05-14-2012, 04:10 PM
It seems abundantly clear that Christ is the fulfillment and goal/end of the Mosaic Torah (Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4). I believe Paul still observed the Torah because of his Jewish heritage (Acts 18:8) and believed it to be holy, just and good (Romans 7:12), but he taught that the Torah was not created by YHWH for salvation, but to lead us to Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:24) and that it was not necessary for the Gentiles to keep, as evidenced by Paul's rebuke of Peter (Galatians 2:11-21).
Many people use Christ's statement that he didn't come to "abolish" (as the King James Version says) the Law of Moses, but that He came to fulfill it. I think a more accurate translation would be that Christ didn't come with the intention of the destroying the Law (as in being its enemy) but He came to fulfill it and complete it. Christ brought a new level of Torah, which is the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). He is the One through which YHWH gives us the Law He truly wants for mankind that is written on the hearts of men. Notice how Jesus moves the Torah from merely outward observance, but amplifies it by bringing it into the heart. What the Law could not do, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.
Many people use Christ's statement that he didn't come to "abolish" (as the King James Version says) the Law of Moses, but that He came to fulfill it. I think a more accurate translation would be that Christ didn't come with the intention of the destroying the Law (as in being its enemy) but He came to fulfill it and complete it. Christ brought a new level of Torah, which is the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). He is the One through which YHWH gives us the Law He truly wants for mankind that is written on the hearts of men. Notice how Jesus moves the Torah from merely outward observance, but amplifies it by bringing it into the heart. What the Law could not do, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.