Thesis: To instill in the hearer the all encompassing authority of Christ through His Gospel as opposed to that which is seen in the Law of Moses, and to give one a better understanding of how the two fit together in God’s eternal purpose.
Text: Gal 3:23-29
Gal 3:23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
Gal 3:24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Gal 3:26 for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (NASB)
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's (seed) offspring, heirs according to promise.
I. Jesus was born, lived, and died under the Law of Moses. (Gal 4:4; Heb 9:16-17)
Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
Heb 9:16 For where a will (testament) is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
Heb 9:17 For a will (testament) takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
Yet, everything he taught His disciples was and is binding, as confirmed by the perpetual great commission, Jesus commanded (Mt. 28:20a ) . . .
Mat 28:20a teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Therefore whatever Jesus commanded His 1st century disciples, applies to His disciples today
Peter stated to the Jews of his day concerning Jesus (Acts 3:22-23) . . .
Act 3:22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.
Act 3:23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'
Also keep in mind that the apostles could not absorb all the teachings of Christ while He was upon the earth (Jn 16:12-14) . . .
Joh 16:12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Therefore what was revealed to them through the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension is also authoritative as from Jesus Himself, and these revealed teachings also unite us with God and make us one with Him (Jn 17:20-21) . . .
Joh 17:20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
Joh 17:21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
But the New Covenant did not go into effect officially until after He died (Heb 9:16-17)
Heb 9:16 For where a will (testament) is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
Heb 9:17 For a will (testament) takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
Jesus came to fulfill the law. (Mt 5:17-18)
Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to (destroy; kataluo) abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to (destroy; kataluo) abolish them but to fulfill them.
a. “Fulfill” defined: (; Strong’s; make replete, satisfy, complete, end, expire)
Mat 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
b. Salvation through Christ is where the law was to lead those of the nation of Israel, it was at the end of that figurative road known as the Law of Moses (Rom 10:4), this is what it was meant to accomplish.
c. Yet it’s not completely destroyed; those who lived under it are still going to be judged by it.
d. It is merely set aside (as being authoritative) until the Day of Judgment (Rev 20:12).
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened (the OT and the NT which includes the law of Moses). Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books (the OT and the NT including the law of Moses), according to what they had done.
e. Therefore it has been abolished (Eph 2:15; set aside as being authoritative, yet not destroyed),
Eph 2:15 having abolished (katargeo) in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; (ASV)
f. It was Nailed to the cross of Christ, it officially was set aside at the death of Christ (Heb 9:16-17; Col 2:14)
Col 2:14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Disciples are to be baptized into His death (Rom 6:3), where His sin cleansing blood was shed (John 19:33-35), and thereby accessing forgiveness through that blood (Rev 1:5).
Rom 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Joh 19:33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
Joh 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
Joh 19:35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.
Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
Christians are to be dead to Moses’ law. (Rom 7:4)
Rom 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
a. Not just the 613 ordinances, but also the 10 commandments (Rom 7:7).
Rom 7:7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."
b. “You shall not covet” (in Rom 7:7 is a quote from Ex 20:17, the 10th commandment), and proves this to be the case, the law Paul writes of here that “we are to be dead to” includes the 10 commandments.
Exo 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."
c. In fact, one who attempts to be justified by the Law of Moses has fallen from grace, is severed from Christ. (Gal 5:4).
Gal 5:4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
“Do we keep the law of Moses?” was the topic of Acts ch 15 (turn to Acts 15:1-5) . . .
Act 15:1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
Act 15:2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
Act 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
Act 15:4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
Act 15:5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses."
a. But they (the apostles and elders in Jerusalem) said they did not instruct them to say that, they gave no such commandment (Acts 15:24)! Truly inspired men were not teaching this as the truth revealed by God.
Act 15:24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds (souls), although we gave them no instructions (no such commandment),
b. Acts 15:28-29 gives us the result of this inspired meeting
Act 15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
Act 15:29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."
c. These inspired men, through the power of the Holy Spirit brought forth God’s truth concerning this matter of keeping the Law of Moses, the four things mentioned here are those things which transcends all of God’s Law’s throughout time
d. Yet we need to understand that Christians keep commands similar to the 10 commandments, which are also similar to that which we can see in Patriarchy.
Remember God’s dispensations throughout time (Patriarchy, Law of Moses, Gospel of Christ) are similar, but not the same, Christ now has “all authority” (Mt 28:18), that leaves no authority left over for Patriarchy, Moses or the prophets, and that is exactly what God meant when Christ, Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration before Peter, James, and John (turn to Mt 17:1-8) . . .
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
Mat 17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Mat 17:3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
Mat 17:4 And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents (tabernacles; booths; i.e. shrines) here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."
Mat 17:5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to HIM."
Mat 17:6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
Mat 17:7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."
Mat 17:8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but JESUS ONLY.
a. The message given here is to obey Jesus only, i.e. don’t make tabernacles for Moses and Elijah, (who stand here for the Law and the Prophets) “listen to HIM” that is Christ; “Jesus ONLY” Who has all authority (Mt 28:18; Col 3:17a) . . .
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Col 3:17a And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of (by the authority of) the Lord Jesus,
II. Here are the commands from the NT that are somewhat equivalent to the 10 commandments (turn to Ex 20:3-17). . .
1st
Exo 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
Is similar to Mt 6:24 ---
Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money (mammon; i.e. Chaldean money-god).
Under the Law of Christ one will put God before any and all things, including the false gods of self, riches, pleasure and so forth (Mt 6:33).
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
2nd
Exo 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Exo 20:5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
Exo 20:6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Is similar to Col 3:5-6; Jn 14:15 ---
Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Col 3:6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
The Christian through the renewal of the Gospel would put to death those inward traits
contrary to his growth in the Faith, by feeding and applying that pure milk of the word (1 Pet
2:2) which would enable one to be perfectly fitted for heaven (John 14:6).
3rd
Exo 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Is similar to Mt 6:9---
Mat 6:9 . . ."Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
God’s name was held in extreme reverence under Moses, the same would be under Christ, the Christian will not be saying “oh God” as if it were nothing more than a blink of the eye, as the rest of the unbelieving world these days, they would not be conformed to this world, but rather be transformed by the power of the gospel (Rom 12:2), this is an outwardly noticeable trait in the faithful followers of Christ.
4th
Exo 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Is similar to Heb 4:9-11---
Heb 4:9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,
Heb 4:10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
Heb 4:11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
Heaven is our Sabbath rest, we don’t “keep” this, we hope to “enter” into it; (Rev 14:13)
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds (works) follow them!"
5th
Exo 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Is similar to Eph 6:1-3---
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Eph 6:2 "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),
Eph 6:3 "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."
The Christian that obeys one’s parents shows forth true honor for them, as we are to honor our heavenly Father by manifesting the obedience of faith, when we do this we are less likely to incur the chastisement of the Lord, which may keep us from living healthy productive lives unto the Lord upon His earth.
6th
Exo 20:13 "You shall not murder (kill).
Is similar to Rev 21:8---
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
The New Covenant clearly teaches that capital punishment is approved of God (Acts 25:11; Paul stated he would willingly be executed if he did anything worthy of that, and in Rom 13:1-7; it is written that the governments do not bear the sword in vain), and it also teaches us the end result of unforgiven murderers, Moses Law ended with stoning, dying in one’s sins, Christ’s Law shows in great detail the eternal consequence of such sins.
7th
Exo 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery.
Is similar to Mt 5:28-30; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Heb 13:4---
Mat 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Mat 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Heb 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Under Christ’s Law adultery is not tolerated in the least, in fact Christ attacks the root of this problem, one’s very heart, mind and thoughts are to be in obedience, in subjection, willingly, from such fantasies, every thought is to be held captive to Christ our King (2 Cor 10:3-5), we are told what to think upon (Phili 4:8), and what to not think upon (Col 3:1-4).
8th
Exo 20:15 "You shall not steal.
Is similar to Eph 4:28---
Eph 4:28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
The Perfect Law of Liberty not only does not condone theft, it puts the former thief to work (2 Thess 3:10) in order that the good works, which they fervently now want to do (Tit 2:14), may be accomplished as one’s lot in Christ (Eph 2:10), thereby bringing glory to the Father (Mt 5:15-16).
9th
Exo 20:16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Is similar to Mt 15:19-20 ; Eph 4:15; Rev 21:8---
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Mat 15:20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone."
Eph 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
Lying of any sort was not approved of God throughout any of His dispensations (even though we see many partaking of such in the OT), now we are to speak the truth in love which brings us deeper into Christ, and we are shown the end of such words without forgiveness. In the New Covenant we learn that by one’s words a person is justified (Rom 10:9), and by one’s words we are likewise condemned (Mt 12:37).
10th
Exo 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."
Is similar to Luke 12:15---
Luk 12:15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Desiring “things” that are perishing are put in their proper perspective in Christ.
Possessions are to be used for the glory of God and the good of others.
The most important possession one can have is fellowship with God (John 17:3), in the eternal city, New
Jerusalem, where gold is to be trodden under foot, used for pavement, while serving and
praising God for ever and ever, these are the true riches that God’s people will desire (Rev 22:1-5).
Rev 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
Rev 22:2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Rev 22:3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.
Rev 22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Rev 22:5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
And what about the greatest commandment in the Law, what is the Christian’s equivalent for that? (Turn to Mt 22:36-40) . . .
Mat 22:36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"
Mat 22:37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the great and first commandment.
The Greatest commandment under Christ (1 John 4:9-10) . . .
1Jn 4:9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Under Christ the focus has changed, instead of us being commanded to love God, we are
shown how much God loves us, which then in turn manifests itself in us a deep ever
growing and undying love for Him (1 John 4:19)
1Jn 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
Which results in faith working through (Gal 5:6), because of love (Jn 14:15)
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
This is how the Spirit sheds forth, pours the love of God in our hearts Rom (Rom 5:5), through Whom we are able to obey (Rom 8:6-9) . . .
Rom 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Rom 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Rom 8:8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
Mat 22:39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
And our second like unto it, not “as” our self, but “instead of” or “above” ourselves (1 Cor 10:24) . . .
1Co 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
We are even to love our enemies (Mt 5:44)
Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Overcoming evil with good (Rom 12:20-21)
Rom 12:20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Loving to the degree that Christ loved (John 13:34-35; 15:12-13)
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Joh 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments depend (hangs) all the Law and the Prophets."
This is the base upon which the gospel hangs (Jn 3:16) . . .
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Here is where it is to lead (1 Tim 1:5) . . .
1Ti 1:5 The aim (end; i.e. the goal) of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
III. So What Was the Purpose of the Law of Moses?
1. The Law was to give man the knowledge of sin and teach him about the severity of it (Rom 3:20; 7:7; Ezek 18:20)
Rom 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Rom 7:7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."
Eze 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
2. The Law was to be a tutor, a guardian, through types and shadows, to bring the children of Israel to, prepare them for Christ (Gal 3:24).
Gal 3:24 So then, the law was our guardian (tutor) until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
3. The Law was also purposed to protect the seed line of Christ (the physical nation of Israel), to keep them in check, so they didn’t sin themselves and Christ’s seed line out of existence because of the just nature of our God (Gal 3:19), Who is not only love (1 Jn 4:8), but also a consuming fire (Heb 12:29).
Gal 3:19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the (Seed) offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.
IV. What is the purpose of the Law of Moses for Christians Today?
1. Turn to Rom 15:4 . . .
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. (ASV)
Rom 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
In it we learn about our unchanging God (Mal 3:6; Ja 1:17), how He reacts to certain situations, what pleases Him, and what does not; and how He worked to bring about His plan of redemption throughout the ages, and that through it and it’s fulfilled prophecies, we can have comfort, encouragement, and hope in God’s unchanging (Ps 119:89) word (Rom 15:4).
2. The things therein were written as examples for our admonition (warning), so that we don’t make the same mistakes as Israel of old (look at 1 Cor 10:6, 11).
1Co 10:6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
1Co 10:11 These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down as a warning for us (upon whom the ends of the ages are come) in whom the culmination of the ages has been attained. (ISV)
3. Therefore just as God kept His word concerning prophecies in the Old Covenant, we can also count on God to keep His word concerning our hope of eternal life within the New Covenant (Tit 1:2; Jn 17:3).
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
Joh 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
a. And the hope of new heavens and a new earth (2 Pet 3:13).
2Pe 3:13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
b. And the living hope of being resurrected as Jesus was resurrected unto that eternal realm (1 Pet 1:3; 1 Cor 15:23).
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
V. So Where Does the Christian look today for their source of Authority?
Not within ourselves, nor in creeds, nor catechisms, nor prayer-books, nor councils of men,
But only through the rightly divided New Testament, remember Mt 17:8 . . .
Mat 17:8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
They were not to make tabernacles for Moses and Elijah, they are but men, God said “listen to HIM!” (Mt 17:5) that is Jesus, “Jesus ONLY” has all authority.
1. Jesus Christ has all authority, He Himself sated such (Mt 28:18) . . .
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
2. Moses has none. (Gal 5:4)
Gal 5:4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
3. Men have none (Col 2:8; Pro 14:12; 2 Cor 11:3)
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward (in; YLT) Christ. (ASV)
4. Whatever we do, we are to do by the authority of Christ. (Col 3:17a)
Col 3:17a And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, (which similar to “in the name of the law”)
5. Jesus’ words are the Father’s commands. (Jn 12:49)
Joh 12:49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.
6. He gave them to the Apostles. (Jn 17:8)
Joh 17:8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
7. Including Paul (Gal 1:12)
Gal 1:12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
8. And other selected New Testament prophets (Luke, Mark, etc., Eph 3:5)
Eph 3:5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
9. When Jesus was on earth, the apostles weren’t able to absorb, handle, all the truth, they still needed some more renewing of their minds (John 16:12)
Joh 16:12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
10. The Comforter would reveal to them all the truth (Jn 16:13-14)
Joh 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
11. Through the Apostles and New Testament prophets of the 1st century. (Eph 3:3-5)
Eph 3:3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
Eph 3:4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Eph 3:5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by (in) the Spirit.
12. It was once for all time delivered in the 1st century (Jude 3)
Jud 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
13. They wrote it down and are the commands of God (1 Cor 14:37; 2 Pet 3:2)
1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
2Pe 3:2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,
14. Any who do not obey these commands are to be dis-fellowshipped, in order that they may repent and be reclaimed (2 Thess 3:14)
2Th 3:14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
15. For that which we read in our New Testaments are the very words of God (1 Thess 2:13)
1Th 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
16. God’s word is His commandments, and His commandments are His word, these terms are used synonymously in 1 John 2:3-5 . . .
1Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
1Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
17. God’s word is the only standard by which we all can believe the same, not the creeds of men, not what you or I think, but rather what God says (John 17:20-21)
Joh 17:20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
Joh 17:21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
18. The sum of God’s word is truth, not just a passage or two taken out of context, if we don’t gather up everything the Bible states concerning a certain topic, we may be led to a false conclusion (Ps 119:160a).
Psa 119:160a The sum of your word is truth,
19. God’s word contains all that we need to be complete in the sight of God (2 Tim 3:16-17)
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
19. All the information that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3)
2Pe 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
20. Those who love Christ will keep His commandments (John 14:15; 2 John 6)
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
21. Being enabled by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:7-9), which we receive at faith in the Gospel (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13)
Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
Rom 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Rom 8:8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
22. Which ones? Eventually, through the working of God, (Phili 2:13), all of them (Mt 28:20a; Heb 5:9)
Mat 28:20a teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
23. Yet keep in mind that we are not “under” law, but “under” grace (Jn 1:17; Rom 6:14)
Joh 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Rom 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
24. And keeping Christ's commandments are the proof that we are one of His (1 Jn 2:3-5).
1Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
1Jn 2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
25. But His laws are not like a hammer hanging over our heads waiting to smack us down (Rom 7 dilemma). There is law, it exists, we are just not “under it”, it is referred to as the law of faith (Rom 3:27), the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:2), the law of Christ (Gal 6:2), that perfect law of liberty (Ja 1:25), made for imperfect mankind.
26. He wants us to embrace His laws, of our own free will, He wants them written within us (Heb 8:8-10).
Heb 8:8 For he finds fault with them when he says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
Heb 8:9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
27. Therefore believe and obey, and continue to obey the Gospel from the heart unto eternal life (Rom 6:17-18; Mt 7:21; Ja 1:22-25; Jn 14:15)
Rom 6:17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,
Rom 6:18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)
Jas 1:22 Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely being hearers who deceive themselves.
Jas 1:23 For if anyone hears the word but is not obedient to it, he is like a man who looks at himself in a mirror
Jas 1:24 and studies himself carefully, and then goes off and immediately forgets what he looks like.
Jas 1:25 But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it—thereby demonstrating that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what that law requires—will be blessed in what he does.
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commandments.