LAW

Law is a mandate that is designed to regulate procedure; it proceeds from a superior, who possesses authority to rule, to a subordinate. Law is viewed from several angles in the Scriptures. (a) The material Universe was made to operate according to law. For example, the moon and stars operate in harmony with "ordinances" (Jer. 31:35). (b) Angels are subject to divine law, for some of them "sinned" (2 Pet. 2:4), and sin is a transgression of law (1 Jn. 3:4; cf. Rom. 4:15). (c) From the beginning of creation, humanity was under law; both Adam and Eve sinned, hence, transgressed law (Rom. 5:12; 1 Tim. 2:14). The law of God was seriously violated during the days of Noah (Gen. 6:5; 2 Pet. 2:5), thus, the great FLOOD (see). (d) From Mount Sinai (cir. 1500 B.C.), God gave the Israelite people a law, the law of Moses. No one, save these people, were amenable to that particular law (Dt. 5:1-5). (e) From the day of Pentecost, a new law went forth (Isa. 2:2-4); it is the law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2). (f) Civil law exists for the protection of society (Rom. 13:1ff; 1 Pet. 2:13-16).