The Stoning of a Woman Caught in Adultery
Some teach that since Jesus refused the stoning of the woman caught in adultery, this means that He changed the laws of the Old Testament. But Jesus refused to stone the woman caught in adultery because the demands of the Mosaic law for stoning that woman were not satisfied. In order for that to be done, the man caught in adultery with the woman had to be stoned, as well among other things.
The consequences of sin have not changed in the New Testament. For Paul states, “For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Any sin that is not repented off will lead people to eternal death. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). It has been always the will of God to live a pure and Holy life.
Jesus did not abolish the law of the Old Testament. For He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17).
The Savior did not lower the bar of morality in the New Testament but raised the bar higher. He taught that lust is adultery (Matthew 5:28). Both the Old and New Testaments reveal the same holy, merciful, and righteous God who must condemn sin but who desires to bring to Himself sinners through Christ’s atoning death.
In the Old Testament, God administered His judgement for both sin and breaking the civil laws through the law of Moses. But in the New Testament, the children of Israel and Judah because of their sin were overcome by other nations. And as a result they had to obey the laws of those kingdoms and were no longer subject to the Mosaic civil laws.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
