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.