Unity Of The Church --- a Bible Study

Instructions for use: Please use the verses given to answer the questions as well as write down the verse number the answer is in.

I. Divisions of the Church Are A Sin
1 Corinthians 1:10-13: "I pray, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you all speak the same thing; and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me... that there are quarrels among you. Now I say, that every one of you says: 'I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephus; and I of Christ. IS CHRIST DIVIDED? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
1 Corinthians 3:3: "For you are not yet spiritual: for there are many among you envying, and strife, and divisions."
2 Timothy 2:15-16: "Study to show yourself apporved unto God, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

1) Are Christians to “Speak the same thing”?
2) Are there to be any divisions among Christians?
3) If he had answered that he was a "Paul-ite", and "Apollos-ite", or a "Cephas-ite", would he have been condemned by God?
4) Are Denominations “speaking the same thing”?
5) Are Denominations divided over spiritual matters?
6) Is this division from God or man?
7) Can there be any justifiable reason for Christians being part of this division?
8) Are those in a denomination obeying the commandments of men, or of Christ?"
9) Can people be Christians, and nothing else in this day and age?
10) How must this be done?
[other verses: Acts 17:11; Romans 16:17; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 3:16; Philippians 2:2; ]

1 Corinthians 14:33"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints".,

1) Is God the author of confusion?
2) Can all the things the different denominations teach be correct?
3) Is Denominationalism in harmony with God’s Word, or in confusion?
4) Are then denominations from God?
5) Where are they from, then?

II. There is Only One Church Belonging to Jesus Christ
Matthew 16:18 [Jesus said] “... I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Colossians 1:24, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,”
Ephesians 4:1-5: "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. "

1) Who does the church belong to?
2) Does Christ’s body figuratively represent the church?
3) How many bodies did Jesus Christ have?
4) How many bodies [churches] are there that belong to Jesus Christ?
5) How many faiths are there?
6) Are Christians to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit?

III. How Can I Know Which Church Is The One Belonging To Jesus Christ?
2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Romans 15:19; where Paul says, "... I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. "("in its entirety" - The Amplified version); and Acts 20:27, "...I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God"
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 1:13, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

1) Has God given all the information we need to worship Him the way He wants?
2) Has God commanded Christians to “Study” His Word to discover what He desires of us in worship?
3) Would God tell us to do something that we could not do?
4) Does the Bible contain all we need to know to duplicate God’s pattern for the church?
[See also: Genesis 6:11-22; Exodus 25:9, 40; 26:30; Numbers 8:4; Hebrews 8:5; 1 Timothy 1:16; Philippians 3:17; Acts 7:44]

2 John 9-10: "Whosoever goes contrary to the teachings of Christ has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. If there come any to you, and bring not these teachings, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
John 14:6: "Jesus said ... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, except by Me."
Colossians 3:17 "Whatsoever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name (authority) of the lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him".
John 14:15 Jesus also said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" .

1) Must we obey Christ’s Word if we want to go to Heaven?
2) Does this include worshipping God according to His plan as given in the Bible?
3) Should Christians wear no name but Christ's, and have no creed but the Bible?
[See also: John 17:17; Romans 1:18; 2:5-11; 1 Corinthians 13:4-6;
2 Corinthians 13:7-8]

IV. When and Where Was the Church Belonging to Jesus Christ Established?
Matthew 16:18 [Jesus said] “... I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

1) When Jesus made this statement “... I will build My church..” --- was this yet to be accomplished at a time in the future?

Acts 2:47; “... and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

1) Who did the Lord add to the church?
2) Who was the person doing the adding?
3) When was this done?
4) What was the approximate date this occured?
5) Where did this first occur?

Colossians 1:24, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,”
1 Corinthians 12:12-14; “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body --- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free --- and have all been made to drink into one spirit. 14For in fact.” the body is not one member, but many.
Acts 11:26b; “...And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

1) What are those belonging to Christ’s church called?
2) How were they put into the body, the church?
3) Who’s church were they baptized into?
4) When, where, and by whom was the church belonging to Jesus Christ established?
5) Can any church established at any other time, or place by any other person than Jesus Christ be His church, then?
6) What were Christ’s disciples called in Acts 11:26?
7) Because of what these verse teach, should followers of Christ call themselves by any other denominational name today --- or be part of a denomination?

1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

1) Must Christians, as stewards of God, be faithful in the things He has told us to do?
2) Must we then be a member of His body --- His church, as defined by the pattern in His Word to be pleasing to God?
3) Are you a member of the church established by Jesus Christ in Jerusalem about AD 30 --- as shown in the Bible?

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The Open Bible Study Method

Background Studies
by Don French

Introduction
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce this section of the book entitled Background studies. The purpose for these studies is to lay down background information about information that is essential to understanding other studies. For example, one of the studies in this section is The Importance of the Bible in Understanding God’s Will for Mankind. If one does not recognize the Bible’s place in God revealing His Will to Mankind, then there is no use in studying the Bible with that person because they do not accept its place in God’s scheme of Redemption. It is the same to them as if I wanted to study God’s will with them and I pull out the Doctor Seuss’s Book, “The Cat in the Hat.”

While in many cases, some of these studies can be skipped before studying God’s plan of salvation is studied, these are all studies that at one time or another, I needed to cover before the person that I was studying with could even begin to agree to study the gospel plan of salvation. While over the course of my ministry, I averaged about a 50% success rate, many of those that I baptized eventually fell away. For this reason, I have tried to cover more of these studies to make sure that the new-born Christians understand better what God expects from every Christian.

I wish that I could say that I had a hundred percent success rate, both in baptisms and in getting people to continue in their Christian lives, but this would be a lie. The reality is that in recent years around 80% of the people that I have studied with have had alcohol addiction problems or drug addition problems with most of the drug problems being crack related. The time and effort that is required with dealing with the struggles is much higher now days than it was when I first began studying with sinners when I was starting out. The only advantage that I can see is that as I study with people who suffer wit these addictions, they seem to be more receptive in the beginning because many times they are surprised that someone who is a Christian cares for them. The worldly statistics say that only 3% of those who are addicted to crack, ever break the habit. While I have had a slightly higher success rate, it takes much more effort and much more dedication to encouraging people who are addicted to drugs than those who are not.

This has been one of my biggest problems in that as my Parkinson’s has progressed my ability to talk verbally has diminished. I hope that by writing this book, if I can encourage even one person to overcome their addiction to sin, then it will have been worth all of the effort and cost. I do not mean this to sound like a condemnation of the brotherhood, because I have seen much in the way of positive steps in overcoming these problems, but we have done a much better job of turning out men who are good preachers than we have in turning out personal workers and congregational teachers who can help new converts deal with their daily struggles.

Chapter Summary
1. Many of us have fears about studying the Bible with Non-Christians
2. These studies are designed to help make it easier for anyone to attempt to study.
3. If I can study the Bible with my voice almost gone anyone can conduct a Bible study.
4. We just need to speak where the Bible speaks and Be silent where the Bible is silent.
5. I hope this book makes the daunting task of studying with people a little easier.

Background Studies
The Importance of the Bible in Learning God’s Will for Mankind
Chapter Introduction
This chapter and study serves three purposes. All three of these are important and that is why I suggest starting with this study. I have found from experience, that studies that start with this study proceed much smoother than studies that do not. The first purpose is to establish the necessity of studying from the Bible to understand what God wants me to do in order to please Him, both as an individual and as a human being. Many people claim that they believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, but when you begin studying with them you will find what they mean when they say this and what the Bible means are two totally different things. The second purpose of this study is to make sure in my mind where the person is at in their Biblical knowledge, in order that I can tell if there are any additional subjects that I need to cover with them before studying God’s plan of salvation. The third purpose for going through these simpler subjects first is to build a level of trust between the teacher and the student. I have found that if this level of trust is not built up by the time that we start studying the gospel plan of salvation, it will probably never be established. By level of trust, I mean that when I say something, they can see it right there in the Word of God.

The first part of the study that I cover is subtitled, “Why Study the Bible?” If the Bible is not the word of God, we do not need to worry about what it says, let alone have our entire lives guided and shaped by it. It is important to be able to show others why they should accept the Bible as the final arbitrator.
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Lesson 1 --- WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

by Don French

Bible Lesson #1
Background Studies
The Importance of the Bible in Learning God’s Will for Mankind

WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

Instructions for use: Please print the lesson and use the verses to give the answer to the questions as well as write down the verse number the answer is in.

II Timothy 2:15&16"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness”

1.Is studying the Bible a necessary part of being approved by God?
2.Should we learn how to be skillful workers for God?
3.If we study with the right attitude, can we correctly understand the Bible?
4.If we do things not found in the Bible, are they Godly?
5.Is it possible to do things pleasing to God, if we have not studied the Word of God?

Isaiah 28:9-14A “Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 13But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Therfore,hear the Word of the Lord, you scornful men ...”

1. How does God give knowledge to men?
2. How is the Word of God given to men?
3. Would we expect to find all that God reveals on a subject in one place?
4. Would it take disciplined study to discern God’s will?
5. Could this be God’s way to separate those people who are lazy and do not want to study carefully and spend the time and effort it takes to come to the proper understanding of the Word of God?

I Peter 3:15-16 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

1. Should we be able to give an answer for our hope in Christ?
2. Should we be able to show from the Bible why we believe as we do?
3. Is this part of sanctifying God?
4. Should we know the Bible well enough to be able to show others that what we are doing is the will of God?

Romans 10:1-3 “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

1. Is zeal (enthusiasm) alone enough to save? (Israel was enthused for God, but Israel was not saved)
2. If we don't have knowledge of God's righteousness, are we rebelling against God?(Because Israel did things that they thought were right, they did not submit to God)
3. Is knowledge necessary for salvation?

Revelation 22:18-19 “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” [also see: Dueteronomy 4:2; 5:32; & 12:32; Joshua 1:7-8; Proverbs 30:5-6]

1. Are men or religions allowed to teach things that add to what God’s Word teaches?
2. Are men or religions allowed to teach things that take away from what God’s Word teaches?
3. If someone teaches something different than what the Bible teaches are they adding or subtracting from what God’s Word teaches?
4. What do these verses say will happen to someone who does that?

John 3:5-7 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

1. Can physical man understand spiritual things without the aid of the Bible?
2. Are we to marvel over or question spiritual commands? (We have a right to try an understand what God wants us to do, but we do not have the right to question God’s right to give the command)

WHAT IS OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS

THE WORD OF GOD TO BE LIKE?Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

1. Who has all power?
2. Does he have the power to tell us what to do?
3. Does any man have the right to give spiritual commands?

II Timothy 3:16&17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

1. Who inspired the writing of the Bible?
2. What is to be our source of doctrine?
3. Do we need anything but the Bible?

JOHN 12:48 “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

1. What will judge us in the final day (Judgment)?
2. If we don't receive the Bible, are we rejecting Christ?

2 PETER 1:20-21 “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

1. Is the scripture open to private interpretation?
2. Did man choose to write scripture or was it directed by the Holy Ghost?
3. What is more important, how I interpret a scripture or what God meant in the verse?

1 CORINTHIANS 2:11-15 “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”

1. Who knows what a person is thinking?
2. Who knows what God is thinking?
3. Did the writers of the New Testament receive things from the world or from God?
4. Who chose the words used in the New Testament? 5. Who was the real author of the books of the New Testament?

Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

1. Where does faith in God come from?
2. What causes our faith to become stronger?
3. Should we consider the Bible important in living a Christian life?

Galatians 1:6-12 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1. Is it possible to be removed from the grace of God?
2. What makes it a different gospel?
3. Does a man, an Apostle, or even an Angel have the power to change the gospel of Christ?
4. If we do things to please men, are we servants of Christ?
5. Did the gospel Paul preached come from him or another man?
6. Who taught Paul the gospel that he delivered and preached?

II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

1. Are any of our efforts any good, if we don't follow the Bible?
2. Should we look upon the Bible as our only inspired source of knowledge?

I Corinthians 4:6 “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.”

1. Which is more important, What the Bible says or what men may think?
2. How are we to view the Bible?

WHAT ARE WE TO DO WITH THE THINGS WE LEARN FROM THE BIBLEPhilippians 4:9 “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

1. What are we to do with what we learn from the Bible?
2. Will God be with us if we do what the Bible says?
3. Will God be with us if we do not do what the Bible says?

James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

1. If we don't do what the Bible says, do we sin?
2. Is God pleased with those who are not doers?
3. Is God pleased with those who are doers?

James 1:25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

1. Who is a doer of the work?
2. Will the doers of the work be blessed by God?
3. What does a person need to do in order to be blessed by God?

Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

1. Will just paying lip service to Christ save us?
2. What must we do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
3. What will happen to one who does not do the will of God?

John 8:31&32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

1. What makes us disciples of Christ?
2. Can we know the Truth without doing the will of God?
3. Can we be free of sin without following Jesus Christ?

John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

1. What causes us to keep the commandments of God?
2. Do we love God if we don't keep his commandments?

Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

1. Can we serve God without doing his will?
2. If we do what we please, do we love God?
3. If we do as we want, how do we feel about God?

Revelation 2:10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

1. How long must we obey the will of God?
2. Will we receive a good reward if we don't serve God until death?

Chapter SummaryINTRUCTIONS: Please write down the verse that applies after the statement.

1. We must study the Bible because it is part of having God approve of the things that we do.

2. We must study the Bible because we need to learn to be skillful workers for God.

3. We must study the Bible because if we study with the attitude of learning what God wants, we can correctly understand the Bible.

4. We must study the Bible because God does not reveal everything about a subject in one place, but throughout the Bible.

5. We must study the Bible because if we add or take away from the things found in the Bible, we will not have a home in heaven with God.

6. We must study the Bible because if we do things not found in the Bible, they are not Godly.

7. We must study the Bible because we need to be able to give an answer for our hope in Christ.

8. We must study the Bible because studying the Bible is part of sanctifying God.

9. We must study the Bible because enthusiasm without knowledge will not save us.

10. We must study the Bible because if we do not get what we do from the Bible, we are actually rebelling against God.

11. We must study the Bible because knowledge is necessary for salvation.

12. We must study the Bible because we cannot understand spiritual things without studying the Bible.

13. We must have the attitude while we study that what we read is actually God speaking to us.

14. We must have the attitude while we study that what we read are the commands of God.

15. We must have the attitude while we study that Jesus has the right to tell us what to do.

16. We must have the attitude while we study that what we read is to be the source of doctrine, reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness.

17. We must have the attitude while we study that what we read will judge us on the last day.

18. We must have the attitude while we study that if we reject what we read, we are rejecting Jesus Christ himself.

19. We must have the attitude while we study that what we read is inspired by the Holy Spirit even to the words used.

20. We must have the attitude while we study that how we interpret the scriptures is important only if it is what God intended.

21. We must have the attitude while we study, what we read will bring us to have faith in God.

22. We should have the attitude while we study that we must do the things that the Bible tells us, not just read them.

23. We need to know that just saying we love the Lord does not mean that we are saved.

24. We need to know that to receive blessings from God, we must continue obeying the things we learn.

25. We need to know that to love God, we must obey the commands of God in the Bible.

26. We need to know that the love of God is keeping his commands.

27. We need to know we have to remain faithful and obedient to God until we die, in order to receive a crown of life.
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Lesson 2 --- Which Law Are We Under?

The Open Bible Study Method
Background Studies

Lesson 2
Which law are we under?

Instructions: Please answer the questions from the verses given and supply the verse number where you found the answer.

Galatians 4:21-31 “ Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he whowas of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”

1. Which law did the bondwoman and her son represent?
2. Which law did the free woman and her son represent?
3. Which son represents Christians?
4. What was to be done to the bondwoman and her son?
5. Which son was to inherit everything?
6. Which son was to inherit nothing.
7. Which son represented those who follow the Old Testament?
8. What spiritual things blessings do those who follow the Old Testament inherit?

Jeremiah 31:31-34 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

1) Did Jeremiah say that there would be a “new covenant”?
2) Did this new covenant have to do with complete forgiveness of sins?

Colossians 2:14 “ Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

1. Was the old law against us?
2. Was it contrary to us?
3. Did the old law demand perfection which is contrary to human nature?
4. When was the old law taken away?

Hebrews 8:6-7 “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. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.”

1. Can you see the concept of two laws here?
2. Which law was better?
3. Which law was established upon better promises?
4. Which law had Christ as its mediator?
5. Which law demanded perfection?
6. Which law provided for forgiveness of sins?

Matthew 5:17-18 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

1. Did Christ come to destroy the law of Moses?
2. What was Christ's purpose?
3. Could any of the old law be taken away before all of it was fulfilled?
4. Can any part of the Law of Moses be in effect, if it has been fulfilled?

Hebrews 7:11-17 “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

1. Could perfection come by the Levitical priesthood?
2. Which priesthood was Christ called after?
3. What had to happen for Christ to become a high priest after the order of Melchizedek?
4. Could Jesus become the High Priest if any of the Law of Moses remained in effect?
5. How long would Jesus be a priest after the order of Melchizedek?

Hebrews 10:9 “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.”

1. Did Christ take away the old law?
2. Did Christ establish a second law?
3. Was this the will of God?

Hebrews 9:15-17 “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.”

1. By what means did Christ establish the New Testament?
2. Was Christ's death necessary for a change in law?

What was the Purpose of the Old Law?
Galatians 3:24&25 “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster 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.”

1. What was the purpose of the old law?
2. Are we now under the schoolmaster, the old law?

Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

1. Why was the old law written?
2. Should we study the old law?

Hebrew 10:1 “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

1. What did the old law contain?
2. Could the old law make us perfect?

II Timothy 3:16&17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

1. Can the new law make us perfect (thoroughly equipped/mature)?
2. Which law do we wish to follow?

SUMMARY
Is The Law Of Moses Still In Effect?

INSTRUCTIONS: Please write the book, chapter and verse number where the statement is contained.
1) The Law from Moses is represented by the Bondwoman.

2) The New Testament is represented by the Freewoman.

3) Those who follow the Old Testament are represented by the Bondwoman’s son.

4) Christians are represented by the son of the Freewoman.

5) Those who follow the Old Testament receive no inheritance at all.

6) Christians will inherit everything from God.

7) The handwriting of ordinances was against human nature.

8) The Law of Moses was contrary to us.

9) The Old Law was taken away when Jesus was nailed to the cross.

10) The New Testament is better than the Old Testament.

11) The New Testament was established upon better promises.

12) Jesus Christ was the mediator of the New Testament.

13) Jesus did not come to destroy the Law of Moses, but to fulfill it.

14) Either all the Old Testament is in effect or none of it is.

15) Before Jesus could become High Priest, the Law of Moses had to be changed.

16) Jesus came to take away the Old Law and establish a New Law.

17) It was the will of God that this happen.

18) Jesus had to die to fulfill the Law of Moses and bring in a new covenant.

19) The death of Jesus was necessary for the New Testament to come into effect.

What Was The Purpose Of The Law Of Moses?
1) The purpose of the Law of Moses was to lead the world to Jesus.

2) The Old Testament contains a shadow of the New Testament.

3) By studying the Old Testament, we can better understand the New Testament.

4) The Old Testament was written for our learning.

5) The Old Testament could never make its followers perfect.

6) We do not study the Old Law to find commandments that we still obey.

7) We study the Old Testament to see how God feels about obedience to His commandments.

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