The passage in the Gospels that appears to present major problems for some Christians is Matthew 5:17.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Some argue vehemently that this means we are still under the Law of Moses. Others avow with equal passion that the Torah has been abolished. There appears to be no middle ground.
Is that true?
Let’s be clear what we are talking about. Part of Torah is the Ten Commandments. These were given to God’s people by God himself; directly from His mouth to our ears. He wrote them in stone. They are not subject to qualification; they are permanent and unchanging. “Thou shalt not murder” is clear and understandable.
The remaining Law of Moses, traditionally all 603 of them, were given to God’s people through Moses. These Torah laws govern mans relationship to other men and cover all aspects of human life.
Just like he said, these 603 laws of Moses were fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Yeshua. They were fulfilled by being brought to their highest level of completeness, but they were not altered or abolished.
Does this mean we must sacrifice animals as acts of atonement? Is bacon off the table and are we required to tie bible verses to our foreheads and arms? Of course not!
John 4:23
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."
Through our savior, these laws are spiritual. What was first given as physical requirements so God’s people would grow in faith and knowledge, we now obey in their highest meaning. But even more unbelievable, in Yeshua we are given the ability to understand what they mean through The Helper.
For example, the Torah requirement to bind scripture to our heads and arms may mean “in spirit” to keep a copy of God’s word nearby (in arms reach?) and to study them until His word lives in our head.
Maybe the Torah dietary requirements “in spirit” is to keep unhealthy food out of our bodies. For others, The Helper may lead one to keep the dietary restrictions as originally written as an honorable act of submission. Both are valid. The incomprehensible beauty of the spirit makes it specific for the individual worshiper. All the Laws of Moses are brought to their highest fulfillment “in Spirit.” The words of Jesus Christ do not replace any earlier covenant, but moves that covenant to a higher level.
And isn’t it just like YHWH to make it so simple, just pray. God’s nature never changes.
John 14:26
"But The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Some argue vehemently that this means we are still under the Law of Moses. Others avow with equal passion that the Torah has been abolished. There appears to be no middle ground.
Is that true?
Let’s be clear what we are talking about. Part of Torah is the Ten Commandments. These were given to God’s people by God himself; directly from His mouth to our ears. He wrote them in stone. They are not subject to qualification; they are permanent and unchanging. “Thou shalt not murder” is clear and understandable.
The remaining Law of Moses, traditionally all 603 of them, were given to God’s people through Moses. These Torah laws govern mans relationship to other men and cover all aspects of human life.
Just like he said, these 603 laws of Moses were fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Yeshua. They were fulfilled by being brought to their highest level of completeness, but they were not altered or abolished.
Does this mean we must sacrifice animals as acts of atonement? Is bacon off the table and are we required to tie bible verses to our foreheads and arms? Of course not!
John 4:23
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."
Through our savior, these laws are spiritual. What was first given as physical requirements so God’s people would grow in faith and knowledge, we now obey in their highest meaning. But even more unbelievable, in Yeshua we are given the ability to understand what they mean through The Helper.
For example, the Torah requirement to bind scripture to our heads and arms may mean “in spirit” to keep a copy of God’s word nearby (in arms reach?) and to study them until His word lives in our head.
Maybe the Torah dietary requirements “in spirit” is to keep unhealthy food out of our bodies. For others, The Helper may lead one to keep the dietary restrictions as originally written as an honorable act of submission. Both are valid. The incomprehensible beauty of the spirit makes it specific for the individual worshiper. All the Laws of Moses are brought to their highest fulfillment “in Spirit.” The words of Jesus Christ do not replace any earlier covenant, but moves that covenant to a higher level.
And isn’t it just like YHWH to make it so simple, just pray. God’s nature never changes.
John 14:26
"But The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."