IntroductionII Timothy 2:15I Peter 3:15Bible Study StarterGod’s laws through the agesThe Bible gives us a spiritual history of the world.Laws for patriarchsIn the very beginning, God dealt with people on a family basis, giving instructions to the fathers.Law of Moses for Israel (Old Covenant)Exodus 19:5 – God communicated His law for the nation of Israel. The best-known parts of the law are the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17).Deuteronomy 5:1-3Luke 24:44 – This law was called the “Law of Moses.”Jeremiah 31:31-34 – The Law of Moses would be temporary.Matthew 5:17-18 – The Israelites (Jews) were under this law from Exodus 20 until Pentecost in Acts 2. Even Jesus lived under the Law of Moses.Laws for GentilesThe Old Testament focuses on the Israelites, but God also gave laws to the Gentiles during that period of time. For example, Isaiah 13-21 records messages to several nations.Gentiles were under these laws until Acts 10.Law of Christ for all (New Covenant)Jesus came bringing the New Covenant. Matthew 4:23; Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:17The New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant. Hebrews 8:6-13; 10:9-10. Jews were invited to take part in the New Covenant in Acts 2, Gentiles in Acts 10.No one is under the Old Covenant today. John 12:48; Galatians 3:24-29; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 2:11-22We now serve God through the Law of Christ taught in the New Testament.God’s authorityRomans 14:11-12 – God is our creator and master, so He has all authority. He gets to decide how we ought to live our lives and worship Him.This has always been true, even with Adam and Eve who were given a rule to follow in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:3). The story of Cain and Abel illustrates the strictness with which God exercises His authority (Genesis 4:1-8; Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17).God’s authority continues today. Matthew 7:13-14, 21; II John 1:9God’s loveAll of us have become guilty of sin by breaking God’s law (I John 3:4; Romans 3:23).Sin separates us from God, severing our fellowship with Him (Isaiah 59:1-2). Furthermore, there is nothing we can do on our own to restore that fellowship. We are helpless!Thankfully, God took action on our behalf, sending His Son Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins on the cross (Romans 5:6-9; Ephesians 2:4-10).Through the Bible, God informs us of the conditions we must meet in order to receive His gift:Believe and confess Jesus as Christ and Lord (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:36)Repent (Acts 17:30; II Corinthians 7:10)Be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27)Continue a new life of service to God until death (Romans 6:3-4; Matthew 22:35-40)
View all episodes
