Are we under the Mosaic Laws?

Create Date: 8-Dec-2019

Some Mosaic Laws Apply?

Last updated: 15-Aug-2022

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Sections

1 Purpose of the Law 2 Mosaic Laws
3 Role of the Cities of Refuge 5 God's Grace and Mercy in the Old Testament
4 Jesus Christ and Melchizedek 6 The Law Was to Make Us Sinful?
7 Are We Under the Mosaic Laws Now? 8 What Enters the Mouth Does Not Defile a Person
9 A New Law of Two Part - Law of the Holy Spirit 10 Burden Ancestors Could Not Bear
11 Jesus Christ's Two Commandment Summary 12 When Was the End of the Old Covenant Law

Purpose of the Law

The purpose of the Mosaic Laws, in the Old Testament, had seven major objectives:

  Purpose
1 For Israel to receive protection, guidance and blessing from God.   (Deuteronomy 28:1-28)
2 Point to the future Messiah through the laws, mandatory feasts and so much more.
3 To separate Israel from all the other peoples in the world as a priestly nation.  (Exodus 19:5-6)
4 To expose mankind on how retched and incapable of following the law.  (Galatians 3:24)
5 To actually make us sin more.  (Romans 5:20 and Romans 7:13)
6 To point to mankind's absolute requirement to have a Savior.   (John 3:17 and many others)
7 Finally, to prove that Jesus Christ made us dead to the law.  (Galatians 2:19, Galatians 3:24-25 and Romans 6:14)

Understanding these purposes explains why mankind, who doesn't believe in God and does not follow any of these laws, can believe that eventually mankind will become better, humane, kind, charitable and ethical.  This is of course impossible.

Deuteronomy 28:1-28
Showing verses 1- 5 and highly suggest reading through 28 to read consequences of not following.
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth: 2 and all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God. 3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy beasts, the increase of thy cattle, and the young of thy flock. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy kneading-trough. 6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Exodus 19:5-6 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own possession from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: 6 and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Galatians 3:24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Romans 5:20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
Romans 7:13 Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
John 3:17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
Galatians 2:19 For I through the law I died unto the law, that I might live unto God.
Galatians 3:24-25 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor 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 tutor.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.

Mosaic Laws of the Old Testament

The Mosaic Laws are the laws which Israel were mandated to follow, given by God to Moses.  The nation of Israel's protection, guidance and blessings were contingent upon their obedience to the laws.  Deuteronomy 28:1-68 outline many of the blessings.

The question is often asked if the Christian is required to follow ALL of the Mosaic laws?  The short answer is no because we are now under a new, all-encompassing law of the Holy Spirit, which is discussed later in this topic.  The Mosaic Laws was a tutor, where we now have the Holy Spirit to guide us where we are not being tutored.

One of many scriptures that amplify the reason the Mosaic Law had to be put away was Jesus Christ could not be our High Priest and King under the old Law.  Under the Mosaic System, the Priests and King were separated and no one could be both a Priest and a King of Israel.  See Deuteronomy 10:8, Numbers 3:5-13 and Genesis 49:10. 

Judah and Levi were two of the sons of Israel, that became two of the tribes of Israel.

Numbers 3:5-6 The Lord said to Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.
Deuteronomy 10:8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD to stand before the LORD to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day.
Genesis 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples   
Note: Jacob, who is Israel, points Judah being the royal authority line with the scepter.  The authority and kingly line would be there until Shiloh comes.  Shiloh is the Messiah.  See information on this in the "Scepter Shall Not Depart" topic.

Jesus Christ, and then the Apostles, told Israel that the old covenant was fulfilled and was put away, which we read about in many scriptural passages. 

Mathew 5:17-18 17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.

(A "tittle" is like an apostrophe or dot, where the comment in this verse means every little point will be fulfilled.)
Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God.

Besides this point, years later in 70AD, the Temple was destroyed so that there was no way to do sacrifices for the remissions of sins, where God had given us all something far better through Jesus Christ.  This is additional proof of the dating of the New Testament by the verses that wrote about activities not to do because the Temple was still standing and not destroyed yet.

Galatians 2:19-21 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 3:21-25 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up 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 shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor 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 tutor.

Role of the Cities of Refuge

God gave Israel laws, through Moses, which Israel was mandated to observe and follow so that they would have God's protection, guidance and blessings.  Many of the laws had methods to perform a sacrifice to obtain forgiveness and then other laws required the death penalty.

There were six Cities of Refuge that a person who accidentally violated a law that required the death penalty with special provisions, such as killing someone accidentally, could flee for protection:

  • From the Avenger of Blood, and 
  • Get a judgment of acquittal or guilty by the ruling congregation.

The Avenger of Blood was a family member of the deceased victim who could lawfully kill a murderer as detailed in the Cities of Refuge topic.  The person fleeing to one of the six Cities of Refuge for protection, with permission to stay, must remain in the City for the remainder of the person's life or until a special provision occurs.

The casual reading of the Scriptures might not give the special significance of the Cities of Refuge pointing to the future Messiah, Jesus Christ, because of the special provision.  The special provision, stated in Numbers 35:25, is when the High Priest dies then the murderer can go free to anywhere in Israel and cannot be killed by the Avenger of Blood, which is stated clearly in Number 35:28 and also in Joshua 20;6. 

Numbers 35:25 The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send the accused back to the city of refuge to which they fled. The accused must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
Numbers 35:28 The accused must stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may they return to their own property.
Joshua 20:6 They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.”

When the High Priest died, the killer was allowed to go free without legal consequences.  This points to Jesus Christ who is our High Priest and King, who was King and Priest after the order of Melchizedek, which is discussed later in this topic. 

Additionally, as we know, Jesus Christ's death on the Cross paid the price for all sins of mankind, which includes any sins that required the death penalty under the Mosaic Laws such as the four greatest sins of idolatry, evil against the weak,  murder and adultery.  This means those who commit any sin, have a sanctuary payment to flee to Jesus Christ just like Israel would have done by going to any of the six Cities of Refuge where Jesus Christ will be the person's advocate, councilor and judge.

God's Grace and Mercy in the Old Testament Period

As pointed out in the Old Testament scriptures, God's protection, guidance and blessings on Israel was based on obedience.  Regardless of failure in obedience, the failure did not remove God's grace and mercy.  

There were laws given by God to Moses, which Moses wrote in the first five books of the Bible, that later were summarized into the 613 laws of the Old Testament in the 3rd Century CE.  The history, written in the scriptures, lets us know that Israel was never able to completely keep the laws.  When Israel was repentantly changing to follow God's laws, then there were great blessings from God; and when they were not, then there was consequences.   The "Blessings and Consequences", were always God given with grace and mercy.

The important part for the New Testament Believer, is to remember that God's grace and mercy has never changed.  During the Council at Jerusalem, in Acts 15, Peter addressed the Believers with the rhetorical question of putting a burden of the Levitical Laws upon Believers that the forefathers could not bear.

Acts 15:8-11 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Peter was making a point that we all are now Saved by Faith, which was the same in the Old Testament Period, but we were now free from the law requirements that were set upon Israel that were designed to point to the Messiah.  In light of the death of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, we were set free just like those who were in the Cities of Refuge.

Jesus Christ and Melchizedek

There was a man that was both King and a Priest that predated Judaism, who Abram met and gave tithes after a military victory in Genesis 14.  His name was Melchizedek and we are told in the scriptures that Jesus Christ was of the order of Melchizedek which proceeds the Levitical Priesthood and thus greater than then Levitical Priesthoods with the Levitical Laws.  An interesting point of Melchizedek's lineage with birth and death are not recorded in the scriptures, with further points to a model of Jesus Christ's who Priesthood and Kingship never ends.
 

Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."   This is Messianic prophetic verse.
Zechariah 6:13 It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord, and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule upon his throne. And there shall be a priest by his throne, and peaceful understanding shall be between them both.” ’
Hebrews 4:14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 5:4-9 4 And no man taketh the honor unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron. 5 So Christ also glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that spake unto him, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee: 6 as he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;

The Law was to make us Sinful?

In the Book of Romans, Paul explains that the law was established to make us aware of our sins and also much more than that.  Paul additionally tells us that the law had the purpose to make us desire to sin more.  Notice in Romans 5:21 the phrase "the trespass might abound", which meant sin more, where it is also mentioned again in Romans 7:13 "sin might become exceeding sinful".

This seems like an oxymoron comment, but mankind's sinful nature makes us curious and desirous to explore opportunities to sin without the Holy Spirit's influence.  When we think of all the magnitude of mankind's sins, then the purpose of the law makes the abundance of God's Grace and Mercy clearer as a necessary gift from God along the paramount need of a Savior.

Romans 3:20 because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
Romans 5:20-21 20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: 21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 7:13 Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;—that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful

The other interesting point made in Romans 7:1-6, is Paul is giving us an analogy of the Mosaic Law were like a Marriage where the wife was bound to her husband until the husband's death.  Once her husband died, then the widower was free to go and be with another man as her husband. 

Romans 7:4-6 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.

Are We Under the Mosaic Laws Now?

No we are not fully following the 613 laws of the Old Testament, (list summarized in 3rd Century CE), as we are following the guidance of the Holy Spirit that still makes the Ten Commandments valid, with options on the fourth commandment, and God's directions as given in the scriptures. 
  • Galatians 3:24-28 and Romans 6:14 state "we are no longer under the tutor / law". 
  • Colossians 2:16 confirms the Mosaic requirements of the rules on Sabbaths, Feast Days and New Moon were no longer required. 
  • Hebrews 10:10 states Jesus Christ's offering was "once and for all", so the Temple sacrifices to remove a sinner's sin was no longer necessary.  (Note: that there will Temple sacrifices in the Millennial Kingdom that are done as remembrance, memorials and celebrations that have nothing to do with removing of sins.)

There is more to the context of the passages as we are now under Grace, and we are all equal.  We also have the ability to not have sin having dominion over us.  As stated above, the Mosaic Laws were a tutor, where we now have the Holy Spirit to guide us where we are not being tutored.

Galatians 3:24-28 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor 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 tutor. 26 For you are all sons 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 man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.
Colossians 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The question to ask ourselves is what does Grace require of us, and what does Grace allow us not to do?   There is a new law given that takes all of the old laws of the Old Testament and makes them more relevant because of what Jesus Christ has done.

Through the payment of Sins by Jesus Christ on the Cross with the perfect life Jesus Christ lived, the Old Testament Law had a fulfillment to God's Glory.  There are two summary and primary attributes of the fulfillment of the Old Testament Law. 

  1. Our sins would not prevent us from being with God in Eternity when accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, and
  2. Removed the absolute requirement of the Levitical Priesthood with their duties, that had
    (a) animal sacrifices * to temporarily remove consequences of sin,
    (b) giving of tithes, and
    (c) a specific place to worship as we can worship anywhere that includes Church
    as Christians can now go directly to God in all things in life, that includes confessing sins.

Jesus Christ's payment absolutely:

* Note that in the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ there will be once again Animal Sacrifices that Biblical Scholars and this author believe it is a memorial to honor God in a retrospective to the perfection of the fulfillment of the Law that have nothing to do with removing sins.

What Enters the Mouth Does Not Defile a Person

Jesus Christ in Matthew 15:10-20 stated that what a person eats does not defile the person.  When this was stated, then this meant all of the rituals and forbidden foods of the Old Testament period were no longer applicable to a person

In the Old Testament period, there were specific dietary laws that had to be followed, which were given by Moses in Leviticus 11, where failure would defile the person.  This statement by Jesus Christ upset the Pharisees, who were the rule keepers and enforcers of the laws. 

Jesus Christ went further to have us understand that our actions that include our speech can defile us.  Speech such as negative gossip, innuendos and profane jokes are sins along with actions that hurt and destroy others including ourselves.

The Pharisees recognized the significance of the statement of Jesus Christ, where the statement meant the laws of food in Old Testament were no longer required.  The Pharisees most likely were also thinking, if Jesus Christ stated the dietary laws were no longer required, what else in the laws given by Moses were no longer required, without realizing Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the Levitical Laws. 

Peter in a vision was told in Acts 10:9-16, that eating of the Old Testament forbidden food sources was no longer a requirement which was an additional scriptural confirmation of the dietary laws of the Levitical Laws were no longer in effect.  Also, as shown in the previous section of this topic, there is Colossians 2:16 that we are not to judge anyone for what they eat or drink.

Matthew 15:10-20 10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
Acts 10:9-16 9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

A New Law of Two Parts - The Law of the Holy Spirit - A New Covenant

The gift of the Holy Spirit, that would not leave the Christian, began at the start of the Church when the Apostles met at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4.  This was part of the promise of Joel 2:28-29 and confirmed with the promise made by Jesus Christ in John 14:26.  Note that in the Old Testament period, the Holy Spirit could leave a person as it did with Samson as read in Judges 16:20.

Joel 2:28-29 28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
Acts 2:1-4 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 5:32 "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."
Judges 16:20 Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.

The difference, regarding the Old and New Testament Periods, is we are no longer required to follow the laws that the nation Israel were required to obey which pointed to the Messiah.  Many of the laws, including all the High Sabbaths / Feasts, pointed to the Messiah even when the Nation of Israel did not fully understand the requirements and the Messianic reasons.  The Bronze Serpent is an example of an act that was required temporarily by Israel, which pointed to Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus Christ told the Pharisees the summary of the entirety of the Old Testament Commandments, with two laws that encompasses all of the laws of the Old Testament.  It is also confirmed in John 13:34 when Jesus Christ spoke of the "new commandment".

Matthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest 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.”
John 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

This "new commandment" is reinforced by so many other scriptures such as Matthew 24:40 where Jesus states that if you sin against your brother and sister then you have done it unto Him.  The question that many of ask is how could a sin against someone else be done against God?  The answer is God:

Matthew 24:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Unfortunately, we all sometimes think of these two new commandments, given by Jesus Christ, as redundant when thinking about so many other scriptures that teach us how we should be living and acting.  The key to the two new commandments is the gift that God is giving us by "writing His laws in our hearts and minds" according to Hebrews 10:6, that enable us all to become part of a Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) where we have the ability to live pleasing lives to our God. 

Hebrews 10:16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

There are many aspects of the Old Law such as not to murder, steal, commit adultery that have not gone away.  The five primary aspects of the Mosaic laws that have gone away are:

  1. Separation of King and Priest
  2. Requirement to celebrate mandatory feast days as they all pointed to the Messiah who has already came.
  3. Requirement to worship God in a specific way at a Temple.
  4. Requirement to have a Priest conduct worship, where the Christian is now part of a royal priesthood.
  5. Requirement to remain separate from the Gentiles.

(Note that it is okay to celebrate Feast Days with the knowledge of purpose and reason.)

To further emphasize the point on God "writing His laws in our hearts and minds", rhetorically:

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Malachi 3:6 For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

When Jesus Christ gave the well known Sermon on the Mount, the message was for understanding that we are incapable of keeping ALL the laws perfectly.  Our responsibility on sin starts in our thoughts before doing any sinful deed.  Consider these excerpts from Matthew 5, which emphasizes the accountability.

Matthew 5:21-22
(Murdering)
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Matthew 5:27-28
(Adultery)
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 4:31-32
(Divorce)
31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

There are some Biblical Scholars that now state we are now under a new law called "The Law of the Holy Spirit", which is a New Everlasting Covenant, where we are to follow the guidance provided by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Ezekiel 37:26-27, we are informed that God will have a New Covenant that is only possible because of Jesus Christ's work for us.

Ezekiel 37:26-27 26 And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and set My sanctuary in their midst forever. 27 My dwelling place also will be among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.

The scriptural passage of Acts 5:32 lets us know that we will know what is sin and God expects us to obey Him, where we have a new Freedom because we can go directly to God to get forgiveness.  John wrote in, 1 John 2:1-6, that we have the Advocate, Jesus Christ, for our sins where we are to keep "His commandments".

Acts 5:32 "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."
1 John 2:1-6 1 My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. 3 And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: 6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.

Many Christians, will speak about the voice from within that guides us, where we sometimes can:

  1. Hear a "word" or "words" that is not spoken audibly but into our mind,
  2. Get a feeling of direction,
  3. Recall a scripture,
  4. Recognize an opportunity made available through God. 

These four areas just mentioned are just a few areas to name of the remarkable gifts through Grace that we get from Salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Note that Grace was always operable in the Old Testament period and the difference now is we have a greater ability not to sin.

Do we still sin and suffer in this life?  The answer is of course yes, and that is because we are in a spiritual war where there are tangible benefits and assets that Satanic Forces want to destroy or prohibit us from obtaining. 

Do we still have laws to follow?  The answer is yes, and as just stated above, the law is written also in our hearts and minds because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.  This means we know it is not correct to steal, murder, cheat and so much more. 

The unfortunate part, is we can see Christians still sinning where God still gives us free-will, where a person can squelch the Holy Spirit's influence to persist in sin.  This is the person's choice to ignore the direction given from the Holy Spirit.  For those who love God, will eventually persevere and achieve by God's help in our lives

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Ancestors Could Not Bear

The confirmation that the Five Areas of the Mosaic Laws (listed above) had been put away is in Chapter 15 of the Book of Acts during the Council at Jerusalem.  There were some Christian Pharisees that were incorrectly insisting that the new Gentile Believers in Jesus Christ follow the Mosaic Laws of:
Acts 15:5 5 But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” 6 So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.

The Apostle Peter stood up at the Council of Jerusalem and informed those at the meeting that God approved of the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit unto Salvation with no distinction. 

Acts 15:7-9 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.
Acts 15:10-11 10 Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

What is often neglected to recognize that James, at the same council of Jerusalem, continued that there were aspects of the Mosaic Laws that did still apply:

For all of us that are reading the four areas pointed out by James, then by inference, means other areas are dealing with murder and not to steal where there are many New Testament scriptures confirming God's areas of our morality commitments.

Acts 15:19-20 19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

Jesus Christ's Two Commandments Summary

Jesus Christ summarized the facets of the new law many times as He spoke, which are recorded in the scriptures.  In this author's opinion the best is Matthew 22:36-40 (part of Deuteronomy 6:4-7), where we are to submit ourselves in loving God foremost, and then our neighbor as ourselves.  When we do these two things 100% completely, then it is impossible to sin against God.  Obviously, we are all a work-in-progress. 
 
Matthew 22:36-40 36 Master, 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.”

In John 14:15-24, Jesus Christ gives us the wonderful news that the Holy Spirit will guide and reveal Himself to all of us who love Him. 

John 14:16-24 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. 21 The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.”

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

As stated above the Matthew 22:36-40 scriptural passage is the same as Deuteronomy 6:4-7, which is part of scriptural exponential consistency.  The important point, as detailed in this topic, is the Mosaic Laws were replaced but many aspects were still relevant and to be done.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 4 Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah: 5 and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; 7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

When Was the End of the Old Covenant Law

As detailed in this topic, most laws of the Old Testament were no longer required, but there were many aspects such as the majority of the Ten Commandments that were not eliminated.   As examples, we know that murder, adultery, steeling and many other of the Ten Commandments are not to be done but they all are absolutely still forgivable. 

As human-beings, we are born with a sin-nature.  In our lives, as we improve in our Faith, Hope, Love and Obedience of God through the Holy Spirit, we will sin less and less.  We will never be perfect, but 100% justified to have entrance into Eternity with God because of the restitution payment made by Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Biblical Commentaries state the Old Testament Laws have and are fading away based on many scriptures such as Galatians 3:16-19 and Hebrews 8:1-13.  Notice these points in the scriptural passages:

Therefore, the old Covenant and Laws faded away, Hebrews 8:13, and there was no exact day that they ended. 

Genesis 3:15
Her seed is Jesus Christ
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Galatians 3:16-19 16 Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. 19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
Hebrews 8:1-13 1 Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount. 6 But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Egypt; For they continued not in my covenant, And I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And on their heart also will I write them: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his fellow-citizen, And every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For all shall know me, From the least to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

What to read next?

Ten Commandments.  Is it possible to lose Salvation?  We have eternal life Evolution is not real.  When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it.  Rewards in heaven.  Do we Tithe?  What does the 3rd Commandment tell us?  What is Grace and Mercy?  Is there an Age of Accountability?  Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?