WCF 19.3

19.3. Of the Law of God

Beside this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church under age, 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 are now abrogated, under the new testament.

Proof texts

• Heb. 9 chap.
• Heb. 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.
• Gal. 4:1, 2, 3 — [1] I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, [2] but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. [3] In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
• Col. 2:17 — [17] These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
• 1 Cor. 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.
• 2 Cor. 6:17 — [17] Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
• Jude 23 — [23] save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
• Col. 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.
• Dan. 9:27 — [27] And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
• Eph. 2:15, 16 — [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Heb. 9 chap. in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q40 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q39 · WSC Q40 · WLC Q91 · WLC Q95 · WLC Q96 · WLC Q97 · HC Q92 · 1689 19.1 · IAR 6.1 · SHC 4.1 · SHC 4.2 · SD 19.1