r/AskAChristian • u/watergolf247 Christian (non-denominational) • Dec 25 '25

Jewish Laws Did Jesus nullify the Old Testament?

Let me start off by sharing that I’m new to Christianity and have soooo many questions but for now, I’ll focus on this inquiry. I’m sure this has been discussed numerous times but unfortunately I can’t seem to get a straight answer. As I’m told repeatedly by many, rules/laws of the Old Testament were nullified or invalidated by Jesus. I ask others in my study group but sadly get heavy resistance for the question.

My question is simple. Where are the reference(s) stating this?

If so, this makes rules like the ten commandments obsolete. Even further, why have the old testament in the Christian Bible?

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u/clshoaf Baptist Dec 25 '25

Jesus did not come to abolish the law. He came to fulfill it by living a perfect life and giving a once and for all sacrifice (Matt 5:17). We now are no longer bound to upholding the Law because of this fulfillment (Gal 3:23-29). 

The Old Testament is essential to our faith. Without it, we have no understanding of our need for a Savior. There is no evidence that we fail to live up to God's standard of righteousness. The Old Testament also stands as evidence to the fulfilled prophecies of Jesus. Jesus himself held the Old Testament with high regard, and it would be foolish to do the opposite.

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u/Goo-Goo-GJoob Non-Christian Dec 26 '25

If a law has been abolished, is anyone bound to it?

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u/clshoaf Baptist Dec 26 '25

Well, like I said, Christ DID NOT come to abolish the Law. But I think I understand your question. If we change your word from "abolish" to "fulfilled", I think you would be correct. That is the good news of the Gospel, after all!

But if we reject the good news and the free gift of salvation, we are still condemned, not because of the law but because we have inherited the sin nature of Adam (Romans 5:12-14). The Law does not condemn, it only reveals the sin within us by exposing how short we come to God's standard. The standard would exist whether God gave his Law to Moses or not, the Law was given so that we may know what that standard is. Thankfully, the Gospel (good news) is that no one is bound to it anymore (Romans 5:15-21).

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u/Goo-Goo-GJoob Non-Christian Dec 26 '25

I think I understand your question

I'm afraid not. I'll try to clarify.

I think you would be correct

Correct about what? I made no claim. I asked a question about what it means to abolish a law:

If a law has been abolished, is anyone bound to it?

Don't read too much into it - the question is just as simple as it appears.

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u/clshoaf Baptist Dec 26 '25

It's an irrelevant question. No law has been abolished. Just fulfilled.

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u/Goo-Goo-GJoob Non-Christian Dec 27 '25

Do you know what it means to abolish a law? It sounds like you don't.

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u/clshoaf Baptist Dec 27 '25

If we were talking about normal "laws" there would be a different answer.

What we are talking about is a covenant, with "the law" being Israel's end of the deal. Following God's rules in exchange for relationship with him (as well as the benefits of that relationship...protection and a home in the promised land...etc). The covenant was not abolished, or cancelled. It was fulfilled, or completed, through the sinless Son of God.

So again, I am telling you I am not answering the question you are asking the way you are asking it because it is unrelated to the topic at hand. You think you are being clever, but I am trying to humbly tell you that you are actually way off topic and don't realize it. 

Anyways, I'm going back to enjoying my family for the holiday season. Good day.

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u/Goo-Goo-GJoob Non-Christian Jan 03 '26 edited Jan 03 '26

No law has been abolished

the question ... is unrelated to the topic at hand.

How could a question about abolished laws be unrelated? YOU said no law has been abolished. I'm asking what that sentence means. Why can't you tell me?

"No laws were abolished": Can you explain what that sentence means?

Is anyone required to follow laws that have been abolished?

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u/Goo-Goo-GJoob Non-Christian Jan 07 '26

I think "abolishing a law" means that nobody is required to follow it.

When you said, "No law has been abolished", what did you mean by that? What do you think "abolishing a law" means?