Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace

The verse above makes it clear that Jesus has abolished the law of commandments, contained in ordinances, given to the Jews in the Old Testament. He fulfilled them and abolished them. The laws and commandments of the Old Testament are not relevant to the new creation in Christ Jesus. It’s therefore wrong for you to live your life trying to obey the Law.

Hebrews 7:12
"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The Lord Jesus became our High Priest in the New Testament, not in the order of the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood, but in the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7:17&21). This signifies an eternal priesthood; a new priesthood, headed by Jesus Christ, different from what obtained in the Old Testament.
Now, the importance of that is this: Jesus Christ has become our High Priest, and He’s not the High Priest of the Old Testament Law; He has a new law. Remember what we read in Hebrews 7:12, that a change in priesthood automatically means a change of the Law. Since the priesthood has been changed and Jesus Christ is now our High Priest in the New Testament, the law has also been changed. That’s why Jesus said in

John 13:34,
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another

Love has replaced all the laws and ordinances of the Old Testament (Read Romans 13:8-10)

. In Matthew 22:37-40
"…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.".

‎​This however doesn’t mean that the Old Testament is not useful to us today.

Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

The things written in the Old Testament have been written only for our learning; they’re not the revelations by which we live today as new creations in Christ. Now learn more of what it is to walk in love.

Nice, I learnt from this.

Joagbaje: Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace

The verse above makes it clear that Jesus has abolished the law of commandments, contained in ordinances, given to the Jews in the Old Testament. He fulfilled them and abolished them. The laws and commandments of the Old Testament are not relevant to the new creation in Christ Jesus. It’s therefore wrong for you to live your life trying to obey the Law.

Hebrews 7:12
"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The Lord Jesus became our High Priest in the New Testament, not in the order of the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood, but in the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7:17&21). This signifies an eternal priesthood; a new priesthood, headed by Jesus Christ, different from what obtained in the Old Testament.
Now, the importance of that is this: Jesus Christ has become our High Priest, and He’s not the High Priest of the Old Testament Law; He has a new law. Remember what we read in Hebrews 7:12, that a change in priesthood automatically means a change of the Law. Since the priesthood has been changed and Jesus Christ is now our High Priest in the New Testament, the law has also been changed. That’s why Jesus said in

John 13:34,
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another

Love has replaced all the laws and ordinances of the Old Testament (Read Romans 13:8-10)

. In Matthew 22:37-40
"…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.".

‎​This however doesn’t mean that the Old Testament is not useful to us today.

Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

The things written in the Old Testament have been written only for our learning; they’re not the revelations by which we live today as new creations in Christ. Now learn more of what it is to walk in love.

I agree completely with your OP. I actually first learned this from Pastor Chris back in the day. You can imagine my shock when I realised he, like the vast majority of preachers, retained certain Old testament practices such as tithing.

^^^
Abeg no start this kind thing here o. Joagbaje will quickly remind you that the tithe that is being "taught" today in the church is "BEFORE" the law. However, in truth the tithe being "practiced" is "according to the law" because they will tell you the "storehouse" is the church where you worship and being fed with the word so you must bring your tithe else the devourer will do its job.

So the question is where is the tithe given or taken to the "storehouse" BEFORE the law if NOT according to the law .....and yet the law has been abolished according to the title of this thread. Can you see deception, manipulation and contradiction Joagbaje will also tell you it's the same "principles"......

Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace

@Joagbaje,
Your topic title and scripture do not seem to match.
Your opening scripture clearly states that Christ has abolished in His flesh the enmity, which is the:

'law of commandments CONTAINED in ordinances'

I would have assumed you would have explained what the enmity is and examples of such ordinances which caused the enmity.
I would like to read more on this from you, possibly you still have more to add.
There is actually a lot of history in that verse as Christ made in himself of two, one new man and made peace. Peace between who? Lots of questions to be answered to do justice to the OP scripture.

Goshen360, you seem to be bias when it comes to finances and the church. it appears that u think that all u see in the church;that is the pastor and the brethen is all there is. the power of God backs the church because its his body. you will gladly give ur money for an education that doesnt gurantee u success in life. u will pay a doctor to solve ur health issues at any cost to u without hesitation and yet u dispute the issue of paying ones tithe. are u a christian? doesnt ur very nature carry giving life attributes if u are born again?
no wonder jesus said "the poor u will always have with u"

Snowwy:

@Joagbaje,
Your topic title and scripture do not seem to match.
Your opening scripture clearly states that Christ has abolished in His flesh the enmity, which is the:

'law of commandments CONTAINED in ordinances'

I would have assumed you would have explained what the enmity is and examples of such ordinances which caused the enmity.
I would like to read more on this from you, possibly you still have more to add.
There is actually a lot of history in that verse as Christ made in himself of two, one new man and made peace. Peace between who? Lots of questions to be answered to do justice to the OP scripture.

Before the death of christ, there were two opposing personalities(consciences) in man. The natural man with his natural instincts and desires and The Law which restrained(either totally or with conditions) you from indulging in your natural conscience, whether food, drink, se.x, clothes, music, creativity, knowledge, etc(...for the earth is the lord's and it's fullness thereof -1 Cor 10:26). The law was the "accuser", the tool used by the devil to defeat man(for the power of sin is the law -1 Cor 15:56). So now that the law is abolished, there is only the one man, reconciled with himself and his "rights". Therefore everything in nature is good and given by god to be learnt and enjoyed by man, without the law to "accuse" you of committing sin.

@Joagbaje,
So if truly The Law is abolished and you are free from it, Do you still define your values of right and wrong according to the Law? eg: Is se.x without marriage between adults still a sin? If it is, then you(any christian) have have not really put away this law from yourself, you are still subject to it.

okeyxyz: @Joagbaje,
So if truly The Law is abolished and you are free from it, Do you still define your values of right and wrong according to the Law? eg: Is se.x without marriage between adults still a sin? If it is, then you(any christian) have have not really put away this law from yourself, you are still subject to it.

Sex without marriage wasn't a sin under the law.

Joagbaje:

Sex without marriage wasn't a sin under the law.

NICE!!!
So why is it a sin in christianity now?

Snowwy:

@Joagbaje,
Your topic title and scripture do not seem to match.
Your opening scripture clearly states that Christ has abolished in His flesh the enmity, which is the:

'law of commandments CONTAINED in ordinances'

I would have assumed you would have explained what the enmity is and examples of such ordinances which caused the enmity.
I would like to read more on this from you, possibly you still have more to add.
There is actually a lot of history in that verse as Christ made in himself of two, one new man and made peace. Peace between who? Lots of questions to be answered to do justice to the OP scripture.

]

Thanks snowy, I will still gladly appreciate your insight into this.

okeyxyz:

NICE!!!
So why is it a sin in christianity now?

Pls don't set me up lets open different thread on iit.

Joagbaje:

Pls don't set me up lets open different thread on iit.

I'm not setting you up. We are simply discussing the abolishing of the Law. How can christians claim to be free fro the law, yet they still define their morales based on the same law? This question is still in accordance with the thread. My position is: There is nothing natural a christian indulges in that can be sin. Your indulgence may not be constructive\beneficial, but still not a sin. In fact, the only sin I know (for a christian) is homos.exuality(and other se.xual deviances, eg: bestiality).

okeyxyz:
I'm not setting you up.

fornication primarily relates to idolatry in the bible days . I thought you're dwelling on that one in particular. But if youre talking about law in general okay.

We are simply discussing the abolishing of the Law. How can christians claim to be free fro the law, yet they still define their morales based on the same law? This question is still in accordance with the thread. My position is: There is nothing natural a christian indulges in that can be sin. Your indulgence may not be constructive\beneficial, but still not a sin. In fact, the only sin I know (for a christian) is homos.exuality(and other se.xual deviances, eg: bestiality).

The law reveals Gods principles between the letters. The law is not bad in itself.

Apart from the ten commandment ,there were other commands God gave them ,the purpose was to reveal mans inadequacy, no man could keep the 100% . The idea is to humble man to see the need for a savior

Romans 7:12
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

But for a man to seek justification before God based on the works of the law is wrong. The christian has the nature of God. So the principles of God are imbedded in his spirit or heart. Not as following a written code but that The sense and nature of right doing is now part of our make up.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
The reason I won't kill is not because the law says so but because it's the nature of God in me not to kill or steal. Because I love God and I have his nature ,I do things that are pleasing to him.


So what a christian need is to walk in love ,which is his nature . It's beyond a Law. .f you walk in love , you walk in the spirit you cannot fulfil fleshly desire

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

okeyxyz:

Before the death of christ, there were two opposing personalities(consciences) in man. The natural man with his natural instincts and desires and The Law which restrained(either totally or with conditions) you from indulging in your natural conscience, whether food, drink, se.x, clothes, music, creativity, knowledge, etc(...for the earth is the lord's and it's fullness thereof -1 Cor 10:26). The law was the "accuser", the tool used by the devil to defeat man(for the power of sin is the law -1 Cor 15:56). So now that the law is abolished, there is only the one man, reconciled with himself and his "rights". Therefore everything in nature is good and given by god to be learnt and enjoyed by man, without the law to "accuse" you of committing sin.

Hello Okeyxyz, Thanks for the response.
Did you do a pre-read of the verses that cumulated into Epehsians 2:15 and after that? Here, let me paste for you from Epehesians 2:11-17.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Kindly note the bolded, the enmity being talked about is nothing other than the 'wall' between the Jews and the Gentiles. Just like people hated the Samaritans and did not even talk to them but Jesus did. Jesus has now made peace due to the oneness of all who believe in Him. We are now one body in Christ. That is the peace.
That was what this scripture was talking about.
We all have access to Christ now regardless of those things that set the Jews apart like circumcision, things they should not taste or touch etc.
Paul (a jew) was talking to the Ephesians church (Gentile nation) that they are now one so all the commandments that set Jews aside from Gentiles has been abolished by Christ.
We are now one in Him.

@Joagbaje,
My little submission above. I would prefer the viewers read and understand it themselves that this is clearly nothing regarding abolishing the laws of God. Simply abolishing the 'Law of Commandments in Ordinances' that created the enmity/wall between the Jew and the Gentile. Please do your own study.

@Snowwy,
You have not made a different argument from me but arrived at a different conclusion. Like you rightly stated, there was enmity between the jews and gentile nations and the simply reason was that the jews knew all other nations were without the law, thus this was the dividing wall. From my arguments of natural conscience and conscience of the law, you can see that the jewish doctrine represents the law while the gentile who were without this law represented the natural conscience. But they(gentiles) understood that jews were the chosen of god, they all wished they could partake of this privilege but were barred by the fact of not being children of the nation of Israel. But Israel without the law would not be special, would they? since the law is that testament/contract they had with god. It is this law that includes some people(jews) in the testament with god, and excludes others(gentiles) from the same god. So whether jew or gentile, this same law rules and bounds everybody. Now that contract has been torn to pieces and a new one setup so that all men are free from it's rule. Thus the law and it's influence\divisions are abolished. So my arguments still stand.

@Okeyxyz,
There is no argument here. We are just understanding it in our own ways.

The 'law of commandments contained in ordinances' is what was abolished and not the law of God. These are two different things. It is these ordinances commanded that requires an expose.

Joagbaje:
The law reveals Gods principles between the letters. The law is not bad in itself.

Apart from the ten commandment ,there were other commands God gave them ,the purpose was to reveal mans inadequacy, no man could keep the 100% . The idea is to humble man to see the need for a savior

Romans 7:12
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

When Paul said: The Law is good.., He meant the law accomplished god's purpose(just like: "all things works together for good...", not that the law reveals the truth of god. Rather, this law is only a "shadow" of truth, it follows the precepts of god but what it accomplishes is to hide the truth instead of revealing it, and the ultimate purpose(for god) is that this law will be proven to lead to death and not life, as was proven by jesus who came, was justified by this law and thus became the law. Christ's death represented the death of the law. So it's being good was not in being truth but in demonstrating god's purpose and judgment(that the law itself is the real sin).

Ezekiel 36:26-27
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
The reason I won't kill is not because the law says so but because it's the nature of God in me not to kill or steal. Because I love God and I have his nature ,I do things that are pleasing to him.

So what a christian need is to walk in love ,which is his nature . It's beyond a Law. .f you walk in love , you walk in the spirit you cannot fulfil fleshly desire

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

So to walk in love is to express that liberty which god has granted us by removing the law which kept us in bondage, because if we are bound, then the only thing we can give others is the same bondage that we are subjected to. Because the law condemns us, it is only natural that we would condemn others too. But a man who is free would naturally tell another man that he is not condemned by doing things that are natural to him, like eating, drinking and especially se.x. Yes, I have se.x with a good conscience, marriage is not the ticket to se.x.

Another misconception when people read the bible is to say: 'Lust of the Flesh' =sex. Lust of the flesh is simply human values(The Law) and it's glory.

Snowwy: @Okeyxyz,
There is no argument here. We are just understanding it in our own ways.

The 'law of commandments contained in ordinances' is what was abolished and not the law of God. These are two different things. It is these ordinances commanded that requires an expose.

Every content of the law before the coming of christ is absolutely abolished, so that you should not have a conscience of it, like saying: "emm.., ok, some parts are abolished, some parts are still in force.., "

That's why it is the "old testament".

Okeyxyz,

I think I will answer some of your question(s), allow me few more hours.

okeyxyz:

Every content of the law before the coming of christ is absolutely abolished, so that you should not have a conscience of it, like saying: "emm.., ok, some parts are abolished, some parts are still in force.., "

That's why it is the "old testament".

Very untrue. Only the the law of commandments CONTAINED in ordinances. The righteous requirements of the law were fulfilled in Jesus Christ so we follow the law of God after the spirit and not of the letter only. This was what the Israelites of old could not do. The law was just a rule book to them and they could only follow it by the flesh basically for fear of punishment and not really out of love. In Jesus, you are able to fulfil the righteousness God intended through the law.

A clear example is using your seatbelt in Lagos, many drivers feel the law is hard for them to follow so they use ropes and other funny strips so they do not get caught by the law enforces. Those that understand the true meaning of the seatbelt and how it can save lives in the event of a collision will use the belt front seat or back seat because they understand it is for their own safety.

But I will not get into much conversation on it, as there are lots of topics on that and some I contributed.

okeyxyz: @Joagbaje,
So if truly The Law is abolished and you are free from it, Do you still define your values of right and wrong according to the Law? eg: Is se.x without marriage between adults still a sin? If it is, then you(any christian) have have not really put away this law from yourself, you are still subject to it.

"fornicators will not inherit God's kingdom"

the bible says.

Joagbaje: Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace

The verse above makes it clear that Jesus has abolished the law of commandments, contained in ordinances, given to the Jews in the Old Testament. He fulfilled them and abolished them. The laws and commandments of the Old Testament are not relevant to the new creation in Christ Jesus. It’s therefore wrong for you to live your life trying to obey the Law.

Hebrews 7:12
"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The Lord Jesus became our High Priest in the New Testament, not in the order of the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood, but in the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7:17&21). This signifies an eternal priesthood; a new priesthood, headed by Jesus Christ, different from what obtained in the Old Testament.
Now, the importance of that is this: Jesus Christ has become our High Priest, and He’s not the High Priest of the Old Testament Law; He has a new law. Remember what we read in Hebrews 7:12, that a change in priesthood automatically means a change of the Law. Since the priesthood has been changed and Jesus Christ is now our High Priest in the New Testament, the law has also been changed. That’s why Jesus said in

John 13:34,
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another

Love has replaced all the laws and ordinances of the Old Testament (Read Romans 13:8-10)

. In Matthew 22:37-40
"…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.".

‎​This however doesn’t mean that the Old Testament is not useful to us today.

Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

The things written in the Old Testament have been written only for our learning; they’re not the revelations by which we live today as new creations in Christ. Now learn more of what it is to walk in love.

WORD!

okeyxyz:

When Paul said: The Law is good.., He meant the law accomplished god's purpose(just like: "all things works together for good...", not that the law reveals the truth of god. Rather, this law is only a "shadow" of truth, it follows the precepts of god but what it accomplishes is to hide the truth instead of revealing it, and the ultimate purpose(for god) is that this law will be proven to lead to death and not life, as was proven by jesus who came, was justified by this law and thus became the law. Christ's death represented the death of the law. So it's being good was not in being truth but in demonstrating god's purpose and judgment(that the law itself is the real sin).


So to walk in love is to express that liberty which god has granted us by removing the law which kept us in bondage, because if we are bound, then the only thing we can give others is the same bondage that we are subjected to. Because the law condemns us, it is only natural that we would condemn others too. But a man who is free would naturally tell another man that he is not condemned by doing things that are natural to him, like eating, drinking and especially se.x. Yes, I have se.x with a good conscience, marriage is not the ticket to se.x.

Another misconception when people read the bible is to say: 'Lust of the Flesh' =sex. Lust of the flesh is simply human values(The Law) and it's glory.

It is now becoming clear why most of some of our pentecostals sin with reckless abandon.

truthislight:

"fornicator will not inherit God's kingdom"

the bible says(paul)

So what exactly is fornication? I believe @JoAgbaje has an insight into what the bible regards as fornication. But you, like most people who read bible colloquially, you project modern day context unto bible words, still think fornication is simply sex between unmarried people. It might be useful to you to know that one of the definitions of fornication was the use of se.x as a pagan ritual to idols.

@ okeyxyz,

When the bible talks of "fornication" to the NT believers, it is not "according to the law". This is because when it says we are no longer under the law but under Grace does not give us license to continue to sin or to live immorally.

Snowwy:

Hello Okeyxyz, Thanks for the response.
Did you do a pre-read of the verses that cumulated into Epehsians 2:15 and after that? Here, let me paste for you from Epehesians 2:11-17.



Kindly note the bolded, the enmity being talked about is nothing other than the 'wall' between the Jews and the Gentiles. Just like people hated the Samaritans and did not even talk to them but Jesus did. Jesus has now made peace due to the oneness of all who believe in Him. We are now one body in Christ. That is the peace.
That was what this scripture was talking about.
We all have access to Christ now regardless of those things that set the Jews apart like circumcision, things they should not taste or touch etc.
Paul (a jew) was talking to the Ephesians church (Gentile nation) that they are now one so all the commandments that set Jews aside from Gentiles has been abolished by Christ.
We are now one in Him.

@Joagbaje,
My little submission above. I would prefer the viewers read and understand it themselves that this is clearly nothing regarding abolishing the laws of God. Simply abolishing the 'Law of Commandments in Ordinances' that created the enmity/wall between the Jew and the Gentile. Please do your own study.

you are only taking this Ins from one side to enable you carry some of the laws of the Abrahamaic convanant into the new convanant.

As you start carrying over this old covanant laws also dont forget to carry over animal sacrifice, or you will also say that the gentiles were not doing animal sacrifice also.

Again, dont forget the sabbath law that paul said that no one should judge us in the keeping of the sabbath.

This is what trying to justify Tithing for christians does.

@ Snowwy,

Context is one of the key to understanding the subject of law especially when it relates to Grace. For instance, when scriptures say, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" - John 1:17. This verse didn't differentiate what kind of law it is, it was taken as a whole because the whole package of law was given by Moses. Also, when it says, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes" - Romans 10:4.

If Christ or the manifestation of Christ IS THE END of the law, simply means the law had ended. If you are trying to teach Christians back to continue to obey the law (of Moses), I think you should start with the example of some hard laws in the Torah and I can give you some examples of some laws to keep. Also remember, if you break one of those laws, you are guilty of all.

@OP
Yeah all aspects of the law has been abolished except the aspects of it that pastors consider lucrative such as tithing and first fruits.

Snowwy: @Okeyxyz,
There is no argument here. We are just understanding it in our own ways.

The 'law of commandments contained in ordinances' is what was abolished and not the law of God. These are two different things. It is these ordinances commanded that requires an expose.

there were over six hundred laws that were giving to the sons of israel.

From ceremonial to cleansing/quarantine Etc, etc.

All this were abolished, infact apostle paul called it the hand written document.

^^^ why then do you say it was just the wall separating Jews and gentiles?

Dont you know that even befor christ death there was a means which a none jew can serve the jewish God? = a proselyt (proselite)

why should doing what was already a possibility be the essence of the abolishment of the law?

Christianity is for Jews and gentiles and this is without the hand written document.
Peace

Even if the law was not abolished we as gentile christians have no business keeping it as the law was addressed strictly to the ancient Israelites and the Apostles made it crystal clear in the first church council(Acts 15) that THE LAW was not a part of the christian doctrine.