The Law Of God
George Burnside
1. WHY I AM A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
1 Peter 3:15. The Lord expects us to give Bible reasons for our hope. Millions of professed Christians could not give any Scriptural reasons why they belong to their church. Christ in His special book points out His Church in the last days.
Revelation 14:12
The name “Seventh-day” - Commandments of God “Adventist” - Faith of Jesus
They are Christians
Revelation 14:6 “Everlasting Gospel” (They are not the only Christians Revelation 18:4.)
It is a Bible Name
I am an Adventist Because -
Peter 2 Peter 1:16
James James 5:7, 8
John 1 John 2:28; 3:2, 3
Paul 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.
I am a Seventh-Day Adventist because:
The Lord’s Day is the seventh-day Sabbath
Moses Exodus 16:23-30
David Psalms 19:7, 8
Jeremiah Jeremiah 17:21, 27
Luke 23:56, “according to the commandment”.
Never once does it apply a sacred title to the first day of the week.
These are the last words Jesus gave to us:
“I (Jesus) testify these words.”
“He (Jesus) which testifies these things said surely I come quickly.”
“If you love me Keep my commandments” - John 14:15.
“If you would enter into life Keep the Commandments - Matthew 19:17.
“Here are they that keep the Commandments”- Revelation 14:12.
2. SUNDAY-THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
The word “Sunday” is nowhere mentioned in the Bible. The first day of the week is mentioned nine times in the Bible.
Genesis 1:5
God worked on Sunday. It can never be a sin to follow God’s example. Work on Sunday is not a sin.
Mark 16:9
Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week [Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:12; Luke 24:1]. However, we are nowhere told to keep that day in honor of His resurrection. John 20:1
John 20:19
They were not assembled to hold a religious meeting as some have asserted. They were there for fear that the same fate that had befallen Jesus would be their fate. It was certainly not a religious service in honor of Christ’s resurrection as God’s word plainly states that they did not believe Christ had risen (see Mark 16:14). Christ appeared to convince them. The day was just closing and Christ did not want the day to close with them still in unbelief. If Christ had wanted them to keep that lay as a sacred day in honor of His resurrection He surely would not have left His appearing to them to its closing moments.
1 Corinthians 16:1, 2
This is instruction regarding a private checking up of their books to “see how God has prospered them” and a private laying aside of a gift for the poor of Jerusalem.
Acts 20:7
There is no Bible proof that “the breaking of bread” was the Lord’s Supper.
The disciples broke bread “daily”. Acts 2:46. Of course the disciples broke bread on “the first day of the week” as they did it every day. Like a drowning man clutching for a straw, Sunday advocates are forced to snatch at anything at all that looks like an evidence for the day that Christ never blessed, kept or asked anyone to keep. This meeting recorded in Acts 20:7 was held on what we call Saturday night. All through the word of God, they reckoned days from sunset to sunset. Leviticus 23:32: “from even to even”.
The Jews objected to Christ healing on Sabbath hence people waited “until evening when the sun set”. Mark 1:32. Luke, the writer of Acts, mentions “the Sabbath drew on”, that is the sun was setting, as they laid Jesus to rest in Joseph’s new tomb. Luke 23:54. So this meeting of Acts 20:7 being held on the dark part of the first day of the week was Saturday night. To sum up just a little of the evidence against this counterfeit to Our Lord’s Sacred Day, let us note:
3. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE SINAI
THE PEOPLE DOUBTED MOSES
Exodus 16:20 “They harkened not unto Moses”
Exodus 17:3 “They murmured against Moses”. MOSES TEACHING TEN COMMANDMENTS
BEFORE SINAI
Exodus 18:15-16 “The statutes of God, and His laws”.
Exodus 18:19-20
GOD SPOKE TEN COMMANDMENTS TO CONFIRM WHAT MOSES HAD BEEN TEACHING Exodus 19:9
Exodus 20:19 People convinced
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WERE KNOWN BEFORE SINAI - Genesis 13:13 13: 13
“Sinners before the Lord exceedingly”. Therefore there was law. 1 John 3:4.
2 Peter 2:6-8
“Unlawful deeds” “Unlawful” means contrary to the law. Therefore there was a law.
Genesis 13:10
Sodom was beautiful but bad. Like the devil.
Jude 1:7
“Filthy conversation”.
TEN COMMANDMENTS BEFORE SINAI
1st. Genesis 35:1-4, Joshua 24:2
2nd. Genesis 31:19; 35:2-4
3rd. Leviticus 18:21, 27
4th. Genesis 2:1-3, 8:10, 12; 29:27,28, Exodus 16
5th. Genesis 9:20, 25; 45:25-34
6th. Genesis 4:8-11, 23, 24; 39:5,9
7th. Genesis 20:5, 9 39:5, 9
8th. Genesis 13:23; 31:19, 30, 32; 44:5
9th. Genesis 29:7-20
10th. Must be broken before 8th - Genesis 3:6; 6:5, 6.
4. THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD
Revelation 14:12
“Keep the Commandments of God and the faith (or teaching) of Jesus.”
Revelation 14:14-16
Glorious picture of our Returning Lord.
“The harvest of the earth was reaped”. Matthew 13:39. Jesus said “the harvest is the end of the world”. Therefore, just before the appearing of our Lord at the last day; Jesus will have a people, prepared for His coming who “keep the commandments of God.”
Revelation 11:19
“The ark of His testimony” seen in heaven. This was many years after the cross of Christ.
1 Kings 8:9
Only Ten Commandments in Ark.
Exodus 31:18
“Two tables of testimony”.
(See also Exodus 16:34; 25:16, 21, 22).
The ark was called the “Ark of His Testimony” because it contained the “tables of testimony”. The Ten Commandments were spoken by God Himself in the hearing of a whole nation. Deuteronomy 4:13; 10:4. God Himself wrote the Ten Commandments. Exodus 34:28.
1 Kings 8:9
God separated these Commandments from all the other laws given through Moses. Ten Commandments alone placed in the Ark. Hence called the “Ark of His Testimony”. God showed John the Ark, containing His Testimony, in Heaven, 60 years after the Cross. So whatever was abolished at the Cross, it certainly was not the Ten Commandments. After seeing them in Heaven, Jesus points out a people on earth keeping them. Revelation 14:12; 12:17.
Revelation 15:5
The angels with the Seven Last Plagues come from the tabernacle of the testimony.
It is called “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony”.
“The tabernacle of the Decalogue.” Dr. Strong Concordance.
“The testimony namely the two tables.” Dr. Adam Clarke.
The Seven Last Plagues are poured out because of willful transgression of God’s testimony (Ten
Commandments).
Psalm 119:89
“Forever thy word is settled in Heaven.”
The original word translated “Thy word” in this scripture is the same as translated “Ten Commandments” in Deuteronomy 4:13. Man, because he does not want to obey them, may say the Ten Commandments are abolished, but Jesus showed in His last book that they are forever settled in Heaven.
1 Corinthians 7:19
Ceremonialism may drop off, when Jesus died on the Cross, but the “keeping of the Commandments” of God “-abides as the standard of our God. The last church of Jesus that carries His last message to the whole world will keep them and preach them. Revelation 12:17; 14:12.
Revelation 22:14
The Commandments of God are not abolished. You must have the help of Jesus to keep them. “If you love me keep my Commandments.”
“If you would enter into life keep Commandments.”
“Here are they that keep the Commandments.”
5. HOW DAYS OF WEEK WERE NAMED
Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31 Genesis 2:1-3
The weekly cycle made at creation. Days numbered, not named.
Genesis 4:3 (Margin)
They gathered for worship at the close of the cycle of days.
Ezekiel 46:1
Six days called working days. Seventh rest day of worship.
Genesis 2:2, 3
All days alike except the seventh day, which was blessed and sanctified, made holy.
Isaiah 58:12
God Called it His “Holy Day.”
Exodus 20:8-1 1
It is also called the “Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”
Mark 2:28
Jesus claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath. This is the only day He claimed, as His own day. This is the only “Lord’s Day.”
While all days were numbered the Lord gave names to only two. The seventh day was called the “Sabbath Day,” “My Holy Day,” “The Lord’s Day.”
Mark 15:42
The sixth day was called the “preparation day.” Luke 23: 54
Exodus 16:22, 23
Food, etc., was prepared for God’s Holy Day.
Luke 23:54-56
Spices were brought to embalm the Savior on that day. The week, unlike the days, month and year, is not connected with the movement of any heavenly bodies. But, it has been known by all ancient races from time immemorial being handed down from creation.
The names of the days of the week were derived from the Egyptians. The Romans followed the same order distinguishing them as follows:
Dies Solis-Sun’s Day Sunday
Dies Lunae-Moon’s Day Monday
Dies Martis-Mar’s Day Tuesday
Dies Mercurii-Mercury’s Day Wednesday
Dies Jovis-Jupiter’s Day Thursday
Dies Veneris-Venus’ Day Friday
Dies Saturni-Saturn’s Day Saturday
Weekly Cycle
The origin of our English names of the first, second, and seventh days is apparent. The remaining four are named from Tiu, Woden, Thor, and Frigga, northern deities equivalent to Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus in classical mythology.
Isaiah 66: 22, 23
The weekly cycle will continue in the New Earth. All the redeemed will gather for worship on the Sabbath.
6. THE LORD’S DAY
The Sabbath began at Creation - Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11.
Instituted by the Creator, Christ-John 1:1-3; Ephesians 3:9.
By His resting on the Seventh day - Genesis 2:1-3.
By His blessing the Seventh day - Exodus 20:8-11
By His sanctifying the Seventh day.
The Sabbath was part of God’s Law long before Sinai - Exodus 16:4.
The Sabbath is obligatory on all mankind-Jew and Gentile - Mark 2:27; Isaiah 56:2-6.
The Seventh Day, not the first day of the week, is the Sabbath of the New Testament - Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1, 2.
Jesus Himself Kept the Sabbath while on earth- Luke 4:16; John 15:10; 1 Peter 2:22. The Virgin Mary and the other women kept the Sabbath - Luke 23:56.
According to the first apostolic council ever held, all the converted Gentiles kept the Sabbath - Acts 15:1921.
Converted Gentiles under grace kept the Sabbath – Acts 13:42-44; 15:19-21. The following Scriptures prove the Sabbath is the Lord’s Day:
Exodus 16:23, 25; 20:10.
Exodus 31:13.
Leviticus 19:3, 30; 23:38; 26:2.
Deuteronomy 5:14.
Isaiah 56:4.
Isaiah 58:13.
Ezekiel 20:12, 13, 16, 20, 21, 24; 22:8, 26; 23:38; 44:24.
Matthew 12:8.
Mark 2:28.
Luke 6:5.
Revelation 1:10
There is not one text in all the scriptures that says the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. The Lord’s Holy Day begins and ends at sunset - Leviticus 23:32; 22:6, 7. Mark 1:32, 33; Nehemiah 13:15-22. God’s Redeemed People will keep it forever in the Glory land - Isaiah 66:22, 23. Christ’s holy day reaches from Eden Lost to Eden restored. There is certainly no need; nor room for any counterfeit Lord’s day.
7. DOES JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH MAKE VOID THE LAW?
Romans 5:1
“Justified by faith”.
Has there ever been any other way? If not, why not?
Romans 5:18
Justification is opposite to condemnation. Romans 3:19 - “all” guilty.
New Testament teaching on sin
1 John 3:4.
Romans 3:20. “By the law is the knowledge of sin”.
Romans 7:7 Knew sin “by the law”.
Romans 4:15. Where no law, no transgression.
1 Corinthians 15:56. “Strength of sin is the law”.
Justification
No longer condemned by Law of God.
God does not change law, changes man.
Holy Spirit warns against change in law. Romans 3:31.
How we cannot be justified
Ephesians 2:9. “Not by works” Penalty “death”, not works, penance, etc. (Adventists not only teach cannot be justified by works but know why.) Romans 3:23. Reason why - Because “all sinned”.
Therefore all “under law” = condemnation.
(Mirror shows dirt on face. Smashing the mirror does not clean face.)
How we can be justified
1 Corinthians 6:9-11. “And such were you but you were washed and justified”. Therefore none need to despair. I he only way justification possible for those who are guilty is for someone to come to the rescue, take the blame and pay the penalty.
Isaiah 53:11 – “Justify man for he shall bear their iniquities.”
Romans 5:1. Our part to accept “by faith”. Works fruit of our faith.
Explains some texts
Romans 6:14. Speaking of those who:
Before come to Christ - under condemnation of law. Accept death of Jesus for us = under grace.
Romans 6:16. “Sin” disobeying God’s law = death.
Obedience = righteousness. (Some erroneously teach before Christ, people respected and obeyed Commandments, but since time of Christ, Christians are to ignore and disobey the commandments.)
Romans 4:1, 2, 16
Abraham justified by faith.
Old Testament not dispensation of law. Hebrews 11 “by faith” over 20 times.
God’s plan of saving men always the same
Romans 4:3.
Romans 4:20-24. “Written”, “for us also”.
We saved in same way as Old Testament saints, Acts 15:11.
Romans 3:31. Faith in Christ does not abolish law. If it did, sanction sin. (If Government abolish law that prohibits stealing, by same act they would sanction stealing. Explains reason why God not abolish Ten Commandments.)
Revelation 14:12; 22:14; 12:17.
God’s saints keep the commandments of God.
Romans 8:3, 4.
Purpose of work of Jesus is “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us.” The knowledge of food will not keep us from starvation. Unless we receive food it will not save us from death. Just so we may know all about the work of Jesus but unless by faith and prayer we appropriate what He has done for us we will die in our sins.
8. THE MODERN MASON
False Preachers
Ezekiel 13:12 Preacher to “hear the Word of the Lord”. If not preach “out of their own hearts”.
Jeremiah 5:13 Without “Word” only “wind”.
Ephesians 4:14 Deceived by “winds of doctrine”.
Jeremiah 23:21, 22 Many preachers not sent by God
Many preachers don’t turn people from evil.
Jeremiah 23:31 Many preachers cause people “to err by their lies”.
Malachi 2:1, 7-9 Many preachers cause many to stumble, at the law”.
Many preachers been “partial in the law” - teach only nine truths.
Ezekiel 13:5 “Gaps” “breaches” made in Ten Commandments.
The second and fourth commandments.
Ezekiel 13:10 Man made wall, patched untempered mortar.
Ezekiel 13:11 Not stand in plagues.
Ezekiel 13:14, 15 Need true foundation (Matthew 7:24-29
Ezekiel 22:25 “Conspiracy”
Ezekiel 22:26 “Violated” God’s Law, “Hid eyes from Sabbath.
Ezekiel 22:30 Could not find man.
God’s Truth for These Times
Isaiah 58:1 “Transgression”
Isaiah 58:12 “Repairers of breach”
Isaiah 58:13 Sabbath been trampled upon. “My holy day” - Lord’s Day. False preachers -
Jeremiah 12:10
Isaiah 58:14 “Delight thyself in Lord” - Present blessings in fellowship with the Lord. “Cause
thee” - future blessings “Heritage of Jacob” - Romans 4:13 - “New Earth”. “Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it”, Therefore it is certain - (Revelation 22:14)
Isaiah 56:1 “My salvation is near to come” - Christ’s second coming - (Hebrews 9:28)
“Righteousness to be revealed” – revealing of God’s Commandments - (Psalms 119:172) “Revealed” - been hidden Therefore the Teachings of Advent and commandments to be linked in last message.
Isaiah 56:2 Blessing on keeper of Sabbath.
Isaiah 56:3 “Stranger” - gentiles.
Isaiah 56:4 “Keep my Sabbaths” - belongs to Jesus, - “Lord’s Day”.
Isaiah 56:5 “Mine house” - “In My Father’s House.” (John 14:1-3)
“A place” - Prepare a place for you. These sweet promises are for last days Sabbath-keepers.
Enemies of Sabbath Truth
Isaiah 56:10 They have “hid their eyes” from Sabbath. (Ezekiel 22:26)
Isaiah 56:11 “Cannot understand” (If willing to obey will know. (John 7:17)
Isaiah 56:12 Drunk with wine of Babylon’s doctrines. (Revelation 14:8) (Revelation 17:2)
9. THE MINISTRATION OF DEATH
Is The “Ministration Of Death Written And Engraved On Stones” The Ten Commandments?
Is “The Letter That Kills” The Ten Commandments?
Introduction
Scripture Outline
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Paul extols his ministry and his message.
2 Corinthians 3:1,2 Paul did not need testimonials “Ye are our epistle” seen in his converts.
2 Corinthians 3:3 “You are the epistle of Christ.”
Every saint is a letter of Jesus Christ.
“Read of all men” - unbelievers read the Bible in saints. Whole purpose of the Gospel is to make people like Jesus Christ.
“Ministered By Us”
This is the theme, before, after and throughout this passage of Scripture. (Note) The Ten Commandments were on tables of stone - The same Commandments are written on the heart of a child of God. Jesus said these were written in His heart.
Psalm 40:6-9 “Lo I come.” Thy law is within my heart”
Therefore when Christ comes into our heart, He brings that same law into our hearts. In this way and only in this way is the law of God written in our heart, as He promised in the New Covenant “I will put my laws in their hearts and in their minds will I write them.” Hebrews 10:16.
Note: 2 Corinthians 3:3 shows that the same words that were once written “on tables of stone, is now “in fleshly tables of the heart”. It is not a new law, but written in a new place.
Verses 4 & 5 A minister’s sufficiency is in Jesus.
Verse 6 “Ministers of the New Testament” or Covenant. (This is not the New Testament as
generally known, it was not then written. The Old Testament was then the only Scriptures they had.)
“The Letter Kills” Letter of what? Note carefully. The letter of the New Testament can kill. “The apostle does not mean here, as some have imagined that he states himself a minister of the new testament in opposition to the old; and that it is the old testament that kills and the new that gives life. The Gospel has both its letter and its spirit; and multitudes of professing Christians by resting in the letter receive not the life which it is calculated to impart”. Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 3:6.
For example: Some look to baptism and the Lord’s Supper to save. As in the days before Christ the blood of lambs was offered, but it was of no avail to some, as it was not done “by faith”. The Jews failed as they had only the letter and not the Spirit. It is “the spirit of the Lord that brings liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17.
Verse -7 The contrast is between two Ministrations of the same Commandments.
1 Corinthians 12:5 “Difference of administrations” (margin - ministrations)
Luke 1:23 Ministration = work of minister
Mark 7:10 Teaching of Moses Administered the Ten Commandments.
For example: We have the Constitution of Australia, sometimes we have a Labor administration of that constitution and at other times a Liberal administration. But the Constitution remains. So Paul draws a comparison between the ministration of the Law of God on tables of stone under the old covenant and the same law in the heart through the New Covenant.
2 Corinthians 3:8
For the commandments of God are written in the heart by Jesus, who is the writer of the commandments in the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3) The Jews in the days of Paul trusted the law of Moses to save them. They said, “Except you be circumcised, after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Acts 15:3. Thus the law of Moses, ceremonialism, became “a ministration of death” for they had failed to see Jesus in it for its sole purpose was to point to our Lord.
The Ministration of Righteousness 2 Corinthians 3:9
This ministration produces righteousness in the life. Righteousness is right doing, or obedience
Psalm 119:172 “All Thy commandments are righteousness”.
Isaiah 51:7 “You that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law”.
Romans 8:4 “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 “That we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”. or “through union with Christ we are made righteous”.
2 Corinthians 6:1 We then must co-operate with Christ. “You receive the grace of God in vain.” It
is vain or useless if the grace of God does not produce righteousness.
Christ did not abolish Righteousness which is obedience to the same commandments once written on stone, but Christ writes them in the heart and this the Gospel becomes a “ministration of righteousness”. Christ had the commandments in His heart. He loved them. When he comes into the heart, we too will love them. Wicked Men hate the Commandments of God
Romans 6:7
“The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God”. The devil hates the Commandments of God.
Revelation 12:17
“The dragon was wrath with the remnant which keep the commandments of God”.
2 Corinthians 3:10
The old ceremonialism of Moses had “no glory” by comparison with the Gospel, which can actually administer righteousness. Ceremonialism after the time of Christ is not only useless, but is “against us”.
2 Corinthians 3:14
The Jews need Moses but missed Jesus, who was the only means of righteousness. Therefore they could not and did not keep the commandments. So many Christians will miss that which enables them to obey. Thus they fail in being ready for Heaven. Revelation 14:12.
2 Corinthians 3:16
When we “turn to the Lord”, the veil is taken away. They see the secret of righteousness and thus obey. Revelation 14:12
2 Corinthians 3:17
“Liberty” in Christ. It is liberty from disobeying. He shall save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21.
2 Corinthians 3:18
They “are changed” into Christ’s image. Thus “the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body”. 2 Corinthians 4:10. This was Paul’s ministry. This is our ministry, to lead people to the Lord, to righteousness. This is righteousness by faith in Christ who is Our Righteousness.