Value of the Old Testament (Tom Edwards) Are you Giving to Support Error? (Bill Hall) ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ June 1, 1997 ____________________________________________________ Value of the Old Testament by Tom Edwards There are some brethren today who actually feel that it is wrong for Christians to teach or study the Old Testament since we are no longer under it today. I remember attending a Bible study about 15 years ago conducted by Jerry Scott in a large condominium for the elderly in Danville, Kentucky. If I remember correctly, Jerry was showing how that God's promise of the Messiah in the Old Testament was pointing to Jesus; but soon after referring to one of the OT passages to prove this, one of the men attending walked out on the class because of this. I heard recently from a preacher who seems to be up against the same thing. It appears that where he preaches, the brethren don't want to hear anything from the Old Testament. Though it is true that we are not under the Old Covenant because Christ annulled it by His death on the cross (Col. 2:14) and established the New Covenant (the gospel), that is not to say that we can no longer benefit from a study of the Old. Romans 15:4 states, ``For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.'' And in speaking of some of the sins of Israel in the wilderness and what they incurred, Paul told the Corinthians, ``Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved'' (1 Cor. 10:6). But how could we even know of these OT examples, unless we study then? Consider also that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John deal primarily with the life of Christ; yet Jesus lived and died under the Old Covenant period. Though we refer to these books as part of the New Testament, the NT age did not really begin until after Christ's death on the cross (Heb. 9:15-18). Does that mean that since we are no longer under the OT period that we should not study about the life of Jesus from these books? To overlook Jesus would be to overlook eternal life and the way there (Jn. 14:6; 8:24). And consider also the numerous times, the OT is alluded to or quoted in the New Testament. If we shouldn't study the OT, should we overlook the hundreds of verses that are quoted from it in the NT? The NT would definitely be much smaller if all of the OT verses and passages in it were eliminated -- and would not our faith be much ``smaller,'' too. For pointing out the fulfillment of OT prophecy is one of the strong evidences toward the divine inspiration of God's word, as we realize that the OT was completed about 450 years before Christ came into this world; and longer still, before the writing of the NT. Seeing these prophecies, their fulfillments, and being made aware how highly improbable it would be for these to come about by mere chance or coincidence can do a lot for a person's faith; and I believe that by citing these OT prophecies and showing their NT fulfillments is a good way for one to always be ''...ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you....'' (1 Pet. 3:15). ``Defense'' comes from the Greek word ``apologia,'' from which our word ``apologetics'' comes; and that is defined as ``The branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity'' (Random House Dictionary). Surely, Bible prophecy is one such area to cover in apologetics. It has been said by some that ``the OT is the NT concealed, and the NT is the OT revealed.'' For many verses and passages this is so, especially in connection with OT prophecies that are fulfilled in the NT. I can think of no better commentator for these OT revelations than a NT writer who had been inspired by the Holy Spirit. To read in the NT that Christ was born in Bethlehem is one thing, but to read this prophesied in the book of Micah, 700 years prior to Christ's nativity, is even more astounding. There are many lessons to be inferred from the OT -- even though we are no longer under its laws. It will also help us to better understand the nature of God and our need to obey Him, for true faithfulness implies adherence to the Lord's commands. How thankful we can be for the Old Testament and the truths it can instill. According to Paul, it is what gave Timothy ''...the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus'' (2 Tim. 4:15). He called these writings ``sacred,'' which Timothy had known from his childhood. It's hard to conceive of writings which the Holy Spirit has called ``sacred'' as being something that one should not study because it would be ``wrong'' to do so. When did these ``sacred'' writings lose their sacredness? Just because the gospel came with more glory does not mean that the Old Testament had no glory nor has no value today (cf, 2 Cor. 3:7-11). Following his remark to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:15, Paul goes on to say in the next two verses: ``All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate (`perfect,' KJV), equipped (`thoroughly furnished,' KJV) for every good work'' (2 Tim. 4:16,17). Is the ``All Scripture'' only the NT writings that were inspired by God? Peter answers this by saying, ``for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God'' (2 Pet. 1:21). And in his first epistle, Peter writes about these OT prophets ``who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.'' He points out that they ``made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow'' (1 Pet. 1:10,11). The ``All Scripture'' includes these OT writings as well. So, though we realize that to go back to the OT, thinking we must keep its laws in order to be saved, would be wrong and cause the Christian to be cut off from Christ and fall from grace (Gal. 5:4), still there are many good truths, principles, examples, and history to be learned in the Old Testament -- and that which can lead, as we have seen, to encouragement, hope, and salvation in Jesus (Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 4:15). Let us not overlook this larger -- and valuable --- portion of the Bible: the Old Testament. ___________________________________________ Are You Giving to Support Error? by Bill Hall ``I don't believe a lot of the things my church teaches.'' These are the words that we are hearing quite frequently these days. People are startled when they pick up their Sunday School literature and read words that are communistic. Modernism and unbelief are permeating the churches of the land. Political and social questions are the theme of the sermons, rather than book, chapter, and verse theme of past days. Most of the religious people of our city just have too much conviction to accept such foolishness. People, too, are questioning the old doctrinal beliefs of their churches. No longer will intelligent people swallow some doctrine just because their preacher teaches it, or their creed, written by their church hierarchy, endorses it. The Catholics are furnishing a concrete example of this independence in thinking in their dispute over birth control. In other churches such doctrines as ``once saved always saved,'' ``Salvation by faith only,'' ``what is to be will be'' are being questioned by their independently thinking members. All efforts to quell this search for truth will fail. Americans are simply a people who demand the right to think for themselves. We are amazed, however, at the fact that these people who admit they don't believe what their church teaches are giving no consideration to making a change. They continue right on giving their encouragement and financial support to that which they admit to be error and in some instances modernistic and communistic. How can reasonable, intelligent people lend their moral and financial support to that which they admit is contrary to God's will? Is this the basis on which they admit is contrary to God's will? Is this the basis on which they want to stand when they are called before the judgment seat of Christ? Nor does this problem exist only in the denominational world. Among members of the church, I find people who ``don't go along'' with some of the trends and innovations that the congregation of which they are a part engages in. They don't go along in word, possibly, but they go right along with giving their financial support to the programs of that congregation. They give no consideration to making a change, for they cannot tolerate the thought of being termed an ``anti.'' We fear that ``they love the praise of men more than the praise of God.'' Are you concerned with what the Bible teaches on the matter? ``And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them'' (Eph. 5:11) -- ``If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: for he that biddeth Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds'' (2 Jn. 10-11). ``Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them'' (Rom. 16:17). We urge our readers to cease their support of error and to learn the truth and obey it. That truth is to be found in the Bible, the word of God. ``Search the Scripture!'' -- Via Stand, March 1997 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Jon Fry requests prayer for his family, for his mother Thelma Fry (68) passed away May 28. We extend our condolences. I have some great news about Joe Galford: he is now out of ICU and in a regular room. I was even able to talk with him just moments ago. He feels ``weary,'' but he continues on the road to recovery. It sure was good to hear him. He was not even able to be aware of the last few times I was down visiting with him, praying for him, talking to him, etc. So, he's now in the best state yet since his accident about a month and a half ago. They even had him sitting up in a chair. Let's keep praying for him, though, because it will probably take some time -- and some physical therapy -- for him to get back on his feet. Tom Thornhill, Jr., writes, ``In reference to my dad, Tommy Thornhill, and the heart attack he had last Friday. He is now home from the hospital and doing great. They got to it in time and we are told there is no damage. Tommy and Carol and I want to thank you for all your prayers and the support you gave us. If there are further updates, I will write again....'' Hello visitors! We are glad to have you in our midst this day. Please come again. If you have Internet access, all the bulletins going back to March 3, 1996 can be found at The Gospel Observer web site. You could also find about 80 of my religious articles at Rick Fleeman's home page: http://www.wwd.net/user/flee/tom Feel free to check these out. Bible correspondence courses are available upon request. Transportation for those who live nearby can be provided by the members for those who need it. Call today! Let's study the Bible together! If you live in our area and would like a personal home study with a couple of us from church, you may contact us at the address or phone number shown below. We would be happy to hear from you. ___________________________________________ Please Let Us Know We are happy to have you as part of our readership for this bulletin. If, however, you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please let us know; and we'll discontinue the mailing of these to you. Thank you. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards/go ________________________________________