Posts Tagged ‘Old Testament’
Is Matthew 5 only for the Jews?
Question: Hello, A friend of mine who is against divorce and remarriage says that Matthew 5 has a “Jewish element,” that is, the word “council” in Matthew 5:22, so it is a chapter only for Jews and not for Christians. What do you think about that? Thank you. Answer: This is a variation of an…
Read MoreNecessary Inference in the Old Testament
by Terry Wane Benton It has been said that the Old Testament was always direct in communicating God’s will and that the idea of having to “infer” God’s will has never been necessary and, therefore, is not necessary now. But is that argument a necessary conclusion? Consider just a few things that show that the…
Read MoreHas This Been God’s Will Always?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Has-This-Been-Gods-Will-Always.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreHow did people get saved before Jesus was crucified?
Question: How did people get saved before Jesus was crucified? Answer: Prior to Jesus, people were expected to live in obedience to God. “For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; for it is not…
Read MoreIs Matthew 19:9 only for Jews?
Question: About the marriage and divorce issue in Matthew 19:9, Jesus was replying to the Jewish people. Does this mean that it does not apply to Christians but only Jews? Answer: You are missing an important implication. When laws were given to people there is an immediate audience and implied general audience. For instance, when…
Read MoreWhen Jeremiah Said “New” – (Hebrews 8:7-13)
by Terry Wane Benton The moment Jeremiah used the word “new” in speaking of a coming “new covenant,” there was the immediate implication that the Sinai covenant, then in place, was becoming obsolete and ready to vanish away. The idea of “vanishing away” (Hebrews 8:13) is not that you would be unable to read that…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “handwriting of ordinances”?
Question: What is meant by the “handwriting of ordinances” that Paul says was against “us” (including himself along with his audience)? Was the church at Colosse Jewish, Gentile or both? Answer: Colosse is located in the area that we now know as Turkey. The city was located in a valley about 100 miles east of…
Read MoreThe Guardian of the Law
by Matthew W. Bassford When visitors from denominational backgrounds come to our assemblies, they are often puzzled by our tradition of a-cappella singing. “Why don’t they use instruments?” they wonder. If we explain that the Scriptures do not authorize the use of instruments in worship, they may be Biblically savvy enough to point to passages,…
Read MoreLimits of the Old Testament
by Terry Wane Benton The Old Testament was the inspired, God-given rule of law for the nation of Israel. It was not given to all people. “The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us” (Deuteronomy 5:2-3). Nehemiah spoke to God about the history of Israel: “You came down also on…
Read MoreThe Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Author Unknown Sentry Magazine, June 2001 Text: Hebrew 3:7 Introduction. Some say there was no Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. But note the many Bible passages to the contrary. Discussion. Before the Adamic renovation “The Spirit of God moved upon [‘hovered over’ is a better translation] the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). In…
Read MoreLessons from the Old Testament
by Leland R. Ping Sentry Magazine, June 2002 Paul wrote to the church at Rome in Romans 15:4 that “whatever things were written before were written for our learning.” In a simple statement like this, the persecutor-turned-apostle explained the reason for the Old Testament. In light of a statement like this, it is prudent to…
Read MoreWhat are we to be obedient to?
Question: What are we being obedient to? Is it the Old Law? Is it God’s commands? What commands does God have? The old testament commands? I know about the plan of salvation and the steps to become a Christian, but where do we find out how to know we are doing the work of God…
Read MoreWas fornication not a sin under the Old Testament?
Question: Since the Old Testament had no shedding of blood for fornication, could it be considered a sin under the Old Testament? Answer: There were numerous types of offerings given to God depending on the circumstances. A sin-offering was given when the person’s sin did not have restitution included in the punishment. “Now if a…
Read MoreThe Old Testament Points Us to Christ
by Tommy Peeler The Old Testament is valuable because it points us to Christ. Jesus emphasized that the Old Testament pointed to Him Jesus said, “You search in the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that bear witness of Me” (John 5:39). When the audience failed to…
Read MoreThe Handwriting of Requirements Was the Law of Moses
by Terry Wane Benton Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash Paul said the “handwriting of requirements” was “against us” and “was contrary to us” and “He (Jesus) has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). As a result of this, no one could judge you in food or…
Read MoreWhich law is the law?
Question: I have a friend who has fallen into the World Mission Society Church of God which is an anti-Christian cult. I have been trying to witness to her and she had presented me with different beliefs that I’m having trouble answering in regards to the law. I was hoping you could help with a…
Read MoreOpened Eyes and Burning Hearts
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Opened-Eyes-and-Burning-Heart.mp3 by Andy Cantrell Finding Our Purpose from the Past
Read MoreChristians and the Old Testament
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Christians-Old-Testament.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreUncleanness
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Students of the Bible are frequently confused by the Old Testament laws regulating uncleanness. Many do not understand the purpose of the laws and often wonder if they impact the Christian in some way or not. The concept of unclean is certainly an old one. It predates Moses, being first mentioned…
Read MoreWhy is John the Baptist the last prophet in the Bible?
Question: Why is John the Baptist the last prophet in the Bible? (Luke 16:16) Answer: “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it” (Luke 16:16). “From the days of John the Baptist until…
Read MoreMust the Old Testament be taken as symbolic?
Question: Hello! I’m a former atheist who recently found God again, but I have one thing I’m really struggling to get, and that is how I can weave together science and the Bible, in particular the Old Testament. I have, after reading different approaches, personally come to the conclusion that it must be read as…
Read MoreThe Natural Comes Before the Spiritual
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NaturalComesBeforeTheSpiritual.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 15:35-49 I. It’s spring and gardener’s are out putting seeds into the ground, looking forward to crops of fruits, vegetables and flowers. A. Yet, no gardener puts in a seed expecting the seed to get bigger. The seeds stop being seeds, they “die” if you will, and become…
Read MoreThe Canon of the Old Testament – Part 1
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CanonOfTheOldTestament1.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Deuteronomy 31:9-13 I. As the last few years of a presidency winds down, people begin to discuss the legacy of the current President. How will the future remember him? What will historians say about him? A. So what makes a President great? 1. Is greatest determined by the writings of famous historians?…
Read MoreThe Value of Old Testament Study
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2016Fall2TheValueOfOldTestamentStudy.mp3 by Joe Works Studying Leviticus
Read MoreHoliness: A Study of Leviticus
2016 Fall Gospel Meeting by Joe Works The Tabernacle of God https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016Fall1TheTabernacleOfGod.mp3 Tabernacle of God (Handout) Tabernacle of God (Powerpoint) God with Us (Powerpoint) The Value of Old Testament Study https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016Fall2TheValueOfOldTestamentStudy.mp3 The Value of Old Testament Study (Powerpoint) Be Holy for I am Holy https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016Fall3BeHolyForIAmHoly.mp3 Be Holy for I am Holy (Powerpoint) Acceptable to the…
Read MoreIs the God of the Old Testament just as violent as the Muslim’s Allah?
Question: As a minister of the Gospel, I have a question that I was recently asked and I was curious if you had ever been asked the same: How can we preach a loving God and Christianity to Muslims if our God in the Old Testament was a violent God just as their Allah? I…
Read MoreWhich book should be first, Job or Genesis?
Question: I’m confused. A brother mentioned what I understood to mean that Job was to be the first book in the Bible and not Genesis. Since then I have done my own research and am now seriously confused. The way I see it is “Does it really matter?” There are considerably good points brought up…
Read MoreElders in the Old Testament
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/EldersInTheOldTestament.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Job 29 I. While we don’t live under the laws of the Old Testament, there are things to be learned from its pages – Romans 15:4 A. Sometimes we forget that elders have been used long before the church B. It would be useful to learn some of the history of…
Read MoreWhat was the history of baptism prior to John?
Question: Hello! I don’t know where to look for the history of the baptism of John. I have the understanding that baptism was done since the Babylonian captivity for the conversion to the Jewish faith (a proselyte, but I don’t know where to find any documentation to confirm or deny it. I just don’t know…
Read MoreOn Stoning Adulterers and Not Eating Shellfish
by Hugh Fulford via The Fellowship Room Periodically — at least three or four times a year — someone feels compelled to demonstrate his or her lack of knowledge of the Bible by writing a letter to the editor of the local newspaper railing against Bible-believers who oppose homosexuality. (Capital punishment of convicted murderers is another…
Read MoreDidn’t Jesus fulfill the Old Testament when he came in the flesh?
Question: I have a question: Didn’t Jesus fulfill the Old Testament when he came in the flesh? Answer: When Jesus was born, the Mosaic law was still in effect. He was circumcised and presented to God as the firstborn male of Mary and Joseph as the old law prescribed: “And when eight days had passed,…
Read MoreWhy is Proverbs frequently quoted and applied today?
Question: Why is Proverbs frequently quoted as applying today when it is in the Old Testament? Wasn’t the Old Testament done away with? Answer: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Count the number of times…
Read MoreIf all Scripture is profitable, why don’t we use the Old Law?
Question: Could you explain how II Timothy 3:16 relates to our not being under the Old Testament? I would like to know so I can better equip myself. Thank you. Answer: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man…
Read MoreNot Like the Old
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/NotLikeTheOld.mp3 by Pat Kelly
Read MoreWere Abraham and Moses in the church?
Question: I heard a quote from a preacher sometime ago that Moses and Abraham are not in the Church of Christ (Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 12:13), even though they are currently saved. I understand they were never baptized into Christ; but if they are not in the body, where are they? It is my understanding…
Read MoreI was uplifted by your explanation of why the Old Testament should no longer be followed
Question: Brother in Christ, Yesterday I providentially discovered your website. I must say that I was uplifted by the explanation as to why the Old Testament should no longer be followed. I have studied this issue for a little while, and I wanted to let you know that I truly appreciate your explanation. Before now I…
Read MoreOutside the Camp
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/OutsideTheCamp.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Hebrews 13:9-14 I. Understanding the place of the Old Testament is difficult for man A. God is clear that 1. The Old Law would come to an end – Jeremiah 31:31-34 2. The Old Law did come to an end – Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:15-16 B. The book of Hebrews is mostly about…
Read MoreHow can the new covenant be different from the old if there are so many similarities?
Question: In Jeremiah 31:31-34, it says God said he’d make a new covenant that was not like the old one, but the new covenant had similarities to the old one. Thanks for your time. Answer: Jeremiah 31:31-34 is discussed at length in Hebrews 8-10. God is still God, morality remains the same, so it is…
Read MoreWhat books would you recommend reading in the Old Testament?
Question: What books would you recommend reading in the Old Testament? I read Genesis, Leviticus, and Numbers at the beginning of my turn to God and Jesus Christ. I was just haphazardly picking books at random then. Answer: What I would recommend first is reading are the books on practical, everyday wisdom. Proverbs – Proverbs…
Read MoreAre Christians required to observe Passover?
Question: Is the Passover meal a requirement for Christians meaning if they do not eat it they sinned or is it more of a celebration or memorial as to what Christ has done for us? Please explain if possible. Answer: The Passover was a memorial under the Old Testament. It reminded the Israelites that the…
Read More