What is Legalism?

[Desire Of All Nations]

Saying nothing of the kind. We are not Jews. This argument was settled in 50 ad at the first Christian council in Jerusalem. Paul spent a good part of his ministry fighting against people that wanted to bring Judaism and the Law into Christianity.

This is unequivocally false.

1. Acts 15:1 shows the true context of what the council wanted to address:

"And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”"

The issue was with men telling Christians their salvation hinged on getting physically circumcised, not keeping the Law. . Furthermore, Paul confirmed for some of the Christian elders that asked him about it in Acts 21:21-25 that this was the specific issue that addressed. Considering Acts consistently shows Paul's Jewish critics falsely accusing him of teaching against the Law, it makes no sense for any professing Christian to tell the same lie.

2. The Bible teaches that a person has no part with Christ if they don't become a spiritual Jew:

"Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." - Eph. 2:12

It should also behoove you to realize Paul and Christ both stated that true Christians are Jews regardless of their physical ethnicity:

"but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God." - Rom. 2:29

"And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." - Gal. 6:16

“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." - Rev. 2:9

"“Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you." - Rev. 3:9

The Bible also teaches in Rom. 11 that a person must be grafted into the tree of Israel and keep the Law to be considered a Christian under the NC, just like non-Israelites had to be physically circumcised and keep the Law to be part of the Israelite community under the OC. As Christ said, salvation is of the Jews. Gentiles have to adopt the customs Israel was given to inherit the promise made to Abraham, not the other way around.

3. Eph. 2:19-20 says that true Christianity is based on everything the apostles and prophets wrote. And according to the Bible, Moses was a prophet. Paul also wrote in 2 Tim. 3 that ALL of the biblical books are profitable for instruction in righteousness for a man(or woman) of God to be thoroughly equipped to fulfill their Christian duties. Again, it makes no sense for any professing Christian to argue Paul tried to keep God's Church from keeping the Law. If that were true, Acts wouldn't consistently show Paul teaching Gentiles on the Sabbath and the Corinthian letters wouldn't show Paul rebuking that congregation for not correctly keeping the NT Passover.

One of the more obvious problems with the assumption that Paul was anti-Law is that he can be seen teaching against idolatry, sexual immorality, witchcraft, murder, murder, coveting, lying, and other such things that are condemned in the Law throughout his letters. He can also be seen agreeing with Genesis where it teaches that God created the world and everything that exists on it.

There is simply no way anyone can honestly argue Paul was anti-Law unless they're simply trying to discard God's standards of sin to live by their own, at which case the most that can be said about such a person's brand of Christianity is that it's as profitable as practicing atheism. As Christ said, whoever doesn't believe Moses doesn't believe Him.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

The term is used often. But what exactly is it according to Scripture?

We are lawful and law-abiding citizens of the commonwealth of Israel. We keep God's law and commandments by faith of salvation.

In 2 Cor 3, When Scripture says the 'letter kills', it was speaking of the law and of the Old Covenant itself, pertaining to that which was written upon stone tables.

These tables were called the ministry of condemnation and death and have been done away, and the new testament is the ministry of the Spirit and righteousness.

The weakness of the law was the flesh in that it could not justify anyone, only condemn that that transgressed. It could not minister faith and life, but only death and condemnation to them that did not obey.

It was called the law of carnal commandment (Heb 7:16), in that it only could command outward obedience, not inward faith, but the new covenant is made with the power of an endless life.

And so inward faith and Spirit of life is the power of God that begins salvation and outward obedience to His law and commandments.

Therefore, 'legalism' would be holding to the law outwardly only, without inward faith, seeking to be justified by the outward works of the law only.

Legalism is therefore without faith nor Spirit nor life, but only outward obedience. It is a hard and cold way to exist.

It's good to obey but far better to believe, love, and obey: O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. (Psalms 119)

And since legalism is keeping there works of the law with faith, then it will always end in failure of transgression; therefore, the true legalist is without mercy, neither for himself nor for others, and they are forever looking for transgression to condemn.

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. (Gal 2)

But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. (Matthew 12)

Obeying the letter only brings certain condemnation and death: walking after the flesh.

Walking after the Spirit is life fulfilling the righteousness of God, with blessing in this life and forever.

Sorry Robert legalism is using the law to try to get saved or maintain one salvation. It puts the law on a higher plain than the blood shed to remove our sins.

As Scripture says for believers- Christ is our righteousness- not how obedient we are to Gods laws and commands. Even then people who adhere to that pick and choose which laws they adhere to! They will hold to the ten which are a ministry of condemnation, but yet teh church has no command to observe the Sabbath.

The law was never given to save a single soul! As Paul wrote the law was given to keep Israel until the time of faith arrived! NOw thatr faith is come we are no longer under the law. IOW the law was given to drive people to Jesus. It was never given to live up to but to drive us to Jesus.

Legalism is trusting in anything other than Jesus to save or keep us saved.

 

[Grailhunter]

@Desire Of All Nations
613 Mosaic Laws....go learn them and you can come back and you will then be able to explain to me why Paul was against having them in Christianity.
Circumcision was an issue because it was the entry into Judaism and an obligation to keep the whole law.
Again...and again
Galatians 5:3-4 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Christ warned us about trying to be in two different covenants.
Yeap Paul loved the law....referring to it as the the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones.... LOL

Many believe that the phrase “New Testament” means New Text or New Book, when in fact the phrase “New Testament” means “New Covenant.” And there is a reason why the Old Testament is called the OLD Testament. Because it is the portion of the Bible that tells of the time when God’s people “ONCE” lived under the Laws of the OLD Covenants….the Old Agreements. As it is we are not living under two Covenants, two sets of Laws, or two religions. Christianity did not merge with Judaism.

Obviously Christ understood that as He explained that trying to do that would harm both religions. Mark 2:21-22 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

Further more Paul made distinctions between those that are under the Law and those who are not under the Law, but rather faith. (Romans 3:19-21 & 4:14, 16, Galatians 4:21, 1 Cor. 9:20-21) The Old Covenants revealed the Holiness of God in the righteous standard of the Law. God promised his people that compliance to the Law would insure many Earthly rewards and his blessings. The New Covenant reveals the Holiness of God in His righteous Son. The New Testament contains those writing that reveals the Son of God and the New Covenant between God and Man. The New Covenant promises very few Earthly rewards but offers Forgiveness, Grace, Justification, Sanctification, Adoption, Glorification, Reconciliation with God, and Eternal Life.

Under the terms of the Old Covenant no flesh could be Justified. (Acts 13:38-41, Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16-21, 3:11) Because the Law itself brought about the wrath of God. But for those that have entered into the New Covenant with God….where there is NO Law, neither is there violation, (Romans 4:15) Christians are not under the Law but under grace. (Romans 10:4 Galatians 5:18) Because apart from the Law Sin is dead. (Romans 7:8) As Christians we serve God in the newness of spirit and not in the oldness of the letter of the Law. (Romans 7:6) Because Christ, our savior was the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone that believes in Him. (Romans 10:4, Eph. 2:15) We are Justified by faith apart from the Law. (Romans 3:28, 5:1)

The Apostle Paul referred to the Old Covenant and the Ten Commandments as a ministry of death and condemnation. Stating that the letter of the Law kills, but the spirit gives life, (2 Corinthians 3:1-9) and said that Jesus freed us from the curse of the Law. (Galatians 3:12-13) And said that the Law was only a shadow of the good things to come. (Hebrews 10:1) The Old Law was set aside because of its weakness and uselessness. Jesus being the mediator for us, in a better Covenant with God. (Hebrews 7:18-22 & 8:1-13 & 10:9) In Ephesians 2:15&16, Paul had this to say; “….by abolishing in his flesh the ENMITY, which IS the LAW OF COMMANDMENTS contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to DEATH THE ENMITY.

In Galatians Paul had a warning for those that seek to live under the Law or look to the Law as a moral guide. “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4) For those that look to the Laws for righteousness and thereby Sin under the Law, Hebrews has this to say; “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgement, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES ……IT IS A TERRIFYING THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD. (Hebrews 10:26-31) Jesus also pointed this out in John 15:22. In Philippians, Paul called those people that still preached adherence to the Old Laws, dogs, evil workers and warned against false circumcision. (Phil. 3:2-14) In Titus, Paul warned against paying attention to those that preached Jewish myths and commandments of men. (Titus 1:13&14)

In John 8:17, Jesus indirectly implies that the Mosaic Law was not His Law saying, “Even in your law it has been written…”

And in verse 31&32 He indicates that to be considered one of His disciples, one most follow His word, and His word would set you free from the Law and Sin; “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” And verses 34-36, go on to further illustrate that the Jewish Covenant and Laws made them slaves to Sin, but Jesus’ Covenant would set His people free of Sin and the Law. “Truly , truly, I say to you, everyone who commits Sin is the slave to Sin. “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. And verse 24 had already indicated that the Jews had no hope of salvation unless they accepted Jesus and His Laws. “I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your Sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your Sins.”

So are the Apostles saying that the Law was bad, or contrary to the promises of God? No! So what was the purpose for the Laws of Moses and the Ten Commandments? The Apostle Paul offers a few explanations for this. (Romans 15:4 & Galatians 3:17-29) “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” So as it is the phrase Ten Commandments does not appear in the New Testament.

 

[Grailhunter]

Romans 5:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested being witnessed by the Law and the prophets.

Romans 4:14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Roman 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ that you might be joined to another to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God.

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

2nd Corinthians 3:6-8 Who also made us adequate as servants of the new covenant not the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?

Galatians 4:21 Tell me, you who want to be under the Law, do you not listen to the Law….

Galatians 7:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

So then there is the question; What part of the Old Testament is reliant to Christians? To put it simply the historical content of Yahweh, but not the religion of Yahweh in the Old Testament. Proverbs and Psalms written by David and Solomon, have some inspirational sayings. But for me it is inspiring to know that the worst of sinners can still be inspired by God to give wonderful testimonies. And also play an integral part of Yahweh’s plans. And then there are the prophetic books. But regardless, we are not Jews, we follow the laws of Christ and His moral teaching and examples, not the religion of the Jews or their Laws, their customs or their dietary restrictions. The Mosaic Laws are a body of Laws, once you step into them, you are out of the body of Christ.

 

[Enoch111]

Sorry Robert legalism is using the law to try to get saved or maintain one salvation.

Exactly. I have tried to explain this a couple of times, but no. Legalism must now be REDEFINED. No point wasting time on this thread.

 

[Grailhunter]

Exactly. I have tried to explain this a couple of times, but no. Legalism must now be REDEFINED. No point wasting time on this thread.

Now don't give up that easy!
I say there is no such thing as Christian legalism. No reason to redefine it, it never existed.
So what say you......

 

[Iconoclast]

Antinomians suggest we are not under law.
They have no idea what they are saying about it.
1tim1:7 Desiring To be teachers of the law;understanding neither what they say,nor whereof they affirm.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

...but it's also the culture of trying to impose non-Scriptural traditions on others....this is also unhealthy.

It is unhealthy, but that's not legalism.

 

[TheslightestID]

Legalism: a term often used by those who don't want to be obediant to God.

IOW, if we say one must be obedient to God in order to get to heaven, the lazy Christians who enjoy their sin will try to convince us we are legalistic, and don't trust Jesus to save us from our sin. A guilt trip they put on those who love the lord enough to prove their fath, and not just claim it.

 

[robert derrick]

First off you need to get the "the Law" out of your head because it has nothing to do with Christians. The Jews are Jews and the Christians are Christians. So the Mosaic Law is not part of the discussion. We are talking about legalism and there is no such thing as Christian legalism.


No that is not what he was doing. He was rebuking those that were trying to include the Mosaic Law as a requirement to be Christian.


Silly question. Do you think that Christ "wants" to send anyone to hell?



Agreed. Its human nature...boy's clubs have tendency to make up rules. LOL

"The Jews are Jews and the Christians are Christians."

Is he a Jew that is one outwardly? Is there one inwardly circumcised that is not a Jew?

Is the holy olive tree of God, the Israel of God? What are the uncircumcised Gentiles come in to, when they become circumcised inwardly by faith of Jesus?

 

[robert derrick]

First off you need to get the "the Law" out of your head because it has nothing to do with Christians. The Jews are Jews and the Christians are Christians. So the Mosaic Law is not part of the discussion. We are talking about legalism and there is no such thing as Christian legalism.


No that is not what he was doing. He was rebuking those that were trying to include the Mosaic Law as a requirement to be Christian.


Silly question. Do you think that Christ "wants" to send anyone to hell?



Agreed. Its human nature...boy's clubs have tendency to make up rules. LOL

"I'm a decent and good person over all, why would God want to send me to hell??"

Silly question. Do you think that Christ "wants" to send anyone to hell?

Of course it is. I spoke as a good sinner that knows not God, to show that keeping the law outwardly without inward faith of Jesus does not justify anyone with God.

Law-abiding from the heart through faith of Jesus is salvation. Legalism is depending on law to justify without any faith in Jesus.

Pretty simple to me.

 

[Grailhunter]

"The Jews are Jews and the Christians are Christians."

Is he a Jew that is one outwardly? Is there one inwardly circumcised that is not a Jew?

Is the holy olive tree of God, the Israel of God? What are the uncircumcised Gentiles come in to, when they become circumcised inwardly by faith of Jesus?

Cultural religious perspective.

 

[robert derrick]

Legalism: a term often used by those who don't want to be obediant to God.

IOW, if we say one must be obedient to God in order to get to heaven, the lazy Christians who enjoy their sin will try to convince us we are legalistic, and don't trust Jesus to save us from our sin. A guilt trip they put on those who love the lord enough to prove their fath, and not just claim it.

True. It also applies to the other edge of the sword: legalism without Scripture is a test for like-mindedness and loyalty to a separatist group.

 

[robert derrick]

Cultural religious perspective.

No answer is better than sophistic gobbledygook.

I would have expected better of you. But, I guess not.

The only Jews in sight of God on the planet today are them inwardly circumcised.

Them that are outwardly circumcised only, who call themselves Jews of God pertaining seed of promise, are all liars. (Rev 2:9,3:9)

 

[Grailhunter]

Of course it is. I spoke as a good sinner that knows not God, to show that keeping the law outwardly without inward faith of Jesus does not justify anyone with God.

Keeping the Law in anyway can only lead to ruin.

 

[robert derrick]

Legalism is a term used as accusation from two sides:

By the 'unconditional salvationsists' of corrupt liberty against those who confirm Scripture commands obedience to law of Christ by grace in salvation.

And by those who obey the law of Christ freely against those who add commands to Scripture to obey as law of Christ to prove salvation.

The former are those who take away from the Word, and the latter are they who add to.

I am a legalist in that I know the law of Christ is for us to obey by grace through faith, which is our reasonable service (Rom 12:1), and it is not grievous at all (1 John 5:3), but I am not a legalist in that I reject any and all added-on rules, traditions, and commandments of men that Scripture does not plainly confirm as such in Christ.

I neither take away from, nor add to. I am betwixt the two standing firmly on the flat of the broad sword of Christ.

 

[robert derrick]

Legalism is unknowingly engaged in by sincere believers that think their own personal opinions and conscience of faith entitles them to believe all others ought to do likewise.

They unknowingly become lawgivers that judge others according to their own conscience (James 4:12), because they do not have the 'legal mind' to know the difference. Being so filled with grace in themselves, they don't understand when they are preaching law for all:

Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (1 Tim 1)

That is the best case scenario of false ministry by ignorance. The worst case is those who knowingly preach their own personal rules for doctrine and law of Christ, because they love the self-righteous condemnation of the guiltless, and even more they love the power over others that foolishly and blindly believe and obey them.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17)

Bereans can freely and confidently say 'whatever' to the ignorant and knowing legalists alike.

 

[Grailhunter]

Legalism is a term used as accusation from two sides:

By the 'unconditional salvationsists' of corrupt liberty against those who confirm Scripture commands obedience to law of Christ by grace in salvation.

And by those who obey the law of Christ freely against those who add commands to Scripture to obey as law of Christ to prove salvation.

The former are those who take away from the Word, and the latter are they who add to.

I am a legalist in that I know the law of Christ is for us to obey by grace through faith, which is our reasonable service (Rom 12:1), and it is not grievous at all (1 John 5:3), but I am not a legalist in that I reject any and all added-on rules, traditions, and commandments of men that Scripture does not plainly confirm as such in Christ.

I neither take away from, nor add to. I am betwixt the two standing firmly on the flat of the broad sword of Christ.

Again Keeping the Law in anyway can only lead to ruin.

There is a big difference between the 613 Mosaics Laws and Christ's teachings referred to as Christ's laws.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

...but yet teh church has no command to observe the Sabbath.

Yes, we do have that command. The difference now being in how it gets fulfilled. Same for other laws. For example, laws of sacrifice. When we believe in Christ we are fulfilling the lawful requirement for sacrifice for sin, not casting it away and trampling it underfoot as most in the church believe. When we believe we are fulfilling the lawful requirement for entering into Sabbath rest, not casting it away. So, since these lawful requirements are marked 'fulfilled' on our heavenly account and satisfied to God's complete satisfaction there is no need to continue to literally do them according to Moses. There is no reason to seek to do through the literal law of Moses what has already been done for us by Christ through our faith.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Again Keeping the Law in anyway can only lead to ruin.

Only if you keep the law with the express intent of trying to save yourself by the keeping of the law. There is nothing wrong, forbidden, or dangerous about keeping the law outside of trying to justify oneself in God's sight by the keeping of that law.