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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You can’t be saved unless you become an Israelite

Question: You refer to Jeremiah 31:31 as a proof text to prove that it is no longer necessary to keep the Sabbath. Have you noticed who the New Covenant is made with? It is with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Paul cites this in Hebrew 8:8 also. If you don’t belong…

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Why was proof required of virginity in the Old Testament?

Question: What if a woman has had oral sex with her boyfriend? Can she just repent and be forgiven? The Old Testament seems very harsh concerning death for them both. Why did God forbid it? I never had any blood when I first had sex. I was supposed to be a virgin up until the…

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Jephthah’s Daughter

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The story of Jephthah recorded in Judges 11:29-40 has caused difficulties for Bible students. Jephthah, by the Lord’s leading, is about to wage a major battle against the Ammonites. Before going off to battle, Jephthah makes a vow to God. The first thing that greets him from his home when he…

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Married to Christ

by Keith Sharp The theme of Romans is the gospel, God’s power to save all who believe (Romans 1:16-17). This is equivalent to saying we are justified by faith apart from the law (Romans 3:20-31). The law that is no part of our justification is the law given through Moses to Israel (Romans 2:12-27; 3:21).…

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Could masters under the Old Testament law beat or kill their slaves?

Question: I know what the Scriptures teach about how we Christians today are to treat our fellow man and that it is a serious sin to murder, that being so, Is it true that during the Old Testament age the slave masters had the right to severely beat or to even kill their slaves? Answer: The slave laws…

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Since Jesus said to keep the commandments, shouldn’t we keep the Sabbath?

Question: Christ was asked in the Bible, “Lord, what must I do to enter the kingdom of Heaven?” Christ replied, “keep the commandments” and named a few of them. Since keeping the Sabbath was one of them, shouldn’t we keep the Sabbath today? Answer: You are referring to the question asked by the rich young…

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How important is the Sabbath day?

Question: How important is the Sabbath day (Saturday)? Is it something that we have to do? Thanks for the help. Answer: Ever since the covenant changed with the death of Jesus, the observance of the Sabbath has ceased to be a requirement. The law brought down from Mt. Sinai by Moses, which included the laws…

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Do the Ten Commandments apply to Christians?

Question: If we, as Christians, no longer follow the laws of the Old Testament, does that also apply to the Ten Commandments? Answer: People today tend to look at the Ten Commandments as an entity separate from the Mosaical Law. Yet, these ten commandments were the prelude to the body of laws Moses brought down…

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Did the apostle Paul keep the laws found in the Torah?

Question: Did the apostle Paul keep the laws found in the Torah? If so, why do people reject them today? Answer: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might…

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What is the difference between a priest and a Levite?

Question: What is the difference between the priests and the Levites in the Old Testament? Answer: Initially, God offered to make the entire nation of Israel a nation of priests. “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people;…

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Were the covenants for the Israelites only?

Question: The New Covenant is made with the House of Judah and the House of Israel only (Hebrews 8:8). Indeed, the New Covenant could not be made with any people who did not first have an Old Covenant. Answer: The reference to Hebrews 8:8 is a part of a quote from Jeremiah 31:31-32 which reads, “Behold, the days are…

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Observing the Sabbath (Article)

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The first mention of the Sabbath day appears in Exodus 16. It is true that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world in six days. However, in the nearly 3,000-year record which was given in Genesis, there is no mention of mankind observing a Sabbath day. In fact,…

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Do Jews and Christians both follow the teachings of the Old Testament?

Question: Do Jews and Christians both follow the teachings of the Old Testament? Answer: The Old Testament was given solely to the nation of Israel. “And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be…

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