What's with the rules in Leviticus?

[DarkProphet]

Christians obviously don't follow the rules numerous and specific arbitrary rules in Leviticus but I have some questions. Why are they there? Who are they for? Also do they apply at all today to anyone?

 

[Sketcher]

They were for the Jews, to separate them from the rest of the world and to help them live holy and beneficial lives. Most Christians do not follow them because most of us are not Jewish, and you don't have to become Jewish in order to become a Christian. Acts 15 fleshes this out in more detail, and gives us some guidance as to what in Leviticus we are to follow and what we don't have to.

 

[Van]

No, the Old Testament Law has been replaced with the Law of Christ. Now Christ did restate many of the moral laws, but unless a rule is restated by Jesus, such as Love your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself, it has no authority. Hence, the Law of Christ can be called the Law of Liberty. Many of the rules are obviously invalid because they are inconsistent with Christ's commands, but others still serve as guidance for Christ-like living. The Law now acts sort of like a mirror, you can use it to determine if your are living without sin. Paul thought he was doing great until he considered covetousness. Then he realized he was a big time sinner. So in that regard, the Law as authenticated by Christ, still serves as a tutor to lead us to Christ.

 

[drich0150]

The book of Leviticus was written to the OT Jews.. Jesus's "law" was not set in place to abolish the OT Law but to complete it. (Matt5) Meaning not only are we to up hold the law from it's least command to it's greatest, but we are to do so not only in practice but also in heart. This effectively place earned "righteousness" (through the practice of up holding the law) out of the reach of everyone. So if no one can go before the Lord in true earned righteousness, (this shows even at, or in our best behavior we are still in sin, this is also apart of the reason our best deeds are dirty rags to the lord) This fact places us all in a position to need a savior, or a blood sacrifice for all of our sins. (Even the ones we don't know we are committing) Those who try to obtain righteousness through there actions, are a kin to the Pharisees and teachers of the law.. And as Jesus tells us we are to surpass there righteousness or we will not enter the kingdom of Heaven.

 

[salida]

They are for the jews dark dude. Its not the Old Testament anymore.

 

[freeport]

Christians obviously don't follow the rules numerous and specific arbitrary rules in Leviticus but I have some questions. Why are they there? Who are they for? Also do they apply at all today to anyone?

The Law is spiritual. It has symbolic (or spiritual, or mystical) meanings for those things that go beyond what is apparent to the flesh.

We obey the Law through the Spirit of Christ who put to death the curse of the Law. (If someone fails at anything in the Law, they have failed at the whole Law and are under the curse of the Law.)

There are plenty of rules within the Law which are understandable to some degree by the flesh: do not covet, for instance, do not murder, and so on.

Men are not and never were saved by rules, however: Jesus showed us man has no love of God in his heart apart from God, for instance, which is the most important rule of the Law.

Jesus came to save us from the curse of the Law: for all have transgressed, therefore the curse falls on all.

'In Jesus there is now no condemnation'.

 

[oworm]

No, the Old Testament Law has been replaced with the Law of Christ. Now Christ did restate many of the moral laws, but unless a rule is restated by Jesus, such as Love your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself, it has no authority. Hence, the Law of Christ can be called the Law of Liberty. Many of the rules are obviously invalid because they are inconsistent with Christ's commands, but others still serve as guidance for Christ-like living. The Law now acts sort of like a mirror, you can use it to determine if your are living without sin. Paul thought he was doing great until he considered covetousness. Then he realized he was a big time sinner. So in that regard, the Law as authenticated by Christ, still serves as a tutor to lead us to Christ.

Amen................... except that I'm not sure that the Law was replaced rather than fulfilled according to Matthew 5:17. Another analogy I like is that the law is a stick which beats me all the way to the cross.Then Christ takes the stick and puts it in my hand as a staff. Great post Van

 

[freeport]

It would be nice if guys who started posts could actually stick around to at least try and answer the replies.

I guess this says they have no answers.

 

[DarkProphet]

It would be nice if guys who started posts could actually stick around to at least try and answer the replies.

I guess this says they have no answers.

Or it could be that I've heard it before. These are the same canned answers as before that don't actually address the OP directly. I left because I gave up on this post.

But if you want my reply then here it is...

what I get from these answers is that the God created the law (that is full of arbitrary restrictions) for the Jews (why only them is never explained) and then Jesus came down to "fulfill" the law (what that actually means is never explained). In theory Christians are still bound to the law (even though they break them all the time) but Jesus somehow makes up for this through a blood sacrifice (how or why that works is never explained).

 

[Van]

Hi Dark Prophet, yes my answer is "canned" because atheists keep asking the same question then ignoring the answer.

You asked "why are they there?" Answer: I did not answer this question.
You asked "Who are they for?" And my answer was the OT law has been replaced. So they might have value for instruction, but they are no longer "laws" because they have been rescinded. Romans 6:14 indicates sin has no dominion over Christians, since we are not "under the law but under grace. Thus the Law does not apply to us.

You asked "do they apply to anyone today?" And I answered "No."

I did not use the term "fulfill" so I provided no explanation. However, I did say the Law of Moses has been "replaced" with the Law of Christ.

I did not say "in theory Christians are still bound to the Law" but the opposite, they are not bound to the OT Law at all.

I did not say Jesus somehow makes up for our violations of OT law through a blood sacrifice. nor did I explain how that might work.

Apparently you would like more detail.

Leviticus provides rules for Temple Worship and Priests. All Gone. Kaput. No longer in effect. Do you need this concept explained. Gone, null and void, does not apply to anybody or anything.

 

[98cwitr]

same reason I learn the OT is the same reason I read a history book in college...to know where we have been and not where we are. Helps put a lot of things into perspective too.

 

[Tiberius]

No, the Old Testament Law has been replaced with the Law of Christ.

No, the OT laws were never replaced by anything Jesus did. He himself said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets." Matthew 5:17. Jesus himself said that he did not come to override replace, eliminate or do anything to mean the laws of the OT did not apply.

 

[98cwitr]

I agree with Tiberius...it was not replaced...only enhanced by Jesus, the point is that the Law is what guides us.

Keep reading through verse 20...we must not be hypocrites in our spread of the Word, but be humble in our teachings of it. We will be judged according to what we do and say. I pray for Jesus to forgive my sins almost every night...for I am a sinner and for that I am separated from God. We all are....

 

[DarkProphet]

Hi Dark Prophet, yes my answer is "canned" because atheists keep asking the same question then ignoring the answer.

We don't ignore your answers it's that your answers don't make sense even in your own framework.

You asked "why are they there?" Answer: I did not answer this question.

Nor did anyone else, very telling.

You asked "Who are they for?" And my answer was the OT law has been replaced. So they might have value for instruction, but they are no longer "laws" because they have been rescinded.

They were laws punishable by death. There is at least one example of someone being stoned to death for breaking the law about the sabbath. It seems strange that God would have such a strong change of heart.

Romans 6:14 indicates sin has no dominion over Christians, since we are not "under the law but under grace. Thus the Law does not apply to us.

So says Paul and so it must be.

You asked "do they apply to anyone today?" And I answered "No."

I did not use the term "fulfill" so I provided no explanation. However, I did say the Law of Moses has been "replaced" with the Law of Christ.

I did not say "in theory Christians are still bound to the Law" but the opposite, they are not bound to the OT Law at all.

I did not say Jesus somehow makes up for our violations of OT law through a blood sacrifice. nor did I explain how that might work.

I know that there are Christians that disagree with your assessment.

Apparently you would like more detail.

Leviticus provides rules for Temple Worship and Priests. All Gone. Kaput. No longer in effect. Do you need this concept explained. Gone, null and void, does not apply to anybody or anything.

That you don't follow these rules is a simple concept, why they existed in the first place and why they don't apply is another matter.

 

[Van]

Hi Dark Prophet, It is not that we do not "follow these rules" for some of them have been restated by Christ, but that they no longer apply as laws. Why did they exist once but no longer? They served their purpose.

Yes, in this very thread, other Christians expressed differing views. Perhaps I have it wrong. But then, perhaps I have it spot on. You decide.

 

[98cwitr]

..

 

[sk8Joyful]

Christians obviously
don't follow the rules numerous and specific arbitrary rules in Leviticus. but I have some questions. Why are they there? Who are they for? Also do they apply at all today to anyone?

1. re "Why are they there?" -
GOD gave laws, in the OLD-testament specifically for the Jews, which most of today's christians are not.

2. re "Who are they for?" -
as already said, mostly the Jews, the people originally chosen by GOD as those He made His "covenants" with. - Us later Gentiles, GOD has agreed to further Adopt into His family eternally...

3. re "Also do they apply at all today to anyone?" - You would need to specify which Law exactly, you are asking about, as many Laws, beyond applying only to Jews for a specific time-frame which was then superseeded, apply only to sinners/Unsaved; and a few apply to us all, like the 10 Commandments, etc.