I’m trying to follow you, Theodore. But, I just can’t accept the connection I think you are making.

You note Heb. 7:12, stating, “The law of God was changed after Jesus was crucified. A word has been added to the law.”

Heb. 7:12 does note, “For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.” However, this singular sentence is not the full summary of the point. It is rather an important, but short sentence of a much bigger thought. This sentence notes a change of the law – true – but it never asserts your position that “a word” has been added to the law. It says nothing of the sort. Rather, Hebrews 7 details the “normal” course of the priesthood. In particular, it speaks of the succession from Aaron through the tribe of Levi. He then states that Jesus is a new priest in the order of Melchizedek, who was a non-Levite priest. The point is that Jesus is bringing a new tribal line to the priesthood. The very next verse says (13), “he of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. (14) For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.”
I agree that the law changed, per Heb. 7:12.

Yet, that text says absolutely nothing about your postulate that the law changed by “a word” being added to it. The law changed because the priesthood changed. The law of Moses was replaced by the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). Such is the subject matter of my “The Law and the Believer” series posted here: http://www.returningking.com/?series=72.

Your next quote, from Rom. 5:20, is “The law was added so that the trespass might increase.” I’m not totally sure why you’re quoting this in your argument, but if you’re attempting to say that this text refers to “an addition” to the law, clearly this is not the case contextually. Romans 5 is a discourse on how Adam brought death and Christ brought life. It says nothing of the nature of “a word” being added to the law. Rather, it speaks of “the law” as that which condemned man’s sin. It was the law which was added that man might be utterly exposed for the sinner that he is. Paul explained the scenario again in Rom. 7:13, “…in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it (the law) produced death in me through what was good, so that throught he commandment sin might become utterly sinful.”

Lastly, it seems by your quoting of Rom. 2:13, that you are asserting that this new law – (your version, with the mysterious “added word”) – is responsible for one’s salvation. You quote Rom 2:13 as if this law is the source of salvation. Yet, clearly Romans 2:13 is arguing utterly against the premise of one being saved by the law of Moses (which is the law in question). You must read the entire chapter! Focus on Rom. 2:12-16. Paul’s declaration is not that one will be saved by observance of the law, but that one will be judged as guilty by the law. Only by Christ will anyone be judged as righteous by the law- for only Christ fulfilled it. Paul continues his discourse to its climactic resolution in Rom 3-

Romans 3:21-25 (NIV)
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished–

The righteousness from God is “apart from the law” of Moses. It is a new law of Christ by grace through faith; for Christ had fulfilled the law (Mat. 5:17-18) – and rendered it inoperative for the believer (Rom. 10:4, Gal. 2:15-16, Gal. 3:24-25).

I’m sorry, but there is not “additional word” added to the law in any of the passages you’re referencing. I encourage you to read from testament to book; from book to chapter, from chapter to paragraph, etc. Context is utterly essential to prevent us from eisegesis (reading into the text), which I believe you have mistakenly done.
Best wishes-
Jeff

Theodore A. Jones

Theodore A. Jones

I’ll have to whole-heartedly disagree. Your postulates absolutely disregard the fundamental message of the gospel.

Your statement that “there was no possibility that the actual or true reason why Jesus was to be crucified could have been discovered” and that “(no) pre-existing sources, even if it is the Bible(??), able to substantiate the true reason why he was crucified” is simply not true. Your use of 1 Cor. 2 is poorly chosen, for it does not speak of the “mystery” of the crucifixion – but the “mystery of God” which corresponds to the secret mysteries of human arguments (who frequently claimed to have some “new” mystery for religious sale.) Even so, if you keep reading, Paul noted that his message was indeed a mystery, but he concluded (verses 9-10) that while “no eye has seen, no ear has heard…” “but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” Mystery solved.

As to why Jesus was crucified, this was known 750 years before Christ was crucified. Isaiah began prophesying around 740 BC. His prophesy decried the purpose of the crucifixion for the whole world to hear. Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

As to your assertion that Jesus did not fulfill the law, you’ll have to argue that point with some much more heavy hitters than myself: namely, the author of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul, and the gospel writers themselves.

First, Jesus clearly noted that he had come to fulfill the law and the prophets. While I do not believe he has completed the fulfillment of the prophets (as of yet), he did fulfill the completion of the law; in total. Now, it is true that the law remained in effect while Jesus lived on the earth. However, his crucifixion completed the law, as the entire law was a foreshadowing of that which was to come. Hebrews notes, “Hebrews 10:1 (ESV) 1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.”

The author continues, Hebrews 10:8-10 (ESV) 8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

And concludes the issue with, Hebrews 10:14-16 (ESV) 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds….”

Paul concurs wholeheartedly in Galatians 3:11-14 (ESV)
11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Paul concluded without condition that Christ had fulfilled the law as he notes:
Romans 10:4 (ESV) 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Galatians 2:15-16 (ESV)
15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Thus, the assertion that Christ somehow failed to fulfill the law – or that this was not the purpose of his crucifixion – is an aberration of the scriptural declarations concerning his death. Missing the point on this issue is not simply a theological “disagreement” but rather is a serious offense to the gospel, complete with its own stern warning:
Galatians 3:10-11 (ESV)
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
I encourage you to read the book of Galatians from start to finish. Paul dealt very seriously with the issues of people attempting to marry the law and grace as a means to justification.

You may also consider this series, which addresses the nature of the law in light of Christ’s work on the cross: http://www.returningking.com/?series=72.

As to your note of repentance being a necessary action, I have no disagreement. Man is called to repent. While there is much disagreement concerning the nature of such repentance (I’ll be writing on that in the continuation of the “Pastoral Soteriology” series) you are hard pressed to argue against the biblical mandate for repentance concerning one’s salvation (be that repentance a part of the work of regeneration or a condition of regeneration – each of which is debated heartily).

However, to note that repentance is somehow an addition to the law misses the point entirely. It is not an addition to the law. Rather, repentance is to turn whole-heartedly to Christ – and Christ alone – for the remission of the sins which Hebrews notes (repeatedly) that the law cannot cleanse.

I do thank you for writing. I mean no offense in my response, but write so much in hopes that you will reconsider your position according to the scriptures.

Regarding your reference to Jesus’ statement relative to fulfilling the law your conclusion is incorrect. The law has been fulfilled by adding a word to it. Ref. Heb 7:12b NIV “there must (imperative tense) also (relative to a fact) be a change of the law.” and Rom. 5:20 NIV “The (singular, i.e.a) law was added so that the (singular, i.e. a) trespass might (has) increased.” The second immutable thing referenced in Heb. 6:18.

1 Cor. 2:6-7. Since there was no possibility that the actual or true reason why Jesus was to be crucified could have been discovered, since the true reason was a secret or he would not have been crucified, neither are any pre-existing sources, even if it is the Bible, able to substantiate the true reason why he was crucified whenever the substantiates are solely confined to law issued prior to his crucifixion. An example of this point is found in Acts 18:24-28.

You are a man like Apollos, a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, OT that is, knowing only the baptism of John, as every other seminary grad does, but it is not adequate to explain the true Way of God.

Therefore the conjecture that Jesus was crucified as a substitute is a total error just like Apollos’ dissemination and yours must be corrected too or no one can or will be saved by the Way of God in this day and time.

“It is not those who hear the law who are
righteous in God’s sight, but it is those
who obey the law who will be declared
righteous.”

The word which has been added to the law to fulfill it is Repent. For the crucifixion of Jesus in regard to the fact that his life was taken by bloodshed corresponding to God’s oath of each man being required to give him an account for the life of your fellow man the law was changed. Therefore the only Way the law Repent can and must be obeyed is by the faith of confessing directly to God with your mouth that you are sorry Jesus was crucified and be baptized into this Way to be forgiven of all sins. This Way is the small narrow gate into the kingdom of God and no man will enter God’s kingdom by any other way. For there are no exceptions. It is the requirement of God’s oath and by the law that each man too must give a direct account to God by Jesus’ crucifixion or he will serve the penalty of eternal death for disobeying the law of God.

“Keeping the law, it’s easy,
it’s in your mouth.”

Amen.