NEW TESTAMENT LAW

 

There is much disagreement on the Law among those claiming Christ as savior.  The chief dissention is between the side that hold to the paradigm that God must be obeyed for salvation and the side which says God does not need to be obeyed, in part, because it is claimed the New Testament does not contain law.  This belief is a result of the doctrine of Salvation By Faith Alone.  Adherents of this doctrine must dispose of the necessity of doing anything other than the mental acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.   Law contains restrictions, requirements and judgement and these three imply action and accountability.  If one is truly saved on the merits of simply believing in Jesus Christ, the New Testament therefore cannot contain law, because if it did, Christians would have restrictions on bad moral behavior, commands to obey and accountability for their actions.  Belief plus restrictions, obedience and accountability precludes the possibility of salvation being available by belief alone. 

For the doctrine of salvation by faith alone to be true, there can exist no New Testament Law in God’s word which must include God’s Moral Law.  The very presence of Law in the New Testament forever dispels the myth of Salvation by faith alone, or salvation apart from works of Law. 

Since the Word of God explicitly says that Jesus is the author of salvation to the obedient (Hebrews 5:9) and Jesus Himself declared in Matthew 7:21 that only those who do the will of God will be allowed in the Kingdom of Heaven, the goal of this work is to establish the presence of New Testament Law in God’s Word.  For a Christian to be obedient, there must exist something to obey.  That which a Christian must obey, therefore must be law. 

Law is absolutely necessary for the Christian.  A Christian cannot be reconciled to God without Law.  It is Law that teaches us what God wants us to do and what is forbidden.  Law is not always negative.  When people hear the word “Law” they immediately think of a set of rules that are restrictive.  And while God’s Law does contain restrictions for moral behavior, we need to recognize the fact that God’s laws are entirely for our benefit.  Parents give their children rules that will protect them from harm.  Likewise, our heavenly Father gives us rules that protect us and all others around us from harm.  Think of a world that followed God’s Moral laws.  There would be no sexually transmitted diseases, no broken homes, no children with 2 sets of parents.  There would be no murder, no rape, no human trafficking, no child exploitation, no prostitution, no wars, no thieves, no crime.  It is sin that makes this world ugly and God’s Law is the remedy for it all.   We have the cure for the horrible things that happen every day to humanity in God’s Word.  We have the cure for mass murder, child pornography, drug related deaths and gun violence at our fingertips, thanks to God.  GOD GAVE US LAW BECAUSE HE LOVES US!!!   Never forget that. 

So many people look out at the atrocities in life and use those to say there is no God.  We’ve all heard people say, “Why would a loving God allow innocent children to be killed?  Why would a loving God allow all the pain and suffering happening in the world to continue?  The simple answer to that is He hasn’t.  He gave us Law that would stop every single case of this if mankind would simply follow it.  God also, out of His love for us, gave us something else.  He granted mankind free will.  Mankind is free to keep or reject God’s Law.  Unfortunately, the breaking of God’s law carries far reaching consequences for everyone.  A thief has the free will to be a thief, and when he does steal, someone innocent is going to suffer.  A child molester has the God given free will to reject God’s law and harm children.  And when they do, an innocent child suffers.  But what we need to keep in mind here is that God is not to blame for the actions of sinners any more than we are to blame for the actions of our children when they are grown and exercising their free will.  If my grown children rob a bank, I’m not going to be blamed for that.  I’m not accountable for the actions of my grown children.  When my children were grown and exercises their free will and became accountable, I was no longer responsible for what they may do, no matter how horrific it may be.   Likewise, God granted mankind freewill and with that came our personal accountable for our actions.   We cannot murder, rape, steal or otherwise harm our fellow man and blame God for it.

God is not to blame for mankind’s suffering.  The blame for that falls squarely on our shoulders.  Mankind is to blame for Mankind’s needless suffering. 

God’s Law is the remedy for all of mankind’s self-inflicted suffering.  Now consider the fact that if God had NOT given us His Law, we would have no solution for the self-inflicted suffering we see today.  Through the giving of His Law, God has provided us with what we need to live in perfect harmony with all mankind, safe and secure without fear of harm from others.  We must never ever view God’s Law as a bad thing.  His Law is the ONLY thing we have that is a solution for the needless suffering we see going on in the world around us every day.  Without Law, we are lawless and a lawless society will self destruct every time. 

Concerning the loving nature of God’s Law, James, the half brother of Jesus could not have said it any plainer.   He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says: James 2:8-13, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” (NKJV) 

·     royal law,  Jesus is our king and He has given us His law. This is not the Law of Moses.  Moses was never a king. 

·     “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”  those who follow this Law of Christ are not going to rape, steal, murder or otherwise harm their neighbors in any way.  Imagine what our world would be like if everyone followed this law.  It’s the remedy for everything we see wrong in our society. 

·     “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”    James is referring to the Royal Law and breaking any one tenant of it makes one a lawbreaker.  See Matthew 5:19-22

·      “Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder”  This is part of the Royal Law that if followed would eliminate adultery and murder along with all the associated atrocities and misery that come from engaging in these activities, i.e. broken homes, disease, etc, etc. 

·     “judged by the law of liberty”    The law of Liberty is the royal law.  Those who violate the Royal law are going to be judged by it.  Breaking God’s Law is the problem in society.  Law keepers are the solution to society’s atrocities against the innocent.   Be a part of the solution, and not a part of the problem. 

What Does God’s Laws Do For Us?

1.  God’s Law Tells us what causes us to lose fellowship with God. (SIN)  We need to know this.  This is important information.  Consider the ramifications from not knowing what caused our loss of fellowship with God.  We would never know the need for reconciliation and would die in our sins unaware. 

·     Romans 7:7, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." (NKJV)

·     Romans 3:20, “…for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (KJV, NKJV)

2.  God’ Law Tells us how to be restored to fellowship with God, (Saved). 

·     John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (NKJV)

·     Luke 13:5, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (NKJV)

·     Matthew 10:32-33, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (NKJV).

·     Mark 16:16-17, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (NKJV).

3.  God’s Law Tells us how to maintain our Fellowship with God.

·     Hebrews 10:26-28, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (NKJV).

§  “if we sin willfully” maintaining or practicing sinful lifestyle.

§  “no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” Loses/Forfeits the benefit of the continual cleansing of Jesus’ blood. 

§  “fearful expectation of judgment” Results in eternal damnation in hell. 

·     1 John 1:6-10, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV)

§  “But if we walk in the light” Conditional statement.  Walking in the light means practicing truth/living according to God’s Law.  V6

§  “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”  This is the continual cleansing of Jesus’ blood which only applies to those who Practice truth / Walk in the light / Keep the Law of Christ.

§  “If we confess our sins” If we Acknowledge our Sin to God.

§  “He is faithful and just”  we can depend on Him to fulfill His Word fully and universally to all. 

§  “to forgive us our sins”   Continually based on the conditions of walking in the practicing truth / walkng in the light / keeping Christ’s law.

§  and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” Total forgiveness, standing perfect and complete before God.  See Romans 6:16.

·     Matthew 10:22, ‘’And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (NKJV).  (Mark 13:13)

·     Matthew 24:13, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (NKJV).

·     2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (NKJV).

·     Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (NKJV).

4.  God’s Law Tells us Where to Find Instructions.

·     Romans 10:47, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (NKJV).

·     2 Peter 1:3, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (NKJV), God’s law supplied them with everything they needed.  Nothing was left out. 

·     Jude 3-4, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (NKJV).

§  “common salvation”    For both Jews and Gentiles.  Same Faith for everybody.  See Ephesians 4:4, Galatians 3:26-29, Romans 10:12-13.

§  “the faith which was once for all delivered”  Delivered in full, for all, complete.

·     2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (NKJV).

§  “All Scripture”  All means all, both before and after this was written.  Scripture written after Paul wrote this is still scripture.  We use it all. 

§  “given by inspiration of God” given by the breath of God, reliable, trustworthy.  We can rely on it. 

§  “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” Effective for all aspects of the Christian experience. 

§  “that the man of God may be complete”   God’s Word is all sufficient.

§  “thoroughly equipped for every good work”  God’s Word contains everything we need to live a faithful life and serve God. 

 

 There is more than one law spoken of in the New Testament.  Both Old Testament and New Testament law are mentioned and contrasted in Romans 3:27, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”  Faith is Law. 

1.  The Old Testament Law of Moses, Old Law, or the Levitical Law, which prevailed from the time of Moses until the cross. 

a.   The Law of Moses ended at the cross of Christ. 

·     The Law of Moses abolished: Ephesians 2:15-16 reads, “Having abolished in His [JESUS] flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments, [LAW OF MOSES] contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both [JEWS AND GENTILES] unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby…”    

·     The Law of Moses was Nailed to Jesus’ Cross:  Colossians 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances [Law of Moses] that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross…”

 

b.  The Old Testament Law of Moses was incapable of saving anyone.

·     The Law of Moses could not justify.  Acts 13:39, “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

·     The sacrifices offered under the Law of Moses could not take away sin permanently. Hebrews 10:1-4,  “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”

·     The Law of Moses could not make anyone perfect.  Hebrews 7:19, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

 

c.   With the Death of Christ Came A Changing Of the Law. 

·     Jesus is our new High Priest.  Hebrews 3:1, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus…”  Hebrews 6:20, “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”  Hebrews 7:26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens….”  Hebrews 8:1, “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens…”

·     The Changing of Priesthood Required a Changing of the Law.  Hebrews 7:12, “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”  The Law of Moses having been abolished at the cross has been replaced with the changing of our High Priest. 

·     Jesus is a lawgiver.  James 4:12, “There is one lawgiver [Jesus], who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”  Those who claim there is no law under the gospel must first explain how James is not referring to Jesus and at the same time, produce who else James is referring to in this passage.   Moreover, those who deny law under Christ must explain the existence of a lawgiver in God’s Word that gave no law. 

 

d.  The New Testament Law Directly Referenced in God’s Word.

·     Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

·     James 1:25, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

·     James 2:8, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well…”

·     James 2:11-12, “For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”

·     Romans 3:26-28, “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works [Old Testament Law]? Nay: but by the law of faith [New Testament Law]. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith [Law of Faith] without the deeds of the law [Old Testament Law].   Paul is contrasting the two laws.  In so doing, he directly associates Faith with Law.   There is law in the New Testament.  Paul called it the “law of Faith”. 

·     Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Two laws are contrasted in this verse.  The law of Sin and Death must be Old Testament law and the other law which frees us from the Old law must be the New Testament Law.

·     Romans 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”  Paul is contrasting the flesh with the Spirit of God.  Those in the flesh are non believers where those in the Spirit of God are Christians.  Non Christians are not subject to the “law of God”, where Christians are.  One cannot be subject to a law that does not exist.   

·     Romans 7:22-25, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”  Paul is talking here about the struggle every Christian endures.  The desire of our flesh over our desire to obey God’s law.   Paul says here that he serves the Law of God with his mind.  Any law that we serve under the Christian age must be of necessity be New Testament Law.  Paul cannot serve law where none exists. 

·     1 Corinthians 9:21, “To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.”   Paul here specifically declares that he is not without law but living under the “law to Christ”.  Paul cannot declare his fealty to Christ’s Law if none exists. 

 

e.  New Testament Law Requirements.  (Actual commandments directly associated with Christ’s Law.)

·     Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

·     James 1:25, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

·     James 2:8, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well…”

·     James 2:11-12, “For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”

·     Matthew 22:36-40, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” 

 

f.     The New Testament Law Transgressed.

·     James 2:9, “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” This cannot be a reference to the Law of Moses because this was written to Christians living after the Law of Moses was abolished.  Being in the same context as James 2:8, it is clear this is a reference to the royal law there mentioned. 

·     James 2:11, “For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”  See comments above. 

·     James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”   One cannot be guilty of offending a law that was abolished.  Neither can one be guilty of transgressing a law where none exists. 

·     1 John 3:4-5, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”  Verse 5 included to show the context.  Jesus is said here He took away “OUR” Sin.  John is written to Christians.  The Old Testament Law, [Law of Moses] was abolished at the cross and was no longer in force.  The Law in this context can be transgressed, is in force and is transgressed by sin.  Law in this passage can be nothing other than New Testament Law.   

·     Romans 4:15, “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.”  Romans 5:13, “For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.”   These statements are in the context of Old Testament Law, however the implications of what is here stated extend further than just the Law of Moses.  If there were no law under Christ, it would be impossible to sin.  One cannot break a law where none exists under either the old covenant or the new covenant.  The implications here are that if there were no law under the New Covenant, there would be no sin and as such, no one would be lost and in need of saving. 

 

g.  New Testament Law fulfilled.

·     Romans 13:8-10, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”   The Old Testament Law was abolished at the cross.  It is no longer in force.  Any law fulfilled after the cross of Christ is by necessary inference New Testament Law. 

·     Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” It cannot be reasonably denied that New Testament Law exists with a command to fulfil it.  However, it is a logical necessity that one cannot fulfil law where non exists.  And on the same note, as demonstrated in the previous section, neither can a law be transgressed where non exists. 

 

h.  Jesus’ commandments are law.

·     Matthew 22:36-40, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  The Old Testament Law contained commandments that had to be obeyed.  Since God’s commandments were law in the Old Testament, they must be law in the New Testament.  Jesus here mentions “all the law and prophets”.   It can be argued that Jesus was referring to both the Old Testament and New Testament Law in this context.  In any event, Jesus connected His commandments with Law.  Commandments are statements requiring obedience.  Law is a system that governs behavior.  A system that governs behavior must by necessity contain statements that must be obeyed. 

 

i.       Christians Will Be Judged By Law. 

·     John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” In the previous section we saw that Jesus commandments are law.  Jesus said in John 12:48 all will be judged by His words. 

·     James 2:12, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”  Since both Jesus words and the Law of Liberty  are going to be the basis of our judgement then it is a logical necessity that the words of Jesus are New Testament Law.  Furthermore, since we are going to be judged by Law, it is a necessary inference that Law exists in the New Testament.

 

j.     New Testament Law justifies.  

·     Romans 2:13, “(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.)”  Paul here declares a law that justifies.  We know for a fact this cannot be Old Testament law he is talking about because scripture is abundantly clear that the Law of Moses cannot justify.  Acts 13:39, “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”  The only other possible Law that could justify those who keep it can be New Testament Law.  There are no other possible choices.  Paul’s reference to any law that justifies establishes the fact that New Testament law exists beyond any reasonable doubt. 

 

God’s Moral Law

 

Contained within God’s word from Genesis to Revelation is a plethora of references to God’s Moral Laws.  God’s Moral Laws govern our behavior and transcend all His covenants.  We can see a fairly comprehensive list of those in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” and then again in Galatians 5:19-21, “…Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. “ (NKJV).    

 

Jesus directly gave us Moral Law:

Matthew 5:21, “…Thou shalt not kill…”

Matthew 5:27, “…Thou shalt not commit adultery…”

Matthew 19:18, “…Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness…”

 

Those who are setting forth the belief that there is no law under the gospel are going to have to deal with the necessary implications that arise from that belief regarding God’s moral law.  On the one hand, we have Jesus, who is called our lawgiver in James 4:12, giving us Moral law and on the other hand, we have Paul telling Christians that breaking the Moral laws Jesus commanded will keep them out of heaven. 

 

If there is no Moral Law in the gospel, then both Jesus’ and Paul’s statements in God’s word are false and Christians are free to steal, murder, rape or otherwise practice any of the sins of the flesh with no accountability or fear of judgment.     The belief there is no law in the Gospel cannot be true because the necessary implications arising as a result of that belief are not true. 

 

The New Testament indeed contains Moral Law, therefore the Gospel contains law. 

 

Civil Law in the New Testament (Christians are commanded to obey civil law)

 

k.   Romans 13:1-7, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” (NKJV)

l.      1 Peter 2:13-17, “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men —  16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

 

Jesus’ Words are Law

 

In John 5:27-29 we read, “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.  28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”  Jesus says here He will execute judgment on all mankind.  Judgment is a legal term.   All Judges deliver their rulings based on Law.  One’s innocence or guilt or, in this case, salvation or damnation is decided by Jesus on the basis of good or bad behavior. 

 

Jesus gives us that standard of behavior by which all mankind will be judged in John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” 

 

If there is no Law in the New Testament, then the by what standard or set of rules is Jesus going to use to make His judgments?  Judgment necessarily implies Law. 

 

All mankind faces judgment.  Jesus is the Judge and His words are the basis or the standard by which all will be judged.  James refers to Jesus’ words as “the royal law” in James 2:8.  Paul refers to Jesus words as “the Law of Christ” in Galatians 6:2.  Jesus’ Words are indeed law, therefore the New Testament contains Law. 

 

Logical Conclusions From The Word of God:

As stated earlier, Law is a system that governs behavior.  A system that governs behavior must by necessity contain statements that must be obeyed.  Statements that must be obeyed are commandments. 

Jesus said all must do the will of God to enter the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 7:21.  Jesus Christ either must be obeyed, or can be disobeyed for one to inherit eternal life.  There is no middle of the road here.  If Jesus does not need to be obeyed, then Matthew 7:21 and a whole host of other scripture bearing on this constitutes a false statement in the Word of God.  If there exists a single commandment in God’s Word which must be obeyed, then it is a logical necessity that everything He commanded likewise must be obeyed. 

The same can be said of Law.  One cannot have a law without directives governing the actions of others.  Neither can there be directives governing one’s actions without law.  The two are mutually inclusive of one another. 

If there is no New Testament Law, then there are no directives governing one’s behavior.  If this were the case then not even John 3:16 and 6:29 would need to be considered as a necessary condition upon which salvation depended.  Even those claiming there is no New Testament Law MUST concede that one needs to have faith to receive eternal life.  And New Testament Law makes it abundantly clear faith is a requirement.  Any condition upon which salvation depends whatsoever is by definition law. 

Conditional Statements:

a.  1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

If there is no New Testament Law, there are no restrictions governing behavior and Paul’s statements in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Galatians 5:19-21 are false.   Restrictions that govern behavior are law, therefore New Testament Law exists. 

 

Conclusion:  Does the New Covenant Contain Law?

There are at least 7 direct references to Law in the New Testament; Galatians 6:2, James 1:25; 2:8, Romans 7:22-25; 8:2; 8:7, 1 Corinthians 9:21.  Law must therefore exist for it to be mentioned in the Word of God.

James 2:9; 2:10; 2:11; 1 John 3:4-5 demonstrate the transgression of New Testament Law.  Where there is no law, there can be no transgression, Romans 4:15; 5:13.

Romans 13:8-10 and Galatians 6:2 reference the fulfillment or keeping of Law.  One cannot keep law where non exists. 

The New Testament contains Commandments of Jesus.  Commandments govern behavior, therefore they must be law. 

Jesus is said to be a lawgiver in James 4:12.  Jesus gave us commandments, thereby giving us law. 

The New Testament contains Moral Law governing behavior, (i.e. murder, adultery, stealing).

The Word of God contains Law which teaches us what Sin is. 

The New Testament contains instructions on how to be reconciled to God.

Christians are accountable for their behavior and will be judged accordingly (John 5:28-29, 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Christians will be judged by the Law of Liberty / Royal Law James 2:12.  There could be no judgment of there were no law. 

The evidence from the Word of God overwhelmingly demonstrate the existence of New Testament Law.  

Context determines which law is in view of the inspired writer.  When the context is speaking of Law that has been abolished or ineffective, the Old Testament Law is the one intended by the writer.  Conversely, when the context is speaking of a law that is effective and is effective and in force, New Testament Law is the one in view.

The belief that there is no law in the New Testament that is binding on Christians today is driven by the doctrine of salvation by faith alone.  For salvation by faith alone to be true, there can be no New Testament Law.   The positive existence of New Testament Law thus precludes the salvation by faith alone doctrine from being scriptural.  James words in James 2:24 ring true, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

Yes, the New Testament Contains Law.

Law tells us how we sin against God.  If we did not have that Law, we would not know what sin is or that we even sinned.  Law instructs us on God’s Moral values.  If we didn’t have God’s Law, we wouldn’t know adultery, stealing, murder and other sins of the flesh were wrong.  God’s law teaches us how to be reconciled to God.  If we didn’t have God’s law teaching us this, we wouldn’t know how.  God’s Law teaches us how to live faithfully as Christians.  If we didn’t have God’s instructions on this, we wouldn’t know God’s expectations of us.  Yes there is Law in the New Testament that teaches us what sin is, how we sin, how we get back into God’s favor and how to live faithfully.  Without it, we would have no hope of a home in heaven with God. 

 

Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

 

 

References:  God’s Word

Prepared by David Hersey

 

 

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