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A Study of Authority. Is the Old Testament a Source of Authority Today?. Are we under the Old Law?. Many appeal to OT as a source of authority. Can we? No! NOT as our Law! Why? Is the Old Testament still useful?. Are we under the Old Law?. To whom was it written? Children of Israel
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A Study of Authority Is the Old Testament a Source of Authority Today?
Are we under the Old Law? • Many appeal to OT as a source of authority. • Can we? • No! NOT as our Law! • Why? • Is the Old Testament still useful?
Are we under the Old Law? • To whom was it written? • Children of Israel • Exodus 19:3-6Deut. 4:13, 5:2-3 • The Law of Moses was for Israel
Are we under the Old Law? • Did it have a purpose? • The Old Law predicted its own conclusion: Jer. 31:31-34
Are we under the Old Law? • The New Law emphasizes its conclusion continually: • Romans 10:4 • Galatians 3:19, 23-25
Are we under the Old Law? • Jesus brought about this change: • Matthew 5:17-20 • Hebrews 1:1-2 • Hebrews 8:7-13, quotes Jeremiah as he establishes the priesthood of Jesus
Are we under the Old Law? • BUT when we stand before God it will be by the Gospel that we are judged! • Acts 4:12, Romans 2:16, Acts 17:30-31cf. Gal. 5:4
Are we under the Old Law? • BUT, the Old Testament is STILL the word of God! • 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Tim. 2:15 – we must “rightly divide the word of truth” – this INCLUDES distinguishing the Old Law from the New Law!
Is the OT still useful today? • Yes! Consider the following: • Romans 15:4 • 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11 • 2 Peter. 2:6
Is the OT still useful today? • Both Jesus and other NT writers continually appealed to the Old Testament • OT quotes or references more than 600 times in the New Testament including the majority of OT books are quoted.
Is the OT still useful today? • Jesus lived under the Old Law but taught of the New Law cf. Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28
Is the OT still useful today? • It can bring to light many New Testament passages • Biblical characters often mentioned – Adam, Moses, David, Lot, Rahab, Joseph, etc.
Is the OT still useful today? • It can bring to light many New Testament passages • Faith – Hebrews 11 • Prayer – James 5:17-18 • Patience – James 5:10-11 • Priesthood of Jesus, New Covenant, sacrifice, etc.
Is the OT still useful today? • It confirms Jesus and the Church • Through prophecies – Luke 24:44, Acts 2:17-21 (Joel 2:28-32)
Is the OT still useful today? • It can strengthen our faith • God exists and is all powerful – prophecies, miracles, etc.. • The unity of its message • Its scientific and geographic accuracy
Is the OT still useful today? • Principles that are always true! • The character of God – Heb. 13:8, Psa. 102:27 (Heb. 1:12) • The nature of man – Rom. 3:23 (10-18) • The book of Proverbs
Is the OT still useful today? • Much of the Law of Moses was a TYPE of the New Law in Christ • From the fall of man through the unfolding of God’s plan • Much of New Testament explains the Law – Hebrews, Galatians, Romans, Matthew, etc. • I.e. - Tabernacle a type of heaven – Heb. 8-9 • Baptism (water) - 1 Peter. 3:20-21
Is the OT still useful today? • The New Law is CONTRASTED with the Old Law continually! • Old law physical – the New law is spiritual! • Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”