Ceremonial and Judicial Laws Fulfilled in Christ (Chapter 19, Paragraph 7)

“To the people of Israel He gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution…”

This sentence addresses the judicial laws, those regulations that governed Israel’s civil and political life as a theocratic nation under God's direct rule. These included case laws, penalties for crimes, inheritance rules, and national policies designed for a specific time and people.

Because Israel’s unique political structure was part of the old covenant administration, and because that covenant has been fulfilled and superseded by the new covenant in Christ, these judicial laws “expired together with the state of that people.” This means Christians today are not bound by the judicial laws of ancient Israel in the same way the Israelites were. We are no longer a nation under divine theocracy, but a people from every nation under the headship of Christ in His church.

However, this does not mean that these laws are irrelevant. The Confession adds that they are not obliging “by virtue of that institution,” meaning that while the specific legal authority of the judicial laws has passed, their moral principles remain instructive. Christians, especially civil magistrates and legislators, may look to these laws for general equity—that is, the timeless justice, wisdom, and righteousness they reflect.

“…their general equity only being of modern use.”

The phrase “general equity” is crucial. It means that although the specific applications of Israel’s judicial laws are no longer binding, the moral and ethical truths they contain remain beneficial. For instance, laws protecting property rights, justice in courts, and the rights of the poor teach us enduring moral principles of fairness, dignity, and righteousness.

This prevents a legalistic application of Old Testament civil laws while affirming their enduring moral wisdom. It also steers us away from the errors of Theonomy, which seeks to reimpose Israel’s civil laws in modern nations, and from moral relativism, which rejects their principles altogether.

“Likewise He gave sundry ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits…”

Now the focus shifts to the ceremonial laws—the vast system of sacrifices, festivals, dietary laws, priesthood regulations, and rituals outlined primarily in Exodus through Deuteronomy. These were “typical ordinances,” meaning they were types or shadows that pointed forward to Christ. The book of Hebrews explains this thoroughly: the blood of bulls and goats never took away sin but foreshadowed the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Heb. 10:1–10).

The ceremonial law was like scaffolding around a building—useful for construction, but removed once the building is complete. These laws were not merely religious practices—they were prophetic signs of Christ’s future redemptive work.

“…and partly holding forth divers instructions of moral duties.”

Though ceremonial in form, many of these laws also taught moral lessons. For example, the laws about clean and unclean foods symbolized the need for purity. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) not only prefigured Christ but also taught the seriousness of sin and the necessity of substitution.

Even though the form is no longer required, the moral instruction continues to edify believers today. These ancient shadows shine more brightly when seen in the light of the gospel.

“All which ceremonial laws are now abrogated under the New Testament.”

Here the Confession makes a decisive theological point: the ceremonial laws have been abrogated, or done away with. With the coming of Christ—the true High Priest, true Lamb, and true Temple—the old shadows have passed away (Col. 2:16–17). To continue practicing them would be to deny the sufficiency of Christ's finished work.

This was Paul’s concern in Galatians and Colossians: false teachers were trying to impose dietary restrictions, festivals, and other ceremonial observances on believers, which was tantamount to rejecting Christ’s fulfillment of the law.

In Christ, we have the reality. The symbols have served their purpose and have been fulfilled. Thus, we do not observe Passover or animal sacrifices, not because they were unimportant, but because their meaning has reached its climax in Jesus.

Application for the Believer:

Do not confuse the old with the new. Christ is the fulfillment of all the types and shadows of the Old Testament. Rejoice in His finished work. You do not need priests, altars, or ritual washings—Christ is your once-for-all sacrifice, your eternal priest, your righteousness and sanctification (1 Cor. 1:30).

Yet, do not ignore the Old Testament laws. They teach you who God is—holy, just, wise, and merciful. They reveal His hatred for sin and His desire for purity. They instruct your conscience and guide your thinking, not by binding your actions to old forms, but by revealing timeless truths.

Live in the freedom of the new covenant, but do not discard the moral instruction that God gave through the law. As you read the laws of the Old Testament, ask: What does this teach me about Christ? About holiness? About justice? And let those lessons lead you to deeper worship and greater obedience.