Jesus and His Apostles Were Legalist

If  the word legalism means strict adherence to God’s law, then Jesus and his apostles were also legalist. Jesus told His disciples: “What things so ever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven . . .” (Matt. 16:19 f; 18:18) Jesus commanded obedience for he said, “If you love me, keep my commandments. Jn 14:15 Then he said, “ Jesus’ apostles commanded obedience for Peter said, “We ought to obey God rather than men”.  Acts 5:29 To this end the “Spirit of truth” came to guide the apostles unto all the truth (John 16:13). In this sense Jesus and His apostles were legalists.

Is The Gospel a Legalist Term?

Jesus did not suggest the gospel, but rather commanded it to be preached unto all the world to every creature. Then Jesus commanded exactly what to preach when he said: “He that believes and is baptized shall be save; but he that believes not shall be condemned. Mk 16:16 When the men in Acts chapter 2 asked Peter and the other apostles “What shall we do?” Peter commanded with authority, “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” Acts 2:38 Paul stated just as clearly when he said, “When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 2 Thess 1:7-8

Now someone is terribly wrong here. IF, anti-legalist are correct, then Jesus and his apostles were legalist for they were teaching a strict adherence to the law. According to those who teach anti-legalism Jesus should have said, “Belief and baptism saves you not, for you were saved when I died for you .” When Peter was asked, ‘What shall we do?’ he should have said, “Repentance and baptism doesn’t wash away you sins, for my blood on the cross took your sins .” Anti-legalist say, “The law of Christ is: ‘There is no law’. Paul should have never threatened the vengeance of God for those who disobey the gospel of Christ. He should have rather preached God’s grace and love for all who believe in him.

Conclusively, all who are anti-legalist are also anti-gospel of Christ!

Is The Doctrine of Christ a Legalist Term?

The doctrine of Christ taught Christians to meet every first day of the week (Acts 20:7 f; Heb 10:25) to remember the Lord’s death, (1 Cor 11:24-26) to give of their means, and to be taught the Word of God. (2 Tim 4:2-6) also: Acts 20:7 The doctrine of Christ also included Christians to sing and make melody in the heart to the Lord. Eph 5:19 The doctrine of Christ commanded all Christians to remain faithful unto death to the commandments of the Lord. Rev 2:10 The beloved John made it abundantly clear when he said, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” 2 Jn 9

Now someone is terribly wrong here. IF, anti-legalist are correct, then Christians no longer have to meet on Sunday, remember the Lord’s death, give of their means, sing without the use of instruments, hear the Word be taught or be faithful unto death. These are all laws and would therefore be optional. Anyone who dares command that the saints of God hasto abide in any doctrine whatsoever is pure ludicrous to anti-legalist. According to their definitions all the apostles were legalist, and not to be followed. 1 Cor 11:1

According to anti-legalist, Christ and his apostles were mistaken for forbidding anyone to commit adultery, fornication or homosexuality. Mt 19:9 ff; 1 Cor 6:0,10; Gal 5:19-21 According to these ultraliberals there are no laws, there are no doctrines, and there is no right or wrong. Is it any wonder that they who profess such also say that God did not inspire all scriptures. 1 Tim 3:16,17 Is it any wonder they say the apostles were not inspired writers? Gal 1:11,12

Conclusively, all who are anti-legalist are also anti-doctrine of Christ!

Anti-Legalist Are Legalist To Their Own Doctrine

Oddly enough, according to their own belief they are legalist as well. However, they are not legalist to God’s Word but rather to their own words. They are like those in the days of Jeremiah who said, “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you! But we will certainly do whatever has gone out of our own mouth, … For then we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble.” Jer 44:16-18 These are they who Isaiah described and Jesus reiterated by saying, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” Matt 15:7-9 These are they who will obey their own laws and doctrines, but reject God’s commandments and doctrines.

What Anti-Legalists Can’t Answer

Why on earth do anti-legalist believe that we are commanded to study and rightly divide God’s Word, if God’s Word is not to be followed? 2 Tim 2:15 Why are we commanded to prove all things and hold firm that which is  good, if it’s not good to strictly hold firm the truth of God? 1 Thess 5:21 Why are we commanded to contend for the faith, if the faith is whatever you want it to mean? Jude 3 Why must we be set for the defense of the gospel, if the gospel can’t save or condemn anyone? Philip 1:15-18  Why are we commanded not to go beyond that which was written, not adding to or taking from God’s Word, but rather speaking the oracles or Will of God? 1 Cor 4:6 ff; Rev 22:18,19, 1 Pet 4:11 Truly, anti-legalist are anti-God’s Word. They are no better than deist who believe in God, but not in religion or the bible. Their law is no law and their doctrine is their own doctrine.

Conclusion: If Christ was a legalist, so am I! If the apostles were legalist, so am I! If it is my cross to be called a legalist by ultra-liberals and denominationalist, so be it! If I am asked to choose whom to obey explicitly, I choose Christ and his apostles!  Anti-legalist hang their doctrine on God’s love and no law, for all else to them is legalism. Jn 3:16 Jesus and his apostles said it plainly,  “Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends, and you are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you. ” Jn 15:13,14  “If you love me, keep my commandments” Jn 14:15 “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” 2 John 6  “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:10 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 2:3 “He that keeps not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 Jn 2:4 Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me.” Jn 14:6 “According to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;” Titus 1:1-3  “You know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” 1 Thess 4:2 “Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5  “This is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:25 f; 1 Cor 15:1-4

Jesus commanded this gospel to be preached to every nation: All who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but all unbelievers shall be condemned. Mk 16:15,16 f; Mt 28:19,20 All who repent not shall perish. Lk 13:3 All who confess not shall be denied. Mt 10:32,33 f; 2 Tim 2:12 All who endure to the end shall be saved. Mt 24:13 If we obey the Lord’s gospel and abide in the Lord’s doctrine until the end, we have the full assurance of God that we shall be saved. Gal 1:6-9 f; 2Jn 9  If this is legalism, I plead guilty and hope that God rewards me a legalist reward, i.e., eternal life! All anti-legalist need to repent and obey the commandments of the Lord to the full extent of the law of Christ and his blessed apostles. Anything less is damnation to their souls. 2 Thess 1:7-9 f; 2 Jn 9