Vineyard Labourer Bible College

Study 19

THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL

The law reveals the perfection of character required, and so gives knowledge of sin; but it is powerless to confer the character demanded. In the gospel, the law, written in the heart of Christ, becomes "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus," and is thus transferred to the heart of the believer, in whose heart Christ dwells by faith. Thus the new covenant promise is fulfilled that the law shall be written in the heart. This is the genuine experience of righteousness in the life in harmony with the law. The gospel is thus seen to be the provision for restoring the law to its place in the heart and life of the one who believes on Christ, and accepts His mediatorial work. Such faith, instead of making void the law, establishes it in the heart of the believer. The gospel is not against the law, therefore, but upholds, maintains, and presents the law to us in Christ.

WHAT SAITH THE LORD

1. What is one of the uses of the law? Romans 3:20.

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.

2. In thus making known sin, and the consequent need of a Saviour, what part does the law act? Galatians 3:24.

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24.

3. What is the gospel declared to be? Romans 1:16.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16.

4. What did Jesus come to the world to do? Matthew 1:21.

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21.

5. What is the promise of the new covenant? Hebrews 8:10.

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:" Hebrews 8:10.

6. What is Christ's relation to this new covenant? Hebrews 8:6.

"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." Hebrews 8:6.

7. How else is the same work for man described? Hebrews 8:1-3.

"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer." Hebrews 8:1-3.

8. What is necessary on the part of the individual in order to receive the benefit of Christ's work? Romans 10:9.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9.

9. What did the Apostle Paul receive through the faith of Christ? Philippians 3:8, 9.

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" Philippians 3:8, 9.

10. Does faith which brings righteousness abolish the law? Romans 3:31.

"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Romans 3:31.

11. What did Christ take away? John 1:29.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29.

12. What has Christ abolished? 2 Timothy 1:10.

"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:" 2 Timothy 1:10.

13. What change is brought about through the gospel? 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

14. How did Christ magnify the sixth Commandment? Matthew 5:21, 22.

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." Matthew 5:21, 22.

15. How did He interpret the seventh Commandment? Matthew 5:27, 28.

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:27, 28.

16. What did Isaiah tell us the Lord would do? Isaiah 42:21.

"The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable." Isaiah 42:21.

Note: Christ showed the holiness and the immutable nature of the law by dying on the cross to pay the penalty of its transgression. In this way, He magnified the law, and showed its far reaching, immutable and imperishable nature.

17. Does scripture cut off all hope of justification by works? Romans 3:20.

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.

18. In what way are all believers in Jesus justified? Romans 3:24.

"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"
Romans 3:24.

19. Is this faith simply belief in Jesus Christ? James 2:19.

"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19.

Note: Belief is not enough.

20. With what is the faith in Jesus joined? James 2:18.

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." James 2:18.

21. How is faith brought to perfection? James 2:22.

"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" James 2:22.

22. After this work of grace has been accomplished, is the believer expected to go on in sin? Romans 6:1, 2.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1, 2.

23. What does Christ tell His believers to become? Matthew 5:48.

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48.