IS THERE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE LAW OF GOD/ THE LORD AND THE LAW OF MOSES?

By Nana Yaw Aidoo

As we continue our discussion of the Old Covenant, which the bible teaches has been abrogated, we would like to deal with one objection to this teaching, that is commonly appealed to by Adventists.

Just mention that the Old Covenant has been nailed to the cross and Adventists would say it isn't the Decalogue that has been nailed to the cross but "the rest" of the Old law. They then proceed to assert that the Decalogue is called "the law of God/ the Lord" and that this was given by the Lord Himself. But the rest of the law, they say, is "the law of Moses" and this "law of Moses" is what has been nailed to Christ's cross. Never has there been a more false doctrine.

There is simply no distinction between the law of God and the law of Moses as we shall prove. It is just a cooked up teaching and is wholly contrary to the sacred writings. It is noteworthy that Adventists pay tithes and don't chew pork. If what they teach is true, then where in the Decalogue is the law which says "Thou shalt not chew pork" or "Thou shalt pay tithes"? These ones are part of "the law of Moses" aren't they? And "the law of Moses" has been abrogated hasn't it? So why do Adventists still keep that which they claim has been nailed to the cross?

Evidently, their actions contradict their teachings and what is even sadder is the sincere souls who have been taught this doctrine, who make no attempt to verify what the bible says on the subject.

In Ezra 7:6 it is written: "this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him". It is clearly shown in this text that God gave "the law of Moses". This is contrary to what Adventists teach. And if God gave the law of Moses, then what did Moses give? Listen; "Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses" (2 Chr.34:14). It is clearly written that Moses gave "the law of the Lord/ God". Clearly, Adventists make a distinction where there is none thereby teaching that which is false.

To further prove that the claim of Adventists is false, we shall quote 2 Chronicles 31:3; "The king also appointed a portion of his possessions for the burnt offerings: for the morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths and the New Moons and the set feasts, as it is written in the Law of the LORD". Adventists claim there is a distinction between the Decalogue which they call "the law of the Lord/ God" and the rest of the law which they call "the law of Moses". But from the text, we see stuff like "burnt offerings", "new moons" and "set feasts", in "the law of the Lord". Where in the 10 commandments are these things found? The attempted distinction between the laws of the Old Covenant is a man-made one and is absolutely false.

If like Adventists claim, the Decalogue is "the law of the Lord/ God", must not every "law of the Lord/ God" be found in the Decalogue? Luke 2:23 is began this way, "as it is written in the law of the Lord". If the claim of Adventists is correct, the law that follows must necessarily be part of the 10 commandments. This is that which follows; "(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")". Pray tell me, where in the 10 commandments this is found? This occurred because Jesus had been taken to Jerusalem "according to the law of Moses" (Luke 2:22). It's a sin to speak where God has not spoken (1 Pet.4:11) and that is what Adventists do when they make a distinction where there is none.

It is "the law of the Lord/ God" because it was from God. It is "the law of Moses" because it was given through Moses. Clearly, these phrases are used interchangeably in scripture and refer to the exact same thing, that is, the old covenant and all of its laws. When the Hebrews writer said the first covenant has been made "obsolete", he wasn't referring only to that which Adventists unscripturally call "the law of Moses". But he was referring to the entire first covenant of which the Decalogue is a part.

The bible still says; "having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace" (Eph.2:15).

In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away" (Heb.8:13).