguing that "David played the harp, gave a tenth, and kept the Sabbath day holy". My friend, listen to what Paul says, "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to DO THE WHOLE LAW (emp LS). Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law (Old Law of Moses, emp LS); ye are fallen from grace (New Law of Christ, emp LS)" (Galatians 5:3-4). Paul was writing to those that were under the Law of Christ; some of which was trying to bind parts of the Old Law of Moses, the law of circumcision (Acts 15:1). Paul said that if we try to bind part of the Old Law of Moses, we are under obligation to keep the WHOLE LAW OF MOSES. And if we bind the Old Law of Moses, we have fallen from grace, that is, from the New Law of Jesus Christ wherein we have forgiveness of sins (Romans 1:16-17; Hebrews 10:1-4). My friend, there would be no division among us if we would all obey the Law of Jesus Christ.
