Confusion reigns over Sabbath laws
IN response to Mr Boyd’s letter (December 19) concerning the Sabbath commandment, much of the confusion relating to the law of God is due to a lack of understanding regarding its three-fold division.
There is in scripture the civil law which was given to regulate the social life of the nation of Israel. While many helpful lessons can be learned for modern society by the civil laws, they are not binding upon us today.
There is also the ceremonial law which was instituted to govern the Israelites’ religious life. Its rites and rituals, often involving animal sacrifices, were pictures of the one and only sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. Having made atonement “for sins for ever” (Hebrews 10:12), Christ fulfilled all the types and shadows of the ceremonial law and, therefore, though wonderful to consider, there is now no further need of it.
Then there is the moral law, summarily comprehended in the 10 commandments, which were given to teach man his moral duty towards God and his fellow man. Unlike the civil and ceremonial laws, the moral law is incumbent on all men in all ages.
New Testament doctrine shows that the breaking of God’s law today is as great a sin as such transgression was in the day of Moses when it was first given, “for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19,20). And without that knowledge none will recognise the need for God’s salvation from sin.
The moral law reveals the holiness of God and man’s sinfulness and inability to save himself. Countless souls have perished believing the law to be a means of meriting salvation, though the Bible clearly states: “By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians. 2:16). Having condemned us, ultimately, “the law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ” (Galatians 3:24); to trust in His justifying blood and perfect righteousness or law-keeping as the only way of salvation.
On the other hand, numerous professing Christians presume it is possible to be saved and yet live in almost total disregard of God’s holy law. True conversion, however, brings not only liberty from the penalty of the law, but an ability to live in accord with the precept of the law (Romans 6:2). Those who are born of God not only desire this holiness, they delight in it. In these last days when the spirit of “lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) abounds, it needs to be stressed that while holiness of life is not a condition of salvation, it is an indispensable consequence of salvation (Hebrews 12:14).
Sadly, though undoubtedly unintended, Mr Boyd’s letter tends to encourage this spirit of lawlessness. He cites Romans 14:5 as a reason not to honour the Lord’s Day above any other day. However, the apostle Paul in this passage refers to the ceremonial law and its regard, for instance, of certain days such as Passover, Pentecost and other feast or festival days.
Here again, Christ, in His person and work, brought these days to an end while at the same time, it must be emphasised, establishing the sanctity of His own. Following His example, the New Testament church unanimously observed the Lord’s Day by meeting together, primarily, for the preaching of His Word, giving men and women the opportunity of hearing His glorious Gospel proclaimed.
For all who love the Lord and the souls of men, the increasing disregard and desecration, not only of the Lord’s Day, but of all His commands, is a source of grief knowing that such disobedience hastens divine judgment.
Would to God we as a nation might trust and obey Him and experience the return of His favour and saving power.
Rev Kevin McLeod, Rasharkin Free Presbyterian Church
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amadeus
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 12:29 AMFrom a Christian perspective I would like to pose a question to any Christians reading this. I am told that the food and ceremonial aspects of the Law of Moses have passed away but that the moral aspects of the Law remain binding today. So I would like to know, are any or all of these 4 specific aspects of the Law of Moses still applicable today? 1. a man has the right to marry a prisoner of war, if she takes his fancy, and after the man has slept with her, if he doesn't like her he can send her away (Deuteronomy 21 10-14.) 2. if a man rapes a virgin (who is not engaged to another man) he must pay her father 50 shekels of silver, he must marry her and must not divorce her ever.(Deuteronomy 22 v 28-29) 3.if a man marries a girl and then suspects she was not a virgin he can demand her parents provide proof of her virginity publically. If they can the man is fined 100 shekels of silver. If they can't the girl must be stoned to death at her father's front door. ( Deuteronomy 22 v 13-21) 4"Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living in your country and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life" (.Leviticus 25 v 44-46 ). thank you.
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