Are We Obligated To Obey The Specific Details of The Old Testament?

No.

There are several reasons as to why we are to obey the principles of the Old Testament, but not the specific details that are given [Please consult our Q & A: “Are We Obligated To Obey The Principles of The Old Testament?” for further insight.]

  1. The Old Testament was addressed only to the physical nation of Israel (Exodus 20:1,2; Deuteronomy 5:1-3).

  2. The Old Testament did not offer absolute salvation from sin (Hebrews 10:1-4). Under the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were offered as a sin offering, but their blood could not cleanse the conscience of sinners (Hebrews 9:9,14). The Old Testament states that God’s people's sins were forgiven (Leviticus 4:32-35), but such was based on the foreknowledge of God in that through His eternal plan (Ephesians 3:1-11) these animal sacrifices were foreshadowing and pointing to the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God (John 1:29). Jesus offered Himself so that man could be forgiven of his sins by faith and obedience to His will (Hebrews 10:1-11).

  3. The Old Testament has been fulfilled in Christ and repealed (Matthew 5:17-20; Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:14-16; Galatians 4:21-31; 2 Corinthians 3:1-13; Hebrews 8:8-10; 10:9).

  4. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that we are no longer obligated to obey the Sabbath, observe festivals, observe physical circumcision, and other related activities that were mandated under the Old Testament (Colossians 2:14-17).

Though we are not obligated to obey the specific details of the Old Testament, we are still to adhere to its principles of the Old Testament, which are imperative for our lives today (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11). 

 

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Old Covenant, Old TestamentJoey Ferrell