How many laws are too many?

Soyeong said:

You should not interpret fulfilling God's laws are meaning essentially the same thing as abolishing them when Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law in contrast with saying that he came not to abolish them, but rather Jesus fulfilled the law by teaching us how to obey them by word and by example. In Galatians 6:2, bearing one another burdens fulfills the Law of Christ, yet you do not consistently interpret that in the same way.

Click to expand...

If you read my post to you I was very careful to state very clearly that "fulfilling" God's "shadow laws" does not mean they are abolished but that they are fulfilled in that to which they point to and are continued in that to which they have pointed to based on better promises under the new covenant *Hebrews 8:1-6. This was of course all in context to the old and new covenant laws for "remission of sins". That is, all the ceremonial "shadow laws" of the old covenant to do with the earthly Sanctuary, the Levitical Priesthood, animal sacrifices and sin offerings and the prophetic "shadow laws" that pointed to Christ as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 and his role under Gods new promises *Hebrews 8:1-6 as our great High Priest of the order of Melchizedek (King Priest) *Hebrews 7:1-28; Hebrews 8:1-13; Hebrews 9:1-28 ministering on our behalf under the new covenant *Hebrews 10:1-22.

Soyeong said:

While the New Covenant is based on better promises and has a superior mediator, it still involves following the same law, which has always pointed toward Christ (Hebrews 8:10).

Click to expand...

While there is an old covenant with "shadow laws" for remission of sins based on an earthly Sanctuary with its own laws based on the Levitical Priesthood, and animal sacrifices for sins and sin offerings and other prophetic "shadow laws" under the old covenant pointing to things to come in Christ as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world and the work of Jesus on our behalf in the new covenant in the Heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands based on better promises, the key thing to remember here is that we are in the new covenant now and not the old covenant. To go back to the old covenant laws for remission of sins that included an earthly Sanctuary, animal sacrifices and the Levitical Priesthood would in fact be to deny the very Christ they point to. In fact Paul makes this very clear when talking to the JEWS in Hebrews 10 when he says (see context of Hebrews 10:1-23); [26], For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, [27], but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. The context of Hebrews 10:26-27 is to Jesus as God's sacrifice for sin once and for all and His role as our great High Priest of the order of Melchizedek ministering on our behalf under the new covenant. There is now under the new covenant, no more animal sacrifices for sin, no more earthly Sanctuary, no more Levitical Priesthood because they have been fulfilled to that to which they pointed to and that is Christ and His ministration in the Heavenly Sanctuary on our behalf. So are these "shadow laws" for remission of sins abolished? Of course not! They are fulfilled in that to which they were pointing to and are continued in Gods' sacrifice for the sins of the world once and for all and the new ministration and role of Jesus as our great High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands of which the earthly was only a copy of the heavenly *Hebrews 8:5. To go back to the "shadow laws" for remission of sins (animal sacrifices, sin offerings, earthly Sanctuary, Levitical Priesthood) once we have been given a knowledge of the truth of God's Word would be to deny the very Christ to who they pointed to under God's new covenant promise *Hebrews 10:1-27.

Soyeong said:

"Mishpat" is mainly in regard to righteousness, justice, judgement, judicial rulings, and civil disputes, such as all of the laws listed in Exodus 21, like in regard to what happens if you strike someone and they die or the law against kidnapping, which has nothing in particular to do with ceremony. So even though mishpat can be in regard to ceremony, that does not mean that you can shoehorn your concept of ceremonial law into mishpat, especially because unlike the Bible your concept of ceremonial law is distinguished from moral and judicial law. I have no problem with you describing some of God's laws as being ceremonial, but I do have a major problem was with you describing those laws as being ceremonial as opposed to moral, especially because the Bible never makes that distinction and never suggests that it can ever be moral to disobey God. Out of many translations listed at Biblehub, only three of them translated Numbers 9:3 using the word "ceremonies", but even if that were the correct translation, it does not establish that any of the authors of the Bible consider there to be a subcategory of ceremonial law, especially one that was in contrast with moral and judicial law.

Click to expand...

I am not talking about these law you have listed here. I am talking about the old covenant "shadow laws" for remission of sins (earthly Sanctuary, animal sacrifices and the Levitical Priesthood). I agree with you that while under the old covenant even the ceremonial "shadow laws" for remission of sins can be considered "moral laws" because moral laws are essentially instructions for "right doing" so obeying all of Gods laws if we are still under the old covenant are essentially following God's laws for right doing in regards to our relationship with God and our fellow man. Under the old covenant when one sins we do the right thing in seeking God's forgiveness by providing animal sacrifices for sins at the temple through a Levite Priest. This was God's appointed way under the old covenant laws for remission of sins in order to seek God's forgiveness and so was the right thing to do under the old covenant laws for remission of sin. However the problem you have here is that we are no longer under the old covenant we are now since the death and resurrection of Christ under a new covenant made of better promises. The Mosaic "shadow laws" for remission of sins, pointed to and are fulfilled in Christ as Gods' sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 and Jesus as is now our great High Priest who now ministers on our behalf in the heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands. Therefore today, we no longer find God's forgiveness through animal sacrifice for our sins but in God's sacrifice once and for all *Hebrews 10:10-14; John 1:29; Hebrews 7:25-28; Hebrews 9:12. Therefore to offer animal sacrifices today when these "shadow laws" are fulfilled and continued in Christ would no longer be considered "right doing" but wrong doing therefore no longer "moral laws" because to follow the old covenant laws for remission of sins would be to deny the very Christ and the Word of God to whom the "shadow laws" for remission of sin point to.

Soyeong said:

"Dogma" is never once used by the Bible to refer to any of God's laws. It means "decree, edict, or ordinance", "decree" means "an official order issued by a legal authority", "edict" means "an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority", and "ordinance" means "authoritative order; a decree". You can take your pick, but "dogma" does refer to a charge or a legal ruling that is against someone, such as that someone has been found guilty of murder. And again, it was the charges that were against people being crucified that were nailed to their crosses (Matthew 27:37). This has nothing to do with fulfilling any of God's laws or with any of them being nailed to the cross. The context is Paul encouraging the Colossians not to let anyone judge them and stop them from keeping God's holy days, so it is ironic when people try to use this passage to justify their refusal to keep God's holy days. Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, and in Titus 2:14, it does not say that Jesus gave himself to free us from any laws, but in order to redeem us from all lawlessness, so saying that there were any laws that were nailed to the cross undermines both what Jesus accomplished through his ministry and through the cross.

Click to expand...

Actually that is not quite true. The Greek word "dogma" meaning civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical laws is used two times in the new testament scriptures. Once in Colossians 2:14 and the other in Ephesians 2:15. In both cases it is used to refer to laws in ordinances. As posted earlier the context to Colossians 2:14 is Colossians 2:11-13 which is to the "shadow laws" of circumcision and the true meaning of baptism and in Colossians 2:16 to meat and drink offerings, new moons, and sabbaths in the feast days. The death of Christ being further explained in Ephesians 2:15-16 where it is written, [15] having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES (dogma); for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace [16], And that he might reconcile both to God IN ONE BODY BY THE CROSS, having slain the enmity thereby. Jesus is God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 - No more "shadow laws" for sin offerings now under the new covenant based on better promises *Hebrews 10:10-14.

Soyeong said:

It is contradictory for someone to want to become grafted into Israel while wanting nothing to do with following the instructions that God gave to Israel.

Click to expand...

Agreed, so in order to be a part of God’s Israel under the new covenant promise *Hebrews 8:10-12; Hebrews 10:1-18 we must believe God’s Word. God’s Word is not only the old testament scriptures but also the new testament scriptures and Jesus taught us from the Torah, man does not live by bread alone but by everyone Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God in Matthew 4:4 from Deuteronomy 8:3. Of course all scripture is God breathed as shown in 2 Timothy 3:16. So according to Jesus, God’s Israel in the new covenant are all those who believe and follow God’s Word *John 10:26-27; John 8:37-51; Romans 9:6-8.

Soyeong said:

All of the Mosaic Law is God's word, so you are disbelieving and refusing to follow God's word. We should live in a way that points towards Jesus by keeping the laws that point toward him instead of living in a way that points away from him by refusing to follow those laws. You can't have your cake and eat it too, so it can't be the case that we should no longer continue to follow God's laws and that those laws are continued in Christ. Christ fulfilled the law so that we would have an example to follow, not so that we could be free to refuse to follow him, and those who are in Christ are obligated to walk in the same way he walked (1 John 2:6).

Click to expand...

It is those who refuse to believe and follow God’s Word once given a knowledge of the truth that are not a part of God's Israel in the new covenant. Some do not believe and follow what God's Word says out of ignorance and in times of ignorance when someone does not know any better God winks at but when we are given a knowledge of the truth of God's Word then God calls all men everywhere to believe and follow it *Acts of the Apostles 17:30-31. According to the scriptures if we deny God’s Word then He will deny us *2 Timothy 2:12 and denying God's Word shows we are not from God because we do not speak and do what His Word says *John 3:34; 1 John 2:3-4. The new covenant scriptures as shown already in Hebrews 7:1-28; Hebrews 8:1-13; Hebrews 9:1-28 and Hebrews 10:1-21 which are Gods’ Word show that the “shadow laws” for remission of sins that include the earthly Sanctuary, the ceremonial laws for remission of sins, the Levitical Priesthood, animal sacrifices and sin offerings and other prophetic laws have all been fulfilled in Christ as God’s sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29. The new covenant is the new ministration where the “shadow laws” are fulfilled in JESUS as our great High Priest ministering on our behalf in the heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands of which the earthly was only a copy *Hebrews 8:1-6 and are today continued in Him who loved us and washed us in His own blood. To deny Gods’ word in the new covenant and return back to the “shadow laws” of the old covenant, that are now fulfilled in the Messiah is to deny the very Messiah to which they point to and to deny the very words of Christ to which the whole Torah points to.

Something to pray about.

LoveGodsWord said:

If you read my post to you I was very careful to state very clearly that "fulfilling" God's "shadow laws" does not mean they are abolished but that they are fulfilled in that to which they point to and are continued in that to which they have pointed to based on better promises under the new covenant *Hebrews 8:1-6. This was of course all in context to the old and new covenant laws for "remission of sins". That is, all the ceremonial "shadow laws" of the old covenant to do with the earthly Sanctuary, the Levitical Priesthood, animal sacrifices and sin offerings and the prophetic "shadow laws" that pointed to Christ as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 and his role under Gods new promises *Hebrews 8:1-6 as our great High Priest of the order of Melchizedek (King Priest) *Hebrews 7:1-28; Hebrews 8:1-13; Hebrews 9:1-28 ministering on our behalf under the new covenant *Hebrews 10:1-22.

Click to expand...

Jesus fulfilled God's law by teaching us how to obey it by word and by example, and as his followers we are told to follow his example (1 Peter 2:21-22), so we should also fulfill God's law by following his example. If the command to keep Passover has not been abolished, then we should still continue to follow Christ's example of keeping Passover in remembrance of him. You say that it has continued, yet you don't think that we should continue to keep Passover, which is interpreting fulfilling God's law as meaning essentially the same thing as abolishing it. You deny that is what you are doing, but you can't have it both ways.

While there is an old covenant with "shadow laws" for remission of sins based on an earthly Sanctuary with its own laws based on the Levitical Priesthood, and animal sacrifices for sins and sin offerings and other prophetic "shadow laws" under the old covenant pointing to things to come in Christ as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world and the work of Jesus on our behalf in the new covenant in the Heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands based on better promises, the key thing to remember here is that we are in the new covenant now and not the old covenant. To go back to the old covenant laws for remission of sins that included an earthly Sanctuary, animal sacrifices and the Levitical Priesthood would in fact be to deny the very Christ they point to. In fact Paul makes this very clear when talking to the JEWS in Hebrews 10 when he says (see context of Hebrews 10:1-23); [26], For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, [27], but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. The context of Hebrews 10:26-27 is to Jesus as God's sacrifice for sin once and for all and His role as our great High Priest of the order of Melchizedek ministering on our behalf under the new covenant. There is now under the new covenant, no more animal sacrifices for sin, no more earthly Sanctuary, no more Levitical Priesthood because they have been fulfilled to that to which they pointed to and that is Christ and His ministration in the Heavenly Sanctuary on our behalf. So are these "shadow laws" for remission of sins abolished? Of course not! They are fulfilled in that to which they were pointing to and are continued in Gods' sacrifice for the sins of the world once and for all and the new ministration and role of Jesus as our great High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands of which the earthly was only a copy of the heavenly *Hebrews 8:5. To go back to the "shadow laws" for remission of sins (animal sacrifices, sin offerings, earthly Sanctuary, Levitical Priesthood) once we have been given a knowledge of the truth of God's Word would be to deny the very Christ to who they pointed to under God's new covenant promise *Hebrews 10:1-27.

Click to expand...

The Mosaic Covenant has always pointed towards Christ for the remission of sins, so that is not different under the New Covenant. When we do what is godly, righteous, and good in obedience to God's law, we are pointing towards Christ's holiness, righteousness, and goodness, and testifying that what we are doing reveals the truth about who Christ is, so it is absurd for you to think that we deny Christ by living in a way that points toward him. Sin is the transgression of God's law, so by saying that we should no longer follow any of God's laws, you so arguing in favor of deliberately sinning. Furthermore, by saying that we should no longer follow God's laws because they have been fulfilled, you again interpreting fulfilling God's laws as meaning essentially the same thing as abolishing them in spite of your insistence otherwise. They can't both be continued and be no more.

I am not talking about these law you have listed here. I am talking about the old covenant "shadow laws" for remission of sins (earthly Sanctuary, animal sacrifices and the Levitical Priesthood). I agree with you that while under the old covenant even the ceremonial "shadow laws" for remission of sins can be considered "moral laws" because moral laws are essentially instructions for "right doing" so obeying all of Gods laws if we are still under the old covenant are essentially following God's laws for right doing in regards to our relationship with God and our fellow man. Under the old covenant when one sins we do the right thing in seeking God's forgiveness by providing animal sacrifices for sins at the temple through a Levite Priest. This was God's appointed way under the old covenant laws for remission of sins in order to seek God's forgiveness and so was the right thing to do under the old covenant laws for remission of sin. However the problem you have here is that we are no longer under the old covenant we are now since the death and resurrection of Christ under a new covenant made of better promises. The Mosaic "shadow laws" for remission of sins, pointed to and are fulfilled in Christ as Gods' sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 and Jesus as is now our great High Priest who now ministers on our behalf in the heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands. Therefore today, we no longer find God's forgiveness through animal sacrifice for our sins but in God's sacrifice once and for all *Hebrews 10:10-14; John 1:29; Hebrews 7:25-28; Hebrews 9:12. Therefore to offer animal sacrifices today when these "shadow laws" are fulfilled and continued in Christ would no longer be considered "right doing" but wrong doing therefore no longer "moral laws" because to follow the old covenant laws for remission of sins would be to deny the very Christ and the Word of God to whom the "shadow laws" for remission of sin point to.

Click to expand...

You are trying to say that "mishpat" corresponds to your concept of ceremonial law when there is no correspondence whatsoever. The Bible never species any laws as being ceremonial laws as you have defined it and never even refers to the that you have defined.

All of God's laws foreshadow Christ. While Hebrews 8:1-13 speaks about the New Covenant having a superior mediator and being based on better promise, it says nothing about following different laws, but rather it still involves following the same law (Hebrews 8:10).

Actually that is not quite true. The Greek word "dogma" meaning civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical laws is used two times in the new testament scriptures. Once in Colossians 2:14 and the other in Ephesians 2:15. In both cases it is used to refer to laws in ordinances. As posted earlier the context to Colossians 2:14 is Colossians 2:11-13 which is to the "shadow laws" of circumcision and the true meaning of baptism and in Colossians 2:16 to meat and drink offerings, new moons, and sabbaths in the feast days. The death of Christ being further explained in Ephesians 2:15-16 where it is written, [15] having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES (dogma); for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace [16], And that he might reconcile both to God IN ONE BODY BY THE CROSS, having slain the enmity thereby. Jesus is God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 - No more "shadow laws" for sin offerings now under the new covenant based on better promises *Hebrews 10:10-14.

Click to expand...

Neither Colossians 2:14 nor Ephesians 2:15 are referring to any of God's laws, so again "dogma" is never used in the Bible to refer to any of God's laws. All of God's righteous laws are eternal (Psalms 119:160), but Ephesians 2:15 is referring to laws that are not eternal, therefore it could not be referring to any of God's laws. God did not make any mistakes when He gave the Mosaic Law, so He had no need to break down His own eternal laws. Furthermore, God did not give any laws for the purpose of creating a dividing wall of hostility, but rather His law instructs us to love our neighbor as ourselves, so I don't see a good reason for interpreting it as referring to any of God's laws. Jesus began his ministry with the Gospel message to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand, and in Titus 2:14, Jesus gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own possession who are zealous for doing good works, so interpreting either Colossians 2:14 or Ephesians 2:15 as referring to any of God's laws is undermining what Jesus accomplished through his ministry and through the cross, as well as disregarding what he said in Matthew 5:17-19.

Agreed, so in order to be a part of God’s Israel under the new covenant promise *Hebrews 8:10-12; Hebrews 10:1-18 we must believe God’s Word. God’s Word is not only the old testament scriptures but also the new testament scriptures and Jesus taught us from the Torah, man does not live by bread alone but by everyone Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God in Matthew 4:4 from Deuteronomy 8:3. Of course all scripture is God breathed as shown in 2 Timothy 3:16. So according to Jesus, God’s Israel in the new covenant are all those who believe and follow God’s Word *John 10:26-27; John 8:37-51; Romans 9:6-8.

Click to expand...

God's word contain laws that foreshadows Christ, so you a refusing to believe God's word when you speak against those laws. You can't live by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God while refusing to follow the words that foreshadow Christ. If you believe that all Scripture is profitable for correction, then allow for it to correct you in regard to it foreshadowing Christ.

It is those who refuse to believe and follow God’s Word once given a knowledge of the truth that are not a part of God's Israel in the new covenant. Some do not believe and follow what God's Word says out of ignorance and in times of ignorance when someone does not know any better God winks at but when we are given a knowledge of the truth of God's Word then God calls all men everywhere to believe and follow it *Acts of the Apostles 17:30-31. According to the scriptures if we deny God’s Word then He will deny us *2 Timothy 2:12 and denying God's Word shows we are not from God because we do not speak and do what His Word says *John 3:34; 1 John 2:3-4. The new covenant scriptures as shown already in Hebrews 7:1-28; Hebrews 8:1-13; Hebrews 9:1-28 and Hebrews 10:1-21 which are Gods’ Word show that the “shadow laws” for remission of sins that include the earthly Sanctuary, the ceremonial laws for remission of sins, the Levitical Priesthood, animal sacrifices and sin offerings and other prophetic laws have all been fulfilled in Christ as God’s sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29. The new covenant is the new ministration where the “shadow laws” are fulfilled in JESUS as our great High Priest ministering on our behalf in the heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands of which the earthly was only a copy *Hebrews 8:1-6 and are today continued in Him who loved us and washed us in His own blood. To deny Gods’ word in the new covenant and return back to the “shadow laws” of the old covenant, that are now fulfilled in the Messiah is to deny the very Messiah to which they point to and to deny the very words of Christ to which the whole Torah points to.

Something to pray about.

Click to expand...

Leviticus 23 is God's word, so you should believe and follow it. God's word does not contradict itself. It is completely absurd to think that the way to deny Christ is by obeying what God has commanded. God can be trusted to give us good laws that lead us to Christ, not that lead us away from him.

Soyeong said:

Jesus fulfilled God's law by teaching us how to obey it by word and by example, and as his followers we are told to follow his example (1 Peter 2:21-22), so we should also fulfill God's law by following his example. If the command to keep Passover has not been abolished, then we should still continue to follow Christ's example of keeping Passover in remembrance of him. You say that it has continued, yet you don't think that we should continue to keep Passover, which is interpreting fulfilling God's law as meaning essentially the same thing as abolishing it. You deny that is what you are doing, but you can't have it both ways.

Click to expand...

According to the scriptures Jesus fulfilled all of God's laws under the old covenant in order to be God's perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world without spot or blemish. So in living under the old covenant the new covenant had not come. So in order for Jesus to fulfill all righteousness *Matthew 3:15 he had to obey all law including the "shadow laws" of the old covenant for remission of sins under the earthly Sanctuary and Levitical Priesthood for the time then present which was only a copy of that which was to come *Hebrews 9:1-12 in the new covenant with Jesus as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 once and for all *Hebrews 7:25-27; Hebrews 9:11-17 and the new ministration of Jesus as our great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary made without hands of which the earthly was only a copy *Hebrews 8:2-6.

This of course was before the new covenant and during the old covenant in order for Jesus to fulfill all righteousness *Matthew 3:15 in order to become God's perfect sacrifice for sin *1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 9:14. The new covenant did not arrive until after God's sacrifice was made for the sins of the world in Christ for it is written in the scriptures "For this cause he is the mediator of the new covenant, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a covenant is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator" - Hebrews 9:15-17.

Your mistake here is in thinking we are to keep the "shadow laws" that point to Jesus and his work and ministration for the remission of sins in the new covenant made from better promises *Hebrews 8:1-6. For it is written again; "Then said I, SEE I COME IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you would not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, See, I come to do your will, O God. HE TAKES AWAY THE FIRST SO HE CAN ESTABLISH THE SECOND. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." - Hebrews 10:7-12.

This of course leading into God's new covenant promise by the death and resurrection of God's dear son who is God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *Hebrews 10:16-18 from Jeremiah 31:31-36; Ezekiel 36:24-27. This of course all meaning we are in the new covenant now for remission of sins not the old covenant and as Paul says the "shadow laws" of the old covenant are fulfilled in Christ to who they pointed to as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 and the ministration of Jesus as our great high Priest ministering on our behalf for our sins today in the heavenly Sanctuary which the Lord pitch and not man of which the earthly was only a copy. *Hebrews 8:1-6. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." - 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. Today these "shadow laws" are fulfilled in that to who they pointed to. Behold the lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world - John 1:29 (JESUS).

Under the new covenant the Passover is kept and continued in Christ to who it pointed to. If we accept the death of Gods' lamb for our sins and believe God has raised him to life and eat His body and drink His blood (Word, faith, life), then we keep the Passover. Matthew 26:26-28 [26], And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, TAKE AND EAT THIS IS MY BODY.[27], And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, DRINK YOU ALL OF IT; [28], FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD of the NEW COVENANT, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (see also John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:24-26; Hebrews 10:12).

In order for someone under the old covenant to seek God's forgiveness in the Mosiac "shadow laws" for remission of sins, animal sacrifice was required *Leviticus 4:3; Exodus 13:3, 5, without blemish - This is in accordance with the Mosaic "shadow laws" for remission of sins under the old covenant that were prophetic in nature pointing to the coming of the Messiah as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 which links to the scripture in 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Time to leave the "shadows" for Christ our true Passover is sacrificed for us. Christ is our lamb from God and our sin offering that brings reconciliation to God now in the new covenant based on better promises. There is no other name under heaven where men can be saved *Acts of the Apostles 4:12. To return to the old covenant Mosaic "shadow laws" for remission of sins would be to deny the very Messiah the Torah points to in God's new covenant made from better promises and continued in Christ ministration under the new covenant.

Soyeong said:

The Mosaic Covenant has always pointed towards Christ for the remission of sins, so that is not different under the New Covenant.

Click to expand...

The old covenant is not the same as the new covenant according to the scriptures *Jeremiah 31:31-32; Hebrews 8:6-7. The Mosiac “shadow laws” for remission of sins are fulfilled and continued in Christ to who they point to. In the new covenant the Messiah (Christ) is Gods’ sacrifice for the sins of the world once and for all * Hebrews 7:25-27; Hebrews 9:11-24 and our Great High Peiest of the order of Melchisedek (KING PRIEST) who now ministers on our behalf in the Heavenly Sanctuary which the Lord pitched and not man of which the earlthy was only a copy *Hebrews 7:1-28; Hebrews 8:1-13; Hebrews 9:1-28; Hebrews 10:1-22. The new covenant is not the same as the old covenant “shadow laws” for remission of sins and is based on better promises *Hebrews 8:1-6. The new covenant brings the old covenant “shadow laws” for remisison of sins to an end in Christ to who they pointed to and are continued in him. No more earthly Sanctuary of which the earthly was only a copy of the heavenly *Hebrews 8:1-6, no more Levitical Priesthood which has come to an end in Christ who now ministers on our behalf in the heaveny Sanctuary which the Lord pitched and not man. Today in the new covenant we seek God’s forgiveness through his lamb and His High priest not those of the shadows that pointed to him that was to come. We are in the new covenant now dear friend. It is time to leave the shadows.

Soyeong said:

When we do what is godly, righteous, and good in obedience to God's law, we are pointing towards Christ's holiness, righteousness, and goodness, and testifying that what we are doing reveals the truth about who Christ is, so it is absurd for you to think that we deny Christ by living in a way that points toward him. Sin is the transgression of God's law, so by saying that we should no longer follow any of God's laws, you so arguing in favor of deliberately sinning. Furthermore, by saying that we should no longer follow God's laws because they have been fulfilled, you again interpreting fulfilling God's laws as meaning essentially the same thing as abolishing them in spite of your insistence otherwise. They can't both be continued and be no more.

Click to expand...

True though this is simply repetition and answered in the previous post. As posted earlier I agree with you that while under the old covenant even the "shadow laws" for remission of sins can be considered "moral laws" because moral laws are essentially instructions for "right doing" or righteousness so obeying all of Gods laws if we are still under the old covenant are essentially following God's laws for right doing in regards to our relationship with God and our fellow man. Under the old covenant when one sins we do the right thing in seeking God's forgiveness by providing animal sacrifices for sins at the temple through a Levite Priest. This was God's appointed way under the old covenant laws for remission of sins in order to seek God's forgiveness and so was the right thing to do under the old covenant laws for remission of sin. However the problem you have here is that we are no longer under the old covenant we are now since the death and resurrection of Christ under a new covenant made of better promises. The Mosaic "shadow laws" for remission of sins, pointed to and are fulfilled in Christ as Gods' sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 and Jesus as is now our great High Priest who now ministers on our behalf in the heavenly Sanctuary not made with hands. Therefore today, we no longer find God's forgiveness through animal sacrifice for our sins but in God's sacrifice once and for all *Hebrews 10:10-14; John 1:29; Hebrews 7:25-28; Hebrews 9:12. Therefore to offer animal sacrifices today when these "shadow laws" are fulfilled and continued in Christ would no longer be considered "right doing" but wrong doing therefore no longer "moral laws" because to follow the old covenant laws for remission of sins would be to deny the very Christ and the Word of God to whom the "shadow laws" for remission of sin point to.

Soyeong said:

You are trying to say that "mishpat" corresponds to your concept of ceremonial law when there is no correspondence whatsoever. The Bible never species any laws as being ceremonial laws as you have defined it and never even refers to the that you have defined.

Click to expand...

No dear friend, I have said no such thing. What I have said (more than once now) is that there are indeed different categories of law under the old covenant that correspond to civil laws for the nation of Israel, ceremonial and ecclesiastical laws for remission of sins, moral laws of our duty of love to God and man as well as health and dietary laws which can be seen through out the scriptures. I have already posted scriptural examples of the above to you in another thread (not this one) and happy to post them again here if you have forgotten them. Just let me know. As posted earlier however, You state the bible never specifies the word “ceremonial” therefore your argument is that there are no ceremonial laws this claim has also shown to be not true because you have been posted three scriptures in Hebrew (x1) and Greek (x2) that are translated as ceremony in Numbers 9:3 and also in the Greek use of the word “dogma” in Colossians 2:14 and Ephesians 2:15 which translates as civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical laws. Even if you do not accept these scriptures do you really want to make your claim that there are no ceremonial laws in Torah because the word “ceremonial” is not used? The definition of “ceremonial laws” in the bible (adjective meaning) are any laws that relate to ceremony, or external rite; ritual; according to the forms of established rites; as ceremonial exactness. It is particularly applied to the forms and rites of the Jewish religion; as the ceremonial law or worship, as distinguished from the moral and judicial law. The noun means outward form; external rite, or established forms or rites, including all the forms prescribed; a system of rules and ceremonies, enjoined by law. Hebrew definition is provided below has many meanings and it is context and application that determines the correct meaning in the scriptures. Even one of the many meaning of the Hebrew word “mishpâṭ” as shown earlier means “ceremony”. Now I am not saying that every time the Hebrew word “mishpâṭ” is used it is referring to ceremonial laws as it has many meanings and it is the subject matter and application and context that determines meaning but there are many examples of ceremonial laws in the bible as there is civil and moral and health, hygiene and dietary.

Soyeong said:

All of God's laws foreshadow Christ. While Hebrews 8:1-13 speaks about the New Covenant having a superior mediator and being based on better promise, it says nothing about following different laws, but rather it still involves following the same law (Hebrews 8:10).

Click to expand...

The two covenants both old and new are based on God’s laws nothing from the old covenant has been abolished only fulfilled in that to which it points to and is continued in the new. In the new covenant the “better promises” of the new covenant are based around all the Mosaic “shadow laws” for remission of sins from the old covenant that point to the Messiah as God’s sacrifice for the sins of the world in sending us His only begotten son so that whosoever believes in him as their personal sacrifice for sin once and for all shall receive Gods forgiveness and not perish but have everlasting life *John 1:29; John 3:16. Jesus under the new covenant is our sacrifice for our sins once and for all meaning no more animal sacrifices for sin offerings that were only the “shadow laws” of the old covenant that pointed to the coming of God’s true sacrifice for the sins of the world so that whosoever believes on him has everlasting life under God’s new covenant promise. This means no more animal sacrifices for sin from the old covenant now under the new covenant. Not only now is Jesus our sacrificial lamb of God he is also our great High Priest that ministers on our behalf in the presence of God for us offering his blood and body on our behalf under Gods’ new covenant promise. No more seeking out a Levitical Priest for your animal sacrifices under the old covenant to seek God's forgiveness in the new covenant. Not only that in the new covenant promise, Jesus ministers for us as our great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary that the Lord pitched and not man. Meaning no more earthly Sanctuary which was only a copy (shadow) of the Heavenly to which it pointed to. Can you see dear friend? All the shadow laws for remission of sin are fulfilled in Christ to who they pointed to and are continued in His work and ministration in the new covenant. To go back to the Mosiac “shadow laws” for remission of sins (earthly Sanctuary, Levitical Priesthood, animal sacrifices for sin and sin offerings and Sanctuary laws) would be to deny the very Christ that the Torah points to and denies the Messiah’s ministration on our behalf.

Hope this is helpful

LoveGodsWord said: ↑ According to the scriptures Jesus fulfilled all of God's laws under the old covenant in order to be God's perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world without spot or blemish. So in living under the old covenant the new covenant had not come. So in order for Jesus to fulfill all righteousness *Matthew 3:15 he had to obey all law including the "shadow laws" of the old covenant for remission of sins under the earthly Sanctuary and Levitical Priesthood for the time then present which was only a copy of that which was to come *Hebrews 9:1-12 in the new covenant with Jesus as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world *John 1:29 once and for all *Hebrews 7:25-27; Hebrews 9:11-17 and the new ministration of Jesus as our great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary made without hands of which the earthly was only a copy *Hebrews 8:2-6.

Click to expand...

Your response here..

HARK! said:

(CLV) Mt 5:19 "Whosoever, then, should be annulling one of the least of these precepts, and should be teaching men thus, the least in the kingdom of the heavens shall he be called. Yet whoever should be doing and teaching them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.

Click to expand...

So what are you trying to say here HARK!? Are you trying to say JESUS did not fulfill the "shadows laws" for remission of sins dear friend?

LoveGodsWord said: What I have said (more than once now) is that there are indeed different categories of law under the old covenant that correspond to civil laws for the nation of Israel, ceremonial and ecclesiastical laws for remission of sins, moral laws of our duty of love to God and man as well as health and dietary laws which can be seen through out the scriptures. I have already posted scriptural examples of the above to you in another thread (not this one) and happy to post them again here if you have forgotten them. Just let me know. As posted earlier however, You state the bible never specifies the word “ceremonial” therefore your argument is that there are no ceremonial laws this claim has also shown to be not true because you have been posted three scriptures in Hebrew (x1) and Greek (x2) that are translated as ceremony in Numbers 9:3 and also in the Greek use of the word “dogma” in Colossians 2:14 and Ephesians 2:15 which translates as civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical laws. Even if you do not accept these scriptures do you really want to make your claim that there are no ceremonial laws in Torah because the word “ceremonial” is not used? The definition of “ceremonial laws” in the bible (adjective meaning) are any laws that relate to ceremony, or external rite; ritual; according to the forms of established rites; as ceremonial exactness. It is particularly applied to the forms and rites of the Jewish religion; as the ceremonial law or worship, as distinguished from the moral and judicial law. The noun means outward form; external rite, or established forms or rites, including all the forms prescribed; a system of rules and ceremonies, enjoined by law. Hebrew definition is provided below has many meanings and it is context and application that determines the correct meaning in the scriptures. Even one of the many meaning of the Hebrew word “mishpâṭ” as shown earlier means “ceremony”. Now I am not saying that every time the Hebrew word “mishpâṭ” is used it is referring to ceremonial laws as it has many meanings and it is the subject matter and application and context that determines meaning but there are many examples of ceremonial laws in the bible as there is civil and moral and health, hygiene and dietary.

Click to expand...

Your response here..

HARK! said:

(CLV) Lk 16:17
Yet it is easier for heaven and earth to pass by than for one serif of the law to fall.
Yahshua didn't mention any categories here.

Click to expand...

How does the scripture you have provided here relate to what you are quoting from? Are you trying to argue we are to go back to the old covenant "shadow laws" for remission of sins and seek out a Levitical Priest in an earthly Sanctuary and do animal sacrifices for sin to seek God's forgiveness now we are in the new covenant and reject the new covenant that pointed to JESUS based on better promises of God's sacrifice for the sins of the world once and for all *Hebrews 10:10-14; John 1:29; John 3:16?

LoveGodsWord said: The two covenants both old and new are based on God’s laws nothing from the old covenant has been abolished only fulfilled in that to which it points to and is continued in. In the new covenant the “better promises” of the new covenant are based around all the Mosaic “shadow laws” for remission of sins from the old covenant that point to the Messiah as God’s sacrifice for the sins of the world in sending us His only begotten son so that whosoever believes in him as their personal sacrifice for sin once and for all shall receive Gods forgiveness and not perish but have everlasting life *John 1:29; John 3:16. Jesus under the new covenant is our sacrifice for our sins once and for all meaning no more animal sacrifices for sin offerings that were only the “shadow laws” of the old covenant that pointed to the coming of God’s true sacrifice for the sins of the world so that whosoever believes on him has everlasting life under God’s new covenant promise. This means no more animal sacrifices for sin from the old covenant now under the new covenant. Not only now is Jesus our sacrificial lamb of God he is also our great High Priest that ministers on our behalf in the presence of God for us offering his blood and body on our behalf under Gods’ new covenant promise. No more seeking out a Levitical Priest for your animal sacrifices under the old covenant to seek God's forgiveness in the new covenant. Not only that in the new covenant promise, Jesus ministers for us as our great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary that the Lord pitched and not man. Meaning no more earthly Sanctuary which was only a copy (shadow) of the Heavenly to which it pointed to. Can you see dear friend? All the shadow laws for remission of sin are fulfilled in Christ to who they pointed to and are continued in His work and ministration in the new covenant. To go back to the Mosiac “shadow laws” for remission of sins (earthly Sanctuary, Levitical Priesthood, animal sacrifices for sin and sin offerings and Sanctuary laws) would be to deny the very Christ that the Torah points to and denies the Messiah’s ministration on our behalf.

Click to expand...

Your response here...

HARK! said:

(CLV) Ro 8:4
that the just requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who are not walking in accord with flesh, but in accord with spirit.

Click to expand...

Hello HARK! did you read what you are quoting from? Are you saying in your view Romans 8:4 means animal sacrifices must be fulfilled in us if we walk in the Spirit? I am really not sure how your post is making any sense to what you are quoting from so seeking clarification.

LoveGodsWord: In the new covenant the “better promises” of the new covenant are based around all the Mosaic “shadow laws” for remission of sins from the old covenant that point to the Messiah as God’s sacrifice for the sins of the world in sending us His only begotten son so that whosoever believes in him as their personal sacrifice for sin once and for all shall receive Gods forgiveness and not perish but have everlasting life *John 1:29; John 3:16. Jesus under the new covenant is our sacrifice for our sins once and for all meaning no more animal sacrifices for sin offerings that were only the “shadow laws” of the old covenant that pointed to the coming of God’s true sacrifice for the sins of the world so that whosoever believes on him has everlasting life under God’s new covenant promise. This means no more animal sacrifices for sin from the old covenant now under the new covenant. Not only now is Jesus our sacrificial lamb of God he is also our great High Priest that ministers on our behalf in the presence of God for us offering his blood and body on our behalf under Gods’ new covenant promise. No more seeking out a Levitical Priest for your animal sacrifices under the old covenant to seek God's forgiveness in the new covenant. Not only that in the new covenant promise, Jesus ministers for us as our great High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary that the Lord pitched and not man. Meaning no more earthly Sanctuary which was only a copy (shadow) of the Heavenly to which it pointed to. Can you see dear friend? All the shadow laws for remission of sin are fulfilled in Christ to who they pointed to and are continued in His work and ministration in the new covenant. To go back to the Mosiac “shadow laws” for remission of sins (earthly Sanctuary, Levitical Priesthood, animal sacrifices for sin and sin offerings and Sanctuary laws) would be to deny the very Christ that the Torah points to and denies the Messiah’s ministration on our behalf.

Click to expand...

Your response here...

HARK! said:

(CLV) Ro 12:1
I am entreating you, then, brethren, by the pities of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice, living, holy, well pleasing to God, your logical divine service,

Click to expand...

Ok, how does this scripture in your view relate to what you are quoting from?

HARK! said:

I'm saying that we should be following Yahshua's example; as Paul did, as he honored YHWH's eternal Moedim.

(CLV) 1Co 11:1
Become imitators of me, according as I also am of Christ.

Click to expand...

Lets be honest here dear friend, no one keeps the annual Feasts of the old covenant today according to the scriptures in the Torah without an earthly Sanctuary, Levite Priest and animal sacrifice for burnt offerings and sin offerings and the other old covenant offerings. To go and seek forgiveness of sins by going out and seeking a Levite Priest in an earthly Sanctuary through animal sacrifice while we are in the new covenant is not following what God's Word says. We are in the new covenant not the old. The shadows are now fulfilled in the new to which they point to and are continued in Christ as God's sacrifice for the sins of the world and our great High Priest that ministers on our behalf in the heavenly Sanctuary of which the earthly was only a copy according to the scriptures. Time to leave the shadow of the old covenant when we are living in the new covenant. The new covenant is not the same as the old covenant for remission of sins that we now seek and are continued in Christ. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 [7], Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:[8], Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Today in the new covenant the "shadow laws" for remission of sin from the old covenant are fulfilled and continued in that to which they pointed to - Christ based on better promises (Hebrews 7:1-28; Hebrews 8:1-13; Hebrews 9:1-28; Hebrews 10:1-22)

HARK! said:

The Apostles weren't taking a step backwards when the continued to follow his example. The Apostles weren't taking a step backwards when they honored YHWH's eternal Moedim.

Click to expand...

1 Corinthians 9:20-21 NLT [20] "WHEN I AM WITH THE JEWS I BECOME ONE OF THEM SO THAT I CAN BRING THEM TO CHRIST. WHEN I AM WITH THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE JEWISH LAWS, I DO THE SAME, EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT SUBJECT TO THE [MOSAIC] LAW, SO THAT I CAN BRING THEM TO CHRIST. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

HARK! said:

Paul's words point forward; not backwards. Colossians 2:17 Complete Jewish Bible 17 These are a shadow of things that are coming, but the body is of the Messiah. Do you not believe that Messiah will return? YHWH said that hos Moedim stand forever. These are his words, not mine. Yahshua said that heaven and earth would pass before any of YHWH's Torah would pass. (CLV) Mt 24:35 Heaven and earth shall be passing by, yet My words may by no means be passing by. Believe it or not.

Click to expand...

Colossians 2:17 NIV These are a shadow of the things that were to come; THE REALITY HOWEVER IS FOUND IN CHRIST

New International Version
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

English Standard Version
These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Berean Study Bible
These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

New American Standard Bible
things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

NASB 1995
things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

NASB 1977
things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Amplified Bible
Such things are only a shadow of what is to come and they have only symbolic value; but the substance [the reality of what is foreshadowed] belongs to Christ.

Christian Standard Bible
These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah.

Contemporary English Version
These things are only a shadow of what was to come. But Christ is real!

Good News Translation
All such things are only a shadow of things in the future; the reality is Christ.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body [that casts the shadow] belongs to Christ.

International Standard Version
These are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Messiah.

NET Bible
these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ!
King James Bible
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

New King James Version
which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

King James 2000 Bible
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

New Heart English Bible
which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

World English Bible
which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

American King James Version
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

American Standard Version
which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

A Faithful Version
Which are a foreshadow of the things that are coming, but the body of Christ.

Darby Bible Translation
which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.

English Revised Version
which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.

Webster's Bible Translation
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Geneva Bible of 1587
Which are but a shadowe of thinges to come: but the body is in Christ.

Bishops' Bible of 1568
Which are shadowes of thynges to come: but the body (is) of Christe.

Coverdale Bible of 1535
which are the shadowe of the thinges that were for to come: but the body selfe is in Christ.

Tyndale Bible of 1526
which are nothinge but shaddowes of thynges to come: but the body is in Christ.

Literal Standard Version
which are a shadow of the coming things, but the body [is] of the Christ;

Berean Literal Bible
which are a shadow the things coming. But the body is of Christ.

Young's Literal Translation
which are a shadow of the coming things, and the body is of the Christ;

Smith's Literal Translation
Which are a shadow of things about to be; and the body of Christ.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For these are a shadow of the future, but the body is of Christ.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Because these things are shadows of those things that were future, but The Messiah is the body.

Lamsa Bible
These are shadows of things to come; but the main objective is Christ.

Anderson New Testament
which things are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is in Christ,

Godbey New Testament
which things are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Haweis New Testament
which are merely shadows of things to come: but the body is Christ?s.

Mace New Testament
for these were only the shadows of future things, prefiguring Christ, who is the substance.

Weymouth New Testament
These were a shadow of things that were soon to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Worrell New Testament
which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is Christ's.

Worsley New Testament
which are a shadow of good things to come, but the body is of Christ.

.................

All of the above is context to the shadows of "circumcision" baptism, meat and drink offerings, new moons and sabbaths in the Feast days *Colossians 2:11-17. That is these under the old covenant were all shadows of things to come, pointing to "the body of Christ {v17}" which casts the shadow. It is the body that casts the shadow and the "shadows" only point to the body [Christ] in the new covenant.

Expositor's Greek Testament
Colossians 2:17. This verse contains a hint of the fundamental argument of the Epistle to the Hebrews (cf. esp. Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1).—ὅ ἐστιν σκιὰ τῶν μελλόντων. Whether ὅ or ἅ be read, the reference is to the whole of the ceremonial ordinances just mentioned. σκιὰ is “shadow,” not “sketch” (as Calvin and others). It is cast by the body, and therefore implies that there is a body, and while it resembles the body it is itself insubstantial. τ. μελλ. means the Christian dispensation, not (as Mey.) the still future Messianic kingdom, for, if so, the substance would still lie in the future, and the shadow would not be out of date. It is future from the point of view of Judaism.—τὸ δὲ σῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ: “but the body belongs to Christ”. σῶμα is that which casts the shadow, therefore it existed contemporaneously with its manifestation, and, of course, according to the Jewish view, in heaven. It practically means what we should call “the substance,” and is chosen as the counterpart to σκιὰ, and with no reference to the Church or the glorified body of Christ. Since the substance belonged to Christ, it was foolish for Christians to hanker after the shadow.

Bengel's Gnomen
Colossians 2:17. Σκιὰ, a shadow) Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1. A shadow, without life.—σῶμα, the body) the very truth shadowed forth by the old ceremonies. The body, as well as the shadow, to which it is opposed, is the predicate; and therefore it may be thus resolved: meat, drink, etc., are the shadow of things to come; but the body of Christ is the body [the substantial thing], or, in other words, that which belongs to Christ is the body. Allusion is made to the very body of Christ, but Christianity is understood; τὸ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐστὶ σῶμα. If you suppose that ‘body’ is to be supplied in the subject, it will be a Ploce.[15]
[15] See App. A word put twice, once in the meaning of the simple word, then to express an attribute of it. The body of Christ is the body, i.e. the substance, the essential thing.—ED.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
17. a shadow] Cp. Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1. The word suggests the idea of “an image cast by an object and representing its form.” (Grimm’s N.T. Lexicon, ed. Thayer.) things to come] from the point of view of the Old Dispensation. The Epistle to the Hebrews is a large apostolic expansion, so to speak, of this sentence; giving us at full length the assurances that the Mosaic ordinances were adjusted with a Divine prescience, to the future of the Gospel; and that the fulfilment of their true import in Christ abrogates their observance.—Render exactly, the things to come. the body is of Christ] The Fulfilment, the shadow-casting Substance, is “of Christ,” is “Christ’s,” because it consists of Him in His redeeming Work. His atoning Sacrifice, His Gift of the Spirit, His Rest, are the realities to which the old institutions pointed.

Vincent's Word Studies
Shadow of things to come; Shadow, not sketch or outline, as is shown by body following. The Mosaic ritual system was to the great verities of the Gospel what the shadow is to the man, a mere general type or resemblance. The body is Christ's; The substance belongs to the Christian economy. It is derived from Christ, and can be realized only through union with Him.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17. things to come—the blessings of the Christian covenant, the substance of which Jewish ordinances were but the type.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Which are a shadow of things to come - Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1, They were only a dim outline of future things in Paul's day, not the reality. But the body is of Christ - The reality, the substance. All that they signified is of or in Christ. Between those things themselves which are in Christ, and those which only represented or prefigured them, there is as much difference as there is between a body and a shadow; a solid substance and a mere outline. Having now, therefore, the thing itself the shadow can be to us of no value; and that having come which was prefigured, that which was designed merely to represent it, is no longer binding.

Matthew Poole's Commentary
Which are a shadow of things to come; which, as they were but obscurer representations or shadowy resemblances of future benefits procured by Christ, Hebrews 8:5 9:11 10:1, whatever temporary glory they had from the former institution, till the time of reformation, Hebrews 9:10, yet that was done away, and they now had none, in respect of the glory that excelleth and remaineth, 2 Corinthians 3:10,11. So that this doth no way gainsay the sacraments now of Christ’s own institution, which may be called figures and shadows, not of things future, of Christ not yet come, but as already exhibited, whom they manifest to the mind and faith to be present, to those who rightly partake of them: we cannot say he condemns all distinctions of meats and drinks, viz. bread and wine in the Lord’s supper; or of days; only the decrees and ordinances of Moses, or any other which the false teachers cried up, that were not after Christ. But the body is of Christ; who is really the substance and antitype of all the Old Testament shadows, which have completion or accomplishment in him, John 1:17 Romans 10:4 Galatians 4:10-12; as all the promises were in him yea and Amen, Daniel 9:24 2 Corinthians 1:20; all was consummated in him, John 19:30, who came in the place of all the shadows.

Hope this helps

HARK! said:

Are you a Levitical Priest?

Click to expand...

No need to get yourself a Levitical Priest now dear friend under the new covenant based on better promises. We have a new High Priest of the order of Melchizedek *Hebrews 7:1-28 that ministers on our behalf in the Sanctuary that the Lord pitched and not man of which the earthly under the old covenant was only a copy *Hebrews 8:1-6

HARK! said:

If we are presenting ourselves as a sacrifice; we are not willfully transgressing YHWH's Torah. Would you not agree?

Click to expand...

We transgress God's Word by not doing what God says. We are in the new covenant now dear friend not the old covenant. This means no more shadows of the earthly sanctuary, no more Levitical Priesthood, no more animal sacrifices for sin and sin offerings from the old covenant Torah which were "shadows of things to come" but the body that casts the shadows is Christ *Colossians 2:17. These today are continued in Christ in the new covenant based on better promises (Hebrews 7:1-28; Hebrews 8:1-13; Hebrews 9:1-28; Hebrews 10:1-22). Do you believe that the new testament scriptures are the Word of God as is the Torah psalms and the prophets?