Confronting The Accusation That I Do Not Believe In The Old Testament
Posted: Saturday, October 15, 2011
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
I, and many other Christians, have been accused and attacked with the fallacious argument that we do not accept the Old Testament as part of God’s word or that we do not believe we need it. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What we do believe is exactly what the bible tells us.
It was decided, before the creation, that God would create the universe and man. That he would give man a spirit and a mind that would reason and make choices of his own. His desire for man was that he would be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4 KJV) and that of his own volition. In His infinite wisdom, God knew that man would fail to live in such faithfulness so he provided a plan where a man might be forgiven for his failure to meet the rigid requirements which were set forth, and so planned to send His Son to establish that way of forgiveness.
The next phase, or dispensation, began after some 2500 years under the first law. Men had failed miserably to teach and indoctrinate their children in the ways of the Lord and consequently the world had, for the second time, grown evil and most had strayed from God completely. The plan which was formulated before the creation, included the sending of God’s Son to put the plan of salvation into being. With the world so wicked as it was, God chose a righteous and faithful man by the name of Abram, to furnish the lineage to that Son.
Abram, whom God changed his name to Abraham, was promised many things for his descendents including a land which was “flowing with milk and honey” in Canaan, that he would watch over them and bless them with greatness and an abundant life if they would only remain faithful to Him. And he also warned them of numerous calamities if they failed to do so.
These descendents of Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel by God) became known as the twelve tribes of Israel. Israel had fathered 12 boys and one daughter. Early, before the death of Israel, the 12 tribes became subjected by the Pharaoh of Egypt. It was Moses whom God chose to lead them out of bondage via miracles of God and also to lead them on to the promised land of Canaan.
He gave them an extensive written law, based on the ten commandments given to Moses which were engraved in stone. This law is recorded in detail in the books of the Pentateuch. It was given only to those descendents of Abraham via his son Isaac and Isaac’s son Jacob. No one else. The other descendents of Abraham, and of Isaac, were excluded.
The remainder of the world’s populace remained under the original law, albeit that few observed it and most had turned to false gods and idols. In fact, God used some of those wicked nations to punish the Israelite nation when they went astray themselves.
But it is needful for us to understand the purpose of that Old Testament Law. God chose the Israelites to be his people to furnish the lineage to Jesus Christ. They were not chosen to be saved, without obedience, etc., as has often been said. They were protected and blessed in order to bring the blood line of Judah and David to the coming of Christ.
All of this, and I mean ALL was preparation for the coming of the Son of God who held the answer for mankind to be afforded the opportunity to gain eternal life in heaven through obedience to Him…not Moses, not Elias or Elijah.
When he came, he became the present leader and law giver. There are ample scriptures to show us that this is the fact. We are to obey His law, not the other older two, all of which were very similar, but not the same. Read these few scriptures, understanding that when the writers (mostly Jews) refer to The Law, most of the time they have reference to the Law of Moses, which all were subject to until the origin of Jesus church or kingdom came into being and is recorded in Acts, the second chapter!
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. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:24) (The apostle Paul writing to the church at Galatia)
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 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; (Colossians 2:13-14 KJV) (Paul again. Writing to the church at Colosse. Here he refers to the Old Law as “handwriting of ordinances”)
There is also a prophesy of the exchange of these laws in the book of Jeremiah which will give you a clearer meaning of this:
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33 KJV)
God had given the Israelites the covenant (law) after they had just escaped Egyptian bondage. So there is no room for mistaking what he is saying here.
The book of Hebrews is almost all, devoted to the explanation of the difference in the Old Law and that of the New. The difference in Moses and Jesus. The superiority of Jesus to Moses and His Law to Moses Law.
The reason so much of the new testament is devoted to this same subject is because numerous Jews who had been semi-converted to Jesus Christ, could not make themselves abandon Moses and his law. They continued to preach the necessity of circumcision and the keeping of the Sabbath. Paul spends much of his time in writing the various congregations of the Lord’s church in refuting these “Judaising teachers”.
Therefore, I deny that I think the Old Testament is not God’s word. It is assuredly God’s word and I believe every word of it. But as the commandment God gave to Noah to build an ark, it does not apply to me, nor does any part of the Mosaical Law apply to me or to any other human today. It was nailed in its entirety to the cross of Jesus Christ and it is to him that we have allegiance.
Once again Paul explains it:
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 KJV)
If any still hold doubts about this factor, I urge...plead with you to read the book of Hebrews slowly, carefully and consider each verse and what it’s meaning may be. Almost all references in it is an attempt to show you the difference in these two laws. Even the first 2 verses explain a lot.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:1-2 KJV)
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV)
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Thanks Joel, your article addresses so many of the misconceptions that are spoken in the church today. I fully agree that, whilst the Old Testament has its palce in Christianity, it is not the rule to live by. Jesus came to set us free, not to keep us in bondage to laws that are no longer even meant for us. If anyone doubts this, in addition to Hebrews, go read Romans carefully. We are meant to be free in the Spirit, not bound by the Law!Thank you Neill, I appreciate your comment very much. Do you live in South Africa, or you a missionary there? We help support some native preachers in Kenya.
Exhaustive and complete treatment of this subject that many do not even think about much anymore. But then I did not realize that you receive these accusations. Great treatment.Hi Christofer and thanks for the comment. Yes, you would be surprised at the number of people who don't at all understand the reason there is an old testamant and a new testament.
And most who think the old law is still for everyone, only observe the few items under it that they wish to. Worship on the Sabbath (7th day) but still do not keep it holy as instructed under the Mosaical despensation.Exactly.
It is interesting that we don't see people jumping on those who chose to pursue different philosophies (mystics, Buddhists, New Agers etc when they state their beliefs but seems only the born again crowd gets chastised for this, that and the other thing.) I may definitely choose to disagree with other writers and their premises but usually make it clear that I appreciated their sharing their ideas or what they think or something even if it is different than the Biblical view. Glad you wrote this one Joel - still "not on the air yet" and sleeping much as I think the pain pills (which I haven't had since 2 AM) are making me groggy....Thanks for the comment Marijo and I hope you have swift and uninterrupted recovery.Pretty bad nightmares from oxycontin last night - tossed the whole lot in the septic and am doing so much better tonight THANKS!Good for you. I only took two of the bottle they sent home with me after heart surgery. They didn' affect me badly but I am afraid of any of the junk.
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