Biblical Law
by Richard C. Nickels

" . . . if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments," Matthew 19:17.

Release 2.1, First Five Books of the Bible, June, 1996
Study No. 103
Giving & Sharing, PO Box 100, Neck City, MO 64849

Table of Contents | Links

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Artie Satterfield, whose notes and encouragement formed the basis for this study, and Ronald H. Stewart for proofreading and overall support of the original edition.

Why This Book Was Written

Psalm 19:7-8, 10-11 "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes . . . . More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward."

Psalm 119:97, 172 "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day . . . . for all thy commandments are righteousness."

Matthew 5:17, 19 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil . . . . Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Romans 7:12, 14 "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good . . . . For we know that the law is spiritual . . . ."

I John 5:3, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous."

Revelation 12:17, 14:12 " . . . the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ . . . . Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

For a printed copy of this book, please write:

Giving & Sharing, PO Box 100, Neck City, MO 64849 USA

ISBN 1-887670-02-5
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 96-94450
© copyright 1993, 1996 by Sharing & Giving, Inc. Permission granted to copy this material, provided it is given away freely, and not altered in meaning.

Table of Contents

Description

Chart of Biblical Law, Relationship of Commandments & Law
Introduction
The Reading of the Law
Which Old Testament Laws Are in Force Today?
Biblical Law in Scripture Order
Biblical Law in Topical Order
Guide to Bible Laws*
Man’s Law versus God’s Law*: (note: these cartoons may take a little time to load, please be patient)
Rape
Murder
Theft
The Laws of the Bible**
Obedience and Disobedience
General Commandments, Loving Our Neighbor
First Commandment
Second Commandment
Third Commandment
Fourth Commandment
Fifth Commandment
Sixth Commandment
Seventh Commandment
Eighth Commandment
Ninth Commandment
Tenth Commandment
Biblical Liberty and Freedom
Philo: Classical Expounder of Law, Sabbaths
Bible Law Index Of The Laws, Statutes, And Judgments Of God, by Warren and Joyce Fennell

*  From America's Promise, Phoenix, Arizona.

**  Copyrighted by Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission.

Biblical Law

INTRODUCTION

Originally published in 1986, this revised second edition of Biblical Law has additional articles and has been reset for laser quality printing.

A proper understanding of BIBLICAL LAW is important to our spiritual life. Blessings come from obedience to the Creator’s laws, and cursings from disobedience.

God’s Law defines sin, as well as the character and nature of God, which is LOVE. The essential teaching of the Bible is the two great commandments: love for God, and love for one’s neighbor. These two great commandments are summaries of the Ten Commandments, which are in turn summaries of the rest of the Bible.

This study of Biblical Law examines the first four books of the Bible, showing how the statutes explain and magnify the Ten Commandments. Most professing Christians reject the Law, which is holy, just and good (Romans 7:12). However, the very mark, or sign, of true believers in the last days is that they keep God’s Law:

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12.

In the future, the Almighty willing, I plan to expand Biblical Law to include a listing of God’s laws through the rest of the Bible, including the New Testament.

I have concluded individual articles with the Greek Omega symbol,          W

— written by Richard C. Nickels, Gillette, Wyoming

About this Book

Biblical Law is a compilation of the laws of the Almighty found in the first five books of the Bible, arranged according to the Ten Commandments. It answers the important question, "Which Old Testament Laws Are in Force Today?"

A proper understanding of Biblical Law is essential to our spiritual life. Blessings come from obedience to the Creator’s laws, while cursings result from disobedience.

God’s Law defines sin, as well as the character and nature of God, which is LOVE. The basic teaching of the Bible is the two great commandments: love for God, and love for one’s neighbor. These two great commandments are summaries of the Ten Commandments, which are in turn summaries of the rest of the Bible.

This study of Biblical Law examines the first five books of the Bible, showing how the statutes explain and magnify the Ten Commandments. Most professing Christians reject the Law, which is holy, just, and good, Romans 7:12. However, the very mark, or sign, of true believers in the last days is that they keep God’s Law: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," Revelation 14:12.

About the Author

Richard C. Nickels (b. 1947) a native of Oregon, has also lived in Texas, California, Missouri, Washington, and Wyoming. He and his wife Shirley have three children: Barbara, Rachel, and Amanda. An accountant and computer consultant, Nickels currently works for a major coal mining company in Gillette, Wyoming. He is a graduate of Linfield College (BA, 1969, Summa Cum Laude).

Richard Nickels became a World Tomorrow broadcast listener in 1961, was baptized in 1969, and was employed by the Worldwide Church of God from 1971-1973 in festival site construction and church administration. Since 1978, he has written numerous articles and books for Giving & Sharing, a non-profit mail order bookstore serving Sabbath-keepers around the world. These include History of the Seventh Day Church of God, Six Papers on the History of the Church of God, Biblical Holy Days, Biblical Law, Biblical Health and Healing, Biblical Doctrine, Biblical Marriage and Family, Bible Studies, Newsletters, and other articles. From 1996-1999, Nickels was President of The Bible Sabbath Association, a non-denominational organization dedicated to promoting the Seventh Day Sabbath of the Scriptures.

ISBN 1-887670-02-5

Recommended Additional Reading on Bible Law

Digest of Divine Law, by Howard Rand, published by Destiny Publications, PO Box 177, Merrimac, MA 01860.

The Institutes of Biblical Law, by Rousas John Rushdoony, published by The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1973.

Law and Society, Volume II of the Institutes of Biblical Law, by Rousas John Rushdoony, published by Ross House Books, PO Box 67, Vallecito, CA 95251, 1982.