Bible Studies

Jesus ended the law, how? Why? And When? What does this mean for new covenant believers

by lee thriepland
07/23/18
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Jesus ended the law, how? Why? And When? What does this mean for new covenant believers

The debate over whether or not we under the “law” of Moses or not is an ongoing one. There are many different views regarding this and what being under the law or not means for believers today.

Those that teach we are still under the law will more than often turn to the OT, the law of Moses and the 10 commandments. The argument normally revolves around the Sabbath (which is a whole debate and writing on its own). They will more often that not offer a strawman argument saying that if the law is done away with that means we can do as we please. Not being under the law of Moses and the 10 commandments simply does not mean that at all, in any way shape or form (even though there are certain denominations that do teach this) . Another favorite argument is that Paul corrupted the Bible, see my writings Paul v Jesus to see that this simply is not the case.

We are not under the law, Jesus ended the law. In this writing we will look at How? When? and Why? And what that means for New Testament believers.

The best place to start is with the New Testament

The New Testament is very clear that we are not under the law but under grace

Romans 6-14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

We are saved by that grace through faith, Grace is a GIFT of God.

Ephesians 2-8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

You cannot earn God’s grace it is his gift THROUGH faith

We are a new man in christ. The old has passed away

2 Corinthians 5-17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

We receive the spirit when we believe

Ephesians 1-13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

We receive the spirit through faith NOT works of the law.

Galatians 3-2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

And those that are led by the spirit that we have received after we have believed and been baptised into Christ and are made new and are not under the law.

Galatians 5-18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

So if we simply look at these New Testament passages then it is very clear we are not under the law.

The Bible also very clearly states that Jesus, the Christ, was an end to the law for EVERYONE that believes

Romans 10-4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Some people will say that is Paul saying that but JOHN states it also

John 1-17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John very clearly referencing both the law and grace yet distinguishing between the two.

Jesus himself stated that he came so the law could pass away.

Jesus was very clear that he had NOT come to destroy the law but to fulfill the law

Matthew 5-17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Jesus then continues

Matthew 5- 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled

Now this is often used by people to prove the opposite, that the law has NOT passed but still remains. The argument being that Jesus taught that the law would not pass, not even one jot or tittle of the law would pass until heaven and earth passed away. However this is a very selective and slightly disingenuous, actually rather disingenuous.

Jesus most certainly did say that he has not come to destroy the law, the Greek word destroy is καταλύω kataluó to destroy, demolish, dissolve, overthrow, annul

Jesus didn’t come to simply get rid of the law he couldn’t, because as he also stated it would remain until heaven and earth passed, and they have yet to do so, so Jesus could not simply dissolve it, annul it or overthrow it. However he also stated that he came to FULFILL the law which was the other way in which the law could pass.

Matthew 5- 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled

There are 2 ways here in which the law could pass.

Fulfilling the law was one of the 2 ways in which the law could pass away. 
Seeing Jesus fulfilled the law he completed one of the 2 criteria for the ending of the law and so the law could and did pass away.

How did Jesus fulfill the law.

He came and did all that was stated he would do.

Including his death.

Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment in the law was.

Matthew 22-36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

He responded that it was to love God.

Matthew 22-37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.

However Jesus also stated a second commandment that was like unto it to love your neighbour as yourself.

Matthew 22-39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these 2 hang the whole law and the prophets

Matthew 22-40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Jesus stated that there is no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends

John 15-13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Jesus laid down his own life

John 10-18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus then …an act of love that there was no greater love than

And love is a fulfillment of the law

Romans 13-10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

So Jesus did exactly what he said he had come to do. Fulfill the law. Through an act of love.

And it isn’t just the New Testament that testifies the law would pass away. The Old Testament bares witness to the fact and declares that God would end the Law of Moses

Hosea 2-11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.

These are very clearly talking about the feast days, new moons and sabbaths of the law of Moses.

In the book of Amos it was asked of God WHEN this would pass away.

Amos 8-5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

And the question was answered exactly when this would pass away.

Amos 8-9 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

When did the sun go down at noon and the earth was darkened in the clear day? Let’s have a look at the book of Mark and Jesus on the cross.

Mark 15-33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

The 6th Hour (Jewish time is noon). The law came to an end when Jesus died on the cross.

Jesus ended the law when he died, he nailed the law to the cross (metaphorically) when he was nailed to the cross.

Colossians 2-14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The law of Moses passed away when Jesus fulfilled the law and he removed the law by nailing it to the cross.

Now people who claim that we are still under the law will say that the law was An everlasting sign between God and Israel (This is dealt with in much more detail in my writing about the sabbath)

Exodus 31- 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

The Hebrew word translated as perpetual is עוֹלָם Olam it means long lasting, fullness of time. Not literally for ever but the full duration of any specific time.

Jonah 2-6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars wasabout me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

Again the word forever is Olam, Jonah was not in the whale forever but 3 days. He was in the whale for the fulness of the passage of time.

The law was only for the set period of time, and that’s exactly what the Bible says.

The law was added because of transgressions UNTIL the seed should come

Galatians 3-19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it wasordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

JESUS is the seed that should come.

Galatians 3-16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

When the time had come God sent his son

Galatians 4-4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law

So the law was added ONLY until the seed should come who is Christ

Those that wish to remain under the law are obliged to keep it all and will be judged by that law

Galatians 5-3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

James 2-10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Paul warned about remaining under the law that it would mean Christ died in vain

Galatians 2-18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Paul told the Jews not to remain in the bondage of the law, Christ had set them free

Galatians 5-1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Jesus freed those under the law from the bondage of the law

Galatians 4- 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

This is the true meaning of the truth shall set you free

John 8-32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus was talking to Jews those under the law. If those under the law followed in the word of Jesus they were free from the law.

John 8-31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Jesus IS that truth

John 14-6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus is the truth that sets free those that were under the law. (read my writing did Jesus go to hell for 3 days and 3 nights for more on this)

Paul states that a man is justified by faith and that faith is not the law. Those under the law are under a curse.

Galatians 3- 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Christ will not profit anyone that remains under the law.

Galatians 5-2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Paul even stated that if a person who has Christ remains under the law then this would mean that Jesus would be the minister of sin. Which Paul states that he isn’t.

Galatians 2-15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

The law was to show us our sin however it is not sin itself.

Romans 7-7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

The law is the knowledge of sin

Romans 3-20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Before faith came we were under the law.

Galatians 3-23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

The law was to be our schoolmaster our teacher that would bring us to Christ

Galatians 3-24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after Jesus the seed and faith had come we no longer require the schoolmaster

Galatians 3-25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster

Now it is very true that the law of Moses and the 10 commandments are not the same. Many people incorrectly argue that they are but this is simply false (see my writing on the 2 laws). They mainly do this so that they can show that the 10 commandments like the law of Moses was nailed to the cross. This is wrong. The 10 commandments were not nailed on the cross.

However they too are no longer in effect.

Although the law of Moses and the 10 commandments are 2 separate laws they formed one covenant, the first covenant or the old covenant, the Mosaic covenant.

But EVEN the commandments would be abolished

Ephesians 2-15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, somaking peace;

The 10 commandments were written in the book of the law, they were contained in such but were separate from.

The 10 commandments are part of the old covenant and the old covenant is done away with.

Hebrews 8- 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old isready to vanish away.

There is a new covenant (anyone that accepts Jesus and still holds to the law might want to read my writing about Jesus and being of the line of Judah….under the Law, the Old covenant, Jesus could NOT be high priest..its that simple) In short Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, under the law ONLY the tribe of Levi could be priests. with the change of priesthood it required a change of the law.

And Jesus himself confirms that it his BLOOD, his death as we have already seen that brings in the New covenant or Testament.

Matthew 26-28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

The greek is διαθήκη diathéké, Testament and covenant are the same thing.

Throughout the Old Testament it is foretold that there would be a New covenant

Jeremiah 31-31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 32-40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me

That foretold NEW covenant would NOT be like that of the old covenant that was given to Israel.

Jeremiah 31-32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

The laws would NOT be written on the tablets but in the hearts of the people.

Jeremiah 31-33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

This is quoted in the New Testament

Hebrews 10-16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

2 corinthians 3-3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

The New testament, the new covenant would be inward.

The transfiguration of Jesus demonstrates the difference between the 2 covenants showing the end of one and the start of another

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain

Matthew 17- And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Jesus was transfigured in front of them

Matthew 17-2 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

This was showing Jesus in his future glorified body.

With him appeared Moses and Elijah

Matthew 17- 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

These 2 represented the law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah)

Peter said that they would make 3 tabernacles, one for each

Matthew 17- 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

God then spoke saying that Jesus was his son and in him he was well pleased

Matthew 17- 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

In the parallel passages in Mark and Luke God is quoted as saying HEAR HIM

Mark 9- 7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Luke 9- 35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

They were scared, fell on their faces and Jesus came to them and told them not to be afraid.

Matthew 17- 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

When they looked up only Jesus remained

Matthew 17- 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

The symbology of this was to show the disciples that they no longer would need the Law (Moses) and Elijah (the prophets) they had gone and that what was left was Jesus and it was HIM that they should now hear (listen to)

The New Covenant is much better than the first

Hebrews 8-6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

The first was not faultless as it couldn’t save, it could not make anyone righteous

Romans 8-3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Galatians 3-21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

New covenant believers are dead to the law through Christ

Galatians 2-19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

Romans 7-4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Those that are dead to sin cannot live in sin anymore.

Romans 6-2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

What does this mean for new covenant keepers?

A person that is in Christ cannot sin

1 John 3-9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

A person that is dead to the law will not be judged by the law

Romans 2-12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

1 John 3-6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

For those that are no longer under the law and are dead to the law they cannot be judged by the law and so where no law is in place their sin is not imputed upon them.

Romans 5-13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

There is no condemnation for those that are in Christ

Romans 8-1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Hebrews 10-26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Meaning if you remain under the law then you sin as sin is the transgression of the law, and it is willfull because you have received the truth regarding Jesus yet you have willfully remained under the law, meaning you refuse the truth regarding the ending of the law, then no animal sacrifice would atone for those sins and therefore you would remain with those sins.

Jesus even stated that if a person did not accept him they would remain in their sin and die in those sins.

John 8-24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Does it mean that as we are not under the Mosaic law and the 10 commandments that we can simply do as we please. Can we now commit adultery, bear false witness can we even kill as all of these were in the 10 commandments. Well the simple answer to that is of course not. We are now under Christ.

Jesus said that he gives us a NEW commandment

John 13-34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Galatians 5-14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Adultery, bearing false witness and killing would not be following this command and thus would not fulfill the law (of Christ)

Galatians 6-2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Those that keep his word perfect the love of God.

1 John 2-5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

Jesus states very clearly that those that love him will keep HIS commandments they will Follow HIS commandments

John 14-15 If you love me, keep my commandments.

1 John 2-3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

Jesus distinguishes HIS commandments from those of his fathers, saying to keep HIS commandments like he kept his father’s.

John 15- 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Those that say they know him but do not follow his commandments are a liar and the truth is not in them.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

Verse 6- He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

We must walk IN FAITH. It is through our faith that everything mentioned in this writing is brought together.