{"id":21686,"date":"2009-04-19T22:54:00","date_gmt":"2009-04-20T03:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=21686"},"modified":"2020-04-19T23:01:46","modified_gmt":"2020-04-20T04:01:46","slug":"the-old-testament-and-new-testament-christians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-old-testament-and-new-testament-christians\/","title":{"rendered":"The Old Testament and New Testament Christians"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\tby Joe R. Price\n
\"\"

Moses Brings a Second Copy of the Stone Tablets Exodus 34:29-30<\/p><\/div>\n

The Old Testament is a relevant part of God\u2019s word, even though it is not the standard of authority by which we obtain reconciliation and life in Christ (Colossians 3:17; Galatians 3:23-27; Romans 7:4; II Corinthians 3:14; Ephesians 2:14-18). To conclude that we cannot benefit from the Old Testament because it does not contain the law we live under and answer to is more than naive, it is unscriptural (Romans 15:4; II Timothy 3:15-16). Since Romans 15:4 assures us that \u201cwhatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope,<\/em>\u201d join me in a brief study of some of the ways Christians benefit from the Old Testament.<\/p>\n

Jesus expected the people of God to know and properly use what we call the \u201cOld Testament.\u201d While on earth He rebuked those who did not know the Hebrew Scriptures: \u201chave ye not read in the law?\u201d (Matthew 12:5); \u201chave you not read what was spoken to you by God?<\/em>\u201d (Matthew 22:31); \u201cHave you not even read this Scripture?<\/em>\u201d (Mark 12:10); and \u201chave ye not read in the book of Moses?<\/em>\u201d (Mark 12:26). These statements and the occasions on which they were made teach some appropriate lessons about our use of the Old Testament.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Knowing the Old Testament Scriptures will eliminate condemning the innocent:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cOr have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?<\/em>\u201d (Matthew 12:5). Because the Pharisees inconsistently applied the Scriptures by attaching to them the traditions of men, they condemned innocent men (Matthew 12:7). Likewise, today, when one fails to understand the proper place and purpose of the Old Testament, he may become guilty of condemning the innocent. Human traditions like the use of instrumental music in worship is often justified with an appeal to the Old Testament. Failing to understand the limited scope of the authority of the law of Moses (which ruled only the nation of Israel, Deuteronomy 5:2-3), the users of instrumental music in worship continue the Pharisaic practice of condemning the guiltless.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Knowing the Old Testament scriptures will enable an honorable use of God\u2019s word:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAnd He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning \u2018made them male and female\u2019<\/em>\u201d (Matthew 19:4). In trying to ensnare Jesus, the Pharisees manipulated the Scriptures to suit their evil purpose (Matthew 19:3, 7-8).<\/p>\n

Their misguided and hard-hearted use of the Old Testament is in sharp contrast to how the Bereans used it: \u201cThese were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so<\/em>\u201d (Acts 17:11). With willing hearts, they searched the Scriptures for truth, not as a means of entrapment or personal vindication. Oh, how we need to apply that same lesson today as we use the scriptures! Knowing the Old Testament should help us use the Scriptures in an honorable way, with the right heart: \u201cOh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day<\/em>\u201d (Psalm 119:97). All selfish uses of the Scriptures are futile and fruitless before God.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Knowing the Old Testament scriptures will eradicate false doctrine:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cJesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?… But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, \u2018I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob\u2019? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken<\/em>\u201d (Mark 12:24, 26-27). The Sadducees denied the bodily resurrection because they did not know the Old Testament Scriptures (verse 24). Failure to know the Scriptures will always give false doctrine the soil it needs to grow and flourish. And consequently, God\u2019s people will be destroyed by error and immorality (Hosea 4:6). By knowing the Old Testament Scriptures we avoid a variety of false doctrines, including Premillennialism (with its future land and kingdom promise expectations), Sabbatarianism, Mormon \u201cpriesthood authority,\u201d etc. By the way, if doctrine is of no consequence to one\u2019s approval before God, why did Jesus take time to point out the error of the Sadducees in Mark 12, saying they were \u201cgreatly mistaken\u201d? Did Jesus just like to be critical, or is it that doctrine is essential to knowing God and being known by God? We cannot be ignorant of God\u2019s Scriptures yet expect His fellowship now and finally, eternal salvation (John 6: 44-45; 8:31-32; II Timothy 3:16-17).<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Knowing the Old Testament scriptures will establish faith in Jesus as the Christ:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cHave you not even read this Scripture: \u2018The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone<\/em>\u201d (Mark 12:10). The fact is that the Old Testament testifies of Jesus, signifying that He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world (John 5:39, 46). Jesus fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies hundreds of years after they were spoken (Luke 24:44-47). This was one of the central messages taken by His apostles to a lost world (Acts 10:43; 17:2-3). This is exactly what Paul meant when he reminded Timothy that from a child he had known the \u201cHoly Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus<\/em>\u201d (II Timothy 3:15). Jesus was the \u201cstone\u201d the\u201cbuilders\u201d should have recognized. But their failure to understand the Old Testament contributed to their rejection of the Savior and His salvation. The Old Testament continues to stand as a reliable testimony to God\u2019s purpose of the salvation of sinners through the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth (Psalm 118:22-26).<\/p>\n

Another important use of the Old Testament made by New Testament Christians is found in the warnings given to ancient Israel. These help us to carefully avoid sin as well as devote ourselves to God. \u201cNow all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come<\/em>\u201d (I Corinthians 10:11).<\/p>\n

When Israel obeyed God she was blessed by God. When Israel was disobedient, God brought just punishment upon her (I Corinthians 10:6-10; cf. Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15; I Kings 4:20-28; II Kings 17:7, 18). The inspired writer of Hebrews used this Old Testament history of Israel to urge Christians to be very careful to hear and obey the gospel of Christ (Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:7-4:13).<\/p>\n

We learn how to be better people from the Old Testament; people who live by faith \u2013 respecting and obeying Almighty God. From the Proverbs, we learn wisdom for life. From Ecclesiastes, we learn about the purpose and meaning of life \u201cunder the sun.\u201d From Psalms, we learn to glorify God and always trust Him. From Genesis, we learn of God\u2019s great creative and destructive power, of His promises of redemption, and that mankind is responsible to Him. The prophets teach us that when God\u2019s people sin, He calls them to repentance, warning of (and bringing) divine judgment when they fail to stop sinning and return to Him. We could go on and on. Without a doubt, the Old Testament provides men and women of faith with a body of information that helps them as they journey to heaven. We must not neglect to learn and properly using the Old Testament. Isaiah\u2019s affirmation remains true: \u201cFor as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it<\/em>\u201d (Isaiah 55:10-11).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Joe R. Price The Old Testament is a relevant part of God\u2019s word, even though it is not the standard of authority by which we obtain reconciliation and life in Christ (Colossians 3:17; Galatians 3:23-27; Romans 7:4; II Corinthians 3:14; Ephesians 2:14-18). To conclude that we cannot benefit from the Old Testament because it…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[115,268],"class_list":["post-21686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-old-law","tag-old-testament"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":63787,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-we-dont-follow-the-old-testament-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":21686,"position":0},"title":"Why We Don’t Follow The Old Testament (Sermon)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 2, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 7:1-6 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our Bibles are composed of two major parts: an Old Testament and a New Testament \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Why are they called \u201ctestaments\u201d? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A testament is a legal document declaring a person\u2019s wishes. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thus, calling the Bible a testament is to say these are the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":23340,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-old-testament-points-us-to-christ\/","url_meta":{"origin":21686,"position":1},"title":"The Old Testament Points Us to Christ","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 12, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"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, \u201cYou search in the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that bear witness of Me\u201d (John 5:39).\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/arrow-road-road-signs-sign-preview-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10799,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-do-you-quote-from-the-old-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":21686,"position":2},"title":"Why do you quote from the Old Law?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 9, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I read Why We Don't Follow the Old Testament and saw your point of view on the matter, but you do quote laws from Leviticus to justify positions. Aren't all those laws thrown out, along with all other laws from the Old Testament? I'm not debating homosexuality here, but\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":94771,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/taking-another-look-at-the-old-testament\/","url_meta":{"origin":21686,"position":3},"title":"Taking Another Look at the Old Testament","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by David Gibson Why It's so Important! Although we're not under Old Testament law, there is great value in being familiar with the 39 books that make up three-fourths of the Bible. Reading the New Testament without knowing the Old Testament is like reading a sequel without the original. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1180,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-we-dont-follow-the-old-testament\/","url_meta":{"origin":21686,"position":4},"title":"Why We Don’t Follow the Old Testament (Article)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 1, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Our Bibles are composed of two major parts, an Old Testament and a New Testament. Why were these names selected? A testament is a will or a covenant. We still use the word today when we speak of a person's \"last will and testament.\" These names\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":39013,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-is-proverbs-frequently-quoted-and-applied-today\/","url_meta":{"origin":21686,"position":5},"title":"Why is Proverbs frequently quoted and applied today?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 27, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"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).\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21686"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21686\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}