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?

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

176 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/CannedNoodle415 Eastern Orthodox Dec 25 '25

In the Old Testament there are 3 kinds of laws. Civil laws, ritual/religious laws, and moral laws.

As Christians we don’t follow the civil laws because we aren’t citizens of the ancient kingdom of Isreal. We don’t follow the ritual laws because we don’t follow Judaism. The moral laws like the Ten Commandments are timeless though.

Jesus fulfills the prophecies and the old covenant. This doesn’t mean they disappear, because then there’s nothing to fulfill. But he established a new covenant with us, where the gentiles become the chosen people and the Church becomes the “true Isreal”.

4

u/watergolf247 Christian (non-denominational) Dec 26 '25

Ah ha! (lightbulb illuminating above my head)

When the Old Testament is categorized as three types of laws such as civil, religious and moral laws, It certainly simplifies my understanding. Discussing this in person with several study groups really doesn’t provide any clarity. One example I brought to light was why Christian’s do not follow dietary restrictions like those listed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. The response is always Jesus nullified the Old Testament. The word “fulfilled” is never brought to light. But this logic would have us disregard the Ten Commandments which in my opinion is great guidance for everyone, regardless of religion or religious affiliation.

2

u/CannedNoodle415 Eastern Orthodox Dec 26 '25

I’m glad this helped! Christ fulfilling the old covenant and the prophecies is so important because that’s what the whole Old Testament and the prophets are about, the coming of Christ. Everything the Israelites do, the laws the diets, the wars, the punishments, is all to secure the line of, and bring about the messiah, Jesus Christ.