God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

LESSON 7: THE ATTITUDE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH TOWARD THE OLD TEST AMENT PORTION OF THE BIBLE 1. WHAT IS THE OLD TESTAMENT? The Old Testament is that portion of the Bible that was written before the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. It is made up of the thirty nine books which include Genesis through Malachi. 2. WHAT IS A TESTAMENT? A testament is an agreement or covenant between two parties; a contract. Our Bible has TWO testaments, an old and a new, which show the two great covenants of God with His people. 3. WHAT IS THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH? The Church that was founded on the teachings of Christ and the Apostles and is dedicated to the New Covenant which Jesus instituted. It is our vision to be a local "New Testament Church." Matthew 16:18, 19. 4. DO NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES BELIEVE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT? Absolutely! Real Christians believe the WHOLE Bible, but interpret the Old Testament portions in the light of God's NEW Testament or Covenant. 2 Timothy 3: 14-17. 5. WHAT WAS THE BIBLE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH? The Old Testament was the only Bible of the Apostles when the Church was first founded; it was the basis of authority for the doctrines and practices of the Apostolic period; early Church used the Old Testament to prove and verify all that they did. Romans 16:25, 26. The New Testament books developed later were written application the Apostles' use of the Old Testament in teaching the New Covenant. 6. HOW MUCH OF THE OLD TESTAMENT APPLIES TO NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY? All Old Testament teaching and practice should be maintained by the Christian Church UNLESS the New Testament specifically teaches to the contrary. New Testament's interpretation is the key that unlocks Old Testament teaching. Note Acts 15:28, 29, and also Jesus' use of the Old Testament in the “Sermon on the Mount.” Matthew 5, 6 and 7.

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