Is/Has the Law (of Moses) obsolete (bible language)?
Heb 8:13
When God speaks (declares) of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date (aging, decaying, becoming obsolete, becoming weak, out of use, annulled) and will soon disappear (is ready to vanish away, about to pass away).
Titus 3:9
Do not get involved in (Avoid) foolish discussions (controversies, disputes) about spiritual pedigrees (genealogies) or in quarrels (contentions) and fights (argues) about (over) obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless (unprofitable, pointless, worthless) and a waste of time.
Laws (in the bible also referred as)
- Statues: Ps 119:99 NIV, Ps 119:100 LB
- Preceptes: Ps 119:100
- Testimonies: Ps 119:99 ESV, Exo 31:18
- Commandments: Ps 119:100 PHBT, BST
- Commands: Ps 119:98
- Instructions: Ps 119:97
- Teachings: Ps 119:97
- Covenants: Exo 31:18
- Testaments:
The key difference between "Torah" and "Tanakh" is that the Torah refers only to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), while "Tanakh" refers to the entire Hebrew Bible (The Old Testament), encompassing the Torah, the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim) sections; essentially, the Tanakh is the whole Jewish scripture, and the Torah is just a part of it
Out of the 613 Commandments to the Jews, only the 10 Commandments are written by the Finger of God on 2 Tablets of Stones. The rest of the commandments were spoken to Moses that spread over Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Letter kills. It's to remind them of their sins. Without the Law, they didn't know that they have sinned. The strength of the Law is sin. That is the purpose of the 10 commandments, to serve as a mirror to reflect (to let them see (view) their own sinful behavior and sinful nature.
Heb 10:3 (Under Old Covenant)
But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year.
Heb 10:16-17 (Under New Covenant, the Law of Jesus and God)
16. “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
17. Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Luke 22:20 (New Covenant was made between Jesus (the Mediator of the New Covenant) and God)
“This cup is the new covenant in My Blood, which is poured out for you
Exodus 24:8 (Old Covenant wasa made between Moses (the mediator of the Old Covenant) and God)
So Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words
Other Scriptures that mentioned the New Covenant
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 (Jeremiah prophesize of the New Covenant)
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah
- Hebrews 9:15
Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant
- 2 Corinthians 3:6
And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- Heb 8:6-10
6. But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.
7. For if that first covenant (Old Covenant) had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second (New Covenant AMP)
8, But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
10. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Heb 8:7 Amplified Bible
For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one or an attempt to institute another one [the new covenant].
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
The Greek word diatheke, translated as both “testament” and “covenant,” occurs 33 times in the New Testament, 17 of which are in the book of Hebrews.
The Israelites love to perceive themself as without sin (Blameless). The more they perceive themselves as blameless, the more the number of commandments are added. Even during Jesus' time.
Verses that after doing (more than the OC command) in order to enter the Kingdom of God or eternal life.
- If your eyes sin against you, gorge it out.
- If your limbs sin against you, cut them off
- If you think that you have observed all the commandment, then sell all your properties and give to the poor.
- Love your enemies
Law of Moses (Law of the Tabernacle (Temple), Law of Priesthoods, Law of Sacrifices, Law of the Blood, Law of Ceremonial Cleansing, Law of the Festivals, Law of Dietary, Law of Circumcision, Law of the 10 Commandments (Moral Law, include Law of the Sabbath, Relationship Law (with God and with Man), Law of the Land (Civil Law))
Law of Jesus Christ (Fulfilled all others and reduced 10 Commandments to Law of Love, Law of Grace & Truth, Law of No Condemnation)
Law of God (All the Law of Moses, Law of Prophets, Law of Psalms, Law of Jesus Christ)
Law of Moses (Have glory and it's holy) VS Law of Jesus (New Covenant, More Superior, Have more glory and it's more holy)
Jesus fulfill all the Laws of Moses (the Old Covenant), so that we can also receive all the promises and blessings under the old covenant of Moses and the Abrahamic Covenants.
- Law of Tabernacles (Temple): You destroy the Temple, I will raise it up in 3 days. No more Temple, Our bodies are temple of the Holy Spirit
- Law of Priesthoods: The High Priest comes from the Line of Levi only, Leviticus Priesthoods. Only the High Priest can enter the Holy of holies, once a year. Jesus, the Most (Great) High Priest, from the Line of David, Line of Judah, from the order of Melchizedek (not from the line of Levi), we are called the Royal Priesthood and can enter into the Holy of holies, any time because the veil has been torn from top to bottom
- Law of Sacrifices: Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb, the propitiation, it is finished. The Jews also no longer practise this because there is no more temple for them to practice. But Yom Kippur is still the Jews celebration of New Year
- Law of the Blood: Without blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Sprinkling of the blood of animals. Jesus, This cup is the new covenant.
- Law of Ceremonial Cleansing and Purification: when the Jew touches the unclean, the cleaned become unclean. Under Law of Christ, when the cleaned touches the uncleaned, the uncleaned become cleaned. We are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.
- Law of the Festivals: Becomes Jewish Culture
- Law of Dietary: Kosher food for the Jews, Non Kosher food (uncleaned food). All the food are cleaned under the New Covenant, "Eat, do not called what has already cleaned as uncleaned food"
- Law of Circumcision: all males have to be circumcised on the 8th day. Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day. The Jews still practicing Circumcision. But Circumcision is not required for the Gentile believers.
- Law of the 10 Commandments: The only commandments written with the finger of God. The purpose is to condemn the Jews into the need of a Savior. Jesus wrote on the ground with His fingers, declaring, Neither do I condemn you. go and sin no more. Replaced with the Law of No Condemnation and reduced the 10 Commandments in to only 1. Love your neighbour as yourself, all the Law hung on this.
- Law of the Sabbath: God works on 6 days and rested on the 7th and He make it Holy. Jesus healed on Sabbath day. His disciples picking up stocks of grain on the Sabbath day. Jesus declare that He is Lord of the Sabbath, hence, fulfilling the Law of the Sabbath. The Jew and Gentiles and permitted to follow, but it's not mandatory by the Law of God or Law of Christ.
- Law of the Land (Civil Law): That is Israel Law to govern their land. Israel's Constitution, nothing to do with the non Jews (the Gentiles)
Jesus has fulfilled most (should be all) of the Law of Moses, or do away. The 10 Commandments were reduced to 1, therefore, this 1 commandment has replaced the 10. So, the OC of Moses is obsolete, but replaced by the Law of Jesus (Love). The rest of the OT Law, the Law of the Prophets and Law of Psalm, already fulfilled so many, but the rest should be fully fulfilled before the heaven and the earth disappears.
Law of Adultery: Under New Covenant. when one look at a woman with lust has already committed adultery, not the the physical act as in the 10 commandments. Moses allow a certificate of Divorce, but under Christ's law, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12)
Not following the Law of Moses doesn't mean Antinomianism (believing the Law of Moses is obsolete)
Cor 9:21
When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law (Law of Moses) so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
Gal 6:2 Amplified Bible
Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].
This verse tells us that Paul is not under the Law of Moses, but the the Law of God and Law of Christ (Only 2 times in the NT).
Matt 22:36-40 [From 10 to 2]
36. “Teacher, which is the most important (greatest) commandment in the law of Moses?”
37. Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
38:This is the first and greatest commandment.
39. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
[On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."]
Matt 5:17-18
17. “Do not think that I came to do away with (abolish) or undo the Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill (Law of Moses and Law of the Prophets). (to serve God's ordained purpose)
- being the Most (Great) High Priest, from the line of David (the tribe of Judah, not the high priest from the tribe of Levi and the order of Levi (but the order of Melchizedek).
The Law of Moses has been fully fulfilled, but the Law of the Prophets is still in the midst of fulfilling (until Heaven and Earth pass away)
18. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen (iota), will by any means disappear from the Law (of the Prophets and the Psalm) until everything is accomplished.
Rom 3:31
Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about (abolishing, eliminating, do away, nullify, overthrow, void, destroy making no effect, making useless, leave inactive) the law (Moses' teachings, written law)? Of course not (certainly not, no indeed, may it never be, not at all, by no means, God forbid, that is unthinkable)! In fact (Instead, on the contrary, rather, indeed), only when we have faith do we truly fulfill (uphold, observe, establish, supporting, give a firmer footing to) the law (Moses' teaching, written law) [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation].
Rom 13:8-10 [From 10 to 1]
8. Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
9. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10, Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (of Christ).
It's not that the 10 commandments has been abolished, but rather, has been summed up to 1 (replaced) commandment. "Love" (Love your neighbor, Love your enemies). by loving and serving people, you fulfill the Law of God (the Spirit of God in our hearts), the Law of Christ (Love)
How do Christians uphold the law? A bible study on Romans 3:31
The Law & the Story of God
Which biblical laws apply to Christians?
Why we cannot follow the Gospel of Jesus AND the Law of Moses at the same time
5 Reasons we can't follow the Gospel and the Law at the same time
Do Christians have to obey the Old Testament Laws?
Can the Law justifies a person? It seems yes
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Gal 5:4)
Matt 5:20
“For I say to you that unless your righteousness (uprightness, moral essence) is more than that (surpasses) of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Gal 3:21
Is the law (of God) then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.
Gal 2:16
know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
John 5:39-40
39. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify (point to) about me
40. and you are not willing to come to Me, that you may have life.
Heb 10:26-29
26. Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.
27. but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God
28. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses
29. How much greater punishment do you think he will deserve who has rejected (the Son of God) and trampled under foot the Son of God, and has considered unclean and common the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and has insulted the Spirit of grace [who imparts the unmerited favor and blessing of God]?
Sinning wilfully or deliberately continue sinning is when they [the Hebrews (Jewish believers)] keep on practising Yom Kippur (yearly animal blood sacrifice, which is under Moses Law), then Christ sacrifice would have no effect on them, and they have treated the Holy Blood of Christ like common blood of animals.
It is a unpardonable sin (a fearful expectation of judgement and of raging fire) to follow the Law of Moses
If you sin against the Holy Spirit (insulted the Spirit of grace), it is unpardonable.
Mosaic ritual practises is a yoke of slavery that Christ wanted to free them from
Ps 119:97
97. Oh, how I love your law (instructions, teachings)! I meditate (think about, study) on it all day long
98. Your commands (commandments) are always (ever, my constant guide) with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
99. Yes, I have more insight (understandings, acted wisely above) than my teachers, for I am always thinking (meditating) of your laws (Statues, Your testimonies).
The Law of The 10 Commandments under Law of Moses (written by the finger of God on 2 tablets of stone:
1. You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me: (Exodus 20:3 NKJV)
2. You Shall Not Make Idols: (Exodus 20:4-5 NKJV)
3, You Shall Not Take the Name of the Lord Your God in Vain: (Exodus 20:7 NKJV)
4. Remember the Sabbath Day, to Keep It Holy: (Exodus 20:8-10 NKJV)
5. Honor Your Father and Your Mother: (Exodus 20:12 NKJV)
6. You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13 NKJV)
7. You Shall Not Commit Adultery: (Exodus 20:14 NKJV)
8. You Shall Not Steal: (Exodus 20:15 NKJV)
9. You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor: (Exodus 20:16 NKJV)
10. You Shall Not Covet: (Exodus 20:17 NKJV)
When the Israelites just came out of Egypt, there is no law to protect them. God has to sell up the Law (the constitution) to protect them.
They asked Jesus, out of the 10, which is the greatest commandment. Jesus didn't quote 1 of the 10. He said the greatest commandment is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind, and the next in line is to Love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus reduced the 10 to 2 officially.
Law 6 to 10 mostly in all the constitution of all the countries and punishable the the Law of the Land. God forgive the spiritual part. But the physical part, the individual still have to face the music.
Jesus Christ Moral Law
Matt 5:21-22
21. You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'You shall not murder'
22. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Christians angry with people everyday, do Christians go to the fell of fire?
Matt 5:27-30
27. “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’
28. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Don't just confess your sin, have to gouge out your eyes and cut your limbs in order not to go to hell.
Law of Moses allow Divorce. But under Christ covenant
Matt 5:31-32
31. “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’
32. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Under Moses Law: Your shall not bear false testimonies
Matt 5:33
33, “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
34. But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.
35. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
Can we selectively choose what commandments we want to obey and what we want commandments we want to leave them out?
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.
Did God's position changed?
From having commandments and ritual that remind the Israelites of their sin to their sin and lawlessness, I remember no more
God, high and mighty. Jesus, meek and lowly.
The OC (Old Covenant) is to Condemn. The NC (New Covenant) is No Condemnation.
OT is full of Punishment and the need for obedience. NT is full of Love. and a need for freedom and rest.
Isa 53:3
3. He was despised (ignored) and rejected (forsaken) by mankind, a man of suffering (sorrow), and familiar (acquainted) with pain (sickness, grief, infirmity). Like one from whom people hide their faces; He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem (He is a nobody, not worth anything, as if He was nothing, did not value Him, consider Him insignificant, didn't respect Him).
What is the purpose of the Old Testament?
- It's a shadow, not the body (Col 2)
- It's a type, pointing to the body of Christ. When the reality comes into being, we can drop the pointer. The pointer is to help us to focus on.
- Fulfilled in the body of Jesus.
The Law of Priesthood has been replaced or cancelled by the Law of the Priesthood of Jesus
Heb 7:18-22 (Why the Law of Moses in inferior and no good? Because when it is being compared with the Law of Christ - that draws us near to God)
18. For, on the one hand, a former commandment (regulation) (requirement about the priesthood, NLT) is cancelled (set aside, putting away, nullification, rejected, disannulling, annulling) because of its weakness and uselessness (ineffectual, unprofitable, ineffective) [because of its inability to justify the sinner before God]
19. For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope (Jesus), through which we draw near to God.
20. This new system (Law of Jesus, the Priesthood of Jesus) [that Christ was made Priest] was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants (the former law of priesthood) became priests without such an oath,
21. but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
22. Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.
Heb 4:18
Therefore we should come with boldness to the throne of grace (the gracious God), so that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Heb 7:11-12
11. If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
12. For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
Rightly dividing (breaking them down) the word of truth (the message of God's truth)
2 Tim 2:15
Be diligent (Strive, Carefully study, Study and do your best, work hard, make every effort, ) to present (show, conduct, commend) yourself approved (acceptable) to God (in God's sight), a [proven] worker (workman, servent) [tested by trials (tried-and-true)] who does not need (no reason) to be ashamed [of his work], rightly dividing (correctly explains, accurately handling, skillfully teaching, properly handling, rightly explaining, straightly cutting, preaches straightforwardly, imparting without deviation) the word of truth (the message of God's truth).
Weymouth New Testament
Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has no reason to feel any shame.
New American Bible
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
Between Man's definition of righteousness (Behavioral) and God's definition of righteousness (Spiritual). Between behavioral modification (justified in the eyes of man - the righteousness of man) or spiritual transformation (justified in the eyes of God - the righteousness of God)
2 Cor 9:9, It's in the context of giving money (as service or ministry) to the fellow believers
As it is written, “He [the benevolent and generous person] (the righteous person) has distributed (scattered, given, dispersed) freely (abroad, generously), he has given to the poor (needy); his righteousness (justice, good works, good deeds, doing right, kindness) endures (remembered, continues, lasts, abides, remains, stands) forever (always, throughout the age, for eternity).”
He refers to? The following translation seems to have translated differently, Whether Man or God, whether one man or many man? The singular (He) here is representing a "Collective" (They). Eg. Man (People or They or We) shall not live on bread alone.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
Scripture says, "The righteous person gives freely to the poor. His righteousness continues forever."
Contemporary English Version
The Scriptures say, "God freely gives his gifts to the poor, and always does right."
As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
The above took the quote from Psalm 112:9. The "He" (Singular) here is refer to "People" (Plural), not referring to God
Psalm 112:9
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poo (good works); his (man) righteousness (in the eyes of man) endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
