Jesus said He had come to fulfill the Law.
Matthew 5:17-18
17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
And this was accomplished by Jesus dying on the cross:
John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
We see this also when Jesus was speaking to the disciples in Luke 24:44-48,
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.“
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
The Law was intended to guide us to Christ, and that now that we have faith, we are not under the supervision of the Law according to Galatians 3:23-25
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
The New Testament states that the Law has been cancelled and God has forgiven our sins. Colossians 2:13-14
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
Indeed, we see Jesus abolished “the law with its commandments and regulations” in Ephesians 2:14-15. Although I think he was speaking of the requirements for man to follow the Law since its requirements were fully met by Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
We see in Romans 10:4 that “Christ is the end of the law”.
4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
We are told in Romans 7:6 that “we have been “released from the law”. In fact, “we serve in the new way of the Spirit”, rather than “the old way of the written code.”
6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
We see in Hebrews 7:18 the same thing:
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless
In every case, these are synonymous phrases to the fact that we are not required to follow the Law.
In fact, if we try to keep the Law, and break one part of it, we are guilty of breaking all of it, according to James 2:10.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Yet it is evident people do not sacrifice at the temple, since it was destroyed in 70AD. So if those who follow the Law do not make offerings and sacrifices at the temple, are they not breaking the Law? Instead of worrying if we are breaking one of the 613 laws in the Mosaic Law, we are under a new set of regulations – those of faith. As such, we should trust in Christ.
Hebrews 10:22-23
22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
So no, technically, the Mosaic Law has not been abolished, but it has been fulfilled. Since it was fulfilled, its requirements no longer apply. Thus practically, it has been abolished. As such, we are not required to follow it. But even so, if you think you can follow the Mosaic Law and not replace the grace of God with the following of these laws (Galatians 1:6-8), then feel free to do so. Paul didn’t think it was something you should do, but you should be convinced in your own mind. Likewise, those who are convinced that there is no requirement to follow said law should show love to those who do.
Filed under: Christ, Church, Doctrine, Faith, God, Law, Sanctification
[...] Has the Mosaic Law been abolished? [...]
Much of what is Mosaic Law is stated again in the New Testament.
On http://www.mosaiclawforchristians.blogspot.com/ I look at them one at a time and give the New Testament citation and additional info
You have an interesting website. i dont know if I would agree with every decision you have made concerning whether each is binding or not fot the New Testament Christian, but it makes one think. Thanks for putting it together.
Oh, Kirk, the original purpose of this bog entry was to show that we are free from the Law.
Thank you for the comments on my site. I think the scripture that you cited is appropriate and I’ll edit my posts and add a link back to your site. I’ll probably need to make some additional edits, but those might have to wait until the weekend.
Thanks again.
Kirk
[...] Mosaic Law [...]
You are sincere and well meaning, but your website lacks logic and adequate research concerning some quoted verses. What you say does not distinguish between the Old Testament’s Old Covenant and the Old Testament’s laws, and there is a huge difference. It was the Old Covenant that was abolished. Yes, grace is what really saves us now, but only conditionally. Your site fails miserably in reconciling not just a few, but many, many pro-law observing verses, especially Matthew 7:23: “DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO VIOLATE THE TORAH.” (exeGeses Companion Bible) Are you trying to tell us the Bible often contradicts itself? If so, can we trust anything the Bible says? Yes, we can trust the Bible, and it of course should be and is harmonious concerning the Old and New Testaments. Your message is that we no longer need to strictly observe many still valid Mosaic laws (some, such as the animal sacrifice and circumcision laws were abolished, specifically itemized by the Apostles as done away with). According to you, we can now have sex with animals, commit incest, put stumbling blocks in front of the blind, remove property landmarks, eat trichinosis infected pork (some harmful cysts can survive 500 degree cooking temperatures), ignore the life saving third year food tithe (if the world’s religions obeyed just this one law world hunger and death by starvation would permanently end), etc. The website TithingHelps.com really “spells out” why Christians need to continue to strictly obey many Old Testament laws and all New Testament laws. The site’s page VERSES MAINSTREAMERS USE on item 15 thoroughly refutes your explanation of Matthew 5:17′s “fulfillment of the law by Jesus.” The site’s INTRODUCTION page also thoroughly refutes your discussion of Colossians 2:14 and Ephesians 2:15.
What you say sounds good, when taken out of context.
However, Matthew 7:23 speaks of lawlessness – which you claim points to the Tohah. That may or may not be. The context is not clear.
What IS clear that those who are God’s will be evident from their fruit. We are to obey God. I have never said not to.
The question is whether we must obey the Mosaic Law.
We have to recognize first that Christ is our high priest forever, according to Hebrews 6:20.
Second, we have to recognize that the priesthood changed from the Levitical (order of Aaron) to the order of Melchizedek. Not only was there a change in priesthood, but a change in law as well.
Hebrews 7:11-12
We see in Hebrews 7:18-19 that the law was set aside because of its weakness and uselessness.
You try to put words into my mouth when you insult me with claiming I have said people should have sex with animals or put stumbling blocks in front of people.
In fact, the scripture is clear that God has defined what is appropriate sex and not (Matthew 15:18-20, Mark 7:20-23. 1 Corinthians 7:2, – in fact, I have written on this http://wbmoore.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/sexual-sin/ ).
Further, Romans 14:13 tells us we are not to put a stumbling block in front of anyone.
You speak of your website refuting Colossians 2:14. However, the word translated as “certificate of debt” by the NASB is cheirographon. This word does not mean that. It means document ( http://www.concordances.org/greek/5498.htm ). The word translated as decrees is Dogma and means decree ( http://concordances.org/greek/1378.htm ) but is also considered to mean “rules and requirements of the law of Moses” ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/dogma.html ). The word translated as “against” is kata and means through or toward is according to ( http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/kata.html ). That being the case, a valid translation is, “having canceled the document consisting of decrees toward us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” So, yes, the Law was nailed to a cross.
As for your attempt to show that Ephesians 2:15 is speaking of human laws, you can not have it both ways. If anomia in Matthew 7:23 (lawlessness) speaks of being without the Mosaic Law (according to you), then nomos in Ephesians 2:15 is not mere man’s laws, but the Mosaic Law of commands. Paul was quite clear in Ephesians 2:12-16 that Christ made believing gentiles and Israelites into one group, breaking the barrier of the dividing wall by annulling (a better translation for Katargeo which is translated as abolishing in Eph 2:15) in His flesh the Law. It was NOT man’s laws Christ abolished – but the Mosaic Law.
As for the idea that you should keep some of the law but not all of it, James is quite clear that if you stumble on one point you break it all.
James 2:10
You have taken great pains to prove your point that we should follow the Mosaic Law, but you have ignored what scripture actually says.
As I have said in the article, “if you think you can follow the Mosaic Law and not replace the grace of God with the following of these laws (Galatians 1:6-8), then feel free to do so. Paul didn’t think it was something you should do, but you should be convinced in your own mind. Likewise, those who are convinced that there is no requirement to follow said law should show love to those who do.”
Thank you for pointing out Romans 14:13. I’ll try to not mention anymore the Mosaic law forbidding putting stumbling blocks in front of the blind. You are one of the most competent yet still somewhat humble people I have encountered on the religious forums. You leave open a gapingly huge chasm when you said “However, Matthew 7:23 speaks of lawlessness – which you claim points to the Tohah. That may or may not be. The context is not clear.” What do you mean the context is not clear? How can you be so flippant as to say “That may or may not be?” That refers to something we better understand and get it right the first time if we want to be in the first resurrection because Jesus just made about the most horrifying threat possible to us– destroyng forever, eternally, such lawbreakers if they are still breaking those laws up to the day they are judged by Jesus. Some other major verses are glaringly ignored in your reply. Supremely horrific Matthew 13:41-42 contains the Greek anomia word, which at the very least INCLUDES, in its definition, the Mosaic laws such as the dietary, festival, and multiple tithing laws. Throughout the New Testament “law” or its Greek “nomos” refers primarily and overwhelmingly to the Mosaic laws. 1 John 3:4 contains the anomia word, defining sin, the “gold standard” verse used by most theologians defining sin. Another major verse you fail or choose not to try to explain is Romans 3;31: “Well then, if we are saved by faith, does this mean that we no longer need to OBEY God’s laws (nomos–Mosaic laws, Strong’s number 3551)? JUST THE OPPOSITE! In fact, only when we trust Jesus can we truly OBEY Him.” — Living Bible. Another critical verse you “sweep under the rug” is Romans 6:15: “Then what is the implication? Should we sin (hamartano, Strong’s 264, transgressing the Mosaic laws) because we are not controlled by laws (nomos, Mosaic laws, 3551) but by God’s favor? THAT’S UNTHINKABLE!” — God’s Word Translation. Few people realize that if the world’s major religions obeyed the Mosaic law to give to their local hungry, about to starve to death people 10% of their net income every third year, world hunger and death by starvation would come to a permanent, abrupt stop, saving 8 to 25 million people from starving to death each year. I’m referring mostly to nations other than America where there are no social security or food stamp programs.Concerning Ephesians 2:15, yes, I can have it both ways sometimes. Again, nomos in the New Testament refers primarily to the Mosaic laws, but depending on the context it can refer to man made laws since there are over 5 definitions of nomos. The context in that verse refers to the man concocted, burdensome oral torah. James 2:10 is probably addressed to those hard line Jews refusing to accept the sacrificial death of Jesus, and that verse does not seem to be an appropriate verse in this discussion because some Mosaic laws (such as the animal and grain sacrifice laws) MUST NOT or at least NO LONGER need to be obeyed by Christians according to Hebrews 9:26, 10:10,12,14, and 1 Corinthians 5:7.
You are welcome.
Thank you.
The Greek word nomos could mean law or it could refer to the Mosaic Law or to the Torah. The Greek word anomia could be without law or without Mosaic Law. The question is which is meant in the various places where it is used.
I said in my earlier comment, “However, Matthew 7:23 speaks of lawlessness – which you claim points to the Tohah. That may or may not be. The context is not clear.” BECAUSE the context gives the appearance of meaning one thing and I really didnt want to go into why it means something else. But because you wanted to go there, I wrote a post on the matter: http://wbmoore.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/another-look-at-the-will-of-god-rebellion-lawlessness-and-faith/
In short, lawlessness applies to Jews (who were given the Mosaic Law) and to Gentiles who were not, and to people who lived before the Law was given. It does NOT refer to keeping Torah, but to not being rebellious to God, to not doing whatever one wants to do.
Romans 3:31 does not say to obey the Mosaic Law.
Romans 3:27-31
I do not think the Torah is being referenced here.
There is a law of faith and we are justified by faith apart from works of the Law. We do not nullify the law through faith, but we fix in place the law which points us to the need for Christ. But according to
Romans 7:6, we have been released from the Law.
Now concerning Romans 6:15, let us look at the context.
Romans 6:14-16
Notice, the text says you are not under law, but grace. Just because we are not under the law does not mean we should sin, however.
Romans 7:6
God never told the entire world to give a tithe. That command was given to the people of Israel.
concerning Ephesians 2:15, you are incorrect about whether it is man’s laws or the Mosaic Law which was abolished.
Ephsians 2:14 tells us that Christ broke the barrier of the dividing wall between gentile and Jew. This would never be a law of man’s making, but the Mosaic Law.
We see this more clearly in Romans 4:15 where we see it is the Mosaic law which brings wrath.
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Galatians 3:24-25 tells us that the Law was put in place to lead us to Christ so that might be justified by faith, and that we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
In fact, we are specifically told to not rely upon observing the Law. That everyone lives by the Law and who can not do everything in the Law is cursed.
Galatians 3:10-14
This is seen in James 2:8-11. This is NOT speaking of the oral Torah, but of the Law according to scripture.
Again, if you try to live by the Law and fail on one point, you are guilty of it all – this same thing is in two places in Scripture. So NO, you can not live certain parts of it and ignore others. This is NOT saying we are not under a law – we are, the Law of Christ, or the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ.
Romans 8:2
1 Corinthians 9:21
Galatians 6:2
The fact that we are under a different law is made more clear in
Hebrews 7:12
Another post which is pertinent to this discussion may be found here: http://wbmoore.wordpress.com/2008/06/20/christians-and-the-law/