Are Old Testament Laws Still Binding for Believers?
In this article, you will learn how Leviticus 20:18 contradicts Matthew 15:11, Colossians 2:16, Romans 10:4, Hebrews 10:1, Galatians 5:18 and Romans 14:14. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The Bible, a cornerstone of spiritual guidance for millions, contains verses that sometimes seem to send mixed messages, especially concerning the laws of the Old Testament and their relevance after the coming of Christ. Leviticus 20:18 illustrates this, where strict rules are given to maintain cleanliness and health, stressing communal safety by exclusion for breaches. This reflects the Old Testament's emphasis on external adherence to divine laws as a measure of righteousness and community well-being.
However, several New Testament scriptures appear to challenge these ancient prescriptions. In Matthew 15:11, the focus shifts as Jesus suggests that spiritual defilement comes not from external sources or dietary intake but from one’s internal thoughts and words. This can be likened to judging a book by its cover versus understanding its content.
Further inconsistencies arise in Colossians 2:16, which advises believers not to be judged by dietary laws or religious observances, questioning the necessity of Mosaic ritual compliance. Similarly, Romans 10:4 declares Christ as the fulfillment and conclusion of the law, painting a picture where the old systems are rendered obsolete for righteousness through faith in Christ.
Hebrews 10:1 likens Old Testament law to a mere shadow of future realities, casting doubt on its ultimate purpose. Galatians 5:18 emphasizes that life in the Spirit liberates believers from the chains of the law. Romans 14:14 furthers this by expressing personal conviction over old prescriptions, underscoring subjective discernment transcending traditional mandates.
These passages raise probing questions: Are the ancient laws a moral anchor or historical footnote? The analogy of evolving societal norms fits well here, suggesting that just as laws adjust to cultural progress, spiritual guidance might also evolve. The New Testament's perspective invites believers to recontemplate the role of these laws in the light of grace, faith, and inner transformation.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leviticus 20:18 | And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people. [discovered: Heb. made naked] |
| 2. | Matthew 15:11 | Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. |
| 3. | Colossians 2:16 | Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: [in meat...: or, for eating and drinking] [respect: or, part] |
| 4. | Romans 10:4 | For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. |
| 5. | Hebrews 10:1 | For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. |
| 6. | Galatians 5:18 | But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. |
| 7. | Romans 14:14 | I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean. [unclean: Gr. common] |