First the Question: For more than seven years after the death and Resurrection of Christ it was still not lawful for the Twelve to go to Gentiles. To this extent the Twelve were still under the law. True or False?
Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day
And now the answer to the LLM Question of 11-25-2011
Question: Before the Law was given at Sinai, there were NO Old Testament saints. True or False?
Answer: TRUE! Let us first of all, get these facts firmly and clearly fixed in our minds and hearts: “From Adam to Moses”, before the law was given at Sinai, there were NO Old Testament saints; for that which we call the Old Testament or Old Covenant was not entered into by the children of Israel and Ya-Hweh until Moses was eighty years old. This was about 1492 B. C. Now, out of the 634 responses we received to this question only 52.9% of you got it right. So, we have more work to do in this area. Therefore, today let us consider,
THE LLM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS – THE INTRODUCTION, PART 2 of 7
AND NOW - FROM ADAM TO MOSES
Romans 5:12-14, “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. For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who the figure of Him that was to come.”
Here we note the universal law of sin and death. Sin and death entered by Adam and, by him, passed upon every member of the human race. Death reigned “from Adam to Moses” “when there is no law.” Note these facts, “from Adam to Moses”; that is, from Adam’s sin until the law was given when Moses was eighty years of age, which was about 1492 B. C. About 2500 years after the offence entered by Adam the law entered by Moses that the offence might abound. Romans 5:20. “The law was given by Moses: Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17. But when did the reign of Grace begin? Unto the Apostle Paul, the RISEN Christ committed for the Gentiles, “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” and the “unsearchable riches of Christ”. Ephesians 3:1-8.
Before we note some of the events recorded in the Bible during the period (about 2500 years) which the Holy Spirit designates “from Adam to Moses”, let us note something of progressive revelation by studying several verses of Scripture:
“From Adam to Moses”—“When there is no law” Romans 5:13-14
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded Grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20. “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hands of a mediator.” Galatians 3:19.
“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Luke 16:16.
“And He (Christ) came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16. “And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.” Matthew 8:4. “Then spoke Jesus to the multitude and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” Matthew 23:1-3. “The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” John 19:7.
“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. And that He might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” Ephesians 2:15-16. “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. “And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished.” 2 Cor. 3:13.
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4. “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the Body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him Who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Romans 7:4. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14.
“And he (Peter) said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Acts 10:28.
“And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law.” 1 Corinthians 9:20.
Let us first of all, get these facts firmly and clearly fixed in our minds and hearts: “From Adam to Moses”, before the law was given at Sinai, there were NO Old Testament saints; for that which we call the Old Testament or Old Covenant was not entered into by the children of Israel and Ya-Hweh until Moses was eighty years old. This was about 1492 B. C.
Again there was no Old Testament or Old Covenant from Moses to the death of Christ on the cross. There was a Law Covenant, but during those more than 1500 years it was not OLD. “In that He saith, A New Covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13. It was made old by the death of Christ on the cross. “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 9:15.
The law entered that the offence might abound. The offence entered by Adam. The Law entered by Moses, about 2500 years after the offence entered. The Law was added till…TILL. The “Law Dispensation,” the reign of law, was parenthetical and temporary. The law, or the (Old) Covenant, added at Sinai was taken out of the way at Calvary. However there was an overlapping of the law into some of the program of Acts.
The law was added to the Gospel preached by God to Abram in uncircumcision. The law was added 430 years after God preached the Gospel to Abram. Galatians 3:8; Galatians 3:17. Romans 4:9-11. In other words, the covenant (now old) was given by Moses 430 Years after the covenant that God made with Abram. The covenant with Abram and the covenant with Abraham (before and after circumcision) has NOT been abolished. The “Moses Covenant” has been abolished. It was added TILL Abraham’s Seed came. There are prophecies given forth, during the reign of law, which are yet to be fulfilled.
But how about Luke 16:16? “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Does this mean that the proclamation of John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” closed the “law Dispensation” and ushered in the Dispensation of Grace? There is a world of difference between Grace in a Dispensation and “the Dispensation of Grace”.
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of woman, made under the Law.” Galatians 4:4. “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” Romans 15:8. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17.
We have in these verses above, and in many others, the answer to the question. The law was not only until John, but until Calvary and Acts 10:28.
Ephesians 2:13-17, 2 Cor. 3:7-17, and Colossians 2:14, tell us just WHEN the Law was taken out of the way. It was: when Christ died on the cross.
“Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
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