IPHC Frequently Asked Questions

It is important to note that there are several aspects of the OT law that need to be differentiated.

First, there is the moral law of God that is expressed in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21). This moral law remains in force for all people. First, for the non-Jewish/non-Christian, this law reflects what is often called "natural law"; that is, universal truths regarding the dignity and value of human life (especially Commandments 5-10). Second, for Christians, the Ten Commandments remain valid and have been fulfilled in the primary law of love given us in Jesus Christ (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14).

Second, the law of sacrifices regarding forgiveness of sins and fellowship with God has been fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The clearest expression of this fulfillment is found in the New Testament book of Hebrews. This book shows that Jesus Christ is the Great High Priest (4:14). Hebrews 5 shows the eternal nature of Christ's priesthood and Hebrews 7 shows that Jesus Christ met and surpassed all the criteria originally given in the Old Testament to the Levites. Hebrews 8-10 discusses the purpose and power of Jesus' death as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Christians are under obligation to fulfill the law of love given in Christ, a law that impacts our lives with genuine holiness and righteousness as we live in an ungodly world.

The apostle Paul in Galatians 3:19-29 had to answer the same question you have asked! The law is good and holy (Romans 7:12); yet the law primarily served to keep humanity under guardianship until faith in Jesus Christ was revealed (Galatians 3:23). The law served as our tutor, showing us God's righteousness (Galatians 3:24). But the law did not have power to save because it was not based on faith. The law provided an "outward" way of testing holiness but did not address the true transformation of the human heart through the Spirit.

In one sense, the law is too hard to follow (see the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 5-7). But in another sense the law is not difficult to follow. The reason God had the law fulfilled in Christ is because the law itself pointed to its own fulfillment in the promise of God's love revealed in Jesus Christ.

Yes, God did know that ahead of time. That is why God had a "fullness of time" when everything that the law and the prophets anticipated was fulfilled in Jesus (Galatians 4:1-5).

Worship of Jesus began at His birth when the wise men came to Bethlehem to worship Him (Matthew 2:2, 11). In His earthly ministry people came and worshipped Jesus (Matthew 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; Mark 5:6; John 9:38) Following His resurrection, Jesus was worshipped as the Risen Lord (Matthew 28:9). The reason Jesus is worshipped is because He is the Son of God. The Gospel of John is very clear in showing that Jesus and the Heavenly Father are one (John 1:1, 14, 18, 32-34; 3:16; 5:16-47; 14:6-11). Philippians 2:5-11 is one of the clearest expressions of God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, coming to earth as a man.

Doug Beacham
Executive Director
IPHC Church Education Ministries.



		Part 1: Why is the law of the Old Testament no longer followed? It is important to note that there are several aspects of the OT law that need to be differentiated. First, there is the moral law of God that is expressed in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21). This moral law remains in force for all people. First, for the non-Jewish/non-Christian, this law reflects what is often called "natural law"; that is, universal truths regarding the dignity and value of human life (especially Commandments 5-10). Second, for Christians, the Ten Commandments remain valid and have been fulfilled in the primary law of love given us in Jesus Christ (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14). Second, the law of sacrifices regarding forgiveness of sins and fellowship with God has been fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The clearest expression of this fulfillment is found in the New Testament book of Hebrews. This book shows that Jesus Christ is the Great High Priest (4:14). Hebrews 5 shows the eternal nature of Christ's priesthood and Hebrews 7 shows that Jesus Christ met and surpassed all the criteria originally given in the Old Testament to the Levites. Hebrews 8-10 discusses the purpose and power of Jesus' death as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Christians are under obligation to fulfill the law of love given in Christ, a law that impacts our lives with genuine holiness and righteousness as we live in an ungodly world. Part 2: Why would God give us the law and then take it away? Was it too hard for mankind to follow? If so, then didn't God know that ahead of time? The apostle Paul in Galatians 3:19-29 had to answer the same question you have asked! The law is good and holy (Romans 7:12); yet the law primarily served to keep humanity under guardianship until faith in Jesus Christ was revealed (Galatians 3:23). The law served as our tutor, showing us God's righteousness (Galatians 3:24). But the law did not have power to save because it was not based on faith. The law provided an "outward" way of testing holiness but did not address the true transformation of the human heart through the Spirit. In one sense, the law is too hard to follow (see the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 5-7). But in another sense the law is not difficult to follow. The reason God had the law fulfilled in Christ is because the law itself pointed to its own fulfillment in the promise of God's love revealed in Jesus Christ. Yes, God did know that ahead of time. That is why God had a "fullness of time" when everything that the law and the prophets anticipated was fulfilled in Jesus (Galatians 4:1-5). Part 3: Why do we worship Jesus? Worship of Jesus began at His birth when the wise men came to Bethlehem to worship Him (Matthew 2:2, 11). In His earthly ministry people came and worshipped Jesus (Matthew 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; Mark 5:6; John 9:38) Following His resurrection, Jesus was worshipped as the Risen Lord (Matthew 28:9). The reason Jesus is worshipped is because He is the Son of God. The Gospel of John is very clear in showing that Jesus and the Heavenly Father are one (John 1:1, 14, 18, 32-34; 3:16; 5:16-47; 14:6-11). Philippians 2:5-11 is one of the clearest expressions of God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, coming to earth as a man. Doug Beacham Executive Director IPHC Church Education Ministries.


		Last update on 10/4/06 ©IPHC Ministries. All rights reserved