Bible Studies

Christians Not Under the Ceremonial Law or Ten Commandments

by Michael Edwards 
01/26/17
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The author is against all sin. I agree totally with Paul.

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Romans 6:15 ESV

One Verse Proves Christians are Not Under the Ten Commandments

Some argue that when the Bible states a believer is no longer under the law, as it does numerous times, it is stating that we are not under the ceremonial laws, some say mosaic, but we are still under the Ten Commandments. I have written numerous Bible studies about this matter here: NEW COVENANT ARTICLE LINKS

For this brief article, I am just going to focus on this one verse from Paul. Paul also states the same thing three other times in different verses.

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Rom 6:15 ESV

In this verse, Paul clearly tells us that believers are not under the law but under grace He also states that even though Christians are not under the law, they should still not transgress the law. Now the point is that some insist that Paul is talking about the ceremonial law only. So let’s add two words, the ceremonial, for the purpose of clarity in this illustration.

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under the ceremonial law but under grace? By no means! Rom 6:15 ESV

If this is what Paul really means, then he is saying that even though we are not under the ceremonial law, not required to keep or subject to punishment for breaking it. We still should not sin by purposely transgressing the ceremonial law.

So let me ask everyone who believes Paul is talking about the ceremonial law only, do you even know the list of ceremonial laws? Are you keeping the ceremonial law? If not, Paul indicates you are in error along with every other Christian that does not keep the ceremonial law. 

Now, if Paul is talking about the total of the Old Covenant law given by Moses at Mount Sinai instead, any sin that deserves death, this verse makes a lot more sense.

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Rom 6:15 ESV

I state without hesitation that Paul is talking about the Old Covenant law Moses gave the Jews, including the Ten Commandments,  Paul is not saying, go out and break the Ten Commandments because you cannot come under condemnation for it. He is saying don’t use the fact that you are no longer under the Old Covenant law of Moses as an excuse to willfully break the law, including the Ten Commandments.

God removed us from under the Old Covenant law of Moses and placed us under grace. This is because the law gave sin dominion over us.

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Rom 6:14 ESV

Sin gets its power to condemn from the law.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 1 Cor 15:56 ESV

The only place sin lies dead is apart from the law.

…For apart from the law, sin lies dead. Rom 7:8b ESV

The real punishment for sin according to God is death. Christians have been set free from the law of sin and death.

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:2 ESV

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 ESV

We are Ministers of the New Covenant

And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Cor 3:3 ESV

Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3: 4-6 ESV

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone (Ten Commandments), came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation (Ten Commandments), the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. 2 Cor 3: 7-11 ESV (emphasis mine)

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:12-18

Read this to better understand a Christians relationship to the law: Christian Ambassadors Have Diplomatic Immunity

More comprehensive Bible studies on this matter.

Christians Are Released from The Ten Commandments

10 Commandments Are Not Gods Highest Standard

Christians Are Not Under the Law of Moses Our Standard is Much Higher

You Only Have Two Commandments Christian

A Christian is Dead to the Law, Freed from the Law and Dead to Sin

The Law of Moses is Doing its Job

I have written numerous Bible studies about this matter here: NEW COVENANT ARTICLE LINKS