Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 5)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 5)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

This fifth installment is the final in our series on this subject.

9. The Law of Moses served a temporary purpose. God never intended for the Law of Moses to rule indefinitely. It served God’s intended purpose and it was taken out of the way. In explaining the relationship between the Law of Moses and the promise to Abraham, Paul pointed out that the Law was given 430 years after God had given the “seed” promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). He explained that the “seed” [“offspring”] to which God referred was Christ (Galatians 3:16). Paul told the Galatians, “Why then the law? It was added [to the law of Moses, th] 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” (Gal. 3:19). The word “until” implies an end – a stopping point. Paul went on to explain that end: “Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the guardian” (Galatians 3:23-25). The Law of Moses served as “a guardian” to be in effect “until” Christ came and inaugurated his system of justification by faith. The Law of Moses perfectly accomplished its mission and was removed. No human is “under” this guardian today.

10. The Law of Moses was “abolished.” The gospel of Christ plainly affirms that the old law has been abrogated. In his death on the cross, Jesus “abolished in his flesh the Law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Ephesians 2:14, 15). Notice also Colossians 2:14, where Paul said, “Having cancelled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 likens modern adherence to the Law of Moses to the wearing of a veil. When one turns to Christ that “veil” is “taken away.” The Hebrew writer cited the New Covenant prophecy of Jeremiah 31:31-34 and said that it was fulfilled by the ratification of the law of Christ (Heb. 8:7-13). The Law of Moses today provides us with a valuable treasure of history and examples, but it is not our spiritual standard! Please write us to request a free tract on this series.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 4)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (4)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

In our last three articles we considered several reasons why we today are not under the Law of Moses. Let us continue our study:

8. If the Law of Moses remains binding today, then Jesus does not qualify as our High Priest. Without Jesus as our High Priest, the types of the Levitical Priesthood would be unfulfilled, Jesus could not have performed his sacrificial duties in the presence of God, and consequently, we would be yet in our sins with no possible way of escape!

The Hebrew writer observed that had perfection been attainable through the Levitical priesthood and the order of Aaron, there would have been no need for a priest to arise “after the order of Melchizedek.” The inspired writer then said:

“For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests” (Hebrews 7:12-14).

The argument is simple: If the Law of Moses remains binding upon men today, then Jesus does not qualify to serve as our priest. As stated, Jesus was not from the Old Testament authorized tribe of Levi. He was of the tribe of Judah. This meant that Jesus could not serve as High Priest while the Law of Moses “yet stood.” This condition required “a change in the law.” As we observed in previous points, upon Christ’s death upon the cross, the Old Covenant was replaced with the New Covenant or New Testament – the last will and testament of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:15). Unlike the Law of Moses, the Law of Christ DOES authorize Jesus to serve as High Priest, and he presently functions in that capacity (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:22-28).

There is another important lesson to learn from Hebrews 7:11-14. Non-Levites were not refused admittance into the priesthood upon the basis that “God told them not to,” for God didn’t tell them “not to.” Rather, non-Levites were forbidden to serve as priests upon the very basis that God specified “Levi” as the priestly tribe, and he “said nothing about priests” from Judah, or any other tribe of Israel! God’s silence is prohibitive in every instance where God specifies what particular thing is to be done, or how that particular thing is to be done. (More to come…)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 3)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (3)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Our last two articles have cited several reasons why we today are not under the Law of Moses. Let us continue our study:

6. Those who seek justification by the Law of Moses are obligated to “keep the whole law.” Paul said, “I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law” (Galatians 5:3). And, “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’” (Galatians 3:10). These passages plainly teach that the Law of Moses must be followed wholly if it is to be followed at all! First century deceivers tried to convince people that they had to be circumcised in order to be Christians. Paul made it clear that if one goes to the Old Testament for his authority for circumcision, then he is bound to keep the rest of that law. There is no “picking-and-choosing” when it comes to obedience to God.

In our day, we don’t see many people turning to the Old Law to justify or bind circumcision as a religious rite or requirement. However, we do see many people turn to the Old Testament in order to justify Sabbath keeping, tithing and the use of instrumental music in worship to God. But have such people considered the consequences of their actions? According to Paul’s argument, these same people must observe every other requirement of the Old Law. This would include not only circumcision, but also the burning of animal sacrifices, the observance of Mosaic civil laws, including death penalty laws for a number of sins, cleanliness laws, food restrictions and a host of other rules, regulations and restrictions. I have never witnessed any such attempt in my lifetime! Folks want to be able to appeal to the Law of Moses to justify their favorite and preferred practices, but they don’t want to be stuck with having to accept the others. Of course, according to the apostle Paul, they don’t have this choice.

7. The Hebrew writer said, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). However, this is precisely the type of sacrifice that was offered under the Law of Moses (Hebrews 9:13-22; 10:1-4). The conclusion: Salvation is not through the Old Covenant, but through the New Covenant! This covenant was ratified by the very blood of Christ (Hebrews 8:9-13; 9:14-28). So, the lost cannot be saved by the Old Testament, but the saved can certainly lose their salvation by seeking justification by that Law (Galatians 5:4). Let us be careful to avoid any misuse of the Old Testament, and let us be grateful that Jesus was willing to undergo the cruelties and death of the cross, thus enabling him to inaugurate and ratify the New Covenant whereby we might be saved. (More to come…)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 2)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 2)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Last week’s article raised the question of whether or not the Law of Moses constitutes our moral and spiritual guide today. I pointed out that many people turn to the Old Testament for their authority for practices such as tithing, Sabbath observance, burning of incense in worship, instrumental music in worship, infant church membership and a separate priesthood.

Part one of the series explained the difference between inspiration and authority. The Old Testament is just as inspired as the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:16). However, this fact alone does not constitute the Law of Moses as our present religious authority. We further noted that the Law of Moses was given to the Jewish people, not to others (Deuteronomy 5:1-3). Let us consider some other reasons why we are not under the Law of Moses.

3. Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses. He said, “Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away, till all things be accomplished” (Matthew 5:17, 18). The sinless life of the savior “fully filled” the law, thus satisfying its legal requirements. We should remember that while on the cross, Jesus uttered the words “it is finished” (John 19:30). The death of Jesus marked the end of the Old Testament era, and the inauguration of the New Testament (see Hebrews 9:15-17).

4. Paul told his Jewish brethren that it would constitute spiritual adultery for them to be under both Old and New Testament laws at the same time (Romans 7:1-4). The same consequence would apply to us. Paul here cites the physical marriage relationship to illustrate his deeper spiritual point. The woman, who marries another man while her husband yet lives, is an adulteress. Similarly, people commit [spiritual] adultery when they join themselves to both the Law of Moses and to the Law of Christ. “Through the body of Christ” [his death] people “died to the law” [of Moses.] The death of Christ released the Jews from the Law of Moses (Romans 7:6), and allowed them to be joined to Christ.

5. One cannot be saved by Christ while seeking justification by the Law of Moses. Paul told the saints of Galatia, “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4). This verse alone should be enough to convince folks that we are not under the Law of Moses. Paul later told these same saints to “fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). All today are “under the law to Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21). (more to come…)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 1)

Is the Law of Moses Our Spiritual Guide? (Part 1)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Many people turn to the Old Testament for their authority for modern religious practices. The most commonly defended practices are those of tithing, Sabbath observance, burning of incense in worship, instrumental music in worship, infant church membership and a separate priesthood. This raises an important question: Are we under the Law of Moses today? Should we seek to justify today’s religious practices by appealing to the Law of Moses? Let us consider some important reasons why we should not.

1. People are often accused of “not believing in the Old Testament” when they teach that the Old Testament is not our standard of authority. However, there is a difference between inspiration and authority. “All Scripture is inspired of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16), and the apostle Paul made it clear that this includes both Old and New Testament “Scriptures.” He wrote, “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:18). The first quote is from Moses (Deut. 25:4). The second quote is from Jesus (Luke 10:7). Paul classified both as “Scripture.” It should also be noted that Jesus broke the Old Testament “Scriptures” down into three parts: the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms (Luke 24:44, 45). No true Bible believer denies the inspiration and legitimacy of the Old Testament. All “Scripture” must be believed, accepted, and considered as “profitable for salvation” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). The question is not whether or not one should “believe in” the Old Testament, for he must! The question concerns the present purpose and place of those Scriptures. That is, do they constitute an authoritative religious guide for people today?

2. The Law of Moses was given to the Jewish people under a theocratic form of government. This is often overlooked by religious people of today. They fail to consider that many of the Mosaic laws had to do with maintaining the purity of the Abrahamic lineage and the peculiarity of the Jewish people. After summoning the Israelite people, Moses said to them, “The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. Not with our fathers did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us alive here today” (Deuteronomy 5:2, 3). This was the nation that God had earlier delivered from Egyptian slavery (Deut. 5:6). Non-Jews before the cross were “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel,” and “strangers to the covenant” (Eph. 2:12). Their acceptance required a change of laws (Eph. 2:14), hence the inauguration of the New Covenant. (more to come…)

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Barack Obama’s “Pay-Grade” and the Sanctity of Human Life

Barack Obama’s “Pay-Grade” and the Sanctity of Human Life
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

In a forum hosted by the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, August 16, 2008, Rick Warren asked Barack Obama, “At what point does a baby get human rights?” Obama replied, "Whether you're looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity is above my pay grade."

Though many of us do prefer that our presidents have at least some knowledge of the Bible, being president does not require one to be a theologian or a Bible scholar. One can serve as president of the United States without being proficient in biblical hermeneutics or skilled in biblical interpretation. However, I propose that one can have a pretty small “pay grade,” and still be able to answer Warren’s baby question!

Obviously, Bible believers have no difficulty answering Warren’s question. The angel told Joseph to not be afraid to take Mary for his wife: “for that which is CONCEIVED in her is of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:20). Mary herself was told, “You shall CONCEIVE in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Jesus was “Jesus” at the point of conception. Luke 1:36 discusses Mary’s cousin Elisabeth, saying that she had also CONCEIVED a son. That son [John, the Baptist] would later “leap in her womb” upon Elisabeth hearing the salutation of Mary (Luke 1:41). We are told that Rebekah’s children struggled together within her. The Lord told her that, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples shall be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:22, 23). While yet in their mother’s womb, these two boys [Jacob and Esau] were identified as the progenitors of two great nations. Specific details were given about their personalities, which would affect their future relationships with one another. Jeremiah was still in his mother’s womb when God ordained him to be a prophet (Jer. 1:5). David spoke of God’s knowledge of his development while he was still in his mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16). How much money, if any, does a person have to make in order to understand these plain Bible statements and principles?

There is also the matter of modern medical technology. High-tech ultrasound equipment allows us to observe the behavior of unborn babies, and study their reactions to various stimuli. More and more, medical science is buttressing the Bible in proving that life begins at conception. Barack Obama really needs to reconsider his answer.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.

Days of Creation 2

The Days of Creation (2)
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

As we began to discuss in last week’s article, some have attempted to harmonize the Genesis creation account with evolutionary uniformitarianism. This has led some to claim that the “days” of Genesis chapter one are not literal, 24-hour days, or to claim that the days are literal, but that they have long ages between them. There are irrefutable reasons for concluding that the Genesis creation days are literal, consecutive, 24-hour days. Let us consider some of these reasons:

1. A basic rule of interpretation says that text should be interpreted and understood literally unless there are good reasons for it to be interpreted figuratively. A natural reading of Genesis 1:1-31 leads one to think that God created all things in 6, literal, consecutive 24-hour days.

2. The “days” of Genesis one are mentioned in connection with the phrase “evening and morning” (1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31). As a rule, whenever the Bible describes the “evening” or “morning” of a particular day, those “days” are literal, 24-hour days.

3. The Jewish workweek was fashioned upon the creation week. Moses wrote, “It [the Sabbath] is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed” (Ex. 31:17). Moses was clearly describing a normal 7-day week, and he drew a parallel between that week and God’s creation week. Six days were to be devoted to work, and the seventh day was to be devoted to God. The point and parallel are lost if the creation week was not a normal calendar week.

4. Jesus placed the creation of mankind at “the beginning of the creation of God” (Mark 10:6). If the creation days were literal, 24-hour days, then the Lord’s description works. Very little time would have passed from the first day to the sixth. However, how could Jesus’ description be accurate if each day of creation spanned 700 million years? With such an interpretation there is no sense in which it would be accurate to identify human creation with “the beginning of creation!” We shall examine this further in our next article.

View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.