Bible
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24. Why do we have the books of the Old Testament in our Bible, and
not only those of the New Testament? |
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Because
the books of the Old Testament also are part of the Holy Scripture, and “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy
3:16-17 – NKJV). |
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To
understand what I am saying, you need only to read even superficially the
writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and to dwell upon the teachings of
Jesus Christ. You will notice that Jesus often quoted from the books of the
Old Testament to confirm His words. Even when Jesus was tempted by the devil,
He quoted (three times) some words written in the Old Testament, precisely in
the law (Matthew 4:1-11), and this confirms how much authoritative was the
law of Moses to the Lord, and if it was authoritative to Him, who was the Son
of God, how couldn’t it be authoritative to us? Furthermore, Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John, quoted the writings of the Old Testament to explain certain
things concerning the life and teaching of Jesus, especially when they had to
explain why certain things happened to Jesus, for they said that they
happened so that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah,
or the prophet Jeremiah and so on. If you read then the Acts of the apostles,
Paul’s epistles, Peter’s epistles, James’ epistle and the epistle to the
Hebrews, you will notice that in them are many passages taken from the Old
Testament (or references to stories of the Old Testament) which confirm
doctrines or concepts. In the whole New Testament are quoted hundreds of
passages of the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Therefore, if the Writings
of the Old Testament were not ignored by Jesus, nor by the apostles, rather
they were considered by them Word of God, how could we exclude these Writings
from the Bible? Obviously, they belong to the Old Testament, however you must
keep in mind that you can’t understand the New Testament unless you
understand the Old Testament first. For instance, you can’t understand why
the New Testament is better than the Old one unless you know the Old
Testament first. You can’t understand why Jesus said or did certain things,
or why the apostles said certain things, unless you know the Old Testament. |
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In
addition to this, in reading the stories of the Old Testament such as the
story of Joseph or the story of David, just to mention some of them, we are
greatly comforted and encouraged; in reading the story of Israel in the wilderness
we are admonished; and what shall we say about the Psalms and the books of
the prophets? Is it not true that when we read them, our soul is strengthened
and encouraged? |
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I read
both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and I must say that no matter
what part I read I am always encouraged, instructed in righteousness,
comforted, taught and corrected. Obviously, I am fully convinced that many
things of the Old Testament are no longer for us because they were fulfilled
in the New Testament, yet the fact still remains that even in reading those
things which have been abolished in Christ, I learn something useful to me. |