So I've read some pretty harsh things about how to discipline your slaves, when it's okay to stone your kids to death, etc...

Are we suppose to follow these types of things?

Colossians 2:14 and Ephesians 2:15 tells us that the old laws were nailed to the cross.
Colossians 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

But Jesus specifically states (in Matthew 5:18) "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."

In laments terms. Yes you are to follow the old testament. But...
literally speaking in the Old Testament, when they talk about killing none-believers like in Corinthians, NO obviously you dont believe that.
Because that would be like a thief serving double time for only 1 robbery. Jesus died for the non believers, he didnt die so we could kill them.
Jesus' death nullifies all physical punishment for sin and through Jesus we have to repent our sins and step closer to the heavenly father.

Think of it like this, you beat your child for throwing your jewelry down the toilet. He has done it multiple times, and you keep beating him.
Well your other son comes along and says, mom i will talk to my little brother and i will tell him to stop, and if he doesnt then let me be the one
to receive the punishment because i have failed in talking to him.

We are the little brother, Jesus is our elder brother who took the punishment for us, so we wouldnt have to anymore. A nullification if you will SORT OF.

So we follow just some of it. Why follow any of it at all if that's the case? X.x

Remember, the Old Testament describes things that God doesn't perscribe.

A lot of the Old Testament is history of what happened.

An example is polygamy. God says its wrong... The bible describes Abraham having a child with his wife's servant. God was actually against this, and it turned out for the worst for Abraham. In this way, the bible describes something a man did, but it wasn't what God wanted. God wants it to be 1 man and 1 woman.

Also, under the Levitical priesthood, they were not to eat shellfish etc... But Levi is not our high priest. We are no longer under the Levitical Priesthood.

We have a new High Priest, his name is Jesus Christ. The law was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and he summed up the ten commandments in 2 commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength" & "Love your neighbor as yourself." from those 2 commandments, all of the law stems.

Things are described but not necessarily perscribed.

this man has it right, listen to a great speaker, Chuck Swindoll: Godsmasterwork Vol 1. http://www.insight.org/broadcast/library.html
he explains in one of those sermons how to know what the bible is talking about, history, law, etc etc. in the old testament. its really good to know.

Old testament was nailed to the cross with Jesus and we do not follow it anymore
We go by the new covenant.


http://www.angelfire.com/la2/prophet1/WhatLawWasNailedToTheCross.html



That seems to be a good start


Let me know if you need more info Via PM!

John 10:27 King James Version (KJV)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Begin with those words spoken by Jesus and your question will slowly over time answer itself.

i guess those old text were ment as an advice to ppl a long time ago

that's why we should not take it too literally...