Law vs Grace
Bible Study Handout
Key Scriptures
- Matthew 5:19 – “Whosoever shall break one of these least commandments… shall be called the least in the kingdom.”
- Galatians 1:8–9 – “If any man preach any other gospel… let him be accursed.”
- Acts 15:19, 29 – “Trouble not the Gentiles… only abstain from idols, blood, strangled things, and fornication.”
- Galatians 3:1–6 – “Received ye the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing of faith?”
- Galatians 4:9–11 – “How can you turn back to slavery by observing days and seasons?”
The Tension
- Jesus says: Keep the commandments → great in the kingdom.
- Paul says: Preach law-keeping → accursed.
Is this a contradiction?
The Explanation
Jesus and the Old Covenant
- Speaking to Jews still under the Law of Moses.
- He came not to abolish, but to fulfill (Matt. 5:17).
- The Law was still binding until the Cross.
Paul and the New Covenant
- After the Cross, Christ fulfilled the Law.
- Salvation is by grace through faith, not works.
- To add law-keeping to the Gospel is a false gospel.
The Apostolic Decision (Acts 15)
- Gentiles were not bound to the Law of Moses.
- Only basic instructions given for unity and holiness.
The Big Picture
- The Law: Shows our guilt, points to our need for Christ.
- The Gospel: Declares us righteous by faith in Christ alone.
- Mixing the Two: Brings slavery, not freedom.
Takeaway
- Jesus raised the bar → only He could fulfill it.
- Paul explains the result → we are free in Christ.
- The Law was our schoolmaster; the Cross was our graduation.