What is the law in Galatians - Moral or ceremonial?

[Robert]

Why do I ask what law?

Let's go to Galatians 3:22

But the Scripture declares that the whole world (the human race) is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before the faith (Jesus) came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until the faith [Jesus] should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge until Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that the faith [Jesus] has come, we [believers] are no longer under the law.

From what law has the believer, because of his faith in Christ, been delivered?

The pre-1888, traditional SDA said that Paul was speaking of the ceremonial law.

What do you say?

[Gibs]

Ceremonial Law because He was the fulfillment of what it was a type that pointed to the true.

They had to look forward in faith to the True Lamb of God Slain.

We must look back in faith and know the True Lamb of God was slain for us.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Robert]

Since this is a SDA website I'll start off by letting Ellen White have the first word:

“‘The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’ (Gal. 3:24) In this Scripture the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law." [June 6, 1896]

“An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth (concerning the law in Galatians), lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord’s message through Brethren (E.J.) Waggoner and (A.T.) Jones."

[Robert]

Ceremonial Law

“‘The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’ (Gal. 3:24) In this Scripture the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law." [June 6, 1896]

Ellen G. White disagrees with you, but more importantly Paul does.

[Q.E.D.]

Since this is a SDA website I'll start off by letting Ellen White have the first word:

“‘The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’ (Gal. 3:24) In this Scripture the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law." [June 6, 1896]

“An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth (concerning the law in Galatians), lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord’s message through Brethren (E.J.) Waggoner and (A.T.) Jones."

Duhh! Got any new stuff?

Continuing to be amazed by the widespread delusions. . .

Q.E.D.

[Robert]

Got any new stuff?

Yes:

Romans 7:4 So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. ....6 But now, by dying to what once bound us (the law), we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code (i.e., the OC).

You see the law demands 100% righteousness, but to those who have and are failing, the law demands death. Hence the OC demands: "Obey and live, disobey and die!"

Since all have sinned and are failing to live Christ's life of unselfish love we have to die. And we did in the humanity of Christ.

You see according to Paul when "One died, all died". The whole human race died in Him, just as the whole human race sinned in Adam. So in the second Adam, Christ, the human race died in Him:

Romans 6:6 For we know that our old self (our old life from Adam) was (past tense - refers to the cross) crucified with him so that the body of sin (our humanity indwelt by iniquity) might be done away with...

So as far as the moral law is concerned you and I are dead, condemned by the law itself. So the law is satisfied with us "in Christ". We have been delivered from under the law & it's curse.

[Gibs]

EGW says both here,

"I am asked concerning the law in Galatians. What law is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ? I answer: Both the ceremonial and the moral code of ten commandments. {1MR 131.4}

Christ was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy. The death of Abel was in consequence of Cain refusing to accept God's plan in the school of obedience to be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ typified by the

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sacrificial offerings pointing to Christ. Cain refused the shedding of blood which symbolized the blood of Christ to be shed for the world. This whole ceremony was prepared by God, and Christ became the foundation of the whole system. This is the beginning of its work as the schoolmaster to bring sinful human agents to a consideration of Christ the Foundation of the whole Jewish economy. {1MR 131.5}

All who did service in connection with the sanctuary were being educated constantly in regard to the intervention of Christ in behalf of the human race. This service was designed to create in every heart a love for the law of God, which is the law of His kingdom. The sacrificial offering was to be an object lesson of the love of God revealed in Christ--in the suffering, dying victim, who took upon Himself the sin of which man was guilty, the innocent being made sin for us. {1MR 132.1}

In the contemplation of this great theme of salvation, we see Christ's work. Not only the promised gift of the Spirit, but also the nature and character of this sacrifice and intervention, is a subject which should create in our hearts elevated, sacred, high ideas of the law of God, which holds its claims upon every human agency. The violation of that law in the small act of eating of the forbidden fruit, brought upon man and upon the earth the consequence of disobedience to the holy law of God. The nature of the intervention should ever make man afraid to do the smallest action in disobedience to God's requirement. {1MR 132.2}

There should be a clear understanding of that which constitutes sin, and we should avoid the least approach to step over the boundaries from obedience to disobedience. {1MR 132.3}

God would have every member of His creation understand the great work of the infinite Son of God in giving His life for the salvation of the world.

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"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not" (1 John 3:1). {1MR 132.4}

When he sees in Christ the embodiment of infinite and disinterested love and benevolence, there is awakened in the heart of the sinner a thankful disposition to follow where Christ is drawing. Ms 87, 1900, pp. 1, 2. ("The Law in Galatians," circa 1900.)

White Estate Washington, D. C. February 13, 1952 {1MR 133.1}

[skyblue888]

So it is both the ceremonial and the moral law. The moral law, engraved on stones or written with ink cannot give life for it is as cold as the stones it is engraved upon or as dry as the ink it is written with. But like the ceremonial law it points to Christ.

E.W. Waggoner wrote a small pamphlet dealing with this. It is titled The Gospel in Galatians. It is probably the best you could ever read on the subject.

sky

[Just*]

The strongest argument against the ceremonial law view is found in verse 24: “Wherefore the law was our school-master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Now it is an undeniable fact that the possession of faith led to the offering of sacrifices, and not the offering of sacrifices to faith. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Now I ask, How could the ceremonial law lead a man to that which he already had? Since it was faith that prompted Abel and all others to offer sacrifices, how can it be said that those sacrifices served as a school-master to lead them to Christ that they might be justified by faith?

[Robert]

I answer: Both the ceremonial and the moral code of ten commandments.

Yes, but "especially...the moral law"! We do not need to be saved from the ceremonial law.