Minister’s Corner - 211 The Place Of The Old Testament

Loved ones, we received a letter from a woman who said she had heard the church of Christ did not believe the Old Testament. "It this true?" she wanted to know. Our response was what the New Testament itself says about the Old Testament.

It is evident that the Old Testament was the Bible of the early church. It was the Scriptures that Timothy knew from his youth (1 Timothy 3:15). The Scriptures Jesus quoted in His personal ministry were from the Old Testament. The New Testament is full of Old Testament quotations. It was about the Old Testament that Peter said "men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (1 Peter 1:21).

The Old Testament Scriptures are inspired by God, profitable for study, and true in every way. The New Testament says they are:

1. Written for our learning (instruction) (Romans 15:4).

2. To be used as examples for Christians (1 Corinthians 10:6-11).

3. That which leads one to Christ (Galatians 3:24-26).

4. Fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 5:17-18).

Children's Bible classes emphasize Old Testament characters. One must know the Old Testament in order to understand the language of the New Testament authors who quote from it.

The Old Testament, however, should not be considered the standard for the worship and work of the church, any more than the epistles of Paul should be regarded as a standard for the work and worship of Israel in the wilderness. Christians do not build altars, offer animal sacrifices, or have a priesthood like Israel did in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament should be understood within the context of God's dealing with His people before the coming of Jesus Christ. The attempt to bring the rituals and laws of that age into the church are not the product of Old Testament study. It comes rather from a lack of study of both Testaments. God is so good. We love you. Samuel – 31 May 26