In this article I explain why the old testatment law, the Old Covenant, which was defined by the 10 Commandments, was replaced by a new law, the New Covenant. In doing so I tell why Jesus had to die on the cross.
Concerning the Law:
What is the Old Covenant?
And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. 29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
Ex 34:28-30 (KJV)
Question For You: Did you know that the 10 commandments were the Old Covenant?
Deut 10:3-4 (KJV)
The 10 commandments are the covenant God made with his people. The penalty was death for those who disobeyed.
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:28 (KJV)
Question for you: Did you know that the way God punished people for breaking the law was inherent in the OT and was completely revoked in the NT?
There was no forgiveness if you broke the law.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Heb 10:1-4 (KJV)
Question: Is there some question as to whether or not our sins are forgiven? A fundamental difference between the OT law and the NT?
God gives us a different attitude toward sin and penalty now. He expects us to walk after the Spirit. The old law was weak. Rigteousness is not fulfilled by obeying the old law.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-4 (KJV)
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Gal 5:4 (KJV)
Question for you: Are you still trying to keep that old law? Are you not justified by faith alone? Grace, not the works of the law. The Law is the 10 commandments and the judgments.
He came to fulfill the law. When he fulfilled the law the law passed away.
Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matt 5:18 (KJV)
Question for you: Did you know that Jesus fulfilled the law by dying, by entering into Heaven? By tearing down the veil between us and the inner tabernacle? By establishing the NT by shedding his blood which ratified it?
Christ died to eliminate all penalties that were committed under Old Testament Law. He is now the mediator of the New Testament, not fpf the old. He died to spill the blood of the New Testament, not of the Old. The New Testament was ratified by his blood.
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Heb 9:15-28 (KJV)
Question for you: Did the apostles teach us to keep the Law of Moses at all or did they condemn those who tried to teach it?
The Apostles directly dealt with the issue as to whether or not to teach the OT Law as a requirement.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Acts 15:22-29 (KJV)
The answer is that anyone who teaches anything having to do with the OT Law (the Law of Moses) is not "of them". They are forbidden as troublemakers. Notice the law of clean and unclean meats, the 10 commandments, the holy days and tithing are no exception. The Sabbath is not mentioned as an exception. You who teach the 10 commandments must be obeyed are missing the point. That law was replace by a new law. Jesus is now our high priest, not a Levite. His blood, not the blood of bulls and calves, is the blood of the covenant that has been ratified and is now in force.
Question for you: Is Jesus the mediator and high priest of the New Testament or of the old?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Heb 9:15-24 (KJV)
Question for you: Did you know that the OT was only a pattern that Jesus was going to fulfill when he came?
The old law was only a shadow of things to come which Jesus fulfilled it in its totality.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Question for you: Did he take away the first covenant by his death?
He took away the first covenant that he may establish the second.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Heb 10:1-10 (KJV)
Question for you: Did his sacrifice nullify the need to fulfill the mandatory sacrifices and punishments of the Laws of Moses and allow a clear conscience?
Instead of having sacrifices to remind them of sin, he took the sin away and allowed a clean conscience.
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
The "Holy of Holies" was a part of the Jewish tabernacles, the inner court. It was a special room that only the High Priest was to enter, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement. It had the Ark of the Covenant there which contained the 10 commandments. For anyone to enter this holiest of places would be to incur the death sentence. It represented the place where God dwelss, heaven itself. But now we can enter Heaven, itself through the sacrifice of Jesus.
Question: Are people still forbidden to enter into the Holy of Holies upon penalty of death? Can we even enter into heaven, itself?
We are allowed to enter into the Hoiest of holies which is Heaven.
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Heb 9:1-4 (KJV)
The Holy of Holies represented heaven.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Heb 9:24 (KJV)
On the cross the veil that separated the people from the Holy of Holies was torn, top to bottom. The veil represenented his flesh. When Jesus' flesh was torn in death, it allowed us to enter into heaven.
And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
Mark 15:37-38 (KJV)
This allows you and me to enter into Heaven
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Heb 10:16-21 (KJV)
Again, Jesus split the temple’s veil when he died, thus allowing Christians to enter into the Holy of Holies, “heaven, itself.” Jesus entered to obtain eternal redemption for us.
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:8-12 (KJV)
Question: Why is the New Testament established today?
The reason he established the second covenant is because the first was faulty. It did not allow forgiveness.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Heb 8:7 (KJV)
He forgives us now. The New Testament is what made the first one old.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Heb 8:12-13 (KJV)
Question for you: Did you know when there is a change of the priesthood that there is also a change of the law (the 10 Commanments) because it was weak and unprofitable?
Jesus is of the order of Melchizedek. A new priesthood requires a change of the law. The first law was disannulled because it was profitless.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 1
Heb 7:11-19 (KJV)
Question for you: Did you know that faith, not obedience to the law of the OT, is counted as righteousness? Faith that Jesus saves us from our sin and forgives it?
There is now a new righteousness that is without the need of that old law.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe
Romans 3:21-22 (KJV)
Righteousness is no longer counted by how well the law is obeyed. It is now by faith.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 1:17 (KJV)
God does not imput sin to the faithful: those who have faith know that when they exhibit the works of faith, love, the attributes of the Holy Spirit, God will forgive them if they sin. He will not even impute sin to them.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Romans 4:4-8 (KJV)
Question for you: How is righteousness defined if it is not to obey a law?
Righteousness us now by faith.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Heb 11:7 (KJV)
Before the Law Abraham’s righteousness was counted to him by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Heb 11:7-8 (KJV)
There is no transgression of the OT Law. Righteousness is now by faith alone, not by the 10 commandments. Faith, of course, means you keep God’s higher law of love.
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Romans 4:15-16 (KJV)
We partake of the righteousness that Abraham also had.
It was therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness, and now to us.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification
Romans 4:22-25 (KJV)
We are now able to enter into the Holy of Holies (see chapter 9 to see this was the inner tabernacles that had the Ark of the Covenant). This was forbidden under the OT. Jesus’ body consecrated for us a way through the veil. When he died the curtain was split from top to bottom. We can now enter into heaven, itself.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:19-21 (KJV)
Question for you: Did you not know that the OT was for a limited time and that a time of reformation was coming to pass? Jesus went into Heaven, itself, not into the physical tabernacle!
The OT was there until the time of reformation. The High priest went into the tabernacle made with hands. Now Jesus went into the real Tabernacle, HEAVEN ITSELF! Now the way into that “tabernacle” is made evident to us.
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:6-12 (KJV)
Question for you: Did you not know the real meaning and intent of the weekly Sabbath?
The OT Sabbath is replaced by ceasing from our own evil works. It is fulfilled with faith. Read the previous chapter how the Israelites’ entrance into the “Sabbath” (the promised land) was halted through lack of faith. This was the same message given to us.
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Heb 4:1-11 (KJV)
Question for you: Did you not know Jesus told the Samaritan not to worship at Jerusalem as the Jews did to obey the Law of Moses?
The Holy Days were not to be kept by the followers of Jesus
The woman at the well asked Jesus where she should worship[, at Jerusalem or at the mount in Samaria. He could have said “Jerusalem.” Instead he said:
Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:21-24 (KJV)
Jesus would not allow observence of these annual Sabbath days as a command. The time is now to worship him in spirit and in truth, not by going to Jerusalem or any other feast site. Notice. He said NEITHER, not EITHER. There is an “N” there. It means “Not Either.”
Jesus fulfilled the Day of Atonement by dying on the cross. See Heb 10 again. Once that part of the Law was Fulfilled it was done away. For every jot and tittle was done away when the law was fulfilled. Every bit of the Law of Moses, including Tithing, the Holy Days, the Sabbath command, the physical death penalty for breaking the commandments (but not the spiritual death that comes from breaking them.) The laws of unclean animals had nothing to do with what people could eat. At first there was only the plant food. Therefore in Noah’s time the gathering of clean and unclean animals was not referring to which could or could not be eaten.
Question: Why do some Christians abstain from eating certain foods that the Jews call "unclean meats"? Ie. pork, fish without scales, cloven footed animals?
God originally gave all vegitables and fruit to be eaten by Adam and Eve, not meat.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat:
Gen 1:29-30 (KJV)
Only after the flood was meat allowed and then there was no mention of clean and unclean animals here.
1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. 2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. 3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Gen 9:1-3 (KJV)
Conclusion: Meat and Unclean Meats were part of the Law of Moses for dietary purposes. They are not in force because the Law of Moses is no longer valid for Christians
In this article I explained why the Old Testament had to be eliminated and why the New Testament had to take its place. I explained why Jesus' death was the turning point and why it had to happen. But there is more to the story which I will cover in a separate article. The question is, "Why death?" Couldn't God have simply designated that on a certain day the OT would be abolished and the NT would be established? Why was death necessary? Why the torture? Why the beating, the cross, the blood, the pain? There is a reason.
