Are Jesus’ Teachings Valid for Christians Today?

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ₁₉ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ₂₀ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Some Christians believe that some of Jesus’ teachings, as recorded in the Four Gospels, are no longer valid Christians today. They think that those teachings of Jesus are “not up to date” because at the time he was teaching them, he had not yet died on the Cross and risen again. But is this really how we should view Jesus’ teachings?

In The Great Commission, after his death and resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples their marching orders before departing to heaven: “make disciples of all nations, ... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20) The Greek text more literally reads, “all things, as many things as I commanded you”—referring to each and every thing that he had taught them during his time on Earth. In other words, they were to deliver his teachings to new converts in totality, leaving nothing out. If he had thought that any of his teachings would become obsolete after his death and resurrection, he would not have instructed his disciples to teach their new converts “all things, as many things as I commanded you.”

Jesus believed in the continuing relevance and applicability of his teachings. He never intended for any of his teachings to become obsolete after his death and resurrection. The Apostle Paul wrote that, “If anyone teaches differently and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ... he is proud, knowing nothing.” (1 Timothy 6:3–4)