Biblical Law

Name of Law Meaning Purpose Example Biblical Proof & Application Today
Civil Law Laws given to Israel as a nation to govern society, justice, and order. To regulate Israel’s political, economic, and social life as God’s chosen nation. Property restitution (Exodus 22:1–15), Cities of refuge (Numbers 35). These applied specifically to Israel’s theocracy. Not binding today since the church is not a political nation (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:24–25). However, the principles of justice, fairness, and care for the vulnerable still guide Christian ethics (Romans 13:1–7).
Ceremonial Law Religious laws regulating worship, sacrifices, feasts, priesthood, and purity. To point Israel to holiness and foreshadow Christ’s work of redemption. Sacrificial system (Leviticus 1–7), Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), Dietary restrictions (Leviticus 11). Fulfilled in Christ (Colossians 2:16–17; Hebrews 9–10). Believers are not required to practice them today, since Christ is the final sacrifice (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:10). However, they remain valuable for understanding Christ’s fulfillment and God’s holiness.
Moral Law God’s universal commands reflecting His holy character, often summarized in the Ten Commandments. To reveal God’s standard of righteousness, convict of sin, and guide holy living. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17; Deuteronomy 5:6–21). Still binding today because they reflect God’s unchanging moral character (Matthew 5:17–19; Romans 13:8–10; James 2:8–12). Christians obey them not to earn salvation but as evidence of love for God and neighbor (John 14:15).

Summary: Civil and ceremonial laws applied specifically to Israel and are not binding today, though their principles teach us. The moral law, rooted in God’s eternal nature, continues as the believer’s guide for holy living.

THREE TYPES OF BIBLICAL LAWS.



THREE TYPES OF BIBLICAL LAW

Introduction

When people hear the word law, they often think of heavy restrictions or old rules that no longer matter. But in Scripture, the law is far more: it is God’s revelation of His character and His will.

  • It shows us who God is (holy, righteous, just).
  • It shows us who we are (sinful and needy).
  • It shows us why we need Christ (the only one who fulfilled it).

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)

This study helps us see how God’s law fits into the story of redemption and what still applies to us today.

Why Study the Law?

  1. Reveals God’s holiness – His standards are perfect (Romans 7:12).
  2. Exposes sin – shows our need of grace (Romans 3:20).
  3. Points to Christ – He fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17).
  4. Guides the redeemed – teaches us how to live (Psalm 119:105).

The Flow of Exodus (Context for the Law)

  • Exodus 1–11 – Redemption by blood and power (Passover, Red Sea).
  • Exodus 12–19 – God saves, provides, prepares for covenant.
  • Exodus 20–40 – God gives His law: civil, ceremonial, and moral.

Notice the order: God saves first, then gives His law. Law is never a way to earn salvation, but a guide for the redeemed.



1. The Civil (Judicial) Law

Meaning

  • Legal codes given to Israel to govern life as a nation under God (a theocracy).
  • Covered property, inheritance, crime, restitution, foreigners, warfare, and justice.

Examples

  • Restitution for theft (Ex. 22:1–15).
  • Cities of refuge for manslayers (Num. 35).
  • Laws of warfare (Deut. 20).
  • Gleaning for the poor (Deut. 24:19–22).
  • Penalties for false witnesses (Deut. 19:16–21).

Purpose

  1. Order Israel’s national life under God’s rule.
  2. Display justice, fairness, and compassion.
  3. Foreshadow Christ’s righteous reign.

Fulfillment in Christ

  • Applied to ancient Israel as God’s covenant nation.
  • Christ fulfilled their justice perfectly (Matt. 5:38–39).
  • His kingdom is not earthly but spiritual (John 18:36).

Application Today

  • Christians are not bound to Israel’s civil law.
  • But its principles still instruct us: justice, fairness, mercy, honesty (Rom. 15:4).
  • Governments today are accountable to God’s moral law, not Israel’s judicial system (Rom. 13:1–4).

2. The Ceremonial Law

Meaning

  • Regulations about worship, sacrifices, feasts, clean/unclean foods, priesthood, tabernacle/temple.
  • Served as shadows pointing to Christ (Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:17).

Examples

  • Animal sacrifices (Lev. 1–7).
  • Dietary laws (Lev. 11).
  • Feasts and holy days (Lev. 23).
  • Priestly garments and rituals (Ex. 28).
  • Day of Atonement (Lev. 16).

Purpose

  1. Set Israel apart as God’s chosen people.
  2. Teach God’s holiness and man’s need of cleansing.
  3. Foreshadow Christ’s priesthood and sacrifice.

Fulfillment in Christ

  • Jesus is the true Lamb of God (John 1:29).
  • His one sacrifice ended all others (Heb. 10:10–14).
  • He is our High Priest and true Temple (John 2:19–21).

Application Today

  • Christians do not practice ceremonial laws.
  • Instead, we worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24).
  • We study them to better understand Christ’s person and work.

3. The Moral Law

Meaning

  • God’s unchanging standard of right and wrong, rooted in His holy character.
  • Universal – binding on all people, all ages.
  • Summarized in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20).

Examples

  • “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3).
  • “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex. 20:13).
  • “Thou shalt not steal” (Ex. 20:15).
  • Two tables: duty to God (1–4), duty to man (5–10).
  • Summed up by Jesus in love for God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37–39).

Purpose

  1. Reveal God’s holiness.
  2. Show man’s sin and need of a Savior (Rom. 3:20).
  3. Guide believers in holy living (Ps. 119:105).

Fulfillment in Christ

  • Christ upheld and deepened the law (Matt. 5:21–28).
  • He fulfilled it perfectly on our behalf.

Application Today

  • The moral law is still binding—not as a way of salvation, but as a rule of life.
  • Obedience flows from love: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Summary Table

Type of Law Meaning Examples Purpose Today’s Practice
Civil Laws for Israel as a nation Restitution (Ex. 22), warfare (Deut. 20) Govern society in Israel Not binding; principles of justice, fairness, mercy apply
Ceremonial Rituals of worship & sacrifice Sacrifices, feasts, priesthood Point to Christ Fulfilled in Christ; no longer practiced
Moral God’s eternal standard Ten Commandments (Ex. 20) Reveal sin, guide holy life Still binding on all people

Conclusion

All three laws reveal the holiness of God:

  • Civil Law – applied to Israel’s nationhood.
  • Ceremonial Law – fulfilled in Christ’s sacrifice.
  • Moral Law – eternal standard, still binding today.

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)

Kenneth Malenge 


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