Does the Old Testament Still Apply?
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin M Overfield
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000
Does the Old Testament Still Apply?
When trying to answer someone's questions or objections about God or
morality, sometimes the one we are answering will say something like, "But
that's in the Old Testament. I don't think that applies to us today."
Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 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." (Matthew 5:17, 18)
The law and the prophets were the two main divisions into which the Jews
divided the Old Testament Scriptures. The word Jesus used for "fulfill" is
a Greek word meaning "to fulfill, to complete, carry out to the full"(Vine's
Dict. of NT Words).
Part of the way in which Christ fulfilled the law was by becoming our
sin sacrifice. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (II Corinthians
5:21). By doing this he fulfilled the ceremonial sacrifices, "which can
never take away sins" (Hebrews 10:11).
Also, the ceremonial trappings pointed to, or represented, Christ. Once
He fulfilled the will of the Father for His life on earth, all the types and
shadows were fulfilled in Him. Much of this is explained in the book of
Hebrews.
Furthermore, there were certain portions of the law that were only
intended for the children of Israel. For instance, there was the list of
"unclean" animals of which the Israelites were not to eat. These things
were never required of the Gentiles (though they might have benefited from
them), unless a Gentile decided to become a Jewish proselyte. This being
the case, whatever was not to be applied to Gentiles in the Old Testament
would still yet not apply to Gentiles today, unless it is specifically
enjoined in the New Testament.
All of the moral law, including the Ten Commandments, is still in effect
today. If anything, Jesus made the law appear to be more demanding by
showing how the law is broken in the heart without people actually
performing outwardly the forbidden actions (see Matthew 5:21, 22, 27, 28).
Again, there are eternal truths communicated in the Old Testament that
can never change. These truths are not made false just because God gave a
more full revelation in the New Testament. Both Christ and the apostles
used the Old Testament Scriptures to communicate the gospel and to teach
righteousness to His followers.
Now, since Christ has paid the price to "redeem us from all iniquity"
(Titus 2:14), He will enable us to fulfill the righteousness of God. (See
Bible Note, "Righteousness Required"). When this becomes reality in our
hearts and lives, we can keep the moral law of God given in the Old
Testament, and we can do it with joy.
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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