Biblical Answer

Does Leviticus 19:28 apply to Christians today?

Leviticus 19:28 is a commandment that prohibits the cutting of one's hair or beard for the dead. While some may argue that this law is no longer applicable to Christians today, there are several reasons why it is still relevant. First, the commandment is not simply a ritual or cultural practice, but rather a reflection of God's holy character and the holy character of His people. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands the Israelites to be holy, just as He is holy. This commandment is a call to live a life that is set apart for God, and the prohibition on cutting one's hair or beard for the dead is a specific expression of that call.

Furthermore, the New Testament does not indicate that Leviticus should be treated as obscure or peripheral. In fact, Jesus refers to Leviticus 19:18, which is closely related to Leviticus 19:28, as a summary of the law. Paul also summarizes the law in this way, and his reference to the law of Christ is primarily a reference to Christ's covenant faithfulness to all the laws in Leviticus. This suggests that the laws in Leviticus, including Leviticus 19:28, are still relevant and applicable to Christians today.

In addition, the law is good if one uses it lawfully (1 Tim. 1:8). This means that the moral obligations of the Old Testament, including the prohibition on cutting one's hair or beard for the dead, are still binding on Christians today. While the context and application of the law may have changed, the underlying principle and moral obligation remain the same. Therefore, Christians today should still consider Leviticus 19:28 as a relevant and applicable commandment, one that reflects God's holy character and calls us to live a life that is set apart for Him.