We think the division between Israel and the Church has proceeded from the philosophy termed "Dispensationalism." It is our opinion that Dispensationalism has proved to be destructive of coherent biblical interpretation and should be abandoned. It may be noticed that the idea of the pre-tribulation rapture, another tenet of Dispensationalism, is being reexamined in our day and various teachers and preachers, who may at one time have accepted the pre-tribulation rapture uncritically, are not finding support for this view in the Scriptures. This has been the case with the present writer.

Wherefore Then Serveth the Law?

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [guardian slave] to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Galatians 3:19-25)

The Lord Jesus stated that the Law would not pass away. But Paul, speaking by the Spirit of Christ, presents the Law as being temporary. The Law is permanent, and the Law is a temporary provision. Both statements are equally true, both having come originally from the God of Heaven.

We must understand that the writings of the Apostles do not supersede the commandments of Christ expressed in the four Gospel accounts. How could they? The Great Commission given to the eleven Apostles, and then to Paul, the twelfth (not Matthias, surely!—another example of human adaptation) is to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey the commandments given by Christ. Have these commandments been superseded by the writings of the Apostles such that the Great Commission has been changed to, "tell the nations they are saved by grace and no longer are obliged to keep the commandments of Christ"?

How can the Law be permanent and yet a temporary provision?

The answer is as follows: the Law of Moses indeed is permanent and is a covenantal, abridged form of the eternal moral law of God. Adultery always is sin. Murder always is sin. Covetousness always is sin. As for the ceremonial statutes, they teach us to distinguish between that which is holy and that which is not holy. Circumcision speaks of the cutting away of the adamic nature and its replacement by the Presence of God.

No, such are never superseded as to intent.

To be continued.