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DALE RATZLAFF
Founder of Proclamation! and
Life Assurance Ministries

 

 

 

Isn’t Matthew 5:17-19 proof that we have to ­continue keeping the law?

Matthew 5:17-19 has been a proof text for many groups. It has also been a text that, when fully understood, was influential in helping our original Sabbath study and later the Worldwide Church of God make a 180 degree turn in theology. Over the years this text has been addressed several times in Proclamation! Furthermore, in my book Sabbath in Christ, a whole chapter is dedicated to this reference. Usually, we at Life Assurance Ministries have interpreted this text in reference to its use in Adventism. However, since this issue of Proclamation! references the teachings of the Hebrew Roots Movement (HRM), I thought it would be appropriate to look once again at this text. I have included verse 20 in this short study as it points us to the correct understanding. Here is how it reads in the New American Standard Bible.

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:17-20).

 

The typical Hebrew Roots Movement understanding

To fulfill the law does not mean to abolish or make void, it means to correctly interpret the law.1 Therefore, Christians need to keep the laws and judgments of Torah, including the Sabbaths, new moon celebrations, and annual feast days.2

 

Evaluation

The HRM is correct in interpreting “law” as Torah. However, they along with the Adventists also find themselves in a dilemma. Note clearly that the text in Matthew states, “…not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law (Torah) until all is accomplished.” The Torah has a multitude of laws3 regarding sacrifices,4 cleansing and circumcision. It includes laws such as, “You shall not breed together two kinds of your cattle; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together.” 5

The text in Matthew refers to “the least of these commandments”, referring to the commands contained in the Torah. Therefore, we are left with only two choices. (1) We must either keep all the laws of Torah, or (2) accept the fact that “all is accomplished”. Jesus Himself gives us the answer:

Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.”…Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit (Jn. 19:28, 30).

For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:20).

Therefore, as Paul clearly stated, we need the very righteousness of God that is “in Christ”. This righteousness is received only by faith.6

 

Footnotes

1. Daniel Botkin, Gates of Eden, March-April 2014, p. 27, Gates of Eden, PO Box 2257, East Peoria, IL 61611.
2. My summary after reading several issues of Gates of Eden.
3. Some count 613 laws in the Torah.
4. Thirty are listed in Leviticus.
5. Lev. 19:19.
6. Rom. 3:21.

 

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