what think ye of the bible?

What Think Ye Of The Bible?

The Old Testament

• Is there any benefit to studying the OT in the Christian age?

– Are Christian’s today under the OT law as a system of faith and justification?

– Is the OT authoritative in regulating the work, worship, organization, doctrine, etc. of the Church in the Christian age?

What Think Ye Of The Bible?The Old Testament

If Not... Why Study

It?

• Not under OT as a matter of law / justification (not authoritative in regulating work, worship, org., etc. of NT Church)

What Think Ye Of The Bible?Christians Today Not Under OT Law...

• Not under OT as a matter of law / justification (not authoritative in regulating work, worship, org., etc. of NT Church)– Delivered by the body of Christ (Rom 7:1-6)


“4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God”

• Not under OT as a matter of law / justification (not authoritative in regulating work, worship, org., etc. of NT Church)– Delivered by the body of Christ (Rom 7:1-6) – Jesus came, not to destroy, but fulfill (Matt 5:17)


“17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

• Not under OT as a matter of law / justification (not authoritative in regulating work, worship, org., etc. of NT Church)– Delivered by the body of Christ (Rom 7:1-6) – Jesus came, not to destroy, but fulfill (Matt 5:17)– OT brought to end by Jesus death on cross (Eph 2:14-16)


“15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”

• Not under OT as a matter of law / justification (not authoritative in regulating work, worship, org., etc. of NT Church)– Delivered by the body of Christ (Rom 7:1-6) – Jesus came, not to destroy, but fulfill (Matt 5:17)– OT brought to end by Jesus death on cross (Eph 2:14-16)– Nailed it to His Cross (Col 2:14)


“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;”

• Not under OT as a matter of law / justification (not authoritative in regulating work, worship, org., etc. of NT Church)– Delivered by the body of Christ (Rom 7:1-6) – Jesus came, not to destroy, but fulfill (Matt 5:17)– OT brought to end by Jesus death on cross (Eph 2:14-16)– Nailed it to His Cross (Col 2:14)– Fulfilled its purpose (Gal 3:23-25)


“23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. ”

• Not under OT as a matter of law / justification (not authoritative in regulating work, worship, org., etc. of NT Church)– Delivered by the body of Christ (Rom 7:1-6) – Jesus came, not to destroy, but fulfill (Matt 5:17)– OT brought to end by Jesus death on cross (Eph 2:14-16)– Nailed it to His Cross (Col 2:14)– Fulfilled its purpose (Gal 3:23-25)– Live / Serve under better covenant with better promises

(Hebrews 8:6).

What Think Ye Of The Bible?Christians Today Not Under OT Law ...

“6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

– Some Christians have never read through the OT (not even once) ...

– Some will not attend services and/or Bible study if the OT is being studied…

– Some parents make no effort to teach it’s principles to their children ...

• Is this the proper attitude for the Christian to have regarding the OT?

What Think Ye Of The Bible?Why Study The Old Testament?

• Because of this, some reason it is not profitable for us to study the OT …

• Four reasons why one with such an attitude is in error ... – Contrary to the Spirit of Christ (who came

to fulfill, not destroy; quoted from it freely and often)

– Contrary to the Spirit the NT (ever notice how often NT writers quote the OT?)

– Deprives the Christian of a wonderful source of peace and comfort

– Prevents the Christian from having a proper understanding & appreciation for Christ and the NT

• `



Four Reasons To Study The OT

Still, the basic question is before us …

Why study the OT if it is not authoritative in regulating the work, worship, organization, doctrine, etc. of the Church in the Christian age?

• “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)

– OT written, and divinely preserved, for the benefit of every Christian!

– Though many see no value in studying the OT, God thought it so valuable He had it written down and preserved through the ages!

Reason 1 - The OT Was Written For Our Learning


• A Few Examples Of What We Learn From OT ...– God’s faithfulness in dealing with humankind (Noah,

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, the prophets, etc.)

– Punishes the wicked (The Flood, Sodom/Gomorrah)– Provides for His own (Israel, Exodus/Wilderness) – Pardons the penitent (David/Bathsheba) – Protect the humble (Esther)– Means what He says (Uzza/Ark, Moses/Canaan, Nadab

& Abihu / Strange Fire)

• Answers many of life’s most pressing questions...– Origin of the universe (Gen 1)– Origin of man (Gen 1)– Origin of sin (Gen 3)– Promise Of Redemption (Gen 3:15)– Purpose Of Life (Eccl 12:13)

• Instructs us in the nature / attributes of God.– Omnipotent (all-powerful, Job 42:2)– Omnipresent (exists everywhere, Jer 23:23-24)– Omniscient (knows everything, Psa 147:5)– Holiness (Isa 6:3) / Immutability (Mal 3:6)


• Instrumental in proving Bible is inspired...– Predictive prophecy

• Specific details (not vague assertions)• Adequate timing (centuries before fulfillment)• Exact fulfillment (minute detail, not “semblance”)

– Archeological evidences • People, cities, kingdoms, customs, etc.• Through the centuries, Archeology has validated

much of the OT narrative


These, and many other examples that could be cited, show conclusively that OT study is profitable for our learning

• To admonish is to, “put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently :- admonish, warn.” (Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary)

• By way of example, 1 Cor 10:1-11 ...– Events described happened to ancient Israel, however ...– “all these things happened unto them ...

and they are written for our admonition... ” (2 Cor 10:11)

• What is God saying?– Don’t do the same, wicked things they did, or you’ll

suffer the same fate!

Reason 2 - The OT Was Written For Our Admonition

“6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.”

(2 Cor 10:6-10)

• NT writers used OT in admonishing Christians ...

– Exhortation to remain stedfast (Heb 3:7-19, 2 references to Israel’s hardness of heart in the wilderness)

– James, exhorting Christians to be patient in their suffering (James 5:10, take the prophets as an example)

– Peter, warnings of false teachers / scoffers (2 Pet 2-3, angels that sinned, Sodom/Gomorrah, Lot, Balaam, the Flood)

Reason 2 - The OT Was Written For Our Admonition

History of the Old Testament was recorded and preserved to admonish (i.e. warn) Christians in every Generation!

• Someone says, “That’s just not so, Jesus is a NT topic”!

• “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ” (2 Tim 3:15)– What had Timothy known since childhood? The Holy

Scriptures!– What scriptures were available when Timothy was a

child? The Old Testament!– What benefit had the OT been to Timothy? “make thee

wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”

Reason 3 - Makes One Wise Regarding Salvation In Christ

• How is this possible? OT details:– The fall of man and the rise of sin ...– Background / development of scheme of redemption ...– Hundreds of Messianic prophecies …

• Born of tribe of Judah (Gen 49:8-10 / Heb 7:14)• Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-5 / Matt 2:1-6)• Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:13-14 / Matt 1:18-23)• Ride a donkey into Jerusalem (Zech 9:9 / Mark 11:1-10)• Betrayed by friend (Psa 41:9 / Matt 26:14-16)• Sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:12 / Matt 26:14-15)• Hand/Feet pierced (Psa 22:16 / Matt 27:35 + John 20:25-29)• Lots cast for clothing (Psa 22:18 / John 19:23-24)• Thirsty during execution (Psa 22:15 / John 19:28)


• One cannot adequately understand certain NT texts without an adequate knowledge of the OT ... – Hebrews, w/o a basic understanding of the Levitical

priesthood …

– Revelation, w/o a basic understanding of OT prophecy and the nature of apocalyptic literature (cf. Daniel)

If we are to be as Timothy, “wise unto salvation”, we too must study (and know) the Old Testament


• “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. ” (2 Tim 3:16-17)– Note the first word in this context - ALL– Would “All” include the OT?– “For the prophecy came not in old time by

the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet 1:21)

Reason 4 - Profitable To Make Us “Perfect” (i.e. Complete, or, fully mature)

• Therefore, the OT is profitable (helpful, advantageous) for:– Doctrine (i.e. learning, teaching)– Reproof (i.e. proof, conviction, evidence, or a rebuke)– Correction (i.e. a straightening up again, reformation)– Instruction in righteousness (i.e. training, by implication

disciplinary correction, chastening, chastisement)

• All Scripture, including the OT …– Tells us what is right ...– Tells us what is wrong …– Tells us how to get right …– Tells us how to STAY right!

Reason 4 - Profitable To Make Us “Perfect” (i.e. Complete, or, fully mature)

A Refusal To Study The Old Testament Deprives One Of Much Admonition, Learning, Wisdom, And Instruction That God

Intended For His Children To Have!

What Think Ye Of The Bible?The Bible Bookcase

Old Testament

• 39 books• 4 categories• Law (5), Genesis

- Deuteronomy• History (12),

Joshua - Esther• Poetry (5), Job -

Song Of Solomon• Prophecy (17),

Isaiah - Malachi

• Include it in your daily Bible reading

• Use newer (reliable) translations (ASV, NASB,NKJV,ESV)

• Take advantage of special classes

• Increase knowledge of Bible era secular history (especially helpful w/kingdom & prophecy)

Tips For OT Study2 Major Divisions

If you have high speed Internet access, much of the WVBS material

is available for free at ...

http://www.thebible.net/video/Video material from WVBS is

available for virtually every OT book (as well at the NT books and many

topical studies)


Review:• Written for our learning• Written for our admonition• Makes one wise regarding salvation

in Christ• Profitable for doctrine, reproof,

correction, instruction in righteousness

Remember, a failure to study the OT is contrary to the spirit of Christ & NT writers, all of which quoted from it freely and often!

Alien SinnerHear (Rom 10:17, Matt 17:5)Believe (John 8:24, John 3:16, Heb 11:6)Repent (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30, 2 Pet 3:9)Confess (Matt 10:32-33, Rom 10:9-10)Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 1 Pet 3:21)

Erring ChristianRepent (Acts 3:19)Confess (James 5:16, 1 John 1:9)Pray (Acts 8:22)

Steps Of Obedience

what think ye of the bible?

Documents

ot law

ot authoritative

matter of law justification

law of commandments

body of christ rom

nt churchdelivered

jesus death

cross eph