Understanding the Value of Both the Old and New Testaments

I have been in ministry now for going on twenty years and I will never forget when, where and how things began. When the Lord called me to vocational ministry, the extent of my training consisted of Sunday school lessons I remembered as a wee lad and even those were few since I was too busy maintaining my aspirations to popularity with the other kids around me.

Regardless, God had indeed called me, and all the indicators were there. That said, I moved forward in obedience and did what I believed was the best I could with what the Lord had given me. My theological and doctrinal prowess were severely lacking but seeds planted early in my life prevailed as God remained faithful. One deficiency I encountered was my understanding of the Old and New Testaments and how they came together in revealing the full redemptive plan of God.

Many Christians struggle with understanding how important both testaments are in knowing who God is, who we are, and His plan for our existence. Many have chosen to disregard the Old Testament altogether and this is a bad idea. Statements have been made out of ignorance implying the Old Testament is no longer applicable to our present walk with the Lord and this too fuels a poor biblical perspective and ignites confusion that fans the growing flame of biblical illiteracy sending the church down a dangerous path.

So, what are we to know and understand about the Old and New Testaments? How can we accurately discern the God of the Bible and His plan for humanity? I believe this begins with the following truth which sets the framework for how we interpret the Scripture.

The Old Testament INFORMS the New Testament, and the New Testament AFFIRMS the Old Testament.

As we study the Old Testament and bring our glorious findings to bear in the New Testament, clarity emerges, and Christ is magnified! Suddenly we realize that Christ was from the beginning just as the Apostle John informed us in the first chapter of the biblical book that bears his name.

Consider how often the Old Testament Scriptures are referred to in the New Testament. The following verse from Romans 16:25-27 is a good example.

 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

What are the “scriptures of the prophets” that Paul is referring to? For the early Christians, this was referring to the Old Testament. After all, the New Testament had not yet been canonized. This happens throughout the New Testament. Another powerful example is in the words of Jesus Christ in Luke 24:25-27 when he encounters two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

We see in the example above that even Christ referenced the Old Testament Text concerning Himself which gives greater divine credibility to the Gospel we preach. It is not only important to note how the original audience would have understood this, but it remains equally significant to our interpretation of the entire Bible in the present day. Every time we see a reference like this in the New Testament, it is pointing to the Old Testament. I have found it to be very theologically enriching to delve deeper into the Old Testament reference and move back to the New Testament. This exercise has strengthened my understanding of God’s redemptive plan!

If we are to glean the true meaning and context of the Scriptures, we must place a higher priority on the Testament of Old. In fact, if we are to gain a solid grip on the Bible, we should start with the Old Testament and let the Holy Spirit set the Redemptive Plan of God in stone for us all as He grows our minds affirming the “Truth” that can actually, “set us all free!” This also aids in keeping accountability to New Testament interpretation. This in turn keeps truth in the pulpit and the focus on the one person we should be concerned with more so than any other and that is Jesus Christ. Blessings and may the Lord enrich your mind in Christ Jesus!