Two Laws: Moral and Ceremonial

Many try to blend these two systems, using the texts that speak of the ceremonial law to prove that the moral law has been abolished, but this is a twisting of the Scriptures. The ceremonial system consisted of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and priesthood. The Hebrews were to perform this ritual law with its sacrifices and ordinances until type met antitype—symbol met fulfillment—in the death of Christ. Then all the sacrificial offerings were to stop. It is this law that Christ “has taken ... out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14).BOE 178.1

But speaking about the law of Ten Commandments the psalmist wrote, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). And Christ Himself says, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law. ... For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17, 18). Here Jesus teaches that the claims of God’s law will last as long as the heavens and the earth remain.BOE 178.2

Concerning the law proclaimed from Sinai, Nehemiah says, “You came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments” (Nehemiah 9:13). And Paul, the “apostle to the Gentiles,” declares, “the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good” (Romans 7:12).BOE 178.3

While the Savior’s death brought to an end the law of symbols and shadows, it did not lessen the obligation of the moral law. The very fact that Christ had to die in order to atone for the breaking of that law proves it to be unchangeable.BOE 178.4