Which Old Testament Laws Are Now Obsolete?

Theology
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DALL·E 2024-04-08 06.25.16 - Create a wide image close to 1200x628 pixels depicting a scene where an ancient scroll lies open on a desk, with a dramatic solar eclipse visible thro1792×1024 270 KB

Hebrews 8:6-13 says
“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 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.
It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, “Know the Lord”
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.’
By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”

Which laws are this passage referring to?

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Jesus requested that God gives humans a better covenant that replaces Leviticus laws.

Note: sad how many Christians feel the need to pretend to be ancient Jews and put themselves back under the old laws.

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All of them.

Move on.

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There are three types of laws in the Old Testament.

  • Moral law - the rule of right living as expressed in the 10 commandments and summarized by Jesus in Matthew 22:34-40.
  • Ceremonial law - outlining the rituals, sacrifices, feasts, tabernacle, and the temple for Israel.
  • Judicial law - Civil laws God gave Israel to preserve and maintain them as a nation.

Although we can learn from them, the ceremonial and judicial laws went away because they only applied to the nation of Israel. The moral laws remains, however, we read it and obey it in the context of grace because Christ fulfilled the law perfectly and sacrificed himself for us.

Jesus said in John 14, “If you love me, keep my commandments”.

I like how David Murray puts it in this article,

The whole 10 Commandments begin with, “I am the Lord your God”—so there’s relationship—“who brought you out of the land of Egypt”—so, there’s redemption—“Therefore, you shall have no other gods before me.” So he’s saying, “look, there’s relationship already. Redemption’s been accomplished. Now here are some rules to help you show your gratitude and your obedience, your gratitude and your thankfulness for this relationship and this redemption.”

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Good points. And let’s not forget that other nations in the era had codes with similarities to the ten commandments . Although they should not be forced by governments, The moral codes are still good guidelines for living

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Matthew 5:17-20

King James Version

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Fulfill- To put into effect, to achieve, to carry out, or to realize.

We do have church Doctrinal traditions that have been taught and believed not far from the laws referred to by Paul, the law commonly referred to as Jewish Hallakah, “tradition”.

Seeking beyond these doctrines, to prayerfully gain a clearer understanding in Gods word, to include the Old Testament, we can find a perspective that leads us to a broader truth.

For instance, when Jesus spoke , I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill “in your hearing” the affirmation that He is the one Isaiah and all the prophets wrote of as He announced the salvation of God. It is in Jesus that these promises are fulfilled, His person and His life makes the difference. Jesus declaring that he fulfilled the prophecies, and even the patterns of scripture He showed forth their true meaning.

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Jesus’ brother James, the undisputed leader of the Christian community in Jerusalem, was renowned even among the Jews for being ultra-observant, exceedingly humble and focused on the needs of the poor. He was highly respected by the Jews despite his belief that Jesus was the Messiah. The Jerusalem community is probably the single greatest clue to what the historical Jesus was actually like and what his message actually was.

It is believed that the beheading of James was one of the key factors leading to the Jewish revolt of 66 AD and ultimately the destruction of the Temple in 70 (which including purging Jerusalem of all Jewish influence). After 70 AD, being viewed as Jewish or anti-Roman was not a good idea.

Paul never heard or saw Jesus. Paul’s many letters show no awareness of anything the historical Jesus said or did. Paul had the barest of contact with the Jerusalem community and was at odds with James and Peter. Paul admitted his gospel was a purely mystical one, revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. Paul’s claim to being an apostle was viewed as absurd by the Jerusalem community, which had agreed Judas’ replacement must be someone who had been with Jesus from the start. There is good reason Paul is sometimes referred to as the inventor of Christianity.

Paul, both as a Pharisee and in his Christian incarnation, was much more closely aligned with the Romans. The gospels were all written after the destruction of the Temple. This is why all of the writings are weirdly pro-Roman and anti-Jewish. Few NT scholars think this bias is historically accurate. Few think it is not heavily agenda-driven. Pilate was among the most brutal and depraved of Roman prefects (later recalled and exiled for that very reason), and scholars are highly skeptical (to put it mildly) of the gentle NT treatment of him.

This is why I say I don’t believe Pauline Christianity has much if anything to do with what Jesus was actually talking about. It’s an appealing theology, but simply not what the historical Jesus would have taught. My answer to “Which OT laws are now obsolete?” from the perspective of the historical Jesus thus would be: NONE of them, but tempered in their interpretation by the Two Great Commandments. If the NT portrait of Jesus is accurate at all, I believe he brought an “overlay” of common sense and mercy but not an eradication of the OT laws.

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Every single one, except the 10 commandments.

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The New Testament was not in existence during Jesus and Paul’s day for approximately well over a century later.
We sometimes have a tendency to see through the eyes, cultures, and literacy styles of Gentile westerners in the 21st century, while Paul’s meanings are wrapped up in a first century, Middle Eastern Jewish culture mindset. Paul’s writings don’t necessarily show his adversity towards the law of Moses, but towards the traditional Man-made laws. His letters of justification and belief system reveals that only through the washing, cleansing blood of Jesus could mankind be saved.

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The “problem” - fot those of us who see it as one - is the disconnect between Paul’s theology and the theology of the Jerusalem community that actually knew Jesus. There was a BIG disconnect. Pauline theology is heavily Hellenistic and seems oddly gentle toward the Romans and oddly hostile toward the Jews and the Christian community in Jerusalem. The fact that the only Jesus whom Paul knew was the one he channeled seems at least somewhat problematical to me.

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The fact that the only Jesus whom Paul knew was the one he channeled seems at least somewhat problematical to me.

For clarity, can you please provide a reference in the word of God, that Paul channeled Jesus on the road to Damascus.

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No, not on the road to Damascus - that was simply, as far as we know, something like what is described in Acts. In his authentic letters, notably Galatians and the Corinthians, Paul makes clear that he did not receive his gospel from anyone else, and does not owe his ministry or message to any man, but rather received it directly from the Holy Spirit (which I referred to jocularly as “channeling Jesus”). Just read Galatians 1. What is somewhat problematical to me is not only that Paul’s understanding was very different from that of those who had actually known and heard Jesus but also that plenty of characters we dismiss as nutcases make very similar claims about visions and revealed messages.

From Galatians 1:

11 For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

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Gentiles, Paul’s audience, were never under OT laws. So gentile converts to Christianity, which is the vast majority of Christians, are not obliged to follow any of them.

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Well, OK, but that was the whole debate at the time - to what extent were Paul’s Gentile converts required to follow Jewish laws, rituals, etc.? The Jerusalem Christian community had views very different from Paul. James apparently agreed Paul’s converts did not have to be circumsized; beyond that we really don’t know.

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Some churches have taught and continue to teach, in error, That we believer’s saved by Grace in Jesus Christ, no longer need to obey the laws of God. Some even say that to follow the laws of God is Equivalent to Works, to achieve salvation. For many unfortunately, this may be too hard to accept, which is understandable. I’ve recently spent the last two years specifically studying these types of scripture teachings out of almost 30 years studying, God‘s word for no reason other than but to draw nearer to him, to be pleasing in his sight and to do his will.

Neither Jesus or Paul made statements to the negate God’s laws from being obeyed. They were Jews, why would they? Gentle believers saved by Grace through Jesus Christ, are grafted into the Olive tree. Jesus said he will return and save all of Israel. Amen.

Matthew 5:17–20

17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets ; I have not come to abolish them but to (fulfil) them.18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:17, fullfil is the Greek word pleroo, which means “to fill up”. Not to complete, but to make complete.

The laws pertaining to the sacrificial offering’s, of animals for sins were no longer needed. Laws pertaining to offerings and any laws related to the temple even to this day cannot be performed because there is no physical temple.
For all that God did through the cross for us, our walk of faith, showing him our love is to obey his commands, This is the least that we can do.

Study The word of God, to show yourselves approved onto God.

Proverbs 2:4 “Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God”.

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Yes, you are certainly correct. Neither Jesus as reported in the Gospels nor Paul can reasonably be read as suggesting the OT law has been negated. The differences are ones of degree, with the Jerusalem community headed by James continuing to be ultra-observant and Paul’s message being less demanding.

I too did my own study at one time and was frankly befuddled that anyone actually thinks “grace alone” or “instant salvation” is being taught. It’s not a popular position in Protestantism, but I think the Eastern Orthodox and Catholics basically have it right. As the EO say, “You’ll find out you’re saved when you die and God tells you.” It isn’t a matter of “works” but of “continuing in the faith.”

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Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
Romans 7:1

Paul brings up an interesting point here.
He says the law is binding only as long as a person lives.

But wait, we as Christian’s died. Look at Romans.

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.
Romans 6:6~7

Wait a minute are you saying we can just do what ever because we died in Christ the law is no more?

Let’s see what Paul says

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
Romans 6:15

Paul goes on to say that we are slaves of righteousness in Christ.
Romans 6:16-23

In Romans 7:2-3 Paul gives an interesting example he uses a marriage between a couple and he says if they just break up and marry another they break the Law. But if one of them dies the law is null and void.

And so Paul says

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
Romans 7:4

So to answer your question we as Christians are In Christ we have died and live with Christ and seated with Christ in the heaven,

We’re no longer under the law but under grace Romans 6:14
This doesn’t give us a license to sin and break laws because again we died to sin

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:10-14

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Jews who follow the torah must keep the Mosaic Laws “written by Moses’ hand” in a book, there are 613 of them, like men must be circumcise . . . .

Christians Must keep the 10 Commandments, “written by the finger of God” on stone tablets. (see Rev 14:12).

Note: The ten Commandments are also written in the Mosaic Laws.

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Hi,
When the lawyer approached Jesus concerning the Law, here is the simple way Jesus said to read the commandments.

Luke 10:26-27 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. KJV

Perform three simple actions and you keep the whole Law.
Love God.
Love your neighbor.
Love yourself.
That’s really complicated, isn’t it.

But we are living in New Testament times.
Did you know that nine of the Ten Commandments are directly stated in the New Testament?
Only the fourth one (about keeping the Sabbath) is not.
This, of course, leads to onn of the biggest controversies that people try to stick on Christians.
Why don’t Christians keep the Sabbat?
But what is the Sabbath?
I know that it is supposed to be a day of rest.
But what was the Sabbath for?
It is a time set aside to study, worship, and honor God.
Romans give us the leeway as to how we esteem a day.

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. KJV

As long as we set the time aside, when we do it is up to us.
In today’s reality, many people have to work Saturdays.
They might get Tuesdays and Wednesdays off.
Romans says its acceptable to do their praise and worship on one of those days.
This would keep me spirit of the Law, loving God, which is what Jesus told the lawyer.

So that’s the long way to say none of them are obsolete.
Setting aside any day of the week is a modification of the fourth commandment.
But if we go to church on Sunday, if we pray
and honor God every day, we are keeping the spirit of the fourth commandment.

Blessings

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Hello, Offspring, the Tora, the first five books of the Bible, were pinned by Jews. The book of Revelations was pinned by John, a Jew. Over 90% of the New Testament was pinned by Jews. We as Christ followers, (Christian’s), have been by the grace of God through our faith in (Jesus, a Jew), we have been grafted into the olive tree as a wild branch, the Jews are the natural branches.

Distinguishing between God‘s laws, which of course, includes the 10 Commandments intended for us to follow, versus the man-made traditions the disciples and Jesus spoke against. God‘s laws were not intended to be followed to gain salvation. They were intended for obedience to Him.
Salvation is a gift, God provided us in Jesus Christ, showing His Love for His creation. So our obedience to His laws, are only our show of Love towards Him for what He has and continues to do for us, through our walk of faith in our actions.

Our understanding of Gods word today won’t be the same tomorrow, (it will be greater), as we continue to seek diligently His Truth as inspired by His Holy Spirit, our comforter.

As a Christian, my life long journey has taught me, that I am ever learning. God’s word never changes, but what I am able to comprehend and apply by faith today, will. Please keep pursuing God, to draw nearer to Him, and as you do, He will draw nearer to you. 🫶🏻