quote:
Originally posted by Skeptik:
quote:
I think uphold is incorrect, Skeptic. He came to fulfill the law and I'm just going by what scripture actually says.
Joy,
I fail to discern the statement that releases you from having to stone me.
Little help?
Okay, let me see if I can say this without writing a book...haha...and anyone is welcome to disagree with me.
First, the Mosaic Covenant was given to the the nation of Israel and you are not an Israelite.
Laws had different purposes...some were to instruct on how to please God (10 commandments for example), some were to show them how to atone for sin (sacrificial system) & some were to set them apart from other nations (food & clothing rules). I guess punishments for disobedience of Law would fall under the latter.
When Christ came, he offered a new covenant not only to the Jews, but to all people (that's us) & his sacrifice made Mosaic Covenant rules and regulations no longer necessary. This is because Jesus FULFILLED the righteous requirements demanded by the Law with the sacrifice of Himself. As stated in Romans 10:4 "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."
Also, in Galatians 3:23-25 "Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law."
Again in Ephesian 2:15 "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."
Now does this make the entire Old Testament completely irrelevant to Christians today? No, but it does take care of the righteous requirements of the Law. Christ said "love God" and "love others", on those two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets. Many parts of the OT fall into the categories of loving God and loving others, we can also see examples of faith, etc. However, again, "By calling this covenant 'new', he has made the first one obsolete" (Heb. 8:13).
Well, I tried, but that IS the condensed version. <hee, hee>