Has the Law Been
‘Done Away With’?
Written by Lynn R.
1. A Note On Expository Preaching
The best form of preaching has always been expository. It takes the most work in order to properly prepare, but it also has the best benefits for the listeners. There are a number of expository preachers today (though expository sermons are increasingly rare and are being replaced by inferior ‘topical’ sermons because of the ease of preparation). Those who preach expositorily need to be commended.
2. What Truly Makes Preaching Successful
Members who are genuinely interested in truth are attracted by the form of preaching which includes proper quotations of the Word of God, shows true doctrine, and reveals truth in a way that is useful to hearers. A pastor who properly presents the Word in a way that makes for increased righteousness and justice among hearers who fear God tends to draw many, because the Word is drawing them.
3. What Frustrates The True Fearers Of God
If truth attracts Saints, what frustrates them? Obviously, error does. Today, more than at any other time in the history of this country, error is being taught from fundamental pulpits, as well as pulpits where error can be expected (the pulpits of ‘liberals’ and cults). The cause of error is usually simple: the pastor was taught something in seminary, and has clung to it as truth without checking. Another cause arises when a pastor mistreats and mishandles the Word of Truth, not properly considering a text’s context and to whom the text is referring. Those listening to pastors are just as responsible for what they hear and believe as pastors are for what they teach, even though teachers will be judged far more harshly for their error. All should approach the Word of Truth with fear and trembling. I take this to be literal. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not, Exodus 20:20. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb. 10:31. Today, the word awe is being used to supplant the word fear. But do Biblical texts mean awe or fear? Just awful? Hardly!
4. A Personal Experience: Has The Law Been Trashed?
This summer, toward the end of a great ‘Thus saith Jehovah’ sermon, my ears perked when the statement was made that “The law was done away with at the cross, reference Ephesians 2:15.” If true, this would seem to be a rather curious and drastic event—if some parts of the Scriptures are done away with.
This isn’t the first time I have heard a teaching similar to this, and I don’t know exactly why it became noteworthy to me at the time. I think the theory is that the Jewish and Gentile, and pre-Messiah and post-Messiah requirements for salvation are somehow uniquely different. However, Ephesians 2 describes in great detail how there is no difference in salvation for Jew and Gentile, and that there should no longer be enmity between the two as in the past. Verses 14 and 15 state,
For He is our (Jew & Gentile) peace, who made both (Jew & Gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, (caused by) the law of commandments in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you (Gentiles) which were afar off, and to them (Jews) that were nigh. For through Him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
It is the enmity between Jew and Gentile that is done away with, slain at the cross, and not the law. The Jews had flaunted their special, peculiar status with Jehovah by their being the direct recipients of the Word of God through Moses and the books of the Law, thus causing enmity with the Gentiles. This is the enmity that is done away with.
Granted, Ephesians 2:15 is a little fuzzy and the Greek does not help much in clarity. There are other verses with great clarity that cover the same subject, however. We can quote none other than Jehovah (Yeshua, Messiah, Jesus) in Matthew 5:17-18, an unchallengeable and immutable source.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass {when this earth and heaven are destroyed}, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The law is expressly not destroyed (done away with), and is secure exactly as written for at least another 1,000 years from today.
Note the severe warning editorial in the very next verse:
Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture, Ephesians 2:15 cannot mean that the Law is done away with. Matthew 5:17-19 are the ‘Thus saith Jehovah’ verses on this subject.
5. Messiah’s Personal Exegesis
Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses (the books of Moses) and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Yeshua Messiah begins with Moses (the books of the Law of Jehovah) when revealing Himself in Scripture. Should we not begin at the same place? Does this not bring importance to our knowing the Law thoroughly rather than considering that it may have been done away with? The Law is the exact, never changing, detailed justice system of God, and a total knowledge and understanding is desperately needed today as never before to set the foundation and the standard for all Christian human values and behavior. Does it save us? No. Did it save the Jews? No. Hebrews 4:2, For unto us (contemporary Jews) was the gospel preached, as well as unto them (children of Israel in the wilderness): but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it]. The ‘gospel’ is not new in the New Testament. ‘Faith’ is not new in the New Testament. Preaching, gospel, hearing and faith are the same throughout recorded Scriptures.
6. What Happens To The Law When Faith Comes?
Romans 3:30 Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Does faith void the Law? No. It confirms the Law. Faith is necessary for both Jew and Gentile. Knowledge of the Law is required reading for both Jew and Gentile. The Law of God is the detailed plan of God by which the man of God is to gauge his whole life.
7. Is The Law Alive Today?
The Law is alive and well today! It declares the full righteousness, justice, grace, and love of Jehovah! We must nip in the bud any notion to the contrary as we strive to present the true doctrine of ‘Thus saith Jehovah.’
8. To Whom Was The Law Given?
If you said the Jews, you are right. Who can learn from the Law? Jews and Gentiles. There are countless Scriptures and ramifications of these simple facts, these teachings of God. No one can properly understand the Scriptures without being able to sort out some direction to God’s plan for the Jews and God’s plan for the Gentiles. At this time and in this paper, however, I am only proving the certainty and duration of the Law.
9. The Duration Of The Law
Notice the text quoted above:
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass {when this earth and heaven are destroyed}, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
When will heaven and earth pass? Messiah must reign for 1,000 years, and before this, a time of great tribulation. Some very important events precede the time of great tribulation, and they will take time. It will be at least another 1,007 years before the Law passes!
10. Conclusion
The Law is not dead. It is inspired Scripture, and must be viewed that way, to insure that contempt for the Law does not become part of one’s beliefs!