Ceremonial Law

Memory Verse: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-14.

Introduction: In the writings of Paul, there are extensive references to "added laws;" to "shadow laws;" to commandments contained in ordinances.
We have also learned that where there is no law, there is no sin, for sin is the transgression of the law. To reach a clear understanding of these matters requires a logical, sound and sincere review of all the Scriptures referring to God's laws. In this right approach one becomes aware that there are contained in the Bible: 1) Irrevocable, eternal laws or principles of right and wrong, or laws which represent the character of God and always define His righteousness; 2) Temporary laws of substitution, "added laws" of ceremony and sacrifices, because of the violation of the first type of laws which define sin. If the laws defining sin were ever to be abolished, the death of Christ would never have been required. Because they are immutable and eternal, substitute atonement was required until Christ should redeem the world.
  Since God's eternal law had been transgressed, and sin existed, some provision had to be made to teach the plan by which God would redeem man from the penalty of sin. Moses did not originate any religious law; he only recorded what God told him to write. God spoke the Moral Law to the people, and later wrote it on tables of stone. It was declared to be holy, just, good and perfect (Romans 7:12; Psalm 19:7). When this righteous law was broken, God did not leave man as a helpless victim of his own mistakes. For all who would choose to serve God, a plan of redemption was set forth, consummated in the death of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 42:21). To aid man in understanding this plan, remedial laws were given, called sacrificial laws, which pointed forward to the Redeemer. These were codes separate and distinct from the Moral Law, called the "Ten Commandments."
  The Ten Commandments, which define sin (but contain no ordinances of atonement), represent the eternal principles of God. They were so sacred, they were written with the finger of God on tables of stone. They were stored inside an ark of gold (Exodus 25:16).
  The laws of ordinances and ceremony (remedies and penalties, called "added laws") were written in a book by Moses, dictated by God. This book was stored on the outside of the ark (Deuteronomy 31:26). This represented that which had to be added because of the violation or breaking of the Holy Ten Commandments. The "added laws" are termed imperfect, weak, burdensome, bondage, and "against us." These, the gospel says, were abolished, annulled, taken away, nailed to the cross, fulfilled by Christ. The prefigured the perfect redemption of Christ. Many of these were types and shadows of the Messiah.
  In contrast, the Moral Law is "perfect, converting the soul." Paul said it was good, holy, just; James called it the "royal law" and the "law of liberty" (if obeyed).  These laws (the Ten Commandments) have never been abolished. They are immutable and eternal.

Questions:

1. Why did the patriarchs offer sacrifices of burnt offerings? Genesis 4:4; 8:20; Job 1:4,5.

2. What is the Ceremonial Law and why was it written for Israel? Numbers 9:3; Leviticus 1:1-4; 7:37,38.

3. What did Paul call this system? Colossians 2:14.

4. Where was this Ceremonial Law written? 2 Chronicles 35:12.

5. What effect did the death of Christ have on the law of sacrifices? Colossians 2:14-25; Ephesians 2:15,16.

6. What happened in the temple when Christ died which illustrated the end of the Ceremonial Law (added until the seed--Christ--should come)? Matthew 27:50,51. (Note: The renting of the veil of the temple also symbolized that there was no longer to be a difference made between Jew and Gentile. See Acts 10:28 and Ephesians 2:13,14.)

7. How long did God intend for the Ceremonial Law to last? Galatians 3:19.

8. Why was the Ceremonial Law to be abolished? Hebrews 10:1,3,4.

9. Could the sacrifices of animals take away sin? Hebrews 10:11.

10. Why was Paul burdened for the new Christian converts (some of whom were Jewish)? Galatians 4:9,10; 5:1-4.