CompScriptScript and Pilgrim,

Let me jump in here for only a short reply. I am in the process of doing a study on Law and Grace. It is controversial, I admit. I have friends on both sides of the issue, so some will fall out with me either way. However, I must be true to the scriptures.

It is absolutely a fact that the Bible teaches of two major covenants, or testaments, the old and the new(read the book of Hebrews, especially chapters 7, 8, 9). I call attention to only two passages: " for the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Hebrews 7:19), and " by so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament"( Hebrews 7:22).

Without getting into a long dissertation, I believe those two verses verify we are under a newer and better covenant. I do not know any Calvinist or Reformed brethren who would take us back to the bondage of the Mosaic law given to natural Israel(unless they may be reconstructionists or dominionists). We are "not under law, but under grace"
(Romans 6:14b). In other words, we are not under the covenant of law. We are not under the bondage of the Mosaic system with all its burdens. Much of it was types and shadows that pointed to the better covenant, the covenant of grace.

With that said, I must say that Pilgrim's point about the law not being done away with is correct. You see even Paul said "shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?"( Romans 6:1,2) The same apostle said he had "not known sin but by the law" (Romans 7:7).

To sum up my remarks here, God's grace through Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. But the moral law continues. Do you know why? God's standards do not change. Look in the OT,there in the time of the covenant of law, you will find often --- grace. Then look at the NT, under the time of the covenant of grace, often you will find----law. I challenge anyone to read and understand the ten commandments, the Decalogue, found in Exodus 20, and ponder its meaning. Then search the NT, really search it, and you will see every one of the ten commandments repeated in the NT. You may say, what about the sabbath? The principle is there, surely. The apostles established the first day of the week as a day of spiritual rest and worship. The in Hebrews again it says " not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is--" (Hebrews 10:25)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, but did not leave us free to break His law. CompScriptScript, I do not care how many Reformed churches you saw split. There are antinomian churches that split, arminian churches that split, charismatic churches that split, etc.,etc.. I have not heard of Roman Catholic churches splitting, but I don't think either of us would recommend her on that merit. These churches split because of human nature. Perhaps we are in the last days of the last days, but that is another subject for another time.