By Kristie Irwin
The law of God is composed of two parts. Many get confused about the role of the two, and wonder which we should follow. There has been much confusion and controversy about old covenant vs new covenant. Looking at the Bible itself will help one understand the significance of each. The Bible says that this old law was to serve as a school master to bring us to Christ. It is to help us understand God and His will.
The role of the old law was to give a lost of rules for mankind, mostly stated as "thou shalt not". The focus was following the letter law to the letter, a very legalistic approach. The principles of love that is the new law's focus is missing. It was not possible to keep all these tenets without fail. Thus, people were to perform sacrifices to have their transgressions temporarily covered until time for the next sacrifice.
The old testament account is, among other things, a history of man before the birth of Jesus. It also details God's law. The history of prophets is also included. There are some literary components as well. It is still basically about the law of God, including the ten commandments, received by Moses. These were the guidelines for the time. The new law reiterates them, except for one.
The new testament gives the account of mankind after the birth of Jesus, throughout the early Christian era. Its focus is less on the rituals of obedience and more on the spirituality and principles. It does repeat the ten commandments, but makes them applicable in spirit as well as the letter of the law.
Blood of animals was necessary the forgiveness of sins. Sacrifices to God rolled the responsibility for these sins forward until time for the next sacrifice. Jesus blood became that sacrifice upon his crucifixion in new testament times. The forgiveness lasts forever for every man, not requiring repeated sacrifices.
God's plan of salvation is recounted in the Bible, starting from the beginning. At first, during the old testament era, different laws were in force. Some people are not able to let go of these old laws, often desiring to bind these laws and customs on people in the Christian era. Others support new laws over old rules and traditions. Some even try to follow both laws.
The desire of people to follow old traditions is their prerogative. They should not, however, try to bind their beliefs on other people. The Bible instructs not to force views on anyone that God has not ordained, nor to release them from anything he has ordered. Both testaments are required to understand the whole law.
Though the debate continues over old covenant vs new covenant (http://www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com/what-iswas-the-old-covenant.html) , it is important to accept both. The Word of God is important regardless. With the new law love is the focus. Anything at all without love is useless, according to I Corinthians 13. So, even though we are not constrained to sacrifices, restricted diets, etc., as was true in times past, the principle of strict obedience to God is obvious in both the old and new.
About the Author:
Get more information about how the church has changed when you visit www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com now. You can learn about the benefits of joining a community that is active and fun at http://www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com today.
The law of God is composed of two parts. Many get confused about the role of the two, and wonder which we should follow. There has been much confusion and controversy about old covenant vs new covenant. Looking at the Bible itself will help one understand the significance of each. The Bible says that this old law was to serve as a school master to bring us to Christ. It is to help us understand God and His will.
The role of the old law was to give a lost of rules for mankind, mostly stated as "thou shalt not". The focus was following the letter law to the letter, a very legalistic approach. The principles of love that is the new law's focus is missing. It was not possible to keep all these tenets without fail. Thus, people were to perform sacrifices to have their transgressions temporarily covered until time for the next sacrifice.
The old testament account is, among other things, a history of man before the birth of Jesus. It also details God's law. The history of prophets is also included. There are some literary components as well. It is still basically about the law of God, including the ten commandments, received by Moses. These were the guidelines for the time. The new law reiterates them, except for one.
The new testament gives the account of mankind after the birth of Jesus, throughout the early Christian era. Its focus is less on the rituals of obedience and more on the spirituality and principles. It does repeat the ten commandments, but makes them applicable in spirit as well as the letter of the law.
Blood of animals was necessary the forgiveness of sins. Sacrifices to God rolled the responsibility for these sins forward until time for the next sacrifice. Jesus blood became that sacrifice upon his crucifixion in new testament times. The forgiveness lasts forever for every man, not requiring repeated sacrifices.
God's plan of salvation is recounted in the Bible, starting from the beginning. At first, during the old testament era, different laws were in force. Some people are not able to let go of these old laws, often desiring to bind these laws and customs on people in the Christian era. Others support new laws over old rules and traditions. Some even try to follow both laws.
The desire of people to follow old traditions is their prerogative. They should not, however, try to bind their beliefs on other people. The Bible instructs not to force views on anyone that God has not ordained, nor to release them from anything he has ordered. Both testaments are required to understand the whole law.
Though the debate continues over old covenant vs new covenant (http://www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com/what-iswas-the-old-covenant.html) , it is important to accept both. The Word of God is important regardless. With the new law love is the focus. Anything at all without love is useless, according to I Corinthians 13. So, even though we are not constrained to sacrifices, restricted diets, etc., as was true in times past, the principle of strict obedience to God is obvious in both the old and new.
About the Author:
Get more information about how the church has changed when you visit www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com now. You can learn about the benefits of joining a community that is active and fun at http://www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com today.