What does it mean to have eternal life?

1John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

GOD wants us to know our eternal status. If we have eternal life, HE wants us to know it. It is important that we know it. It is imortant that we understand what it means to have eternal life.

So let us think about how it is that we do not naturally live eternally. What is death? How is it that we receive this gift, and how can we be sure that we have it?

First, Who suffered Christ to die, and then raised Him again?
"Therefore doth My Father love Me because I lay down My life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father." John 10:17, 18. "Whom [Christ] God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that He should be holden of it." Acts. 2:24.

How was it that death came into the world?
"Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

Why could not death hold Christ under its dominion?
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." 1 Peter 2:22.

What did Christ's resurrection gain for all men?
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15:21, 22.

Why did God give His own son to die? and who alone are benefited by His death?
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "He that believeth not the Son shall not see [everlasting] life, but the wrath of God abideth or him." John 3:16, 36.

With whom is the eternal life of the believer hid?
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Col. 3:3. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11.

When will eternal life be received?
"Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Cor. 15:51-53.

Is there any exemption from the first, or temporal, death?
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15:22.

Who have part in the first resurrection?
"And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, ...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years... This is the first resurrection. .On such the second death hath no power." Rev. 20:4-6.

Who have part in the second resurrection?
"But the rest of the dead [the wicked] lived not again until the thousand years were finished." "And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them." Rev. 20:5, 9 (Dan. 12:2) (Heb. 11:35).

What is the second, or eternal, death? and who suffer it?
"And death and hell [margin, the grave] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:14, 15. "The lake which burneth with fire and brimstone... is the second death." Rev. 21:8. "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev. 2:11. See Eze. 18:26.

What is then said of those who share the first resurrection, and so escape the second death?
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death: neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." Rev. 21:4, 5.

This then is eternal life:

John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.


1John 5:11-13
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?

In what condition was man created?
"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels." Heb. 2:6, 7.

What is the nature of angels?
"But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage; neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:35, 36.

What are angels called?
"And of the angels he saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire." Heb. 1:7.

What is the difference between the two Adams?
"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." 1 Cor. 15:45.

Adam was made a living soul; but was he not a spiritual man?
"Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." 1 Cor. 15:46.

When does man become a spiritual being?
"It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body, There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." 1 Cor. 15:44.

To what does the sowing refer?
"That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die." 1 Cor. 15:36.
NOTE. - Man does not have the undying, spiritual nature of the angels until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he cannot die anymore ( Luke 20:36), because he is "equal unto the angels."

How is man's nature defined?
"Shall mortal man be more just than God?" Job 4:17. NOTE. - Mortal. "Subject to death." Webster.

What is God's nature?
"Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:17.
NOTE. - Immortal. "Exempt from liability to die." Webster.

Of what was man formed in the beginning?
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground." Gen. 2:7.

What act made him a living soul?
"And [God] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Gen. 2:7.
Note: Here we have the definition of a living soul. God's breath plus the dust of the ground formed by GOD equals a living soul.

Are others besides man called "living souls" in the Bible?
"And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea." Rev. 16:3. (See Gen. 1:30, margin.)

Do other creatures besides man have the "breath of life?"
"And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of foul, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man; all in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died." Gen. 7:21, 22.

Is theirs the same breath as man's?
"As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity." Ecc. 3:19.

The breath of life from God was breathed into man's nostrils in the beginning. What does Job call that which is in the nostrils?
"All the while my breath is in me. and the spirit of God is in my nostrils." Job 27:3.
Note: Here we see that God's Breath of Life (also called the spirit of God) is the life giving force given to each by God.

When man gives up the spirit, what becomes of it?
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Eccl. 12:7.
NOTE. - That is, the spirit of life by which man lived, and which was only loaned to him of God, goes back to the great Author of life. It is His, and man can have it eternally, only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. (Rom. 6:23.)When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, which was in the beginning made a "living soul," goes back as it was, to the earth. This "spirit of God" is the force of life and is not the same as God's Holy Spirit which is GOD along with the Heavenly Father and the Son (Jesus Christ).

Can one have the spirit of life with him eternally. unless he has Christ?
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:12.

Why were the first guilty pair driven from the tree of life?
"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever." Gen. 3:22.

What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?
"So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Gen. 3:24.

How are all men in the natural state regarded?
"We all... were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Eph. 2:3.

If the wrath of God abides on a person, of what does it deprive him?
"He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36.

Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Rom. 5:9.

When the sinner has been converted, what then is his prospect for life?
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Col. 3:3, 4.

The word immortal occurs but once in the English Bible (1 Tim. 1:17) , and is there applied to God; is any other said to have immortality?
"Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords: who only hath immortality." 1 Tim. 6:15, 16.

How is this desirable boon brought to light?
"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim 1:10.
NOTE. - Then without the gospel one cannot have immortality, but the death penalty must abide on him.

How does man obtain immortality?
"To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life." Rom. 2:7.
NOTE. - One does not need to seek for a thing which he already possesses.

When will the faithful receive immortality?
"Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.

What is then to be swallowed up?
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Cor. 15:54.

How is this victory gained?
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:51.

NOW FOR A SUMMARY. - We have found that man was made of the dust of the ground, and caused to live by the breath, or spirit, of life from God. The clay thus animated, not the breath of life, is called a "living soul:" or creature, according to the original text. Other creatures live by the same process, and some of them, at least, are plainly called living souls. When man dies, he knows nothing until he lives again, simply because the vitalizing element that caused him to live and move and think has been taken from him, and gone back to its original Possessor. Unless that were brought back to man, he would be forever unconscious in death. But Christ, who is the believer's life, is to appear, and bring back to those who seek for it, that life which they forfeited through sin. It is thus that man obtains immortality.

The Penalty for Disobedience to GOD

So, what are the natural wages earned by our sin?
For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:23

In the old dispensation, how was an idolater punished?
"And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage." Deuteronomy 13:10.

What was done to a blasphemer?
"And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death." Leviticus 24:16.

How was a perverse son punished?
"If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear." Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

What punishment was inflicted upon an adulterer?
"And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death." Leviticus 20:10.

Has the death penalty for sin really been abolished?
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.

Why is not the old penalty executed in this dispensation by gospel ministers?
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

To whom does vengeance belong?
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19.

To whom has the execution of the death penalty for sin been committed?
"For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man." John 5:26,27.

And when will He execute it?
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Jude 1:14,15.

The Importance of Obedience to GOD

How does God regard obedience to His word?
"And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22.

To what are rebellion and stubbornness likened?
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." 1 Samuel 15:23.

What excuse did Saul make for his disobedience?
"And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice." 1 Samuel 15:24.

How strictly does God require His commandments to be kept?
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." Deuteronomy 4:2.

Who was sent from Judah to Bethel with a message from God?
"And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense." 1 Kings 13:1.

What did king Jeroboam invite the man to do?
"And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward." 1 Kings 13:7.

What reply did he return to the king?
"And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest." 1 Kings 13:8,9.

Who also dwelt at Bethel?
"Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father." 1 Kings 13:11.

What did this old prophet say to the man of God?
"Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread." 1 Kings 13:15.

After hearing his refusal, and the reason for it, what did he say to the man of God?
"He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him." 1 Kings 13:18.

What effect did this persuasive statement have upon him?
"So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water." 1 Kings 13:19.

What was the result of his yielding to the lying importunities of the prophet?
"And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers." 1 Kings 13:21,22.

Where was the priest to obtain the fire with which he offered incense in the sanctuary?
"And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:" Leviticus 16:12.

What two priests ventured to disobey this instruction?
"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not." Leviticus 10:1.

And what came of their disobedience?
"And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD." Leviticus 10:2.

For what purpose were these Old Testament examples written?
"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." 1 Corinthians 10:11.

In view of these examples, what ought all to do?
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22.

Who only will enter the kingdom of heaven?
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21.

To whom does Christ liken the man who obeys the word of God?
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." Matthew 7:24,25.

To whom does He liken him who hears, but does not obey?
"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." Matthew 7:26,27.
NOTE. - How important it is that one should obey even what may seem to him a small or unimportant command of God! Be sure that God does not say one thing and mean another. A large part of the world transgress, each week, the fourth commandment. But how can such meet their record in the judgment when the precept reads so plainly, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the lord?"

The Everlasting Gospel in the Old Testament

Rev 14:6
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

So...In what condition did the sin of Adam place the human family?
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" Romans 5:12.

How does the offer of salvation come to all?
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Romans 5:18.

Is there any other way to obtain salvation?
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

Through what specific act are men saved?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8.

By what were the patriarchs to receive the promises of God?
"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all," Romans 4:16.

What did the prophets teach concerning justification through faith?
"Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 2:4.

Through whom did the prophets teach should come the remission of sins?
"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43.

Did Abraham possess this faith?
"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Romans 4:3.
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." John 8:56.

How did Abraham have a view of Christ's day?
"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." Galatians 3:8.

Whose children are all that believe?
"Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." Galatians 3:7.

What did faith in Christ enable Moses to do?
"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." Hebrews 11:24-26.

From what source did the children of Israel draw spiritual life?
"And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:2-4.

Where must the gospel hope have been learned, before the New Testament was written?
"For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" John 5:46,47.

Who inspired the Old Testament writers in their declarations?
"Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter 1:10,11.

From what did Christ preach the gospel to His disciples when on the way to Emmaus?
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27.

Who is both author and finisher of the plan of salvation?
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2.

Just What was Abolished by Christ?

Did our Saviour abolish anything on the cross?
"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace." Ephesians 2:15.
Note- Please keep in mind the two covenants and also remember the difference between the ten commandment law and the ceremonial law (also know as the law of ordinances).

What did He Himself say about the law?
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matthew 5:17.

How long did He say the law would endure?
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18.(See also Luke 16:17).
NOTE. - It is evident, from these texts, that the abolished law was not the law of ten commandments.

What did Paul say of the law of God?
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Romans 7:12.

How did he regard it?
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man." Romans 7:22.

What does one show by keeping the commandments?
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3.
NOTE. - A law that is holy, just, and good, and not grievous, cannot be an "enmity," as was that which Christ abolished.

Does sin still exist?
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8.

Could there be sin now, if Christ abolished the law?
"For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law." Romans 5:13.

What was made possible by abolishing the law of commandments contained in ordinances?
"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." Ephesians 2:12-14.

What was the chief thing that separated the Jews and the Gentiles?
"And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them." Acts 11:2,3.

Was circumcision done away in Christ?
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Galatians 6:15.

After circumcision and the ordinances connected with it lost their force, what still remained of the utmost importance?
"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God." 1 Corinthians 7:19.
NOTE. - There are several distinct objects to which the term law is applied. (1) The ten commandments are by themselves called a law, and are often referred to by that term in the Holy Scriptures. (Exodus 24:12). (2) The ceremonial law of the Jews was given through Moses, and was abolished at the cross (Deuteronomy 31:26). (3) The five historical books of Moses, which in the classification of the Scriptures were called "the law," in contrast with the prophetical and poetical books; as in the expression, "which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me" (Luke 24:44). None need be confused concerning these laws when considering Paul's statements as to what was done away, and what remains ( Romans 3:31; Colossians 2:14). It was not the five historical books of Moses which were nailed to the cross. Conventionally, the term "the law" may still be applied to those books to distinguish them from other portions of the Scriptures. But the types, shadows, and ceremonies of the Jewish system, only, were done away; while the moral law still remains.

God's Law Magnified by Christ

Imagine, just what is the Lord's purpose concerning the law.
"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." Isaiah 42:21.

Why was it necessary to magnify the law?
"It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law." Psalms 119:126.

How was the law "made void" when Christ was on the earth?
"And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." Mark 7:9.(See also Matthew 15:1-9).

What was Christ's attitude toward the law?
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matthew 5:17.

How did He then proceed to magnify the law before His hearers?
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." Matthew 5:21,22.(See also 1 John 3:15.)

What did He say of the seventh commandment?
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:27,28.

Did Christ Himself keep the commandments?
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." John 15:10.

How long did He say the law would last?
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18.

Why did Christ come to earth?
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:3,4.

In order to accomplish this, what was it necessary for Christ to do?
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6.

But if the law could have been abolished, would not that have released men from condemnation?
"Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression." Romans 4:15.
NOTE. - It is plain that if the law of God demanded the death of Christ, and had power to slay Him (Galatians 3:13), the law must still live, even after cursing the Son of God in our behalf. Then by yielding His life to the demands of the law, He magnified it in His death as well as in His life.

Compare The Two Covenants

When God was about to speak the law to Israel, of what did He tell Moses to remind them?
"And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." Exodus 19:3,4.

What covenant did He propose to make with them?
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." Exodus 19:5,6.

What is a covenant?
"A mutual agreement of two or more persons or parties, in writing and under seal, to do or to refrain from some act or thing; a contract." Webster.

When Moses told the people what the Lord had proposed, what did they say?
"And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD." Exodus 19:7,8.

In the Covenant which the Lord proposed to make with Israel, what did He say that they were to do?
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine." Exodus 19:5.

What was His covenant which they were to keep as their part of the mutual agreement or covenant between Him and them?
"And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deuteronomy 4:12,13.

What relation did the ten commandments bear to the covenant made between God and the children of Israel?
As seen by the last text quoted, the ten commandments were the "covenant" to which the Lord referred, when in proposing a covenant with Israel, He said, "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:" Exodus 19:5.
NOTE. - The ten commandments were termed God's covenant before the covenant was made with Israel. They were not an agreement made, but something which God commanded them to perform, and He promised them something, provided they would keep them. Thus the ten commandments, God's covenant, became the basis of the covenant made between Him and Israel. The ten commandments, in all their details, are "all these words," concerning which the covenant was made. See Ex. 24:8.

After God had spoken His law (the "covenant which He commanded," Exodus 20:3-17), did He continue speaking to the people?
"These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me." Deuteronomy 5:22.

What was the nature of the instruction afterward given to Moses (Exodus 20:22,23)?
It was a practical application or explanation of the ten commandments, so that the people might be able better to understand what was involved in the keeping of them. The reference to the altar, how it should be built, and how approached, in Exodus 20:24-26, simply shows the care that God would have taken in His worship. In Exodus 23:14-19 we have other commandments also concerning worship.

As reported in Exodus 24:3, Moses told the people all the words of the Lord, and they promised to be obedient. What did Moses then do, that there might be no misunderstanding?
"And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel." Exodus 24:4.
"And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient." Exodus 24:7.

When the people had again heard the words of the Lord, and again promised obedience (verse 7), what was done to ratify the covenant which had thus been made?
"And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words." Exodus 24:8.
"For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you." Hebrews 9:19,20.
NOTE. - We have here the complete account of the making of the first covenant. It consisted of a promise of obedience to the ten commandments, on the part of the children of Israel, and the statement by the Lord of what He would do for them provided they obeyed His voice.

Is the covenant made at Sinai the only covenant which God made with Israel?
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:" Jeremiah 31:31,32.

What comparison does God make between the two covenants?
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." Hebrews 8:6,7.
Notice: The first covenant was based on what man promised God while the better covenant is based on what God promised man. This better covenant is also called the everlasting covenant and the evelasting gospel.

In what respect was the first covenant faulty?
It must have been faulty in the very particulars wherein the second was better, namely, in the promises, as seen by the last part of Hebrews 8:6: "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." Hebrews 8:6.

What are the promises of the new covenant?
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 8:10-12.
"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jeremiah 31:34.

Are these promises stated in the order of their fulfillment?
It is evident that in Jeremiah 31:33,34, where the promises of the new covenant are more fully stated than in Hebrews 8:10,11, those promises are not stated in the regular order of their fulfillment; because forgiveness of sins is mentioned last, whereas it must necessarily precede the writing of the law in the heart; remembering sin no more, or blotting out of sin; and translating the people to the heavenly Jerusalem, where all shall see and know the Lord. See Isaiah 54:11-13; Revelation 21:2-4.

In the first covenant, to what was Israel's promise really equivalent?
In the first covenant the people promised to keep all the commandments of God, so as to be worthy of a place in His kingdom. This was a virtual promise to make themselves righteous; for God did not promise to help them. But says Christ,
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5.
And the prophet says,
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6.
The only perfect righteousness is God's righteousness, and that can be obtained only through faith in Christ. See Romans 3:20-26. The only righteousness that will insure us an entrance into the kingdom of God, is
"And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Philippians 3:9.
Of those who shall inherit the kingdom of God, the Lord says,
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17.
And the prophet says of Christ, when He has taken His place as king over all the true Israel,
"In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jeremiah 23:6.

Yet what must be done in order to have eternal life?
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:17. (See also Revelation. 22:14.)

Then how could ancient Israel have any chance for eternal life?
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:14,15.
NOTE. - The fact that Christ, as mediator of the second covenant, died for the remission of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, shows that there was no forgiveness by virtue of that first covenant.

How alone can the good works required by the law be manifested in the lives of men?
See John 15:4,5; Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 13:20,21; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 2:20.

In order to have God make us "perfect in every good work to do His will," what must be our position?
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.
"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Romans 6:13.

What is said of the law in the second, or new covenant?
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." Jeremiah 31:33.

Since no such promise was made in the old covenant (see Exodus 19: 5-8; 24:3-7), were not the promises of the new covenant much "better" than those of the old?

When and how was the second covenant ratified?
By the death of Christ:
"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." Daniel 9:27.
"For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." Hebrews 9:16,17.

Then how could the Israelites, or any people before the first advent, derive any benefit from it?
By faith in the promised Redeemer. See. Hebrews 6:13, 16-20; Romans 4:17.

How and in whom was the covenant with Abraham confirmed?
In Christ. See Hebrews 6:13, 16-20; Galatians 3:17.

Is there anything in the second covenant that was not in the Abrahamic covenant?
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:29.
NOTE. - No-one should allow themselves to be confused by the terms first covenant and second covenant. While the covenant made at Sinai is called "the first covenant," it is by no means the first covenant that God ever made with man. Long before He made a covenant with Abraham, and He also made a covenant with Noah, and with Adam. Neither must it be supposed that the first or old covenant existed for a period of time as the only covenant with the people before the promise of the second or new covenant could be shared. If that had been the case, then during that time there would have been no pardon for the people. What is called the "second covenant" virtually existed before the covenant was made at Sinai; for the covenant with Abraham was confirmed in Christ (Galatians 3:17), and it is only through Christ that there is any value to what is known as the second covenant. There is no blessing that can be gained by virtue of the second covenant, that was not promised to Abraham. And we, with whom the second covenant is made, can share the inheritance which it promises, only by being children of Abraham. To be Christ's is the same as to be children of Abraham (Galatians 3:29); all who are of faith are the children of Abraham, and share in his blessing (Galatians 3:7-9); and since no one can have anything except as children of Abraham, it follows that there is nothing in what is called the second covenant that was not in the covenant made with Abraham. The second covenant existed in every feature long before the first, even from the days of Adam. It is called "second" because both its ratification by blood and its more minute statement, were after the ratification of the covenant made at Sinai. More than this, it was the second covenant made with the Jewish people. The one from Sinai was the first made with that nation.

Then why was the covenant made at Sinai?
The Lord was just giving His law. The promise of the Israelites to keep it perfectly, and their failure, brought them face to face with the consequences of violating the law of God. The consciousness of guilt, and a sense of its consequences, would be much more forcibly impressed upon their minds than if they had not made the promise which they did. And being thus brought face to face with their sin, and realizing its full enormity, they would be driven to the only source of help, ample provision for which had been made in the covenant with their father Abraham. Thus it might be said that the first covenant was made in order to bring the second covenant (all the terms of which were the Abrahamic covenant) into bolder relief, and to secure its acceptance by the people.
When it was demonstrated that the first covenant, the Sinai covenant, contained no provisions for pardon of sins, some will at once say, "But they did have pardon under that covenant." The trouble arises from a confusion of terms. It is not denial that under the old covenant, i.e., during the time when it was specially in force, there was pardon of sins, but that pardon was not offered in the old covenant, and could not be secured by virtue of something else, as shown by Hebrews 9:15. Not only was there the opportunity of finding free pardon of sins, and grace to help in time of need, during the time of the old covenant, but the same opportunity existed before that covenant was made, by virtue of God's covenant with Abraham, which differs in no respect from that made with Adam and Eve, except that we have the particulars given more in detail. We see, then, that there was not necessity for provisions to be made in the Sinai covenant for forgiveness of sins. The plan of salvation was developed long before the gospel was preached to Abraham (Galatians 3:8), and was amply sufficient to save to the uttermost all who would accept it; the covenant at Sinai was made for the purpose of making the people see the necessity of accepting the gospel.
Hebrews 9:1 is a text that hinders many from seeing that all God's blessings to man are gained by virtue of the second covenant, and not by the first. That text reads: "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." This, together with the fact that when men complied with these ordinances of divine service, they were forgiven (Leviticus 4), seems to some conclusive evidence that the old covenant contained the gospel and its blessings. But forgiveness of sins was not secured by virtue of those offerings. "for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins." Hebrews 10:4. Forgiveness was obtained only by virtue of the promised sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:15), the mediator of the new covenant, their faith in whom was shown by their offerings. So it was by virtue of the second or new covenant that pardon was secured to those who offered the sacrifices provided for in the ordinances of divine service connected with the old or first covenant.
Moreover, those "ordinances of divine service" formed no part of the first covenant. If they had, they must have been mentioned in the making of that covenant; but they were not. They were connected with it, but not a part of it. They were simply the means by which the people acknowledged the justice of their condemnation to death for the violation of the law which they had covenanted to keep, and their faith in the mediator of the new covenant.
In brief, then, God's plan in the salvation of sinners, whether now or in the days of Moses, is: The law went home emphatically to the individual, to produce conviction of sin, and thus to drive the sinner to seek freedom; then the acceptance of Christ's gracious invitation, which was extended long before, but which the sinner would not listen to; and lastly, having accepted Christ, and being justified by faith, the manifestation of the faith, through the ordinances of. the gospel, and the living of a life of righteousness by faith in Christ.

Not Justified by the Law

What positive statement does the apostle make concerning the law?
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.

What does the law do?
"What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Romans 7:7. (See Romans 3:20, last clause).

Will the law do this work for others besides the Jews?
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Romans 3:19.

What is the nature of God's law?
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Romans 7:12.

It is manifest that a law, the office of which is to point out sin, can never justify one from the transgressions of that law. How, then, can man be justified?
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24.

But does the fact that we are subjects of God's grace, give us license to sin?
"What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Romans 6:15,16.

How must those walk who would be free from condemnation?
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1.

The End of the Law

To the believer what does Christ become?
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Romans 10:4.

In what sense is the word end (Greek, telos) sometimes used in the Scriptures? Object, intention, or design?
"Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." James 5:11.

What was the object of the law?
"And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." Romans 7:10.

What further is the end, or object, of the law?
"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:" 1 Timothy 1:5.

What is charity, or love?
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Romans 13:10. (See also 1 John 5:3).

Why did God send His Son to the world?
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:3,4.

Then what is one enabled to do through Christ?
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:4.

Ten Commandments and the Ceremonial Laws

By what are all men to be judged at last?
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." James 2:12.

With what other law were the people of God for a time concerned, which is not to judge them?
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Colossians 2:14-17.


The first Law is called "the moral law," summarily contained in the decalogue (The Ten Commandments); the second is known as the "ceremonial or typical law" of the Jewish dispensation.

What is the relation of the moral law to sin?
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4.

How early in the history of our world was this law applicable?
"For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." 1 Timothy 2:13,14.

Since this law was binding on man previous to his fall, what did it cover?
His relations to God and to His fellow creatures:
"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matthew 22:35-39.

When and for what reason were laws of a ceremonial or typical nature introduced?
They were introduced after man had sinned, and were instituted because God in mercy provided a plan of redemption or a remedial system.
"And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:" Genesis 4:3,4.
"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh." Hebrews 11:4.

How was the moral law communicated to the people at Sinai?
"And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. "And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deuteronomy 4:12,13.

How was the ceremonial law communicated to them?
"And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock." Leviticus 1:1,2.
"This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings; Which the LORD commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai." Leviticus 7:37,38.

On what, and by whom, was the moral law written?
"And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deuteronomy 4:12,13.

In what, and by whom, was the ceremonial law written?
"And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant." Nehemiah 9:14.
"And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel." Nehemiah 8:1.

Were the ten commandments a distinct and complete law by themselves?
"These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me." Deuteronomy 5:22.
"And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them." Exodus 24:12.

Was the ceremonial law composed of rules or ordinances?
"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;" Ephesians 2:15.

What is the nature of the moral law?
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." Psalms 19:7.

Was perfection to be secured by the ceremonial law?
"Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;" Hebrews 9:9.

How did the prophet Isaiah say that Christ would treat the moral law when He should appear on earth as the great teacher?
"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." Isaiah 42:21.

How did Christ fulfill this prophecy?
By opening before the people the deep spiritual nature of the law, living in perfect obedience to both letter and the spirit of all its requirements, and giving His life to save men from the penalty of its transgression. See Matthew 5:17-48; John 15:10; 1 Peter 2:22; Romans 4:25.

How long was the ceremonial law to continue?
"Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation." Hebrews 9:10.

When was this time of reformation?
"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." Hebrews 9:11,12.

How did Christ's death affect the ceremonial law?
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." Colossians 2:14.
"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;" Ephesians 2:15.

What was the object of the ceremonial law?
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect." Hebrews 10:1.

What does Paul say of the holiness and spirituality of the moral law?
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Romans 7:12.
"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin." Romans 7:14.

How does faith in Christ affect our relation to the moral law?
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Romans 3:31.

How does dependence on the ceremonial law affect our relation to Christ?
"Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." Galatians 5:2.

How long does Christ say that the moral law is to endure?
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18.

To which code of laws does the Sabbath commandment belong?
"And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Genesis 2:2,3.

GOD's Law before Sinai

Moral Obligation in the Patriarchal Age

How long has sin reigned?
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8.

What others sinned with Satan?
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;" 2 Peter 2:4.

Can there be sin where there is no law?
"Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression." Romans 4:15.

How was the first death brought about?
"And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." Genesis 4:8.

What was the difference between the characters of the two men?
"Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." 1 John 3:12.

Did the Lord impute sin to Cain for taking the life of his brother?
"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand." Genesis 4:7-11.

In what condition was mankind before the flood?
"The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence." Genesis 6:11.

What did God purpose to do with the people of that day?
"And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth." Genesis 6:13.

What was Noah called?
"And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly." 2 Peter 2:5.

Why did the Lord destroy Sodom?
"But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly." Genesis 13:13.
"For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it." Genesis 19:13.

By what standard were their deeds weighed?
"And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.)" 2 Peter 2:7,8.

What did Joseph say when he was tempted on a certain point?
"There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Genesis 39:9.

What did God tell Abraham concerning the Amorites?
"But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." Genesis 15:16.

Of what sin were they specially guilty?
"And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel." 1 Kings 21:26.

Why did the Lord abhor the nations that occupied Canaan before Israel?
"Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out. And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them." Leviticus 20:22,23.

Why did God make His promise to the seed of Abraham?
"Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Genesis 26:5.

What will the children of Abraham do?
"They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." John 8:39.

Who are the children of Abraham?
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:29.

GOD's Law as Given at Sinai

How does Nehemiah describe the giving of the law at Sinai?
"Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: and madest known unto them Thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses." Nehemiah 9:13, 14.

What was the primary advantage possessed by the Hebrews?
"What advantage then hath the Jew?... chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." Romans 3:1, 2.
NOTE: The law was not spoken at this time exclusively for the Hebrews. God honored them by making them the guardians and keepers of His law, to be held by them as a sacred trust for the whole world. The precepts of the Decalogue are adapted to all mankind, and they were given for the instruction and government of all.

"We have already seen that, unlike the ceremonial and civil codes which were given to Israel as the chosen people and holy nation, the moral law is intended for all mankind, and it has never been abrogated nor repealed?" --William C. Procter, Moody Bible Institute Monthly (copyrighted), December, 1933, p. 160.

Before the law was given at Sinai, how did Moses render judgment to the people?
"When they have a matter, they come unto me and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws." Exodus 18:16.

In the wilderness, before reaching Sinai, how did Moses explain the absence of the manna on the seventh day?
"He said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord... Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none." Exodus 16:23-26.

When some of the people went out to gather manna on the seventh day, what did the Lord say to Moses?
"And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws?" Verse 28.
NOTE: lt is evident therefore that the Sabbath and the law of God existed before the law was given at Sinai.

What additional evidence do we have that the moral law of Ten Commandments existed before it was proclaimed at Mount Sinai?
"By one's disobedience many were made sinners." Romans 5:19. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4.
NOTE: The one man through whom sin entered into this world was Adam. Since sin is the transgression of the law, it follows that the law existed in Eden, else there would have been no transgression, noun. "In the creation He wrote it in men's hearts, and hence it is called the Law of nature. Rom. 2:15. . . . "27. Has not God revealed this law in any other way? "Yes, He gave it on Mount Sinai, written on two table. of stone." -—Epitome of Pontoppidan's Explanation of Martin Luther's Small Catechism, translated from Norwegian by Edmund Belfour (1935).

How were the Ten Commandments first presented to the people at Sinai?
"God spake all these words, saying,... Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Exodus 20:1-3.

How was it then written down as a permanent record?
"He gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." Ex. 31:18.
NOTE: The law of God, as well as the knowledge of creation, the plan of redemption, and the experiences of the early patriarchs, had been handed down from father to son until this time, but not in written form. He wrote the Ten Commandments upon two tables of stone with His own finger.

How did Moses show that the children of Israel had broken their part of the covenant between them and God?
"It came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the [golden] calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount." Exodus 32:19.

With what exactness did the Lord write the law the second time?
"He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the Lord spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the Lord gave them unto me." Deuteronomy 10:4.

Where did Moses place these two tables of stone?
"I... put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the Lord commanded me." Verse 5.

What other law was also given at this time?
"When Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished." Deut. 31:24.
NOTE: Besides the Ten Commandment law, the Lord gave to Moses instruction concerning the sanctuary service, which was ceremonial, and certain civil laws regulating the subjects of the nation. These laws were written by Moses in a book, and are called the law of Moses, whereas the other law was written on tables of stone with the finger of God.

Why did the Lord call His people out of the land of Egypt?
"He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness:... that they might observe His statutes, and keep His laws." Psalm 105:43-45.

How were they to teach the law to their children?
"Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sit test in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 6:7.

What promise to Israel hinged on their keeping the instructions that He had given them?
"Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." Exodus 19:5, 6.

Was this promise made to the Jews alone?
"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Genesis 12:1-3.
If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:19.
NOTE: From these texts it will be readily seen that God had not one provision of grace and one law for the Jew and another means of salvation and another law for the Gentile; but the plan was that through Abraham's seed all the families of the earth should be recipients of divine grace and should receive the blessing through obedience.

What reveals that the Ten Commandment law, given at Sinai, is the law for the Christian?
"Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all, For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." James 2:10-12.
NOTE: James, years after the Christian era began, emphasizes the obligation of the Christian to keep the law of Ten Commandments, not merely one precept, but all, and sets forth this law as the standard by which men will be judged in the great day of God. To us, as Christians, God has committed the blessed law in writing, as He did to ancient Israel. This law points out sin to us, that we may confess it and find forgiveness. And when this law is written in our hearts in the new covenant experience (Hebrews 8:10), it also becomes to us the law of life.

What is the wages of sin?
"The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23. "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Genesis 2: 17. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezekiel 18:4.

How did death enter this world?
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12.

God is merciful, but will His mercy clear the guilty?
"The Lord is long suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty." Numbers 14:18. (See Exodus 34:5-7.)

What is the result of willfully sinning against God?
"If we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:26-29.

To whom is the execution of judgment given?
"Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19. "The Father hath... given to the Son... authority to execute judgement also." John 5:26, 27. (See Jude 14-15.)

What presumptuous way of life do many pursue?
"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Ecclesiastes 8:11.

What message has God sent to men by His appointed messengers?
"Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him. "for the reward of his hands shall be given him." Isaiah 3:10, 11. "We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us." 2 Corinthians 5:20. (See 2 Timothy 2:24-26.)

How can man escape the penalty of sin?
"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.
NOTE: "God threatens to punish all who transgress these Commandments: we should, therefore, fear his anger, and do nothing against such Commandments. But He promised grace and every blessing to all who keep them: we should, therefore, love and trust in Him, and gladly obey His Commandments." -—Luther's Small Catechism, in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Harper), Vol. 3, p. 77.

"Through the atonement of Christ more honor is done to the law, and consequently the law is more established, than if the law had been literally executed, and all mankind had been condemned." -—Jonathan Edwards (Congregationalist), Works (1842 ad.), Vol.2, p. 369.

The Perpetuity of the Law

Where must all men appear?"
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10.

What will be the standard in the judgment?
"So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." James 2:12 (Rom. 3:19).

In what condition are all men?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.

How many are included in the "all" who have sinned?
"What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise; for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin." Rom. 3:9.

By what are all men thus proved guilty?
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Rom. 3:19.
NOTE: It is what the law says, and not what one may interpret it to mean, that proves the sinner guilty. Moreover, God is no respecter of persons, but treats Jew and Gentile alike. All the world, says the text, become guilty before God.

What effect does faith in Christ have upon the law?
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.

In what did the apostle Paul delight?
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man." Rom. 7:22.

How does the carnal mind stand related to the law of God?
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7.

How long did the Saviour say all the law would be in force?
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all [Greek, all things] be fulfilled." Matt. 5:18.
NOTE: "As long as the world endured, not the least word, or letter, or point, or comma (so to speak), of the whole law, should by any means lose its authority, or fail of answering the end for which it was given; and the moral law would, to the end of time, continue the standard of sin and holiness to all men, and the believer's rule of duty." --Thomas Scott, D.D., on Matt. 5:18.

When asked which was the great commandment in the law, what answer did Christ make?
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. 22:37-39.

What did He say hung on these two requirements?
"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt. 22:40.
NOTE: As long as these two great commandments continue, all the law must exist, as well; for it is suspended on, and inherent in, these two great principles of love. As long as these last, that must continue. If one loves God with all his heart, he will not worship idols nor images, neither will he profane the name of God. He will remember the day which God has set apart as a day of worship. So, if one loves his neighbor as himself, he will not kill him, steal from him, lie about him, or covet his possessions, etc. It is plain that if one had in his heart the two principles of love set forth by the Saviour, he must keep the law of God in all its parts.

What does the apostle say about the practice of Christ in keeping the law?
"And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin." 1 John 3:5.

What does Christ say of Himself in this respect?
"I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." John 15:10.

If one would abide in Christ, what ought he to do?
"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." 1 John 2:6.

How does James say one may be blessed in his deeds?
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:25.

What is said of those who profess to know the Lord, and yet do not keep His commandments?
"He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4.

What is the test whereby one may know he has passed from death unto life?
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." 1 John 3:14.

How may one be sure he loves the brethren?
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments." 1 John 5:2.

And what is the love of God?
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." 1 John 5:3.

What will characterize the "remnant" church?
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17.

Nature of God's Law

How may lawgivers are there?
"There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" James 4:12.

What is said of the stability of His character?
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Malachi 3:6.

What is the character of His works?
"The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness." Psalms 111:7,8.

What is the character of His law?
"For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin." Romans 7:14.

What is revealed in that law as necessary for the carnal man to know before he can be converted?
"And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law." Romans 2:18.

Then, if there is a change in one's life, from the carnal to the spiritual, does the law act any part in that work?
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." Psalms 19:7.

What did our Saviour say to the young man who wanted salvation?
"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:17.

Was it the intention of Christ to abolish or change any part of God's law?
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18.

What did the Saviour say He came to do to the law?
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matthew 5:17.

When used in prophecy, what does the word fulfill mean? To bring to pass.
"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying." Matthew 4:14.
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:54.

But what does the word mean associated with an obligation? - To perform, or act in accordance with.
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2. (See also Matthew 3:15 and James 2:8,9).

What did Christ say He came into the world to do?
"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God." Hebrews 10:5-7.

Who did the Saviour say should be saved in the kingdom of heaven?
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21.

What did He say of those who should break one of God's commandments?
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19.

What did He say of those whose righteousness (right-doing) did not exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees?
"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20.

On what particular point did Christ reprove the Pharisees?
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" Matthew 15:3.

How had they done this?
"For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." Matthew 15:4-6.

What kind of worship did He say theirs was?
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:9.

By what rule will men's actions be weighed in the judgment?
"For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Romans 2:12-16.

How many of those who are condemned will be proved guilty by the law at that time?
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Romans 3:19.

By whom will the saved be blessed in the bestowal of the eternal reward?
"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25:34.

What blessing will God give to those who have kept His commandments?
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:14.