How Shall We Use The Old Testament? Recently, as we have emphasized the need for understanding the difference between the Old and New Testament, how to rightly divide between the old and new covenants and understanding the Old Testament age and doctrine of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross, several have asked., If all New Testament doctrine is revealed in the New Covenant of Acts 2 through Revelation 22, how shall we use the Old Testament scripture found in Genesis through Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 and John 19 in this New Testament age? Today, the Old Testament should be studied and used as historicalinformation. It reveals how Jehovah God dealt with earlier old covenants and his old covenant people in both the old Patriarchal and Mosaical ages. For example, the books of Genesis through Exodus 19 describe the historical 450 year history of the Hebrew people and their bondage in Egypt, and their deliverance through Moses. Exodus 20 through John 19. Then these books detail Moses receiving the law and commandments and the subsequent 1000 year history of Old Testament Israel under the law of Moses to the coming of Christ the promised Messiah in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Today, the Old Testament should be studied and used as inspirational information as to how Jehovah aided his old covenant people with their early trials and tribulations, and how through old covenant faith and obedience his old covenant people were victorious over their enemies. This is how Paul used Old Testament teaching in Romans when he finally concluded, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Rom. 15:4). The Old Testament should be studied and used as examples of old covenant faithfulness as to how Jehovah kept all of his old covenants with all old covenant people who kept covenant with him. For example, Paul use of the faithfulness of Old Testament leaders in Israel in Hebrews, chapter 11. We can also use the practical wisdom for life as seen in Proverbs. The Old Testament should be studied and used to show that the New Covenant of Jesus Christ that he has made with the New Testament church is a better covenant -- established on better promises than the faulty Old Covenant that God made with Old Testament Israel (Heb. 8:6-8). However, under no circumstances should Old Testament teaching of the Patriarchal age or the law of Moses from the Mosaical age from Genesis 1 through Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 or John 19 ever be considered, studied or used as New Testament doctrine for the New Testament church of Christ. Today, by the new covenant commandment of Christ, justification from sin within the New Testament of Jesus Christ stands independent and separate from the Old Testament teaching of the law of Moses for Israel (Gal. 2:16). Any attempt today to use Old Testament teaching as New Testament doctrine is to violate and demean the cross of Christ (Rom. 7:4) -- and fall from new covenant grace (Gal. 5:4).
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:29:59 +0000
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