Just as different legal terms produce different results in a courtroom, the same is true with the kingdom of God. Knowing these terms will allow the believer to know how to approach God and get the results they’re looking for in Christ.
Here are the different legal categories connected to the courtroom of heaven. You will find these terms all through Scripture.
Decree (Lev. 26:46)—”A formal and authoritative order, especially one having the force of law; a judicial decision or order; to command, ordain or decide by decree.”
Law (Neh. 9:13)—The Hebrew word Torah means teaching and direction for life and is the word most often used for the laws and principles Yahweh has given to His people for their benefit and spiritual well-being.
Statute (Neh. 9:13)—”A law enacted by the legislative branch of a government; an act of a corporation or of its founder intended as a permanent rule.” Statute comes from the Latin root word meaning “to stand”; whereas a statue (which shares the same root word) literally stands, often on two legs, a statute is a law that stands.
Regulation (Lev. 26:46)—”An official rule that controls the way that things are done; control of an activity, process, or industry by official rules.” Such regulations aren’t sin if not obeyed.
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Commandment (Neh. 9:13)—In its primary meaning, the Hebrew word ‘mitzvah’ is “an expression of the will of God” and includes “not only an ‘order’ to do something, but also the moral imperative or obligation to do it.” The word ‘command’ implies force or power, as a general commands his troops. To disobey a commandment would be an act of insubordination.
Judgment (Neh. 9:13)—denotes the process whereby a verdict is reached, or the verdict itself; a judgment is bound up with the notions of justice, meaning the righteous way of doing something. The Free (Legal) Dictionary defines judgment as “a decision by a court or other tribunal that resolves a controversy and determines the rights and obligations of the parties.”
Testimony (Ps. 93:5)—the Hebrew word ‘eduth’ refers to a witness or testimony but is normally used in terms of legally binding stipulations or laws. This word refers to that witness which confirms the truth to be so; a testimony in a court of law. (These are testimonies sent by God Himself to verify a truth or commandment, e.g., Aaron’s staff, the jar full of manna, etc.)
Precept (Neh. 9:14)—”a rule or direction, often with some religious basis, dictating a way you should act or behave.”
Concession—”an act or instance of conceding, granting or yielding. A thing conceded or granted; acknowledgment, as of an argument or claim.” Concessions are temporary laws established to regulate bad behavior. Once the behavior has been modified by the guilty person(s), the law is changed and removed. “But I am saying this as a concession, not as a command” (1 Cor. 7:6).
In 1 Corinthians 14 we find Paul giving a concession that women are to be “silent in the church” (v. 34), and if they have any questions they’re to ask their husbands at home. This concession was given because during the time of the birthing of the Corinthian church some women were being nosey and interrupting their husbands in the middle of the preaching. So Paul established this concession to help the women regulate this behavior. It was not meant to be a perpetual law! Paul didn’t want women never to speak in the church for all ages to come; rather he wanted the women of Corinth to be more self-controlled in their behavior as concerning order in the Christian church, which was new to them.
Please note that not all concessions are meant to be permanent. Almost 2,000 years later we have many mainline denominations prohibiting women from teaching, preaching and being ordained into the ministry.
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