The Moral and Ceremonial Laws

The Royal Moral Law

What title of distinction is given the law of God?

“If you keep the royal law found in the Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.” James 2:8.

By what law is the knowledge of sin?

“What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” Romans 7:7.

Note – The law that says this is the Ten Commandments.

By what are all men to be finally judged?

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14. “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.” James 2:12. 

Note – The law of liberty, which says, “Do not commit adultery” and “Do not kill” (verse 11), and is styled “the royal law” (verse 8), that is, the kingly law, is the law by which men are to be judged.

The Ceremonial Law and System

What system was introduced following man’s transgression?

The sacrificial system with its rites pointing to Christ.

How early was this sacrificial system known?

“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” Hebrews 11:4. (See Genesis 4:3-5; 8:20.)

Note – The patriarch Job offered sacrifices (See Job 1:4,5.)

Moral and Ceremonial Compared

Who proclaimed the Ten Commandments law?

“Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. He declared his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them down on two stone tablets.”

Deuteronomy 4:12,13. 

How was the ceremonial law made known to Israel?

“The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. He said, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When any of you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd of the flock.” Leviticus 1:1,2.   “These, then, are the regulations for the burnt offering, the grain offering, the ordination offering and the fellowship offering, which the Lord gave to Moses on Mount Sinai on the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the Lord, in the Desert of Sinai.” Leviticus 7:37,38.

Note – Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a Church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties. All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated under the New Testament.

On what did God write the Ten Commandments?

“He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and wrote them on two stone tablets.” Deuteronomy 4:13.

In what were the laws of sacrifices written?

“They set aside the burnt offerings to give them to the subdivisions of the families of the people to offer to the Lord, as it is written in the Book of Moses. 2 Chronicles 35:12.

Where were the Ten Commandments placed?

“He too the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover over it.” Exodus 40:20. 

Where did Moses direct his law book to be placed?

“Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. There it will remain as a witness against you.” Deuteronomy 31:26. 

What is the nature of God’s precepts?

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.” Romans 7:14. 

Note – The law of God is a divine law, holy, heavenly, perfect. Those who find fault with the law, or in the least degree depreciate it, do not understand its design, and have no right idea of the law itself. Paul says, ‘The law is holy, but I am carnal; sold under sin.’ In all we ever say concerning justification by faith, we never intend to lower the opinion which our hearers have of the law, for the law is one of the most sublime of God’s works. There is not a commandment to many; there is not one too few; but it is so incomparable, that its perfection is a proof of its divinity.

Could offerings made perfect the believer’s conscience?

“This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.” Hebrews 9:9. 

Until what time was the ceremonial law imposed?

‘They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings – external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” Verse 10.

When was the time of reformation?

‘When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of creation. He did not enter by means of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his won blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” Verses 11,12. 

How did Christ’s death affect the ceremonial law?

“By abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. Hi purpose was to create in himself one man out of two, thus making peace.” Ephesians 2:15.

What signified that the sacrificial system was ended?

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up the spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.” Matthew 27: 50,51.  

In what words had the prophet Daniel foretold the end of the Jewish sacrificial system?

“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the one seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple, he will set up an abomination that caused desolation, until the end that is declared is poured out on him Daniel 9:27.

Why was the ceremonial law taken away?

“The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:18, 19.

The Two Laws Contrasted

The Moral law                                    

1.  Is called the “royal law.” James 2:8                 

2.  Was spoken by God. Deuteronomy 4:12,13

3.  Was written by God on tables of stone. Exodus 24:12.

4.  Was written “with the finger of God” on stone. Exodus 31:18

5.  Was placed in the ark. Exodus 40:20; 1 Kings 8:9; Hebrews 9:4.

6.  Is “perfect.” Psalm 19:7.

7.  Is to “stand” fast for ever and ever.” Psalm 111:7,8.

8.  Was not destroyed by Christ. Matthew 5:17.

9.  Was to be magnified by Christ. Isaiah 42:21.

10. Gives knowledge to sin. Romans 3:20; 7:7. 

The Ceremonial Law

1.  Is called “the law… contained in ordinances” Ephesians 2:15.

2.  Was spoken by Moses. Leviticus 1:1-3.

3.  Was “the handwriting of ordinances. Colossians 2:14.

4.  Was written by Moses in a book. 2 Chronicles 35:12.

5.  Was placed in the side of the ark. Deuteronomy 31:24-26.

6.  “Made nothing perfect.” Hebrews 7:19

7.  Was nailed to the cross. Colossians 2:14.

8.  Was abolished by Christ. Ephesians 2:15.

9.  Was taken out of the way by Christ. Colossians 2:14.

10.Was instituted in consequence of sin. Leviticus 3-7.   

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