Does the Torah...? (directed towards Christians.)?

Question

What are your opinions on the Torah (aka first 5 books of the Bible as the set laws) still have a large part/ still apply to Christianity today? Is it important (as in a necessity) in a Christian's life to still live according to these books?

I would appreciate only Christian's answers. I'm not asking anything other than opinion and lifestyle; therefore, there should be no need for conflict with the outside opinion.

I only ask this because I've been praying about whether or not I should convert to the messianic faith. They seem to have much more stability in their beliefs, they follow Christ, and the laws and respect are still strictly applied to their lives. If anyone can discuss this with me, feel free to email.

Answer 1

"Messianic" faith is Xianity....
Many people, Christians and some Jews as well, erroneously believe that just as one can be Black and Christian, just as one can be Oriental and Christian, one can also be Jewish and Christian. It is not true. The Jews are not a race. There is no genetic code passed from either mother or father to the child that makes that child a Jew. Even if all, or some, of the genetic code in a child could be proved to be of Jewish Origin, that would not make the child a Jew. Jewish law determines who is a Jew, and Jewish law is quite clear. If a person's mother is a Jew, and that person has not converted to another faith, then that person will be considered fully Jewish, so long as that person wishes to identify solely as a Jew. Although one cannot convert to become a member of a race, for example one cannot convert to become an Oriental or an African-American, one who converts to Judaism does, indeed, become fully a Jew. Similarly, if one converts from Judaism to another faith, one is no longer a Jew.

Answer 2

Yes absolutely, the Old Testament and New Testament of the Christian Bible coincide perfectly. For Christians Jesus is the Messiah as prophesied in the Torah. It's not wishful thinking, He is the Law fulfilled, within our flesh. The greatest importance of the Bible is only really needed to verify what we actually know, through the Holy Spirit.
Only G_d reveals His truth.

Old Testament (Torah)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joel2:28-29;&version=31;

In the New Testament evidence of this happening can be found throughout The Book of Acts. The acts were occurring spontaneously after Jesus' resurrection, and I can attest that it still happens to this day. Without true revelation we would never trust what we believe.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=51&chapter=1&version=31

I have actually been searching the OT for all the teaching that Jesus preached throughout his ministry. I had to research the teaching of Hillel and then searched the OT to find evidence of the Golden Rule, peace, brotherly love, etc... and yeah, I know that the prophesies of the prophets are fulfilled.

Don't take my word for it though. You can know it yourself.

Answer 3

I have a great reverence for the Torah.

The Torah is not negated by the New Testament, it is brought to the forefront because it is the Bible that Jesus taught from and that the Apostles wrote about.

Without the Torah we would have no Moses, no Abraham. We would have no foundation for the faith we have in Messiah Yeshua. We would have nothing.

I thank God that my Jewish forefathers in the faith laid the groundwork in the Torah for what I have today in Christ.

As for lifestyle, and I speak in my own opinion here, much of the Law of Moses is written to allow the Jewish people to stand out. They were to be a distinct people, and the Law brought that about in them. As a Gentile, I feel no strong compulsion to obey the Law, for even if I did so but failed in one part, I have failed in all parts. I thank God that He sent the Messiah to be my blood atonement and that I can live freely in faith without God's wrath on my head.

Answer 4

Clarification:
The Torah is the Old Testament in it's entirety, including the Talmud.
The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Bible, generally regarded as having been written by Moses.

The Ten Commandments are still in place.
The 613 ordinances of the Levitical Law have been done away with.

Answer 5

Hmmm, well sense Jesus died on the cross and fulfilled the *law* the OT or Torah, is for learning and edification..... Jesus was the LAST sacrifice God would accept for sins !!! If people still go by the OT or the Torah, they are failing at it very badly because they MUST follow the *law* to a T, every aspect of it had better be done and followed... I do NOT see that happening by any one who claims to *follow* the Torah.....the word Christianity in and of itself, describes a full following of Christ and His finished work on the cross.... we can NOT live by *law* and *grace* at the same time, they do NOT mix , never have and never will....You can not have it both ways, either you believe Jesus is the Messiah or you dont... You either believe Jesus was the last sacrifice or you are still under law and are sacrifices animals to atone for your sins...... go in peace...... God bless

Answer 6

I do think the Torah is very important to modern Christianity. I personally keep the Sabbath, God's holy days, among other things you will find in the Torah. One thing that is no longer necessary is sacrifice, since Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. Remember, Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Were do we find the commandments? In the Torah!

There are many websites that provide excellent information. My favorite is biblestudy.org. Check it out!

Answer 7

Well the Word of God Yeshua (Jesus) is a part of the Word of God be it the newer Testament, or the older Testament, both r the Word of God.
When u read the older Testament u will find the newer Testament is wrapped up in the older Testament, & the older Testiment is reviled in the newer Testament.
He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.

Answer 8

Jesus made it clear He did not come to abolish the law. The law still has great significance. They key however is understanding the true meaning of the law - which the New Testament reveals is something that requires revelation through Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

Although we are no longer under the Old Testiment, it is still useful to us because we can see how God brought people out of bad situations back then and know He' the same God that can bring us today out of bad situations as well. It strengthens our faith. The Old Testament is also useful to us today because it teaches us how to live a lifestyle that's pleasing to God. So keep your Old Testament and New Testament Bibles.

Answer 10

Jesus never thought so even though he was sent by God to institute the New Testament. What Jesus wanted most is that his followers follow the Spirit of the law which embodied all the written laws in the Old Testament.

Matthew 25:35-39 " 35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.


Of course by accepting Jesus Christ into ones heart he would have he mind of God withing him to do the will of God. And also remember that there were many Jewish followers of Jesus even after he went into heaven. Many religious leaders besides the people were followers of God. So I think it is okay to follow the old ways. As long as you know they are symbols of faith. Faith comes form God when believed God's word in your heart.

The best way to become acquainted with the Jews who follow Jesus is to just visit their site. I have supported Jews For Jesus in the past. God bless.