SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MOSAIC LAW AND THE CHRISTIAN

A. The Law is inspired Scripture and is eternal (cf. Matt. 5:17-19).

B. The Law as a way of salvation is void and has always been, but
mankind had to see that his/her own efforts were futile (cf. Matt. 5:20, 48; Rom.
7:7-12; Gal. 3:1ff; James 2:10).

C. The gospel of Christ is the only way to God (cf. John 14:6; Rom.
3:21; Gal. 2:15-21; Heb. 8:12).

D. The Old Testament is still helpful to believers as God’s will for
humans in society (esp. “The Ten Words”), but not as the way of salvation (i.e.,
it functions in sanctification but not in justification). The cultus of Israel
(sacrificial system, holy days, civic and religious laws) has passed away but
God still speaks through the OT. The stipulations mentioned in Acts 15:20 refer
only to fellowship issues, not to salvation.

E. the crucial texts about the OT and its relationship to NT believers are

1. the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15

2. the theological summary of the gospel message in Galatians 3

3. the comparison of the Mosaic Covenant (OT) with the New Covenant of Jesus
(NT) is the book of Hebrews. It uses several categories to illustrate the
superiority of the NT.

4. See Special Topic: Paul’s View of the Mosaic Law