Patriarchs of the Old Testament like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other contemporaries never went to the temple to offer sacrifices nor did they observe the Passover. Yet, men like Samuel, Jeremiah and King David did observe the laws of temple worship and the Passover. In the New Testament Christians were not to let anyone bind on them such Old Testament teachings as laws of meat, drink and Sabbath days. How could these differences exist and each group still be faithful to God? The answer is simple, yet overlooked. Each of the three groups lived under different God given laws.
God from the beginning dealt with all people by giving His commands to the head of the house; known as the Patriarchal Law (Romans 2:13-15). The Patriarchal Law was binding on all mankind until God separated the children of Israel at Sinai.
The Law given through Moses was given specifically to the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 5:1-4). It would be through Israel that the Messiah would come and bring a New Covenant or Testament (Jeremiah 31:30-40). It is also clear in Hebrews chapters eight through ten that the Law of Moses was for a specific time. The Law of Moses also came to an end at the cross of Christ (Hebrews 9:15-17).
The apostle Paul, writing to the Colossians, made it clear that it was through Christ that they had received forgiveness and not from the Old Law. "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross" (Colossians 2:13-14 NKJV). Even though the Patriarchal Law and the Jewish Law were no longer, it does not mean that they are useless. Paul gave instruction that the Old Laws were, "...written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4). Today in the Christian Age we are now under the "Law of Liberty" (James 2:12). It is by the "Law of Liberty" that all mankind will be judged.
It is important that we do not seek justification from laws given to other people in other times (Galatians 5:4), but we must stand firm in the teachings of the New Testament (Matthew 7:21-23). I hope and pray that this short article will encourage you to seek the truth from God's word on this topic. May God bless your study of His inspired Word!
John Werhan, Sentinel, OK
