I just heard a new argument for rejecting unpopular New Testament laws. It goes something like this:
Let’s address that claim:
1. Jesus didn’t break Old Testament commands. He fulfilled them as part of the New Covenant.
Matthew 5:17: “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.”
2. If we fulfill a contract or requirement, we don't break it. Quite the opposite. We meet the requirements. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament laws and presented the New Covenant.
Galatians 3:13: “Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’”
Colossians 2:16-17: “So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.”
3. Jesus was qualified to declare laws fulfilled. We aren’t. See Romans 11:33-36.
4. Christians honor New Testament laws.
Paul explained he sometimes observed Old Testament laws to witness to Jews. But he clearly affirmed that he was under “Christ’s law” not Old Testament laws (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
So let's not be taken in by modern excuses to change God's loving commands.
✞✞✞
See Did Paul Write Part of the Bible? Yes and No. And check out Thomas Jefferson Did It and Many Modern Christians Do It Too! highlighting a famous American leader who cut out portions of Scripture he didn't like.
You also should be aware of the Hebrew Roots Movement, a group which denies New Testament passages to support the view that Christians must obey Old Testament dietary and ceremonial laws. To read more about this false teaching that has an enormous following, see All or Nothing: Hebrew Roots Movement.
No comments:
Post a Comment