Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets ---?

Question

How is it that so many interpret this to mean that the law remains inviolate down to jots and tittles, then turn around and alter the law way beyond jots and tittles when it comes to their application of the law? For example, they teach tithing, but alter it beyond jots and tittles so as to include tithing on wages, and giving the tithes to a ministry instead of Levites, as well as the widow and fatherless.

Circumcision is in that law also, as well as the requirements regarding sacrifices.

Hypocrisy?

Or just plain blind spiritually?

To answer T4's question: Yes. Luke 24:44.

Answer 1

Jesus did not come to this earth for the purpose of acting as an opponent of the law. His goal was not to prevent its fulfillment. Rather, he revered it, loved it, obeyed it, and brought it to fruition. He fulfilled the law’s prophetic utterances regarding himself (Luke 24:44). Christ fulfilled the demands of the Mosaic law, which called for perfect obedience, or else imposed a “curse” (see Galatians 3:10,13). In this sense, the law’s divine design will ever have an abiding effect. It will always accomplish the purpose for which it was given.

If, however, the law of Moses bears the same relationship to men today, in terms of its binding status, as it did before Christ came, then it was not fulfilled, and Jesus failed at what he came “to do.” On the other hand, if the Lord did accomplish what he came to accomplish, then the law was fulfilled, and it is not a binding legal institution today. Further, if the law of Moses was not fulfilled by Christ, and thus remains as a binding legal system for today, then it is not just partially binding. Rather, it is totally compelling system. Jesus plainly said that not one “jot or tittle” (representative of the smallest markings of the Hebrew script) would pass away until all was fulfilled. Consequently, nothing of the law was to fail until it had completely accomplished its purpose. Jesus fulfilled the law. Jesus fulfilled all of the law. We cannot say that Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system, but did not fulfill the other aspects of the law. Jesus either fulfilled all of the law, or none of it. What Jesus' death means for the sacrificial system, it also means for the other aspects of the law.

Recommended Resource: Bible Answers for Almost all Your Questions by Elmer Towns.

Answer 2

Jesus was Jehovah of the Old Testament, so He is the giver of the law and the covenant with Israel. He came to earth physically as fully Man, with the capacity to die, as well as fully God. Therefore he fulfilled the law with his Last Sacrifice. He also made a New Covenant, (whidh New Testament means) which covenant is an EXTENSION of the law that has to be meant in the mind and heart as well as physical deeds. This is outlined in the Sermon on the mount as the Law of Love. Therefore the basic laws still stand but you have to mean it, and this includes the tithes and offerings and Christian service, (and of course we don't believe works save us but Grace, and we do it for Love. "If ye Love Me, keep my Commandments"), but doesn't include the Temple rites and sacrifices, or circumcision as a requirement because we as christians sacrifice "a broken heart and a contrite spirit" and we have become the Priesthood of the Believers, rather than having Levites and Priests. So this is not blind nor hypocritical, but following Jesus, the giver and fulfillment of the Law of Moses.

Answer 3

The Law - the 10 Commandments, tells us how we should relate to God and how to relate to one another... It is a Law of LOVE. Also everything does run by laws, e.g. Laws of Nature, Health Laws, and when they are not obeyed, then we suffer the consequenses from breaking that Law. Tithing is what we give to God to help with the ministry and it's also part to help the needy. Ceremonial laws (the sacrifices, circumcision, etc) was done away at the cross, because they were leading up to Jesus, and Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for all.

Also Jesus said in Mathew 5:17-20, "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the Law of Moses or the writtings of the prophets. No I came to fulfill them. I assure you until Heaven and Earth will disappear, even the smallest detal of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved. So if you break the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you - unless you obey God better than teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!" (NLT).

In the New King James Version, the word "destroy" is used instead of abolish. Abolish and destroy means to "put to an end". So Jesus did not destroy the law, plus Heaven and Earth have not disappeared. Fulfill in this context is a verb, meaning "to carry out an order". So he also showed us how to obey God's law on Earth.

"Now by this we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says 'I know Him' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:3-4 (NKJV).

In Romans 7, Paul talks about 'No Longer Bounded to the Law', 'God's Law Reveals Our Sin', and 'Struggle with Sin'. He says "the Law is good..."

Jesus also said, "If you love Me, keep my commandments" John 14:15. (NKJV),

Answer 4

Well, this is what the Bible that I read says:

10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
( Galatians 3 )

So if all the Law is observed, we may live. If we gain our righteousness from God through faith, we will live.

This is what Peter said about that:


7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
( Acts 15 )

What people try to do is reconcile James with Paul, Peter, and Jesus. They think that works are produced by rules and regulations. I would argue that the better works are those which God does through us. Those who work through them self are as the Pharisees, who tithe mint, rue, and all manner of herbs. ( Luke 11:42 )

Answer 5

I think just plain blind spiritually. The Bible was written by inspired writers. It must be read by inspired readers too. Because their motivation is to make a business out of their 'ministries', many false prophets will never truly understand the spiritual messages hidden in the Bible.

Answer 6

Unfortunately many do not understand what the scriptures intend to teach. We have many, many different interpretations of the meanings of the laws and the prophecies. I think more of it is misguidance rather than hypocrisy. The best thing is to study, ponder and pray earnestly for your answers. We are all responsible for our own actions and if we influence others we may be responsible for them as well.

Answer 7

tithing is a fund raising gimmick by church leaders who want a salary...they want the entire 10% for themselves....they do not want to share it with an entire tribe, as ordained.( true meaning of Malachi 3:10)

sheep are stupid...especially if you tell them they will prosper if they give money to the church.

Jesus is the"high priest" for the christians, and he never accepted tithes from the people....or a salary....

right now, for God, tithing is obsolete because there are no levites in a temple in Jerusalem.

tithing had nothing to do with gentiles...or jews outside of Jerusalem....

I am a christian, and i believe in obeying God....the way God says, not man......

Answer 8

My question to you is "When Christ uttered the words on the cross before He gave up the Ghost." "It is finished." Had He completed the law and the prophets which The Father had prepared and sent to explain His Son's work on earth?
T4

Answer 9

Ignorance. Most of them have never read the whole Bible. They may have read it front to back, but they didn't pay attention to it. Mainly because they've been taught from the time they were able to understand their parents words that Jesus died for their sins and that's the only thing they need. Everything else is true, only when the Pastor says it's true.

Answer 10

The law only shows us that we're sinners. It cannot save. It was intended to drive us to Jesus for salvation. Read the book of Hebrews in the Bible for a full explanation.