Levitical Laws: Which Ancient Rules Still Apply Today?

what levitical laws still apply

The Levitical laws are found in the Old Testament, in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These laws are often referred to as the Law of Moses, the tablets of the covenant, or simply Law.

The Levitical laws can be divided into three categories: ceremonial, civil, and moral. The ceremonial laws governed Israel's worship and sacrificial system, the civil laws brought order to the national life of Israel, and the moral laws transcended time and behavior.

Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial and civil laws, rendering them null and void. However, the moral laws, such as the Ten Commandments, still apply today. These laws reveal God's character and wisdom, and serve as a guide for righteous living. While the specific cultural context of the Levitical laws may not be applicable today, the underlying principles and wisdom can still be applied in a contemporary context.

It is important to note that the distinction between ceremonial, civil, and moral laws is not explicitly made in the Bible. This categorization is a later interpretation by theologians and scholars to understand and apply the laws in a modern context.

Characteristics Values
Moral Law Adultery, murder, stealing, coveting, loving your neighbour as yourself
Ceremonial Law Animal sacrifice, Sabbath, touching dead bodies, tattoos, eating meat with blood still in it
Civil Law Diet, cleanliness, dress, settlement of disputes, agriculture

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The Levitical laws were for the Jews only

The Levitical laws were given to the ancient Israelites and governed their worship, national life, and morality. These laws do not apply directly to non-Jews today but contain wisdom that is still valuable and applicable. The ceremonial laws, which governed worship, were fulfilled by Christ and are no longer binding. The governmental or civil laws, which brought order to national life, were superseded when Israel rejected the Messiah and are similarly non-binding today. The moral law, which includes the Ten Commandments, transcends time and behavior and was fulfilled by Jesus through his perfect righteousness.

The Levitical laws can be divided into three types: ceremonial, governmental, and moral. The ceremonial laws governed Israel's worship and included sacrificial rituals, dietary restrictions, and purity regulations. These laws pointed to and were fulfilled by Christ, rendering them null and void. At the moment of Jesus' death, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, symbolising that anyone could now come to God through him, and the need for priests and animal sacrifices was abolished.

The governmental or civil laws provided a unique identity for Israel as a nation that belonged to God and included regulations on agriculture, settlement of disputes, diet, cleanliness, and dress. These laws were fulfilled and superseded when Israel rejected the Messiah, and we can ignore them today. However, they contributed to the longevity of the Jewish people by providing a common set of rules to live by.

The moral law includes prohibitions against stealing, adultery, and coveting, which transcend time and space. Jesus fulfilled the moral law by his perfect obedience and died for our sins on the cross. While some laws, such as those on tattoos, may not be directly applicable today due to cultural differences, the underlying principles remain valid. For example, tattoos that glorify Satan or evil are inherently wrong, while those that glorify Christ or are neutral in nature are acceptable.

The Levitical laws were given to the ancient Israelites and do not apply directly to non-Jews today. However, they contain wisdom that is still valuable and applicable. We can learn from the laws and adapt them to our contemporary context, as Jesus did. Ultimately, Jesus fulfilled the law, and through his death and resurrection, we are no longer bound by it but are under grace.

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Christians are saved by grace, not by following the rules of Leviticus

The Old Testament Law is found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This includes the Ten Commandments. It is often referred to in Scripture as the "Law of Moses", the "tablets of the covenant", or just "Law".

The Old Testament Law has three dimensions: ceremonial, civil, and moral. The ceremonial law related specifically to Israel's worship and no longer applies to Christians. The civil law applied to daily living in Israel and, while it can inform our conduct, it is not binding.

The moral law, such as the Ten Commandments, is the direct command of God and it requires strict obedience. The moral law still applies today.

Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it. He obeyed the moral law completely.

While it is important for Christians to follow God's commandments, this is not essential for salvation. Christians are saved by grace through faith.

The Apostle Paul wrote that Christians are not under the law but under grace. We are freed from the law's bondage by Christ's once-for-all sacrifice.

Christians are called to love God and to love their neighbours as themselves. This is the greatest commandment and sums up the whole Bible.

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The Old Testament laws were for a specific time and place

The Old Testament laws were given to the people of Israel at a specific time and place. The laws were divided into three categories: ceremonial, civil, and moral. The ceremonial laws governed Israel's worship, the civil laws brought order to the national life of Israel, and the moral laws transcended time and behaviour.

The ceremonial laws were rendered null and void at the moment Jesus cried, "It is finished". This was when the curtain of the temple in Jerusalem, which divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, was torn in two from top to bottom. From that moment onwards, there was no longer any need for a priest to act as a mediator between God and his people. Anybody, at any time, in any place, could come to God through Jesus Christ.

The civil laws were fulfilled and superseded when Israel rejected the Messiah. These laws were special standards by which God's chosen people were to live as distinct and apart from the world. They provided a unique identity for Israel as a nation that belonged to God. The civil laws were also what kept the Jews united as a people, and this is why the Jews have existed for over 2,000 years.

The moral laws, such as prohibitions against stealing, adultery, and coveting, transcend time and space. Jesus fulfilled the moral law by His perfect righteousness. He obeyed every commandment and met every requirement.

While there is some crossover among the three types of laws, not all of the Old Testament laws are applicable today. For example, the Sabbath laws are no longer valid. Paul says no day has precedence over any other day. However, the wisdom found in the Old Testament laws can still be applied to a contemporary context.

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The ceremonial law has been fulfilled by Christ

The ceremonial law, which related specifically to Israel's worship, was fulfilled by Christ. This means that the ceremonial law no longer binds us, though the principles behind them—to worship and love a holy God—still apply.

The ceremonial law included the sacrificial system, which was at the heart of all Old Testament worship. The wages of sin is death, and either we die for our sin, or God will allow an animal to be sacrificed in our stead. Once per year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and bring the blood of the bulls and goats as a sin offering to the Lord.

All of the ceremonial and sacrificial laws pointed to and were fulfilled by Christ on the cross. At the moment Jesus cried, "It is finished," all of the ceremonial laws were rendered null and void. The curtain of the temple in Jerusalem, which divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, was torn in two from top to bottom.

The ceremonial laws were fulfilled and superseded when Israel rejected the Messiah. We can ignore all of the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.

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The moral law is immutable

The moral law is not bound by time or space. Prohibitions against stealing, adultery, coveting, and murder transcend time and space. Jesus fulfilled the moral law by his perfect righteousness. He obeyed every commandment and met every requirement. He lived up to every standard and died for it on the cross.

The moral law is an expression of God's character. It is immutable because God is immutable. If God were to set aside the moral law, He would be doing violence to His own character. The moral law is a reflection of God's holiness. It is a mirror that reflects our sinfulness and reveals to us the holiness of God.

The moral law is also a restraint to evildoers. It has a restraining impact on common grace. It guides our conduct and should be our standard of behaviour.

The moral law is critical for our sanctification. Following His commandments is an important trait of a believer. We know from the New Testament that keeping His commandments is what one does if they love the Lord.

The moral law is not burdensome. It is a blessing. It is wisdom. It is a gift from God to help people love God with all their hearts and minds.

Frequently asked questions

No, Christians do not need to follow the Levitical laws. The Levitical laws were given to the ancient Israelites and do not apply directly to Christians today. However, we can find wisdom and moral guidance in these laws, which are part of God's story with ancient Israel.

The three types of Old Testament laws are ceremonial, governmental, and moral.

Yes, the moral laws, such as the Ten Commandments, still apply today. Jesus fulfilled the moral law by His perfect righteousness and we are called to obey His commandments.

The civil and ceremonial laws were fulfilled and superseded by Jesus and are no longer applicable today. For example, the ceremonial laws governing worship and sacrifices were fulfilled by Christ's death on the cross.

We need to understand the cultural context of the Old Testament laws and compare it to our own culture. Some laws, such as those regarding tattoos, can be interpreted differently today than they were in ancient Israel.

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