Bible students often wonder about the Old Testament vs. the New Testament. It may stem from just a basic lack of differences between the Old Testament vs. the New Testament. But more often it seems to be rooted in questioning whether any application exists for today’s Christian in the Old Testament vs. the New Testament. From the “Top List” series, here are our top reasons why it shouldn’t be about Old Testament vs. New Testament, but rather Old Testament equals New Testament.
How Scripture answers "Top 3: Why ‘Old Testament vs. New Testament’ isn’t the best approach?"
Our top three reasons why Christian’s should approach the Bible acknowledging that the Old Testament equals New Testament, instead of Old Testament vs. New Testament:
- Old Testament doesn’t equal ‘Old Covenant’ and New Testament doesn’t equal ‘New Covenant’.1,2 This a critical fact to remember and what many discussions about ‘Old Testament vs. New Testament’ confuse. The Old Covenant (the Mosaic law with its Ten Commandments) described in the Old Testament was indeed replaced by Christ with the New Covenant described in the New Testament. However, the Old Covenant did not begin until approximately 2,500 years into the Old Testament1. Likewise, the New Covenant did not begin until after Jesus’ death2 which would exclude the four Gospels.
- It’s all from the same source (God).5,7,8,9 The Old Testament is every bit God’s word. Two immutable facts make this an undeniable reality that rejects an Old Testament vs. New Testament approach:
- God doesn’t change3. Sometimes, the tendency may be to say the Old Testament is sooo old, “It doesn’t apply to us.” Or, “The God of the Old Testament isn’t the God of the New Testament.” But, the fact is, God doesn’t change3.
- Whether Moses, the prophets, Jesus, or the apostles, they are all God’s messengers and speaking His words. There is no scripture weighting with scripture, including “red letters”.
- How we see the Old Testament represented in the New Testament.
- Jesus didn’t “oppose” them when He was asked about it4,12.
- Inspired New Testament writers repeatedly use the Old Testament to confirm or prove their teaching5,7,8,10,11,13. Likewise, first-century Christians use it to confirm New Covenant teaching5,6.
- It’s explicitly cited for Christians to use as an example9,13.
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