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The Law of the Christ – Theological Forum 2018

The Law of The Christ – Download paper in PDF.

The Law of The Christ

Caring for Members of the Body

Pastor Luther Walker

In the book of Galatians[1] Paul states that the bearing of another person’s weight[2] is filling up again the law of the Christ; yet, in Romans he writes that a Christian is not under any quality of law[3]. How do we reconcile passages of Scripture that seem to contradict each other? What does Scripture mean when it states a Christian is not under any quality of law, yet then indicates there is a law of the Christ and a law of the Spirit? Is a Christian under law or not? Ultimately this leads to the underlying question, “As a Christian, what are the guidelines for my life?” To better understand the rules of our household[4], that is to say God’s expectation for how the saved are to live their life today, we can examine how the word “law” is used in Scripture along with its normal meaning and use in everyday life so we know the difference between being under the Mosaic Law or any quality of law and filing up again the Law of the Christ by loving another saint while fulfilling the law the Spirit of life by our walk.

Since we are in the Dispensation of Grace, not the Dispensation of Law, the standard for our household is different. Scripture is very clear on the fact that a Christian is not under the Mosaic Law or any quality of law[5]; however, there is still a standard by which those who are a […]

The Law of the Christ – Theological Forum 20182018-11-11T22:50:12-08:00

The Second Dispensation

The Dispensation of Conscience

In the Second Dispensation, now that man has the knowledge of good and evil, through his conscience he is to seek out and do good.

Rules for the Second DispensationCain is the Steward of the Dispensation of Conscience.

God gives Cain instructions concerning how he, and those of the household, are to govern their lives. After Cain attempted to offer the works of his hands as a peace offering to God. When God rejects the offer, Cain is very upset. God speaks to him at this time, giving him specific instruction concerning the standard he is to live by.

Whether if you do good, you will be lifted up, but if you do not do good, the sin at the opening is laying and unto you its desire and you are to rule over it, Genesis 4:7

 

Failure of the Steward:

Rather than doing what is good and offering a peace offering according to how God stated it was to be offered, Cain slays his brother as a sacrifice, since he is seen as righteous. When God confronts Cain on what he has done and punishes him, his response is that his sin nature is very difficult to manage.

Genesis 4:13 – And Cain said to Jehovah, “My perversity is greater than I can bear.”

The reason Cain offered the works of his hand rather than a lamb out from faith was more than just someone wanting recognition for what they had done. Satan had persuaded Cain to follow him rather than God. Cain’s actions were out from what Satan wanted. In his frustration for not getting what he wanted, Cain slew his […]

The Second Dispensation2023-12-27T11:18:18-08:00

Pure compared to Clean

Pure compared to Clean

1 Peter 1:22 Being in a state of purifying your soul by the obedience of the truth through [the] Spirit into un-hypocritical brotherly love out from a clean heart, you all fervently love one another [of the same kind].

Pure – ἁγνός; ἁγνίζω

Purification is the removal of that which contaminates1. In the life of a Christian purification (an action done in the past with abiding results) is done by obedience to the truth through the Holy Spirit2. Pure is used for a person who is seen as not being defiled in certain types of actions3. The heart is involved with purification and it is necessary to be purified before drawing near to God4. Since Christ is pure – separated from anything that would defile Him, the Christian should also seek the same5 and give consideration to that which is pure6. Pure is also used of the condition in which something exists7, which will effect one’s conduct8. A good example of what is pure is the wisdom from God9.

Clean- καθαρός; καθαρίζω

Cleaning is the removal of filth or dirt

Pure compared to Clean2018-11-09T14:07:36-08:00

The Book of Romans

The original writing of the book of Romans was in the form of a letter. This translation has been put back into this form to emphasis the unity that is within the book, which is often interfered with by chapter and verse breaks that are very poorly placed and lead the reader to misunderstand the context – verses are often placed in the middle of sentences; some chapter breaks are in the middle of sentences and some are in the middle of a context, which lead the reader to believe a break has occurred when it has not. The verses have been superscripted to reduce distraction but still provide a reference point.

[] = Ellipsis
Italics = added for clearly. Either implied by the context or added for a smoother English translation.
a = “that which has quality of”. The Greek Language does not have the same concept of an inarticulate article as the English does.

 

The letter to the saints in Rome was written by Paul in A.D. 57-58 from Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Paul reminded the Corinthian saints what the message for salvation is – Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. Salvation is by faith, not by any quality of work. In this letter Paul goes beyond initial salvation into the Christian life showing how to have victory over our sin nature and walk by the Spirit. This is a Gospel that he is not ashamed of and has the natural ability to save, 1:16.

Romans Translation

The Book of Romans

1.1 Paul, a servant belonging to Jesus Christ, a called one, an apostle, having been set apart unto […]

The Book of Romans2016-10-12T06:02:38-07:00

Doctrine and Teaching

All Scripture has information for the saints today, but not all Scripture is for the saint’s practice. The Greek language uses two different words to describe these types of information. The first, often translated teaching, is referring to information that is to be learned but not to be practiced, where the other word means doctrine – that which is to be practiced.

Teaching – διδασκαλία (Information to be learned but not practiced)

  • Teachers teaching the precepts of man, Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7; Colossians 2:22
    1. The people draw near with their mouth and honor with their lips, but are far from Him with their hearts
    2. They reverence Him in vain
  • “Precepts” is used exclusively of the teachings of men. – A royal or Imperial ordinance
    1. Touch not, taste not, handle not, Colossians 2:22
    2. The elementary principles of the world system, Colossians 2:20
  • Have an appearance of wisdom in self made religion and self abasement and mistreating the body, Colossians 2:23
  • Teachings of Demons, 1 Timothy 4:1-6
    1. Speaking lies
    2. Having a conscience seared
    3. Forbidding to marry
    4. Abstaining from meats
    5. In contrast to good (well) teachings
  • The Time will come when men will not endure healthy teaching, 2 Timothy 4:3
    1. They will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts
    2. They will turn from the truth to myths
  • Within the Church
    1. Used of information that is to be learned but not practiced
    2. A separate gift from a Pastor, Romans 12:7 (Pastor is both a shepherd and a teacher)
    3. Information written before for our learning, Romans 15:4
    4. Pastors who labors in the Word and teaching, 1 Timothy 5:17
    5. Scripture is profitable for teachings, reproof, correction and child training, 2 Timothy 3:16
      1. Teaching – properly handling information that is to […]
Doctrine and Teaching2023-11-23T12:17:14-08:00
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