“If God saves people by faith alone, why did He give the Law in the first place?” So begins Carl Cosaert in his discussion of this week’s lesson with colleagues at Walla Walla University. (Audio presentation of 14 min 11 sec.) Listen for a modern illustration of the relationship of the Law to the Promise. What … Continue reading –>
“ ‘He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us’ ” (Acts 7:38, NIV). In Galatians 3:19-20, Paul continues his train of thought about the law not nullifying the covenant of grace; this is … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “The Priority of the Promise” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV … Continue reading –>
Does Paul’s statement about the law being added at Mount Sinai mean that it did not exist previously? If not, what was the difference before and after Mount Sinai? Read Gen. 9:5-6; Gen. 18:19; Gen. 26:5; Gen. 39:7-10; Exod. 16:22-26. God did not need to reveal His law to Abraham with thunder, lightning, and a penalty of death (Exod. 19:10-23). Why, … Continue reading –>
In Galatians 3:19-29 Paul makes multiple references to “the law.” What law is Paul primarily referring to in this section of Galatians? Some, believing that the word until in verse 19 (ESV) indicates that this law was only temporary, have thought the passage must refer to the ceremonial law, because the purpose of that law was fulfilled at the cross and … Continue reading –>
Faith and Law (Romans 3:31) Paul has argued strongly for the supremacy of faith in a person’s relationship with God. He has repeatedly stated that neither circumcision nor any other “works of law” are a prerequisite to salvation, “because by works of the law no one will be justified” (Gal. 2:16, ESV). Moreover, it is not … Continue reading –>
Law and Faith (Gal. 3:15-18) Even if his opponents conceded that Abraham’s life was characterized primarily by faith, Paul knew that they still would have questions about why God gave the law to Israel about four centuries after Abraham. Did not the giving of the law nullify any previous arrangement? What is the point of Paul’s … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 3:15-20, Gen. 9:11-17, Matt. 5:17-20, Exod. 16:22-26, Gen. 15:1-6. Memory Text: “For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise” (Galatians 3:18, ESV). A top adviser to a president was asked: “Has the president kept all the promises that he made during … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His … Continue reading –>
(Gal. 3:9-14) Paul’s opponents were no doubt stunned by his bold words in Galatians 3:10. They certainly did not think themselves to be under a curse; if anything, they expected to be blessed for their obedience. Yet, Paul is unequivocal: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for … Continue reading –>
