“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Deut. 4:2

Rev.22:18-19 “add unto” “Take away”

“Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” Deut. 5:32

Josh. 1:7 = turn not to right or leftJosh. 23:6 = turn not right or leftII Kings 22:2 = turned not right or left

DEFINITIONS OF TERMSDEFINITIONS OF TERMS

LegalistLegalist = bind or fall short

Liberal Liberal = loosen or go beyond

ConservativeConservative = hold to the standard

Right

Left

I. What Legalism is not...I. What Legalism is not...

• Loyalty to Word of God – Mt.4:4

• Stressing need to obey – Jn.14:15

• Linking salvation with obeying-Jn.8:32

Many are falsely called legalistswhen they are obedient!

II. Legalism DefinedII. Legalism Defined

• Adding to what God has said

• Traditions

• Over zealous for portion of law

Matt. 23:23Luke 11:42

Jesus dealt with LegalismJesus dealt with Legalism

Sermon on Mount - Mt.5-7

Jews missed the point: 5:21-48

Desire to be seen of men -Ch. 6Speaking to Pharisees

Mt.15:3 = tradition

Mk. 7:13= word none effect

Matt. 15:2 = washing of hands

III. Legalism is Creed-MakingIII. Legalism is Creed-Making

• ExtremesExtremes - Liberalism ~ Legalism

• Liberals - practice not authorized

• Legalists - condemn authorized

Liberals - IgnoreLegalists - Make law

Examples of LegalismExamples of Legalism

Simultaneous Bible ClassesWomen teaching children/womenLocated preachersIndividual communion cupsChurch CooperationCare of the Needy

Traditions can be LegalismTraditions can be Legalism

Order of Worship

One Hour Service

Closing prayer

Contribution Collection

Going to the Right Making laws where God has not

made a law Just as wrong to make a law as it

is to break a law We are not law makers

““Be ye therefore very courageous Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;”the right hand or to the left;”

Josh.23:6

LegalismLegalism

• By Arthur PigmanBy Arthur Pigman

• Evans Church of ChristEvans Church of Christ

• Evans, GeorgiaEvans, Georgia

• Sunday Evening – 5 December 2004Sunday Evening – 5 December 2004