• Introduction
    • II Timothy 2:15
    • I Peter 3:15
  • Bible Study Starter
    • God’s laws through the ages
      • The Bible gives us a spiritual history of the world.
      • Laws for patriarchs
        • In the very beginning, God dealt with people on a family basis, giving instructions to the fathers.
      • Law of Moses for Israel (Old Covenant)
        • Exodus 19:5 – God communicated His law for the nation of Israel. The best-known parts of the law are the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17).
        • Deuteronomy 5:1-3
        • Luke 24:44 – This law was called the “Law of Moses.”
        • Jeremiah 37:31-34 – The Law of Moses would be temporary.
        • Matthew 5:17-18 – The Israelites (Jews) were under this law from Exodus 20 until Pentecost in Acts 2. Even Jesus lived under the Law of Moses.
      • Laws for Gentiles
        • The Old Testament focuses on the Israelites, but God also gave laws to the Gentiles during that period of time. For example, Isaiah 13-21 records messages to several nations.
        • Gentiles were under these laws until Acts 10.
      • Law of Christ for all (New Covenant)
        • Jesus came bringing the New Covenant. Matthew 4:23; Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:17
        • The New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant. Hebrews 8:6-13; 10:9-10. Jews were invited to take part in the New Covenant in Acts 2, Gentiles in Acts 10.
        • No one is under the Old Covenant today. John 12:48; Galatians 3:24-29; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 2:11-22
        • We now serve God through the Law of Christ taught in the New Testament.
      • God’s authority
        • Romans 14:11-12 – God is our creator and master, so He has all authority. He gets to decide how we ought to live our lives and worship Him.
        • This has always been true, even with Adam and Eve who were given a rule to follow in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:3). The story of Cain and Abel illustrates the strictness with which God exercises His authority (Genesis 4:1-8; Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17).
        • God’s authority continues today. Matthew 7:13-14, 21; II John 9
      • God’s love
        • All of us have become guilty of sin by breaking God’s law (I John 3:4; Romans 3:23).
        • Sin separates us from God, severing our fellowship with Him (Isaiah 59:1-2). Furthermore, there is nothing we can do on our own to restore that fellowship. We are helpless!
        • Thankfully, God took action on our behalf, sending His Son Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins on the cross (Romans 5:6-9; Ephesians 2:4-10).
        • Through the Bible, God informs us of the conditions we must meet in order to receive His gift:
          • Believe and confess Jesus as Christ and Lord (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:36)
          • Repent (Acts 17:30; II Corinthians 7:10)
          • Be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27)
          • Continue a new life of service to God until death (Romans 6:3-4; Matthew 22:35-40)