Yes, the Law is a yoke of bondage because it is an impossible burden that no one can bear, as taught by Peter and Paul.
The Law, given to Israel at Sinai, was severe and burdensome, showing man his sin but providing no means of salvation. Peter called it a yoke that neither the fathers nor he could bear, and Paul urged believers to stand fast in liberty, not to be entangled again with this yoke of bondage. Les Feldick emphasizes that any legalistic system is a burden, while grace requires only belief.
Acts 15:10 — Peter directly calls the Law a yoke of bondage that no one could bear.
The Bible explicitly describes the Law as a yoke of bondage. In Acts 15:10, Peter asks why they should put a yoke upon the disciples' necks 'which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear.' This yoke refers to the Law of Moses, which was a burden too heavy for anyone to keep perfectly. Similarly, the Law's purpose was to reveal sin, not to save: 'for by the law is the knowledge of sin' (Romans 3:20). The Law shows mankind's natural bent toward sin, as Les notes, but it cannot justify anyone (Galatians 2:16).
Les Feldick teaches that the Law is a yoke of bondage because it is a legalistic system of rules that no one can perfectly obey. He emphasizes that the Law was severe and burdensome, showing Israel their sinfulness but offering no way of salvation. Paul's gospel of grace, in contrast, frees believers from this yoke. Les repeatedly points to Galatians 5:1, where Paul urges believers to stand fast in liberty and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, which is the Law and any legalism. He stresses that grace requires nothing but faith, whereas legalism imposes rituals and requirements that burden people.
Peter, in Acts 15:10, described the Law as a yoke that neither the fathers nor he could bear. This statement, made at the Jerusalem council, affirmed that the Law was an unbearable burden. Les highlights this in his teaching, emphasizing that the Law was indeed a yoke of bondage (Clip 1).
In Galatians 5:1, Paul writes, 'Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.' Les explains that this yoke of bondage is the Law and legalism—anything that says you must do certain things to be saved. Grace, by contrast, says you do nothing but believe the gospel and let God do the rest (Clip 5).
Paul refers to the Law as 'weak and beggarly elements' in Galatians 4:9. Les teaches that this is because the Law cannot save or transform; it only points out sin. Believers in Galatia were foolish to want to return to such bondage when they had received grace (Clip 6).
Paul's Stand Against Burdens
Les explains that Paul refused to subject Gentile converts to the Law of Moses so that they could enjoy grace without the heavy burdens of law-keeping.
Peter's Yoke
Les points out that Peter called the Law a yoke that no one could bear, confirming that it was a burden.
The Boundaries of the Promised Land: What Does the Bible Say?
Peter and others in the New Testament referred to it as a yoke of bondage that no one could bear. But oh, the day is coming. It's going to be something far better than that covenant of law. The one that they broke, although He says, I was a husband unto them. But this shall be the covenant that I will make. Now, you see, I'm emphasizing the verb tenses here. This is future.
Law as Burden
Les reiterates that the Law was severe and a yoke of bondage that Israel couldn't bear, but righteousness comes by faith, not by the Law.
Redemption Explained: From Law to Grace (Romans 3 & 6)
Because the law only has one purpose in Scripture, and it is what? For by the law is the knowledge, not of God, but of what? Sin, see? Now, when God gave the Ten Commandments then, the Ten Commandments just literally showed the old Adam how he really operated, and that was all the law could do.
Yoke of Bondage Defined
Les defines the yoke of bondage as legalism—anything that adds human effort to salvation—contrasting it with grace that requires only belief.
Weak and Beggarly
Les explains Paul's description of the Law as weak and beggarly elements, showing why returning to it is bondage.
Why the Law Can't Save You — Romans 7:5-14 Explained
The law shows us what old Adam is really made of. Okay? Now then, come back to chapter 7. So, what does the law do for solitarsis? It compounds his sinfulness. How? By revealing everything he does was sinful. Everything he was doing was contrary to the will of a holy God. All right, now I've got a couple minutes left.
Acts 15:10: Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Peter's direct statement that the Law is an unbearable yoke.
Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Paul's command to remain free from the Law's yoke.
Galatians 4:9: But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Paul's rebuke of those returning to the Law, called weak and beggarly elements.
Romans 3:20: Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Shows the Law's purpose is to reveal sin, not to justify.
Yes, according to Peter and Paul, and Les Feldick confirms this. The Law is a yoke that no one could bear, as it required perfect obedience and only revealed sin, not salvation.
Les emphasizes that the yoke of bondage is legalism, which burdens believers with rituals and requirements. Grace, on the other hand, frees us to simply believe the gospel.
The Law only shows us our sin (Romans 3:20). It cannot justify because no one can keep it perfectly. Salvation comes through faith, not works of the Law.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Grace vs. Law — Galatians Chapter 2