Luke Carbis It’s more complicated than 42.

Old Testament Law vs New Testament Law

I wasn’t going to write about this again for some time, but I’ve had a lot of questions, and today I have found a lot of answers.

The question was this: Should we follow the law of the old testament? Or did Jesus break it when he died for our sins on the cross?

Again, this is a long post, so click the More… link to keep reading.

So the answer to the question is a little more in depth than just ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but I really think I have the answer, and it’s not what I expected.

I’m going to talk about two important verses here. The first is 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.

And Hebrews 7:11-19.

 11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”^[a]

 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Read them both through carefully, and I’ll summarise what I get from this.

It was Jesus role to abolish the Levitical priesthood by he himself, being from the order of Melchizedek, becoming the High Priest. He would become the High Priest by conquering death, and this would fulfill the Law. Also, when there is a change in priesthood, there must also be a change in law.

Fairly heavy stuff, but fun none the less. But wait, there are still one major major question unanswered, it’s to do with Matthew 5:19. Let’s take a look from verse 17.

 

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. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks 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 practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

This is what confused me. Doesn’t this say that we still need to keep the Law?

Let’s look at it one verse at a time, this time I’ll add a few of the Greek words in there.

17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law (nomos) or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

The word “nomos” is used throughout the entire bible, and references Mosaic Law, or Old Testament law. Here are a few places where “nomos” is used for Law:

• John 1:17
• John 15:25
• John 8:5

And remember we read before that Jesus fulfills the Law by becoming the new High Priest through death, bringing in a new Law.

18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law (nomos) until everything is accomplished.

Jesus is telling us that he has actually conquered death, the “nomos” law is still valid. This is why he lead his life abiding perfectly to “nomos” Law – he was a Jew, and he never sinned.

This is where it gets interesting.

19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments (entole) and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands (entole) will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

“Entole” is a word for Law, or Commandments that is used in a very different way to “nomos“. It’s only used in regards to Jesus’ commandments, or new commandments (with one single exception in Luke 23:56). A few examples:

•  John 15:10
• Matthew 19:17-19
• Luke 23:56

So Jesus is saying that we need to follow his commandments – he’s not actually referring to the commandments of the old testament.

 

So there you have it. Jesus, the new High Priest, asks us to follow his new laws. Interestingly enough, this means the 10 commandments is abolished. So do we still have to follow the 10 commandments? Well, Jesus commands (entole) us to follow all but one – which is keeping the Sabbath.