The Law of Moses or the Law of Christ? Part 3

Some, while agreeing that the Law of Moses has been replaced, nevertheless contend that the Ten Commandments were intended to constitute an eternal moral law, that they were separate from the Law and covenant of Moses and that they are therefore intended to continue in effect for all time. This, however, is simply not consistent with what the Bible says.

We previously noted the prophecy that God would "make a new covenant" (Jer. 31:31) and New Testament passages that showed that the new covenant replaced the old one. The Ten Commandments were part of the Law of Moses but were indistinguishable from the covenant with Israel and have therefore ceased to be the rule of God's people today. The following is support for the idea that the Ten Commandments, the Law of Moses and the covenant with Israel are one and the same: "So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone (Deut. 4:13; see also Deut. 9:9; Exodus 34:27-28; 1 Kings 8:9, 21; 2 Chronicles 6:11.) In 2 Cor. 3:3-15, we see where Paul spoke of the "tables of stone" given through Moses to Israel that he contrasted with the "new covenant" (see also Heb. 9:1-4).

Those who promote Sabbath-keeping claim there is a distinction between the "Law of God/Ten Commandments" and the "Ceremonial Covenant with Israel through Moses." But there is no reference in the Bible to "ceremonial" law or covenant. From 1 Chronicles 16:40; 2 Chronicles 31:3; Luke 2:23-24 we see that commands concerning sacrifice are from "the Law of the Lord," which is the Law of Moses and includes the ten commandments (Ezra 7:6,10; Neh. 8:1-18; Psalm 78:10; Mal. 4:4).

The command to keep the Sabbath was not given before the covenant with Israel and is thus not an eternal command intended for all time (Exodus 16:20-30; Deut. 5:2-3; Neh. 9:13-14; Ezekiel 20:10-12.) Paul tells us the Law came 430 years after Abraham and thus was not established at creation (Gal. 3:17). Yes, the record in Genesis tells us God rested on the 7th day, but that does not equal a covenant with anyone. The covenant with Israel was made much later and it was abolished as the "law of Christ" went into effect.

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