Bible Question:
Why is it that most religions agree that we are supposed to follow the new testament and to forget about the old, but then I hear the very same people from time to time quoting the same old testament. so do we follow the old and add the new? or do we forget completely about the old. |
Bible Answer: Dear Martha, The entire Old Testament is pointing to Jesus and the salvation He would one day bring to a fallen race. The New Testament explains the Old Testament in light of Jesus Christ...much of which could not be understood until He came in the flesh, died on the cross and Rose from the Dead and sent us His Holy Spirit to enlighten us. The New Testament does not contradict the Old Testament. We are now under grace, but the New Testament refers constantly to the Old and we would understand the teachings of the New Testament even better if we understood the Old a little, or at least had read it. All the original people that were being spoken to in the New Testament Gospel and Epistles, were Jewish. They were familiar with the Old Testament already. After a short while, the Gentiles came in. Through the churches that developed, I'm sure many things about the original faith were explained to them, which would enhance their understanding of the New Testament. Remember also, all the apostles were Jewish. That is why they could teach...when questions would come up [the New Testament wasn't put together yet) they had only the Old Testament to refer to and Jesus' teachings about it. Jesus said: [Matthew 5:17-18] "Think not that I have come to destroy the Law or the prophets: (meaning the Old Testament) I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass one jot or tittle [these were grammatical markings which changed meaning of Hebrew letters]shall in no wise pass from the law until all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of the least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Now I realize that we are no longer UNDER the Law, in the sense of legalism; however, Jesus also tells us that we are to walk in love and if we truly walk in love as is written in 1 Corinthians 13:1-10, we will not break any of the commands of God. I hope this is helpful to you. Itiswritten. |