Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Christ Saves Man, Magnifies Law

What is the gospel declared to be? BR-ASI9 278.9

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16. BR-ASI9 278.10

What is the significance of the name Jesus? BR-ASI9 278.11

“Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. BR-ASI9 278.12

In whom is this power to save from sin revealed? BR-ASI9 278.13

“We preach . . . Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24. BR-ASI9 278.14

How was Christ’s attitude toward God’s law foretold? BR-ASI9 279.1

“It is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:7, 8. BR-ASI9 279.2

What does Christ promise of the new covenant? BR-ASI9 279.3

“But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant.” “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.” Hebrews 8:6, 10. BR-ASI9 279.4

What must we do in order to benefit by Christ’s work? BR-ASI9 279.5

“With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10. BR-ASI9 279.6

For what did the apostle Paul trust Christ? BR-ASI9 279.7

“I count all things but loss . . . that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:8, 9. BR-ASI9 279.8

Does the faith which brings righteousness abolish the law? BR-ASI9 279.9

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:31. BR-ASI9 279.10

Note.—“The law demands obedience, but cannot produce it; it is holy in itself, but it cannot make us holy; it convinces of sin, but it cannot cure it; it reveals the disease, but it cannot provide the remedy; while the gospel both requires and enables, saves and sanctifies (Romans 3:19-22; 4:15; 5:20, 21; 7:7-13; 2 Corinthians 3:7-9; Galatians 3:21-24; 1 Timothy 1:8-11). . . . BR-ASI9 279.11

“The gospel shows us the Saviour whom we need, and declares that He has fully obeyed the precepts of the law by His spotless life as our great representative, as well as completely exhausted its penalties through His atoning death as our great substitute (2 Corinthians 5:21). . . . Divine justice and righteousness have been more entirely vindicated through His work for men than they could have been by the obedience or sufferings of the whole human race! BR-ASI9 279.12

“It is the aim alike of the law and of the gospel to secure obedience, but the law compels us to it as a duty, making it irksome and distasteful, while the gospel constrains us to it as a privilege, rendering it easy and delightful. The law sets obedience before us as a means of salvation, and makes blessing strictly conditional upon it. The gospel reveals it as the natural consequence of redemption, and enjoins obedience as the necessary result of blessing.”—William C. Procter, Moody Bible Institute Monthly (Copyrighted), November, 1933, pp. 107, 108. Used by permission. BR-ASI9 279.13

What did Christ take away? BR-ASI9 280.1

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. BR-ASI9 280.2

What has Christ abolished? BR-ASI9 280.3

“Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:10. BR-ASI9 280.4

Note.—“Man . . . needs to be solemnly reminded that the law of the spirit of life in Christ sets him free from the law of sin and death, but not from the law of God.”—G. Campbell Morgan, The Ten Commandments (Revell, 1901 ed.), p. 12. BR-ASI9 280.5

What change is brought about through the gospel? BR-ASI9 280.6

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18. BR-ASI9 280.7

Note.—It is sometimes claimed that Christ changed, abolished, or took away the law, and put the gospel in its place; but this shows a misapprehension of the real work of Christ. The individual believer is changed by beholding the glory revealed in the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 1:14); death has been abolished through the death of Christ; and sin has been taken away by the great Sin Bearer; but the law of God still remains unchanged as the very foundation of His throne. BR-ASI9 280.8

What spiritual interpretation did Christ give to the sixth and seventh commandments? BR-ASI9 280.9

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Matthew 5:21, 22. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:27, 28. BR-ASI9 280.10

Of what prophecy was this teaching a fulfillment? BR-ASI9 281.1

“The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” Isaiah 42:21. BR-ASI9 281.2

Note.—Christ not only gave a spiritual interpretation to the law, and Himself thus observed it, but He showed the holiness and the immutable nature of the law by dying on the cross to pay the penalty of its transgression. In this way, above all, He magnified the law. BR-ASI9 281.3