Problem 22 - That the Law of Moses was set aside at the time of the Cross

[Christine]

PROBLEM NO. 22 - THAT THE LAW OF MOSES WAS SET ASIDE AT THE TIME OF THE CROSS

This belief is set forth in Lewis Sperry Chafer's 'Systematic Theology,' Vol. 7, page 225, where he states, 11... But the entire system, including the commandments as a rule of life, ceased with the death of Christ (John 1:17; Rom. 10:4)." In Vol. 4, pages 164-165 and 234-243, he went into greater detail concerning this viewpoint.

 

THE TRUTH

The main reason for believing that the Law ceased with the death of Christ is because the Church is supposed to have begun in Acts 2. Now Acts 2 brethren rightly believe that the Church is not under the Law but under Grace (Rom. 6:14-15), so the Law of Moses needs to be put out of the way before the Church begins.

 

The abolishing of the Law of Moses is one of the great accomplishments of the cross. The cross pronounced judgment on the Mosaic Law, which came at Acts 28 because of Israel's unbelief. Christ fulfilled this Law in every respect, including His death as a sacrifice for sin (Matt. 5:17-18; Heb. 9:11-14,26; Romans 10:4).

 

The truth that the cross was the agent by which the Law of Moses was abolished or done away with was revealed only to Paul. Peter, James, John and Jude said NOTHING about this aspect of the cross.

 

On page 1, in the introduction, it was stated that the doctrine of Christology was affected by the problems of Acts 2 theology. Christology has to do with the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This one aspect of the work of the cross, as set forth by Acts 2 theology, is slightly in error here, as will be seen. The cross certainly had an effect on the Law of Moses, but the 'time element' as to when it was set aside is not taught correctly by Acts 2 brethren. The Law of Moses was set aside at Acts 28 when Paul quoted Isaiah 6:9-10, and NOT at the time of the crucifixion. This makes a world of difference when it comes to understanding the book of Acts.

There are 5 important passages of Scripture dealing with this problem. They are 2 Cor. 3:7-13; 5:17; Heb. 8:13; Eph. 2:15, and Col. 2:14. The first three passages were written during the Acts period, and teach that the Law and its teachings was gradually passing away, that is, vanishing away because of Israel's unbelief. The language used and the use of the present tense of the verbs proves that the Law of Moses was in operation during the book of Acts. The example of this is found in Acts 21:20, of Jewish believers who were zealous for the Law of Moses. Acts 2 brethren fail to take this into consideration when writing about this subject.

When the book of Acts closes, THEN PAUL could write by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that the Law was abolished and taken out of sight permanently:

Ephesians 2:15, "having abolished in His flesh the hatred, the Law of commandments in ordinances, in order that He might create in Himself the two into one new man, making peace."

Colossians 2:14, "having blotted out the handwriting of the ordinances against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of sight, having nailed it to the cross."

The opening phrase in Eph. 2:15 can also be translated 'having abolished BY His flesh,' looking back to the cross. 'Having abolished' is in the Aorist tense (the simple past tense in Greek), indicating that this did take place once and for all time (Heb. 10:12-14). The word 'abolished' signifies finality - Calvary will never be repeated!

The verb 'taken' in Col. 2:14 is in the Perfect tense, which indicates that the effect of the 'blotting out' and 'abolishing' is in relation to the entire Dispensation of the grace of God. What was taken out of sight? ALL of the Law of Moses, for there is no need for it. Divine principles that God wants us to obey which can be found in the Old Testament have been incorporated by the risen Christ into the body of truth known as the Revelation of the Mystery (Rom. 16:25). This was given to the Gentiles for 'obedience of the faith' (Rom. 1:5; 16:26).

There are 5 proofs in the book of Acts that the Law of Moses did not cease at the time of the cross. They are:

1. The Day of Pentecost itself. It was a vital part of the Law (Lev. 23:15-22).
2. The miracles and signs of Acts 2:43; 3:7-8, which was a part of the commission of the 12 Apostles.
3. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 was according to the Law of Moses (Ex. 20:15-16; Joshua 7:11).
4. There were many 'priests' in Jerusalem who carried out the duties of the Iaw (Acts 6:7).
5. Many thousands of Jewish believers were zealous of the Law of Moses as late as Acts 21:20. They were not reprimanded by James about their beliefs in Judaism.

All of this evidence shows that there are no grounds for teaching that the Law ceased at the time of the cross. There is too much testimony against that viewpoint.

By Robert C. Brock

[LookingUp]

PROBLEM NO. 22 - THAT THE LAW OF MOSES WAS SET ASIDE AT THE TIME OF THE CROSS

This belief is set forth in Lewis Sperry Chafer's 'Systematic Theology,' Vol. 7, page 225, where he states, 11... But the entire system, including the commandments as a rule of life, ceased with the death of Christ (John 1:17; Rom. 10:4)." In Vol. 4, pages 164-165 and 234-243, he went into greater detail concerning this viewpoint.

 

THE TRUTH

The main reason for believing that the Law ceased with the death of Christ is because the Church is supposed to have begun in Acts 2. Now Acts 2 brethren rightly believe that the Church is not under the Law but under Grace (Rom. 6:14-15), so the Law of Moses needs to be put out of the way before the Church begins.

 

The abolishing of the Law of Moses is one of the great accomplishments of the cross. The cross pronounced judgment on the Mosaic Law, which came at Acts 28 because of Israel's unbelief. Christ fulfilled this Law in every respect, including His death as a sacrifice for sin (Matt. 5:17-18; Heb. 9:11-14,26; Romans 10:4).

 

The truth that the cross was the agent by which the Law of Moses was abolished or done away with was revealed only to Paul. Peter, James, John and Jude said NOTHING about this aspect of the cross.

 

On page 1, in the introduction, it was stated that the doctrine of Christology was affected by the problems of Acts 2 theology. Christology has to do with the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This one aspect of the work of the cross, as set forth by Acts 2 theology, is slightly in error here, as will be seen. The cross certainly had an effect on the Law of Moses, but the 'time element' as to when it was set aside is not taught correctly by Acts 2 brethren. The Law of Moses was set aside at Acts 28 when Paul quoted Isaiah 6:9-10, and NOT at the time of the crucifixion. This makes a world of difference when it comes to understanding the book of Acts.

There are 5 important passages of Scripture dealing with this problem. They are 2 Cor. 3:7-13; 5:17; Heb. 8:13; Eph. 2:15, and Col. 2:14. The first three passages were written during the Acts period, and teach that the Law and its teachings was gradually passing away, that is, vanishing away because of Israel's unbelief. The language used and the use of the present tense of the verbs proves that the Law of Moses was in operation during the book of Acts. The example of this is found in Acts 21:20, of Jewish believers who were zealous for the Law of Moses. Acts 2 brethren fail to take this into consideration when writing about this subject.

When the book of Acts closes, THEN PAUL could write by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that the Law was abolished and taken out of sight permanently:

Ephesians 2:15, "having abolished in His flesh the hatred, the Law of commandments in ordinances, in order that He might create in Himself the two into one new man, making peace."

Colossians 2:14, "having blotted out the handwriting of the ordinances against us, which was contrary to us, and He has taken it out of sight, having nailed it to the cross."

The opening phrase in Eph. 2:15 can also be translated 'having abolished BY His flesh,' looking back to the cross. 'Having abolished' is in the Aorist tense (the simple past tense in Greek), indicating that this did take place once and for all time (Heb. 10:12-14). The word 'abolished' signifies finality - Calvary will never be repeated!

The verb 'taken' in Col. 2:14 is in the Perfect tense, which indicates that the effect of the 'blotting out' and 'abolishing' is in relation to the entire Dispensation of the grace of God. What was taken out of sight? ALL of the Law of Moses, for there is no need for it. Divine principles that God wants us to obey which can be found in the Old Testament have been incorporated by the risen Christ into the body of truth known as the Revelation of the Mystery (Rom. 16:25). This was given to the Gentiles for 'obedience of the faith' (Rom. 1:5; 16:26).

There are 5 proofs in the book of Acts that the Law of Moses did not cease at the time of the cross. They are:

1. The Day of Pentecost itself. It was a vital part of the Law (Lev. 23:15-22).
2. The miracles and signs of Acts 2:43; 3:7-8, which was a part of the commission of the 12 Apostles.
3. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 was according to the Law of Moses (Ex. 20:15-16; Joshua 7:11).
4. There were many 'priests' in Jerusalem who carried out the duties of the Iaw (Acts 6:7).
5. Many thousands of Jewish believers were zealous of the Law of Moses as late as Acts 21:20. They were not reprimanded by James about their beliefs in Judaism.

All of this evidence shows that there are no grounds for teaching that the Law ceased at the time of the cross. There is too much testimony against that viewpoint.

By Robert C. Brock

See red highlighted portion.  If this was permanent, how can it begin again for the trib. and MK?

[Christine]

The verb 'taken' in Col. 2:14 is in the Perfect tense, which indicates that the effect of the 'blotting out' and 'abolishing' is in relation to the entire Dispensation of the grace of God. What was taken out of sight? ALL of the Law of Moses, for there is no need for it. Divine principles that God wants us to obey which can be found in the Old Testament have been incorporated by the risen Christ into the body of truth known as the Revelation of the Mystery (Rom. 16:25). This was given to the Gentiles for 'obedience of the faith' (Rom. 1:5; 16:26).

There are 5 proofs in the book of Acts that the Law of Moses did not cease at the time of the cross. They are:

1. The Day of Pentecost itself. It was a vital part of the Law (Lev. 23:15-22).
2. The miracles and signs of Acts 2:43; 3:7-8, which was a part of the commission of the 12 Apostles.
3. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 was according to the Law of Moses (Ex. 20:15-16; Joshua 7:11).
4. There were many 'priests' in Jerusalem who carried out the duties of the Iaw (Acts 6:7).
5. Many thousands of Jewish believers were zealous of the Law of Moses as late as Acts 21:20. They were not reprimanded by James about their beliefs in Judaism.

All of this evidence shows that there are no grounds for teaching that the Law ceased at the time of the cross. There is too much testimony against that viewpoint.


In relation to the dispensation of the GRACE of God the law was blotted out and abolished. STUDY the verses listed, and think them thru.

Israel was under a LAW covenent. God promised them a new one. One that didn't depend on their ability to OBEY, but on God putting His law into their hearts. That new covenant has not yet been instituted ir implemented. God STOPPED their program BEFORE this last segment in their history played out.

Study the programs. This is how you will SEE the difference.


Also...look at this:

The truth that the cross was the agent by which the Law of Moses was abolished or done away with was revealed only to Paul.

Peter, James, John and Jude said NOTHING about this aspect of the cross.

[LookingUp]

The verb 'taken' in Col. 2:14 is in the Perfect tense, which indicates that the effect of the 'blotting out' and 'abolishing' is in relation to the entire Dispensation of the grace of God. What was taken out of sight? ALL of the Law of Moses, for there is no need for it. Divine principles that God wants us to obey which can be found in the Old Testament have been incorporated by the risen Christ into the body of truth known as the Revelation of the Mystery (Rom. 16:25). This was given to the Gentiles for 'obedience of the faith' (Rom. 1:5; 16:26).

There are 5 proofs in the book of Acts that the Law of Moses did not cease at the time of the cross. They are:

1. The Day of Pentecost itself. It was a vital part of the Law (Lev. 23:15-22).
2. The miracles and signs of Acts 2:43; 3:7-8, which was a part of the commission of the 12 Apostles.
3. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 was according to the Law of Moses (Ex. 20:15-16; Joshua 7:11).
4. There were many 'priests' in Jerusalem who carried out the duties of the Iaw (Acts 6:7).
5. Many thousands of Jewish believers were zealous of the Law of Moses as late as Acts 21:20. They were not reprimanded by James about their beliefs in Judaism.

All of this evidence shows that there are no grounds for teaching that the Law ceased at the time of the cross. There is too much testimony against that viewpoint.


In relation to the dispensation of the GRACE of God the law was blotted out and abolished. STUDY the verses listed, and think them thru.

Israel was under a LAW covenent. God promised them a new one. One that didn't depend on their ability to OBEY, but on God putting His law into their hearts. That new covenant has not yet been instituted ir implemented. God STOPPED their program BEFORE this last segment in their history played out.

Study the programs. This is how you will SEE the difference.

How do I "study the programs"?  Wait for the materials you sent?

[Christine]

How do I "study the programs"?  Wait for the materials you sent?

You can begin by studying the material given HERE.  I left out part of what I wanted to say in the last post...Here it is:

The truth that the cross was the agent by which the Law of Moses was abolished or done away with was revealed only to Paul.


Peter, James, John and Jude said NOTHING about this aspect of the cross.

Here is a major difference, and one that seems to be overlooked due to its simplicity.

THE ONLY PROGRAM in which the law has NO PLACE is in the age of GRACE.

UNDER the KINGDOM program, OLD AND NEW Covenant has to do with the law program that Israel signed up for with God. The law is NOT abolished for them in times PAST, or in Ages to COME.

[LookingUp]

How do I "study the programs"?  Wait for the materials you sent?

You can begin by studying the material given HERE.  I left out part of what I wanted to say in the last post...Here it is:

The truth that the cross was the agent by which the Law of Moses was abolished or done away with was revealed only to Paul.


Peter, James, John and Jude said NOTHING about this aspect of the cross.

Here is a major difference, and one that seems to be overlooked due to its simplicity.

THE ONLY PROGRAM in which the law has NO PLACE is in the age of GRACE.

UNDER the KINGDOM program, OLD AND NEW Covenant has to do with the law program that Israel signed up for with God. The law is NOT abolished for them in times PAST, or in Ages to COME.

Thanks.  That is what I was trying to figure out.

[Christine]

How do I "study the programs"?  Wait for the materials you sent?

You can begin by studying the material given HERE.  I left out part of what I wanted to say in the last post...Here it is:

The truth that the cross was the agent by which the Law of Moses was abolished or done away with was revealed only to Paul.


Peter, James, John and Jude said NOTHING about this aspect of the cross.

Here is a major difference, and one that seems to be overlooked due to its simplicity.

THE ONLY PROGRAM in which the law has NO PLACE is in the age of GRACE.

UNDER the KINGDOM program, OLD AND NEW Covenant has to do with the law program that Israel signed up for with God. The law is NOT abolished for them in times PAST, or in Ages to COME.

Thanks.  That is what I was trying to figure out.

That answer was found IN THE TEXT. One has to think about what one has read, sometimes MANY TIMES, before it becomes clear. Take your time with these study posts. THINK about them. Look up the scriptures. This will teach you how to do Bible Study Gods Way.

[LookingUp]

THE ONLY PROGRAM in which the law has NO PLACE is in the age of GRACE.

The law is not abolished for them ... in Ages to COME.

I don't remember reading the above in the text.  Sometimes things are so crystal clear to someone who has studied something for years compared to another who has just begun.

[Christine]

THE ONLY PROGRAM in which the law has NO PLACE is in the age of GRACE.

The law is not abolished for them ... in Ages to COME.

I don't remember reading the above in the text.  Sometimes things are so crystal clear to someone who has studied something for years compared to another who has just begun.

That is SOOOOOOO true!  Thanks for reminding me