Which Old Testament laws does Colossians 2:16 suggest are fulfilled in Christ? Setting the Scene: Colossians 2:16 “Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a festival, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.” Identifying the Old Testament Practices Mentioned • Food and drink regulations – Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14 • Annual festivals (appointed feasts) – Leviticus 23 • New Moon celebrations – Numbers 28:11–15; 1 Chronicles 23:31 • Weekly Sabbath – Exodus 20:8–11; Leviticus 23:3 These were God-given commands, yet Colossians states they are no longer grounds for judgment because they have found their fulfillment in Christ. How Christ Fulfills Each Category • Food and Drink – Mark 7:19 “Thus He declared all foods clean.” – Acts 10:13–15 shows Peter learning that ceremonial distinctions have served their purpose. – Colossians points to Christ as the reality behind the dietary shadows; believers are now cleansed in Him (Hebrews 9:13–14). • Annual Festivals – Passover: 1 Corinthians 5:7 “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” – Unleavened Bread: John 6:35 “I am the bread of life.” – Firstfruits: 1 Corinthians 15:20 “Christ has been raised…the firstfruits.” – Pentecost: Acts 2—the Spirit given through the risen Christ. – Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Tabernacles point prophetically to His return and completed redemption (Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 21:3). Each feast was a rehearsal; Jesus is the substance they anticipated (Colossians 2:17). • New Moon Observances – Numbers 28:11–15 required monthly offerings to mark God’s covenant blessing. – Colossians shows these cycles culminate in Christ, the “sunrise from on high” (Luke 1:78) whose once-for-all sacrifice ends the need for continual offerings (Hebrews 10:10). • Sabbath Rest – Genesis 2:2–3 establishes God’s rest; Exodus 20 commands weekly rest. – Matthew 12:8 “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” – Hebrews 4:9–10 “There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God…entered God’s rest.” In Jesus, the true rest is secured: He finishes the work (John 19:30) and invites us to rest in Him (Matthew 11:28). Supporting Passages that Echo the Fulfillment • Galatians 4:9–11 – warning against returning to “weak and worthless principles.” • Romans 14:5–6 – liberty regarding days and diets, honoring the Lord either way. • Ephesians 2:15 – “abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments expressed in ordinances.” • Hebrews 8:5 – earthly regulations are “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” Living in the Fulfillment Today • Freedom from judgment does not equal freedom to disregard holiness; it means walking in the substance rather than the shadow. • The moral commands of Scripture remain; what has been fulfilled are the ceremonial and calendrical laws that pointed to Jesus. • Gratitude becomes our primary posture—celebrating Christ’s finished work rather than striving to keep symbols that have already reached their goal in Him. |
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