Apostolic Foundations

on the Mystery of LAW and GRACE.

By Venerable Dr Ifechukwu Ibeme
Websites: http://www.scribd.com/ifeogo ; http://priscaquila.6te.net ;
Comment on The Chapel of Grace Blog: http://thechapelofgrace.wordpress.com

CONTENTS:
On LAW and GRACE: Clearing the confusion and getting it right
Apostolic MAIN POINT about LAW and GRACE for ALL.
LAW = Gods Moral Commands or Mediatory Statutes.
GRACE = Gods Free Sanctifying Favour and Unmerited Saving Power.
Discerning the TWO Aspects of LAW AND WORKS Under the TWO COVENANTS.
CATEGORIES of LAW based of PURPOSES and SOURCES.
LAW, GRACE and POSTMODERNISM.

On LAW and GRACE: Clearing the confusion and getting it right

God designed LAW to RESTRAIN DISORDER but NOT to save from sin.
God designed GRACE to SAVE FROM SIN but NOT to permit disorder.

Ancient Jews mistook legislation against disorder to mean salvation from sin - LEGALISM.
Modern Gentile Church mistakes salvation from sin to mean liberty for disorder - LIBERTINISM.
Apostles knew salvation from sin to mean divine power (Grace) for victory over disorder in loyalty to
God - LOYALISM.

LIBERTINISM and LAWLESSNESS which are irreligious outward and inward disorderliness cannot be
better than LEGALISM and LAWFULNESS which are religious outward orderliness. Christ did not save
us from legalism unto libertinism; rather He liberated us from both legalism and libertinism unto
power of loyalty for zealous fruitfulness to God (i.e. LOYALISM and LOVINGKINDNESS which are
wholesome orderliness).
The LAW of Moses is Gods means for bringing RETRAINED ORDER because it:
Corrects by moral commandments.
Condemns by civil judgments.
Cleanses by ritual statutes.

Constrains by deterrent curses.

Convinces by persuasive blessings.

The GRACE of Christ is Gods means for bringing REGENERATED LIFE because it:
Enlightens us by the Truth.
Purifies us by the Blood.
Endows us with Gods Spirit of Love.

Warns against doom in hell

Encourages towards boon in heaven

The orderly life HAS NO POWER to live the regenerated life.

The regenerate life HAS THE POWER to live the orderly life.

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It is simply better, if we stop lumping things together. LAW has various meanings in the Scriptures
(Gods Word, Ritual Law, Moral Law, Civil Law or the Law of Moses as a whole). Even WORKS also has
various meanings in the Scriptures. That is why we must distinguish between Works of the Law
(Ritual Law), Works of the flesh (Immoral acts), Works of righteousness (self-effort deeds),
miraculous Works (supernatural deeds by Divine or Demonic powers) and good Works (Spirit-
empowered deeds).

God's Word is God's Law - Ritual, Moral, Civil - with promises, penalties, provisos, precepts,
prudences, precautions and principles. We must know which of this the Apostles speak in each case
of mention of the word Law. Gods Law has the moral Law of commandments and ritual Law of
ordinances/statutes (Luk 1:6; Eph 2:15) and the civil Law of judgments (Lev 25:16; Deut 5:31; 6:1;
1Kin 8:58).
The LAW of Moses is Gods Covenant Testimony of
Inspired Guiding Precepts which He revealed as
Ritual STATUTES administered by the Priests,
Judicial JUDGMENTS administered by the Princes and
Moral COMMANDMENTS internalized by all the People,
in order to help His Covenant People walk in His Ways.
Being under the Law (biblically speaking) is about our needing the Law for cleansing and access to
God. This is purely about Ritual ordinances (circumcision, blood-cleansing, observances, and
ceremonies) NOT Moral precepts (love, uprightness, sincerity, truthfulness).

In Christ we have His Blood for cleansing and justification; therefore to be justified, we are no longer
under any of those ritual cleansing ordinances of the Mosaic Law as well as the cleansing ordinances
of Gentile Rudiments (Gal 3; 4; Col 2). For now, the Precepts of the Law no longer serves for
cleansing but only for the purposes of maturation in wisdom, by providing teaching, correction and
instruction (2Tim 3:15-16).

Even if we want to be under those ordinances for cleansing, they lack the power to justify
substantively, internally and eternally (except symbolically, externally and transiently Heb 9:13-14;
10:1-4); they also lack the power to enable us resist the Devil and keep God's Moral Precepts.
Christians are delivered from these ordinances (Jewish and Gentile) because we received the fulfilled
cleansing and justification by the Cross of Christ and the fulfilling empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
This makes Christians not only clean, but also able to walk with God according to even higher or
deeper Moral Precepts than those of the Moral Law (Mat 5:17-48).

The Law of Moses as a temporal SIGN/FIGURE is too weak to save from the profundity of sin because
it depends only on exterior rituals on exterior flesh (Rom 8:1-4, 9-11). The Law of Christ (Gospel of
Grace) as the eternal SUBSTANCE/REALITY is ultimately powerful to impart life both on the exterior
flesh and interior conscience to save from the profundity of sin (Heb 9:8-14).

Gods Election of Israel does not go for political Israel or natural descendants but for spiritual
descendants of the FAITH OF ABRAHAM (Rom 4:16). Even Jews are not Jews because they are of
Judean descent but because they live the spiritual life of PRAISE TO GOD (Rom 2:28-29) even if they
were Proselytes from other nations. Christ has brought these spiritual Jews and Gentiles together to
belong to the same spiritual COMMONWEALTH of the spiritual ISRAEL OF GOD (Eph 2:12-17; Gal
6:15-16).

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Regardless of traditions or trends of old or new lopsided ideas, adaptive revisions and presumptions,
the Scriptures have left us COPIOUS, COHERENT and COMPREHENSIVE precepts about Gods Law and
Gods Grace as taught by the Apostles.
1 Timothy 1:5-11
(5) Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience,
and of faith unfeigned:
(6) From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain talk;
(7) Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor the things
they affirm.
(8) But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully;
(9) Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and
disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers
and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
(10) For fornicators, for homosexuals, for slave traders, for liars, for perjurers, and if there be
any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
(11) According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Both Law and Grace are holy, righteous and spiritual provisions divinely (NOT Jewishly) designed
(Rom 7:12-14) for different purposes but are not mutually conflict or antagonistic (Rom 3:31): each is
necessitated by the other and none of the two hinders the other or destroys the other (Matt 5:17).
Law rewards curse or grants atonement on sin and blessing on human righteousness but Grace
releases from sin and endows with divine righteousness so we could enjoy the blessings of the Law
and much more! Law convicts of sin but it cannot save from sin (except for temporary outward
cleansing) because it operates through carnal ordinances, means, materials and mediators Grace
saves from sin and empowers for righteousness and so fulfils Law because it operates through
eternal means, the Name and finished works of divine Mediator, and His Holy Spirit (Rom 8:3-4; Heb
9:7-14). Christs Grace goes further to provide and ensure so great a heavenly salvation which Law
was not designed to grant because of sinfulness. If salvation comes by the power of priestly ritual
works of the Law, then Christ died in vain (Gal 2:21; Heb 7:11); and if Law was not divine
commandments and ordinances (Luk 1:6; Eph 2:15), needless for Christ to fulfil it by being born
under the Law to die for redemption of sinners condemned according to the Law (Gal 4:4-5).
<<Back to Top>>

Apostolic MAIN POINT about LAW and GRACE for ALL

Since the Garden of Eden, God's Law of RIGHTEOUSNESS or of SIN-AND-DEATH has been written in
the heart and conscience of all humankind (Genesis 2:15-17; Romans 2:12-16) so that NONE HAS
EXCUSE (Romans 1:18-20). However, it was not until Moses that this Law became written in letters
for Israel (Romans 5:12-14). Again, Gods GRACE OF IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS has been manifested
since Eden on Adam before the Fall, on Noah before the Flood and on Abraham before the Sign of
Circumcision, but any redemptive law of PRIESTLY MEDIATIONAL WORKS for atonement and
restoration of the sinner was yet a hidden mystery until Moses.

The Apostles clearly stated that because of scriptural revelation, the knowledge that eternal
salvation is not obtainable from personal meritorious works of righteousness and priestly
mediational works of the Law until the coming of remission and redemption in the Messiah
(Christ) was not new to the Jews (Job 9:2-3; 25:4; Psa 130:3-4; Act 13:38-39; Rom 3:20; Gal 2:15-16).

1. THE LAW: Eventually, God graciously revealed His REDEEMING LAW of Priestly mediational
ORDINANCES to Moses for atonement, cleansing and restoration of Israel. Nevertheless, these

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temporarily redemptive WORKS BY PRIESTS under the earthly shadow Tabernacle remain symbolic
rituals waiting to be finally fulfilled and superseded in the finished WORK BY CHRIST under the
heavenly substantive Sanctuary (Hebrews 9:9-15). This is simply the fundamental MAIN POINT of the
Apostolic Gospel, which the Gentile-minded Church has often tended to miss and mix-up over the
years.
Hebrews 8:1-11
(1) Now the MAIN POINT in what we are saying is this: we do have this kind of high priest, who
sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven
(2) and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord and not by any
human.
(3) For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, this high priest
had to offer something too.
(4) Now if he were on earth, he would not even be a priest, because other men offer the gifts
prescribed by the law.
(5) They serve in a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of the heavenly one. This is why Moses
was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything
according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain."
(6) However, Jesus has now obtained a ministry that is as superior to theirs as the covenant he
mediates is founded on better promises.
(7) For if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a
second one.
(8) But God found something wrong with his people when he said, "Look! The days are coming,
declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the
house of Judah.
(9) It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors at the time when I took them
by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. Because they did not remain loyal to my
covenant, I ignored them, declares the Lord.
(10) For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares
the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and
they will be my people.
(11) Never again will everyone teach his neighbor or his brother by saying, 'Know the Lord,'
because all of them will know me, from the least important to the most important.

2. THE GRACE: God's REDEEMING GRACE was revealed temporally (but anticipated
messianically) in Moses shadow Law of expirable works of priestly ordinances and filthy works of
personal righteousness under the temporary shadow Tabernacle. Finally Gods saving Grace is
realized, released and accessed in Christs substantively finished work on the Cross for eternal
mediation under the everlasting real Sanctuary and fruitful works through imputed righteousness.
Eternal salvation is now GRACIOUSLY GIVEN to be fully available to and accessible by all humankind
through Christ (Romans 5:15-19), Who graciously atoned for our sins THROUGH THE BLOOD OF HIS
CROSS (Colossians 1:20) and Who also destroyed the power of death by His resurrection from the
dead and ascension to reign eternally at the right-hand throne of power in heaven (Hebrews 7:22-
27), so that NONE IS EXCLUDED (Colossians 2:20-23; Titus 2:11-13).

Once we are born, we OWE duty to God's Law and OWN right to God's Grace.
The consequences of what we already owe and own depend on our chosen convictions and
commitment.
All things are yours only acknowledge these in humble faith for YOUR ATTITUDE AFFECTS YOUR
ALTITUDE.

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 James 4:6-10
(6) But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but he gives
grace to the humble."
(7) So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.
(8) Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and
make your hearts pure, you double-minded.
(9) Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair.
(10) HUMBLE YOURSELVES BEFORE THE LORD AND HE WILL EXALT YOU.
<<Back to Top>>

LAW = Gods Moral Commands and Mediatory Statutes.

Old Testament Moral PRECEPTS OF THE LAW is Gods special aid to Human Conscience; it gives us
the standard truth for self-examination but does not give the power against sin to obey the Law... The
transient and weak Ritual WORKS OF THE LAW have been overtaken by Christs eternal WORK of
Salvation.

Matthew 5:17-19
(17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfill.
(18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no
wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
(19) 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.

APOSTOLIC NUGGETS ON GODS LAW:

Gods Law works partly by His awful WRATH and severity AGAINST SIN (Rom 11:22) to bring
BONDAGE to curse, damnation and death for all seared conscience and rebellious sinners in the
form of PUNISHMENT, PAIN and PRIVATIONS.
The legal wages of ADAMIC SIN/OFFENCE is condemnation (i.e. JUDGMENT and DEATH) for all
according to Gods LAW and our WORKS (Rom 6:23a).
Adam introduced sin to all people and Moses revealed Gods Law fully to national ISRAEL.
Nevertheless, Gods Law and Wrath had always been partly operational long before the Law of
Moses: e.g. against fallen Adam and the deluged world (Rom 5:12-21).
Gods Law provides symbolic ORDINANCES for temporal redemptive atonement from sin through
the mediating WORKS ministered by the priesthood. Christs High Priestly mediating WORK
finished on the Cross has superseded these.
NOTE:
Gods Law is good not evil, but sin is evil (Rom 7:9-13).
Salvation is not to maintain us in sin and evil conscience, but to deliver us from sin and evil
conscience (Rom 6:11-15; Heb 10:22).
So we must uphold only the faith which constantly watches against and insistently abhors sin and
worldly disobedience!

Romans 6:17-23
(17) But thanks be to God! For though at one time you were slaves to sin, you have obeyed
with all your heart the truths found in the teaching you received.
(18) You were set free from sin and became the slaves of righteousness.
(19) (I use everyday language because of the weakness of your natural selves.) At one time
you surrendered yourselves entirely as slaves to impurity and wickedness for wicked

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 purposes. In the same way you must now surrender yourselves entirely as slaves of
righteousness for holy purposes.
(20) When you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.
(21) What did you gain from doing the things that you are now ashamed of? The result of
those things is death!
(22) But now you have been set free from sin and are the slaves of God. Your gain is a life
fully dedicated to him, and the result is eternal life.
(23) For sin pays its wage death; but God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus
our Lord.
<<Back to Top>>

GRACE = Gods Free Sanctifying Favour with Unmerited

Saving Power NOT the Opposite or Antonym of Law
Gods GRACIOUSNESS is His kind CHARACTER in Himself but Gods SAVING GRACE is His GIFT of
saving power through Christ, so having the character of being Gracious is not that same as giving
out the empowering gift of Grace. As the Scriptures warn, Grace is NOT LICENSE (Jude 1:4) to
remain as we were and do the possible we could, but unmerited saving ACCESS into Gods presence
and supernatural ENABLEMENT to do the impossible we couldnt. It is by Grace that we believers
in Christ are redeemed from our depraved nature and brought into His Divine Nature (2Pet 2:3-4),
so we begin to live in the supernatural of them that are sanctified (Act 26:18; 1Cor 1:2; Heb 2:11;
10:14; Jude 1:1).

New Testament (Saving) GRACE is Gods full and free answer to Human Depravity.... Christ gave us
Grace when He had finished the WORK OF SALVATION on the cross, FULFILLED the Law (Mat 5:17-20)
and ESTABLISHED the Law (Rom 3:31) for us, so that we inherit the PROMISES of the Law and much
more.

Luke 24:46-48
(46) And [Jesus] said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it was fit for Christ to suffer, and
to rise from the dead the third day:
(47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(48) And you are witnesses of these things.

John 3:16-18
(16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved.
(18) He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned
already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

APOSTOLIC NUGGETS ON GODS GRACE:

Gods saving Grace or Divine Power given through Christ came by His awesome LOVE and
compassion FOR SINNERS (Rom 11:22; Eph 2:3-6) to bring for all penitent believers LIBERATION
from subjugation to self, sin, damnation and death in the form of PARDON, POWER and
PRIVILEGES.
The gracious gift of MESSIANIC RIGHTEOUSNESS is salvation (i.e. JUSTIFICATION and LIFE) for all,
which Gift of Gods GRACE is penitently received through our FAITH (Rom 6:23b).

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 Adam introduced sin to all people and Christ lived without sin, fulfilled the Law, released Gods
Grace fully to all people and revealed Gods Grace to the Apostolic CHURCH.
Nevertheless, Gods Mercy and Love had always been graciously operational long before the GIFT
of saving Grace of Christ for all: e.g. for Adam before the fall, Noahs household, Abrahams
household (Rom 4:1-13) and Israel from Egyptian bondage (Exod 3:7-8).
NOTE:
Gods Grace is not licence for the Broadway of destruction but POWER for the Narrow and High way
of life in holiness (Isa 35:8; Matt 7:13-14).
Salvation is not BY goodworks but UNTO goodworks (Eph 2:8-10; Tit 2:11-15).
So we must uphold the faith which pursues holiness and delights in goodworks and godly obedience!

Titus 3:3-8
(3) For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions
and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we
hated them.
(4) But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour was revealed,
(5) he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but
because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth
and new life by washing us.
(6) God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
(7) so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the
eternal life we hope for.
(8) THIS IS A TRUE SAYING. I WANT YOU TO GIVE SPECIAL EMPHASIS TO THESE MATTERS, SO
THAT THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN GOD MAY BE CONCERNED WITH GIVING THEIR TIME TO
DOING GOOD DEEDS, WHICH ARE GOOD AND USEFUL FOR EVERYONE.
<<Back to Top>>

Discerning the TWO Aspects of LAW AND WORKS Under the

TWO COVENANTS.
Law of commandments and law of ordinances (Luk 1:6; Eph 2:15) as well as works of righteousness
and works of the law (Tit 3:5; Gal 3:5) are the most muddled-up issues in the world today especially
in the Gentile-minded Church. Hasty theological lopsidedness and intemperate doctrinal polemics,
denominational preferences and divisive controversies have not allowed the Church to serenely
escape from Gentile philosophical mindset and comprehensively discern these mysteries as the
Apostles have contextually delivered them to us in all the Scriptures.

1. The good and spiritual commands (PRECEPTS) of Gods MORAL LAW for personal
MERITORIOUS WORKS of PRACTICAL duties done BY US.
This aspect of the Law is about our RIGHTEOUS RESPONSIBILITIES which should be
conscientiously performed BY US to ACHIEVE divine commendation. Christ has been divinely
approved as our sinless EXAMPLE in all these.

2. The good and spiritual statutes (ORDINANCES) of Gods RITUAL LAW for priestly
MEDIATIONAL WORKS of SYMBOLIC rites done FOR US or ON US.
This aspect of the Law is about REDEMPTIVE MINISTRATIONS which should be ceremonially
performed ON US to RECEIVE divine cleansing. Christ has been divinely appointed as our
endless MEDIATOR for uttermost salvation which He accomplished through His Blood.

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To avoid boasting (Eph 2:9), personal moral meritorious WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS or
GOODWORKS (for both Jews and Gentiles) have no power to EITHER EARN GRACE OR EARN ETERNAL
SALVATION. Yet they are usually rewarded with temporal or eternal prizes according to promise
because these are fruit born by us whether as works of righteousness or as works through Grace
(Eph 2:10). Christ will soon come to judge and repay everyone for every worthy or wicked work (1Cor
3:10-17; 2Cor 5:10; Rom 2:6-11).
Priestly ritual mediational WORKS OF THE LAW or ORDINANCES (whether of Moses Law or of
Christs Gospel) have divine power to IMPART GRACE and BRING REDEMPTION but are not usually
rewarded with prize, because they are redemptively granted without personal merit. Tenured Priests
in earthly tabernacle (under Mosess Old shadow Covenant) offered atoning animal blood and
ministered limited figurative SYMBOLICAL grace of TEMPORAL and cleansing for only Israel, but
Christ as the Timeless High Priest of the New real Covenant in the heavenly Sanctuary has offered His
atoning Blood and guaranteed boundless SUBSTANTIVE grace of ETERNAL salvation for both Israel
and Gentiles (Heb 8:1-7; 9:9-15).

In the Old Testament, SYMBOLIC ordinances of Moses Law written with Letters on tablets of stone
(for monotheist Israel) had temporary cleansing powers but waning effect (Gal 3:19-24; Col 2:14-17;
Heb 8:13). Even the carnally minded, polytheist and atheist Gentiles who are under the wrath of
ORIGINAL sin-and-death ordinances since Eden (Gen 2:15-17; Eph 2:1-5), also have their SYMBOLIC
beggarly principalities and occultist powers as well as rudimentary superstitions and philosophical
traditions (Gal 4:1-9; Col 2:8-10, 18-23).

In the New Testament, the SUBSTANTIVE ordinance of Christs Law written by the Spirit on tablets of
our hearts has eternal saving powers and ever waxing effect for not only Israel but also the Gentiles
(Zech 2:11; Luk 1:32-33; 2:30-32; Rom 15:12).
<<Back to Top>>

CATEGORIES of LAW based on PURPOSES and SOURCES.

LAW, to which humans have been subject (or have subjected themselves) are of various sources
according to the Apostles in Gal 3 & 4 and Col 2 (philosopho-traditional Col 2:6-10, shadow-
levitical Gal 3; Col 2:11-17 (which has both commandments and ordinances Eph 2:15), mystico-
elemental Gal 4:1-11; Col 2:18-23). Colossians 2:8 at once distinguishes three extra-biblical
sources of ordinances (human philosophy, human tradition and elemental mystic forces),
indicating that apostolic references to Law should not be muddled up as if always referring to one
and same Law.

Christ came to sufficiently FULFIL every biblical Law and completely NULLIFY every unbiblical Law
FOR us, as well as to thoroughly FURNISH all heavenly Grace TO us (Eph 1:3). Without Law there is
no just reward, and without Grace there is no just salvation from sin. The Gospel of Christ does not
only offer us ETERNAL SALVATION and guarantee our KINGDOM INHERITANCE by Grace (Eph 1:11-
14); but the Gospel also saves us IN ORDER TO encourage holy life for grateful works of
REASONABLE WORSHIP (Rom 12:1-2), and enable us overcome with good works for our HEAVENLY
TREASURE (Matt 6:19-21; Rev 2 & 3) and our ETERNAL REWARD (Rev 22:12).

NOTE:
Though there are three or more sources (biblical, philosophical, traditional, mystical, etc) of
ORDINANCE LAW for all Jewish and Gentile humanity indicated by the Apostle in Galatians 3 & 4
and Colossians 2, only the Biblical source in the Torah is authentically revealed, required and
respected by God. It is often missed that the Biblical Old Testament temporal PROMISES to the
Patriarchs and the Mosaic LAW of PENALTIES with its outward and TRANSIENT MEDIATORY WORKS

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(i.e. RITUALS) by earthly Priests (Heb 9:1-10) prepared the grounds (Gal 3) for the New Testament
inward Grace of PROPITIATION and REGENERATION with its inward and FINISHED MEDIATORY
WORK (i.e. the CROSS) by the heavenly Christ and spiritual ENABLEMENT GRACE in Christ (Heb
9:11-28). There are 613 codes of the Mosaic Laws revealed in the Torah and minor additional laws
in the rest of the Old Testament.

The Churchs disregard and disdain for the Law have made most Gentile Christians
ignorant of the Law with its specificities and specialities. This is why the Law is mainly
glossed over, misunderstood and muddled up in the Churches today. This is evident in
the confusion about sin and salvation, about works and grace, about redemption and
responsibility, about justification and sanctification, etc.

Broadly speaking, although all laws are inevitably interwoven, yet LAWS (Israelite or
Gentile) are always known to be of Ritual, Moral and Civil categories ACCORDING TO
THE PURPOSES THEY SERVE (inside or outside the Bible). Gods Law has the moral Law
of commandments and ritual Law of ordinances/statutes (Luk 1:6; Eph 2:15) and the
civil Law of judgments (Lev 25:16; Deut 5:31; 6:1; 1Kin 8:58). This is applicable to the
613 Mosaic COMMANDMENTS and LAWS in the Old Testament Torah:

I. CEREMONIAL works or RITUAL Laws (STATUTES) of feasts, Sabbaths,

circumcision, sacrifices, exclusions and cleansings are those mediated by the
Priests for Tabernacle/Temple WORSHIP, all of which are no longer possible
since the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem and sack of Israel. Violation of Ritual
Laws attracts CURSES from God.
Such Ritual Laws with their symbolic and localised temporal means CANNOT
offer valid MEDIATORY WORKS or PROPITIATION WORKS of Messianic
Atonement and Heavenly Advocacy for the Eternal Gospel of New Creation and
the Universal Christian Church inaugurated in the death and resurrection of
Christ (Act 15; Heb 7-9).

II. CIVIL or JUDICIAL Laws (JUDGMENTS) are those dealing with GOVERNANCE,
TORT and CRIME adjudicated by the State Judges and Princes for societal
harmony and peace, security and order (even in Israel, these were further
promulgated in addition to the laws in the Torah). Violation of Social Laws
attracts PENALTIES from the Society.
Such Civil Laws are not to be autocratic to lord it over the people of the nations
but humane to serve to protect natural and citizenship rights and safety.

III. MORAL or SPIRITUAL Laws (COMMANDMENTS) are those of LOVE for God and
neighbour, of good CONSCIENCE and of FAITH toward God, all of which are
required (irrespective of atoning works of the Priests and Tabernacle/Temple or
witness/justice of the Judges and State/Courts), to be accountably obeyed by all.
Violation of Moral Laws attracts CURSES from God.
Such Moral Laws are made more sublime, spiritual and conscientious by Christs
LOVE commandments which remain unabolished and never ceasing.

It is important however to note that from the interpretation of the Old

Testament and its application to the Gospel by both Christ and the Apostles (e.g. Act
15), Old Testament MORAL LAWS of loving God and our neighbour (Mat 22:36-40)
are still immutably mandatory on the Christian believer with even greater moral
requirement (Mat 5:17-48). Under the New Testaments SPIRITUAL LAW OF FAITH IN
CHRISTS GRACE (Rom 3:24-31; 8:1-4; 1Cor 9:21), it is more grievous offence
deserving more fearfully fiery punishment to sin wilfully and spite the Spirit of

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 GRACE (Heb 10:26-31). The LAW OF CHRIST (1Cor 9:21) is the LAW OF SPIRIT OF
LIFE (Rom 8:2) and the LAW OF LOVE (Rom 13:10) or NEW COMMANDMENT
KEEPING LOVE (John 13:34-35; 14:15, 21-24) in which true believers always walk
and abide as the result and proof (NOT means) of their faith and Salvation (John
15:10-14). The LAW OF CHRIST is the LAW OF GRACE. Grace is Gods free grant of
unmerited divine INVESTITURE on us which must not be defiled and unmerited
divine INVESTMENT in us which must yield double dividend to God. Grace is
undeserved grant of divine PARDON and PURITY with which God ENDUES us and
divine POWER with which God ENDOWS us.

The principles of Old Testament CIVIL LAWS are still valid patterns for State
Governance and exemplary for Ecclesiastical jurisprudence; but the Old Testament
Laws of CEREMONIAL or RITUAL WORKS are already fulfilled and have been
superseded in Christs SAVING WORK for all who believe in Him and now worship
God spiritually and morally but no longer ritually (Col 2; Heb 10). Even modern
Jewish Israel cannot keep much of such LAWS OF RITUAL WORKS because there
are no more Priests and Temple but Synagogues which actually evolved from or
replaced City Gate congresses.

(See http://www.scribd.com/doc/65989063/CHRISTIAN-JURISPRUDENCE-and-Conflict-Resolution)

Though Law is strong for moral precepts, it is weak being only external and unable to cleanse
conscience and merely transient for works of outward PROPITIATION (Heb 9:8-14) unlike New
Testament inward propitiation (Heb 10:20-22). This is because Ritual Law is mediated by means that
are not real and eternal, but by illustrative SYMBOLIC RITUALS, multiple sinful tenured High-Priests
who needed animals for the Tabernacle/Temple that were perishable, faulty, and handmade
Shadow-copies (NOT the exact original) of the anticipated heavenly realities (Heb 8:5-7; 10:1-11).

Grace gives POWER for moral living, it is ultimately powerful in all sufficiency for inward regeneration
and access to divine nature through PROPITIATION. This is because Spiritual Grace is mediated by
means that are real and eternal such as real saving REALITIES, One sinless eternal Christ-Priest and
needed no faulty animals and perishable materials but the actual and exact Substance of Christs
sinless Body and precious Blood for actual Heavenly Sanctuary which were copied and anticipated by
the Laws mediators, means and rituals (Heb 7; 10:12-18).
<<Back to Top>>

LAW, GRACE and POSTMODERNISM.

Postmodernism is resurgence of age-old inexcusably godlessness in the Church and heathenism in
the Society described in the Scriptures by Apostles.

Jude 1:3-5
(3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
necessary for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should EARNESTLY CONTEND for
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
(4) For there are CERTAIN MEN CREPT IN UNAWARES, who were before of old ordained to
this condemnation, UNGODLY MEN, TURNING THE GRACE OF OUR GOD INTO
LICENTIOUSNESS, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
(5) I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how that the Lord,
having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed
not.

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 2 Peter 2:1-3
(1) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be FALSE
TEACHERS AMONG YOU, who shall secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the
Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2) And MANY SHALL FOLLOW THEIR SHAMEFUL WAYS; by reason of whom the way of truth
shall be evil spoken of.
(3) And THROUGH COVETOUSNESS SHALL THEY WITH FALSE WORDS EXPLOIT YOU: whose
judgment of old now lingers not, and their destruction slumbers not.

Romans 1:18-32
(18) For God's wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and
wickedness of those who in their wickedness SUPPRESS THE TRUTH.
(19) For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God himself has made it
plain to them.
(20) For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes-his eternal power and divine
nature-have been understood and observed by what he made, so that PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT
EXCUSE.
(21) For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.
Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things, and their ignorant hearts were darkened.
(22) Though claiming to be wise, they became fools
(23) and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that looked like mortal human
beings, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
(24) For this reason, God gave them over to impurity to follow the lusts of their hearts and
to dishonor their bodies with one another.
(25) They exchanged God's truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creation rather
than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
(26) For this reason, God gave them over to degrading passions. EVEN THEIR FEMALES
EXCHANGED THEIR NATURAL SEXUAL FUNCTION FOR ONE THAT IS UNNATURAL.
(27) IN THE SAME WAY, THEIR MALES ALSO ABANDONED THE NATURAL SEXUAL FUNCTION
OF FEMALES AND BURNED WITH LUST FOR ONE ANOTHER. MALES COMMITTED INDECENT
ACTS WITH MALES, and received in themselves the appropriate penalty for their perversion.
(28) Furthermore, because they did not think it worthwhile to retain the full knowledge of
God, God gave them over to degraded minds to perform acts that should not be done.
(29) They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They
are full of envy, murder, quarreling, deceit, and viciousness. They are gossips,
(30) slanderers, GOD-HATERS, haughty, arrogant, boastful, INVENTORS OF EVIL,
DISOBEDIENT TO THEIR PARENTS,
(31) foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
(32) Although they know God's just requirement-that those who practice such things deserve
to die-they not only do these things but even applaud others who practice them.

Todays world of postmodern paganism is angry at God for their predicaments and rebellious against
God because they learn that according to Gods Law, righteous wrath is incurred by their sinful
lawlessness and therefore abhors the worship of the Holy and Only God (THEOSTUGEIA Rom 1:30).
This new heathenish vogue that detests any responsibility for their wrong-doing is the product of
rebellious hatred against parental discipline by boomer youths since the hippie countercultural
movement in 1960s in fulfilment of 2Tim 3:1-5.

2Timothy 3:1-5
(1) You must realize, however, that in the last days difficult times will come.

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 (2) People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
(3) unfeeling, uncooperative, slanderous, degenerate, brutal, hateful of what is good,
(4) traitors, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
(5) They will hold to an outward form of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from such
people.

In Postmodern hippie culture and philosophy nothing should be called wrong or sinful; the only
detestable wrong is when one says that someone else is wrong. Postmodernists are not angry at
their sins but angry at Gods Law and every absolute standards of morality and truth or any father
figure that would point their sins out or frown at it; yet it is NOT Gods good Law BUT our evil sins
that messed us up before God (Rom 7:7-13). Postmodern heathenish existentialism and agnosticism
have become a press-gang driving the Church so hard to deny the divine revelations of Scripture,
confuse the truth about Law and Grace to end up derailing into lopsided fallacies of antinomianism
and libertinism that has progressively worsened both Church and the world by day.

The old Platonist classical culture hailed asceticism as the means to spiritual actualisation and ecstasy
so the Church of the Middle Ages preached legalism and gospel of salvation by rigorous works and
human capacity to keep the Law without the help of Grace. The now Postmodern hippie culture hails
hedonism as their means for self actualisation and happiness so the present age Church preaches
libertinism and gospel of passionate pleasure and Grace without Law. Without Gods saving Grace
there was no offer for the Platonist to believe in and thank Christ for; and without Gods moral Law
there is no sin for the Postmodernist to repent from and die to with Christ. When will the Church quit
this childish cultural to and fro tossing dance and become mature to the measure of Christ that
preaches the full Gospel and the whole of God in its four dimensions? (Act 20:27; Eph 3:18; 4:13-14).
Law PRESCRIBES the divine configuration of righteousness while Grace PERFORMS the divine
upgrade of justification and regeneration! Law TASKS your ability but Grace EQUIPS you with Gods
own ability.

The saving Grace of Christs Cross is primarily the divine power that destroys sin and endows holiness
(Rom 6:11-15). Postmodern Christianity would promote the preaching of power to overcome
diseases, failure and poverty but not power to overcome sin; rather silence should be kept about sin
and holiness because it makes the proud, rebellious and sin-loving Gentiles feel angry, depressed and
humiliated.

The post-evangelical Church of postmodern culture teaches the lie that SOBER WATCHFULNESS
against falling into sin and to ensure CONTRITE PENITENCE are the same with sin consciousness
(Heb 10:2-4); they rather think and teach that SEARED CONSCIENCE wilful refusal to examine
ones life with Scriptural law and terrible wrath against sin (1Tim 4:1-2; Jude 1:4) is a better virtue!
But SIN CONSCIOUSNESS is not watchfulness to avoid the evil of wilful sin and the terror of falling
into the hands of the living God (Heb 10:26-31) nor is SIN CONSCIOUSNESS the same as contrition
for any unconfessed sin, rather SIN CONSCIOUSNESS is the fact of BEING UNSURE OF DIVINE
PARDON for the penitent or the FEELING OF LOSS OF DIVINE PARDON for sins already forgiven.
Post-evangelicals would teach people to confess positively about being healed being able to do all
things and about getting all things but nothing like positively confessing about sinning no more or
being holy. Thank God, we have the true precepts of divine revelation COMPREHENSIVELY taught in
the Scriptures that we need no false presumptions of unfruitful humanist ideas.
Ephesians 2:8-10
(8) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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

Titus 2:11-15
(11) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
(12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live sensibly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;
(13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Savior Jesus Christ;
(14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a people for his own, zealous of good works.
(15) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise you.

Law is Gods judgment statute therefore it prescribes and ensures appropriate reward for every good
or bad work but cannot qualify us for Grace; this still remains valid beyond Rev 22 and final judgment
even till eternity. Grace is Gods free gift and therefore cannot offers reward for any good or bad
work but can only bestow abundant blessings as well as abundantly equip us for good works that
guarantee good reward; these have always been valid before Gen 1 and initial creation even from
eternity.

Law is unnecessary for sinless existence but necessary for sinful existence (1Tim 1:9) and offers good
help (e.g. CONVICTION, CORRECTION, CONDEMNATION, and CONVERSION) but limited by our fallen
sinful flesh and mortal nature (Rom 8:3) which can do no good if not graciously helped by the Holy
Spirit (Rom 7:18-19). Grace is necessary for all and offers better help (e.g. CONVERSION,
DELIVERANCE, PARDON, and POWER) being unlimited in spite of our sinful and mortal nature.

Law is weak because it is mediated by temporal and temporary means that are not eternal, such as
illustrative SYMBOLIC RITUALS, multiple sinful tenured High-Priests and needed sacrificial animals
and Tabernacle/Temple that were perishable, faulty, and handmade copies or Shadows (NOT the
exact original) of the expected heavenly realities (Heb 8:5-7; 9:8-14; 10:1-11). Grace is powerful
because it is mediated by means that are eternal such as real SAVING REALITIES, One sinless eternal
Christ-Priest and needed no faulty animals and perishable materials but the actual and exact
Substance of Christs precious Body and Blood and actual Heavenly Sanctuary which were copied and
expected by the Laws mediators, means and rituals (Heb 7; 10:12-18).

For Law, the past matters much the souls that sins shall die and the future too behold I come
quickly, and my reward is in my hand. For Grace, the past does not matter much I count all things
dung, I am crucified with Christ, but the future does I press toward the mark, the [gracious]gift
of God is eternal life in Christ, it is no longer I that lives but Christ lives in me.

Contravening the Law can veil our hearts from knowing Grace yet conforming to the Law cannot
secure Grace; Christ came to fulfil Law (removing every veiling of Grace) and to pour out every Grace
in heavenly places which we could never have known.

Grace as a free gift cannot be a reward for whatever good or bad work but provides abundant favour
for all who acknowledge the need of Grace. Our salvation is by Grace but our rewards (in fulfilment
of Law) are for our good works enabled by Grace of Christ.
<<Back to Top>>

Updated June 12, 2014

by Ven. Dr. I. U. Ibeme
Copyright PriscAquila Publishing, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

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