Category: Old Testament
Subject: Old Testament
Legends of the Churches of Christ
Even casual discussions with friends and loved ones who are outside of the churches of Christ can reveal a very strange mythology that has developed…
In Reference to Modest Dress, Are We Binding The Old Testament?
All Christians should consider the nature of biblical teaching. While it is true that we are not subject to the Old Testament as law to govern our lives today, there is much that we can learn from its pages. It indeed was “written for our learning” (Romans 15:4). When we look to the Old Testament to help us to better understand God’s definitions and the requirements he has given us in this covenant, we are not “binding the Old Law” but rather we are “rightly dividing the word of truth” ( 2 Timothy 2:15).
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
The Holy Spirit played an important role in the Old Testament. He is not a manifestation of the Father or of the Son. He did not sit quietly, waiting His turn until the time of the New Testament. He was active from the beginning, as was the Father and the Son.
The Law Code of Hammurabi
While the code of Hammurabi and the Mosaic Law may have some similarities between them regarding civil matters, it cannot be said that they were derived from the same source. The Mosaic Law goes so much further in developing an order and a people convicted of the things that the Lord has commanded them. To say that Moses copied from the code of Hammurabi betrays an ignorance of the purposes of the two laws.
Old Testament Law (The Law Given for Israel’s Good)
The Law of Moses was and is good. All things given by God are good (Js. 1:17). He did not make an evil covenant full of flaws and imperfections. Christ Himself did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill the Messianic prophecies and to fulfill it by keeping the Law perfectly (Mt. 5:17,18). True, the Old Testament is not valid for Christians today, but that does not mean it is of no value to New Testament Christians. Thank God for all of the inspired scriptures!
Confusion on the Covenants: Is the Old Testament Still Binding?
Churches of Christ have faithfully taught that we must rightly divide the old from the new and that we are to follow the new and not the Old Covenant. We have correctly taught that the New Covenant is our guide and authority. We learn from the Old Covenant (Rom. 15:4,) but it is not our guide and authority. We have taught this because the Bible clearly teaches it.
