Scripture and Israel

I have just a few notes today on the relevance and importance of studying the old testament scriptures. First of all, did you know that Jesus and the apostles after him preached Jesus Christ exclusively from the old testament. In fact there WAS no new testament scriptures to preach from, including in the early days of the body of Christ. Actually the new testament scriptures were written by the apostle's revelation knowledge of the old testament scriptures. An overwhelming majority of the new testament scriptures are either direct quotations from the old testament, or references to them. The apostle Paul's revelation of the fulfillment of the law, which was given to him by God for the Gentile believers, was altogether taken from old testament scripture, as it is written [in the n.t.]: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed BY THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference" (Rom. 3:21,22). If you don't believe all of these statements that I've made here, then you need to do a whole lot more Bible reading, and then you WILL agree; because that is what is there. So what does all of this mean? Very simply it means that the old testament scriptures are as relevant and up to date as it gets for the faith of new testament believers. That is unless the holy Ghost has moved out of the truth that was revealed to the apostle's, and into some 'deeper' light. Listen to just a few quotes from the NEW testament scriptures that prove my point here: "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 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. 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Tim. 3:14-17). Now when Timothy, whom Paul was writing to here, was a child, there were no new testament scriptures written; so Paul was certainly referring to the old testament scriptures here, saying that they "ARE [not were] able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." "Faith which is in Christ Jesus?" That's what the man said, and he said it about the OLD testament scriptures. So unless "faith which is in Christ Jesus" is outdated, I would have to say that the old testament scriptures are quite relevant and up to date, wouldn't you?

Here's another one: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime [old test.] were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4). So unless "our learning," "patience and comfort," and "hope" are things we no longer need, I would have to say that the old testament is irrefutably relevant and up to date, wouldn't you? Then there's this: "Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Cor. 10:10-12). I suppose if we no longer have need of "admonition," and we no longer need to be humbled, then we shouldn't have any more use for the old testament either. I don't know about you, but I haven't gotten to that lofty spiritual place just yet. But let's don't leave it all up to Paul to prove; let's allow Peter to chime in as well: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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" (II Pet. 1:19-21). Unless we no longer need to take heed to the apostle's words of prophecy, it appears that the old testament scriptures are not only of great value to our faith, but absolutely necessary as well. It was the OLD testament scriptures that he was speaking of here, saying that they were of no "private interpretation," and that they were written as a result of "holy men of God [being] moved by the holy Ghost." And the point that he was making here was that the apostle's words of prophecy came by means of the holy Ghost revealing the truths of the old testament scriptures. So once again, unless we do not need to be taught by the Spirit of God, then we DO need to study and revere the old testament scriptures (Isa. 54:13; Jn. 14:26; I Jn. 2:27). So my friends, let's not be of the number, who when revealed truth from the old testament scriptures is set forth, and it doesn't immediately agree with us; that we start running for cover under the guise of new testament scripture being something apart from or contrary to old testament scripture. That is a trick of the devil, and it is meaningless religious rhetoric to imply such a thing. Neither can such an effort EVER be confirmed by ANY scripture, old testament or new. Amen.