Of the Law of God
1689 London Baptist Confession · 19.1–19.7
19.1. Of the Law of God
God gave to Adam a Law of universal obedience, written in his Heart, and a particular precept of not eating the Fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which he bound him, and all his posterity to personal entire exact and perpetual obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatned death upon the breach of it; and indued him with power and ability to keep it.
Proof texts
- Genesis 1:27 — [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
- Ecclesiastes 7:29 — [29] See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
- Romans 10:5 — [5] For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
- Galatians 3:10, 12 — [10] For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” [12] But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Genesis 1:27 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q91 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
19.2. Of the Law of God
The same Law that was first written in the heart of man, continued to be a perfect rule of Righteousness after the fall; & was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in Ten Commandments and written in two Tables; the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man.
Proof texts
- Romans 2:14, 15 — [14] For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. [15] They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
- Deuteronomy 10:4 — [4] And he wrote on the tablets, in the same writing as before, the Ten Commandments that the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Romans 2:14, 15 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q91 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
19.3. Of the Law of God
Besides this Law commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel Ceremonial Laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties, all which Ceremonial Laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only Law-giver who was furnished with power from the Father, for that end, abrogated and taken away.
Proof texts
- Hebrews 10:1 — [1] For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
- Colossians 2:17 — [17] These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 — [7] Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
- Colossians 2:14, 16, 17 — [14] by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. [16] Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. [17] These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
- Ephesians 2:14, 16 — [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Hebrews 10:1 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q91 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
19.4. Of the Law of God
To them also he gave sundry judicial Laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by vertue of that institution; their general equity onely, being of moral use.
Proof texts
- 1 Corinthians 9:8-10 — [8] Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? [9] For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? [10] Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 Corinthians 9:8-10 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q91 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
19.5. Of the Law of God
The moral Law doth for ever bind all, as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof, and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the authority of God the Creator; who gave it: Neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.
Proof texts
- Romans 13:8-10 — [8] Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
- James 2:8, 10-12 — [8] If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. [10] For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. [11] For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. [12] So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
- James 2:10, 11 — [10] For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. [11] For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
- Matthew 5:17-19 — [17] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [19] Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- Romans 3:31 — [31] Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Romans 13:8-10 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q91 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
19.6. Of the Law of God
Although true Believers be not under the Law, as a Covenant of Works, to be thereby Justified or condemned; yet it is of great use to them as well as to others: in that, as a Rule of Life, informing them of the Will of God, and their Duty, it directs and binds them, to walk accordingly; discovering also the sinfull pollutions of their Natures, Hearts and Lives; so as Examining themselves thereby, they may come to further Conviction of, Humiliation for, and Hatred against Sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his Obedience: It is likewise of use to the Regenerate to restrain their Corruptions, in that it forbids Sin; and the Threatnings of it serve to shew what even their Sins deserve; and what afflictions in this Life they may expect for them, although free'd from the Curse and unallayed Rigor thereof. The Promises of it likewise shew them Gods approbation of Obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works; so as mans doing Good and refraining from Evil, because the Law incourageth to the one and deterreth from the other, is no Evidence of his being under the Law and not under Grace.
Proof texts
- Romans 6:14 — [14] For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
- Galatians 2:16 — [16] yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
- Romans 8:1 — [1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 10:4 — [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
- Romans 3:20 — [20] For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
- Romans 7:7 — [7] What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
- Romans 6:12-14 — [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. [13] Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. [14] For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
- 1 Peter 3:8-13 — [8] Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. [9] Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. [10] For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; [11] let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [13] Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Romans 6:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q91 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
19.7. Of the Law of God
Neither are the forementioned uses of the Law contrary to the Grace of the Gospel; but do sweetly comply with it; the Spirit of Christ subduing and inabling the Will of man, to do that freely and chearfully, which the will of God revealed in the Law, requireth to be done.
Proof texts
- Galatians 3:21 — [21] Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.
- Ezekiel 36:27 — [27] And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Galatians 3:21 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q91 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?