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Noted commentator Albert Barnes states

Noted commentator Albert Barnes states

The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of things, and which cannot, therefore, be changed - such as the duty of loving God and his creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow-men. Of this kind are the ten commandments, and these our Saviour has neither abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law be untouched. A general in an army may command his soldiers to appear sometimes in a red coat and sometimes in blue or in yellow. This would be a ceremonial law, and might be changed as he pleased. The duty of obeying him, and of being faithful to his country, could not be changed. <ref>Albert Barnes, (Mt. 5:18)</ref>

The laws of the Jews are commonly divided into moral, ceremonial, and judicial. The moral laws are such as grow out of the nature of things, and which cannot, therefore, be changed - such as the duty of loving God and his creatures. These cannot be abolished, as it can never be made right to hate God, or to hate our fellow-men. Of this kind are the [[Ten Commandments]], and these our Saviour has neither abolished nor superseded. The ceremonial laws are such as are appointed to meet certain states of society, or to regulate the religious rites and ceremonies of a people. These can be changed when circumstances are changed, and yet the moral law must be untouched. A general in an army may command his soldiers to appear sometimes in a red coat and sometimes in blue or in yellow. This would be a ceremonial law, and might be changed as he pleased. The duty of obeying him, and of being faithful to his country, could not be changed. <ref>Albert Barnes, (Mt. 5:18)</ref>

===Judicial and civil laws===

===Judicial and civil laws===

A second category is termed judicial or civil laws, which are also part of moral separation. These contain moral civil laws and judicial  penalties, but require the context of a certain type of culture for their literal application, and their penalties may be specifically mandated only for the theocracy of Israel. However, these are usually easily modified in accordance with their intent to be applicable today. A society may not have flat roofs where people regularly sleep and thus need fences, but they may have apartment building which require fire escapes. Or it may not need laws penalizing being gored by an ox, but it may need such for being struck by a snowmobile. In addition to such just laws by contemporary authorities, (Rm. :13-17; 1Pt. 2:13,16) obedience in accordance with the principal behind them is enjoined today (i.e., you may not need to help your brother lift up his  donkey, (Dt. 3:4,5) but you should help him change his tire)

A second category is termed judicial or civil laws, which are also part of moral separation. These contain moral civil laws and judicial  penalties, but require the context of a certain type of culture for their literal application, and their penalties may be specifically mandated only for the theocracy of Israel. However, these are usually easily modified in accordance with their intent to be applicable today. A society may not have flat roofs where people regularly sleep and thus need fences, but they may have apartment building which require fire escapes. Or it may not need laws penalizing being gored by an ox, but it may need such for being struck by a snowmobile. In addition to such just laws by contemporary authorities, (Rm. :13-17; 1Pt. 2:13,16) obedience in accordance with the principle behind them is enjoined today (i.e., you may not need to help your brother lift up his  donkey, (Dt. 3:4,5) but you should help him change his tire)

===Ceremonial laws===

===Ceremonial laws===

In contrast to laws regarding such things as illicit sexual partners are laws in the third section which are termed ceremonial laws. These may be seen as based upon the principle of separation. (Gn. 1:6) These laws deal with the sacrificial system, and priestly garments, the liturgical calender, or merely touching, tasting, or handling unclean things or persons and related washings. (Lv. 11-15; Col. 2:16,17,21) As a class these find their fulfillment in Christ and realities wrought by Him under the new covenant. Literal obedience to ceremonial laws is not enjoined upon Christians, but faith and obedience according to the spiritual principal behind is. (2Cor. 3) Christians do not need to use unleavened bread in the Lord's supper, but are exhorted to eliminate the “leaven of the Pharisees. (Lk. 12:1; 1Cor. 5:8)<ref>John Gill, Mt. 5:17</ref>  

In contrast to laws regarding such things as illicit sexual partners are laws in the third section which are termed ceremonial laws. These may be seen as based upon the principle of separation. (Gn. 1:6) These laws deal with the sacrificial system, and priestly garments, the liturgical calendar, or merely touching, tasting, or handling unclean things or persons and related washings. (Lv. 11-15; Col. 2:16,17,21) As a class these find their fulfillment in Christ and realities wrought by Him under the new covenant. Literal obedience to ceremonial laws is not enjoined upon Christians, but faith and obedience according to the spiritual principle behind them is. (2Cor. 3) Christians do not need to use unleavened bread in the Lord's supper, but are exhorted to eliminate the “leaven of the Pharisees. (Lk. 12:1; 1Cor. 5:8)<ref>John Gill, Mt. 5:17</ref>  

More categorically controversial are certain laws which deals with blood (Lv. 18:19; 20:18; 17:14) and the 7th day sabbath, (Exo 31:14-15) and even laws which forbid cutting or printing marks on one's flesh, or strange haircuts, (Lev. 19:26,27) sometimes referred to as “culturally applied laws,”<ref>[http://www.tektonics.org/lp/lev18.html Does Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 Flat-Out Condemn Homosexuality?. J. P Holding]</ref>   

More categorically controversial are certain laws which deal with blood (Lv. 18:19; 20:18; 17:14) and the 7th day or the Sabbath, (Exo 31:14-15) and even laws which forbid cutting or printing marks on one's flesh, or strange haircuts, (Lev. 19:26,27) sometimes referred to as “culturally applied laws,”<ref>[http://www.tektonics.org/lp/lev18.html Does Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 Flat-Out Condemn Homosexuality?. J. P Holding]</ref>   

In comparison, while idolatry or murder, sex with the wrong person (first category) is unconditionally wrong in any context, regardless of motive, and using a flat roof as a living room without a fence (second category) can be seen as immoral (like driving recklessly today), yet a grove of trees near a church (third category), or how one shaves his beard, or eating pork are see as essentially amoral practices, only conditionally wrong as part of idolatry, even though certain things like unnecessary mutilation of one's flesh (Lv. 19:28) may be a sign of demonic influence. For Christians this aspect of ceremonial law falls into the area of  "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1Thes. 5:22), akin to wearing the Hindu Tilakum. Some make the same argument regarding holidays like Halloween.<ref>Halloween Origins and Customs http://www.jeremiahproject.com/culture/halloween.html</ref>

In comparison, while idolatry or murder, sex with the wrong person (first category) is unconditionally wrong in any context, regardless of motive, and using a flat roof as a living room without a fence (second category) can be seen as immoral (like driving recklessly today), yet a grove of trees near a church (third category), or how one shaves his beard, or eating pork are seen as essentially amoral practices, only conditionally wrong as part of idolatry, even though certain things like unnecessary mutilation of one's flesh (Lv. 19:28) may be a sign of demonic influence. For Christians this aspect of ceremonial law falls into the area of  "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thes. 5:22), akin to wearing the Hindu Tilakum. Some make the same argument regarding holidays like Halloween.<ref>Halloween Origins and Customs http://www.jeremiahproject.com/culture/halloween.html</ref>

"A parent might permit his children to have 50 different dresses at different times, and love them equally in all. The dress is a mere matter of ceremony, and may be changed. The child, in all these garments, is bound to love and obey his father. This is a moral law, and cannot be changed. So the laws of the Jews. Those designed to regulate mere matters of ceremony and rites of worship might be changed. Those requiring love and obedience to God and love to people could not be changed, and Christ did not attempt it, Mat. 19:19; 22:37-39; Lk. 10:27; Rom. 13:9.

"A parent might permit his children to have 50 different dresses at different times, and love them equally in all. The dress is a mere matter of ceremony, and may be changed. The child, in all these garments, is bound to love and obey his father. This is a moral law, and cannot be changed. So the laws of the Jews. Those designed to regulate mere matters of ceremony and rites of worship might be changed. Those requiring love and obedience to God and love to people could not be changed, and Christ did not attempt it, Mat. 19:19; 22:37-39; Lk. 10:27; Rom. 13:9.