Filled or Fulfilled?, Part 2 of 3

"Don't assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:17-19 HCSB

There are many parts of the Sinaitic Law that do not apply to us. For instance, it would be impossible for a goy to be a cohen (a Levitical priest). That privilege is exclusive to those of the tribe of Levi.[1]

Not all the Sinaitic Law applied to all Jews either! Until a man killed another, the Law’s teachings on capital punishment or shelter cities didn’t apply to him. Unless he came across a donkey stuck in a ditch, a man never even had to think of the Halakah on the matter.

Broadly, the Old Covenant Laws that would not apply to us would include:

1. Salvation: Since Christ died for our sins, once for all,[2] and took His blood into the heavenly Temple,[3] there is no need for any further atoning sacrifices.

2. Sacrifice: Temple sacrifices are impossible to obey seeing as there IS no Temple and no currently functioning cohanim.

3. Racial Separation: The segregation laws no longer apply because those racial barriers have now been done with. [4] Besides it was ALWAYS impossible for Gentiles to follow Jewish separation laws.

4. National Laws: Those parts that would cause us to contradict the laws of the land in which we live fall under the rule of dina d’malchuta dina. “Dina d’malchuta dina” is a Hebrew phrase that literally means “the law of the land is law.” This phrase is a guide to the elders of our church as they try to apply Scripture to day to day ethical, spiritual and legal conundrums. For instance, OT law states that witches should be killed. However, we are told to “render to Caesar what is due Caesar”[5] and to “submit to governing authorities”[6] and to be submissive to rulers and authorities.[7] In this society in which we temporarily reside, it is against the law to stone witches. Therefore, dina d’malchuta dina applies. Among the Redeemed, the practice of witchcraft, though opposed, will therefore not include a capital punishment. The law of the land in which we live rules us as long as it does not ask us to deny God.

5. Ritual Worship: We feel free to practice, as an educational experience, certain festivals or Passover meals, but we are not obligated to practice them. We choose to not follow the Jewish sacred calendar of festivals, but do not condemn those Christians who elect to do so.[8]

[1] Isaiah 61:5-6
[2] Romans 6:10; 1 Peter 3:18
[3] Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10
[4] Colossians 3:11; Galatians 3:28
[5] Matthew 22:21
[6] Romans 13:1
[7] Titus 3:1
[8] Colossians 2:16-17