Christ came to free us from the Mosaic law so we could serve in the new way of the Spirit (Romans 7:6). However, many Christians assume that they are still required to keep the law today. They use Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 to illustrate that the law has not passed.
Matthew 5:17-20 (WEB) “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Additionally, evidence abounds throughout the scriptures that the Christian Jews continued practicing the Mosaic law long after Christ’s resurrection.
- In Acts 10:10-16 and 10:28, Peter initially resisted God’s command to break the kosher food laws and associate with Gentiles.
- Ananias, who healed Paul’s sight and could hear the Lord’s voice, is described as a “devout observer of the law” (Acts 22:12).
- The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 debated whether Gentiles should be required to keep the Mosaic law. This debate only made sense if the Christian Jews believed that they should keep the law themselves.
- James told Paul that thousands of Jews had become believers and were “all zealous for the law” (Acts 21:18-26 [WEB]). James then asked Paul to demonstrate his devotion to the Mosaic law by taking the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6), which Paul did.
- Paul attended synagogues (Acts 9:20; 13:5,14-15), faultlessly observed the law (Acts 23:9; 25:7-8; 28:17; Philippians 3:6) and Jewish feasts (Acts 18:21; 20:16), emphasized his lawful rights (1 Corinthians 9:6-14), practiced ceremonial cleanliness (Acts 24:17-18), and even circumcised Timothy when they traveled to Jerusalem (Acts 16:3). He also instructed Jewish women not to speak in church in accordance with the Mosaic law (1 Corinthians 14:34).
The points mentioned above demonstrate that Christian Jews continued to follow the Mosaic law for a considerable time after Christ’s resurrection. However, some Christians mistakenly assume that we must also observe the Mosaic law today, ignoring the fact that Christian Jews kept the law to avoid offending unbelieving Jews and not out of obligation. Additionally, it’s important to note that the Mosaic law was fulfilled, and the need for its observance ended with the destruction of the Jewish temple in 70AD.
We Died to the Law
Paul explains that although the law hadn’t passed at the time of his writing, the believer had spiritually died with Christ and was therefore free from the obligations of the law.
Romans 7:2-4 (WEB) For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband. 3 So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man. 4 Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might produce fruit to God.
Although the law had not yet passed, Christians had passed in Christ and therefore were free from its obligations and condemnation. The law was a temporary covenant given to show us our sins and condemn us, so that we would humble ourselves and recognize our need for Christ and a better covenant with God. After coming to Christ, it was no longer necessary to keep (Acts 15:10; Romans 3:20; 4:14-15; 5:20; 6:14; 7:1-13; 8:2-3; 1 Corinthians 15:56; 2 Corinthians 3:7; 3:9-11; 3:14-15; Galatians 2:16; 2:19; 2:21; 3:1,10-13,21,23-25; 4:24; 5:1,4; Luke 16:16; Ephesians 2:15; Philippians 3:4-8; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; Hebrews 7:18-19; 8:7-8,13; 10:1).
Do We Nullify the Law?
In Romans 3:31, Paul says that faith does not nullify the law. He means that his message of righteousness through faith aligns with the law’s prophecies about salvation through faith and the Messiah (John 5:46). The entire Old Testament, which includes these prophecies, is also part of the law.
For example, in John 12:34, the Jews speaking to Jesus said that the prophecies of Psalm 89:4, Isaiah 9:7; 53:8, Daniel 2:44 were written about in “the law.” Similarly, in John 15:25, Jesus quotes from Psalms 69:4, which he describes as being “in their law.” In 1 Corinthians 14:21, Paul quotes from Isaiah 28:11 and says that this was written in “the law.” Galatians 4:21-22 (WEB) says that in “the law… it is written that Abraham had two sons.”
Paul’s teaching isn’t meant to nullify the law, but rather to show that it’s consistent with the prophecies about faith and Christ on the cross, and therefore it upholds the law.
Romans 3:21,31 (WEB) But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets… 31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.
Why Christians Kept the Law
When Jews became believers, they were no longer required to follow the Mosaic law, but they still did to avoid offending their fellow Jews and hindering the spread of the gospel. If the believing Jews lived free from the law’s demands, the unbelieving Jews would have found the gospel disgraceful and would have used their bad behavior as an excuse to reject the gospel.
This, in fact, is the concern that Jesus expressed in Matthew 5:19 when he said, “Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Jesus told his disciples that the servants would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mark 9:34-35). Christians did not boast in their works and merits (Matthew 23:5; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:3-9; Ephesians 2:8-9), but in those they saved through their ministries (1 Corinthians 3:5-15; 9:1,22-26; 2 Corinthians 1:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Saving as many people as possible was a sign of greatness in the kingdom of heaven. Earthly kingdoms conquer through powerful warriors, but God’s kingdom conquers and grows because of servitude (Matthew 20:25-28). Jesus expressed his value for effective ministers in the parable of the talents (Mark 4:20).
If the Christian Jews continued to practice the law after being freed from it, they would be serving God’s kingdom by helping the gospel be attractive to their brothers and thereby save many more than they would have by enjoying their freedom.
1 Corinthians 9:19-20 (ESV) For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (ESV) “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor…
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Additionally, the Jerusalem council did not expect Gentiles to follow the Mosaic law because it would not benefit their ministry (Acts 15:1-21). Paul stated that keeping the Mosaic law among Gentiles hindered effective ministry work:
1 Corinthians 9:21 (ESV) To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
Paul warned Gentile Christians not to practice circumcision as it was not necessary for salvation and would not improve their ministry efforts (Galatians 4:8,21; 5:2-4). This is why Paul did not circumcize Timothy while he was living among Gentiles (Galatians 2:3) but did when they returned to Jerusalem (Acts 16:3). Similarly, in Corinthians, Paul said that Christian Gentiles could eat food sacrificed to idols as long as it didn’t harm others and their own conscience were clear (1 Corinthians 8:7-9). He later told Christian Jews (1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:20) that they could eat such food in Christ, but if they knew it had been sacrificed to an idol, they should avoid eating so that their ministries were not hindered among unbelieving Jews (1 Corinthians 10:23-24,28,31-33).
Although Christian Jews had died to the law and were not obligated to keep it, they continued to practice the law for the sake of serving the kingdom of heaven so that as many people as possible would be saved.
The Law Officially Passed in 70AD
The Law officially expired in 70AD when the Jewish temple was destroyed and the records of the Levite priests were burned, making an authentic practice of the law impossible. The book of Hebrews was written just before this event and advised Christians to stop practicing the Mosaic law and leave Jerusalem.
Hebrews 8:13 (WEB) In that he says, “A new covenant”, he has made the first obsolete. But that which is becoming obsolete and grows aged is near to vanishing away.
Hebrews 13:13 (WEB) Let’s therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus prophesied that in his generation the temple would fall, heaven and earth would metaphorically pass away and all prophecy would be fulfilled (Matthew 5:18, Matthew 24:34-35, Luke 21:22).
Matthew 24:34-35 (WEB) Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Luke 21:22 (WEB) For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
The law passed when these things happened.
Matthew 5:18 (WEB) For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
Summary
Jesus encouraged his followers to practice the law to serve his kingdom and save as many people as possible. Christian Jews died to the law and were not obligated to keep it, but they continued to practice it to become great ministers of the gospel. However, the law officially ended in 70AD, and believers are not encouraged to practice it anymore, even for the sake of the gospel. Now, we follow the law of the Spirit written on our hearts.
Hebrew 10:16 (WEB) “This is the covenant that I will make with them: ‘After those days,’ says the Lord, ‘I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;’”Jeremiah 31:33