The New Testament is the new covenant with God, correct?

Question

So, if so...why do we still follow the Old Testament? I get somewhat confused with this. One of the things in my mind is tattoos. Why would we feel they are sinful? Where did Jesus say they are wrong? Yes, of course to HURT ourselves in the sense of cutting our bodies for pain , is wrong. But Tattoos of pretty things? Yes, I believe there are nasty looking tattoos but I know many Christians who have gentle tattoos. I don't think they are wrong. Tell me how you feel please. Many questions on here, not just one. God Bless:)

Answer 1

The Old Testament Law was fulfilled in Christ. He said he did not come to abolish it, but to fulfill it. The decision of the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 was that Christians didn't have to keep the law, but there were some things that they were asked not to do. As a Christian, you don't have to keep the Mosaic law (which included things from tatoos to a prohibition of wearing clothing made of 2 kinds of material or eating shellfish), but there are some New Testament principles that need to be considered. Read 1 Corinthians 8 & 9. This could be helpful. Remember that Paul limited his freedoms in Christ so that he could be able to reach more people. Sometimes things like tatoos, body piercings, etc might limit who you can minister to.

Answer 2

The New Testament is God's new covenant with people. While the spirit of your first question is accurate, the details are wrong. And--y'know--the devil is in the details.

God's law from the Old Testament--that is, the Ten Commandments--is still applicable.

I don't recall Jesus saying anything about tattoos.

That said, here is my personal opinion--which might mean something and which might not. God is more concerned with what is in our heart than with some ink in our skin. That is, I can't really see God denying someone who loves him and seeks his will on account of a tattoo. God is not petty-minded.

The Bible does say that your body is your temple to God, and that you should treat it as you would a temple to God. Do with that information as you see fit.

I just personally have a hard time imagining that the creator of all things good who loves us would get all consumed with a tattoo.

Sorry if this hasn't been helpful. I tried.

Answer 3

I think if a Christian has a tattoo or gets a tattoo...that is up to them. There are many things in the Old Testament echoed in the new. I don't see tattoos as being any big deal. Really I don't. Now if it's a skull and crossbones....that's different! Hey, I've seen those biker guys all tattooed up who love Jesus Christ. Do you think He loves them any less? No way. God looks at our hearts. Personally I don't care for them....but this is a personal issue between a believer and God, as far as I'm concerned.

Answer 4

Don't be following the Old Testament. That's just for the Jewish people now. Sometimes preachers use the stories for examples and things like that, don't let it confuse you. I see nothing wrong with tatoos. But,

If you believe in your heart that something is a sin, but you go ahead and do it, then for you, it is a sin. But, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death.Romans 8:1 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.........Ro 8:33 DON'T forget, if you feel in you heart that its a sin and you do it anyway...it is a sin to you. Study your Bible, honey. Let it be like food that you can't live without. Start off getting a red-lined New Testament and just read the red lines! Those are Jesus' word. Read them until you almost know them by heart, then move on. God bless you.

Answer 5

The Old Testament is in no way "out of the picture".

In the New Testament we see that the Law (of the Old Testament) is perfect and a school tutor to show us that we need a savior.

Personally about tattoos, I don't think you lose your salvation if you have one or get one. I know lots of Christians with tattoos. Maybe the bottom line would be, whatever we do with our minds and bodies should glorify God.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been brought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Answer 6

Not a new covenant, but updated, and completed. - Jesus did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfil the Law. God's plan for Jesus and salvation was in place, even before Adam + Eve were created. -(source - new Testament)
As far as Tattoos - Yes, Leviticus is close to the topic in chapter 18, though I don't think it quite forbids tattoos. Jesus never mentioned the topic. So we are down to my personal opinion on the temple of the Holy spirit. If the tattoo is not a disgrace or harm to Christianity, you can go for it.

Answer 7

The Old Testament is a Shadow of the New Testament For example in the O.T, they sacrificed lambs & other animals for sin offerings, at the exodus out of egypt they put lambs blood on the door posts, so God would see the blood & pass over them (exodus 12:1-30), now we are covered by the blood of Christ & God passes over us, as this is the new covenant "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Mat 26:28) also see Hebrews 9:11-28. As for tattoos the bible says in the O.T "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28) & in the N.T "What ? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own ?" (1Corinthians 6:19) The reason for these commandments is because pagan gentiles would tattoo the god whom they sereved on themseves, which is idolatry, & we as Christians are born again & are new creations "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2Corinthians 5:17)

Answer 8

When the New Covenant is established the Old Covenant no longer applies to followers of Christ. Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant for us, knowing mankind cannot fulfilled it. If it was possible Jesus need not die on the cross (Gal 2:21). Although believers need not follow the Old Covenant, they are supposed to be led by the Spirit of God. Gal 5:18 If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law (ie Old Covenant). So you should ask the Holy Spirit whether it is ok for you to have a tattoo. The Holy Spirit can answer you, if you do not hear His voice, by giving you peace in your heart if it is alright for you to have it. For myself the answer from the Holy Spirit is no.

Answer 9

We do NOT follow the Old Testament. Unless you sacrifice animals. As far as tatoos being sinful, they aren't. Jesus never spoke of them. Nor did he speak of shooting pool, women wearing pants, men wearing shorts, playing card games, or watching television. Yet when I was a child I was taught all of them were sinful. One must learn to seperate the word of God from the will of the church. They are not and have never been the same. Always remember that religion is of man and therefore faulted. So does this mean we should throw it all out? I don't think so. But it does mean don't believe everything you are told. I believe if Jesus were to walk into most churches he would not be welcome. His doctrine of poverty would be VERY unpopular. Today we get around it by saying "We are trying to be good stewards." It is amazing how many good stewards drive big SUV's and live in huge houses while the poor of their community die without adequate healthcare. I don't think Jesus would approve of that. But let's focus on tatoos instead shall we?

Answer 10

Maybe a nice tattoo of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the word "Mother" in big letters, would be OK.

I've also heard of an aboriginal tribe doing one of Jesus, accompanied by the words "The Sweet Potato of Life" (they don't have BREAD over there).

Than again, there's that old problem with graven images ...

On second thought, this sounds like a question best answered directly by the Pope.

You can reach him at the Vatican. His direct phone number used to be EtCumSpiri 2-2-0.