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NASB | Matthew 5:18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:18 "For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished. |
Bible Question:
What percentage of the Old Testament is applicable to New Testament Christians? example: Deut. 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, [and] that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he [is] thy life, Does this text and others like them which are too umerous to mention still apply to believers living in our times, or were they only for Old Testament saints? |
Bible Answer: You wrote: "What percentage of the Old Testament is applicable to New Testament Christians?" 64.232 percent. ;) All Scripture is applicable in some way (2 Timothy 3:16). The Christian is not bound to the aspects of the law (sacrificial and ceremonial) that Christ fulfilled and were distinctive to the people of Israel. While the Deuteronomy passage that you quoted was specifically given to the people of Israel, I think that there are principles regarding the character of God which definitely apply to the believer today. While God made the Mosaic Covenant with Israel, Christ also established a New Covenant with his shed blood. There are differences in the specifics of the covenants, but we have to remember that both groups (OT Israel and the visible church) are considered by God to contain His people. In addition, the Godhead is the senior party in both covenants, so we have to take into consideration the unchanging character of God in his dealings with his people. While we may not be bound to the Levitical priesthood system, God still has the same moral standard, and He still punishes those among His covenant people who show themselves to be covenant-breakers. --Joe! |