THE LAW FROM ADAM TO MOSES.
A LEAFLET comes to our table which purports to give convincing arguments that the law of Ten Commandments, and consequently the Sabbath of that law, was a special provision for the Jewish dispensation. One of the arguments adduced is this:— “The Bible tells us there was no law from Adam to Moses. If there was no law till Moses, how could there be a Sabbath day?” Christ would say to such an author, “Ye do err, not ‘knowing the Scriptures.’” That there was a Sabbath day is plainly stated in Gen. 2: 2, 3. But the assumption quoted above would also prove that there was no sin from Adam to Moses; “for where no law is, there is no transgression” (Rom. 4:15), and “sin is not imputed when there is no law” (chapter 5:13). It would also prove that there was no death from Adam to Moses, for death is the consequence of sin (chapter 6:23), and “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3, 4). But there was sin and death during that time; “for until the law sin was in the world” (Rom. 5:13), and “death reigned from Adam to Moses” (verse 14). But the Bible does not “tell us there was no law from Adam to Moses.” We are told that the Gentiles (the heathen) “have not the law,” but this is simply because of their ignorance of its formal terms. Yet they have a limited knowledge of its principles; for when they “do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law [in specific form], are a law unto themselves; which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile [margin, “between themselves”] accusing or else excusing one another.” Chapter 2:14, 15. But why are the Gentiles ignorant concerning the law?— “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves; who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” Chapter 1:21-25. The expression, “until the law,” refers to its formal repetition on Mount Sinai, and the writing of it on tables of stone to indicate its enduring nature. That the law and the Sabbath existed prior to this time is shown in the fact that the children of Israel were reminded of both when the manna was given to them, before they came to Sinai. See Exodus 16, entire chapter.