By Greg Gibson
Did the Holy Spirit replace the law of Moses? Some Christians have concluded that based on Gal. 5:18 and Rom. 7:6. (Yet, perhaps a better term to describe the relationship between the law of Moses and the Spirit is “contrast” instead of “replace.”)
So, does the Spirit contrast the law of Moses? Yes, but we need to be careful not to read the word “only” into Gal. 5:18 and Rom. 7:6, since the law of Moses is contrasted with at least 7 other truths…
8 Contrasts to the Law of Moses
1. The Law of Moses vs. the Spirit
- “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Gal. 5:18).
“But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit” (Rom. 7:6).
2. The Law of Moses vs. Grace and Truth
- “For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:17).
3. The Law of Moses vs. Faith
- “Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed…But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian…” (Gal. 3:23-25; cf. justification 3:11-12, 24-25, and righteousness 3:21).
4. The Law of Moses vs. Adoption
- “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who are under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:4-5).
5. The Law of Moses vs. Christ’s Priesthood
- “Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well” (Heb. 7:11-12).
“For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever” (Heb. 7:28).
6. The Law of Moses vs. a Better Hope of Approaching God
- “On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God” (Heb. 7:18-19).
7. The Law of Moses vs. Christ’s Sacrifice
- “…’You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will. He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:8-10, cf. 1ff.).
8. The Law of Moses vs. the Law of Christ
- “To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law” (1 Cor. 9:20-21).
(This is not to imply that there were no Spirit, faith, grace and truth during the law of Moses. Few Israelites possessed saving faith or the indwelling Spirit. But, all New Covenant saints have faith in Christ and the indwelling Spirit.)
It’s important to understand that all 8 points above contrast the Old Covenant law of Moses (not all law including the New Covenant law of Christ) to New Covenant truths. The law of Christ is even distinguished and affirmed in one of those contrasts (1 Cor. 9:20-21). And, the context of Galatians “criticizes” the law of Moses in redemptive history. Plus, Galatians gives several commands, and also affirms the law of Christ…
- “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)
Jesus Christ the New Lawgiver has a law inspired and written by the Spirit in the New Testament and on our hearts, for His people who have faith in Christ, who are adopted by the Father, and led by the Spirit.
So no, the Spirit (alone) didn’t replace the law. The Spirit is only one of 8 contrasts vs. the law of Moses.
Perhaps these 8 contrasts also help us understand how Christ fulfills the Law and Prophets. He fulfills them by everything He is, does, and teaches; by His Person, His works (including His Sprit), and His words (including His commands).
Here’s how I explained it in my book “ALL Old Testament Laws Cancelled”…
“Moses’ Law Prepared Unjustified, Spirit-Less Slaves for Christ’s 1st Coming
One reason why God gave the law of Moses to Israel was to tutor/prepare them for Messiah’s 1st coming, so they might be justified by faith, adopted, and Spirit indwelled. But now, we don’t need the Mosaic law to tutor/prepare us because Messiah has already come, we are justified by faith (Gal. 3:23-25), adopted (Gal. 3:26 - 4:7), and Spirit-indwelled (Gal. 5:18).
Christ’s Law Helps Prepare Justified, Spirit-Indwelled Heirs for His 2nd Coming
Moses’ law prepared unjustified, Spirit-less slaves for Christ’s 1st coming. But, Christ’s law helps prepare justified, Spirit-indwelled heirs for His 2nd coming.”
(“ALL Old Testament Laws Cancelled”, 24 Reasons Why All Old Testament Laws Are Cancelled, And All New Testament Laws Are for Our Obedience, by Greg Gibson, pp. 118.)
Edited April 1, 2009
