Differences Between Old and New Testaments

The Jews were given a system of sacrifices, temple ceremonies, tithes, commandments, priests, etc. that made this system (physically) very burdensome but also very beautiful. When you realize that everything in the Old Testament (Torah) points to Jesus you really begin to see a regal beauty to it.

The commandments, all 416 of them, outline laws for just about everything. It's no wonder the Levites (priests) had to make this a full-time job. Trying to remember all that and then instruct others would keep you too busy to do anything else.

Probably the most confusing commandments, for Christians, is one of the Ten Commandments. "Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy!" has been a real hotbed of discussion. The Sabbath was created, for the Jews, not Christians. Jews were given the Sabbath as a day of reflection and rest. You give your "employees" (see the previous post) time off from their work. You don't need to give your children time off. They can take off whenever they want.

Christians have two commandments and they can be found in I John 3:23 "And these are His commandments, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and love one another as He gave us commandment." Does this sound familiar? How about "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and love your neighbor as yourself!" They are basically the same thing.

Christians can learn a lot from the Old Testament as many things taught in the NT refer back to it. But, there are many things in the OT that do not apply to the NT.

1. We do not have priests as in the OT because Jesus is our High Priest (after the order of Melchezidek who was a priest of God before the Levites).
2. We do not need sacrifices because Jesus was our sacrifice (the sinless Lamb of God).
3. We do not have a Sabbath or day of rest because Jesus is our Sabbath (our rest of trying to live up to God's perfection while we are yet sinners).
4. We do not have a temple because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
5. We do not have to pay tithes. Tithes are actually fees paid by the workers to the landowner for the fruits, vegetables, animals they farm throughout the year on his land. We are children of the landowner (God) therefore we don't pay tithes from land we own through our Father. (See my previous post).