Hope Ministries - The Law v The Gospel / Grace

The Law v The Gospel of Christ

"but now the righteousness of God apart from the Law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets," - Rom. 3:21

The Law v The Gospel of Christ

Learning the difference between covenants discussed in the bible is essential to understanding how to function within the Kingdom of God. Although, there were many covenants spoken of in scripture, the covenants that effect Christians the most is that which pertains to Salvation and the Right standing with God. Therefore, written below are some differences to consider and research, to aid in broadening our perspectives/views.

Definitions and Explanations:

1. Gentiles- anyone who is not of Jewish descent/naturally born a Jew. Children of the freewoman, Sarah, Abraham’s wife (Gal. 4:30-31)

2. Jews – Hebrew people, those who are blood descendants of Abraham.

Children of the bondwoman, Hagar, the maid. (Gal. 4:30-31)

Two Covenants: The Law of Moses/Commandments and the Law of Life in Christ

A covenant means the same as when we say the word “agreement”.

During Abraham’s day, covenants were use to set in stone any deal between two people.

On the day of the agreement, covenant partners would take animals and cut them in half. Then they would lay the animal halves across from one another forming an aisle. Then the two people who were making the covenant would hold hands and walk together down the aisle.

Literally, the agreement meant “I will keep my half of the bargain. (Hence, you can only make a whole with both parts combining.)

On the day God made the Covenant with Abram, God walked between the halves alone while Abram was in a deep sleep. Instead of the covenant depending on two people holding up the bargain, God said that He would keep the whole “Covenant of Promise” Himself. (Gen.15:12- ).

The Promise was made by God between and Abraham. (Gen 22:15-18)
Verse 18, says that all nations of the earth shall be blessed in Seed, which was Christ, not Isaac. (Gal. 3:16). Operating under the Law brings curses, not blessings. We receive according to how we believe!

Abraham received the Promise before the Commandments (Law of Moses) were given by God at Mount Sinai.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, nor Joseph were not under the Ten Commandments.(but God called Abraham Righteous (Gal. 3:6).

The Gospel was announced to Abraham, the Father of Faith (Gal 3-9)

The Promises that God made with Abraham was not under The Law of Moses, ( how are we, who are Gentiles responsible for keeping the Commandments? We are told to Live by faith not the law and not both) (Rom 8:2)

Sin was in the world prior to the Law, but it was not imputed/ charged to their account because there was no law against it.(Romans 5:13)
Those under the Law of Moses/ the Commandments were not given this promise. Therefore, for those who are saved and operate under this Law cannot reap the Promise while on earth.

The believer who chooses to use obedience to the commandments as a the source of Justification before a Spiritual God is in error. Jesus is the only standard that God gave as a remedy for sin and the gift of eternal life. The moral commandments serve as a great instruction to aid individuals with living a good life, but it does nothing for them Spiritually.

We serve a Spiritual God with Spiritual requirements. Physical works are done in the flesh, though the Holy Spirit may be the Promter of that good work. Our flesh is sinful and will remain so until we die. The bible only states that believers will receive Glorified bodies at the return of Jesus, but does not promise to renew the old wine skins. Our flesh goes back to that of which it was made from, dust. For those who are alive at the return of Jesus, will receive a new body. Think, if our bodies were in a repairable state, God would not have condemned it.

When Jesus returned He condemned the flesh and all of its works and based salvation on the Heart of an individual and not their hands.

We cannot present good prayer lives, fasting, good behavior, benevolent ministries, or any sort of actions (called works) to God as a mean to go to heaven. Not that these things are not recognized, because the bible states that Christians will receive rewards for their good works, but that reward is not eternal life. (John 3:16-17) You must already possess eternal life in order to qualify to receive good work crowns.

Christ is not under the Law, He fulfilled it, by not sinning, doing what the Law required. When we receive Him as Lord and Savior, we also receive the fulfillment of what was required for our sins that we commit today, yesterday, and forevermore. (Gal.3:18)

Romans 4:7-8 – Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8) Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.

Limitations of Gentile Nations who lived during the time of the Law.

Eat holy things (Ex 29:33;Lev 22:10-13)

Be anointed with holy anointing oil (Ex 30:33)

Be kings over Israel or come near Priests in their service. (Heb 7:21-24)

God dealt with Gentiles under the old program of imputing sin to them through Adam (Gen 2:17; Rom 5:-21) and saved all who would obey the Gospel(or program of Grace) which was never a part of the Law of Moses.( Rom 4; Gal 3:3-16; Heb 4:1-2; 11:1-40)

Gentiles were under the Noahic covenant( Gen 9) and the Abrahamic covenant(Gen 12:1-3; Rom 4)

The Gentiles Had no Part in the Law of Moses

The following are examples in the New Testament confirming that the Gentiles had no part with Israel in the Law of Moses.

This is important because we Gentiles often preach the Law of Moses to Congregations, telling them to do them, when God never gave them to us; it was given to the Jews only!

However, we all were born under sin, and continue to be sinners until accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. Gentiles were sinners not Jews unless they made the decision to become circumcised.

Ø When Christ came to fulfill the Law, He went only to Israel (Mathew 10:5-6; 15:24)

Ø Christ took the Kingdom of God and gave it to the Gentiles when Israel made their final rejection of Him and His Gospel (Mt. 21:33-46; Jn 10:16)

Ø Gentiles are now blessed with Israel through the Gospel, not the Law of Moses. (Jn 3:16; Rom. 1:16; 11:1-25; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28-29; Eph 3:1-6; Col 3:11

Ø Gentiles do not become Jews or Israelites by faith( Rom 2:28-29; 9:6-7)

Ø Paul says plainly that the Gentiles did not have the Law (Rom 2:12-16)

Ø The Apostles stated that Gentiles were aliens and strangers from the covenants and promises of Israel (Eph 2:12-16)

Ø At the Jerusalem council in Acts 15:1-4, the first general conference, Gentiles was not obligated to observe any part of the Law of Moses.

The Noahic Covenant (Noah); The Dispensation of Human Government (Gen 8:20-9:29)

The covenant was made with Noah and the beast of the field after the flood. The terms of the covenant were:

That God would not curse the ground or living creatures anymore while the earth remained. (Gen 8:22; 9:12,16)

That man should replenish the earth forever( Gen 9:1,12,16)

That man should rule the earth (Gen 9:2,3)

That animal should be eaten, but not the blood. ( Gen 9:3)

That the Covenant would be eternal (Gen 9:12,16)

(READ GENESIS 8:20-9:16, FOR MORE PROMISES)

The Abrahamic Covenant (Abraham),The Dispensation of Promise (Gen 12:1-3)

(READ GENESIS 12:1-3; 13:16; 17:18-20;24:34-35; GAL 3)

Old Testament had the Gospel!

Israel had the Gospel (Gal 3:8; Heb 4:2) and the typical program of sacrifices which in shadow, taught them of redemption through the Messiah (Ex 12; 25:1-40; 38;)

Conclusion

The provision or terms for this period and every other one is the death of Christ on the Cross (1 Cor 1:18-24; Col 1:12-20; 2:14-17; 1 Pet 2:24). Men in previous dispensations or times, had to look forward to the coming of Christ by faith, while we, on the other hand must look backward to it in faith to receive its benefits(Rom 3:24-25; 5:1; Eph 2:8-9; Heb 11)

God sent His Son to take the place of all men in death, so that all who would believe might be fully redeemed, reconciled, and restored to original dominion (Ps 8; Gal 3:13; Eph 2:11-18; Heb 2:9-18; 1Pet1:18

Reference:

Bibliography: Dake Annotated Reference Bible; Finnette Dake Kennedy, Annabeth Dake Germaine, and Finis D ceville, Georgia; 1999

Hinson, Ed. Couragous Faith: Life Lessons from the Old Testament.2003