InstaStudy

Abolished: The New Reality in Christ

This study explores the profound changes brought about by Christ's work, examining what has been abolished and replaced by a new and living way, establishing a new covenant and a new relationship with the one true God.

1. The Abolition of the Old Covenant and the Law

1.1 The Law's Purpose and Limitations

Verses: Galatians 3:24; Romans 3:20; Hebrews 7:18-19
  • The Law revealed sin but could not remove it.
  • It served as a guide until Christ came.
  • It was a temporary measure, pointing to a greater reality.

1.2 Christ as the Fulfillment of the Law

Verses: Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:16-17
  • Jesus did not destroy the Law but brought it to its intended purpose.
  • He is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
  • Old covenant practices were shadows, with Christ being the substance.

1.3 The New Covenant of Grace

Verses: Hebrews 8:7-13; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 6:14
  • The old covenant was found faulty and replaced by a superior one.
  • God writes His law on our hearts and minds under the new covenant.
  • We are no longer under law but under grace.

1.4 Freedom from Legalism

Verses: Galatians 5:1; Colossians 2:14
  • Christ nailed the ordinances of the Law to the cross, canceling our debt.
  • We are called to liberty in Christ, not to be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
  • Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works of the Law.

2. The Abolition of Sin's Power and Guilt

2.1 The Universal Problem of Sin

Verses: Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12
  • All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.
  • Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin.
  • Humanity was enslaved to sin and its consequences.

2.2 Christ's Atoning Sacrifice

Verses: Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter 2:24
  • The wages of sin is death, but God's gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  • Jesus appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
  • He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, might live for righteousness.

2.3 Forgiveness and Cleansing

Verses: 1 John 1:7; Acts 2:38; Colossians 1:14
  • The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.
  • Repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ bring remission of sins.
  • In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

2.4 New Life in Christ

Verses: Romans 6:6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • Our old self was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be abolished.
  • We are no longer slaves to sin, but freed from its dominion.
  • We are new creations in Christ; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.

3. The Abolition of Division and Separation

3.1 Breaking Down Barriers Between People

Verses: Ephesians 2:14-16; Galatians 3:28
  • Christ abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances.
  • He broke down the middle wall of partition, making one new man out of two.
  • In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one.

3.2 Reconciliation with God

Verses: Colossians 1:21-22; Romans 5:10
  • We were once alienated and enemies in our minds by wicked works.
  • Christ has reconciled us in the body of His flesh through death.
  • We are reconciled to God through the death of His Son.

3.3 The One Body of Believers

Verses: Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.
  • There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
  • We are all baptized by one Spirit into one body.

4. The Abolition of Death's Finality

4.1 Death as an Enemy

Verses: 1 Corinthians 15:26; Romans 5:12
  • The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
  • Death entered the world through sin, and spread to all humanity.
  • Humanity was subject to the fear of death and its power.

4.2 Christ's Victory Over Death

Verses: Hebrews 2:14-15; 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57
  • Through death, Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.
  • He abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
  • Death is swallowed up in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

4.3 The Promise of Resurrection and Eternal Life

Verses: John 11:25-26; Romans 8:11; Philippians 3:20-21
  • Jesus is the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Him will live, though he die.
  • The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.
  • Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for the Savior, who will transform our lowly body.