I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.
Galatians mentions the law often. Sometimes it can be confusing as to which laws apply. Here is a study that I hope helps.
The Two Laws
HOW WERE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WRITTEN?
And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God
Exodus 31:18
Comment:
WHERE WERE THESE COMMANDMENTS PLACED?
And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
NOTE: The top of this “ark” where the commandments were placed was
the called the “mercy seat” and represented the throne of God. Above the
mercy seat was the visible presence of God (Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2;
Hebrews 9:5), thus revealing that the law of God is the very foundation of
His government.
WHAT ELSE WAS IN THIS ARK?
There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
HOW LONG IS GOD’S LAW TO ENDURE?
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
WHO WROTE THE CEREMONIAL LAW?
And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished.
WHERE WAS THIS LAW PLACED?
That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
HOW LONG WAS THIS LAW TO STAND?
Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances,
imposed on them until the time of reformation.
WHAT DID THE LAW THAT WAS ABOLISHED CONTAIN?
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;
WHAT WAS BLOTTED OUT AT THE CROSS?
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;
TO WHAT DID THESE ORDINANCES POINT FORWARD?
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
WHAT PRACTICE WAS TO CEASE WHEN JESUS DIED?
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,…
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE TEMPLE WHEN JESUS DIED?
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold,
the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom ; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
HOW DID JESUS SAY WE ARE TO CONTINUE IN HIS LOVE?
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
WHAT DOES GOD SAY OF THOSE WHO DO NOT KEEP THEM?
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL LIARS?
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
WHERE WILL THE COMMANDMENT KEEPERS BE?
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life
, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
The Two Laws Contrasted
THE MORAL LAW
Spoken by God
Deuteronomy 4:12, 13
Written on tables of stone
Exodus 31:18
Written with God’s finger
Exodus 31:18
Placed inside the ark
Exodus 40:20
A perfect law of liberty
James 1:25
Consists of moral standards
Exodus 20:3-17
The basis of God’s government
John 15:10
Brings a knowledge of sin
Romans 3:20
Will stand forever
Psalms 111:7, 8
THE CEREMONIAL LAW
Spoken by Moses
Leviticus 1:1-3
Written in a book
Deuteronomy 31:24
Handwritten by Moses
Deuteronomy 31:24
Placed beside the ark
Deuteronomy 31:26
A witness against the people
Deuteronomy 31:24
Consisted of ordinances
Hebrews 9:10
A shadow of Christ’s ministry
Colossians 2:14-17
Pointed to the Remedy for sin
Hebrews 9:11-13
Temporary, until Jesus’ death
Ephesians 2:15
Hi William, thank you for bringing forth the Word of God as a standard to live by. I saw the most interesting study about Colossians 2 the other day. In it was shown that what was nailed to the cross was our sin, and SDA’s believe this, but we sometimes say it was the ceremonial law (as it seemed was stated above in your study–ordinances. There were 8 texts similar in wording that we all believe are speaking of the ceremonial law using the same wording (not to be confused with the 8 texts others may use to back up the first day ‘argument’). So if we say that it was the ceremonial law being done away with in this verse, we have much other to answer to that would be impossible to prove.
I’m no scholar, but I was hearing from one, and it made complete sense (he was SDA).
And this…
The word “is” in this phrase: but the body is of Christ, is supplied; the meaning from the context is, don’t let anyone (but the body of Christ) judge you in meat and drink, etc…[if it is read without the supplied word, it’s evident that what he is saying is not to allow anyone else except the church to judge you (what does the world know about these things anyway?
As I said, very interesting. Got me thinking, tho’ we all believed it was sin that was nailed to the cross…our very own sin Christ took upon Himself. The various versions and original words were used to prove this.