The Old Testament Today

Does the Old Testament still apply today?

Which commandments are "abolished", and what did Jesus really fulfill?

1. "Law abolished"?, No. But fulfilled.

Jesus did not abolish the law, that would be against his own word: "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

."
, Matthew 5:17

The Greek word for "fulfill" is plēroō, that is:

to make full, to complete, to bring to its goal. Jesus did not remove the law, but filled it completely, in deed, in meaning, in the heart.

2. Three kinds of commandments in the Old Covenant

To understand this correctly, one must distinguish: type of law, example, validity in the New Covenant. Ceremonial law, sacrifices, festivals, priestly clothing, ✝️ fulfilled by Christ. Civil law, punitive measures, property rules in ancient Israel, not binding for non-Israel. Moral law (eternal), you shall not kill, not steal ..., ✔️ confirmed by Christ.

➡️ Jesus has fulfilled all the shadows, that is: sacrifices, priesthood, festivals, laws of purity are in him fulfilled and have reached their goal.

3. Why does the ceremonial law no longer apply?

Because it was only a shadow: "These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance

belongs to Christ."
, Colossians 2:17

The temple? ➝ Jesus is the true temple. The sacrificial lamb? ➝ Jesus is the Lamb of God. The high priest? ➝ Jesus is the high priest. The festivals? ➝ They all point to him. Therefore Hebrews says:

"He entered once for all into the holy places ..." (Hebrews 9:12)

"... and accomplished an eternal redemption."

4. What about food laws and purity regulations?

These served primarily to distinguish

Israel from the Gentiles (Leviticus 11)

and as pedagogical protection, to preserve what is holy.

In the New Covenant Paul says:

"Everything created by God is good, if it is received with THANKSGIVING." 1 Timothy 4:4-5

It is no longer: "unclean, clean," but: "What serves the body? What serves the spirit?"

5. The moral law, always valid

The Ten Commandments (apart from the Sabbath as covenant sign) are moral and show God's heart.

Jesus confirms all of them, but on a deeper level.

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not murder.' But I say to you, whoever is angry in his heart..."
, Matthew 5:21-22

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, whoever looks at a woman with lustful intent..."
, Matthew 5:27-28

Jesus does not make the law easier, but

deeper. He shows:

You cannot fulfill it, you need ME.

6. Whoever is not righteous through Jesus still stands under the law

The law is not dead. It still applies, for all who are not in Christ: "The law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient ..." 1 Timothy 1:9

Whoever lives without Jesus still stands under the curse of the law: "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things

written in the Book of the Law."
, Galatians 3:10

Only in Christ does it apply:

"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law ..."
, Galatians 3:13

7. The new law: the law of the Spirit

Whoever belongs to Jesus does not live lawlessly, but in the power of the Spirit.

"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin."
, Romans 8:2

"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word:

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
, Galatians 5:14

The Holy Spirit writes God's will into your heart, not on tablets of stone, but in flesh.

8. Conclusion:

• The law was

not abolished.

• But no one is made righteous by keeping the law.
• Jesus has

fulfilled it and invited us

to live in him. Whoever lives with Jesus does

not live without a standard, but in the power of the Spirit, who fulfills the law in the heart. Main question:

Should I now keep the commandments, or not?

If you try to be good through law:

You will fail.

If you live from grace:

You will love, and thereby fulfill the law. Jesus is not the end of order, he is the fulfillment of it.