GALATIANS WARNS VS FOLLOWING THE LAW OF MOSES

[Atwood]

Galatians and Hebrews make it very clear that the Christian is not to try to follow the Law of Moses.

GALATIANS ON THE LAW

GALATIANS
6 I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel;

PETER WAS REBUKED FOR FOLLOWING THE LAW

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

FOLLOWING THE LAW HAS BEEN DESTROYED

18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.

THE CHRISTIAN HAS DIED TO THE LAW

19 For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 21 I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.


THE SPIRIT IS NOT SUPPLIED VIA LAW BUT FAITH

3:1 O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified? 2 This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh? 4 Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain. 5 He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. 7 Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. 9 So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

TO BE UNDER THE LAW IS TO BE UNDER A CURSE FROM WHICH CHRIS REDEEMED THE CHRISTIAN

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith; 12 and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them.


13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.


THE LAW WAS TEMPORARY

19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made;


UNDER THE LAW WAS OUR FORMER UNDESIRABLE CONDITION

23 But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW

25 But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.

4:1 But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: 4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

WE ARE NO LONGER BONDSERVANTS UNDER THE LAW

7 So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

8 Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: 9 but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again?

LAW OBSERVANCES SUGGEST ONE IS NOT SAVED

10 Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.


CAST OUT LAW-ISM

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. 23 Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise. 24 Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar

30 Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. 31 Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.

DO NOT GO BACK TO THE LAW AND ITS BONDAGE

5:1 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

THE LAW IS ANTITHETICAL TO GRACE

4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.
For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.

 

[ThomistColin]

Remember that works of the law speak to the liturgical calendar and rites of Judaism. It is not speaking of good deeds such as alms and visiting the sick. It also doesn't declare that liturgy or rites are wrong, only the old ones are done away.

 

[crossnote]

Remember that works of the law speak to the liturgical calendar and rites of Judaism. It is not speaking of good deeds such as alms and visiting the sick. It also doesn't declare that liturgy or rites are wrong, only the old ones are done away.

Where in Scripture do you see it broken up into various categories? The law was given as a whole. Ceremonial, moral, civil...all woven together without man made categories.

 

[ThomistColin]

Where in Scripture do you see it broken up into various categories? The law was given as a whole. Ceremonial, moral, civil...all woven together without man made categories.

Paul used a unique phrase, works of the law. It is only found in Paul's writings and not even in contemporary writings, until in the 1940s, when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The Dead Sea Scrolls had an entire scroll, intact, that used this phrase called, "On the Works of the Law." It was an entire scroll on the liturgical calendar and rites of Judaism. So, during the time of Christ, this phrase was used and acknowledged as a separation of moral and liturgical laws.

 

[Laodicea]

Romans 7:12 KJV
(12) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

The problem was not with the law because it is good.

Romans 9:31-32 KJV
(31) But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
(32) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;


The problem was that Israel tried to attain righteousness by works of the law and not by faith.

 

[crossnote]

Paul used a unique phrase, works of the law. It is only found in Paul's writings and not even in contemporary writings, until in the 1940s, when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The Dead Sea Scrolls had an entire scroll, intact, that used this phrase called, "On the Works of the Law." It was an entire scroll on the liturgical calendar and rites of Judaism. So, during the time of Christ, this phrase was used and acknowledged as a separation of moral and liturgical laws.

That's an extra biblical source and Judaism by the time of Christ was not exactly a true reflection of the Torah.

 

[Hizikyah]

That's an extra biblical source and Judaism by the time of Christ was not exactly a true reflection of the Torah.

And that is putting it nice...

Judaisim/Talmud is like the guide book on how to circumvent every Law Yahweh made and yet outwardly "appear" to be keeping them...

 

[ThomistColin]

That's an extra biblical source and Judaism by the time of Christ was not exactly a true reflection of the Torah.

First, I don't believe in Sola Scriptura. Secondly, if you want to understand a phrase that is unique to a single author, and then find that same phrase from the same time period in the same country in the same language...I'd say that says something.

 

[crossnote]

I think Scripture interpreting Scripture in context is even better...

Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Galatians 2:16-20 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:2-7 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Galatians 3:9-13 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
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.
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
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:

 

[ThomistColin]

I think Scripture interpreting Scripture in context is even better...

Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Galatians 2:16-20 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:2-7 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Galatians 3:9-13 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
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.
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
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:

Again, all of that is from Paul alone. Hence, it was a unique phrase until the 1940s.

 

[crossnote]

Again, all of that is from Paul alone. Hence, it was a unique phrase until the 1940s.

John 1:1 is also unique. But even though there are commentaries on it we must search the Scriptures for the best interpretation over extra biblical sources. But as in your case I suppose there are other equally authoritative sources otherwise you would hold to Sola Scriptura.

 

[ThomistColin]

John 1:1 is also unique. But even though there are commentaries on it we must search the Scriptures for the best interpretation over extra biblical sources. But as in your case I suppose there are other equally authoritative sources otherwise you would hold to Sola Scriptura.

Authoritative to full understanding, no. Only Scripture and Tradition can do that, in my belief. Authoritative to language and its usage, yes.

 

[crossnote]

Authoritative to full understanding, no. Only Scripture and Tradition can do that, in my belief. Authoritative to language and its usage, yes.

I know, I know that's why you're not protestant.

Here the Bereans even checked Scripture to see if the Apostle's doctrine was true.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

 

[ThomistColin]

I know, I know that's why you're not protestant.

Here the Bereans even checked Scripture to see if the Apostle's doctrine was true.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

While I am not Sola Scriptura, I am Prima Scriptura meaning scripture first. But in the end, we worship the same God and will meet in the same heaven.

 

[faroukfarouk]

While I am not Sola Scriptura, I am Prima Scriptura meaning scripture first. But in the end, we worship the same God and will meet in the same heaven.

We need to get there. The question how? matters a lot. John 3.16 is a wonderful summary of the Biblical Gospel; Ephesians 2.8-9 is helpful also.

 

[ThomistColin]

How has always been the same. Love the Lord thy God and submit your entire being to His will.

 

[faroukfarouk]

How has always been the same. Love the Lord thy God and submit your entire being to His will.

...but I've sinned, as Romans 3.23 says. All my efforts to be holy won't get me there; I need cleansing and the righteousness of Another imputed to me by faith.

 

[ThomistColin]

...but I've sinned, as Romans 3.23 says. All my efforts to be holy won't get me there; I need cleansing and the righteousness of Another imputed to me by faith.

Then confess your sin. Take responsibility and do penance, such as if you lied, tell the truth. If you've stolen, give it back. If you've murdered, turn yourself in. Penance is a way of taking responsibility for your sin, and doing what you should have done in the first place. I said to give your whole self to God, that includes the errors.