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Home ARGUMENT LIST Practical Theology – Applied Doctrine Did Jesus say that the law still remains even after His resurrection?

Did Jesus say that the law still remains even after His resurrection?

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< OK Yes. The law is still here. (Biblical)

Mat 5:17: Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teachings come true.
Mat 5:18: Remember that as long as heaven and earth last, not the least point nor the smallest detail of the Law will be done away with---not until the end of all things.
Mat 5:19:  So then, whoever disobeys even the least important of the commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be least in the Kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys the Law and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the Kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20: I tell you, then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in doing what God requires.

>> What laws are specifically the "Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets"?

That's important.

< Go here for details. 

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STRONG No. Jesus fulfilled the law. Therefore, it passed away!

Some say this passage proves the old law is still binding since Jesus did not come to destroy it, but it would stand till heaven and earth pas away. If so, then the whole law still stands since not one jot or tittle would pass away. This includes the law and prophets (v17), even the least commandments (v19) (animal sacrifices, circumcision, etc.). Yet we have earlier proved that many things were removed. Hence this passage cannot prove the law is still in effect.

The parallel in Luke 16:17 shows that "till heaven and earth pass away" means "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away." So it would be easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the law to pass away "till all be fulfilled" (v18). But Jesus came to fulfill it! So the law passed away when Jesus fulfilled it. (Cf. Matt. 24:34).

A contract can be rendered void in one of two ways: illegally by destroying it (as by tearing it up), or legally by fulfilling it. For example, if you hire me to build a house for a price, it would be illegal for you or me to destroy the contract. But if we fulfilled the contract (I build the house and you pay me), it would no longer be binding.

Likewise, Jesus did not come to destroy the law (remove it contrary to its provisions). But He did come to fulfill it and replace it, completely in harmony with the provisions of the law itself. He did fulfill the law (Luke 24:44-47; Acts 13:29). Therefore, it passed away!

[Here are some changes that occurred: 1) There was a change in the priesthood. The author of Hebrews proves that Jesus is now our High Priest (Hebrews 5:1-10). However, Jesus was not a descendent of Aaron -- he was not even of the tribe of Levi! Rather, we find that the order of Aaron was not meant to be permanent (Hebrews 7:11). Hence, a change in the order implies there was a change in the Law (Hebrews 7:12-17). Suppose for a moment that the Law of Moses was still in effect. We would be forced to say that Jesus violated the law when he became our High Priest. However, no violation of the law has occurred because there is a new law in effect.

2) There was a change in the covenant. There was a problem with the Old Testament; the people did not keep it. There was nothing wrong the Old Law itself, but it did create a dilemma. The law defined what sin was, but it brought no relief from sin. It could only offer a future hope of salvation (Romans 7:7-13). The law bound sin to men, but Christ freed us from sin (Galatians 4:21-31; 5:1-4).

3) There was a change in sacrifices (Hebrews 9:16-28; 10:1-8). The Old Law had yearly sacrifices which could not free us from sin. The New Law had a single sacrifice that did free us from sin.  (http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/WhyWeDontFollowtheOldTestament.htm ) (from another argument)]

All Old Testament laws passed away for the same reason animal sacrifices, circumcision, etc., passed away. God gave them to accomplish a purpose for the nation of Israel. They accomplished that purpose, so God removed them.

- Gospelway http://gospelway.com/bible/old_law_today_1.php

STRONG Then why did Jesus say immediately afterward, to follow them otherwise you're the least? 

Matt 5:19  Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

STRONG Let's examine the context of this verse.

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." (Matt 5:17-18)

This makes it evident that the old law would pass away when all is fulfilled- which would happen by Jesus' hand, as he tell us. David Guzik adds, "Jesus wants to make it clear that He has authority apart from the Law of Moses, but not in contradiction to it. Jesus added nothing to the law except one thing that no man had ever added to the law: perfect obedience."

"Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:19-20)

If we break one command, we are guilty of breaking them all (James 2:10). Therefore, the law does not provide us with a means to attain righteousness. We are saved by grace, not by anything that we could do ourselves. "For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain" (Gal 2:21).

The Pharisees were very legalistic, obeying the law as much as they could, yet their hearts weren't in the right place. Their legalism made them so hard-hearted that they would even question whether it was right to save a man on a day of rest! We can exceed their righteousness because our righteousness is from Christ, not from the law (Phil 3:6-9).

Jesus was showing us how we could never perfectly obey the law, and that we would need a greater righteousness than that of the Pharisees. Further, the law as they knew it would be changed through Jesus' death on the cross. Thus, Jesus was not commanding strict obedience to the law, but, as the law intended, was leading us to him.

As David Guzik states, "the law stands as the perfect expression of God’s ethical character and requirements...The law sends us to Jesus to be justified, because it shows us our inability to please God in ourselves. But after we come to Jesus, He sends us back to the law to learn the heart of God for our conduct and sanctification."

(from another argument)

-JM


 

Last Updated on Sunday, 08 May 2011 03:52  

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