Christians.Should we apply the old testament books to our lives , like the rules in Leviticus?

Question

If you answer this question I would apriciate refrance to the bible(verses ect.) where you are getting your info.

Answer 1

Matthew 5:17 says "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."

Does that mean we can live our lives anyway we want, no. However, Christ fulfilled the law when He died on the cross for us. As such, for those who are Christians, we still must follow the ten commandments, not to trying and obtain salvation, but as witness for God.

I do believe that Old Testament can be applied to modern life, such as the stories of Job, Daniel, and David. There was a reason way back when that God had them written. And there is a reason that they are still in existence today. Many of them proclaim phropesies that are revealed as well in the New Testament. Many of the OT books contain wisdom, that if applied, many would not be in the condition they are in.

So does that mean we are under the Law? Not as away for salvation. Instead we are under Grace in regards to salvation. However, we should not ignore the Old Testament just because it is not the New Testament.

Answer 2

I am a hanif-muslim.And I tell you what, that would make a lot of muslims very happy.But I don't know if you care about that or not.I have read the bible once, just to get a better understanding of the quran.And I have read the quran about 9 times.I personaly feal christians focus too much on the new testament and too little focus on the old testament.This is just one of my opinions, and I'll tell you it is a lot of other muslim quarels with christians.Besides not accepting the prophet muhamaad(pbuh).And by the way, I am american born and raised.I am 23 now and have been a hanif-muslim for about 4 years now.And I am from NY so you can tell a little bit of a mentality I can have.I am really down to earth.

Answer 3

Christians are no longer under the Mosaic law. Christ came and said he fulfilled the law. Even the Jews in Jesus day were given a new direction right? Following Christ. Some did....many did not. Still, there were reasons for releasing that nation (the Jews) as Gods chosen ones and reasons he now opened up that privilege to gentiles....remember????? They hated Christ. The religious leaders sought to kill him. And I might add, eventually had their way. So now God chose to pick "spiritual Jews" meaning ones who love God, who would follow Christ his son, and that were not literal Jews. He now brought these ones into a special covenant relationship with him. So,.......no. We are not under the law of Moses. We are under the law of the Christ. Please see scriptural ref. below.

Gal. 3:13, Eph. 2:15, Col. 2:13-16, Ro. 7:4, John 10:16, Gal. 6:2, and 6:16, and Matt. 3:13-17

Answer 4

Here are the only rules a Christian is supposed to abide by with a short explanation.

Matthew 22:36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

What did Jesus mean when He said "On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."?

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

All of the ceremonial laws and "special" rules were either pointing ahead to Jesus or to set the Jewish people apart from their heathen neighbors. That's why in the New Testament is says:

Colossians 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Answer 5

What you ask is a lot, becaus there is not enough room for all your aswers. In Genesis 4:15 prophsies about the coming of christ after the fall of man ( when man gave covenant to satan). In Genesis 17: 1-17 God made coventant with Abram, where is Name was changed to Abraham (Ham meaning the breath of God) and with this new coventant God is able to interact witn man. Jesus is alos form the blood line of Abraham. This blood line is also where the hebrews were formed; God's people.If you have a study bible, it will take you deeper. If you have anymore questions I will help you.

Answer 6

Those rules were established in a different era to address different problems.

Moses and the Jews had recently left Egypt to wander the desert looking for the promised land. Moses was faced with organizational problems among other hardships. Often we don't realize that Leviticus tells us he was supposedly leading hundreds of thousands of people. He had no police force and no judicial process.

He instituted a sort of martial law of codified rules of conduct. He extended his authority by empowering others to act as judges. The purpose was to enforce his rules which were intended to keep people in line while wandering the desert as nomads. To increase their chances of survival and hopefully propogate. He rightfully wanted to create a society of people who could thrive together and trust one another by creating a sort of 'free trade' among his people.

Their needs and values were different than yours should be today. I would look closely at each of the rules in Leviticus and try to understand why that particular rule was important to those people at that time. Then consider whether those rules are applicable today in your life. If so, perhaps the need Moses was addressing is accommodated by another societal rule (i.e. law) that we have in effect today.

As well, ask yourself if the Leviticus rule will make others around you happier, more productive, and safer from crime or other disasterous events? Afterall, that's what Moses was trying to provide for his people.

Answer 7

Basically, the OT laws which are grounded in natural law still apply. So, yes we need to follow those laws. Examples? The Ten Commandments. OT laws which are ritualistic we do not have to follow. Christ came to fulfill the law, not to make it obsolete. So, some of the ritual laws from the OT were replaced by rites in the NT. All of the sacrafices were replaced by Jesus' sacrafice. We still must participate in that sacrafice (i.e. the Eucharist).

Answer 8

The reason we still refer to OT books is because even OT books expound Christ. We need to know the OT in order to appreciate the NT.

The rules and laws in the OT are just and good except that they can't justify us. Because none of us are perfect enough to keep it. And when we don't keep it, we condemn ourselves such that it's brings bondage and the 'ministry of death' the bible calls it in Gal 3.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus has died to give us His righteousness in exchange for all our sins, so that we are always in perfect standing before the Father regardless of what we do or don't do.

Do keep reading the OT books, but know what has happened and what has changed.

Shalom.

Answer 9

The law is love.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind...thou shalt love thy neighbor as you love yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (i.e. Old Testament). Matt. 22:37-40

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

Jesus fulfilled the law.

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 that not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law until it all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17-18

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

We are justified or (made right with God through faith in Christ as though we have fulfilled the whole law) who is the fulfillment of the law.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16

Answer 10

Yes, and that includes the law of clean and unclean animals on leviticus 11.... Come to think of it, it is only society that does away with most of the law in the Bible. If we do away with the law there would be no sin (for sin is the trangression of the law.)

The only ordinance (not a law) that the bible has done away with is the ordinance on sacrifices and priesthood (for the blood Jesus has become the ultimate sacrifice and He himself stands as the only high priest to mediate in our behalf.) I recommend you read your bible (particularly the book of HEBREWS on this matter.) God bless