Jesus preaches Naaman and the widow of Zarephath
As soon as Jesus begin his ministry after he proclaimed the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, in Luke 4:25-29 he made direct reference to the story of Naaman (2Kings 5:8-19) and the Widow of Zarephath (1Kings 17:8-16) who were both non-Jews outside of the law. He said, “But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” (Luke 4:25-27) This infuriated the Pharisees as they were filled with wrath and sought to drive him out of town and throw him off a cliff. The idea of God favoring those outside of the law was offensive to many that Jesus encountered.
GPT.Bible Publications available on Amazon (commissions earned, affiliate partner)
Luke 4:25-29 (ESV), All in the synagogue were filled with wrath
25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.
Jesus’ standard of perfection
When Jesus was asked by a rich man in Matthew 19:16-21, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life,” he said, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” But when questioned about which ones, Jesus did not say all of them or the entire law of Moses. He only mentioned six commandments. Five of them are from the ten commandments including, You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, and Honor your father and mother, and he added, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Rather than appealing to the entire law, he appealed to this select group of commandments consistent with his teachings of righteousness.
The man said, “All these I have kept, What do I still lack?” Jesus further states in Matthew 19:21, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Here we see Jesus’ standard is not the entire Mosaic Law but those principals of God’s law that pertain to loving humanity and living a selfless life. If Jesus believed the 613 commands of the Mosaic law were critical, this would have been the perfect opportunity to say so. Rather, Jesus’ prescription is to focus on the principles of goodness that pertain to love and charity. Jesus standard of perfection was living a selfless life as a servant – not complete conformance to the law of Moses.
Matthew 19:16-21 (ESV), If you would be perfect
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Jesus rejected legalism
We should hear and understand as Jesus said, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (Matt 15:10-11) In saying this he declared all foods clean. (Mark 7:19) The Pharisees were offended by this saying, but Jesus said of them, “they are blind guides – and if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit. (Matt 15:12-14) Whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled – but what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. (Matt 15:17-18) For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander – these are what defile a person.” (Matt 15:19-20) Jesus said, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” referring to their teaching. (Matt 16:6-12) He said of them that they preach, but do not practice – they tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders. (Matt 23:1-4) Woe to the scribes and Pharisees, they are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness – those who outwardly appear righteous to others, but within are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matt 23:27-28). Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. (Luke 12:1-3)
When asked, “Which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself – on these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:36-40) Jesus said, “love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (Luke 6:35) You are to be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) The new commandment he gave was this, “that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Jesus said, “Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (John 15:9-10) He said to his disciples, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
Jesus emphasized love over any other rule including loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:43-45) We are to Judge not, that we are not judged – for with the judgement we pronounce we will be judged and with the measure we use it will be measured to us. (Matt 7:1-2) When we pray, we are to forgive those who have trespassed against us, so that God will forgive our trespasses. (Matt 6:12, Luke 11:4) The narrow gate is to do to others as you would wish that others would do to you, this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matt 7:12) Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners according to the principle, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ (Matt 9:13) Jesus calls to those who labor and are heavy laden saying, “I will give you rest – take my yoke upon you, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls – for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30) Those who understand what it means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ do not condemn the guiltless who work on the sabbath. (Matt 12:1-8) The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)
In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Gal 5:6) We fulfill the law of Christ by bearing one another’s burdens. (Gal 6:2) We are to owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Rom 13:8) For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Rom 13:9) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom 13:10) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (James 2:8) This is the commandment of God, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. (1 John 3:23)
Matthew 5:43-45 (ESV), Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 6:12 (ESV), As we also have forgiven our debtors
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 7:1-2 (ESV), Judge not, that you be not judged
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:12-13 (ESV), This is the Law and the Prophets
12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 9:10-13 (ESV), I desire mercy, and not sacrifice
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV), My yoke is easy, and my burden is light
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 12:1-8 (ESV), For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath
1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
Matthew 15:10-20 (ESV), It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person
10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Matthew 16:6-12 (ESV), Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Matthew 22:34-40 (ESV), On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 23:1-4 (ESV), They tie up heavy burden, and lay them on people’s shoulders
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV), you outwardly appear righteous, but within you are full of hypocrisy
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Mark 2:23-28 (ESV), The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath
23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
Mark 7:15-23 (ESV), Thus he declared all foods clean.
15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Luke 6:35-36 (ESV), Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
Luke 11:4 (ESV), We ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
Luke 12:1-3 (ESV), Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy
1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
John 13:34-35 (ESV), A new commandment I give to you
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 15:9-12 (ESV), If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Galatians 5:6 (ESV), Only faith working through love
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Galatians 6:2 (ESV), Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Romans 13:8-10 (ESV), The one who loves another has fulfilled the law
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
James 2:8 (ESV), If you really fulfill the royal law, you are doing well
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
1 John 3:22-24 (ESV), This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son and love one another
22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “If you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would have not condemned the guiltless.” (Mat 12:7, Hos 6:6-7, Mic 6:8) This was in response to his disciples breaking the sabbath. (Mat 12:1-2) In doing so he was making the point that the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law. (Matt 12:3-7) In fact, the letter of the law does not even apply to the priests of God. (Mat 12:3-5) And we know that those who follow after Jesus have been made priests to his God and Father. (Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10, Rev 20:6) Our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2Cor 3:5-6) A Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. (Rom 2:29) If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Gal 5:18) All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 8:14)
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. (Gal 3:23) So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. (Gal 3:24) But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (Gal 3:25-26) Being found in Christ is not having a righteousness of our own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. (Phil 3:8-9) Now we are released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code (Rom 7:6). For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4) But the righteousness based on faith says, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” (Rom 10:6-8) Declares the Lord, “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts.” (Heb 8:10)
Matthew 12:1-8 (ESV), If you had known – ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’ – you would not have condemned
1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
Hosea 6:6-7 (ESV), I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings
6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. 7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.
Micah 6:8 (ESV), What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
2 Corinthians 3:3-6 (ESV), ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit
3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Romans 2:29 (ESV), a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, not by the letter
But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Galatians 5:18 (ESV), If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Romans 8:14 (ESV), All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Galatians 3:23-26 (ESV), The law was our guardian until Christ came
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV), Not having a righteousness that comes from the law, but through faith in Christ
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith
Romans 7:6 (ESV), now we are released from the law – so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit
6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code
Romans 10:4-8 (ESV), Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
Hebrews 8:10 (ESV), I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts,
We are under a new covenant through Christ
The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. (Luke 16:16) Jesus gave his body for us and his blood that was poured out for us is the new covenant in his blood. (Luke 22:19-20) The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:17) Whoever believes in him is not judged, but whoever does not believe is judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18) Jesus said, “If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (John 12:47) “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” (John 12:48) For those who reject Christ, it is his very words that will judge them – the commandments given to Jesus by the Father; what was given for him to say and what to speak. (John 12:49) Jesus spoke exactly as the Father had told him – his commandment is eternal life. (John 12:50) In saying this, Jesus made it clear that not by the Law of Moses will we be judged, rather it will be according to a new criteria: the words he spoke given to him by the Father. (John 12:47-50)
All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. (Rom 2:12) When Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves and show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. (Rom 2:14-15) And a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. (Rom 2:29) Now the righteousness of God has now been manifested apart from the law – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe – for there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. (Rom 3:21-22) We are justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith. (Rom 3:24-25) Not by a law of works but by the law of faith – one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. (Rom 3:27-28) Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Rom 10:4) This is in contrast to Moses who writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. (Rom 10:5) If you are under the Law of Christ, you are not under the law (exempt from the law of Moses) (1Cor 9:19-21)
We are a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2Cor 3:3). Our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit – for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2Cor 3:5-6) We were once strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Eph 2:12) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:13) For he himself is our peace, who has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances. (Eph 2:14-15) Christ has obtained a ministry that is much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better. (Heb 8:6) If that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. (Heb 8:7) In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete – what is becoming obsolete is growing old and ready to vanish away. (Heb 8:13)
Luke 16:14-16 (ESV), The Law and the Prophets were until John
14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.
Luke 22:19-20 (ESV), This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood
19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
John 1:17 (ESV), Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 3:17-19 (ESV), Whoever believes in him is not condemned (judged)
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19
John 12:47-50 (ESV), The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day
47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Romans 2:12-16 (ESV), Gentiles – they are a law to themselves
12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Romans 2:29 (ESV), Circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter
29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Romans 3:21-28 (ESV), The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 10:4-5 (ESV), Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them
1 Corinthians 9:19-21 (ESV), Not being myself under the law
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
2 Corinthians 3:2-6 (ESV), Ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit
2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Ephesians 2:12-16 (ESV), Abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Hebrews 8:6-7 (ESV), The covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises
6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
Hebrews 8:12-13 (ESV), In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete
13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Although we do not follow the law of Moses, we are not lawless before God
A common objection by those who follow the law of Moses is that not following the written law is lawlessness. However 1 Corinthians 9:20-21 is key to understanding that this is not the case where Paul indicates that although he was not under the law (of Moses), he was not outside the law of God but under the law of Christ. (1Cor 9:20-21). The Lamsa translation of the Peshitta for 1Cor 9:21 says, ‘I became like one who is without law, though I am not lawless before God because I am under the law of Christ’ and the Murdock translation, ‘I was without the law, (although I am not without law to God, but under the law of the Messiah).’ Accordingly, not following the law of Moses is not to be lawlessness, rather we are under the law of Christ (Messiah). Although the law is not abolished it does not apply to those who believe in Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:19-21 (ESV), Not under the law – not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
1 Corinthians 9:19-21 (ESV), Not under the law – not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
1 Corinthians 9:21 (Aramaic Peshitta, Lamsa Translation)
“To those who are without law, I became like one who is without law, though I am not lawless before God because I am under the law of Christ, that I might win them who are without law.”
1 Corinthians 9:21 (Aramaic Peshitta, Murdock Translation)
“And to those who have not the law, I was as without the law, (although I am not without law to God, but under the law of the Messiah) that I might gain them that are without the law…….
The Mosaic Law was a shadow of the things to come
The promise of blessing was given to Abraham and his offspring, who is Christ. (Gal 3:16) The law was added 430 years later because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made. (Gal 3:17-18) As righteousness could not be obtained by the law, the law did not cancel the Abrahamic promise. The law was given that could not give life because righteousness cannot be achieved by the law. (Gal 3:21) Rather, the law came and imprisoned everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Gal 3:22) The law held captive and imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. (Gal 3:23) The law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith in being baptized into Christ, and being found in Christ. (Gal 3:24-27) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Gal 5:6) In Christ Jesus, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female. (Gal 3:28) If we are Christ’s, then we are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:29) The first covenant pertains to the children of a slave woman corresponding to the present Jerusalem, and the second covenant pertains to those who are children of a free woman corresponding to the Jerusalem above. (Gal 4:22-26). We are of the new Jerusalem which is free, born through promise as sons of the free woman. (Gal 4:26)
The law was put in place by angels through an intermediary which is more than one entity, where God is one. (Gal 3:19) When there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. (Heb 7:12) Priests who operate according to the law serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. (Heb 8:5) Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (Heb 8:6) It is evident that the law was inadequate in the Lord declaring, “The days are coming when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.” (Heb 8:8-9) On one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect), on the other hand, a better hope is introduced through which we are reconciled to God. (Heb 7:18-19)
The Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section of preparation (symbolic for the present age) is still standing. (Heb 9:8) Under the first covenant, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. (Heb 9:9-10) The law was but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities. (Heb 10:1) When Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me.” (Heb 10:5) When he said, “Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book,” he does away with the first order to establish the second. (Heb 10:7-9) And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Heb 10:10) Therefore let no one pass judgement on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. (Col 2:16) These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. (Col 2:18)
The law applies as long as one lives. (Rom 7:1) When one dies, they are released from the law. (Rom 7:2-3) Likewise, those who are part of the body of Christ have died to the law, so that they may belong to another and bear fruit for God. (Rom 7:4) In the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. (Rom 7:5) But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. (Rom 7:6) The ministry of death, carved in letter on stone came with glory which is now being ended. (2Cor 3:7) The ministry of the Spirit now has even more glory. (2Cor 3:8) For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. (2Cor 3:9) The law that once had glory has come to have no glory at all, compared to the glory that surpasses it. (2Cor 3:10) For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more what is permanent. (2Cor 3:11) Those with hardened minds, to this day, whenever the law of Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. (2Cor 3:13-15) Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and when one turns to the Lord, who is the Spirit, the veil is removed. (2Cor 3:16-18) With unveiled face, through beholding the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another (2Cor 3:18)
Galatians 3:16-22 (ESV), The law was added until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made
16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:23-29 (ESV), The law was our guardian until Christ came
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Galatians 4:20-26 (ESV), These women are two covenants
20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
Galatians 5:6 (ESV), In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Hebrews 7:11-12 (ESV), Since there was a change in the priesthood, there was a change in the law
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
Hebrews 7:18-19 (ESV), A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 8:4-13 (ESV), In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete
Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 9:8-10 (ESV), Deal only – with regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation
8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
Hebrews 10:1-10 (ESV), He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Colossians 2:16-23 (ESV), These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Romans 7:1-6 (ESV), Now we are released from the law
1 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
2 Corinthians 3:7-18 (ESV), When they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted
7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. 12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Jesus is the new mediator and lawgiver worthy of more esteem than Moses
Moses himself prophesied of Christ saying “The lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers – it is to him you shall listen.” (Deut 18:15) In saying this Moses made it clear the one who was to come was to be a greater authority than he was, while Peter also added, “It shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.” (Acts 3:23) Peter declared to all the house of Israel in no uncertain terms that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) In further recognizing Jesus as the principal authority, Peter proclaimed that God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31). Jesus is the apostle (messenger) and high priest (mediator) of our confession. (Heb 3:1) For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses. (Heb 3:3) Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later. (Heb 3:5) Now Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are his house. (Heb 3:6) Because God made an oath to Christ, that he was a priest forever and would not change his mind – this makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. (Heb 7:21-22)
Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (Heb 8:6) He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. (Heb 9:15) Those in Christ will come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant. (Heb 12:22-24) God our savior desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth – for there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1Tim 2:4-5)
Deuteronomy 18:15 (ESV), It is to him you shall listen
15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—
Acts 3:22-23 (ESV), Moses said, ‘You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you’
22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’
Acts 2:36 (ESV), God has made him both Lord and Christ
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts 5:31 (ESV), God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior
31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 3:1-6 (ESV), Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses
1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
Hebrews 7:20-22 (ESV), This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant
20 Those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
Hebrews 8:6-8 (ESV), A ministry – much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better
6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah
Hebrews 9:15 (ESV), He is the mediator of a new covenant
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
Hebrews 12:22-24 (ESV), To Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV), There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
The Book of Acts preaches Christ (not legalism)
The Acts of the Apostles affirms the core gospel message that, ‘every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.’ (Acts 5:42, Acts 2:36, Acts 9:22, Acts 17:3, Acts 18:5) Peter declared the preeminence of Christ when he declared, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36) And he said, “God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31) Of critical importance is that Jesus is the prophet of whom Moses said, “You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.” (Deut 18:15) Peter recognized that following Christ above anyone else was paramount, saying, “it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.” (Acts 3:23)
The proclaiming of the resurrection from the dead by means of Jesus annoyed the Jewish leaders. (Acts 4:1-2) Stephen, rebuked them affirming that the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands (undermining the importance of the temple) and that the Jewish leaders were stiff-necked people, uncircumstanced in heart and ears who always resisted the Holy Spirit. (Acts 7:48-51) Stephen said, “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered.” (Acts 7:52) He concluded by saying that although they received the law as delivered by angels, they failed to keep the law in condemning Christ. (Acts 7:53) This enraged them and they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. (Acts 7:58)
In moving further away from Jewish sentiments, God revealed to Peter, “I should not call any person common or unclean” although it was unlawful for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone of another nation. (Acts 10:28) Peter affirmed, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35) Believers from among the circumcised were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. (Acts 10:45) When Peter relayed the news and said, “God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17) In hearing this, those of Jerusalem acknowledged that, also to the Gentiles, God has granted repentance that leads to life. (Acts 11:18)
In Jerusalem, some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, regarding the Gentile believers, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5) Peter stood up against them saying, “why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:10) The judgement of James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, was “we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. (Acts 15:19). The letter stated, ‘It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements … If you keep yourself from these, you will do well.’ (Acts 15:28-29) In making such a judgement regarding the Gentiles, they were affirming that following the law of Moses was not an essential requirement of being a disciple of Christ.
What we see in Acts is that the gospel of Jesus Christ overshadowed the law of Moses wherein Paul affirmed, “everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39) In response to Paul’s message, certain Jews were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. (Acts 13:45) The response of Paul and Barnabas was, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you – since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46) Later Paul was accused that he taught all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to their customs. (Acts 21:21)
In Acts the new covenant overrides the old as the Apostles bore witness to the preeminence of Christ who is Jesus. (Acts 5:42, Acts 2:36, Acts 9:22, Acts 17:3, Acts 18:5) They preached that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42) To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43) God has appointed him to judge the world in righteousness. (Acts 17:31) This is the one about which Moses said, “You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.” (Acts 3:22-23)
Acts 2:34-39 (ESV), God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Acts 3:17-23 (ESV), Moses said, ‘You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you’
17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’
Acts 4:1-2 (ESV), They were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection
1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Acts 5:30-32 (ESV), God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel
30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Acts 5:40-42 (ESV), They did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 7:48-53 (ESV), The Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands
48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, 49 “‘Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’ 51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
Acts 10:28 (ESV), God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean
28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
Acts 10:34-43 (ESV), In every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Acts 10:44-45 (ESV), The gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.
Acts 11:15-18 (ESV), Who was I that I could stand in God’s way
15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Acts 13:37-40 (ESV), freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses
37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40
Acts 13:45-46 (ESV), the word of God – Since you thrust it aside – we are turning to the Gentiles
45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
Acts 15:1-11 (ESV), Why are you placing a yoke on the neck that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear
1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Acts 15:19-20 (ESV), We should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15:28-29 (ESV), If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
Acts 21:18-28 (ESV), You teach all the Jews to forsake Moses
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. 27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place.
Paul preached against Mosaic legalism
Paul rebuked those who were deserting God and were turning to a different gospel telling believers to follow the law of Moses. (Gal 1:6-7) Although Paul was previously a zealous Jew in following the traditions of his fathers and being more advanced in Judaism than his peers, the grace of God was revealed to him in his son in order that he might preach Jesus among the Gentiles. (Gal 1:14-16) As Paul’s ministry continued, false brothers came into the churches, who slipped in to spy out the freedom that they had in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring them back into slavery. (Gal 2:4) To those who seemed influential, Paul did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved to those he ministered to. (Gal 2:5-6) He opposed Cephas to his face because he was in error. (Gal 2:11) This is because after eating with the Gentiles, he drew back and separated himself from them, fearing the circumcision party. (Gal 2:12) The conduct of a Jew who lived like a Gentile to force Gentiles to live like Jews was not in step with the truth of the gospel. (Gal 2:13-14)
Those believers who were Jews by birth have come to understand that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. (Gal 2:15) They believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Gal 2:16) It would be a transgression for Paul to rebuild what he tore down since he died to the law, so that he might live to God. (Gal 2:18-19) He was crucified with Christ – living his life in the flesh by faith in the Son of God. (Gal 2:20) Paul refused to nullify the grace of God by preaching the law, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. (Gal 2:21)
Preaching the works the law is foolish for one who bears witness of Jesus Christ crucified for us. (Gal 3:1-2) For we receive the Spirit not by works of the law, but by hearing with faith. (Gal 3:2) So foolish it is, that after having started by the Spirit, we would then vainly pursue a means of being perfected by the flesh. (Gal 3:3-4) He who supplies the Spirit and works miracles does so by hearing with faith and not by works of the law. (Gal 3:5-6) All who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law and do them.” (Gal 3:10) No one is justified before God by the law but rather through faith we obtain righteousness. (Gal 3:11) Abiding by the law is not operating in faith but is a legalistic way of living adopted by those who adhere to it. (Gal 3:12) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, so that in Christ Jesus, the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles and that the promised Spirit could be received through faith.
The Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus might be given to those who believe. (Gal 3:22) Before faith came, they were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. (Gal 3:23) The law was a guardian until Christ came, in other that justification would come by faith. (Gal 3:24) No longer under a guardian are those who through faith in Jesus are now sons of God. (Gal 3:25-26) As many have baptized into Christ have put on Christ and we are all one in him – there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female. (Gal 3:27-28). If we belong to Christ, we are the offspring of Abraham and are the heirs of the promise. (Gal 3:29) Now that we have come to know God and come to be known by God, how can we turn back again and become slaves once more to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world? (Gal 4:8-9) The labor of the Gospel is in vain if we go back to observing days and months and seasons and years. (Gal 4:10-11) Considering that the underlying message of the law points to a better covenant of freedom through Christ, as opposed to the covenant of slavery, it is perplexing that some believers would desire to be under the law. (Gal 4:20-26)
Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1Tim 4:4) Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. (Rom 14:1-3) Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls – and he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. (Rom 14:4) Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. (Rom 14:13) I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. (Rom 14:14) The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom 14:17) Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men – So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Rom 14:18)
If you accept circumcision you are obligated to keep the whole law and Christ will be of no advantage to you. (Gal 5:2-3) You who would be justified by the law have fallen away from grace, being severed from Christ. (Gal 5:4) For by faith through the Spirit, we eagerly wait for our hope in the one who makes us righteous. (Gal 5:5) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Gal 5:6) Look out for those who mutilate the flesh, rather it is those who are of the circumcision that worship by the Spirit of God putting no confidence in the flesh. (Phil 3:2-3) Let no one pass judgement on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. (Col 2:16) These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. (Col 2:17) We are free from all such things, not being under the law. (1Cor 9:19-20) Although we can live outside the law, we are not lawless before God but under the law of Christ. (1Cor 9:21) If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Gal 5:18)
Galatians 1:6-7 (ESV), I am astonished that you are so quickly turning to a different gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:14-16 (ESV), So extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers
14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles,
Galatians 2:4-6 (ESV), Slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus
4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
Galatians 2:11-14 (ESV), Their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Galatians 2:15-21 (ESV), The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God
15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. 17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians 3:1-6 (ESV), Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Galatians 3:10-14 (ESV), All who rely on works of the law are under a curse
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:22-29 (ESV), Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian
22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Galatians 4:8-11 (ESV), I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
Galatians 4:20-21 (ESV), I am perplexed about you
20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22
1 Timothy 4:4-5 (ESV), Nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Romans 14:1-4 (ESV), Let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats
1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Romans 14:13-18 (ESV), I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Galatians 5:2-6 (ESV), In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Galatians 5:18 (ESV), if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law
Philippians 3:2-3 (ESV), Look out for those who mutilate the flesh
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh:
Colossians 2:16-17 (ESV), These are a shadow of the things to come
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:19-21 (ESV), Not under the law – under the law of Christ
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
Faith, not the law, makes us righteous
The forgiveness of sins is proclaimed through the name of Jesus, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which they could not be freed by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38-39) By the mouth of Peter, God made a choice that the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. (Acts 15:7) God, who knows the heart, bore witness to their salvation, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to the Jews, and he made no distinction between Gentiles and Jews, having cleansed their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:8-9) There is no reason to put God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that the Jews have not been able to bear. (Acts 15:10) Both Jews and Gentiles will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 15:11). So we believe in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Gal 2:16)
We are to die to the law, so that we might live to God. (Gal 2:19) If we have been crucified with Christ, we no longer live by the flesh, but Christ lives in us as we live by faith in the Son of God. (Gal 2:20) We should not nullify the grace of God by trying to obtain righteousness through the law, otherwise, Christ died for no purpose. (Gal 2:21) We receive the Spirit by hearing with faith, not by works of the law. (Gal 3:2) It is so foolish, after being perfected by the Spirit, we go back to being perfected by the works of the flesh. (Gal 3:3) He who supplies the Spirit to us and works miracles among us does so by hearing with faith, not by the works of the law. (Gal 3:5) All things are as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:7) Other things should be counted as rubbish to gain Christ and be found in him, not having not having a righteousness of our own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ – the righteousness from God that depends on faith. (Phil 3:8-9)
It is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Gal 3:11) But the law is not of faith, rather a legalistic way of living. (Gal 3:12) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us – so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:13-14) By the works of the law no human being will be justified, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Rom 3:20) But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, the righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. (Rom 3:21-22) There is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. (Rom 3:22-25)
Acts 13:38-39 (ESV), Freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses
38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
Acts 15:7-11 (ESV), Placing a yoke on the neck that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear
7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
Galatians 2:15-16 (ESV), By works of the law no one will be justified
15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 2:19-21 (ESV), If righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose
19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians 3:1-5 (ESV), Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith.
Philippians 3:7-9 (ESV), Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
Galatians 3:11-14 (ESV), No one is justified before God by the law
11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Romans 3:19-25 (ESV), The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law
9 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Key verses in Hebrews about the Law (Peshitta, Lamsa Translation)
Heb 7:11 – If therefore perfection had been reached by the Levitical priesthood by which the law was enacted for the people, what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec? Otherwise, the scriptures would have said that he would be after the order of Aaron.
Heb 7:12 – Since there was a change in the priesthood, so also there was a change in the law.
Heb 7:18 – For the change which took place in the former law was made on account of its weaknesses and because it had become useless.
Heb 7:19 – For the law made nothing perfect, but there has come in its place a better hope, by which we draw near to God.
Heb 8:7 – For if the first covenant had been faultless, then there would have been no need for the second.
Heb 8:8 – For he found fault with them and said, Behold, the day is coming, says the Lord, when I will perfect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
Heb 8:9 – Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt; and because they abode not in my covenant, I rejected them, says the Lord.
Heb 8:10 – For this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law into their minds, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be my people.
Heb 8:13 – For he has spoken of a new covenant; the first one has become old, and that which is old and obsolete is near destruction.
Heb 9:8 – By this the Holy Spirit revealed that the way of the saints would not yet be made known so long as the old tabernacle remained.
Heb 9:9 – Which was the symbol for that time, now past, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices which could not make perfect the conciseness of him who offered them,
Heb 9:10 – But which served only for food and drink, and in various ablutions which are ordinances of the flesh and were imposed until the time of reformation.
Heb 10:1 – For the law had in it a shadow of the good things to come but was not the essence of the things themselves; hence although the same sacrifices were offered every year, they could not perfect those who offered them.
Heb 10:8 – Above when he said, Sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and offerings for sins, thou wouldst not have, the very ones which were offered according to the law;
Heb 10:9 – And after that he said, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Thus he put an end to the first in order to establish the second.
Additional Resources
ebook, The Law, the Sabbath and New Covenant Christianity, Sir. Anthony Buzzard
PDF Download: https://focusonthekingdom.org/articles_/sabbathbook.pdf?x49874
