INTRODUCTION
1. What benefit is the Old Testament (OT) to the Christian today?
a. Is the Christian under the OT as a system of justification?
b. Should the Christian look to the OT for guidance regarding the work, worship, and organization of the Lord’s church? If not, why even bother with reading and studying the OT?
2. It is true that Christians are not under the OT…
a. Gentile Christians were never under the OT (or Old Covenant)
1) The Old Covenant was made with the Israelites at Mt. Horeb (Sinai) – Deut 5:1-2
2) Not even Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc., were under the Old Covenant – Deut 5:3
Therefore Gentile Christians were not required to be circumcised or keep the Law – Ac 15:1-29
b. Jewish Christians have been delivered from the OT law
1) Through the body of Christ – Ro 7:1-6
2) By His death on the cross, Jesus brought the OT covenant to an end – Ep 2:14-16
Its purpose was to lead the Jews to Christ – Ga 3:23-25
3. Unfortunately, some Christians conclude from this that we need not read the OT…
a. I have known individuals who have been Christians for more than sixty years who had never read through the OT once
b. I have heard of some who will not attend services if the Bible class or sermon series is based upon the OT
“Why bother, if we are not under the OT?”, is the reasoning of some
4. Is that the proper attitude of Christians toward the OT? This attitude.
a. Is wrong, contrary to the teaching of the NT itself!
b. Deprives the Christian of a wonderful source of peace and comfort God provides for His children today!
c. Prevents the Christian from gaining wisdom and understanding concerning the life that now is, and that which is to come!
[To help us to appreciate the value of the Old Testament, let's begin by asking.]
I. WHY STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT?
A. IT WAS WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION – 1Co 10:11
1. Paul had just reminded the Christians at Corinth of Israel’s fall in the wilderness – 1Co 10:1-10
2. Note carefully what he says in 1Co 10:11
a. The events described may have happened to Israel
b. But “they were written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come”
What we call the OT was written and preserved especially for the benefit of Christians!
3. We should not be surprised to see how often NT writers appealed to the OT in admonishing Christians
a. As Paul does here
b. As the writer of Hebrews, in exhorting Christians to remain steadfast – He 3:12-19
c. As James, in encouraging Christians to be patient in their suffering – Jm 5:7-11
d. As Peter, in warning of false teachers and scoffers 2Pe 2-3
B. IT WAS WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING – Ro 15:4
1. Paul had just appealed to a Messianic prophecy in the OT Ro 15:3
2. Note carefully what he said in Ro 15:4
a. Things “written before” (i.e., the OT) were “written for OUR learning”
b. Again, the OT was written and preserved especially for the Christians’ benefit!
c. The OT provides “patience and comfort”, that we “might have hope”!
3. The OT provides a record of God’s faithfulness, how He kept His promises:
a. To Abraham and the nation of Israel
b. To judge the wicked and avenge the righteous
c. To forgive the penitent, and protect the humble As we read this history of God’s dealings with Israel, it gives us hope that God will keep His promises to us!
C. IT MAKES ONE WISE REGARDING SALVATION IN CHRIST – 2Ti 3:14-15
1. Paul noted that Timothy had known the “Holy Scriptures” since childhood
a. When Timothy was a child, the only scriptures available was the OT
b. So Paul clearly had the OT in view
2. He said the OT is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”
3. How is this possible? The OT provides:
a. The fall of man and the rise of sin
b. The background and development of God’s scheme of redemption
c. Hundreds of Messianic prophecies which describe what to expect when He comes
4. One cannot hope to fully understand such books of the New Testament like:
a. Hebrews, without an understanding of the Levitical priesthood
b. Revelation, without an understanding of OT prophecy and apocalyptic literature
If one wishes to be wise concerning their salvation in Christ, it is imperative to study the Old Testament!
D. IT IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, REPROOF, CORRECTION, INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS – 2Ti 3:16-17
1. “All Scripture” would include the OT scriptures, especially in the context of this passage
2. Therefore the OT is profitable for:
a. Doctrine – such as the nature of God, man, and sin
b. Reproof and correction – the need for repentance
c. Instruction in righteousness – how to live godly lives
3. Note that the apostles frequently appealed to the OT in instructing Christians concerning their conduct:
a. E.g., Ro 12:19-21; 2Co 6:16-7:1; 9:7-10
b. E.g., Jm 2:20-26
c. E.g., 1Pe 3:8-12
[Should the Christian study the Old Testament? Of course! Along with the NT, it was written:
"that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2Ti 3:17)
To not read and study the OT is to deprive one of much admonition, learning, wisdom, and instruction that God intended for His children!
In encouraging others to study the OT, let me offer some...]
II. SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDYING THE OLD TESTAMENT
A. INCLUDE IT IN YOUR BIBLE READING PROGRAM…
1. Do not limit your daily Bible reading to just the NT
2. I encourage one to read the whole Bible through each year, both OT and NT
a. I usually start with Genesis and end with Revelation
b. Others prefer reading portions from both OT and NT each day throughout the year
The important thing is to make the OT a part of your regular study of the Bible
B. CONSIDER USING A MODERN TRANSLATION…
1. I grew up on the KJV, and had little problem with the NT; but the OT was extremely difficult for me
2. In high school, I began reading the NASB, and the OT came alive for me!
I personally recommend either the NKJV or the NASB
C. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BIBLE CLASSES OR SERMON SERIES…
1. If your congregation offers a study in the OT, take it!
2. If the preacher presents a series from the OT, give close attention to it!
Don’t be like some who won’t attend whenever the class or sermon is on the OT
D. GIVE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PSALMS, PROVERBS, AND THE PROPHETS…
1. Certainly all of God’s word is of great value
2. But one might appreciate the value of the OT more quickly, by giving attention to:
a. The Psalms – as a great source of comfort, peace, and drawing near to God, especially in troubling times
b. The Proverbs – as a great source of practical wisdom for everyday living
c. The Prophets – as a great source for learning about the righteousness, justice, mercy and love of God
CONCLUSION
1. Should one study only those Scriptures that pertain to the covenant or dispensation under which they live? If so…
a. The Jews should have discarded Genesis, and the first fourteen chapters of Exodus!
b. We should discard the gospels, since Jesus lived and died under the Old Covenant!
2. We should not ignore the OT, for it provides…
a. The background and setting of the NT
b. Much in the way of admonition, learning, comfort, hope, even wisdom concerning our salvation in Christ!
Be careful not to neglect that which was written and preserved for OUR benefit…
“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)
“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)
And remember that…
“ALL Scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable…”
(2 Timothy 3:16)
Related articles
- THE LAW OF LIFE – Comparing the OT with the NT. (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
- Should Christians Celebrate Jewish Holidays? (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
- Should Christians observe the Biblical Jewish Holidays? (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
#1 by Sheryl Wright Stinchcum on 02/14/2013 - 05:02
Raymond, I agree with most of your article, but the feast days have not been nailed to the cross. They are “dress rehearsals.” As I mentioned before, Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts with His First Coming. He will fulfill the fall feasts with His Second Coming. The OT does not refer to the feasts as “Jewish” feasts. They are called “God’s Appointed Times” (Leviticus 23).
ALL the NATIONS will come up to Jerusalem in the future (Millennium, probably) to “keep” THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES! (Zechariah 14: 16, my summary.) The rest I will quote word for word. “And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of ALL the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of of Egypt, and the punishment of ALL nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zechariah 14: 17-19).
If I understand you correctly, you do not even believe that Messianic Jews should celebrate God’s Appointed Times (i.e. feasts), much less Gentles who believe in the Messiah. Again I am not telling you that you must celebrate the feasts. I am explaining why I choose to study and celebrate them. Paul never said that Christian converts should not celebrate the feasts. He said that they should not allow anyone to inflict man-made doctrines as to how they should celebrate the feasts.
Another point regarding the Law of Moses. Why did the council in Jerusalem decide that the Gentiles who had turned to Christ should abstain from eating things strangled, blood, meat sacrificed to idols, and fornication? They were teaching them basic things that are found in the Law of Moses.
Paul criticizes the “commandments and doctrines of men” not the Law of Moses” in Colossians 3: 22 KJV.
#2 by RaymondTheBrave on 02/14/2013 - 14:01
Hi Sheryl,
The council mentioned the above items as this is what I believe the Holy Spirit had led them to mention these due to what happened in those days as explained below. None of the list is part of the 10 commandments. You cant say because they are items on a list in the OT that they are referring to the Law can you? It was also because in those days other gods were worshipped and they did the above things. It is well known historically that the gods the Colossians had prostitutes in the temple for the use of the worshippers. This was quite common as well as in Rome. I cant remember is if I have said this to you before as I am dealing with another person on this subject, that the Gentiles did not know the Law so they had to have some direction on what they should not do which was common place to them. Why are you seemingly fixated on the Law and the festivals. The festivals you speak of that have not been fulfilled that will be are not of concern to us are they today. What should I do and what should they mean to me as I walk in love with Jesus. I cant see their value at all. By the way Abraham was not a Jew or a Gentile. He was from Ur of the Chaldeans.
I appreciate that you are searching for truth and thanks for you kind words in the other comment. God is after our love and for us to experience His love. The bible is about the redemption of man so we can live with God for eternity just like He planned before Adam sinned. The festivals and the law are a very small part of God’s way of redeeming us. Blessings Raymond
#3 by RaymondTheBrave on 02/14/2013 - 14:46
Hi Sheryl,
The following is a better description of where the term Jew comes from :- First, Abraham was never a Jew. Jews come from the Tribe of Judah, only after the Assyrian Invasion did the Tribes of Judah, Benjamin and the remnant of other Israelites become collectively referred to as Jews (2 Kings 16.6).
Second, Abraham is a GENTILE because he was uncircumcised when God called him and gave Abraham promises, Abraham was circumcised 430 years before the Law of Moses was given (Galatians 3.17). Abraham had Ishmael (Genesis 16.15), Isaac (Genesis 21.3) and at least six other sons (Genesis 25.1-5), none of them, not a one was Jew. Thus interpreting Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as Jew is putting Abraham’s future time elements into Abraham’s life, this is a fallacy of syncretism.
Third, the very best anyone can say is that Abraham is the Great-Great Grandfather of Judah (a Jew), because Judah is a son of Jacob (Genesis 29.35). So it goes: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah.
Fourth, the Old Covenant, the Law of Moses, was for both Israelites (later commonly referred to as Jews) and the foreigner/sojourner (commonly referred to as Gentiles) that lived among the Israelites/Jews (Exodus 12.49, Leviticus 24.22, Numbers 15.16), but did not apply to the Gentiles that lived outside of Israel.
Blessings raymond