Christian Attitude toward Israel
Rom. 11:25-29 Enemies of the gospel, beloved for the fathers' sake
Points: Complex issue, difficult in Paul's day, even more complicated in our day.
Four major mistakes by Christians, Displacing, Pretending, Empowering and "Proselyting"
1 – Displacing:
Most Christian's attitude over the centuries, that the church took Israel's place
Supposing Israel as a nation is completely rejected
Mat. 21:33-43 Kingdom taken from you, given to a nation
(1 Pet. 2:9) ye are an holy nation
(Lu. 17:20,21) kingdom cometh not with observation, within you
Mat. 8:11,12 Children of the kingdom cast out
Mat. 23:38 House is left unto you desolate
1 Thes. 2:16 wrath come upon them to the uttermost
Acts 28:25-28 sent to Gentiles
Reinterpreting references to Israel as church
Mat. 3:9 Of stones may raise up children to Abraham
Luke 3:8 " " "
Rom. 2:28,29 he is a Jew which is one inwardly
Rom. 9:6 they are not all Israel which are of Israel
Gal 3:7 same are the children of Abraham
Gal. 3:28,29 neither Jew nor Greek, all seed of Abraham
Gal. 6:16 peace upon the Israel of God
Gal. 4:26 Jerusalem which is above
Heb. 12:22 ye are come unto mount Sion, heavenly Jerusalem
1 Pet. 2:6 I lay in Sion a chief corner stone
James 1:1 to the twelve tribes
Acts 26:7 our twelve tribes hope to come
Spiritualizing all prophecies and promises to Israel, and apply them to church
Jer. 31:31 new covenant with house of Israel
Heb. 8:8 new covenant with house of Israel
Yet God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was everlasting and unconditional
Gen. 17:7 everlasting covenant
Ps. 105:8-11 everlasting covenant
Deu. 29:27-29 Lord rooted them out, but those belong to us and our children forever
Mic. 7:20 thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob
Luke 1:54,55 to Abraham and seed forever
Luke 1:72-75 to remember his holy covenant swore to Abraham
Prophecies were literally and specifically contradictory to the idea
Deu. 30:1-6 turn thy captivity, gather thee from all nations
Isa. 49:22,23 Gentiles, they shall bring thy sons
Isa. 60:5 forces of Gentiles shall come unto thee
Isa. 60:16 suck the milk of Gentiles, I am the mighty one of Jacob
Isa. 61:6 ye shall eat riches of Gentiles
Isa. 66:12,13 glory of Gentiles, then ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem
Eze 34:29,30 neither bear the shame of heathen, know Israel is my people
Displacement specifically and literally denied in the New Testament
Acts 1:6,7 wilt thou at this time restore kingdom to Israel, not for you to know times
Rom. 11:1 God cast away his people? God forbid.
Rom. 11:26 All Israel shall be saved
Rev. 7:4 144,000 of all tribes of Israel
Rev. 7:9 great multitude of all nations
Natural Israel has a place beside the bride (church)
John 3:29 friend of the bridegroom
Mat. 25:1-13 virgins awaiting bridegroom
Ps. 45.9-11 Gentile bride for the king
2 – Pretending:
Rev. 2:9 and 3:9 "say they are Jews and are not"
Most think this speaks of Jews who are not Jews inwardly, according to Rom. 2:28,29
It may refer to Christian concept of church replacing Israel (see above).
But also may refer to speculations about the so called "lost ten tribes."
The diaspora Jews speculated about the "ten lost tribes," time and again supposedly finding traces
Aaron Levi, marrano Jew re-named Antony Montezinos, found Reuben in South America in 1500s
Menasseh Ben Israel speculated about ten tribes in "Esperanza de Israel" around 1600
Gregorio Garcia wrote "Origen de los Indios" in 1607
Thomas Thorowgood wrote "Jews in America" in 1650
Viscount Kingsborough (d. 1837) wrote about lost tribes in "Antiquities of Mexico"
Barbara Anne Simon wrote "Ten Tribes of Israel" in 1836
Mormons about the same time claim Indians are descendants of lost ten tribes
British Israelism (Herbert W. Armstrong among others before him) claim British Isles contain them
Isa. 41:1,5 O Islands, ends of the earth drew near and came
Isa. 49:1,5 O Isles, people from far, bring Jacob again to him
Ten tribes were never lost:
2 Kings 15.29 captive to Assyria
2 Kings 17:6 carried Israel to Assyria
2 Kings 18:11 Israel into Assyria, Halah, Habor,
2 Ki. 17:18-41 (34) do after the former manners, Jacob, named Israel
1 Chr. 5:26 Halah, Habor, Hara, Gozan unto this day
Ten tribes represented in Judah
2 Chr. 15:9 Asa gathered Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, Manasseh, Simeon
2 Chr. 30:1,10,11,18 Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulun, Asher, Issachar
Ten tribes included among Jews in NT
Acts 26:7 Our twelve tribes hope
James 1:1 twelve tribes scattered abroad
3 – Empowering:
Rom. 15:27 Gentiles partakers of their spiritual, duty to minister unto them in carnal
Modern Zionism founded in puritan revival in England. Literal interpretation of OT promises to Israel
Gen. 17:7,8 land of Canaan for an everlasting possession
Deu. 30:3-5 return thy captivity
Isa. 11:10-12 second time to recover his people from islands of the sea
Hos. 3:4-5 Israel many days without a king, afterward return
Joel 3:1 bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem
Joel 3:6-7 I will raise them out of the place ye have sold them
Amos 9:14-15 I will bring again Israel, build waste cities, plant vineyards
Zionism is the doctrine that land of Canaan still belongs to Jews, and Jews can and should return.
Jews long speculated that they would return only after Messiah comes.
Modern evangelicals were Zionists before Jews were. Evangelical arguments persuaded Jews of the ideal.
Evangelical politicians forced the issue of re-immigrating Jews to Palestine in the 1800s.
Evangelical politicians aimed WWI armies to "liberate Palestine" from the Turk when Ottoman Empire joined Axis.
Evangelicals support nation of Israel politically and even economically.
Some evangelicals support Israeli extremists with intention of rebuilding the temple, third temple restorationists.
Christians must not join with unbelieving Jews, especially if it negatively affects Arabs.
Christians are not allowed to join in a yoke with unbelievers
2 Cor. 6:14,15 be not unequally yoked with unbelievers
Strangers will live in the land with Jews
Eze. 47:22 strangers among you as born in the country, shall have inheritance among tribes
Bible indicates the temple will be rebuilt, so some evangelicals are enthusiastic about it.
Eze. 41:1 He brought me to the temple
Rev. 11:1 Measure the temple of God
2 Thes. 2:4 Sitteth in the temple of God, shewing that he is God
But any focus on temple is false, unscriptural, dangerous and distracting to the aim of gospel
Rom. 10:1 prayer to God for Israel that they might be saved
2 Chr. 2:6 Heavens cannot contain him, house only to burn sacrifice before him
Isa. 66:1 where is the house ye will build me?
John 4:21 time now is true worshipers in spirit and truth
Acts 7:48, dwelleth not in temples made with hands
Acts 17:24 dwelleth not in temples made with hands
Church is the temple of God
1 Cor. 3:16 ye are the temple
1 Cor. 6:19 your body is the temple
2 Cor. 6:16 ye are the temple of the living God
Eph. 2:21 groweth into an holy temple in the Lord
Earthly temple is a replica
Exo. 25:9,40 pattern
Acts 7:44 make it according to the fashion
Heb. 8:5 all things according to the pattern shewed to thee
Heb. 9:8-11 more perfect tabernacle
Heb. 9:23,24 not holy places made with hands, but heaven itself
Rev. 7:15 before throne of God, day and night in his temple
Rev. 11:19 temple of God opened in heaven, ark of his testament
4a – Proselyting - first century Messianic Jews:
Gal. 4:21 Ye desire to be under the law
A Messianic Jew is a natural Jew who believes Jesus is the Messiah but chooses to remain Jewish.
Early Messianic Jews of Pharisee persuasion attempted to persuade Gentile Christians to proselyte themselves to the law.
Jews who believe in Jesus are no longer Jews
Gal. 3:28 neither Jew nor Greek, all one in Christ Jesus
Col. 3:11 neither Greek nor Jew
Eph. 2:14 broken down middle wall of partition
John 10:16 other sheep I have, shall be one fold
Many Jews who believed lived as Gentiles (were not Messianic Jews)
Gal. 2:12 did eat with Gentiles
Gal. 2:13 other Jews likewise, Barnabas also carried away
Gal. 2:14 thou being a Jew livest after the manner of Gentiles
1 Cor. 9:20 unto Jews became I as a Jew, as under the law
Jews were allowed to keep Jewish customs
Acts 21:21 informed thou teachest Jews forsake Moses
Acts 21:24 things whereof were informed are nothing
Rom. 14:2 eat all things, weak eat herbs
Rom. 14:5 esteemeth one day above another, another every day alike
1 Cor. 7:18 called circumcised, not become uncircumcised
Gentiles were not commanded to keep Jewish laws
Acts 15:1 except ye be circumcised ye cannot be saved
Acts 15:5 Pharisees believed needful to circumcise [Gentiles] and command keep law
Acts 15:10-11 why tempt ye God, yoke upon neck, [not] able to bear, saved by grace
Acts 15:19-21 trouble not Gentiles, but abstain, for Moses read in synagogues
Acts 15:24 subverting your souls, be circumcised and keep law, no such commandment
Acts 15:28-29 no greater burden, abstain ... ye shall do well
Gentiles were commanded not to keep Jewish laws
Acts 21:24,25 thou keepest law, as touching Gentiles, concluded observe no such thing, save only
1 Cor. 7:18 called in uncircumcision, not be circumcised
Gal. 2:3-5 neither Titus was circumcised, spy out our liberty, gave place not for an hour
Gal. 5:1 be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Gal. 5:2 if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing
Circumcision declared to be nothing
Rom. 2:25 circumcision profiteth if keep law, but breaker of law made uncircumcision
Rom. 2:28,29 neither is circumcision outward in flesh
1 Cor. 7:19 circumcision is nothing
Gal. 5:6 neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision
Gal. 6:12,13 desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, glory in your flesh
Php. 3:3 we are the circumcision which worship God in spirit, no confidence in flesh
Col. 2:11 circumcised without hands by Christ
Col. 3:11 neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
Meats prohibited by Moses specifically declared clean in NT
Rom. 14:14 persuaded by Lord Jesus nothing unclean of itself
Rom. 14:20 all things indeed are pure
Acts 10:15 what God hath cleansed call not thou common
Luke 11:41 give alms and all things are clean unto you
Mat. 15:11 not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man
Mark 7:14-15 nothing entering can defile the man
Mark 7:18,19 cannot defile him, purging all meats
1 Tim. 4:3,4 to abstain from meats, created to be received, every creature is good
Titus 1:5 unto pure all things are pure
1 Cor 6:12,13 all things are lawful, meats for the belly, God shall destroy both
Heb. 13:9 established with grace, not meats, not profited them occupied therein
Sabbaths and holy days declared open
Rom. 14:5,6 every day alike, persuaded in own mind
Gal. 4:10,11 ye observe days, months, times, years, I am afraid of you, labour in vain
Col. 2:16 Let no man judge you in respect of an holyday, new moon, or of sabbath days
Christian worship instituted and continued on first day
Mark 16:10 Jesus was risen early the first day of the week
John 20:19 same day at evening, first day of the week, Jesus in the midst
John 20:26 after eight days came Jesus in the midst
Acts 2:1 day of Pentecost fully come (day after sabbath)
(Lev. 23:11) morrow after the sabbath (wave offering)
(Lev. 23:15,16) morrow after the sabbath (feast of weeks)
Acts 20:7 first day of week when disciples came together to break bread
1 Cor. 16:2 first day of week lay by him in store
Rev. 1:10 in Spirit on the Lord's day
4b – Proselyting - modern Messianic Jews:
First Century Messianics of Pharisee background (Acts 15:5) insisted on circumcision of Gentiles and laws of Moses,
even for salvation. Apostles left no room for doubt:
Salvation does not depend on laws of Moses
Gentiles were neither obligated to be circumcised nor to keep the laws of Moses
Even the 4 necessary things were required as a voluntary concession (Acts 15:28,29 - "ye shall do well")
so as not to undermine efforts of Messianics to win fellow Jews all over the world (Acts 15:21)
No determination at that point about Jews and the laws of Moses
Modern Messianic Jews are evangelical Christians stemming from Puritan revival.
A rapport began with exiles in Holland owing to Puritan literal interpretation of OT.
They do not believe salvation depends upon laws of Moses.
They do not expect Gentiles to be circumcised.
Most do not expect Gentiles to follow law of Moses.
Many however believe Jews are obligated to the laws of Moses,
and a small minority do impose all laws of Moses on Gentiles except for circumcision.
Problems with all branches of modern Messianic Judaism
Messianic's desire to remain Jewish practically outweighs their desire to identify with Christ
Avoid calling themselves Christians
Call congregation a synagogue instead of a church
Call pastor a rabbi (even against the Lord's command - Mat. 23:8)
Military insignia of star of David, rather than a cross
Insist among fellow Jews that they are one of Judaism's divisions (ostensibly to "win them")
Follow rabbinical traditions
Refuse to pronounce or spell out "God," "Jehovah," "Yahweh," but do spell out "Jesus" and "Christ."
Head coverings for men (Kippah - see 1 Cor. 11:4)
Wear phylacteries (according to rabbinical interpretation of Deut. 6:8)
Have a positive view of Talmud even though the Talmud:
refers to Jesus (by name) as a wicked man hanged on eve of passover
refers to Mary (but not by name) as a fornicator with a Roman soldier
refutes the doctrine of the Trinity specifically
Emphasis on Torah (written and oral)
Messianic Jews generally insist the law of Moses is still binding, at least upon Jews, using as a foundation
Mat. 5:17 not to destroy but to fulfil law
Mat. 5:18 till Heaven and Earth pass no wise pass from law till all be fulfilled
Mat. 5:19 break least of commandments least in kingdom of heaven
Mat. 19:28 teaching to observe all I commanded you
Luke 16:17 easier for heavens to pass than law to fail
(Jer. 31:35-36) covenant with heavens, day and night (stability of heavens)
(Jer. 33:23-25) covenant with heavens, (stability of heavens)
They point out that Jesus observed the law
Luke 2:23,24 performed all things according to law of the Lord
Mat. 8:4 thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded
Mark 1:44 offer for thy cleansing things Moses commanded
Luke 5:14 offer for thy cleansing according as Moses commanded
Mat. 23:23 these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mark 7:8 laying aside the commandment of God
Luke 24:44 all things must be fulfilled written in law of Moses
They note that the law was spoken of as everlasting
Ps. 19:9 fear of LORD enduring for ever
Ps. 105:10 confirmed to Jacob a law for an everlasting covenant (Gen. 49:4)
Ps. 111:7,8 all his commandments stand fast for ever
Ps. 119:144 righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting
Ps. 119:152 thy testimonies founded for ever
Ps. 119:160 every one of righteous judgments endureth for ever
Ps. 148:5,6 he commanded, stablished them for ever (creation)
And that the law of Moses has eternal ordinances
Exo. 12:14,17,24 (passover) ordinance forever
Exo. 31:16,17 sabbath perpetual covenant, sign for ever
Exo. 32:13 land inherit it for ever
Lev. 3:17 perpetual statute eat neither fat nor blood
Lev. 16:29 (day of atonement) statute for ever
Lev. 23:21 (firstfruits) statute for ever
Messianic Jews make three errors:
They confuse the Law and the Gospel
Most Messianic Jews reject dispensationalism (that new covenant is truly new), using
Ps. 102:27 thou art the same, years have no end
Heb. 1:12 thy years shall not fail
Mal. 3:6 I am the LORD, I change not
Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever
Yet dispensationalism is clearly defined in the Bible
2 Tim. 2:15 rightly dividing word of truth
Rom. 11:25 until fulness of Gentiles be come in
Luke 21:24 until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled
Mat. 23:38,39 house desolate, not see me henceforth till ye say, Blessed...
Luke 13:35 house desolate, not see me until the time ye say, Blessed...
Acts 1:6,7 at this time restore kingdom? not for you to know times
Acts 3:19 when the times of refreshing shall come
Acts 3:21 until the times of restitution of all things
Acts 3:24 foretold of these days
Acts 14:16 in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways
Acts 17:26 determined the times before appointed
Acts 17:30 times of ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth
Gal. 3:17 law was four hundred thirty years after the promise
Gal. 3:23 before faith came we were kept under the law
Rom. 5:13 until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed
Eph. 1:10 in dispensation of fulness of times
Mat. 16:3 discern the signs of the times
Dan. 2:21 he changeth the times and the seasons
1 Thes. 5:1-4 of the times and seasons, day of Lord so cometh
Mat. 11:13-15 prophets and law until John, this is Elias, ears to hear
Mat. 17:10-13 Elias is come already, John the Baptist
John 1:21 John the Baptist not Elias
Luke 22:35,36 When I sent you? Now, he that hath no sword, buy one
Luke 22:51 Suffer ye thus far
They assume that the New Testament is a continuation, explanation, fulfilling or flowering of Old Testament, using
Rom. 10:5-9 word is nigh thee, if thou shalt believe
Deu. 30:11-14 word is very nigh thee, that thou mayest do it, keep his commandments
Gal. 3:8 preached the gospel to Abraham
Heb. 4:2 unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them
Notice gospel is not in the law, but newly revealed
Gal. 3:23 shut up, afterward revealed
Rom 16:25,26 kept secret since beginning, now manifest
Eph. 3:2-6,9 mystery, Gentiles fellow heirs
New Testament is not a continuation of the Old
Jer. 31:31-33 new covenant, not according to the covenant after Egypt
Heb. 8:8-10 new covenant, not according to covenant when I took them out of Egypt
Eze. 16:60-62 I will establish an everlasting covenant, but not by thy covenant
2 Cor. 3:7 ministration of death, written in stones, glory to be done away
2 Cor. 3:11-13 that which is done away was glorious, the end of that which is abolished
Heb. 7:22 Jesus made a surety of a better testament
Heb. 8:6 he is the mediator of a better covenant
Heb. 8:13 new covenant hath made the first old
Mat. 9:17 new wine into new bottles
They confuse the law of Moses with the true law of God
Messianic Jews point out positive references to the law in the NT (besides numerous in OT)
and assuming it is speaking of the law of Moses conclude it is not done away, nor replaced
Rom. 7:12 law is holy, commandment holy, just and good
Rom. 7:14 law is spiritual
Rom. 7:16 law is good
Rom. 7:25 with my mind I serve the law of God
Rom. 8:2 law of the Spirit of life (law of sin and death)
James 1:25 the perfect law of liberty
James 2:8 the royal law, love thy neighbor
James 2:12 judged by the law of liberty
Gal. 6:2 fulfil the law of Christ
1 Cor. 9:21 not without law to God, but under the law to Christ
But there are negative references to law in NT:
Bondage:
Gal. 2:3,4 circumcised, spy out our liberty, bring us into bondage
Gal. 4:3 when children were in bondage under elements of world
Gal. 4:9 how desire again to be in bondage?
Gal. 4:24 mount Sinai which gendereth to bondage
Gal. 5:1 be not entangled with yoke of bondage
Rom. 8:15 not spirit of bondage again to fear
Yoke:
Acts 15:1,5,10 manner of Moses, law of Moses, yoke upon disciples
Gal. 5:1 not entangled again with yoke of bondage
Weak:
Rom. 8:3 law could not do, was weak through the flesh
Gal. 4:9 turn again to weak and beggarly elements
Heb. 7:18 disannulling of commandment for weakness and unprofitableness
Worldly:
Gal. 4:3 when children were in bondage under elements of world
Gal. 4:9,10 how turn again to weak and beggarly elements? days, months, years
Col. 2:20,21 dead with Christ from rudiments of the world, ordinances, touch not
Carnal:
Heb. 7:16 not after law of a carnal commandment
Heb. 9:10 stood only in carnal ordinances
Heb. 9:13 sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh
1 Cor. 10:18 Israel after the flesh, they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar
Gal. 3:3 begun in spirit made perfect by flesh?
Unprofitable:
Gal. 3:21 if a law could have given life, verily righteousness by the law
Rom. 8:3 what the law could not do
Heb. 7:18 the commandment, weakness and unprofitableness thereof
Heb. 10:1,2 can never make the comers perfect, once purged no more conscience
Heb. 10:11 can never take away sins
Heb. 13:9 meats have not profited them who were occupied therein
Letter:
2 Cor. 3:6,7 not of the letter, written in stones
Rom. 2:29 in the spirit and not in the letter
Rom. 7:6 serve in newness of spirit, not in oldness of the letter
Death:
2 Cor. 3:7 ministration of death
Rom. 7:5 sins by the law bring forth fruit unto death
Rom. 7:10 commandment ordained to life found to be unto death
Rom. 8:2 free from the law of sin and death
Condemnation:
2 Cor. 3:9 ministration of condemnation
Imperfect:
Heb. 8:7 if first covenant had been faultless
Heb. 7:11 if perfection by Levitical priesthood, what further need?
Heb. 7:19 the law made nothing perfect
Heb. 9:9 could not make him perfect
Heb. 9:11 greater and more perfect
Heb. 9:23 better sacrifices than these
Heb. 10:1 could not make the comers perfect
(Ps. 19:7) law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul
The confusion is in reconciling positive and negative views of the law. Most Christians in history have divided the law into moral and ceremonial (and civil) commandments, claiming the moral is the spiritual and good, and the ceremonial is the negative and carnal. But Bible doesn't divide the law explicitly, and many laws logically overlap, such as tithing, worship, usury, marriage, etc. The answer is in understanding the nature of the law of Moses.
The law of Moses was only a shadow of the law of God
Heb. 8:5 who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things
Heb. 9:8-11 first tabernacle was a figure for the time
Heb. 9:23,24 holy places made with hands are the figures of the true
Heb. 10:1 the law having a shadow of good things to come, not the very image
Col. 2:16,17 meat, drink, sabbaths are a shadow of things to come
John 1:17 law came by Moses, grace and truth by Jesus Christ
The law of Moses was never the true mind of God
Ps. 40:6-8 sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, thy law is in my heart
Ps. 52:6,16,17 desirest truth in inward parts, a broken spirit
Hos. 6:6 I desired mercy not sacrifice
Mic. 6:7,8 what require of thee but do justly, love mercy, walk humbly
Mat. 5:21-48 It hath been said of old time, but I say unto thee
Mat. 19:3-8 for hardness of heart Moses gave this precept, but from the beginning not so
John 8:5-11 Moses commanded be stoned, but what sayest thou, neither do I condemn
John 4:22-24 True worship
Php. 3:3 the circumcision which worship God in spirit
The true law of God is spiritual, inward, written in the heart
Deu. 30:6 I will circumcise heart
Ps. 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart
Ps. 40:8 I delight to do thy will, thy law is within my heart
Isa. 51:7 know righteousness, in whose heart is my law
Jer. 31:33 I will put my law in their inward parts
2 Cor. 3:3 written with the Spirit not in stone, but in the heart
Heb. 10:16 I will put my laws into their hearts, in their minds
Rom. 2:28,29 he is a Jew which is one inwardly
Rom. 6:17 obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
Eph. 6:6 doing the will of God from the heart
2 Tim. 2:22 follow righteousness, call on Lord out of a pure heart
Rom. 8:4 righteousness of law fulfilled who walk after the Spirit
The law of God is much simpler than the law of Moses
Mat. 7:12 what ye would men do to you, do ye to them, this is the law
Mat. 22:37-40 on these two commandments hang all the law
Mark 12:33,34 love him and neighbor is more than all sacrifices, not far from kingdom
Rom. 13:8-10 love fulfils
Gal. 5:14 all law fulfilled
James 2:8 fulfil royal law, ye shall do well
1 Tim. 1:5 end of commandment is charity out of a pure heart
Rom. 10:4 Christ is the end of the law for righteousness
The true purpose of the law of Moses is to lay the foundation for Christ
Gal. 3:19 added because of transgressions
Gal. 3:24 our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ
Rom. 3:19 that all the world would become guilty
Rom. 5:20 the law entered that the offence might abound
Rom. 7:7 not known sin but by the law
Rom. 7:13 that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful
2 Cor. 3:7,9 ministration of condemnation
1 Tim. 1:9,10 law not made for a righteous man
Gal. 3:21 no law given could have given life
Rom. 7:10 ordained to life found to be unto death
Law applied in New Testament
Rom. 10:5-9 Moses describeth righteousness of law, but righteousness of faith on this wise
1 Cor. 9:8-11 not muzzle ox, for our sakes, plough in hope
1 Cor. 10:18 are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
1 Cor. 14:34 commanded to be under obedience, as also saith law
They confuse the temporary added covenant with the unconditional everlasting covenant
To answer Messianic Jews’ argument from Mat. 5:17-20
“not to destroy” - why would this objection need to be answered, except people understood Jesus'
doctrine as different than that of Moses. His doctrine on the temple, meats, sabbaths, sacrifice,
shewbread and divorce left the impression he was "destroying" Moses' law. But his purpose was not
to destroy it, but rather to fulfil it, and not just the shadow, but the underlying law of the heart
“till heaven pass” - this does not say the law of Moses was eternal, just that it was unfailing (Lk16:17)
“till all be fulfilled” - indicates once fulfilled may pass
“do least commandment, great in kingdom” - law keeping in letter had its reward - not pleasing God, but honor
“righteousness exceed scribes” - their law and fastidiousness toward it was not true righteousness
The rest of Mat. 5 explains the underlying true righteousness Christ would be fulfilling
The law was a temporary covenant always. Notice when alluded to as everlasting (passages cited above) it never explicitly states the law of Moses would always be binding, but speaks of God's righteousness as everlasting, or his judgments as enduring. The perpetual ordinances within the law may be understood to endure only as long as the law itself (as Jer. 5:22 sea bound by perpetual decree), or may be considered ordinances which will outlast the law. Either way the law of Moses was never to be considered eternal. The new covenant was the eternal one.
Isa. 61:8 I will make an everlasting covenant with them (implying the current one was not)
Jer. 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them
Jer. 50:4,5 join to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten
Eze. 16:60 I will remember covenant of youth (Abraham’s), will establish an everlasting covenant
Eze. 37:26 I will make covenant of peace, it shall be everlasting
2 Cor. 3:7 which glory was to be done away
2 Cor. 3:11 that which was done away was glorious, more that which remaineth
2 Cor. 3:13 could not look to the end of that which is abolished
Heb. 8:7 if first had been faultless no place sought for second
Heb. 8:13 made the first old, decayeth and ready to vanish away
Heb. 10:9 he taketh away the first that he may establish the second
Heb. 12:27,28 "once more" signifieth removing things that are shaken
Hag. 2:5,6 covenant out of Egypt, yet once, a little while, I will shake
Heb. 13:20 by the blood of the everlasting covenant
There were always obviously temporary aspects of the law - notice that of 85 or so chapters of commandments in books of Moses almost half (46%) are clearly temporary, pertaining to wilderness wanderings, tabernacle movement, Aaronic priesthood, blood sacrifices, etc. If we add on chapters dealing with unclean beasts, sabbaths and circumcision, all clearly declared non-binding in the NT, the obviously temporary portion of the law is well over half (54%).
Deu. 12:10,11 when over Jordan there shall be a place
Deu. 12:20,21 when enlarged thy border, place chosen too far, eat in thy gates
Jer. 7:12 go ye to Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, see what I did to it
Deu. 29.1 beside the covenant made in Horeb
Jer. 7:21-24 nor commanded concerning sacrifices, but this, Obey my voice, but they hearkened not
Exo. 29:38,39 morning and evening sacrifice
Eze. 46.13 one daily sacrifice
Jer. 3:16 no more ark of the covenant
Ps. 110:4 thou art a priest after order of Melchizedek
Heb. 7:3,11,17 order of Melchisedec not the order of Aaron
Isa. 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD
Isa. 66:20,21 I will take of them for priests and Levites
Law was for a determined time
Mat. 5:18 till all be fulfilled
(Luke 24:44) these are words I spake, all must be fulfilled, written in law of Moses
Mat. 11:13 prophets and the law prophesied until John
Luke 16:16 law and prophets were until John
Gal. 3:19 added till the seed should come
Gal. 4:2 under governors until the time appointed
Heb. 9:9 a figure for the time then present
Heb. 9:10 imposed on them until the time of reformation
Rom. 7:1-3 bound by law so long as husband liveth
1 Cor. 7:39 wife bound by law as long as husband liveth
Heb. 9:17 no strength at all while the testator liveth
Gen. 49:10 sceptre not depart, nor lawgiver, until Shiloh come
Law had a temporary dominion
Rom. 7:2 loosed from the law of her husband
Rom. 7:3 she is free from that law
Rom. 7:4 ye also are become dead to the law
Rom. 7:6 now we are delivered from the law
Gal. 2:19 I through the law am dead to the law
Rom. 6:14 ye are not under the law, but under grace
Gal. 3:23-25 before faith came we were kept under the law, after faith, no longer under law
(Gal. 4:4) Jesus made under the law
Gal. 4:5 redeem them that were under the law that we might receive adoption
1 Cor. 9:20 to them under the law as under the law
Eph. 2:15 abolished in his flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances
Col. 2:14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us
Col. 2:16 let no man judge you in meat, drink, holyday, new moon or sabbath days
The law was changed by Christ
John 4:21-24 hour cometh shall neither in Jerusalem worship the Father
Mat. 24:2 not left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down
Mat. 27:51 veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom
Mark 15:38 veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom
Heb. 7:12 priesthood being changed, a change also of the law
Heb. 7:14 of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood
Heb. 7:17,18 there is a disannulling of the commandment going before
Heb. 8:4 if on earth would not be a priest, there are priests according to the law
Heb. 9:15-17 testament necessity death of testator, no strength at all while testator liveth
Heb. 10:18 where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin
Conclusion:
Heb. 13:9 good that the heart be established with grace, not with meats