The Moral Law Given at Sinai (Chapter 19, Paragraph 3)

“Besides this law, commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel…”

The confession makes a distinction between the law written on the heart in creation and the law delivered more explicitly to Israel at Sinai. What was innate and natural in Adam was later written on tablets of stone and delivered amidst thunder and fire (Exodus 19–20). This law was not new in content but new in form. God was pleased to express His moral will in a formal covenantal document, binding the nation of Israel to Himself in a unique way.

“…as a church under age…”

This striking phrase comes from Galatians 4:1–4, where Paul likens Israel under the law to a child under guardianship. The law functioned as a tutor or guardian to guide and restrain the people until the coming of Christ. This idea is not derogatory—it acknowledges that the Mosaic economy was preparatory. The people of Israel had real spiritual blessings (Rom. 3:1–2; 9:4–5), but the fullness of grace and truth would only come through Christ. The law was given to a “church under age”—a church in its infancy, awaiting maturity in Christ.

“…ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances…”

Here, the confession introduces the ceremonial law, which includes sacrifices, washings, dietary laws, feasts, priesthood, and temple regulations. These laws were typical—that is, they were filled with types and shadows pointing to Christ. The entire Levitical system, from the Day of Atonement to the Passover lamb, was a divine teaching aid, preparing the people for the Messiah.

But the paragraph’s main focus remains the moral law, especially as delivered in the Ten Commandments.

“…partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits…”

The ceremonial laws were not arbitrary religious rituals—they prefigured Jesus Christ. Every sacrifice spoke of His atonement. Every priest pointed to His mediation. Every ceremonial cleansing looked ahead to His sanctifying blood. Hebrews 10:1 says the law had “a shadow of the good things to come.” Christ is the substance (Col. 2:17).

“…and partly holding forth diverse instructions of moral duties.”

While primarily typological, the ceremonial laws also taught moral truths. For example, the laws regarding clean and unclean foods taught the importance of holiness and separation. Though we are no longer under those ceremonial laws, their moral principles remain instructive for the believer.

“All which ceremonial laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only law-giver, who was furnished with power from the Father for that end, abrogated and taken away.”

This key sentence distinguishes the ceremonial law from the moral law. The ceremonial law was temporary. It served its purpose until “the time of reformation” (Heb. 9:10)—that is, the coming of Christ. Jesus, the true and final law-giver (Isa. 33:22; Matt. 5:17–18), fulfilled these laws perfectly and rendered them obsolete.

What God required in symbol and shadow, Christ accomplished in substance. He is the final sacrifice, the great High Priest, and the true Temple. Therefore, ceremonial observances such as animal sacrifices, temple rituals, and food laws are no longer binding. They are “abrogated”—fully and finally set aside.

However, this paragraph implies (and later confirms) that the moral law remains. Christ fulfilled the ceremonial law by ending its necessity. He fulfilled the moral law by obeying it perfectly—and He empowers His people to obey it in newness of life (Rom. 8:3–4).

Application for the Believer:

This paragraph teaches us to love and study the Old Testament without becoming enslaved to its ceremonial forms. We see the richness of God’s plan unfold through symbols and shadows—but we do not return to them. To do so is to deny the sufficiency of Christ.

At the same time, we must not throw out the moral law with the ceremonial. The Ten Commandments remain a rule of life for God’s people. They are not a means of justification—but they are a guide for sanctification.

Rejoice that Christ has fulfilled the ceremonial law. Trust in His once-for-all sacrifice. But also walk in the moral clarity that the law of God still provides. As you study God’s commandments, see them as both a mirror that exposes your sin and a path that reveals your Savior. Cling to Christ who fulfilled the law, and now writes it on the hearts of His people by His Spirit (Jer. 31:33).