Is the Old Testament Abolished
This subject has been debated in many Christian forums and is still left unresolved in many minds. In order to understand the position of the O.T and N.T in our lives in this dispensation we must first know that the OT was not done away with. The O.T remains forever, yet, it is the Laws of the Old Testament which was against us that was done away with. Colossians 2:14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was AGAINST US, which was CONTRARY TO US, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. Note that it was only the ordinances which were contrary to us that was taken away, this means, all the other ordinances which are towards our spiritual growth remains for our learning and maturity.
That law was really threefold: the Moral Law, the Ceremonial Law, prescribing the rituals etc and what might be called the Civil or Political Law, that relating to the people in their national, political life. The laws that were done away with are the Ceremonial Laws, such as; the Sabbath (seventh day), animal sacrifices, the Levitical priesthood, Circumcision, Special holy days or Feasts, Burning incense, tithing, the ceremonies of blood, grains, the sprinklings for cleansing, and all the ceremonies of the Levitical priesthood mentioned in Leviticus. These are done away with and are not found in the New Testament. All the other Laws of the O.T are the Moral Laws or Civil laws and were not done away with but are valid for the N.T.
The OT and the N.T compromise each other as we know the O.T is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the O.T revealed. The NT is not meant to replace the OT but to fulfill it. As Jesus said it himself, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” The Ceremonial Laws were all painting a picture of Christ the Messiah who was to come and are called shadows and types. Colossians 2:16 Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or in respect of a feast, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbaths.
Vs.17, “For these are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. When Christ came all those things which were only shadows and types were done away with because the real Source of redemption and cleansing is had come. Hebrews 7:12 says, “For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law.”
God repeatedly told Israel that various provisions of the law were to last "throughout their generations."
Galatians 3:19, “Why then the Law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to those to whom it had been promised, being ordained through angels in the Mediator's hand.”
Galatians 3:24, “So that the Law has become a trainer of us until Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
Vs.25, “But faith coming, we are no longer under a trainer.”
Genesis 17:9,10 - Circumcision
Exodus 12:14; Leviticus 23:21,31,41 - Holy feast days
Exodus 29:42; 30:10 - Animal sacrifices
Exodus 30:8 - Incense
Exodus 30:31 - Holy anointing oil
Exodus 31:13-17 - Sabbath observance
Exodus 40:15; Numbers 18:23 - Levitical priests in the tabernacle
This subject has been debated in many Christian forums and is still left unresolved in many minds. In order to understand the position of the O.T and N.T in our lives in this dispensation we must first know that the OT was not done away with. The O.T remains forever, yet, it is the Laws of the Old Testament which was against us that was done away with. Colossians 2:14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was AGAINST US, which was CONTRARY TO US, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. Note that it was only the ordinances which were contrary to us that was taken away, this means, all the other ordinances which are towards our spiritual growth remains for our learning and maturity.
That law was really threefold: the Moral Law, the Ceremonial Law, prescribing the rituals etc and what might be called the Civil or Political Law, that relating to the people in their national, political life. The laws that were done away with are the Ceremonial Laws, such as; the Sabbath (seventh day), animal sacrifices, the Levitical priesthood, Circumcision, Special holy days or Feasts, Burning incense, tithing, the ceremonies of blood, grains, the sprinklings for cleansing, and all the ceremonies of the Levitical priesthood mentioned in Leviticus. These are done away with and are not found in the New Testament. All the other Laws of the O.T are the Moral Laws or Civil laws and were not done away with but are valid for the N.T.
The OT and the N.T compromise each other as we know the O.T is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the O.T revealed. The NT is not meant to replace the OT but to fulfill it. As Jesus said it himself, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” The Ceremonial Laws were all painting a picture of Christ the Messiah who was to come and are called shadows and types. Colossians 2:16 Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or in respect of a feast, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbaths.
Vs.17, “For these are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. When Christ came all those things which were only shadows and types were done away with because the real Source of redemption and cleansing is had come. Hebrews 7:12 says, “For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law.”
God repeatedly told Israel that various provisions of the law were to last "throughout their generations."
Galatians 3:19, “Why then the Law? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to those to whom it had been promised, being ordained through angels in the Mediator's hand.”
Galatians 3:24, “So that the Law has become a trainer of us until Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”
Vs.25, “But faith coming, we are no longer under a trainer.”
Genesis 17:9,10 - Circumcision
Exodus 12:14; Leviticus 23:21,31,41 - Holy feast days
Exodus 29:42; 30:10 - Animal sacrifices
Exodus 30:8 - Incense
Exodus 30:31 - Holy anointing oil
Exodus 31:13-17 - Sabbath observance
Exodus 40:15; Numbers 18:23 - Levitical priests in the tabernacle