Bible Questions and Answers

Has the New Testament completely replaced the Law of Moses?

The Bible consists of two Covenants. 

There is the Old Covenant which God made with Israel at Sinai. This Covenant contained commandments, judicial laws, dietary and dress restrictions, sacrifices and ceremonial observances. It required circumcision of males at eight days old. If Israel kept God’s commandments  the people would be blessed, but if they failed to observe the Covenant they would be cursed.The curses are given in Deuteronomy 27:16-26.

The ‘catch all’ comes in verse 26:

Deuteronomy 27:26  ‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

Israel failed to keep the Covenant and through the prophet Jeremiah God promised that he would institute a New Covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34

This brings us to the New Testament i.e. the New Covenant which replaces the Old Covenant (Testament) Hebrews 8:6-13

Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant. Hebrews 12:24

The Law of Moses is replaced with the commandments of Jesus Christ. Christ’s commandments are found in the New ‘Testament’ or 'Covenant' Gospel accounts with supplementary instruction (given by inspiration) in the letters.

• Circumcision is not required.
• There are no dietary restrictions.
• The only ceremonial requirements are Baptism by immersion in water for the remission of past sins and meeting regularly to share bread and wine in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.

Observance of Jesus’ commandments supersedes the Law of Moses and the ten commandments. John 15:13,14; Luke 6:46

The Law of Moses could not save us because no one other than Jesus could keep it. It served only to condemn men and women to death. Salvation has always been by faith in God’s promise of a redeemer which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:11

To demonstrate that the Law is no longer in force we have the incident of Jesus coming under a curse of the Law because he was hanged upon a tree – a wooden cross or stake. Galatians 3:13 We find this curse in Deuteronomy 21:23

When we believe the Gospel of the kingdom of God preached by Jesus and his apostles and are baptised into Christ, our past sins are forgiven, and we begin a new life.

We cannot live a sinless life, but if we are making a determined effort to live by Christ’s commandments, the sins which we commit through weakness will be forgiven by confession in prayer. 1 John 1:7,8

The kingdom of God will be the restored kingdom of David which Christ will establish when he returns to the earth. Luke 1:32,33 

Those who believe and obey the gospel will be raised from the dead to eternal life in the kingdom of God.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn