Roles of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant In Salvation  -  a Study
   The Covenants we find in the Bible are composed of far more than interesting prose.  The first and most critical aspect to be understood is that a biblical covenant is a legal and binding contract entered into by two parties.  I was going to write "consenting parties" but this isn't necessarily the case.  As we will see, we are all in a Covenant with God even if we have not consented, and even if we would rather not be in it.  As our Creator and Life-Sustainer, God inherently has this Right of Imposing a Covenant upon us--having formed us and given us Life, gives Him that Right.  Within this framework however, we do have a choice:  Now being under God's universal New Covenant, which is able to elevate Mercy to the highest level, we can choose to represent ourselves throughout this process or we can choose to exercise the New Covenant's option to have the Redeemer represent us on our behalf.  Our goal is to come to an understanding of all that is involved in comprehending covenants generally, and the New Covenant specifically, so that we can correctly make this most important legal decision.
Covenant and Law
Old and New Covenants
   The starting point must be to determine exactly what is the Legal Document--the Covenant with God--that we, as Christians, find ourselves a party to.  Are we still under the Sinaic or Old Covenant (OC); are we under a distinctly New Covenant; or are we under the OC changed somewhat by Jesus?

   In order to determine where we now stand, we must determine the characteristics of covenants in general, especially those of the salvific covenant before Christ and after Christ.  We must then compare and contrast to see what applies to us in this present age.  To assist with this, if you find it helpful please refer to the chart above.

   After viewing at length the two salvific covenants, it must be stated that there is dramatic difference between them at each considered element, with the composite distinction revealing the underlying physical and transitory nature of the OC compared to the spiritual and everlasting quality of the Messianic or New Covenant (NC), as follows:
  1. The OC pertained to a specific group of people explicitly exclusive of all other groups.  The NC invites any who would, to come.
  2. The Promises of the OC are all physical and transitory, save for the two which effectively end it -- the promised Redeemer and the "better covenant" which He would install.  Promises of the NC all have a spiritual and eternal quality.
  3. Very important are the Covenantal Conditions.  Under the OC they consist entirely of compliance to a rigid and specific code of Law.  Nothing else was required.  NC Conditions are again spiritual and not at all based in "doing".
  4. The Seal of Initiation into the OC (circumcision) has unquestionably been discarded, raising the question of whether it is any longer even possible to purposefully enter into the OC with God.  Remember:  God's biblical Covenants are legal agreements.
  5. All agree (or if they don't, they should) that at least two of the three specific Seals of ongoing fidelity (the underlying Seal being Law-keeping) to the OC (keeping Passover and sacrificing/redeeming the first-born) have been terminated.  How can the third (Sabbath-keeping) then remain as some hold?  These Seals again have a physical (doing) emphasis while the Seals of the NC are again spiritual in nature.
  6. Ratification of the OC was accomplished with the sacrifice of animals -- again ended.  The NC has a brand new and infinitely superior ratification -- Jesus' holy sacrifice.
  7. The OC is a covenant consisting entirely of shadows and Types, a few having been listed in the chart.  The NC has no Types, but consists entirely of Antitypes and fulfillments.  When Type meets Antitype only the Antitype continues on.
  8. A Covenant is in force until its stated end arrives; until it is broken by one of the covenanting parties; or until it is completed and so is fulfilled.
               a)  Stated End:  The OC was to end if and when Israel became committed to non-compliance (Ex 19:5; 23:22; Deut 28:15, 58-61; 30:15-20).  When it became clear that
                     Israel's path led in this direction, God added another Promise which in effect stated the end of the OC.  That Promise was to establish a NC (Jer 31:29-34).  With the
                     establishment of the NC then, we may consider the OC to be terminated (Heb 8:6-13).
               b)  Broken:  The breaking of, and the committed non-compliance with the OC by Israel, many have traditionally seen at the termination of the 70-Week Prophecy of
                    Daniel 9:24-27.  This occurred at the utter rejection and murder of the Messiah, with Israel's complete rejection both of Him and the NC He brought to them
                    (compare Rom 15:8-12).  At this time the Old Covenant with Israel completely ended and the universal NC became fully installed (Matt 23:31-39; Acts 13:46-47;
                    Rom 11:7-15; 1 Thes 2:14-16).  Again, we must consider the breaking of the OC by Israel as resulting in its termination.
               c)  Fulfillment:  The OC has been fulfilled in every aspect:  Contractee, God's Promises, Man's Conditions, Seals, Ratification, and Types.  It may again, therefore, be
                    considered as terminated on this basis.

   Upon consideration of the above, it is evident that the OC was temporary in nature and came to an end with the establishment of the NC.
Formerly Law

Psalm 119:105-106; Proverbs 13:13
Exodus 19:5+7
Proverbs 6:23
Deuteronomy 8:1-6
Proverbs 13:14
Proverbs 6:23
Proverbs 6:23
Psalm 119:30-35+142
Proverbs 3:1-6
Deuteronomy 6:24-25
------------  God's Word  ------------
------------  God's Voice  ------------
------------  Way of Life  ------------
-----------  Bread of Life  -----------
-----------  Water of Life  -----------
------------  Light of Life  ------------
-----------  Way,                             .
----------------  Truth,  ----------------
-------------------------  Life              .
-------  Our Righteousness  -------
Now Jesus

John 1:1-18
John 10:27
John 14:6
John 6:48-51
John 4:14; 7:37
John 12:47; 8:12

John 14:6

Romans 3:10-28
The Salvific Covenants

Old Covenant                                                 New Covenant
Righteousness -- under both covenants, salvation consists of attaining righteousness enough to satisfy the perfect nature of God--Perfect Righteousness--and thus entitle the individual to salvation.
(Isaiah 37:16-22; 58:11)

Method -- Righteousness comes from the OC Law, or more exactly, from the committed keeping of the Law in faith.
(Deut 6:24-25; 28:58-61; Ps 119:137-144, 171-174; Rom 9:31-33; 10:5)

Source -- extending from God but found within the individual -- Imparted Righteousness.  The believer had title to his own Righteousness because of his own doing (law-keeping).
(Ps 7:8; 18:20-24; Heb 9:13; Is 3:10)

Salvation -- consists of God's Imparted Righteousness (power to do good) to those having faith to accept it.  Not well understood by Old Testament Israel, was their need for God's Imputed Perfect Righteousness through Jesus, not then realized but yet to come.  Thus Sanctification (Imparted Righteousness) is the focus and preceeds Justification (Imputed Righteousness).
(Matthew 13:43; 25:34-37+46)

Method -- Righteousness comes when one puts their faith in the doing (the Perfectly Righteous life) and dying  (paying sin's death penalty) of Jesus on the believer's behalf.
(Jn 3:16+36; Rom 10:9-10; 5:19-21)

Source -- extending from God and found within the life and death of Jesus, and then credited to the account of the believer -- Imputed Righteousness.  The believer has title to Jesus' Righteousness due to Jesus' doing and dying.  (Rom 3:21-28; 5:12-21)

Salvation -- consists of Jesus' Imputed Righteousness on behalf of the believer.  This will then be followed immediately and progressively by Imparted Righteousness through the Holy Spirit.  Thus Sanctification follows Justification, with Justification now being the focus.
(2 Tim 2:19-22; 1 Thes 4:1-9; Rom 6:6-7; Gal 5:24)

   The Old Covenant had provision for eternal salvation only as would later be established by Jesus in the New Covenant.  That which saves eternally is the Imputed Perfect Righteousness--Justification--of the NC, purchased by Jesus through His perfectly sinless life together with the subsequent sacrifice of His infinite Life on the cross, in payment of sin's death penalty.  All this was accomplished in order to redeem and to gift salvation and eternal life to mankind (Rom 5).
   Since the free gift of Imputed Righteousness could not be given to the believer prior to its procurement at Calvary, the OC believer, although he died with its promise, died without Justification (Heb 9:14-15; 11:13, 39-40; Acts 13:39).  His faith, as evidenced by his Sanctification (law-keeping), entitled him to this later Justification (Heb 10:14).  Under the New Covenant we now have a spiritual Sanctification as evidence of already having been Justified (Rom 6:1-15) when we believed and accepted the Redeemer's sacrifice on our behalf.

   What saves us is our love for God, our repentant heart and our love for Jesus alongside our acceptance of the free gift of the Atonement which He bought at great cost on our behalf.  The Law cannot be kept perfectly and so endeavoring to keep the Law for salvation is fruitless.  It is our penitent heart which will save us.  As Christians and not Jews, the Old Covenant Law was never even intended for us:

          12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;
         13 for [the Jews] it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do
          not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they
          show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.
              - Romans 2:12-15
Old Covenant
 
Fulfilled  ---
 
 
of the letter  ---
ministration of death  ---
in stone - (10 Com.)  ---
done away  ---
ministration of
condemnation  ---
abolished  ---
 
 
 
 
 
 
First  ---
not faultless  ---
 
 
 
Old  ---
decaying  ---
vanishing  ---
taken away  ---
Scriptures

Lk 24:25-27, 44

2 Corinthians
3:6
3:7-8
"
"

3:9
3:11-13
3:17

Hebrews
7:22 + 8:6
8:6

8:7
"
8:9

8:12
8:13
"
"
10:9
10:20
New Covenant
 
 
 
 
---  of the spirit
---  ministration of
the spirit
 
ministration of
---  righteousness
---  remains
---  of liberty
 
 
---  Better Covenant
---  with better promises
 
---  Second
---  faultless
---  not according to the
previous covenant
---  Covenant of Mercy
---  New
 
 
---  established
---  New Living Way
Old Law
 
Fulfilled  ---
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
taught by men  ---
 
 
unbearable burden  ---
 
 
we are now 
dead to this law  ---
delivered from it  ---
it is ended  ---
 
in stone - (10 Com.)  ---
in the letter  ---
dead in it  ---
until Jesus  ---
 
abolished  ---
blotted out  ---
 
 
changed  ---
disanulled  ---
weak & unprofitable  ---
made
nothing perfect  ---
Scriptures

Matt 5:17
Matt 22:37-40
Rom 13:8-10
 
John
13:34-35
16:7-15;
Heb 8:11
Ex 24:12;
Deut 4:9-14
 
Acts 15:5-10
1 Jn 5:3
 
Romans
7:4
7:6
10:4

2 Cor 3:3-6
"
"
Gal 3:23-26
Gal 6:2
Eph 2:15
Col 2:13-17
 
Hebrews
7:12
7:18
"
 
7:19
8:10
New Law
 
 
 
 
 
 
---  New
---  taught by the
Holy Spirit
 
 
 
 
---  not grievous
 
 
 
 
 
 
---  in the heart
---  in the spirit
---  alive in it
 
---  law of Christ
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
---  better hope
---  in heart and mind
Jesus' Discourse on Law in Matthew 5
"Jesus Did Not Come to Abolish Old Covenant Law"
Some suggest that OC Law (or at least part of it) has not been abolished and that Jesus told us about this in Matthew chapter 5.  With so many scriptures explaining the opposite (we looked at some above) this would seem to pose a conundrum, so let's look into it now:

Jesus, Speaking to His Disciples:
Matthew 5:17 "Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish,
- OC Law was given for a specific purpose - to expose what sin is - the purpose which it still serves to this day for the unsaved, and it will never be abolished.
but to fulfill.
- OC Law was a foreshadow; a Type of Jesus.  Jesus is the Antitype; the fulfillment of that which foreshadowed Him.  When we accept the fulfillment - the far superior Antitype - there is no longer a need for the inferior foreshadow - the Type.
   18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished!
- And "all is accomplished" when exactly?  As Jesus took His last breath He declared, "It is finished."  It is evident that this phrase can be translated differently, as some translations have done with the use of such words as "completed", "done", "ended", "consummated" and "accomplished".  For example: the Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament notes the phrase (found at John 19:30) as:

          When he had      taken        the    sour wine,      ·         Jesus     said,   "It is accomplished!"
                  hote          lambanō      ho         oxos          ho        Iēsous     legō                 teleō

When Jesus said that OC Law would not be altered "until all is accomplished", it should be understood that He was referring to the completion of His own First Advent mission - to give us His "better" New Covenant with its merciful "New" Law which is "not grievous", is "within our hearts and minds", and is "taught by the Holy Spirit".
   19 Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments,
- Scripture can never be nullified, however its true meaning and function can certainly be clarified.  In the book of Galatians Paul did this concerning OC Law, where he revealed its true purpose was to be "our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith."  (Gal 3:24; see also above)  OC Law will always retain its function.  It will always lead the penitent heart to Christ.  It will always point to Him.  It will never be abolished.
- In a second purpose, Jesus is here creating a subtle transition from the soon to be ended OC Law of Commandments, to His soon to be installed NC Law of Love.  "These commandments" is a disguised reference to Jesus' New Commandments which He was about to reveal; a reference which Jesus' followers would later recognize for what it really meant.  Many of Jesus' teachings were hidden by necessity until the time for His sacrifice was at hand.  His greatest "blasphemies", which ultimately led to His condemnation, were reserved for the proper timeline of His death.  We can see this in His explanation of the destruction of the temple, and how He hid His true meaning from the pharisees:



NB: Both NASB & KJV
translations are used
within this study.
COVENANTS of GOD with MANKIND                    

CONTRACTEE:
(Pertaining to)
ADAMIC
Adam & Eve and all their progeny - mankind.
 - Gen 2:16; 3:2-3+15
NOAHIC
Noah and all his progeny - mankind - and the animals.  The entire Earth.
   - Genesis 9
ABRAHAMIC
Abraham and all his progeny through his Son Isaac only, and becoming "a multitude of nations" both Jews and Gentiles.
 - Gen 17:1-5, 18-21
SINAIC - OLD COVENANT
"Sons of Israel", one of the nations of Abraham's descendants; the nation God chose to be separate from the others; the nation of Israel--exclusively.
 - Deut 32:8-12+44-47; Ex 19:1-6, Deut 5:1-3; Rom 9:4-5; Eph 2:11-13
As an addition to and a separate branch of the Abrahamic Covenant.
 - Ex 6:2-8; Gal 3:16-19
MESSIANIC - NEW COVENANT
Spiritual Israel.  This is whoever . . .
 - Rom 11; 9:6-8; Heb 8:6 - 10:39
   (comp Jer 31:31-34); Eph 2:11-22
repents and has faith in Jesus as their Redeemer.
 - Jn 3:16; Gal 3:26-29

GOD WILL:
(Promises)
Provide eternal life in a state of paradise.
 - Gen 2:17; 3:22
After the "Fall" to send the "Seed" (Jesus) to bruise the "serpent's" (Satan's) head (restore eternal life)
 - Gen 3:15
Never again to destroy the earth or those in it by water.
 - Gen 9:11
 - Give Abraham a son;
 - Multiply his offspring;
 - Be his and his Seed's God;
 - Give them Canaan;
 - Make him the father of many
   nations; Gentiles - Gal 3:6-14
 - Establish this Covenant with
   his progeny;
    - Gen 17:1-8, 19-21; Rom 9:9
 - Send the "Seed" (Jesus)
   through his lineage.
    - Acts 3:25-26; Gal 3:16
 - Redeem the Israelites from physical bondage;
 - Multiply and bless them greatly;
 - Be their God;
 - Make them a special people;
 - Give them Canaan - Ex 6:2-8; 19:5; Deut 28:1-14
 - Send the Redeemer (Jesus) - Deut 18:15, 18; Acts 13:23, 32-33
Later, after Israel's failure to keep the covenant:
 - To establish a Better Covenant - Jer 31:29-34
 - Redeem Us Eternally - Heb 9:12; Rom 6:23
 - Instill a Spiritual Law within the believer.
     - Heb 8:8-12 (comp Jer 31:31-34); Rom 7 - 8
 - Make us a special people;
 - Make Himself known to all;
 - Be merciful when we sin.
     - Heb 8:10-12 (comp Deut 28)
 - Send His Spirit to us.
     - Jn 16:7-15; 14:26; 15:26; Acts 1:4; 2:33
 - Be our God forever - Rev 21:3-4
 - Give us an Eternal Kingdom - Rev 21:1 - 22:5

MAN WILL:
(Conditions)
Obey God; submit to His authority.
 - Gen 2:16-17
After "Fall" to obey God & acknowledge His covenant and authority with offerings.
 - Gen 4:3-7
No Condition is attached to this Covenant.  It is a Covenant of Promise only.
Circumcise the males.
 - Gen 17:9-10
Live in obedience to God
   (implied) - Gen 22:16-18
Note: The Law is not given until 430 years later, and is NOT a condition of this covenant given to Abraham and "the nations."
 - Gal 3:17
 - Continue to circumcise the males - Ex 12:48; Lev 12:3; Jn 7:22
 - Obey God's voice (Ex 19:5) by keeping the covenant as revealed by
   God's voice (Ex 19:19; 23:22; 24:3; 25:1) and as written in "The Book of
   The Covenant" by Moses (Ex 24:3-7), which contains the Law in its
   entirety (Ex 24:3-7; 34:1-28; all Deut esp 12:1 & 28:58-61; 31:26;
   Josh 8:34-35) as it was compiled throughout Moses' leadership
   (Deut 31:2 & 24-26) and subsequently (Josh 24:26; also Deut 27-30
   esp 29:1 & 21).
Believe in, accept and confess Jesus as Lord.
 - Rom 10:9-10; Jn 3:16+36; Jn 12:46-50

SEALS:
(sign, witness,
token, etc.)
Not Specified.  Possibly it was God's gift of Life both as initiative and ongoing; replaced after the "Fall" by death - their own and through sacrifice.
 - Gen 3:19, 21; 4:4, 8
The rainbow, both as initiative and ongoing.
 - Gen 9:12-16
Circumcision as initiative.
 - Gen 17:11; Rom 4:11
The ongoing sign is not specified, but is probably ongoing fidelity to God.
 - Gen 22:16-18
 - Circumcision continues as the initiative sign - Ex 12:48; Lev 12:3; Jn 7:22
 - Obedience to God as evidenced by Law-keeping is the ongoing sign
     - Deut 6; 11:13-20
This ongoing sign is especially as evidenced by:
 - keeping Passover - Ex 13:5-10
 - sacrificing (or redeeming) the firstborn - Ex 13:11-16
 - keeping Sabbath - Ex 31:13-17; Ezek 20:19-10
The Believers' Seals:
 - Baptism as initiative - replacing circumcision.
     - Col 2:10-14; Rom 6:3-6
 - The Lord's Supper as ongoing - replacing
    Law-keeping, especially as evidenced by
    keeping the Passover.
     - Lk 22:15-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26
God's Seal:
 - Gift of the Holy Spirit as initiative,
     - Acts 1:4-5, 12-17; 19:4-6
    and also as ongoing.
     - Eph 1:13-14; 4:30; Rom 8:6; Heb 10:15-16
RATIFICATION:
(Heb 9:16-20)
Animal Sacrifice.
 - Gen 3:21; 4:4
Animal Sacrifice.
 - Gen 8:20-22
Animal Sacrifice.
 - Gen 22:10-18
 - Animal Sacrifice - Ex 10:25-26; 12:21; 18:10-12; Heb 9:18-20
Jesus' Infinite and Eternal Sacrifice.
 - Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25; Heb 9:14-17

TYPES:
(Foreshadows)
Animal Sacrifice Typefied Jesus' Sacrifice.
 - Gen 4:4
    Heb 10:1-12
Adam Typefied Jesus.
 - 1 Cor 15:45;
    Rom 5:14
Death of Abel Typefied death of Jesus.
 - Heb 12:24
Not a Typecal Covenant or a fulfillment of any previous Covenant.
Isaac Typefied Jesus:
Son of Promise
 - Gen 17:16; Rom 1:1-2; 9:9
Birth
 - Gen 17:17; Heb 11:11,19
The "Seed"
 - Gen 17:19; Rom 9:7; Gal 3:16
The "Sacrifice"
 - Gen 22:9-10; Heb 11:17;
    Rom 8:32; 1 Jn 4:8-10
Moses Typefied Jesus as:
 - Deliverer (Acts 7:35);   - Ruler (Acts 7:35);   - Prophet (Deut 18:15 & 18);
 - Judge (Ex 18:13);   - Mediator (Heb 8:5-6);   - Intercessor (Ex 32:11-14);
 - Atonement (Ex 32:30);   - Preeminent Priest (Ex 6:25-26; 38:21; Heb 8:5).
The events of Israel's wilderness sojourn Typefied Jesus as:
 - Raised Serpent (Jn 3:14);   - Rock (1 Cor 10:4);   - Manna (Jn 6:31-41);
 - Shed Blood (Heb 9:14-20);   - Living Water (Jn 4:14).
The entire scope of the Law Typefied Jesus:
 - Lk 24:25-27 & 44; Gal 3:16-29;
   compare Rom 10:4-10 with Deut 30:9-16 noting how the Romans
   passage quotes the Deuteronomy passage but replaces "Law"
   with "Jesus".
 - Laws of Sacrifice--animal sacrifice Typefied Jesus' Sacrifice - Heb 10:1-12
 - Laws of Sanctuary Service--the ordinances performed in the sanctuary
    Typefied Jesus' heavenly ministry - Heb 8:1-5
 - Laws of Moral Conduct--laws of behavior and ethics typefied Jesus'
    earthly ministry.  Jesus revealed the True Spiritual Law - Matt 5:17-48
Not a Typecal covenant, but the fulfillment of all previous Typecal covenants.
 - Heb 7 - 10; Col 2:13-17; Lk 24:25-27 + 44

DURATION:
(Termination Date) (Promises and Conditions are Fulfilled When?)
Until believers are living eternally in Paradise, which the Sacrifice of Jesus - the "Second Adam" - has now ensured.
- 1 Cor 15:45;
   Heb 12:24
As long as the earth remains.
 - Gen 8:21-22
Promises Fulfilled:
The Son - at Isaac's birth.
 - Gen 21:1-2
Multiply Seed - Deut 1:10
Father of many nations - at Jesus' death.
 - Rom 3:24-28; 4:11; Gal 3:8
Be their God:
Abraham - Gen 28:13
His seed - Ex 5:1-3
Canaan - under Joshua
 - Josh 1:2
The "seed" - Jesus - at the completion of His mission as the "second Isaac". - Gal 3:14-16
This was the ultimate promise of the Abrahamic Covenant and its fulfillment brought the AC into the Light and Mercy of the Messiah's (the Seed's) New Covenant.
_______

Conditions Fulfilled:
Circumcision - no longer applicable under the New Covenant.
 - Col 2:10-14; 3:11; Gal 5:6; 6:15
Promises Fulfilled:
 - Redeem Israel from physical bondage - deliverance from Egypt
    - Ex 12:51
 - Multiply them - Deut 1:10; Heb 11:12
 - Be their God - Ex 5:1-3
 - Make them a special people - Ex 19:5; Deut 14:2
 - Give them Canaan - Josh 1:2
 - Send the Redeemer - Jesus - Acts 13:23
 - Establish a better Covenant - through the completed work of Jesus
    - Acts 13:29-39; Heb 8:6-13
These last two promises were the ultimate promises of the Old Covenant, and their fulfillment ultimately fulfilled and completed that covenant.
__________

Conditions Fulfilled:
 - Circumcision - no longer applicable - Col 2:10-14; Gal 5:6; 6:15
 - Law-keeping - done away with in Jesus
    - Rom 10:4-10; Gal 3:24-29; 4:21 - 5:14; Eph 2:15; 2 Cor 3:2-18;
      Heb 7:11-28; 8:1-5; 10:1-12; Col 2:13-17; Rom 7 - 8
Jesus fulfills and thereby takes the place of the Law - the Type replaced by the Antitype (see TYPES - Sinaic Covenant):
 - Jesus fulfills Passover Seal - 1 Cor 5:7-8
 - Jesus fulfills Seal of firstborn sacrifice - Rom 8:9; Col 1:14-16
 - Jesus fulfills Seal of Sabbath observance - Heb 4; Matt 11:28-30
 - Jesus fulfills Seal of the entire Law - Matt 5:17-48; 12:1-8; 27:50-51;
    compare Rom 10:4-10 with Deut 30:9-16  and again note "Jesus"
    replacing the "Law".
This is an Eternal Covenant by the very nature of its Promises and Conditions.
 - Heb 13:20; Rom 6:23; Heb 9:15; 1 Pet 1:3-4
   The material given here is intentionally brief.  It is hoped that the reader will read and fully consider the Bible passages that are cited, and come to see how they form a complete picture of this subject.  The Bible, not what we might have been taught to believe, is our source and foundation.  For the person who hasn't been exposed to this understanding previously, you need to bring along a mind that is open to new information and a willingness to pursue this study until its message--the ideology it is endevoring to convey--becomes clear.  This will presumably entail the personal study of much more than what is written here.
   Don't jump to conclusions.  When you come across a passage which seems to be contradictive, remember that there can be many considerations to account for before we can truly comprehend an author's intent, such as what his audience already understands to be true.  The example of how deeds or works fit into the Plan of Salvation is a good one:  Certain biblical letters written to believers of the day, speak very passionately about the importance of our deeds.  These were written with the knowledge that the letters' recipients already understood the free gift of salvation, and some of them were incorrectly extending their freedom in Christ to a freedom from responsible and godly living.
   God has made a number of Covenants with second parties and we'll begin with a chart which includes some of the better known ones.  It is important to understand from the outset, and to bear in mind throughout, that our God is a God of Law and Order and His covenants are Legally Binding Agreements.  I hope the chart will give a sense of the various Legal aspects of these Legally Binding Agreements.  Read through it and refer back to it as you proceed.  Hopefully it will be a helpful tool and a foundation for that which follows:
A quotation for Seventh-Day Adventists who may have concerns at this point:

               "The 'old' covenant was ratified at Sinai (Ex 24:3-8).  The 'old' covenant was, in fact, a temporary arrangement designed to enable those bound by its provisions
                to enter into the privileges and responsibilities of the 'new,' or 'everlasting,' covenant."   --"Covenant", SDA Commentary Series, Vol. 8 (Bible Dictionary), p. 229

   The NC must therefore be understood as exactly that, NEW, and every aspect of it (ie. Contractee, Promises, Conditions, etc.) must be understood in its own terms.  OC constructs are not viable under the NC.

   Next it must be determined in the light of the NC what place, if any, the law is to hold, and exactly what form that law is to take.
The Ten Commandments
   The Ten Commandments (10C) are not a separate or distinct code of law, but a summary of the entire OC law.  They are basic ethic from which all law in the Old Testament derives and can therefore be considered as the law in ethic or summary form.  This is clear when we consider the following passages:


1)   Exodus 20:1 - 24:8.  Here we have the first of three occasions in the book of Exodus where God recites OC law.  He begins by citing the 10C (20:1-17), for it is from these basic ten that all other law will receive its authority.  These are the foundation of all OC law, indeed they are the law in principle and summary.  It is very appropriate that God inscribed them in stone.

   From this foundation, God then proceeded to specify in detail His requirements for His people (20:22 - 23:33), each of which can be seen in the 10C.  The laws given range from laws of duty to God (20:23; 23:20-33), to laws of ceremony and sacrifice (20:24-26; 23:10-19), to laws of human interaction (21:1 - 23:9).

   At the conclusion of this first occasion of God's lawgiving we note that:
  1. Moses told the people all the words (comp. 20:1) and judgments (comp. 21:1) that the Lord had spoken;
  2. Moses wrote all the words of the Lord in the Book of the Covenant and that the Old Covenant Proper therefore consisted of much more than only the 10C; and
  3. the people were required to do all that the Lord had spoken without making distinction between types of law, because no such distinction existed regarding man's duty under the Covenant (NB 23:22; Deut 4:1-8; comp. James 2:8-13).

2)   Exodus 24:12 - 31:18.  The second occasion of lawgiving.  The passage begins with a divine directive to Moses to come up to God in the mount specifically to receive the 10C law (24:12).  At 31:18 we see that once that objective had been accomplished Moses descended the mount.  Yet we see in 25:1 - 31:17 that the commands the Lord actually spoke were all to do with the sanctuary and its services, culminating in the sabbath command (31:12-17) as summary and ethic.  Nowhere in the passage are the 10C cited as being distinct from the many other laws that were given.


3)   Exodus 34:1-32.   The third occasion of law-giving.  The passage begins with divine directive to Moses to ascend the mount to again receive the 10C, the first tables having been broken (vs 1-4), and ends with that objective being accomplished (v 28).  And yet the laws actually given again range from laws of human interaction (vs 12-16), to laws of duty to God (vs 14-17), to laws of ceremony and sacrifice (vs 18-26).  Again the 10C are not spoken of as being distinct but rather are pervasive and summative in nature (vs 14,17,21).  Very significant are verses 27-32 which show that it is "after the tenor of these words" (all the laws that were given) that the Covenant was made, and that the tenor of "these words of the covenant, the ten commandments" was written on the tables of stone.  Also, when reiterating the law to the people, even though he had only ten laws written in stone, Moses "gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai", including that given in chapters 24 - 31 (comp. chapters 35 - 40) as he had done earlier, the total of which comprised the Covenant (24:3-8).


4)   Deuteronomy 4:13 & 5:22.   These verses define the OC to be the 10C.  Yet we know from the preceding scriptures that the OC was much more.  We must then surmise again that the 10C were the ethic and summary -- the essence -- of the entire law and of the responsibilities of those under the OC.

5)   Hebrews 9:19-21.   All of the above is repeatedly confirmed in the New Testament.  From these verses in Hebrews we note that the Old Covenant was "every commandment ... spoken by Moses."  And we see that "both the book [of the Covenant] itself and all the people" were sprinkled with the blood of calves and goats.  The Book of the Covenant was all OC Law, most definitely including the 10C, and without question, the OC's ratification by the blood of animals can only be understood as confirming the Covenant's - the Law's - temporary nature.

The Nature of Law
   The covenantal law to which the enjoiners of the OC were required to adhere was the entire scope of Law.  Failure in only one area meant failure--not partial failure.
(NB Ex 23:20-23; 24:3-8; 34:1-27; all of Deut, esp 12:1+28:58-61; 31:26; Josh 8:34-35; Gal 5:3; Heb 7:11+19; 9:19-20; 10:1; Jms 2:10)
   If we believe that the preceptual law of the OC is still in force, then we must adhere to it in every detail.  If it be allowed that the laws of sacrifice and temple service were fulfilled by Jesus' earthly death and heavenly ministry respectively, it must also be allowed that the laws of behavioral ethic were fulfilled by His earthly life.  If not, we are not only left with the 10C (and the many other OC laws of ethic) to fulfill (adhere to perfectly) on our own, but the entire multitude of laws of the OC pertaining to all categories of law.  Since we could never do either (Rom 5:12-21) this position is disallowed.  Incidentally, what about the plentiful OC Law pertaining to Health and Cleanliness?  Christians are no longer held under these laws.  How, when and by whom were they fulfilled?  Jesus Fulfilled All Law.  (Matthew 5:17)
   It must be understood that there is no biblical distinction between types of law (eg moral, sacrificial, ceremonial, civil, health, cleanliness etc.) regarding the duty of man--law is law--and one's OC duty was to all of it.  We therefore cannot pick and choose the laws we wish to be under.  If we make ourselves responsible to any law we are responsible to every law (Gal 5:3).  Certainly this is not the case.  Jesus alone can fulfill the OC Law on our behalf (Romans 8:1-4), and then replace it with a better covenant which employs a better Law as the New Testament often explains, such as in the book of Hebrews:

*  Hebrews 8:7  For if that first covenant had been free of fault, no circumstances would have been sought for a second. 8 For in finding fault with the people, He says,
   "Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, When I will bring about a new covenant  With the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 9 Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers  On the day I took them by the hand  To bring them out of the land of Egypt;  For they did not continue in My covenant,  And I did not care about them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel  After those days, declares the Lord:  I will put My laws into their minds,  And write them on their hearts.  And I will be their God,  And they shall be My people. 11 And they will not teach, each one his fellow citizen,  And each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'  For they will all know Me,  From the least to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful toward their wrongdoings,  And their sins I will no longer remember."
  13 When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is about to disappear.

*  Hebrews 10:1  For the Law, [not some of the Law; not parts of the Law; ALL of the Law, meaning the OC; if there was distinction to be made, it would have been made here] since it has only a shadow of the good things to come [Type; foreshadow] and not the form of those things itself, [Antitype; fulfillment] can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says,
   "You have not desired sacrifice and offering,  But You have prepared a body for Me;  6 You have not taken pleasure in whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin.  7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (It is written of Me in the scroll of the book)  To do Your will, O God.'"
   8 After saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.
   11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, [Type] which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, [Antitype] sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
   16 "This is the covenant which I will make with them  After those days, declares the Lord:  I will put My laws upon their hearts,  And write them on their mind," [believers are now guided by the Holy Spirit through conscience; this is Jesus' New Law of Love (Jn 13:34)]  He then says,
   17 "And their sins and their lawless deeds  I will no longer remember." [this New Law allows God to be merciful because the penalty for breaking it has already been paid by Jesus' suffering and death]
   18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.
   19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let's approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let's hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let's consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
   26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume [consume, kill; not torture] the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has ignored the Law of Moses [this includes the 10C (Deut 30:10-11; Josh 8:30-35; 1 Kings 2:3)] is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people." 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
   32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through insults and distress, and partly by becoming companions with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better and lasting possession. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, [lose faith] which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, [comp "overcome to the end" - Rev] so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
   37 For yet in a very little while,  He who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one will live by faith;  And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. [salvation can be lost]
   39 But we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, [ending; death; 2nd death of the soul (Rev 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8] but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul. [the unredeemed are destroyed - dead; faith keeps the soul - the person - safe from destruction]
Law Fulfilled
   If we accept the fact that the 10C are not a separate law, but rather the summary of all OC Law, and that with regard to the duty of man under the OC there is no biblical distinction among types of law, we must then conclude that where the scriptures speak of Law and man's duty, they speak of the complete OC law as the complete duty of man.  We have no grounds to support the division of OC Law into categories and then, at our discretion, describe certain categories as fulfilled by Jesus and others as not fulfilled.  This is a very dangerous undertaking which leaves the "unfulfilled" law as still requiring fulfilment--by ourselves--something the scriptures unequivocally state to be impossible (Heb7:18-19; Gal 2:16).  Our only fulfillment of the OC Law is that which was accomplished on our behalf by Jesus (Rom 8:1-4; Matt 5:17; Heb 7-10) who covers our innate and unavoidable imperfection.  The only law which now requires our adherence is Jesus' spiritual New Law to Love (Matt 5:43-44; Jn 14:34; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:13-14; 6:2), which is the natural outgrowth of believing and accepting Him as our Redeemer.  To make man naturally loving was also the purported aim of OC law-keeping (Matt 22:37-40; Lk 10:25-28; 1 Jn 2:7-11) which, for the believer, has now been discarded as unprofitable (Heb 7:18-19), never having been able to accomplish this ultimate goal for mankind.  OC Law is the object lesson mankind needed in order to learn the futility of trying to be "good" enough.  Instead, the True role all along of OC Law has now been revealed--to be our "guardian" (KJV "schoolmaster")--until we were to come of age under Jesus' New Covenant with its New Law full of Mercy:

*  Galatians 3:1-29  You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain-if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
   6 Just as Abraham [NB: the Abrahamic/Gentile Nations Covenant is being considered here] believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, [OC Law was given to the Jews] preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations will be blessed in you." 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. [not Abraham, the Law-keeper]
   10 For all who are of works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, [as seen earlier, the book of the Law includes ALL OC Law, and it certainly includes Typecal Law] to do them." [OC Law-keeping necessitates keeping ALL OC Law] 11 Now, that no one is justified by the Law before God [the only reason to be under Law is to seek Justification through Law-keeping] is evident; for, "the righteous one will live by faith." 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "The person who performs them will live [and be found guilty] by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"- 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
   15 Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, [after the Abrahamic Covenant, under the Sinaic (Old) Covenant] does not invalidate a covenant [the Abrahamic Covenant which includes the Gentile nations] previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
   19 Why the Law [the OC Law is the OC] then? It was added on account of the violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a mediator, [Moses] until the Seed [Jesus] would come to whom the promise had been made. [could it be stated any more clearly that, through the work of the Redeemer, the OC Law has now been ended] 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; but God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? Far from it! For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
   23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. [and which Judaism was unaware of] 24 Therefore the Law has become our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, [OC Law was given to the Jews; to require it now is to exclude the Gentiles] there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's [father of the nations] descendants, heirs according to promise.


   It is possible to keep a Spiritual Law (in Spirit) but it is not possible to keep a Preceptual Law (in the body) (Rom 7-8).  Even though "in the flesh" we will continue to fail, "in the spirit" we maintain our fundamental love for Christ and His teachings.  So it is this Law of Love--the very words, actions, and life of Jesus--to which we are now answerable (Jn 12:47-48) and which, as long as we continue to love, will prove us faithful (Jn 13:34-35; Heb 8:12; 1 Cor 11:31-32; Rom 11:27 compare Heb 10:28; Ex 23:21).
   Christ indeed fulfilled the OC precepts for us, changing that Law into a Spiritual Law of Love.  A change so drastic as to, in effect, end the OC Law (Heb 7:12+18; 2 Cor 3:2-18; Rom 10:4-5; eg Matt 5:17-48; 12:1-8; Jn 8:5+11).  Anything less than this would leave its fulfillment up to us personally, which we are not able to do.
   Just as His death fulfilled all law dealing with sacrifice (Heb 10:1-12), and His heavenly ministry fulfilled all law dealing with the sanctuary and its services (Heb 8:1-5), so His perfect earthly life fulfilled the entire moral quality of the law (Matt 5:17-48; Rom 8:1-4).  Jesus is now everything to us that the Law used to be, having fulfilled and replaced the OC Law with Himself--LOVE--everything He said, did and stood for (Lk 24:25-27+44; 8:1-5; Jn 12:46-50; 13:34-35; Gal 3:19-25; 4:21 - 5:14; Heb10:1-12; compare Rom 10:4-10 with Deut 30:9-16, note "Jesus" replacing "law").
Old and New Covenants and Their Law Contrasted in Scripture
          John 2:18 The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" 19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three
          days I will raise it up." 20 The Jews then said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple, and yet You will raise it up in three days?" 21 But He was speaking about the
          temple of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word
          which Jesus had spoken.
          23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name as they observed His signs which He was doing. 24 But Jesus, on His
          part, was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew all people, 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, for He Himself
          knew what was in mankind.

- As we will now see, from this point in Matthew 5, the commandments Jesus is actually speaking of are His New Commandments based on the principle of Love:
          John 13:34 "I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all
          people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another."
and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, [them; "these commandments"; Jesus' New Commandments] he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
   20 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, [meticulous Law-keepers] you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Of all the people in Israel, the Scribes and Pharisees were the most dedicated keepers of OC Law.  Clearly Jesus is telling us He has something different for us.
   21 "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not murder,' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be answerable to the court.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be answerable to the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be answerable to the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
- Jesus explains His New Spiritual Law of Love:  There is no difference between Murder (body) and Hate (heart).
  23 Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25 Come to good terms with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the way to court, so that your accuser will not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will not be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last quadrans.
   27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
- The Spiritual Law of Love:  There is no difference between Adultery (body) and Lust (heart).
  29 Now if your right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
   31 "Now it was said, 'Whoever sends his wife away is to give her a certificate of divorce'; 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. [Jesus said this.  Do we follow it today?]
   33 "Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But make sure your statement is, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil origin. [again, do we follow this today?]
   38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
- This is a direct quote of OC Law as spoken by God Himself (Ex 21:23-25; Lev 24:19-21; Deut 19:20-21) and Jesus is about to abrogate it, replacing it with His New Law based in Love . . .
   39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
   43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
- In Matthew 5, Jesus is explaining His New Law of Love, under which we can be considered Perfect.  In fact we are perfect; as perfect as our heavenly Father!  We have been granted the Perfection of God which comes to us through the Perfect Life, Death and Resurrection of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
- There is no possibility of being perfect under OC Law:
          Hebrews 7:11:  So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood [the Entire Law] (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further
          need was there for another priest [JESUS] to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
          - The Law which pertained to Aaron's order of priesthood, was most certainly ALL of the Old Covenant Law.  Do we really want to attempt to justify the
          excludsion of the Ten Commandments from the indisputable information being explained here?
          ... 18 on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect);
          on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better hope, through which we come near to God. ... 22 by the same extent Jesus also has become the
          guarantee of a better covenant.
- We can only be considered Perfect under Jesus' New Covenant with its Law of Love.  Jesus our Sacrificed Redeemer is our Perfection:
          Hebrews 10:12:  but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, ... 14 For by one offering He has perfected for
          all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16 "This is the covenant which I will make with them  After those
          days, declares the Lord: I will put My laws upon their hearts, And write them on their mind," He then says, 17 "And their sins and their lawless deeds I will
          no longer remember."

_____________________
   I know from personal experience that this information on the Covenants and Law can be difficult for a person who is new to it.  All I can suggest to the reader who is still having difficulty understanding all of this, is that you very thoughtfully read - as many times as it takes - the New Testament with an open mind and an open heart.  That is what I did when I knew there was something important here that I wasn't getting.  If you are sincerely searching, the material will eventually fall into place.  This subject is addressed many times by various New Testament writers.


This article may also be helpful:

What did Jesus mean that He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it?
What did He mean that 'not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished' (Matthew 5:18)?

   We should also look very briefly at the current trend that sees Christians observing the Feasts and Celebrations of the Old Covenant.  This is particularly true of the Passover, so here is what God has to say about who should be observing (and not observing) Passover.
   Giving a number of regulations in this regard, God detailed exactly how Passover was to be observed.  God's ordinances are not trivial, they are not to be taken lightly and they are certainly not to be ignored.  They are to be honored and observed in every detail.  You who wish to place yourself under Old Covenant Law, as God has instructed you, when you observe His Passover, do you:
    As with all the laws of the Old Covenant, the laws pertaining to Passover observance were between the Lord and the people of Israel.  These laws and observances were:
    Pertaining to the "stranger ... (who is) like a native of the land [an Israelite]" (v48), and who is not considered to be a "foreigner":  These persons who reside together with Israel and have chosen to live under the Old Covenant, "The same law shall apply to the native as to the stranger who resides among you." (v49)  This means the entire Old Covenant - the Law - and you should make no mistake about this.  As the writers of the New Testament have explained, if you wish to place yourself under the Law, you have placed yourself under the entire Law, and you have personally accepted the responsibility of fulfilling that Law, on your own behalf, in your own personal (and futile) attempt at perfection in order to earn your own salvation.
   Today this is done with the knowledge that the Old Covenant Law cannot provide salvation, and that our Savior now has provided salvation through His New Covenant of Love and Mercy.  To choose the Old Covenant while in the presence of the New Covenant is, I believe, very dangerous and highly inadvisable.  Can such a one still be gifted from God with eternal salvation?  I am certainly not the Judge and I sincerely hope that the New Covenant's Mercy is sufficient to cover such an error.  As James said, under the New Covenant "mercy triumphs over judgment."
Are Some Christians Placing Themselves Under Old Covenant Law?
   For the Jews, the purpose of keeping the Law was so they could be "righteous" enough to gain God's Salvation.  When they allowed the Law to lead them to the understanding that this was an impossible task, and that "Righteousness" and "Salvation" both lie solely within the Love and Mercy of God; it was this act of Faith which actually saved them.  Are we now at a place where we are seeing the opposite?  Are some Christians now risking it all by placing themselves under the Law, and in so doing diminishing the role of the Savior?

   This is not a new problem.  Understandably, it was common to early believers, many of whom were coming straight out of Judaism, and so it was addressed repeatedly by New Testament writers whose instruction should have been enough to settle the matter.  But ... we are human, and the present human condition seems to never let a good problem disappear entirely.

   In spite of the plethora of biblical instruction to the contrary as presented above, there are many in positions of "authority" today who advocate that Old Covenant Law is still to hold sway over the Christian, and that the Christian is still responsible to keep it.  They seem to have no idea of the extent to which our Savior's blood covers our impossible shortfall of keeping the Law.  They also seem to have no understanding that the Law cannot save, it can only condemn, and the Christian is free from this condemnation because he is free from the Law.

   As with all legal contracts, there is a Legal Document which details and defines the Old Covenant.  It is called the Book of the Covenant:
    As Jesus Himself tells us, the Christian's sole responsibility is to have a loving heart.  The love and respect we exhibit for God and for others, is not because these things are written in a Book, or in Stone for that matter.  Love and respect cannot be written on these things; they can only be written on the heart:
The Father -

   Jeremiah 31:31   "Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,  32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the Lord.  33 "For this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord: "I will put My law within them and write it on their heart; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

   The significance of this passage in Jeremiah, according to Paul -
   Hebrews 8:13  When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete.  But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is about to disappear.

   This "obsolete" "old" "covenant" which has now "disappeared" ...

     ●  Certainly includes the Ten Commandments -
   Deuteronomy 4:13   So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.

     ●  Never applied to anyone other than to Israel, and even then only to Israel after their Exodus from Egypt -
   Deuteronomy 5:1   Now Moses summoned all Israel and said to them:  "Listen, Israel, to the statutes and ordinances which I am speaking today for you to hear, so that you may learn them and be careful to do them.  2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.  3 The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, all of us who are alive here today. ...   6 [who] the Lord your God ... brought ... out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

     ●  Wasn't even given to Abraham, the father of all nations including the Jews and the Gentiles (Gen 17:5; Gal 3:8) -
   Romans 4:13   For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.  14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, then faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.
   16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law [Jews], but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all [Jews and Gentiles],  17 (as it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations")....

     ●  Was an after-the-fact addition to the Covenant God had made with Abraham, which only changed the aggreement as it applies to Israel.  The Law did not exist until God gave it at Mount Sinai, and any person who lived prior to that event, including father Abraham, did not keep the Law.  There was no Law to be kept -
   Galatians 3:15  Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.  16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.  He does not say, "And to seeds," as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, "And to your seed," that is, Christ.  17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.  18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
   19 Why the Law then?  It was added on account of the violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a mediator, until the Seed [Jesus; v16] would come to whom the promise had been made.  20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; but God is only one.  21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God?  Far from it!  For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  22 But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
   23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed.  24 Therefore the Law has become our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.  26 For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise [God's promise to Abraham (vs16-17) and through Abraham to us - given in the absense of Law].
Jesus -

   The context of this passage is the "whole Law and the Prophets", and certainly includes the Ten Commandments -
   Matthew 22:36   "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"  37 And He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  38 This is the great and foremost commandment.  39 The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'  40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets."

   Context is all of the OC Law -
   Luke 10:26   And He said to him, "What is written in the Law?  How does it read to you?"  27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."  28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."


Peter -

   Context is all the Law God gave to Moses, and certainly includes the Ten Commandments (1 Kings 2:3) -
   Acts 15:5  But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses."
   6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.  7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.  8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;  9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.  10 Since this is the case, why are you putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?  11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."


Paul -

   Context is the entire OC Law, and particularly the Ten Commandments -
   Romans 2:14   For when Gentiles who do not have the Law instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, are a law to themselves,  15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them....

   Context is the Ten Commandments -
   Romans 7:6   But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.


James -

   Context is the Ten Commandments -
   James 2:8   If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.  9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators.  10 For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become guilty of all.  11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder."  Now if you do not commit adultery, but do murder, you have become a violator of the Law.  12 So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. [as opposed to the 10C Law he just referenced]  13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
   With all of this biblical instruction and much more, which plainly teaches that we are not to be under the Law, how is it that many Christian leaders are now teaching subjugation to OC Law?  All I can think is they must be fearful that their followers (or themselves) cannot handle the freedom of the Gospel and would, in the absence of such rules to threaten them, opt for an undisciplined lifestyle contrary to the teachings of Jesus.
   If a person were to make such a choice in lifestyle they are not truly Christian; they are not a true follower of Christ.  A true Christ-follower understands such things in their heart, being led by the Holy Spirit, and will live their life accordingly.

   Context is the "whole Law", and certainly includes the Ten Commandments -
   Galatians 5:13    For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.  14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
   16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.  18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior,  20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,  21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

   The Christian who places himself under the law, generally places himself under the Ten Commandments, as though this law is different from other OC Law.  This is most often done while at the same time avoiding the inconvenience of observing the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week.  We have seen that the 10C are not separate law, but in fact they are the Law, they are the Covenant itself in summary form.