Bethel Missionary Baptist Church

12021 South US Hwy 19E Spruce Pine NC 28777

Pastor: Darrin Waldroup  766-8908

 

WHAT BAPTISTS BELIEVE

15. LAW AND GOSPEL

We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government;

(Rom 3:31; Matt 5:17; Luke 16:17) that it is holy, just and good; (Rom 7:12,14, 23; Gal 3:21)

and that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises

entirely from their fallen nature and love for sin; (Rom 8:7,8; Jer 13:23) to deliver from which,

and to restore them through a mediator to unfeigned obedience to the Holy law, is one great end

of the Gospel of Christ and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible

church. (Rom 8:2,4;  Rom 10:4;  Jude 20,21; Matt 16:17,18)

                 

1.       God’s Law is Eternal and Unchangeable

God’s Law is His Word & Moral Rule Deut 31:26, Josh 1:8

“I am the Lord, I change not” Mal 3:6  His Word is Unchangeable

God is supreme. He is the highest authority. He is eternal and His Word will not change

His Law states “The soul that sinneth, it shall die  Ez 18:4  The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23”

Matt 5:17,18 Jesus came to fulfill the law  (He would be our substitute, our sacrificial lamb)

 

2.       God’s Law is Holy, Just and Good

God’s Law is perfect. His law was given that we might have a  standard to live by

He knew though, that the law He gave, we would break and sin against Him.

His law is Holy as He is Holy- divine, sacred and perfect is His law  (without error)

His law is just - Fair, true  (equitable-giving us our due) no favorites or exceptions

His law is good- Right & proper      Honest & suitable

Rom 7:12,14   &  Gal 3:21    The Law is not sin

 

3.               God’s Law Unfulfilled by Fallen Man

Man sinned and broke God’s law

The fault is not in the law, as the law condemns sin. 

The fault is in the man, the old nature of the flesh. The law reveals the weakness of our flesh

Jer 13:23 & Rom 8:7,8    (Romans 3:19)

** A car in the hands of an incapable driver is death. The fault is not the car, but the driver

Gal 3:22-24

                The Law brought death as “the wages of sin is death”   “All under sin” or death

We must offer sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin before Christ’s death

                The Law cannot save but can only condemn  The Law does not remove sin but reveals sin

 

4.       God’s Law Fulfilled by the Gospel

                Man was under Law revealing sin or death and had to seek mercy for breaking God’s Law

                Man needs a Saviour, a Redeemer. The Law does not give life, but delivers death

                Man needs a life giver where God’s Law will be met by the sinless mediator

                Rom 10:4 Christ is the end of the law  (Rom 8:2,4)

The sinless mediator restores fallen man by grace as the gospel is presented and received by faith

Mediator- one who intervenes or reconciles parties (I Tim 2:5,6   Heb 9:15)

The gospel is how Christ died for our sins, His burial and His resurrection  (I Cor 15:3,4)

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ’s shed blood and empty tomb  see also Gal 3:25-26