Did Jesus Keep the Letter of the Law, the Spirit of the Law or both?

[corinth77777]

Did Jesus Keep the Letter of the Law, the Spirit of the Law or both. Please state your Answer and give scriptural references only.
This is for learning purposes only, So it should be a place to explore meaning, intent, and context.

 

[eleos1954]

Did Jesus Keep the Letter of the Law, the Spirit of the Law or both. Please state your Answer and give scriptural references only.
This is for learning purposes only, So it should be a place to explore meaning, intent, and context.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1Jo 5:3)

Keeping the letter of the law because of a belief in its truths, is serving the spirit of the law. Therefore, obedience to the ten commandments and serving the spirit of the law are not contradictory or separable.

The spirit of the law and the letter of the law are not contrary to each other, nor can they be separated. The spirit of the law magnifies the letter of the law.

“The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” (Isa 42:21)

The letter of the law being magnified by the spirit thereof, we are called to obey the commandments not only to the letter of the law, but more so in newness of spirit (Rom. 7:6).

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

The Spirit of the law is the Law. Jesus accused the pharisees of teaching the precepts of man as the law of God. When Jesus healed on the Sabbath he kept the Spirit of the law which was does not conflict with the intention of the law. Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath? Jesus asked. Jesus pointed out that is anyone's ox fell in a pit on the Sabbath they would all reason it was ok to get it out on the Sabbath. Jesus noted a women affirmed a long time who he called a daughter of Abraham and said should she not be set free of her infirmities on the Sabbath. He healed her. Showing that the law never forbid the doing of good on the Sabbath. On the other hand he showed the the spirit of the law is much stricter than the letter of the law when speaking about adultery saying if you look at a women with lust you have already committed adultery in your heart. Again the spirit is the letter and Jesus by the Holy Spirit makes clear that the intent is to be lust free and not commit adultery.

 

[corinth77777]

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1Jo 5:3)

Keeping the letter of the law because of a belief in its truths, is serving the spirit of the law. Therefore, obedience to the ten commandments and serving the spirit of the law are not contradictory or separable.

The spirit of the law and the letter of the law are not contrary to each other, nor can they be separated. The spirit of the law magnifies the letter of the law.

“The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.” (Isa 42:21)

The letter of the law being magnified by the spirit thereof, we are called to obey the commandments not only to the letter of the law, but more so in newness of spirit (Rom. 7:6).

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

So which one Did Jesus keep?

 

[corinth77777]

@Brian Mcnamee thank you for your response

You said, "When Jesus healed on the Sabbath he kept the Spirit of the law which was does not conflict with the intention of the law"
C7
What does keeping the Spirit of the Law mean to you?

You said, "Again the spirit is the letter and Jesus by the Holy Spirit makes clear that the intent is to be lust free and not commit adultery."
C7
How is "the Spirit the letter"? Would you please give a scriptural reference relative to your statement and interpret? For aren't all things seen temporary? And wasn't the Letter seen?

 

[Greg J.]

@corinth77777, it's a good question. The question arises due to humans not understanding the spirit of the Law(s). We can see that the religious leaders considered Jesus to have broken the letter of the Law, such as when he healed on the Sabbath. To them, Jesus had broken the Law, but Jesus tried to correct them by pointing out that the spirit of the Law permitted it in that it was OK to do good on the Sabbath (e.g., Matthew 12:12).

Jesus revealed that keeping the spirit of the Law was what God desired in various places, such as in Mark 2:25-28. Jesus confirmed it was OK that David and his companions ate the shewbread, which was only permitted for priests according to the letter of the Law (Leviticus 24:8-9).

God revealed that in Christ the Spirit of the Law is what matters.

“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17, 1984 NIV)

Paul pointed out that those who seek righteousness according to the Law will be judged by the Law (and will have failed and will perish) in Romans 2:12-13.

Having said all that, Jesus would have lived his life mostly keeping the letter of the Law to minimize any hindrance to people believing him (e.g., Matthew 17:27) as we see Paul did:

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. (1 Corinthians 9:21, 1984 NIV)

Interestingly, the way this verse reads to me is that Christ's Law (Spirit of the Law?) is considered God's Law. Something similar is implied in Romans 8:2. However, it is more direct to say that being reborn in Christ and living according to the Spirit means one has satisfied the requirements of the Law (Romans 8:3-4). Also see Romans 13:10.

 

[Greg J.]

Duplicate post.

 

[corinth77777]

@corinth77777, it's a good question. The question arises due to humans not understanding the spirit of the Law(s). We can see that the religious leaders considered Jesus to have broken the letter of the Law, such as when he healed on the Sabbath. To them, Jesus had broken the Law, but Jesus tried to correct them by pointing out that the spirit of the Law permitted it in that it was OK to do good on the Sabbath (e.g., Matthew 12:12).

Jesus revealed that keeping the spirit of the Law was what God desired in various places, such as in Mark 2:25-28. Jesus confirmed it was OK that David and his companions ate the shewbread, which was only permitted for priests according to the letter of the Law (Leviticus 24:8-9).

God revealed that in Christ the Spirit of the Law is what matters.

“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17, 1984 NIV)

Paul pointed out that those who seek righteousness according to the Law will be judged by the Law (and will have failed and will perish) in Romans 2:12-13.

Having said all that, Jesus would have lived his life mostly keeping the letter of the Law to minimize any hindrance to people believing him (e.g., Matthew 17:27) as we see Paul did:

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. (1 Corinthians 9:21, 1984 NIV)

Interestingly, the way this verse reads to me is that Christ's Law (Spirit of the Law?) is considered God's Law. Something similar is implied in Romans 8:2. However, it is more direct to say that being reborn in Christ and living according to the Spirit means one has satisfied the requirements of the Law (Romans 8:3-4). Also see Romans 13:10.

Thank you for that complete response.
You made some thought provoking statements; as how one is judged. And I recall a scripture of being judged by the gospel. So do you believe one is brought to Faith to keep the letter?[Law of Moses, ministration of death] and that is how one establishes the Law?

 

[Greg J.]

So do you believe one is brought to Faith to keep the letter?[Law of Moses, ministration of death] and that is how one establishes the Law?

What prompts you to ask that?

 

[corinth77777]

What prompts you to ask that?

I wonder if we Keep the Faith[continually Trust Christ] to keep the Spirit [will of God]
Life

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses"

 

[Greg J.]

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34, 1984 NIV)

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, 1984 NIV)

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10, 1984 NIV)

The whole Bible reveals God's nature to us, so from learning about him through the Bible, we can choose to please him.

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. (2 Corinthians 5:9, 1984 NIV)

On Judgment Day, Jesus will examine our hearts to see if we genuinely believed in him and whether we were genuinely submitted to him. What we actually did doesn't have anything to do with our eternal destination. However, eternal rewards are based on our deeds, so knowing what Jesus commanded is important.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, 1984 NIV)

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15, 1984 NIV)

God rewards obedience tremendously and it is always for our long-term benefit. Spiritually speaking, it is very important for this life, too. See Deuteronomy 28.

 

[Shempster]

The "spirit" of the law is the greatest commandments: To love God with all your heart, mind and strength and to love others as yourself.
That and the letter of the law are tied together. It even seems that the meaning behind all of the Mosaic laws can be tied to loving God, others or yourself.

 

[eleos1954]

So which one Did Jesus keep?

Both the letter and the spirit

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

@Brian Mcnamee thank you for your response

You said, "When Jesus healed on the Sabbath he kept the Spirit of the law which was does not conflict with the intention of the law"
C7
What does keeping the Spirit of the Law mean to you?

You said, "Again the spirit is the letter and Jesus by the Holy Spirit makes clear that the intent is to be lust free and not commit adultery."
C7
How is "the Spirit the letter"? Would you please give a scriptural reference relative to your statement and interpret? For aren't all things seen temporary? And wasn't the Letter seen?

this post like many other Adventist post is an end run to set up this specific debate. They can never come out and start with the main idea like Hey did you know Sunday Sabbath is the mark of the beast. They have to lead you to those conclusion. The Bible is full of verses speaking of Jesus being the Sabbath and entering into that rest. One man esteems one day above another and another sees all days as the same; let no one judge you regarding Sabbaths and new moons and all. The LORD is not concerned what day you worship on and you would have a very difficult time determining from creation which day is now Saturday anyways. You can see a person repenting of their sins and the fruit of the Spriit in their lives having repented from works of evil and putting the character of Christ yet you would call them taking the mark of the beast because they go to church on Sunday. Who is sounding like a pharisee? The scripture says they added to the church daily those who should be saved. You do not get converts so much by sharing the gospel with the lost but by preaching the Sabbath to those who already know the LORD. In Revelation it warns not to ad or take away from the word. So show me in the scripture where it says Sunday worship is the mark of the beast. This is what you SDA teach so you added it to the word. In the days of Walter Martin you would be relegated to the cult side of Christianity.

 

[corinth77777]

this post like many other Adventist post is an end run to set up this specific debate. They can never come out and start with the main idea like Hey did you know Sunday Sabbath is the mark of the beast. They have to lead you to those conclusion. The Bible is full of verses speaking of Jesus being the Sabbath and entering into that rest. One man esteems one day above another and another sees all days as the same; let no one judge you regarding Sabbaths and new moons and all. The LORD is not concerned what day you worship on and you would have a very difficult time determining from creation which day is now Saturday anyways. You can see a person repenting of their sins and the fruit of the Spriit in their lives having repented from works of evil and putting the character of Christ yet you would call them taking the mark of the beast because they go to church on Sunday. Who is sounding like a pharisee? The scripture says they added to the church daily those who should be saved. You do not get converts so much by sharing the gospel with the lost but by preaching the Sabbath to those who already know the LORD. In Revelation it warns not to ad or take away from the word. So show me in the scripture where it says Sunday worship is the mark of the beast. This is what you SDA teach so you added it to the word. In the days of Walter Martin you would be relegated to the cult side of Christianity.

Lol...No it's not an sda post....But why does your name seem familiar.....I must have read an article you posted on the net....It is a quest to find...what scriptures people have for the Letter.....vs. the Spirit..and their understanding behind it.....

 

[gordonhooker]

The spirit of the law, had he followed the letter of the Law he would have thrown the first stone in this scripture JOHN 8:1-11.

 

[klutedavid]

Did Jesus Keep the Letter of the Law, the Spirit of the Law or both. Please state your Answer and give scriptural references only.
This is for learning purposes only, So it should be a place to explore meaning, intent, and context.

I voted that Jesus obeyed the Spirit of the law but not the letter of the law.

Can I prove that Jesus did not obey the letter of the law?

Well, yes I can.

Leviticus 20:10
If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

The letter of the law is crystal clear on adultery, an adulterer must be put to death.

Yet we find that Jesus disobeyed the letter of the law concerning adultery.

John 8:3-6
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him.

The Pharisees tested and demonstrated that Jesus did not follow the letter of the law.

 

[corinth77777]

The spirit of the law, had he followed the letter of the Law he would have thrown the first stone in this scripture JOHN 8:1-11.

Hi, thanks for the response....strait to the point....

What laws do you believe are written on the heart? And why?

 

[klutedavid]

The spirit of the law, had he followed the letter of the Law he would have thrown the first stone in this scripture JOHN 8:1-11.

You just edged me out.

 

[klutedavid]

Hi, thanks for the response....strait to the point....

What laws do you believe are written on the heart? And why?

What is written on the heart?

If you have a heart of stone, then logically, the ten commandments.

If you have a heart of flesh, then of course, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, i.e., love.

 

[corinth77777]

What is written on the heart?

If you have a heart of stone, then logically, the ten commandments.

If you have a heart of flesh, then of course, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, i.e., love.

Any scriptural references?