Old Testament Not Aboloished
Contrary to popular notions, the Old Testament Law (Torah) was not abolished by the Gospel. The early believers continued to practice the commandments of the Torah throughout the New Testament period and beyond.
The Torah was never given as a means for attaining salvation. Instead the laws of the Torah are given to be upon our hearts. We are to show our love for God by keeping them (Deuteronomy 6:4–6). The Torah is profitable “for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
Yeshua warned us not to think that He had come to abolish the Torah (Matthew 5:17). He said that “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of Heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:19).
This does not mean that we must do the Torah in order to earn salvation. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” We do not keep the Torah in order to be saved, we keep it because we are saved. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in the Messiah Yeshua for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Boaz Michael
First Fruits of Zion
PO Box 649
Marshfield, MO 65706
Phone: (417) 468-2741
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