Bible Topics In The Christian Library
 
 

IS THE OLD TESTAMENT BINDING TODAY?
BRIAN YEAGER

    A good many times in talking with people about the Bible, they often refer strongly to the “Ten Commandments of God”.  Often times this has to be the very first subject to study, to understand Bible authority.  This article is in place so that we can understand that the Old Testament is no longer a binding law.  I will mention that the Old Testament is an important part of the Scriptures so that we can learn from examples of God’s power, and understand more fully all the history of the Earth, the Jews, and of the prophecies that were fulfilled.  The book of Romans tells us to learn from those Old Testament examples. (Romans 15:4) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

    There are many great passages that refer to the Old Law being done away in Christ.  The great comparison that we have in the book of Romans chapter 7 and verses one through six of the bond of marriage and the death of Christ thus removing the bond of the Old Testament.  This example is surely one of the best but there is a few others I would like to discuss in this article.  There is a great series of passages in the book of Hebrews dealing with this subject.  (Hebrews 9:14-17) “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.”   These passages clearly state that Christ died and thus the Old Law was done away.  This is not the only passage that states this.  For instance: (Ephesians 2:13-15) “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”   This passage is sure to convince those that hold to the “Ten Commandments” that those things are put away in Christ Jesus.  The New Testament is now the binding Testament in our worship to God, and in our Salvation.  Christ nailed the Old Testament to the cross.  (Colossians 2:14) “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” 

    I could not leave this article without mentioning that there will be no abolishing of the New Testament.  God says that he has given all things that we need in this life to please him.  (II Peter 1:3) “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” 

    I must also state when Christ died this was not the only thing his death accomplished.  With his blood he purchased the Church.  (Acts 20:28) “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”  His blood also was shed that we through baptism might have the remission of sins.  (Matthew 26:28)
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  Baptism is the point at which we have the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  There is an assurance that comes by better understanding God’s word.  It is my pray that this article has made clear to the reader that we are under the Law of Christ.
 

Copyright 2000 by Brian Yeager may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.


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