However, beginning early in 1973 the same judge would rule that an abortion is now legal, regardless of how he personally feels about the change in law. The offender is now free from any punishment because the law changed. This is the important question every Christian must confront: Did the character attributes or personal feelings of the judge in these cases change - or did the law on which he was required to base his decision change? The Old Covenant and the New Covenant represent different sets of rules known as "covenant laws." This means that the covenant law by which God operates changed when Christ's New Covenant was established.

Neither God the Father or His Son Jesus Christ has changed their Divine nature (character attributes). Scripture correctly teaches in Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 that these attributes will never change. Yet, following Christ's sacrifice at the cross, the covenant law, which governs how Jesus and the Father relate with the human race - did change.

"And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the Law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:14-17)

However, In Hebrews 7:11-22 Paul writes
about one more aspect that must be
added to this list of radical changes.

'The previous law is annulled when
Jesus became our High Priest'

Saint Paul describes this Divine
act in the following way ...

Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the Priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the Law. For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord (Jesus Christ) arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies (speaking of Jesus):

“You are a priest forever according
to the order of Melchizedek.”


For on the one hand, there is an annulling (Note: Annul means to make something legally invalid or void) of the former commandment (or Old Testament Law) because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the Law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn and will not relent,
‘You are a priest forever according to the
order of Melchizedek’”),

By so much more Jesus has become
a surety of a better covenant.

(Hebrews 7:11-22 - Emphasis Added)

"For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I (Jesus Christ) said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me — To do Your will, O God.’” Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He (Jesus Christ) said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.”

He takes away the first (the Old Testament program of the Law) that He may establish the second (the New Covenant of Christ). By that (the New Covenant of Christ) will we have been sanctified through the offering of the Body of Christ once for all.

And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

But this Man (Jesus Christ), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:1-14)

"But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He (Jesus) is also mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second." (Hebrews 8:6-7)

"In that He (Jesus Christ) says, “a new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13)

After Jesus fulfilled the Law, took it out of the way and nailed it to His cross - why do a vast majority of Christian churches reinsert the same Law (the one Jesus died to fulfill and remove) - back into their doctrine and evangelistic message?

Answer: Saint Paul warns that there is only one way this can happen. These churches are not preaching the authentic New Testament Gospel established on 'the new and living way of Christ'. Rather, they are preaching the Old Testament brand of 'meritorious salvation' (or works-based salvation) that God considers 'obsolete' ... and therefore; no longer honors. As a result, the New Testament warns that if we embrace this kind of doctrine - we will be 'cut-off and separated' from Christ (Galatians 5:4). Our Heavenly Father never treats this particular problem as just a minor 'difference of opinion'.

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless indeed you are disqualified." (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Why is this important? After the cross, the Priesthood is now governed by Jesus Christ from the Tribe of Judah ... and is no longer under the authority of the Tribe of Levi as it was in Old Testament times. This change in the priesthood (from Levi to Judah) is the reason God was required to annul the old Levitical law (or what we often call 'Old Testament Law or the Law of Moses) and introduce a new legal system that Paul refers to in Romans 8:1-4 as; 'the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus'.