Page 364 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

LAVER - LAW

them adulterers and adulteresses; and perhaps they 3:24-31; Ga. 3:13-14). It cannot give an inheritance
were so in the grossest sense of the words. He speaks (Ro. 4:13-14). It cannot control sin in man (Ro. 7:7-23;
here of their laughter and their joy; and all the terms 8:2). It cannot free from sin and death (Ro. 8:2). It
taken together show that a dissolute life is cannot free a sinner from condemnation (Ro. 8:1-4). It
intended.” [See Carnal, Cheer, Cheerful, Comfort, cannot bring righteousness (Ro. 8:4). It cannot impart
Dancing, Delight, Glad, Happy, Jesting, Joy, Merry, the Holy Spirit (Ga. 3:2). It cannot free from the curse
Mirth, Music, Oil of Gladness, Rejoice, World.] (Ga. 3:10, 14). It cannot impart grace (Ga. 5:4). It
LAVER. A vessel containing water. In the court of the cannot enable a man to obey (He. 7:18). It cannot make
Tabernacle a laver was located between the altar of perfect (He. 7:19).
sacrifice and the tent (Ex. 30:18-21; 38:8; 40:7). The The Law of Moses Was Temporary: (1) It was given to
priests had to wash their hands and feet before entering prepare Israel for the coming of Christ (Ga. 3:19-25).
the Tabernacle (Ex. 30:17-22), symbolizing the truth (2) It is abolished with Christ’s coming (2 Co. 3:6-17).
that Christians must be cleansed daily from sin in order (3) It was taken away when Christ died (Col. 2:14-17).
to fellowship with and serve God as priests. See Jn. What Was the Purpose of the Law of Moses? (1) It was
13:2-10; Ep. 4:1; 5:8; Col. 3:1-12; 1 Pe. 2:10-11; 1 Jn. given to reveal sin and to show man that he is a guilty
1:7-10. The water symbolizes the Word of God (Ps. sinner before God (Ro. 3:19-20; 7:12-13; 1 Ti. 1:9-10).
119:9; Jn. 15:3; 17:17; Ac. 20:32; Ep. 5:26). This daily (2) It was given to bring men to Jesus Christ (Ga.
washing is contrasted with the once-for-all washing of 3:24-25).
Ex. 29:4, which pictures the new birth. The laver was How Were People Saved under the Law of Moses? (1)
made from the brass looking glasses of the Israelite Men have always been saved by faith in God’s Word
women (Ex. 38:8). The laver is thus a beautiful symbol (Hab. 2:4; Ro. 4:1-8; He. 11:7). People in O.T. times did
of the Word of God which reveals the Christian’s sin as not understand completely about how Jesus Christ
well as cleansing him from it (Ja. 1:22-25; 1 Pe. 2:2; Jn. would come to earth and die for their sins, but when
17:17). The fact that there was no covering for the laver they believed what God spoke to them, they were saved
(Nu. 4) reminds us that cleansing for sin is always by their faith in God’s Word (He. 11). (2) Believers of all
available. The fact that no dimensions are given of the ages have been saved on the basis of Christ’s bloody
size of the laver reminds us that God has made death, even though they did not fully understand this
unlimited provision for our cleansing (1 Jn. 1:9; He. salvation (Ro. 3:25; 1 Pe. 1:9-12). The O.T. animal
4:16). [See Footwashing, Holy, Justification, sacrifices did not remove sins, but only pointed to Christ
Sanctification, Tabernacle.] (Jn. 1:29; He. 10:1-4).
LAW. When the Bible speaks of the law, it usually What Is the Christian’s Relationship with the Law of
refers to the law of Moses which is recorded in Exodus, Moses? The Bible says Christians are dead to the law
Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (Jos. 1:7-8; Lk. (Ro. 7:1-6). What does this mean? (1) The law is not
24:44). It is also called the “law of the Lord” (Is. 5:24). the Christian’s rule of life. Christ is our new husband,
Other Usages of the Word Law: (1) Law of parents (Pr. and He is the believer’s law (2 Co. 3:18). (2) The law
7:2). (2) Law of civil government (Da. 6:8). (3) Law of cannot condemn the believer (Ro. 7:3), because Christ
nature (Ro. 2:14-15). (4) Law of Christ (Jn. 13:34-35; took the believer’s condemnation upon Himself on the
15:12), referring to Christ’s command that His disciples cross. (3) The believer serves Christ through the Spirit,
love one another. (5) Law of liberty (Ja. 1:25), referring not through his own power and wisdom (Ro. 7:6).
to the Christian life. Christ bore the believer’s The Difference Between Keeping the Law of Moses and
condemnation, so we are free to serve God without fear Living the Christian Life. (1) The motive is different: We
of eternal judgment. We are not free to sin, but we are do not live the Christian life in order to gain
free from eternal condemnation. (6) The Bible as a righteousness, blessing, and life, but because we already
whole is referred to as “the law” (Ps. 1; 19; 119). The possess these things in Christ. We serve Christ out of a
Bible is God’s rule of life for mankind. [See Bible, sense of gratitude because of the salvation God has
Conscience, Government.] given to us, not in order to earn salvation or to escape
What Does the Law of Moses Require? Ga. 3:10 speaks judgment. We already have perfect righteousness in
of a two-fold requirement: (1) continual obedience, and Christ (Ro. 3:21-24; 2 Co. 5:21), eternal blessing (Ep.
(2) obedience in all things. Compare De. 11:22; 27:26; 1:3), and life (Ep. 2:1). (2) The power is different: We
Ja. 2:10. This is why no man can have righteousness live the Christian life through the power of the
through the law; as sinners we cannot fulfill its high indwelling Spirit, not through our own strength and
demands. wisdom (Ro. 8:9-14). (3) The compulsion is different:
What the Law of Moses Cannot Do: It cannot justify We live the Christian life because Christ lives in us and
(Ac. 13:38-39; Ga. 2:16). It cannot redeem (Ro. works in us (Col. 1:29). The compulsion is from within.

364 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity