Why is the Old Testament ritual no longer needed?
The Old Testament ritual is no longer needed because Christ finished the work of redemption, and the handwriting of ordinances that was against us was blotted out and nailed to His cross. When He died, the ceremonial ritual—animal sacrifices, priesthood robes, washings—was taken out of the way, so there is no longer any need for it.
Les explains that ordinances are normally associated with services, and the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us has been taken out of the way, nailed to His cross. All the ritual Israel practiced in keeping the Law—the animal sacrifices, the robes of the priesthood, the washings, everything connected with the ceremonial ritual—was nailed to His cross. That is a beautiful way of showing that when Christ died and finished the work of redemption, there was no longer any need for all of that Old Testament ritual. Les also notes that mankind finds it hard to lay aside things that appeal to the flesh. He recalls a dear lady with a beautiful testimony who was tied to high church ritual; she knew it had nothing to do with her salvation but said it made her feel good and helped her worship. He understands that feeling up to a point, but says the book does not teach that.
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
More Questions
What happened to the Old Testament ceremonial ritual when Jesus died?
The entire Old Testament ceremonial ritual—animal sacrifices, priestly robes, washings, and all related practices—was nailed to Christ's cross.
What happened to Israel's Old Testament ceremonial rituals at the cross?
All of Israel's ceremonial ritual — the keeping of the Law, the animal sacrifices, the priestly robes, the washings — has been nailed to Christ's cross.