Do Old Testament laws and restrictions still apply to us today?
Do Old Testament rules about things like tattoos and hair length apply to us today, or were they intended only for their original pre-Christian audience? What do you do when you come across a passage that contains some rules that seem timeless and others that seem specific to the culture of Old Testament Israel?
Here’s how Delve Into Jesus answers that question:
In almost every case, when Paul or another apostle commands us to obey some cultural custom, the goal is to demonstrate to the world that we are children of God and to distance ourselves from the pagans. This was a very serious issue in the 1st century. Many new Christians had been gentiles or pagans and the early Church leaders wanted to ensure that they did not slip back into their old ways. It was also important that they did not have any kind of external appearance which made people think that they were still worshiping their old idols. This is the main reason for the decree that men should not have long hair, tattoos, or body piercings. These were things the pagans did, so any Christians who looked that way might cause others to be concerned.
That principle remains the same thousands of years later. Rightly or wrongly, people judge by appearances. As Christians, we need to avoid doing anything that would cause others to be uncomfortable with the way we look, or would cause them to fail to recognize us as followers of Christ. This is particularly true when we are witnessing to non-Christians.
The essence of the commandments given to us by Paul and Moses thousands of years ago still apply today even though the cultural specifics have changed. We must not give our fellow Christians a reason to think we have slipped into “pagan” ways. Likewise, we must not give unbelievers any reason to judge us and reject us before we have had a chance to present the Good News.
Read the rest of Delve Into Jesus’ answer.
Do you agree that the principles behind these Old Testament regulations still apply? Or have they been completely superseded by the New Testament law of grace?
Yes I agree we must remain true to the word of God and not appear to be of the world and its ways because the devil can use these things to deceive us.
yes, i agree that the olds testament are still applicable in our days to day, even though some are not applicable in this times, we must not give reasons to devil to inject bad in our mine.
I agree that does still apply as far how we are to distinguish our selfs from those that seem to pratice lawlessness, but the reason for the long hair mentioned in corinth in that cultural setting was primarly because those who had long hair in those times were male prostitudes. not just because the hair is long. but rather that’s how these people worshiped in their pagan temple, and everyone knew what they did. which is to say that having long hair now is not relevant in our culture, which now it becomes a conscience issue. and people should not be bound by other people’s conscience. besides there is only one place in the intire bible that you find his portion of scripture and it must be read completely in contex to see what Paul is instructing the corinthians in. Jesus himself said John 17:14-16 (New International Version)
14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. We are called to be missionaries in this world and participate in our culture and go as far as we can to reach the lost without sinning. this is exactly what Jesus was praying against.He prayed against two twin errors Secterianism & Syncretism
Secterianism is fudementalism that says that we restrict ourselves from engaging in society or our culture.
WE DONT
Get cable, listen to certain bands, watch certain movies, dress in certain way, we cut our hair in a certain way, drink certain drinks, eat certain foods. speak to non christian. We seperate ourselves with lots of rules and regulations with all this legalism that distinguish us from non christians, with things that are not in the bible, rules that we’ve made, and that’s what jesus prayed against,
syncretism Reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief
(So here it is a nut shell) don’t leave the world , but don’t be like the world, You can participate in society, knowing that some things are sin, and you have to draw the line in those thing that are sin and you cannot do those things. Love you guys.
In the name of JESUS.
I do think that there where things that pertain to the people of that time, but when it comes to rules that govern the lives of Gods people we should rather stay far from the edge rather than saying how close can i do to the edge without going over. How far does a Christian go before they have compromised their’s and the integrity of God tatoo, piercing, guady hairstyle, certain clothing are merely an indication of the inward war going on reflected on the outside, not to mention the Holy Spirit if the revealer of truth seek God about what he says about you getting a tattoo and why do you want one who are you trying to impress or be like are you modeling God or the fallen one are you watchinng wordly video and you favorite secular artist wearing multiple tattos and wearing wild hair do’s or is your questionable Christian artist is wearing or is compromising what they proclaim to believe. We must know the word of God to stop comparing ourselves by ourselves and pray without ceasing and being still and knowing He is God and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And learning to delight ourselves in the Lord and he will give us the desires of our heart. We must come out from amongst them and by separate says the Lord and we are not to touch the unclean thing and the unclean thing could be the tarnishing of this world by trying to eliminate moral absolute God is God and he does have standard and he does reward us for going through and selling out totally to HIM.
No is the answer. The OT laws were not effective,generation after generation has proven this. When Jesus was question about the law 2000 yrs ago he spoke of 2 that really are use as a barometer to determine ones love for his neighbor as well as He and the Father.
This is a partitularly crutial issue to those that try to follow the Way of Jesus. I came out of the the Herbert Armstrong Church of Legalistic Sabbath keeping and Legalistic Holy Days (no Christmas, No Easter.. only Passover and Feast of Tabernacles..)
But Paul received His entire revelation from Jesus through three years of growing in the Holy Spirit. He stated very clearly what He allowed and didn’t allow in the church. If all the word is God Breathed.. Women will never speak to co-ed groups and never be in authority over a man. But… who are we to judge right? Is Paul for real here or is he culturally speaking that women should never uncover their heads in church?
Are Tatoos demonic? whether we realize it or not? Can a Christian worship God and demons? We have liberty as we are absolutely perfect in the Spirit within us.. our flesh though is subject to sin and curses.. if the bible says don’t do this or that.. I’d like to reduce the curses and revel in the liberty of Jesus. The new man born again.. the old man passed away..
Only those who want to play games that they can not win with God; and go to hell will fail to obey all the laws of the Bible. Even stories in this Holy book teach positive Do’s and negative Dont’s that must be avoided if our goal is eternal life.
Can anybody break one of the ten commandments and enter heaven if he/she died unrepented of that sin? Let no man deceive himself, God is not mocked. Whatever one sows he shall definitely reap… Gal 6:7
The old testament still very much apply. Jesus said he did not come to abolish the law or the Prophets but to fulfil them. Matthew 5: 17-18. He always quoted the Scriptures (Old Testament) to clarify or emphasise instructions.John 5:45 for example. If it was irrelevant Jesus would have discarded it and He would have told us not to bother about it. He brought Grace to help us fulfil all the laws (not the unnecessary Pharisee religious doctrines imposed on people in addtion)
YES, I AGREE WE AS CHRISTIANS SHOULD KNOW THE WAY WE APPEAR PEOPLE CAN TELL WHO WE ARE.GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY,TODAY AND FOREVER
Wow! The worldly legalism that most of you buy into! Thanks, Art, for a great answer. Most of you need to come out of this world and enjoy and share the abundant life Jesus wants you to have and wants you to share with all of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Stop looking at he people around you through the eyes of this world. Example: “Oh, he has a tattoo! SINNER!!” Oh, she has short hair! SINNER!!” Jesus blinded Saul (Paul) so that he could SEE. Remember, he was “THE Persecutor”. He condemned people based on the way they acted and the way they looked and what they said they believed. Most of you need to experience scales on your eyes for a while, like Paul did, so that you can eventually see. Imagine you’re what you believe in your opinion to be a “good Christian” – but you’ve been attacked and temporarily blinded, and you’re hurt and lying on the road, like the man the Good Samaritan helped. Now, remember, your blind, so you don’t see a man who comes along and helps you, loves you in a Christian way, helps you up, takes you to get medical attention, pays for it, helps you to be comfortable, and makes sure you’re alright and will be alright in the future. While you’re in the hospital, he reads Scripture to you and helps you feel like you’re not alone, since he reassures you that God loves you. Now, days later, your blindness is gone. You search for and find the man that helped you, but, uh oh, this man has tattoos and long hair and doesn’t dress or live like you do. Do you now condemn him as a sinner because he doesn’t visually fit your bill of a “good Christian”. Wow. All of you need to do some soul searching and remember that ALL of us fall short of the glory of God, and NONE of us deserve the gift of salvation. Remember there is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Don’t put words into your savior’s mouth. None of these verses say “…oh, yeah, except if they have a tattoo or long hair or… fill in the blank with your judgmental choice of discrimination…” Stop judging people based on outside appearances. Pray for understanding, and try very hard to keep Bible passages in context. I’m praying for you all, as well as myself. Love to all. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
I believe that the old testament ‘laws’ are still relevant today, but with many changes. I was unsure as to what to do about a tough decision, something that I thought was right, but it seemed the bible deemed it wrong. nevertheless, I decided to crack open my bible to a random page to see if I could find guidance. The passage I found said that the Lord has written the law in our hearts, and we will know what is right. Well, it sure helped me make my decision!
Did Jesus worry about what those around Him thought about Him and His appearance? I’m pretty sure He condemned those type of behaviors. The woman at the well and several others are greatful He did. Myself included.