The Law | Its Role and Purpose | Acts 15 | Galatians 1, 2, and 3
Recently, old errors related to the misuse of the Mosaic Law have surfaced with new names. Parts of the Hebrew Roots movement have drifted into Judaizing error, seining to earn merit or favor from God through strict adherence to Mosaic Law and tradition. Some (not all) have even denied the gospel in the process. Additionally, many “evangelicals” have adopted antinomian error, denying the unchanging moral law. What purpose does the Law of God serve? How are Christians to see the Law now? We address these and other questions related to the Law in this sermon, focusing on Acts 15 and Galatians 1, 2, and 3.
What Is Meant By “The Law”?
God's righteousness is universal, written on the hearts of men (Romans 2:12-16), predating the Law of Moses (Romans 1:18ff), reflected in the Law of Mosses (Romans 2:17ff), and still unchanging. God's righteousness remains, no matter what.
Law (Pentateuch)=First five books of the Old Testament, including commands given in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.
Law (Old Testament)=At times, the whole of the OT is referred to as "The Law" (Matt. 22:36; Luke 10:26; John 7:49; 10:34; 12:34; 15:25; 1 Cor. 9:8–9; 14:21, 34; Gal. 4:21) or "The Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 5:17; 7:12; 22:40; Luke 16:16; 24:44; John 1:45; Acts 13:15; 24:14; 28:23; Rom. 3:21; cf. Matt. 11:13)
Law (Commands of God)=At times, Paul refers to the Law in reference to God's commands themselves (Rom. 3:21; 9:31; 10:4; Gal. 2:21; 3:11; 5:4; Phil. 3:6, 9, Eph. 2:15)
What is the Purpose of the Law?
Mirror: The Law shows us we are sinful because we can't keep it, even when we try (Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 5:13; 7:7-11), and it drives us to seek forgiveness in Christ (Gal. 3:19-24).
Restraint: Applied to the civil sphere, the Law is used to restrain sin with the consequence of punishment (Deut. 13:6-11; 19:16-21; Rom. 13:3, 4).
Guide: God has prepared good works for believers (Eph. 2:10), and we are commanded to obey God's commands (Matt. 28:20) which shows our love for Him (John 14:15). We are free from the Law as a means of salvation (Rom. 6:14; 7:4, 6; 1 Cor. 9:20; Gal. 2:15-19, 3:25), but we are "under the law of Christ" as a rule for living (1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).
Errors Related to the Law:
Antinomianism: Shunning obedience to all of the OT Law, including the moral aspects of the Law.
Judaizers: Those who believed that gentile Christians must become Jews to be saved (circumcision, dietary laws, ceremonial laws, etc.)
Hebrew Roots: Belief that Greek and other pagan influences have dominated Christianity. Adherents (generally) believe that Christians must follow (all of) the OT Law and (generally) rabbinic tradition.
Seventh Day Adventist: Cultic group that follows the teaching of a false prophet Ellen White. They deny essential doctrines and focus on obeying certain ceremonial traditions such as Saturday worship.
LBC 1689
During and after religious persecution and civil war under Charles I and Charles II, Presbyterians and Baptists produced statements of faith to summarize Scriptural beliefs, communicate distinctions, and establish unity. The Westminster Confession of Faith became the statement adopted by Presbyterians. The London Baptist Confession of 1689 was modeled after the Westminster Confession, sharing the same essentials while providing clarity on a few baptist distinctives. We hold to the LBC 1689, though the differences between it and WCF are small.
