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The Old Testament Herb Smelser
We recognize the Bible has 66 books. The Old Testament, taken by number of books, would be about 59% of the holy writings. But looking at the volume of the Old Testament in the Bible, it contains 76% of God given revelation. The Old Testament scripture is directly quoted in about 20 of the 27 New Testament writings. Referring to the book of Acts, most of the sermons recorded by Peter and Paul quote Old Testament text. When we read in Acts 17:11 that the men of Berea “examined the scriptures daily, whether these things were so,” we recognize they studied the Old Testament scripture. Paul wrote to Timothy in II Timothy 3:15, “from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” What “sacred writings” had he known from a babe? This refers to the Old Testament. What did it do? It made him wise unto salvation through faith. Paul follows in verse 16, “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.” Does this not include all the Old Testament? Yes, because the New Testament Scripture was not complete. Note that in the four gospels, Jesus referred to the “scriptures” in His answering the Jews. Jesus and the New Testament writers often used Old Testament characters as illustrations when teaching messages. The books of Job through Song of Solomon have often been called Poetry. They are actually wisdom literature. In these books God has revealed His magnificence, His intervention and caring for man and His expectations of man to show homage to Him. Likewise, in these books is revealed God’s eternal law on man’s interaction with one another. When Jesus said the Jews forgot the weightier matters of the law, they could have learned much from these precious books. They explain in greater detail many of the brief New Testament statements. The eldership has decided to not have New Testament classes next trimester and alternately every other trimester afterwards. This is done to hopefully expose all our members to the Old Testament teachings. Please participate in these upcoming classes for your edification. Likewise, we should cherish in our hearts the thoughts expressed in sermons preached periodically from the Old Testament. Without knowledge of the Old Testament, we cannot fully grasp and appreciate the teachings in Romans, Hebrews, and Revelation. Remember the admonition of Paul in Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.” Again, he refers to the old “sacred writings” when saying “written aforetime” and “scriptures.”
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