The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
August 3, 2003
In
This Issue:
"He
Taketh Away the First"
By
Greg Gwin
"He Taketh Away The First"
Legislative bodies meet with regularity to plan, compose, and debate changes to our laws. We are frequently faced with new regulations and revisions of old statutes. All of this, we are led to believe, results in a more efficient government, more attuned to the needs of the people. The outcome, more often than not, is questionable. Regardless, when the laws change, it is important that those who are under those laws know about the change and make necessary adjustments to be in compliance.
From earliest times God has had a law for man to live by. Even in Eden's perfect environment there were rules to be observed (Genesis 2:15,16). It is clear that Adam and Eve understood not only the rules, but also the consequences of disobedience (Genesis 3:2,3). That pattern, established with the first man and woman, continues to this day -- God clearly sets forth the laws, blesses those who obey, and punishes those who do not.
Throughout thousands of years of dealing with mankind, God has seen fit to change His laws on only a few rare occasions. At first, as with Adam, God conveyed His law directly to the patriarchs of families. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others knew of God's will in this fashion. God spoke, and men knew without doubt what His will was. When there was a change - any new instruction - a direct message from God made it known.
Later, a specific law for the children of Israel was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Again, clear notice was given -- the earth shook and the mountain smoked (Exodus 20:18). The people had no doubt that a new law had been given (Exodus 19:9; 20:19).
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son..." (Hebrews 1:1,2). For us, a new and final law has been given. It is the New Testament will of Jesus Christ. As He has always done, God made it clear that a new law was in force. This new law "first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him" (Hebrews 2:3). But notice: "God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will" (vs. 4). The miraculous gifts of the first century were the proof that a new law was being delivered. The supernatural feats of the apostles and other Christians served as official notice that a change had been made. As the early disciples "went forth, and preached every where, the Lord work(ed) with them, and confirm(ed) the word with signs following" (Mark 16:20).
The effect of all of this was the "blotting out (of) the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, (Jesus) took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross" (Colossians 2:14). Clearly, the law given to Moses was abolished, and we are no longer responsible for its regulations pertaining to "meat, or drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days" (vs. 16).
Early Christians hotly debated this change in the law. Some, known as Judaizing teachers, insisted that certain requirements of the Law of Moses must still be obeyed. Meetings were held (Acts 15) and several inspired epistles were written to establish once and for all that the Law of Moses was abrogated. Paul wrote that "before faith came, we were kept under the law" (Galatians 3:23). He explained that "the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (vs. 24). He concluded by saying, "after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster" (vs. 25). Do you see it? The law was "our schoolmaster" and "we are no longer under a schoolmaster?" This is such an important point that Paul added: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (5:4).
The Hebrew writer proclaimed this change in unmistakable fashion. He forcefully described Jesus as our high priest, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchisedec (5:10, 6:20, 7:11). And, he argued that "the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (7:12). In great detail he expounded on the "faults" of the Mosaic Law and the need for a "better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (8:6-8). That first covenant was insufficient, he urged, because the repeated sacrifice of animals (9:7,25) was not effectual in taking away sins (10:4). Finally, he concluded that, "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" (10:9). Without a doubt, God's law has been changed. As He has always done, the Father has given clear and definitive notice of this change in the law.
Some may be inclined to offer a loud "SO WHAT?" to all of this discussion about law, covenants, changes, etc. What does it matter? Why should we care? What difference does it make?
Imagine what would happen if man's laws changed, but the changes were never announced, and those subject to the new laws failed to comply. It is not hard to visualize the total chaos of some people attempting to live under one set of rules, and others doing something entirely different. Activities ranging from simply driving on the streets to the billion dollar operations of major corporations would become impossible. Anarchy would soon result. Certainly, we all understand the need for law, and for that law to be well established and publicly known.
The laws of God must, likewise, be well established and known by all. We cannot hope to have unity and peaceful relationships in a religious world that cannot agree upon what laws of God are in force. Unfortunately, there is much ignorance concerning that fact that the Law of Moses has been abolished, and that the law of Christ revealed in the New Testament is now the law that we must obey.
In a very practical way, understanding this change in the law is necessary in order to avoid what would otherwise be some gross contradictions in the Bible. For instance, the Law of Moses demanded the observance of the sabbath day. It required repeated animal sacrifices. Specific and strict dietary regulations were placed upon the adherents. But, in the New Testament, we read of disciples worshipping on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), of Christ's once for all time sacrifice (Hebrews 9:28), and the removal of all dietary restrictions (Acts 10:11-16). For those who maintain that the Old Testament Law of Moses is still in force, these things (and numerous other similar points) are in direct opposition to one another. The only workable solution is to accept the simple truth that "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" (Hebrews 10:9).
One of the most common examples of this failure to know and respect this change of law is in the matter of music in worship. In an attempt to justify the modern day use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, people will frequently argue that such instruments were used in the Old Testament. A quick search will show dozens of references to harps, psalteries, lyres, etc., in the Old Testament. Thus, some are willing to conclude that this provides authority for us to use musical instruments of our liking when we worship God today. The problem, of course, is that the New Testament NEVER mentions the use of musical instruments in the worship of the church. There are no direct commands or statements that would allow it. There are no examples of the apostles or early Christians using instrumental music in worship. There is nothing implied that would lead us to the necessary conclusion that such practice was ever found in the New Testament church. What will we do? How can we know? Should we use the instruments or not? The bottom line is: "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" (Hebrews 10:9). Old Testament practice IS NOT the authority for our practice today. We live under the New Testament will of Jesus Christ.
We have written about a change in the law - the taking away of the Law of Moses and the establishment of the New Testament will of Jesus Christ. Is there any possibility that there could be another change in God's law at some point in the future? Should we be on the lookout for some indication of a new law that God would deliver to mankind. No! We now serve under a system of "faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). The result is that we may have "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us" (Hebrews 10:19,20).
By Greg Gwin,
via The Beacon,
Electronic Edition, June 6, 2003