Don’t Disregard the Old for the New

When something is new, we tend to disregard the old. However this should never be the case when it comes to the New Covenant as opposed to the Old (New Testament verses the Old Testament).

There are many today who have done just that. Their thought is something like this, “Off with the old and on with the new.” They see the Old Testament as outdated, or that it contains the Law, which in their mind no longer applies.

But Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18).

I believe that Paul had this in mind when he said, “He (God) promised (the gospel) before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:2-4).

The early church never had the New Testament; instead they only had the Old Testament, and from that they proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ.

In the very first sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter continually used the Old Testament to reveal the resurrection, exaltation, and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:14-47). And the testimony was that 3000 came into the faith afterwards.

Jesus Himself declared, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).

Let’s not throw out the Old Testament. Its lessons and truth reach throughout time and it is not only a source of inspiration to the early church, but to the church today.