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Law of Moses, the

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• Law of Moses
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By the phrase "law of Moses" is meant all that was revealed through Moses. The New Testament treats it with great fullness and perpiscuity:

1. Typical Aspects . The law of Moses was only the shadow of good Things to come (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10:1 ).

2. Fulfillment . Jesus Christ declared His intention to Fulfill every word of the law (Matthew 5:17,18 ), and He did it (Luke 24:44 ).

3. Its Weakness . The law could not,
   1. bring about justification (Acts 13:39 );
   2. produce righteousness (Galatians 2:21 );
   3. produce life (Galatians 3:21 );
   4. bring about perfection (Hebrews 7:19 );
   5. or free the conscience from a knowledge of sin (Hebrews 10:1-4 ).

4. Impossible for All Men to Keep It . The law was given to and for Israel only (Exodus 19:1-20:17; Malachi 4:4; John 1:1-17 ). Take two proofs of this:
   1. All the males of the Hebrews were commanded to appear before the Lord at a designated place three times a year (Exodus 23:14-17; Exodus 12:4-16 );
   2. those to whom the law was given were commanded, on penalty of death, not to kindle a fire throughout their habitation on the sabbath day (Exodus 35:1-3 ).

5. Abolishment of the Law . It is declared,
   1. that the law is abolished (2 Corinthians 3:6-13; Ephesians 2:15 );
   2. that Christ is the end of the law (Romans 10:4 );
   3. that it was the ministration of death (Exodus 32:1-28 ), and that it is "done away" (2 Corinthians 3:7 );
   4. that Jesus took away the first that He might establish the second (Hebrews 10:5-9 );
   5. that it was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14-16 );
   6. that those who had been under it had been delivered from it (Romans 7:6 );
   7. that they were dead to it (Romans 7:4 );
   8. that they were not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14 );
   9. that they were no longer under the schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24,25 );
   10. that they were not required to serve the law (Acts 15:1-24; Galatians 3:19 );
   11. that the Christian who sought justification under the law had fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4 );
   12. and that now the righteousness of God is revealed without the aid of the law (Romans 3:21,22 ).

6. Contrasted with the Gospel .
   1. The law was intended for one nation--Israel (Exodus 20:1-17 Malachi 4:4 ); the gospel of Christ is intended for the whole creation (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16 ).
   2. The first covenant was dedicated with the blood of animals (Exodus 24:6-8 ), the new covenant was dedicated with the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18,19 ).
   3. The first institution was administered by frail men--the Levites (Leviticus 16:1-34; Hebrews 7:11-23 ); the second is administered by Jesus Christ, who was made priest, not by carnal commandment, but "after the power of an endless life" (Hebrews 7:16 ).
   4. Circumcision in the flesh was a sign of the first (Genesis 17:1-14; Leviticus 12:1-13 ); circumcision in the heart and spirit is the sign of the second (Romans 2:25 ).
   5. The law of Moses guaranteed to the obedient Hebrews temporal blessings (Deuteronomy 28:1-6 ); the gospel of Christ guarantees spiritual blessings to those who live up to its requirements (1 Peter 1:4 ).
   6. The law of Moses guaranteed to the Hebrews the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 30:5-10 ); the gospel guarantees eternal life beyond the grave to those who honor the Lord (1 John 5:20 ).
   7. The law of Moses required obedience to the one true God (Exodus 20:1-5 ); the gospel emphasizes the Fatherhood of God (Matthew 6:9 ).
   8. The law of Moses prohibited the people from taking the name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7 ); the gospel requires that out communications be "yea" and "nay", declaring that everything beyond is evil (Matthew 5:37 ).
   9. The law of Moses required the Hebrews to remember the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:8-11 ); in apostolic times, the people of God remembered the Savior in the feast that He ordained (Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 ) on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7 ).
   10. The law of Moses required children to honor their parents (Exodus 20:12 ); the gospel requires children to obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-4 ).
   11. The law of Moses prohibited murder (Exodus 20:13 ); the gospel prohibits hatred (1 John 3:15 ).
   12. The law of Moses forbade adultery (Exodus 20:14 ); the gospel prohibits even lust (Matthew 5:28 ).
   13. The law of Moses prohibits stealing (Exodus 20:15 ); the gospel prohibits stealing and requires benevolence (Ephesians 4:28 ).
   14. The law of Moses forbade the bearing of false witness (Exodus 20:16 ); the gospel requires us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15 ).
   15. The law of Moses prohibited covetousness (Exodus 20:17 ); the gospel requires us to do good unto men according to our opportunities (Galatians 6:10 ), and love our neighbors as ourselves (Romans 13:10;