The law & the Promise
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15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. 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. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Sermon
Sermon
Does the Law annul the Promise?
Does the Law annul the Promise?
15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.
Romans 7:1-3 Uses Marriage
Will (last will and testiment)
Actioned after Christ’ Death
Jesus after providing the “Lord’s Prayer” affirms the promise:
13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
Genesis 22:16-18
Paul knows that the word used can have dual usage (singular & plural)
Paul though confirms that the God used the singular purposefully
17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void.
Outline the facts stated in verse
18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Paul will return to this concept in Charter 4
Outline the facts stated in the verse
God’s Work "Once for all” unifies the two events
What is the purpose of the Law?
What is the purpose of the Law?
19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.
Has Paul released the Christian from the Moral Law?
Paul’s argument has been effective
Paul now outlines its purpose
In Charter 5 & 6 Paul will show that “justification by faith” does not remove our obligation of obedience to God’s Moral Laws.
Rather it is a door to Holy Living
The Law shines a light on our sin
The sinfulness of His People required its provision
Intermediary / Mediator - cannot yet approach God directly
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.
Paul (in Romans) makes the case for the priveledge and burden of the law
22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Justification by Faith would be meaningless without the law
The Law “escorts” us to Christ
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
NKJV - Under Guard - “protective custody”
Awaiting the arrival of “pardon”
“Without a prior act of God, we cannot even believe in Him”
For Paul, even Faith is without merit on the individual
24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Paul quick to ensure an over use of the metaphor: custodian
Guardian or Tutor (of children)
The guardian, the Law, has been replaced with the Holy Spirit
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Baptism ideally should coincide with the dawn of new life in the heart of the believer
Letter is primarily about Faith & the Work of the Holy Spirit
this is the only reference to Baptism
Pointed at each turn to Jesus, the Christ
Even in scripture we see the Holy Spirit comes sometimes:
before baptist
during baptism
after baptism
See Ananias & Simon Magus Acts 5:1-11; 8:9-24
How humans cause division:
Jew nor Greek
Traditions: Nationality / culture, language, religious
Slave nor Free
class
Male nor Female
sexual
Conclusion
Conclusion
We are:
One in Christ
Body of Christ
Heirs in Christ
our heirship is gained through being one in Christ