Some people insist that there is no need to keep the laws such as the Sabbath and the Passover in New Testament times because they were abolished after Jesus. Are there any biblical grounds for their insistence?

When it comes to the Law, many people misunderstand that it only applies to the Israelites in Old Testament times. They say that there are no more laws to be observed in New Testament times when God’s unconditional grace is given to all through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. However, it is different than what the Bible teaches.

The law of Moses and the law of Christ

There are two kinds of laws in the Bible: One is the law of Moses, which was given by God through Moses, and the other is the law of Christ—the law of the new covenant—which was established by Jesus. The law of Christ is the law made perfect by Jesus: In the New Testament times, Jesus has fulfilled and renewed the Old Testament law.

“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.”Mt 5:17

The law of Moses was deeply related to physical blessings for the Israelites, and it was valid until the law of the new covenant—which guarantees the salvation of souls—appeared (Gal 3:24-25). Apostle Paul realized this fact, so he did not follow the law of Moses any longer, and instead he followed the law of Christ.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.1 Co 9:20-21

Here, those not having the law refer to the Jews who follow the law of Moses. So, when Paul said that he was not under the law, he meant that he did not keep the law of Moses. On the contrary, when he said that he was under the law of Christ, he meant that he kept the law of Christ.

As stated above, the law surely exists in the New Testament, too. If the Bible says that the law is abolished, it does not mean that all the laws have disappeared, but that the Old Testament law has been abolished. The law of Christ, as the fulfillment of the law of Moses, is the law that we must keep in this age.

For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.Heb 7:12

In Old Testament times, the Israelites kept the Sabbath by sacrificing lambs according to the law of Moses, and in the New Testament times its regulation has been changed; we keep the Sabbath by worshiping God in spirit and in truth. As for the Passover, we celebrate it with bread and wine symbolizing the precious body and blood of Jesus who is the reality of the Passover lamb, instead of sacrificing lambs. Thus, the regulations for keeping the Sabbath and the Passover have been changed; the Sabbath and the Passover themselves have never disappeared. So the Bible testifies that God’s people, who are to stand against Satan the devil in the last days, obey God’s commandments.

Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.Rev 12:17

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.Rev 14:12

God’s commandments are Christ’s law, which Jesus has changed and completed. Those who keep this law of Christ are the true people of God, who will be saved in the last days.

God saves those who keep His law

God acknowledges those who have His law in their hearts as His people and promises them salvation.

“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.” Isa 51:7-8

However, as for those who do not obey God’s law, even their prayers are detestable to God.

If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.Pr 28:9

Throughout all ages, God’s law is the way to receive blessings from God, so we must obey it. However, Satan has been trying to abolish God’s law since the Garden of Eden to prevent us from keeping it, and even now he is continuously devising evil schemes to abolish it.

He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. Da 7:25

The seventh-day Sabbath, which commemorates the power of the Creator, was changed to Sunday—the worship day of the sun god—in A.D. 321. And the Passover, a memorial day of our Redeemer who redeemed us from sin, was abolished in A.D. 325. Afterwards, December 25, the birthday of the sun god, was established as the birthday of Christ.

For any reason whatsoever, what God has not commanded is lawlessness— a man-made rule. Every Christian who wants to be saved by God must obey the law of Christ—the perfect commandments God has given us in this age, instead of man-made rules.

Let us love God’s commands more than pure gold

Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, …Ps 119:127

God came to this earth a second time to restore the law of Christ, which was abolished by Satan (Heb 9:28). Therefore, as children of heaven, we should realize Christ’s law, which God has restored by sacrificing Himself even to the point of death, and should also understand God’s sublime love contained in it. Additionally, we must love God’s law more than pure gold and keep it like David, so that we will display the righteousness of God throughout the world.