INQUIRER: What is written in Matthew 5:17, Good News version, confuses me. It seems as if it contradicts with Hebrews 8:13.

BRO. ELI F. SORIANO (EFS): Matthew 5:17, Good News, put it on the screen -

BRO. MEL MAGDARAOG (MM): "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

EFS: Christ said that. That is true. He did not destroy the law of the prophets and the commandments. He really fulfilled those. That is correct. He fulfilled those because those were meant for Him. Because there are writings in the Old Testament which were meant for Christ. Listen to Luke 24:44 -

"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."

EFS: There were things about Him that would be fulfilled, so He would need to fulfill them. Which are those? For example, it is written in Psalms that His hands and feet would be pierced, and it was fulfilled in Him. He fulfilled that; He did not destroy that. In the law of Moses, it is written that a lamb must be offered for sins; it will be killed. Christ was the lamb that was killed on the cross. He fulfilled that. There was nothing meant for Him that He did not fulfill. But it does not mean that we will also fulfill them. Ours are different. What is meant for us is in Hebrews 8:13 - "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old." Why? For us, that is old, but for Christ, He fulfilled what He must. After He fulfilled those, He showed a new covenant meant for us. What was meant for Him is different from ours. Hebrews 10:7 -

"Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,)"

EFS: He said - "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God." So, there were writings meant for Him. He did not destroy that. He even fulfilled it. He had Himself nailed on the cross. It was possible for Him not to be nailed. The soldiers were charging but He said - "I am." The soldiers fell to the ground. What do you think, if He blew on those who would nail him? They would be blown off to Mars. He could do that. But since it was written in Psalms that His hands and feet would be pierced, He fulfilled that. Psalms 22:6, 16-18 -

"But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people." For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."

EFS: Isn't that Christ? That is written in Psalms. So, He said - "What was written in the law of Moses, by the prophets and in Psalms should be fulfilled in me." [Luke 24:44]Those were fulfilled in Him.