Rom. 6:11-17

“I’m sorry that you do not understand, as yet, the teaching concerning Covenants. It

has been generally held among us that Christ died to remove the old law and gave a new law. Then it is up to sinners to keep

the new covenant just as the Jews kept the old…Man is reconciled to God only in Christ and the righteousness of Christ is

then imputed (credited) to those in Him as the perfect fulfillment of the covenant

demands.”

Augustine (354-430) taught: Adam – possessed freedom of will – to do good; reason – to know God; grace (enabling

power) – to persevere in good.

When Adam sinned: lost – freedom of choice; right understanding; grace (power)

This resulted in inherited depravity.

John Calvin organized: T U L I P

Opposed the doctrine of Augustine

Said – If a man should, he can.

Adam was a bad example, but we do not inherit his sin.

He found priests living with concubines – justifying themselves by saying “we can’t

help it; that is our depraved nature.”

A Law System A Grace SystemWorks Mercy

Perfect obedience ForgivenessNo provision for failure Provision for failure

Trust in Self Trust in God

There was grace under law, Jn. 1:17; Ps. 84:11

There is law under grace, Rom. 6:14; 4:15

If there is no law, there is no sin, therefore no need for grace.

Jer. 31:31-34 New (neos) – new in time, Heb. 12:24 New (kainos) – new in quality,

Heb. 8:8,13 How is it written in the heart? Directly?

or indirectly? Lk. 8:11,15; Eph. 3:3-5

Isaiah 2:2-4

The law – from Zion

The word – from Jerusalem

Jesus said – from Jerusalem, Lk. 24:47

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all

those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Acts 15:9 – “purifying their hearts by faith”

1 Pet. 1:22 – “you have purified your souls in obeying the truth”

Eph. 2:8 – “by grace you have been saved through faith”

Acts 16:30 – “what must I do to be saved”

Heb. 5:9 – “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”

We will be judged by God’s word, Jn. 12:47,48; Jas. 2:12

Having a rule does not demand perfection

Having grace does not excuse rejection of God’s law (it provides forgiveness – if

conditions are met)

Mt. 7:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-5,15