To what extent does the OT apply to Christians?
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The same God gave these principles and guides to His chosen people for different reasons.
the same Gospel that saves Adam and Abraham saves us today. It is the Blood of Jesus that was promised to the OT people that we believe in today.
To know what applies to us today we need to understand why God gave it to His people. The laws that are shadows and were fulfilled in the life of Jesus are not needed today because we have Jesus. Sacrifices and sanctuary practices are not needed today because they fulfilled there purpose. The health laws are unchanging, what was unhealthy for the human body 4000 years ago is still unhealthy today. God wants us to be healthy and gave us some laws that would protect us from disease. The people that follow the biblical health principles are healthier.
The circumcision of the flesh needs to be of the heart, Spiritual
Many laws are no longer relevant because we are not a nation and because they applied to the nation of Israel. But the 10 commandments are laws we can obey today and if there is no reason why it shouldn't be kept don't just think it doesn't need to be because it is old testament.
the same Gospel that saves Adam and Abraham saves us today. It is the Blood of Jesus that was promised to the OT people that we believe in today.
To know what applies to us today we need to understand why God gave it to His people. The laws that are shadows and were fulfilled in the life of Jesus are not needed today because we have Jesus. Sacrifices and sanctuary practices are not needed today because they fulfilled there purpose. The health laws are unchanging, what was unhealthy for the human body 4000 years ago is still unhealthy today. God wants us to be healthy and gave us some laws that would protect us from disease. The people that follow the biblical health principles are healthier.
The circumcision of the flesh needs to be of the heart, Spiritual
Many laws are no longer relevant because we are not a nation and because they applied to the nation of Israel. But the 10 commandments are laws we can obey today and if there is no reason why it shouldn't be kept don't just think it doesn't need to be because it is old testament.
Romans 2:28 | For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Romans 2:29
“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
Romans 2:29
“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
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This is a question of faith.
The more faith that you have in the Lord Jesus, the less the OT applies to you.
The more the OT applies to you, the less faith you have in the Lord Jesus.
Ephesians 2:13-18
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
To what extent have the laws of commandments been abolished in the flesh of Christ by His Sacrifice?
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
To what extent have you been given Rest, by Christ?
To the extent that you have faith in Christ.
The more faith that you have in the Lord Jesus, the less the OT applies to you.
The more the OT applies to you, the less faith you have in the Lord Jesus.
Ephesians 2:13-18
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
To what extent have the laws of commandments been abolished in the flesh of Christ by His Sacrifice?
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
To what extent have you been given Rest, by Christ?
To the extent that you have faith in Christ.
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Excellent study, Precious friend, Grandpa. Thanks so much.
If I may add, to "the question of faith," some Confirmation:
2 Corinthians 5:7 ( For we walk by faith, not by sight: )
Colossians 2:14-17
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which
was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of
them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of
an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days {cp Romans 14}:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of CHRIST.
Why would one want to "walk {partial faith?} in
the darkness of the shadow, by sight," When:
Better is FULL faith, And Totally resting In The
LIGHT, In The Reality, Which Is CHRIST!
+
"faith, which worketh by {and 'fulfills ALL the law' in} ONE Word: LOVE!"
(Galatians 5:6, 14; Romans 13:8-10 KJB!) Amen?
All Precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Blessed!
If I may add, to "the question of faith," some Confirmation:
2 Corinthians 5:7 ( For we walk by faith, not by sight: )
Colossians 2:14-17
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which
was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of
them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of
an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days {cp Romans 14}:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of CHRIST.
Why would one want to "walk {partial faith?} in
the darkness of the shadow, by sight," When:
Better is FULL faith, And Totally resting In The
LIGHT, In The Reality, Which Is CHRIST!
+
"faith, which worketh by {and 'fulfills ALL the law' in} ONE Word: LOVE!"
(Galatians 5:6, 14; Romans 13:8-10 KJB!) Amen?
All Precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Blessed!
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the MORE the OT applies to you the more Christ applies to you.
The OT teaches there is no forgiveness of sin without blood shed on the altar, and we know that blood is the blood of Christ. The OT teaches that it is only God's grace and mercy that gives us forgiveness. The OT teaches us about how we are the temple of the Lord, with the ark of the covenant within us. The OT is all about Christ, and explains Christ for us.
The OT teaches there is no forgiveness of sin without blood shed on the altar, and we know that blood is the blood of Christ. The OT teaches that it is only God's grace and mercy that gives us forgiveness. The OT teaches us about how we are the temple of the Lord, with the ark of the covenant within us. The OT is all about Christ, and explains Christ for us.
oh wow, yes I am not surprised you are having mixed messages with that topic.
There was a similar issue going on back when the church went from being only jews, to including non jews as well.
I think if you read through acts 15 very carefully, you will see what they decided on.
Also Galations 2 and Romans 7 are very helpful.
The rest of what I am going to say is not half as important as you reading those for yourself, prayerfully.
But, there are 3 things I would say you need to remember
1. Jesus NEVER broke the law or taught anyone else to break it.
He had to obey it fully to be able to be a sinless saviour on our behalf.
God gave the law to the Jews so Jesus would not have instructed them to not follow it.
Jesus was a Jew, and he taught Jews according to the law, He challenged teachings of man added on to the law, and
he clarifying some of the contentious jewish teaching issues of the day.)
2. There has aways been a moral law before Moses gave the Hebrews the 10 commandments (and the huge breakdown of them following in the rest of the "books of the law" (first 5 books in our bible)).
This moral law is for everyone. This is made clear in Acts 15, where all of the original church elders and the apostles agreed on the basic morals or principles that should be passed on to non jewish Christian believers.
After that momentous meeting, it is Paul ( the apostle to the gentiles - a fact that is agreed on by James and other apostles, who were called apostles to the jews) who taught the non jewish members of church how to conduct themselves, and encouraged jews and non jews alike to remember that we are all one in Christ if we are saved by faith, and not to judge one another on if we adhere to set rules, diets, days and so on, or not.
Bear in mind that even after Jesus rose from the dead, Peter was still only eating kosher meat,
none of the apostles had taken the gospel to any non jew, though they had travelled around as commanded by Jesus, sharing the gospel with jews that were dispersed all over.
We see evidences that they all followed the law, diet, and the ceremonial events and set jewish days and so on.
We do not find any indication of them or of Paul passing these instructions on to non jewish believers.
There is no harm in following, or in not following the law, if you are a born again spirit led believer, because the fruit of the spirit is love. And the love of God in our hearts will motivate us to fulfil the governing principles of the law anyway.
Love God first and Love everyone else more than yourself.
Sexual immorality is still forbidden for any believer, jew or non jew, as is idolatry and eating meat. These are made clear in acts 15 and sexual immorality would have included homosexuality, adultery and sex outside of marriage, (as defined in several places in scripture, BOTH New Testament and old.)
Eating foods forbidden in law does not apply to non jewish believers. The rule was one that was introduced through Moses to the Hebrews, and not to anyone else.
I hope some of this helps.
There was a similar issue going on back when the church went from being only jews, to including non jews as well.
I think if you read through acts 15 very carefully, you will see what they decided on.
Also Galations 2 and Romans 7 are very helpful.
The rest of what I am going to say is not half as important as you reading those for yourself, prayerfully.
But, there are 3 things I would say you need to remember
1. Jesus NEVER broke the law or taught anyone else to break it.
He had to obey it fully to be able to be a sinless saviour on our behalf.
God gave the law to the Jews so Jesus would not have instructed them to not follow it.
Jesus was a Jew, and he taught Jews according to the law, He challenged teachings of man added on to the law, and
he clarifying some of the contentious jewish teaching issues of the day.)
2. There has aways been a moral law before Moses gave the Hebrews the 10 commandments (and the huge breakdown of them following in the rest of the "books of the law" (first 5 books in our bible)).
This moral law is for everyone. This is made clear in Acts 15, where all of the original church elders and the apostles agreed on the basic morals or principles that should be passed on to non jewish Christian believers.
After that momentous meeting, it is Paul ( the apostle to the gentiles - a fact that is agreed on by James and other apostles, who were called apostles to the jews) who taught the non jewish members of church how to conduct themselves, and encouraged jews and non jews alike to remember that we are all one in Christ if we are saved by faith, and not to judge one another on if we adhere to set rules, diets, days and so on, or not.
Bear in mind that even after Jesus rose from the dead, Peter was still only eating kosher meat,
none of the apostles had taken the gospel to any non jew, though they had travelled around as commanded by Jesus, sharing the gospel with jews that were dispersed all over.
We see evidences that they all followed the law, diet, and the ceremonial events and set jewish days and so on.
We do not find any indication of them or of Paul passing these instructions on to non jewish believers.
There is no harm in following, or in not following the law, if you are a born again spirit led believer, because the fruit of the spirit is love. And the love of God in our hearts will motivate us to fulfil the governing principles of the law anyway.
Love God first and Love everyone else more than yourself.
Sexual immorality is still forbidden for any believer, jew or non jew, as is idolatry and eating meat. These are made clear in acts 15 and sexual immorality would have included homosexuality, adultery and sex outside of marriage, (as defined in several places in scripture, BOTH New Testament and old.)
Eating foods forbidden in law does not apply to non jewish believers. The rule was one that was introduced through Moses to the Hebrews, and not to anyone else.
I hope some of this helps.
That would be really S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G it. The Ark of the Covenant (or Testament) is now safely in Heaven. Definitely not in Ethiopia or within anyone.
God intended for the Law of Moses to be in effect only until the death of Christ. He fulfilled every aspect of the OT sacrifices. And He also established the Law of Christ. Therefore Christians are duty bound to study the epistle to the Hebrews.
God intended for the Law of Moses to be in effect only until the death of Christ. He fulfilled every aspect of the OT sacrifices. And He also established the Law of Christ. Therefore Christians are duty bound to study the epistle to the Hebrews.
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If you read scripture, you will see that Israel has a very specific meaning in the NT which can differ in context from the OT. It's not about genetic lineage.
If you take a moment to notice that the Mosaic 10 appear in the NT, you will understand that one does not need the OT to observe the Mosaic 10 (as they appear in the NT).
If you take a moment to notice that the Mosaic 10 appear in the NT, you will understand that one does not need the OT to observe the Mosaic 10 (as they appear in the NT).