Did the Levitical priesthood replace the priesthood of Melchizedek?

Question: “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law” (Hebrews 7:12). Did the Levitical priesthood replace the priesthood of Melchizedek? Answer: Under the Old Law of Moses, priests came from the tribe of Levi and, starting with David, kings came from the tribe of Judah. Melchizedek was…

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Jesus’ Relation to the Law of Moses

Matthew 5:17-20 by Bobby Graham When Jesus was teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, was he merely explaining the Law to bring the Jews into closer alignment with God’s will, or was he setting forth principles that would operate in the coming kingdom?  It is understood that there was already a kingdom operating, from…

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Did the Old Law not end until the destruction of Jerusalem?

Question: In your lesson, “The Sermon on the Mount: The Law,” you keep to the literal meaning of Heaven and Earth in Matthew 5:18.  Additionally, you argue the best understanding of the passage is to read the two “until” phrases be joined with an “or” rather than an “and.” I am currently studying with a…

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Did an Israelite have to be born again under the Old Law?

Question: I have two questions: Did the Old Testament believers’ experience being “born again” or “regeneration” as experienced with the New Testament believers through Jesus Christ? Are born again believers still considered to be “sinners” or “saints” and why? Answer: There are several passages that use the allegory of birth to explain the change that…

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The Law and the Gospel

by M. W. Kiser via, The Sower, Vol. 53, No. 5, Sept/Oct. 2008. “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they…

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What about the Ten Commandments?

by Jerry Blount It seems a constant source of confusion among Christians to determine our relationship to the Ten Commandments. How do we sort all this out? On the one hand, Paul said, For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing…

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What was the flaw in the Old Covenant?

Question: Is the flaw of the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:7) that there was no way for sins to be completely forgiven (Hebrews 10:1-10)? Or was the law impossible to completely follow as well? If it was possible to completely follow, then what is Peter talking about in Acts 15:10 and what is the meaning of…

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Why were the laws regarding food changed?

Question: I’m not sure why Jesus changed the law about what is OK to eat.  Why did he allow us to eat pork? Answer: To understand why the law changed, you first need to understand why those laws were there in the first place. I would like you to read an article that I wrote…

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The Ten Commandments and the Old and New Testaments shall stand forever!

Question: Do not mislead the people with your manipulation of the Word of God and your omissions about the “Ten Commandments.” His Word and Commandments were, are and forever shall remain true! He alone is the Creator and the destroyer! No mortal with limited knowledge can change what He tells through the only Living Book, the…

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Why do we cite Matthew regarding divorce since Jesus lived under the Old Law?

Question: As I understand Matthew 19:9 and Matthew 5:32 concerning divorce, Jesus is answering the Pharisees (Jews) as they were tempting him on this question. His answer was the same as the law that they were under (except for fornication). Such as in the case that Joseph thought Mary was in. Why do we in the church today…

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Was there a ritual that a Levite had to go through before becoming a high priest?

Question: Was there a ritual (cleansing, education, ceremony, etc.) that a Levite must go through before he became the high priest? Answer: Among the Levites, only descendants of Aaron could become priests or high priests. Other Levites served the Lord but in different functions. The consecration of a Levite before his service is covered in…

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Someone upset that the Old Testament is no longer in effect

Question: do we read the same bible? But then again this is how things have to be for the prophecies to come to past the road to destruction is broad and alot of you people are on it you claim to be christians and luke 4:16 shows you live contrary to how christ lived you…

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Do Methodists understand we are not under the Old Law?

Question: I am about to begin a study of why Christians no longer keep the Old Testament Laws with a very special lady, soon to be my wife, who is a lifetime Methodist. My mention that the Law is no longer kept piqued her interest.  She expressed she would like to see that in Scripture. …

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A Change in Law

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ChangeInLaw.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 8:7-13   I.         Among those calling themselves Christian, many have a difficult time understanding the place the Old Testament has in God’s scheme of redemption             A.        A few cling to the laws regarding the Sabbath and so modify the New Testament teaching of worship on the first day of the…

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What sins under the Old Testament remain as sins today?

Question: Hi there. I really like your work and biblical analysis. I read your answer on “Which scriptures are applicable today?” and I have some questions to ask. I am currently dealing with which sins are applicable to life today. I have to, of course. check myself that I am not motivated to discard these…

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Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised after the council in Jerusalem?

Question: I was scanning the questions and found the Jewish lineage one. Timothy was counted as Jewish because of his mother. Paul circumcised him and we know that Timothy’s father was a Gentile while his mother and grandmother were Jewish. Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised after the council at Jerusalem? As stated in, “Was Hebrew…

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Can a Christian eat anything?

Question: Everything documented fine until your statement that a Christian can eat anything. This contradicts the statement of Jesus that He did not come to change the Law but to complete it. The dietary laws of Deuteronomy are still in effect. And for very good reason. Look carefully at the forbidden animals. The list is…

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Where have you seen that the Law was done away with?

Question: So because he follows the law statutes and commandments of the Old Testament, you assume that the Hebrew Israelites are not correct? You need to do some more reading, where, in the Scriptures, have you seen that the law, statutes, and commandments were done away with? If you read Exodus, that will answer your…

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Can you explain levitate marriages?

Question: I need some help with marriage laws in the Old Testament, concerning the death of a brother. Under the Old Law, if a man’s brother died was he to take his dead brother’s wife as his own wife?  What if he (the man still alive) was already married?  What if the women (of the…

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The Old Testament and New Testament Christians

by Joe R. Price Moses Brings a Second Copy of the Stone Tablets Exodus 34:29-30 The Old Testament is a relevant part of God’s word, even though it is not the standard of authority by which we obtain reconciliation and life in Christ (Colossians 3:17; Galatians 3:23-27; Romans 7:4; II Corinthians 3:14; Ephesians 2:14-18). To…

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Why were the Israelites not to use diverse weights?

Question: In Proverbs 20:10 it reads, “Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.” This is also stated in Proverbs 20:23 with a reference to Deuteronomy 25:13 which reads, “Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.” I know that “divers” means many…

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What Was Nailed to the Cross?

Text: Deuteronomy 4:1-14   I.         I frequently run into odd ideas about the Old Law, especially when I bring up Colossians 2:13-15             A.        Oh, most people will accept that Jesus’ death on the cross eliminated animal sacrifices, but they cannot believe all of the Old Testament came to an end.                         1.         “Surely you except the 10 commandments!” I…

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Were sins rolled forward under the Old Law?

Question: In a Wednesday night lesson recently, our minister stated that under the Old Law sins were not rolled back when sacrifices were made. He said there was no Scripture that says that and that it has just been repeated until people think that. He said since God knew from the beginning of time that…

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Doesn’t God want us to follow parts of the Old Testament?

Question: I appreciate the information you have on your page regarding the Old Testament. However, I am going to bring a challenge to you. Primarily for the purpose of learning myself. So please do not take any offense. It occurs to me that following the Old Testament was never intended for atoning permanently for our sins.…

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Was the Law of Moses in effect while Melchizedek lived?

Question: Was the Law of Moses in effect while Melchizedek lived? Answer: Melchizedek was a contemporary of Abraham (Genesis 14:17-24). Moses was a descendant of Abraham who lived about 500 years after Abraham died. Therefore it would be impossible for someone to live under a law that was not given until hundreds of years later.…

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Why did God require the Israelites to leave their non-Jewish spouses?

Question: Could you explain why Moses gave the certificate of divorce? What I mean to say is when was it that God’s people were required to leave their non-Jewish spouses? What were the reasons for this? I am looking to use it for an example of commitment and covenants, such as marriage. Even if you…

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Did God command the use of instrumental music under the Old Law?

Question: Do you think there was a time in the old law that God did command the use of instruments in worship to Him? Such as II Chronicles 29:25-28. Seems like there are split thoughts on this idea. Just wondering about your thoughts. There is no doubt that instruments were used in the Old Law…

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Why is it OK to take some parts of Leviticus seriously but not all of it?

Question: I actually have a legit question for you, thank you for responding to my previous message by the way. Anyway here goes: What makes it OK to take some of Leviticus seriously but not all of it? I don’t see Christians not eating pork or staying away from women while they menstruate. It would be interesting…

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Does a change in the Law mean God changes His mind a lot?

Question: Since God changed His Law, then apparently God changes His mind a lot. Answer: Actually God planned the change all along. The Law of Moses defined sin and bound it to mankind, but it could not in itself save. It spoke only of future salvation. “For the law made nothing perfect; on the other…

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Since a sin offering was required, is masturbation a sin?

Question: I was wondering if masturbation was a sin even if one didn’t have any sinful thoughts when he does it. In Leviticus 15:14-15 it says that the person who had a discharged should offer two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and other for a burnt offering. Does this make masturbation a sin? Answer:…

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Why do you quote from the Old Law?

Question: I read Why We Don’t Follow the Old Testament and saw your point of view on the matter, but you do quote laws from Leviticus to justify positions. Aren’t all those laws thrown out, along with all other laws from the Old Testament? I’m not debating homosexuality here, but you do quote: Leviticus 18:22…

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What were the priest and the Levite’s duties?

Question: What were the priest’s duties and the Levite’s duties? Answer: Under the Mosaical Law, the tribe of Levi was dedicated to the service of God. “At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to Him…

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What is the law in Romans 7?

Question: I would like to ask what is the “law” which Paul was referring to in Romans 7:14-25. Thank you. Answer: The Bible speaks of many different types of laws, so we need to examine the context to see what law is being discussed. Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those…

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Has anyone compiled a list of how much the Israelites were to give?

Question: Has anyone compiled a list of how much the Israelites were to give: tithes, offerings, firstlings, sacrifices, etc.? Answer: I assume from the way this question is worded that the desire is for a compilation of all the sacrifices and offerings that an Israelite would give under the law of Moses.  I am also…

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