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Adventistische Schriften über: "What is the distinction between ceremonial law and the Ten Commandments?"

Answer

The distinction between ceremonial law and the Ten Commandments is broad and clear: moral law is eternal and unchanging, whereas ceremonial law was a temporary system of symbols. The Ten Commandments were spoken by the voice of God and written by His finger on stone tablets, whereas ceremonial law was written by Moses in a book.

Ceremonial law consisted of rites and sacrifices that pointed to Christ and His future sacrifice, losing its validity with His death on the cross. In contrast, the moral law of the Ten Commandments remains in force for all people as long as the heavens and the earth exist, because it defines the character of God and sin.

The clear distinction between the two systems

»The distinction between the two systems is broad and clear. The ceremonial system was composed of symbols that pointed to Christ, to His sacrifice and to His priesthood. This ritual law, with its sacrifices and ordinances, was to be fulfilled by the Hebrews until the type met its antitype in the death of Christ... It is this law that Christ “removed from the midst, nailing it to His cross”. But with respect to the law of the Ten Commandments, the psalmist declares: “Forever, O LORD, your word remains in the heavens.”«

Difference in origin and permanence

»The moral law was pronounced by the Lord with an audible voice from the fire and smoke of Sinai. The Ten Commandments are all that were given in this manner, and only they were written on stone tablets by the finger of God. Ceremonial law was given in a more private way... ceremonial law was written only in the book, whereas moral law was written on stone tablets, with the finger of God, and also in a book.«

Eternal nature versus typological nature

»5. Moral law is of an eternal character... 6. Ceremonial law prefigured Christ and His mediation for sinners; and when Christ came in fulfillment of these types, this law was abolished. 7. Moral law reveals sin and bears witness to the righteousness received by faith, whereas ceremonial law pointed to Christ the Savior of sin.«

Moral law for all humanity

»Ceremonial, social, and political law delivered to Moses... was for Israel; but moral law, pronounced with majestic grandeur from the smoking mountain, before the ears of all the people, and written on stone tablets, was for all men who would live on the earth until the end of time.«

Original Sources (English)

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