Under which do we live, Old or New Testament?
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
The Bible, consisting of the Old and New testaments, is the inspired word of God! “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect [complete – ASV], thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
The Old Testament is essential to our understanding of the New Testament, and it is profitable for our study. The apostle Paul wrote, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
The events that are recorded in the Old Testament are written for our example. First Corinthians 10:11 reads, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
The Old Testament is inspired, profitable for our study and written for our example, but it is NOT for our observance today!
Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17) The old law was fulfilled, and it ended at the cross! Listen to 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.”
Hebrews 8:6-7 reads, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant [will or testament – d.b.], which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant [old testament – d.b.] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second [new testament -d.b.].”
The Old Testament had to be taken away before the New Testament could be established (Hebrews 9:16,17; 10:9). One of the purposes of the Old Testament was to bring us to Christ. Galatians 3:24-25 reads, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
God gave the Old Testament for a specific time period. Notice carefully Galatians 3:19, “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”
The Old Testament law was to end when the “seed” came. According to Galatians 3:16 that “seed” was Christ.
Some of the Jews in the first century returned to the Old Testament and tried to demand circumcision on the part of the Gentiles as a part of their salvation. In response to this Paul wrote, “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law” (Galatians 5:3). If we go to the Old Testament for authority in any matter today (with the Galatians it was circumcision), then we must obey ALL of the old law!
Some today would return to the Old Testament for authority for such practices as 1) instrumental music in worship; and 2) observance of the Sabbath day. Yet these people are unwilling to follow all of the old law such as 1) animal sacrifices; 2) traveling to Jerusalem to worship; and 3) stoning disobedient children.
Today, we live under the authority of Jesus Christ (New Testament), and we are subject to the commands and promises set forth in the New Testament!
If you have a Bible question, please write to us at the Rockford Church of Christ; 8997 U.S. Hwy. 231; Rockford, AL 35136. May God bless you as you Search the Scriptures!
David A. Bass has been preaching for the last 42 years and has preached in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, and northern Russia. He began preaching for the Rockford Church of Christ in December 2022. He has done mission work in Costa Rica, Scotland, India, and Russia, as well. He is married to Kathy Isbell Bass, and they have 10 children and 11 grandchildren. If you have a Bible question or comments, please write to: Rockford Church of Christ; 8997 U.S. Hwy. 231; Rockford, AL 35136; or you may email Bass at: dabass1962@aol.com.
