SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MOSAIC LAW AND THE CHRISTIAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MOSAIC LAW AND THE CHRISTIAN

The Mosaic Law is inspired Scripture and is eternal (cf. Matt. 5:17-19).
The Law as a way of salvation is void and has always been, but mankind had to see that his/her own efforts were futile (cf. Matt. 5:20, 48; Rom. 7:7-12; Gal. 3:1ff; James 2:10).
The gospel of Christ is the only way to God (cf. John 14:6; Rom. 3:21; Gal. 2:15-21; Heb. 8:12).
The Old Testament is still helpful to believers as God's will for humans in society (esp. "The Ten Words"), but not as the way of salvation (i.e., it functions in sanctification but not in justification). The cultus of Israel (sacrificial system, holy days, civic and religious laws) has passed away but God still speaks through the OT. The stipulations mentioned in Acts 15:20 refer only to fellowship issues, not to salvation.

The crucial texts about the OT and its relationship to NT believers are

the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15
the theological summary of the gospel message in Galatians 3

the comparison of the Mosaic Covenant (OT) with the New Covenant of Jesus (NT) in the book of Hebrews.

a. Heb. 1:1-3
b. Heb. 1:4-2:18
c. Heb. 3:1-4:13; 4:14-5:10
d. Heb. 6:13-7:28
e. Heb. 5:11-6:12
f. Heb. 8:1-10:18
g. Heb. 10:19-13:25

Superiority of the Son over the prophets
Superiority of the Son over the angels
Superiority of the Son over the Mosaic Covenant
Superiority of the Son over the Aaronic Priesthood
Superiority of the believing Jews over the unbelieving Jews
Superiority of the Son over the procedures of the Mosaic Covenant
Superiority of the Son advocated and revealed in believers

See SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW