Tripartite division of the Law and the Sabbath?

TruthSeek3r

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The last week I've learnt a lot of about the controversial status of the 4th commandment after reading arguments and counter-arguments in debates with SDAs and similar Sabbath-keeping denominations. My current understanding of the SDA position is that the 4th commandment is viewed as a moral law, and as such it is claimed not to have been abolished (as opposed to the civil and ceremonial laws) and should be universally observed, even by Gentiles, and therefore, they conclude that all denominations that do not observe the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) are essentially immoral. In other words, observing the Sabbath is claimed to be a morality issue (at the same level as fornication, killing or stealing). This is the claim.

Now, with the goal of inspecting the validity of this claim in a more rigorous manner, I came up with a series of "research questions" if you will. I'm listing these questions below. I will deeply appreciate any help to find accurate answers for them:
  1. What is the biblical support for the tripartite division of the law into moral, civil and ceremonial (if any)? Does the Bible explicitly define that categorization anywhere?
  2. Is there an exhaustive classification of the 613 commandments (here the full list) into moral, civil and ceremonial? What is the biblical basis for that classification?
  3. Is there biblical support for the abolition of those laws classified as ceremonial or civil in question 2? Are the laws classified as moral still effective? Which Bible verses back this up?
  4. What is the classification of the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) according to the tripartite-law-division model? What is the biblical support for this classification?
  5. Assuming all previous 4 questions have been properly answered: What can be concluded about the observance of the Sabbath for the Gentiles? Should the Gentiles keep the Sabbath according to the tripartite-law-division model?
Thanks in advance.
 
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BobRyan

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I would like answers posted in this thread to address five questions in order:
  1. Is the tripartite division of the law into moral, civil and ceremonial biblically supported?

yes

1 Cor 7:19 "circumcision does not matter, what matters is KEEPING the Commandments of God" -- contrasts ceremonial law with moral law such as TEN commandments

Jer 31:31-33 - NEW COVENANT "Law of God" known to Jeremiah and his readers "written on heart and mind" under the NEW Covenant.

Eph 6:1-2 the TEN where the 5th commandment "is the first commandment with a promise" still applicable to Christians.

Is 66:23 for all eternity after the cross "from SAbbath to Sabbath shall ALL MANKIND come before Me to worship" in the New Earth. Still applicable for all eternity

And so on with the 1050 commands in the NT

===============

Isaiah 56:6-8 gentiles specifically singled out for blessing when they choose "not to profane the Sabbath"

Acts 13 gentiles asking for followup gospel preaching "on the next Sabbath"

Acts 17:1-6 Gentiles in Sabbath after Sabbath after Sabbath services.

Acts 18:4 gentiles hear gospel preaching "every Sabbath"

==============
Baptist Confession of Faith - section 19 -- all TEN of the Ten commandments still included in the Law of God written on the heart and applicable to all mankind. Confesses to the 3 divisions in the law.

Westminster Confession of Faith - section 19 -- all TEN of the Ten commandments still included in the Law of God written on the heart and applicable to all mankind. Confesses to the 3 divisions in the law.
===============
It just does not get any easier than this.
 
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BobRyan

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The only question one might think of after that... is "if it is so obvious and easy - how could there still remain any debate over it?"

or one could question the idea of "editing" the Law of God to re-point the 4th commandment from "the seventh day" Ex 20:10 to week-day-1 as is suggested in the two confessions of faith referenced in my prior post.
 
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Bob S

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I would like answers posted in this thread to address five questions in order:
  1. Is the tripartite division of the law into moral, civil and ceremonial biblically supported? Yes
  2. Is there an exhaustive and detailed classification of the 613 commandments into moral, civil and ceremonial (and what is the biblical support for that classification)? No The Bible doesn't classify the law into three parts. Man has been given wisdom to know that some of the laws deal with morality, some for ceremony , some for health and some for social.
  3. Is there biblical support for the abolition of those laws classified as ceremonial or civil in question 2? Yes
  4. What is the classification of the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) according to the tripartite division of the law (question 1), and what is the biblical support for that classification? Ceremonial As I stated in question 2 the Bible leaves that up to man.
  5. Assuming that you already answered each of the previous 4 questions: what can be concluded about the observance of Sabbath for the Gentiles? Should Gentiles keep the Sabbath according to the tripartite-law-division model? NO No one is under the laws of the now defunct Torah. Gal 3:19 All of the Sinai covenant laws ended at the Cross where the new covenant was ratified by Jesus blood. No Sinai covenant, no laws. Paul explains this in 2Cor3:6-11 where he claimed the ten commandments were done away. KJV Other versions tell us they were transient meaning temporary.
 
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Bob S

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Hey @Bob S, it looks like you only quoted my question but didn't reply. I'm letting you know in case it was a mistake. Btw, I updated the OP with more details. Thank you very much.
Thanks, I went back and did some changes.
 
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LoveGodsWord

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1. What is the biblical support for the tripartite division of the law into moral, civil and ceremonial (if any)? Does the Bible explicitly define that categorization anywhere?
There are many divisions of law within the bible developed around scriptural contexts written within the bible itself. Another words the different laws within God’s Word are subject and topic specific in application. When talking about laws that are moral, ceremonial or civil for example this is only a reference to where some of these laws are applied. Some laws for example have moral implications of how to treat God and our fellow man, other laws can be specific to conditional direction for receiving God’s forgiveness for sin or remission of sins, while still others are laws for civil governance and still other laws may be for our health and hygiene or how to treat others or even animals. We will only touch on some of the biblical support for the moral, ceremonial laws for remission of sins, civil and health laws here as there is too many scriptures.

BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR MORAL LAWS (duty of love towards God and man)

God’s law written and spoken by God on two tables of stone (Exodus 32:16; Exodus 20:1) Exodus 20:3; Exodus 20:4-6; Exodus 20:7; Exodus 20:8-11; Exodus 20:12; Exodus 20:13; Exodus 20:14; Exodus 20:15; Exodus 20:16; Exodus 20:17. Moral laws written and spoken by Moses in the book of the law or covenant (Exodus 24:7; Deuteronomy 30:19) Leviticus 19:32; Deuteronomy 10:20; Leviticus 19:16-18; Leviticus 19:1-37 (most of which are expounding on God’s 10 commandments; Exodus 23:5; Deuteronomy 22:4; Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 24:19-21; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Deuteronomy 10:19; Exodus 22:20; Exodus 21:15-17; Deuteronomy 23:18; Exodus 21:10; Deuteronomy 22:19; Leviticus 18:1-30; Exodus 23:1-12; Leviticus 25:14; 37; etc etc…

BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR CEREMONIAL MOSES (laws for remission of sins, Levitical Priesthood, Sanctuary laws and annual feast days)

Leviticus 1:1-17; Leviticus 2:1-16; Leviticus 3:1-17; Leviticus 4:1-35; Leviticus 5:1-19; Leviticus 6:1-30; Leviticus 7:1-38; Deuteronomy 16:16; Leviticus 23:4-44; Exodus 23:14-18; Leviticus 16:1-34; Leviticus 18:1-16; Leviticus 21:1-24; Leviticus 22:1-33; Leviticus 24:1-23; Exodus 25:1-40; Exodus 29:1-46; Exodus 21:18-19; Exodus 22:15-29; Deuteronomy 22:29; Deuteronomy 25:2-3; Deuteronomy 22:26; Deuteronomy 32:38; Exodus 22:27; Leviticus 19:26-31; Deuteronomy 18:11; Numbers 18:1-32; Number 19:1-22; Numbers 28:1-31; Numbers 29:1-40; Deuteronomy 12:1-32 etc etc…

BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR CIVIL LAWS OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL

Deuteronomy 16:18; Deuteronomy 1:17; Leviticus 25:14; Exodus 22:9-14; Deuteronomy 7:3; Numbers 5:30; Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Deuteronomy 25:5-9; Deuteronomy 14:22; Leviticus 25:37; Deuteronomy 23:20; Exodus 22:24; Deuteronomy 24:10-17; Leviticus 19:35; Deuteronomy 25:13-14; Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 23:25-26; Exodus 21:2-8; Leviticus 25:39-53; Deuteronomy 15:13-14; Leviticus 25:46; Numbers 27:8-11; Exodus 21:33-36; Exodus 22:4-27; Exodus 23:1; Deuteronomy 24:16; Leviticus 25:23-29; Deuteronomy 19:14; Exodus 21:20; Leviticus 26:25; Leviticus 20:10-14; Deuteronomy 21:23; Numbers 35:25; Deuteronomy 19:3; Deuteronomy 16:1-22; Deuteronomy 17:1-20; Deuteronomy 19:1-21; Deuteronomy 20:1-20; Deuteronomy 21:1-23 etc etc...

BIBLICAL SUPPORT FOR THE LAWS OF HEALTH AND HYGIENE

Leviticus 11:1-47; Deuteronomy 14:3-21; Exodus 23:19; Genesis 32:33; Leviticus 7:23-26; Leviticus 17:13; Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 21:20; Leviticus 12:1-8; Leviticus 13:1-59; Leviticus 14:1-57; Leviticus 15:1-33; Deuteronomy 14:1-29 etc etc..

So yep looks like there is plenty of biblical support for laws that are moral, ceremonial, civil and health.
2. Is there an exhaustive classification of the 613 commandments (here the full list) into moral, civil and ceremonial? What is the biblical basis for that classification?
No there is no exhaustive classification system for the man-made list of old testament laws. The 613 list is simply a man-made descriptive list of laws from the old testament.
3. Is there biblical support for the abolition of those laws classified as ceremonial or civil in question 2? Are the laws classified as moral still effective? Which Bible verses back this up?
Yes there is biblical support for the abolition of the "shadow laws" for the remission of sins and ceremonial laws of the old covenant. See Hebrews 7, 8, 9 and 10 which describes what how the ceremonial "shadow laws" are fulfilled in the new covenant. For example Hebrews 7:1-28 shows that the laws of the Priesthood of the old covenant represents the Priesthood of JESUS in the new covenant; Hebrews 8:1-13 Hebrews 9:1-28 and Hebrews 10:1-22 describes the Sanctuary laws and Priesthood and the laws for remission of sins and sin offering of the old covenant where “shadows” of the new covenant of Christ our true priest and sacrifice and the Sanctuary in Heaven and Christs work on our behalf in the heavenly Sanctuary and the laws written on stone of the old covenant to be written on the heart through love in the new covenant promise. We can also add to these scriptures Colossians 2:1-17 and Ephesians 2:1-15.

Hebrews 10:1-3 [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. [2], For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. [3], But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

Hebrews 10:6-10 [6], In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you have had no pleasure. [7], THEN SAID I, SEE, I COME IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME, to do your will, O God. [8], Above when he said, SACRIFICE AND OFFERING AND BURNT OFFERINGS AND OFFERING FOR SIN YOU WOULD NOT, NEITHER HAD PLEASURE THEREIN; WHICH ARE OFFERED BY THE LAW; [9], Then said he, See, I COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD. HE TAKES AWAY THE FIRST, THAT HE MAY ESTABLISH THE SECOND. [10], By the which will WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE OFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST ONCE FOR ALL.

Yep no more, ceremonial laws for the earthly Sanctuary, Levitical priesthood, sin offerings of the old covenant.
4. What is the classification of the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) according to the tripartite-law-division model? What is the biblical support for this classification?
Obviously a moral law as outlined above, God’s 4th commandment is one of God’s 10 commandments which are all moral laws and our duty of love to God.

Let’s look at the biblical support.

God's 4th commandment under the new covenant is not a ceremonial law but a moral law as it is our moral duty of love to God to remember the Sabbath day to keep it as a holy day of rest. The first four commandments are our duty of love to God and the second six our duty of love to our fellow man *Matthew 22:36-40; Romans 13:8-10.

Under the old covenant and the Mosaic shadow laws for remission of sins under the Levitical Priesthood and the Sanctuary service, burnt offerings and sin offerings were a daily occurrence and more so on the sabbath days. For example there was sin offerings and burnt offerings every morning and evening (Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:2); each Sabbath (Numbers 28:9-10) the beginning of each month (Numbers 28:11) at Passover (Numbers 28:19); with the new grain/firstfruits offering at the Feast of Weeks (Numbers 28:27); at the Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanah (Numbers 29:1)and at the new moon (Numbers 29:6). These are all ceremonial laws for remission of sin pointing to JESUS and God's plan of salvation for mankind in the new covenant. Under the old covenant these "shadow laws" were linked to every day of the week, the annual feast days, new moons and also the sabbath days. Obviously these ceased in the new covenant as they were "shadows of things to come" *Colossians 2:17 pointing to JESUS and God's plan of salvation for mankind under the new covenant promise of Grace.

Unlike the Mosaic "shadow laws" for remission of sins under the old covenant none of God's 10 commandments are ceremonial laws. They are all moral laws and our moral duty of love to God and man. God's 4th commandment sabbath commandment also a "memorial" of creation (Remember the Sabbath day... Exodus 20:8-11) and a celebration of God as the creator of heaven and earth.

Now unlike the Mosiac ceremonial "shadow laws" for remission of sin (sin offerings and animal sacrifices for sin) we need to keep in mind that it is impossible for God's 4th commandment to be a ceremonial law as it points backward to the finished work of creation "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy" Exodus 20:8 not forward to something to come. The ceremonial laws for remission of sin from the Mosiac book of the law were only given "after" the fall of mankind when man sinned as part of God's plan of salvation from sin. The Sabbath however was made for mankind "before"sin existed and before any plan of salvation was given or needed.

The Sabbath commandment is a moral law and a part of our duty of love to God *John 14:15. It is the day that God has blessed and made a Holy day of rest for his people to remember God as the creator of heave and earth and a celebration of God as the creator of heave and earth.

All of God's 10 commandments including God's 4th commandment Sabbath are moral laws and our duty of love to God and our fellow man.

Let's look at what the scriptures teach on this subject further....

Psalms 119:172 [172] My tongue shall speak of your word: for ALL YOUR COMMANDMENTS ARE RIGHTOUESNESS.< tsedeq Right Doing - MORAL>

Hebrew for Righteousness is צדק; tsedeq means; the right natural, moral or legal; also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity: - X even, (X that which is altogether) just (-ice), ([un-]) right (-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness)].

RIGHTEOUSNESS is defined as the standard of MORAL RIGHT in the Hebrew which God’s Word defines as ALL GOD’S COMMANDMENTS. This of course includes God’s 4th commandment which is one of God’s 10 commandments written with the finger of God.

The opposite of righteousness is unrighteousness as shown in this scripture here…

1 John 5:17-18 [17] ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN: and there is a sin not to death.[18], WE KNOW THAT WHOEVER IS BORN OF GOD SINS NOT; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not.

UNRIGHTEOUSNESS HEBREW (H5766) עול עול עולה עולה עלה ;‛evel ‛âvel ‛avlâh ‛ôlâh ‛ôlâh From H5765; moral evil: - iniquity, perverseness, unjust (-ly), unrighteousness (-ly), wicked (-ness).

UNRIGHTEOUSNESS GREEK (G93) ἀδικία; adikia (legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness of charter, life or act: - iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.

ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (ἀδικία Moral wrongfulness) IS SIN which is breaking any one of God's 10 commandments. UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is the opposite of RIGHTEOUSNESS and ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is SIN *1 JOHN 5:17 and SIN is breaking any one of God's 10 commandments *JAMES 2:10-11; 1 JOHN 3:4 then RIGHTEOUSNESS is OBEDIENCE to God's ETERNAL LAW (10 commandments) as is why it is written;

Psalms 119:172 [172] My tongue shall speak of your word: for ALL YOUR COMMANDMENTS ARE *RIGHTEOUSNESS.<Moral Right Doing>

Romans3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good,G5544 no, not one.

Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries w/TVM, Strong - G5544
χρηστότης; chrēstotēs From G5543; usefulness, that is, moral excellence (in character or demeanor): - gentleness, good (-ness), kindness.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. G2239

Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries w/TVM, Strong - G2239
ἦθος; ēthos A strengthened form of G1485; usage, that is, (plural) moral habits: - manners

……………..

Christian bible dictionary definitions agree with the Hebrew and Greek scriptures shown above...

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1828
MOR'AL, a. [L. moralis, from mos, moris, manner.]

1. Relating to the practice, manners or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, and with reference to right and wrong. The word moral is applicable to actions that are good or evil, virtuous or vicious, and has reference to the law of God as the standard by which their character is to be determined. The word however may be applied to actions which affect only, or primarily and principally, a person's own happiness. Keep at the least within the compass of moral actions, which have in them vice or virtue. Mankind is broken loose from moral bands.

2. Subject to the moral law and capable of moral actions; bound to perform social duties; as a moral agent or being.

3. Supported by the evidence of reason or probability; founded on experience of the ordinary course of things; as moral certainty, distinguished from physical or mathematical certainty or demonstration.

Physical and mathematical certainty may be stiled infallible, and moral certainty may be properly stiled indubitable.

Things of a moral nature may be proved by moral arguments.

4. Conformed to rules of right, or to the divine law respecting social duties; virtuous; just; as when we say, a particular action is not moral.

5. Conformed to law and right in exterior deportment; as, he leads a good moral life.

................

CEREMONIAL, a. [See Ceremony.]

1. Relating to ceremony, or external rite; ritual; according to the forms of established rites; as ceremonial exactness. It is particularly applied to the forms and rites of the Jewish religion; as the ceremonial law or worship, as distinguished from the moral and judicial law.

2. Formal; observant of old forms; exact; precise in manners.

[In this sense, ceremonious is now used.]

CEREMONIAL, n.

1. Outward form; external rite, or established forms or rites, including all the forms prescribed; a system of rules and ceremonies, enjoined by law or established by custom, whether in religious worship, in social intercourse, or in the courts of princes.

2. The order for rites and forms in the Romish church, or the book containing the rules prescribed to be observed on solemn occasions.

Yeps plenty of biblical support and evidence proving that God's 4th commandment Sabbath just like everyone of Gods' 10 commandments are all moral laws. So according to the God's Word (not mine) all of God's 10 commandments including God's 4th commandment are Moral laws not a ceremonial law like some claim
5. Assuming all previous 4 questions have been properly answered: What can be concluded about the observance of the Sabbath for the Gentiles? Should the Gentiles keep the Sabbath according to the tripartite-law-division model?
According to God’s Word in the new covenant God’s ISRAEL are all those who believe and follow Gods’ Word * Galatians 3:28-29; Romans 9:6-8; Romans 2:28-29. Gentiles are grafted in *ROMANS 11:13-27. There is not one set of laws for gentile believers and another set of laws for Jewish believers as the scriptures teach that all believers are all believers and followers of God’s Word are all one in Christ *Colossians 3:11; Romans 10:11-13; Ephesians 2:11-13. If we are not a part of God’s ISRAEL as have no part in God’s new covenant promise *HEBREWS 8:10-12. So of course all God’s laws apply equally to all Christians in the new covenant regardless of them being a Jewish or gentile believer.

Only God’s Word is true and we should believe and follow it. There is not a single scripture in all of Gods’ Word that teaches that God’s 4th commandment has now been abolished and we are now commanded to keep Sunday as a Holy day. This change in God’s law *Daniel 7:25 is a teaching and traditions of men according to the scriptures that JESUS warns us about in Matthew 15:3-9.

Hope this helps.
 
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Bob S

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I disagree completely with LGW on his analysis that the fourth commandment is concerning morality. Certainly it was moral in the sense of immoral, but it was completely dealing with how the Israelites were to conduct themselves on a certain day that was set aside to remember creation and the exodus from slavery in Egypt. It was a ritual law.

Moral laws are those that tell us how to treat God, others and ourselves. They include nine of the ten commandments, laws found in the remainder of Torah and laws found in the New Testament like those found in Gal 5:22-23 and Matt 5. of the 1050 laws found in the New Testament (new covenant) most all of the are dealing with morality. This is not so in the Old Testament.
 
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Dkh587

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I have never seen a division.

Considering that not keeping the Sabbath holy has a death penalty, that would fall under the realm of morality, just like homosexuality, murder, adultery etc


The Israelites constantly provoked God by not keeping the Sabbath holy.

According to Nehemiah, selling on the Sabbath is evil. How can something be evil yet be irrelevant to morality?

Nehemiah 13:15-22
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.

And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

morality is based on good and evil. God and the Prophets taught that not keeping the Sabbath holy is evil, and stirs up wrath, thus it is immoral to not keep the Sabbath holy.

Keeping the Sabbath holy = good

Not keeping the Sabbath holy/profaning the Sabbath = evil
 
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Bob S

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Not abiding by any of the 613 laws given only to Israel was sin. Not loving God and their fellow man was a sin. DKH587' analysis is completely flawed.

morality is based on good and evil. God and the Prophets taught that not keeping the Sabbath holy is evil, and stirs up wrath, thus it is immoral to not keep the Sabbath holy.
That does not make the Sabbath command a command dealing with morality. Stirs up wrath??? Where do you find that is stirs up wrath?

God's command that men must not cut their sideburns was for ceremonial reasons and it was "immoral" to cut them.
 
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Dkh587

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There is a difference from the law of Moses and the law of God. The law of God was spoken from God and written with His finger. The law of God was inside the Holy tabernacle. The law of Moses was outside.
Respectfully, I disagree - the law of God & the law of Moses are the same thing, and the phrases are used interchangeably in both the OT & NT

Nehemiah 8:1
and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel.


Nehemiah 8:8
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly


Nehemiah 8:14
And they found written in the law which Yahweh had commanded by Moses


Nehemiah 8:18
Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God


1 Chronicles 16:40
and to do according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which he commanded Israel


2 Chronicles 17:9
And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of Yahweh with them


2 Chronicles 31:3
as it is written in the law of Yahweh


2 Chronicles 34:14
Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of Yahweh given by Moses


Luke 2:22-24
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to Yahweh, As it is written in the law of Yahweh, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to Yahweh, And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of Yahweh

notice in Luke 2 that it refers to it as both the law of Moses & the law of Yahweh in the same passage.
 
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SabbathBlessings

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Respectfully, I disagree - the law of God & the law of Moses are the same thing, and the phrases are used interchangeably in both the OT & NT



notice in Luke 2 that it refers to it as both the law of Moses & the law of Yahweh in the same passage.

I'm running out of time but this should help about the Gods Law and Ceremonial Laws
What is the difference between the moral and ceremonial laws? | Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement

The Bible presents two laws: one changeless and eternal, the other provisional and temporary. One presents the duty of man to God and to his fellow men, the other was given because of man’s disobedience to God’s requirements.



The Moral Law

The moral law of the Ten Commandments is an expression of God’s character; it is the standard of all righteousness, an expression of His will. The Holy Bible was written by men under inspiration of God. "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" (2 Peter 1:21). The moral law of the Ten Commandments was not given by inspiration, but was written by God’s own finger on tables of stone. "And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them" (Exodus 24:12). "And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God" (Exodus 31: 18). See the Moral Law (Exodus 20:3-17) and (Deuteronomy 5:7-22).



The moral law is the embodiment of two great principles: Love toward our Creator and love toward our neighbor. When a lawyer asked Christ "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40). The transgression of the moral law is called sin. Therefore, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4).



Of the moral law Jesus says, "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. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-19).



The Ceremonial Law

The ceremonial or provisional law was added because of the transgression of the moral law. The ceremonial law consisted of ordinances, ceremonies and sacrifices in the sanctuary system that pointed to the future redemption through Jesus Christ. This law typified the mysteries contained in the plan of redemption in Jesus. In the celebration of the Passover feast and the first fruit offering required to the Jewish people, God gave specifications to be observed that clearly represented Christ. The Bible says "Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning. The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God" (Exodus 34:25-26). The apostle Paul says: "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7). Concerning the first fruit offering he later writes: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).



After Christ’s death, the ceremonial law is no longer to be observed. Therefore "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; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ" (Colossians 2:14-17). The laws consisting in ordinances, typifying Christ’s death was the one nailed on the cross, "having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace" (Ephesians 2:15). "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" (Hebrews 10:1).



God wants to make a new covenant with His children, and that covenant consists on writing the moral law in their minds and hearts. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. . . . For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people" (Hebrews 8:8,10).
 
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Studyman

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The last week I've learnt a lot of about the controversial status of the 4th commandment after reading arguments and counter-arguments in debates with SDAs and similar Sabbath-keeping denominations. My current understanding of the SDA position is that the 4th commandment is viewed as a moral law, and as such it is claimed not to have been abolished (as opposed to the civil and ceremonial laws) and should be universally observed, even by Gentiles, and therefore, they conclude that all denominations that do not observe the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) are essentially immoral. In other words, observing the Sabbath is claimed to be a morality issue (at the same level as fornication, killing or stealing). This is the claim.

I am not SDA or Baptist or any religious franchise of the world today. I don't believe in temples made of wood and stone, or the thousands of self promoted religious philosophers who lead them.

But one thing they all have in common is they promote their particular religious philosophy.

It seems important to note that it wasn't the SDA who created God's Sabbath for man. It seems unwise to debate or determine the voracity, or make a Judgment of God's Word based on the religious practices of this religious franchise or that.

God's Sabbath Commandment had nothing whatsoever to do with SDA. The Christ, the Creator of all things, who created the 10 Commandments was not SDA.

So to use or include their judgement of a Commandment of God, as somehow relevant to how I am to regard God's Word, seems counter productive. The Truth about God's Commandments are not found in the religious philosophies of men, but are found in the Holy Scriptures, in my view.

It seems you have Judged God's Sabbath and so has SDA. Your judgment of God's Commandment differs from theirs.

Shouldn't we be seeking God's Kingdom and His Judgments, instead of our own? Are you or I any more qualified to Judge God's Commandments than the SDA?

I say this because of all the warning and examples of men throughout the Holy Scriptures who live by their own Judgment of God's Laws, and not God's.

Now, with the goal of inspecting the validity of this claim in a more rigorous manner, I came up with a series of "research questions" if you will. I'm listing these questions below. I will deeply appreciate any help to find accurate answers for them:
  1. What is the biblical support for the tripartite division of the law into moral, civil and ceremonial (if any)? Does the Bible explicitly define that categorization anywhere?
I find no written definition defining these divisions, or even promoting that these divisions exist. But I did find some direction from Jesus. He was approached by a deceiver who used some of God's Word's to promote it's religious philosophy.

Matt. 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

That would be a good place to start.

  1. Is there an exhaustive classification of the 613 commandments (here the full list) into moral, civil and ceremonial? What is the biblical basis for that classification?
God did not command anyone, ever, to follow 613 laws. This list is used, and is designed to further the religious philosophy that God saved Abraham's Children from the burden of death and deception in Egypt, only to place a Yoke of Bondage of 613 laws on the necks of every person HE saved from Egypt. The "613" laws of God is a deception. For instance, God says

Lev. 18:6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.

Then God sets out to define this one Law. (verses 7-18)

It is ONE Law, but to promote the religious philosophy that God placed this unbearable burden on the necks of HIS people, it is promoted as 17 or so laws. This list is then used to promote a religious philosophy not held by the Christ, neither as God of the OT, nor as the Christ in the person of Jesus.

The only division that can be found regarding the Laws given by God to Moses, are the Laws given to Israel, and the Laws given to Levi, who HE Separated from all the people of the world, on Israel's behalf.

  1. Is there biblical support for the abolition of those laws classified as ceremonial or civil in question 2? Are the laws classified as moral still effective? Which Bible verses back this up?
Since neither you or I can find even one place where God, in HIS Word, Divides HIS Commandments, Statutes, or Judgments into these 3 classes, it becomes obvious that God never made such a Judgment. Religious men do. So men have exalted themselves as "Judges" of God's Laws, placing them in tidy little boxes, some to honor and respect, and some to dishonor and reject.

I find no evidence that the Christ made such a judgment of the Laws HE created as God of the OT, nor divided them into these categories. I am open for anyone to provide the Scriptures where HE did. HE did promise to take over the Priesthood duties given exclusively to Levi "after those days" in Jer. 31.

  1. What is the classification of the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) according to the tripartite-law-division model? What is the biblical support for this classification?
It seems to me that God has already classified this Law by placing it along side the others in the 10 Commandments. HE never Judged this 4th Commandment any differently than the other 10.

In fact, rather than Judge this Commandment of God as unworthy of Jesus' honor and respect, Jesus Himself said this Commandment was "made for man". He said God's Law was made for the "Sinner". I am both a man, and I have sinned. Shall I exalt myself as a Judge of God's Laws as well?

I think not.

Rom. 6:12 Let not sin (Transgression of God's Law) therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

I am not to Judge God, rather, "Yield myself to HIM".

Rom. 6:15 What then? shall we sin, (Transgress) because we are not under the law, (dead) but under grace? (Alive) God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

1 7 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (God's Righteousness of course)

  1. Assuming all previous 4 questions have been properly answered: What can be concluded about the observance of the Sabbath for the Gentiles? Should the Gentiles keep the Sabbath according to the tripartite-law-division model?
Thanks in advance.

There is no Jew or Gentile with the Christ.

2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

As Paul teaches the Gentiles and the Jews.

Acts. 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should (both) repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

And again;

Rom. 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

So it seems incumbent upon us to find out what is Good in God's Eyes, and then "work" to follow it.

Are the 10 Commandments the Word of God? Is God's Work perfect and Good? Are His Commandments "Good"?

Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of (man's) works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

As I see it, SDA or AOG, or Baptist, or LDS or JW or Catholic, or any of the many, many religions of this land, has nothing to do with "GOOD Works" God has before ordained that we should WALK in them, nor the Talmud, nor the Pharisees or popular religious philosophers.

If we want to find a Judgment of God, and not presume to Judge Him or His Words, we only need to listen to what HE says.

Ez. 20:11 And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.

12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

1 Cor. 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
 
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There is a difference from the law of Moses and the law of God. The law of God was spoken from God and written with His finger. The law of God was inside the Holy tabernacle. The law of Moses was outside.
Sure there was a difference, one was some laws and the other gave the consequences for not obeying those laws plus a myriad of other statues and regulations. The book of the law gave meat to the ten commandments.

If you think you have to live by the ten then you also should expect the consequences provided in the Book.

I prefer to live by the Royal Law of Love and accept Jesus Grace when I fall. Jesus fulfilled the law and ratified the new covenant at Calvary. Why do some not accept His gift? I am not subject to the ritual laws which include the weekly Sabbath of the Sinai covenant that God gave to the Israelites only.
 
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The last week I've learnt a lot of about the controversial status of the 4th commandment after reading arguments and counter-arguments in debates with SDAs and similar Sabbath-keeping denominations. My current understanding of the SDA position is that the 4th commandment is viewed as a moral law, and as such it is claimed not to have been abolished (as opposed to the civil and ceremonial laws) and should be universally observed, even by Gentiles, and therefore, they conclude that all denominations that do not observe the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) are essentially immoral. In other words, observing the Sabbath is claimed to be a morality issue (at the same level as fornication, killing or stealing). This is the claim.

Now, with the goal of inspecting the validity of this claim in a more rigorous manner, I came up with a series of "research questions" if you will. I'm listing these questions below. I will deeply appreciate any help to find accurate answers for them:
  1. What is the biblical support for the tripartite division of the law into moral, civil and ceremonial (if any)? Does the Bible explicitly define that categorization anywhere?
  2. Is there an exhaustive classification of the 613 commandments (here the full list) into moral, civil and ceremonial? What is the biblical basis for that classification?
  3. Is there biblical support for the abolition of those laws classified as ceremonial or civil in question 2? Are the laws classified as moral still effective? Which Bible verses back this up?
  4. What is the classification of the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) according to the tripartite-law-division model? What is the biblical support for this classification?
  5. Assuming all previous 4 questions have been properly answered: What can be concluded about the observance of the Sabbath for the Gentiles? Should the Gentiles keep the Sabbath according to the tripartite-law-division model?
Thanks in advance.

Is marriage moral, civil, or ceremonial? One of the big problems that I have with that division is the implication that something being civil or ceremonial means that it is not moral a moral law and therefore doesn't need to be obeyed. However, there is not a single instance of someone saying anything like this in the Bible, which completely undermines the existence of the subcategory of moral law.

All of God's righteous laws are internal (Psalms 119:160), so none of them will ever be abolished and instructions for how to act in accordance with God's eternal nature can't be abolished without first abolishing God. In Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus specifically said that he came not to abolish the law and warned those who would relax the least part of the law or teach others to do the same, which completely undermines those who want to abolish what they've decided are civil and ceremonial laws. All followers of God should live in a way that testifies about who He is regardless of whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
 
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Bob S

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Is marriage moral, civil, or ceremonial? One of the big problems that I have with that division is the implication that something being civil or ceremonial means that it is not moral a moral law and therefore doesn't need to be obeyed. However, there is not a single instance of someone saying anything like this in the Bible, which completely undermines the existence of the subcategory of moral law.
The real problem with your belief is that you refuse to recognize the fact that all of those laws were a bundle and given only to one nation, Israel. The other thing you will not recognize is that bundle of laws was the words of the Sinai covenant again given to one nation. That covenant was an "IF" covenant Ex 19:5-6 and it was not a salvational covenant like the one all mankind is under today. Israel failed at every attempt God gave then to keep the covenant. Therefore the covenant was abolished. Tell me this Soyeong, why would Jesus have to abolish something the Israelites had already abolished? Jesus didn't come to abolish something that had already been abolished. Since the covenant's words were the Law they too would be abolished.

All of God's righteous laws are internal (Psalms 119:160), so none of them will ever be abolished and instructions for how to act in accordance with God's eternal nature can't be abolished without first abolishing God.
The word "forever" is used many times in scripture. David seriously thought the laws He lived under would never end. He must have not realized that the covenant laws would come to an end because the covenant was an "IF" covenant. Also, there are other examples of the use of forever in the Old Testament that ended.

If you persist in believing that the Laws God gave only to Israel are binding today because they are eternal then you had better bone up on the other 603 laws that pertain to the lay person.
 
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clefty

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The real problem with your belief is that you refuse to recognize the fact that all of those laws were a bundle and given only to one nation, Israel. The other thing you will not recognize is that bundle of laws was the words of the Sinai covenant again given to one nation. That covenant was an "IF" covenant Ex 19:5-6 and it was not a salvational covenant like the one all mankind is under today. Israel failed at every attempt God gave then to keep the covenant. Therefore the covenant was abolished. Tell me this Soyeong, why would Jesus have to abolish something the Israelites had already abolished? Jesus didn't come to abolish something that had already been abolished. Since the covenant's words were the Law they too would be abolished.


The word "forever" is used many times in scripture. David seriously thought the laws He lived under would never end. He must have not realized that the covenant laws would come to an end because the covenant was an "IF" covenant. Also, there are other examples of the use of forever in the Old Testament that ended.

If you persist in believing that the Laws God gave only to Israel are binding today because they are eternal then you had better bone up on the other 603 laws that pertain to the lay person.

So you are NOT a citizen of Israel? Grafted in...adopted...inherited...

oh my...

and because which of these are too hard for you to do?

Not to eat a worm found in fruit (Lev. 11:41)

Not to take a bribe (Ex. 23:8)

Not to pass a child through the fire to Molech (Lev. 18:21)

That a man shall not wear women's clothing (Deut. 22:5)

To have a place outside the camp for sanitary purposes (Deut. 23:13)



Please feel free to share which others you would rather ignore:

Judaism 101: A List of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments)
 
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So you are NOT a citizen of Israel? Grafted in...adopted...inherited...
Absolutely not. Jesus is the vine and I am a branch on that vine. Jesus is the root of the Olive tree and all who accept Him are grafted into the life giving root.

oh my...

and because which of these are too hard for you to do?

Not to eat a worm found in fruit (Lev. 11:41)

Not to take a bribe (Ex. 23:8)

Not to pass a child through the fire to Molech (Lev. 18:21)

That a man shall not wear women's clothing (Deut. 22:5)

To have a place outside the camp for sanitary purposes (Deut. 23:13)



Please feel free to share which others you would rather ignore:

Judaism 101: A List of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments)
Better yet, why don't you share with us the ones you try to keep.
 
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