H OW TO S TUDY T HE B IBLE : N AILED TO THE C ROSS “ Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14

J UDAISM /C HRISTIANS Early church problems: Jewish Christians trying to inter-mix Judaism with the Gospel Precipitated the meeting in Jerusalem with elders and apostles – Acts 15 Sect of Pharisees seeking to bind – Acts 15:5 Yoke of bondage should not be added to Gentiles – Acts 15:10

J UDAISM /C HRISTIANS Mixing of the Law with the Gospel sought to invent a “hybrid religion” So widespread three of NT books written to correct the heresy: – Romans – Galatians – Hebrews

A PPLICATION T ODAY Problems encountered in the 1 st century church have a strange way of recurring. Common mistake of mixing the Old Testament with the New Testament Failure to rightly divide the Word of God becomes a fortress where many false doctrines seek to hide.

S PECIAL P RIESTLY C ASTE Priests were a must for those under OT to make their sacrifices and offerings – Numbers 18:7 – Leviticus 10:8-10 Roman Catholics’ Priesthood – Called “father” – Hear confessions – Forgive sins – WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY IN THE NEW COVENANT? – 1 Peter 2:5-9 – Matthew 23:9

B URNING OF CANDLES AND I NCENSE Under the Old Covenant God’s people burned candles and incense – Exodus 30:7 – Exodus 27:20 Many churches today burn incense and candles in their worship services – WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY IN THE NEW COVENANT? – Matthew 15:8,9 – John 4:24

S ABBATH D AY K EEPING Under the Old Covenant God’s people were commanded to keep the Sabbath Day holy – Exodus 20:8 – Exodus 35:2 – Leviticus 23:3 The 7 th Day Adventist worships on the Sabbath Day – WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY IN THE NEW COVENANT? – Acts 20:7 – 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 – Acts 2

I NFANT M EMBERSHIP Under the Old Covenant God’s people were to circumcise their male children on the 8 th day after birth – Leviticus 12:3 Today many in religion practice “infant baptism”-- – WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY IN THE NEW COVENANT? – Acts 16:15 – Acts 16:33 – Acts 2:38

I NSTRUMENTAL M USIC IN W ORSHIP Many will tell us that David had instruments and used them in the temple under OT – 1 Chronicles 25:6 – 2 Chronicles 29:25 – Psalm 150:5 Today many in religion use instruments in their worship – WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY IN THE NEW COVENANT? – Ephesians 5:19 – Colossians 3:16 – 1 Corinthians 14:15

T HIEF ON THE C ROSS Many will tell us that one can be saved just like the thief on the cross—without baptism – Luke 23:39-43 Where is the exemption under the Law of Christ that excludes “baptism”? – WHERE IS THE AUTHORITY IN THE NEW COVENANT? – Mark 16:16 – Galatians 3:26,27 – 1 Peter 3:21

L AW OR G OSPEL Major point made in the NT—one cannot be saved by the Law of Moses and the Gospel! – Romans 7:1-4; Galatians 3:18 A “Testament” and “Will” – Hebrews 8:6-13 “Old” and “New” Covenant – Jeremiah 31:31-34

T HE D EATH OF C HRIST Death on the cross ended the Law of Moses – Hebrews 9:16,17 OT taken away and the NT was ushered in at His death – Romans 7:1-6 – Dead to the law by body of Christ – Married to another – Delivered from the Law – “Discharged” from the Law (ASV—7:6)

T HE D EATH OF C HRIST Law separated the Jew from the Gentile—”one new man” – Ephesians 2:14-16 Only way the law could save— save - if kept perfectly! – Galatians 3:10 – All under sin (Galatians 3:23) – Law showed we needed a Savior (John 1:45) – Law led us to Christ (Galatians 3:24,25) – Against and contrary to us (Colossians 2:14)

G OING B ACK TO THE L AW How much plainer could Paul have made it? Still… Some want to go back for just “ ONE ” thing—same as the debate over circumcision in the 1 st century – Sabbath Day – Instrumental Music – Tithing – Grave consequences…

G ALATIANS 5:1,2 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.” Lose freedom that was obtained in Christ We give up His promise and “Christ will profit us nothing.” By going back for just “ one thing ” every advantage is given up!

G ALATIANS 5:3,4 “And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Stakes one’s hope of salvation on law- keeping, rather than Christ Debtor to the whole law Attempt justification by the law Christ is of no effect— fallen from grace !

To go back to the Law one MUST leave Christ. Please consider the Hebrew writer’s conclusions… BETTER COVENANT BETTER SACRIFICE BETTER PROMISES