Are Christians Under the Law?

Debaters: Sean Griffin vs. Joshua Pedit

Introduction

Moderator: Donnie Binskey Topic: Are Christians under the law?

Background: Sean follows the ministry 'Kingdom in Context'. Gave his heart to Christ in 1997.
Main Argument: Christians are under the law of God, which he describes as eternal and inherent to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles.
Concepts Discussed: Kingdom of God, righteousness, Prophets' teachings, continuity between Old Testament law and New Testament teachings.
Main Verses:
- Isaiah 11: Root of Jesse, Kingdom of God.
- Revelation 55: Tribe of Judah, root of David.
- Matthew 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
- Matthew 9:12-13: Christ desires mercy not sacrifice.
- Jeremiah 31: New Covenant involves God’s law on our hearts.

Background: Midwestern resident, married for 3 years, father of two. Engaged in debates for further understanding of God's word.
Main Argument: Christians are not under the Mosaic law but under the new covenant of grace through Christ.
Concepts Discussed: Distinction between Old Testament law and New Testament grace, fulfillment of the law by Christ, Galatians’ argument about circumcision.
Main Verses:
- Galatians 5:18: Led by the spirit, not under the law.
- Romans 6:14: Not under the law but under grace.
- Hebrews 10: Fulfillment of the law by Jesus.
- Matthew 11:28-30: Jesus as our rest.

Central Points:
- Jesus is integral to Israel, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah and law.
- All prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament show continuity with God's eternal law.
- Jesus' teachings and actions uphold the law; He did not abolish but fulfill it.
- Later church fathers and Apostles continued to uphold the law, emphasizing adherence to God’s commands as love towards God.

Central Points:
- Describes the Mosaic law as a yoke of bondage and exclusive to the nation of Israel.
- Asserts that Jesus fulfilled the law, ending the Mosaic Covenant and establishing a new one based on faith and grace.
- Paul’s teachings in epistles, especially Galatians, reiterate that believers are no longer under the old law.
- The decisions of the early church councils (Acts 15) focused on a few essential instructions for Gentile believers, not the full Mosaic Law.

Questions: Sean’s acceptance of Christ, Christ's teachings' relevance today, interpreting Galatians on the law, understanding of Romans 6’s declaration on sin and law, history of God's law pre-Sinai.
Discussion Points: Circumcision arguments in Galatians, Mosaic law's applicability, the significance of Sabbath in Genesis.
Key Verses Discussed: Galatians 5:18, Romans 6.

Questions: Joshua’s understanding of discipleship, acceptance of Jesus’ and Apostolic teachings, Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 5, interpretations of Jesus fulfilling the law and the enduring nature of God's commandments.
Discussion Points: Understanding of New Covenant, definition of law on believers’ hearts, Sabbath observance post-resurrection.
Key Verses Discussed: Matthew 5, Galatians 2.

Central Arguments: Dismisses artificial segmentation of the law into moral, ceremonial, civil categories. Emphasizes that Jesus couldn't logically fulfill all 613 laws since not all directly applied to Him (e.g., female-specific laws).
Key Points: Pharisaic traditions vs. God's commands, law’s validity and moral guidance, maintaining God's law in the New Covenant context.

Central Arguments: Reiterates Paul's teachings and the early church's position, separating Christians from the Mosaic law, emphasizing New Testament commandments and Apostolic teachings as sufficient for Christian living.
Key Points: Acts 15 decisions on Gentile believers, interpretation of commandments by Jesus and Apostles.
Relevant Verses: Romans 6, Hebrews 10.

Topics Covered:
- Isaiah 56 and 2 as prophecies about the continuation of the law in the New Kingdom.
- Importance of righteousness and Jesus as ultimate example.
- Early church practices and teachings in connection to Mosaic law.
- Eschatology passages and their interpretation regarding the law.
Main Points: Examination of prophecies, clarification of Jesus' teachings on righteousness and law, exploration of end-time prophecies and their impact on Christian duties.

Emphasizes continuity and imperativeness of the law of God as a reflection of God's eternal, righteous character.
Asserts that the law is neither burdensome nor obsolete but divinely intended for all people, supported by both Scripture and early church understanding.

Restates that Christians are under a new covenant, through faith in Christ and the teachings of the Apostles.
Asserts that early Christians, while observing some Mosaic laws, understood freedom from the full burden of the law under the New Covenant.

Galatians 5:18 & Romans 6:14 Interpretation: Sean interprets within broader scriptural continuity, including Mosaic laws; Joshua maintains a perspective of newness and freedom from old law under grace.
Acts 15 Council Decisions: Both debated the interpretations and implications of the council's decisions regarding Gentile believers.
Old Testament Prophecies & Fulfillment: Robust discussion regarding Isaiah, Matthew, and Hebrews on continuity and fulfillment of laws.
Commandments and Faith: Dialogue on what constitutes commandments in light of Jesus' teachings and how faith interplays with law adherence.

Sean argues for an inclusive understanding of the Mosaic law, applying it to the life of Christians today through the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.
Joshua emphasizes the passage from Old Covenant to New Covenant, focusing on faith and grace through Jesus, minimizing the extensive applicability of the Mosaic law.

The debate underscored the different theological lenses through which the continuity and discontinuity of Old Testament laws are viewed in Christian practice today.

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