NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE LAW

Christians, Jews and Moslems all consider the Old Testament Bible, at least part of their religious beliefs foundation. Christians consider the New Testament Bible even more a basic part of their beliefs.

Regarding Old Testament law, Christ said in Matthew 5:17-18 "Do not think that I cam to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and the earth shall pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished".

Christ attempted to make understandable, the importance of harsh laws, by making them more personal. He said that the ancients had said not to commit murder, but Christ said that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty enough to got into the fiery furnace. On the subject of adultery, Christ reminded that the law said not to commit adultery, but Christ said that anyone who looked on a woman with lust had committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Christ talked about the law of divorce, the law of oaths, the law of non-resistance and the law of love, also in Matthew Chapter 5. Christ also modified the harshness of Old Testament Laws on several occasions. Some examples are: 1. when a prostitute was to be stoned, Christ asked that the first stone be cast by a person without sin and all left; 2. when Christ got a donkey out of the ditch and his disciples were stripping grain to eat, both on the Sabbath, Christ stated that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; 3. the question of loyalty to Rome when handed a Roman coin, Christ counseled to give to Rome and to God what was due each.

While preaching to uphold the law, but yet showing reasonableness in the enforcement of law, Christ ran afoul of the leaders of his religious background, the Sadducees and Pharisees. These were the people who enforced Judaic laws. In the end, Christ demonstrated his belief in following authority. One time when he chastised Peter for cutting off the ear of a guard, who was taking Christ as a prisoner. Again, when Christ accepted his fate to die on the Cross, to show the love of God, for humans, by having given his own Son to obey him, even to death.

Note: 407 words.