Introduction

• Dan Kimball, How Not to Read the Bible

God’s Laws Through the Ages

Genesis 1 – Laws for Patriarchs

• Genesis 3; 6:14; 12
• Genesis 4 – Cain and Abel presenting offerings, showing they had been instructed to do so.
• Genesis 18:19

Exodus 20 – Law of Moses for Israel (Old Covenant)

• Exodus 19:3-6
• Deuteronomy 5:1-3
• This was Gid’s law for Israel. It was specific to that group.

Prophets – Laws for Gentiles

• Isaiah 13:1; 14:29; 15:1; 18:1; 19:1; 21:11, 13 – Examples of God giving instructions to Gentiles.
• Jeremiah 46; Amos 1
• Romans 4:15 – Without law, there is no sin.
• Jonah 1:2 – The Ninevites evidently knew God’s laws.

Transition: Jesus Lived Under the Old Covenant, Taught the New Covenant

• Matthew 5:17-18 – Jesus came to fulfill the law.
• Matthew 4:23

Acts 2 – Law of Christ for ALL (New Covenant)

• Hebrews 1:1-2

• Acts 2:36-39

• Acts 10 – Law is for Gentiles also!

  • Acts 10:34-35

  • Galatians 3:28

• John 12:48 – Jesus’ law will carry on until the last day.

• Romans 1:16

Study each passage in its context to determine its relevance to us.

• Generally, the New Testament is for us, the Old Testament is not. But even that is an oversimplification.
• Not everything in the Old Testament is irrelevant.
• Not everything in the New Testament is an instruction for us.