The Weblog of Trenton & Nichole Adams

The Old and New Testaments

First off, we need to make a distinction between the OT vs NT, and old covenant vs new covenant.  We are not under the old covenant, but that does not mean that we disregard the OT.  Many will use scriptures to prove that because Paul says we are not under the LAW, we do not have to hear the LAW.  This is heresy, seeing that the OT is the very same that pointed to Yashua, in Whom we have everlasting life.

Over the last few years, I have been coming closer and closer to understanding the differences between the old and new testaments.  If you look very closely, they are not a lot different, but the new covenant, is vastly superior to the old covenant.  That is, if you look at the OT from the law of liberty, as the men of faith in the OT did, then you will see that the new covenant is wholly based on the old testament and new testament combined.

First off, the new covenant actually existed prior to the LAW.  We see this in Galatians 3:16-18.

Galatians 3:16-18 (KJV) Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The covenant it's referring to in this passage, as you can see from the context, is the new covenant. It was realized, and confirmed, BEFORE the LAW even existed. Some of the benefits of it were not fully realized, until Christ died, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit came. But the covenant itself existed prior to all of that.   The great men of faith of the OT looked forward to the cross, while we look back.   Even this one scripture proves that the concept of the new covenant existed prior to Christ.

Romans 7:10-12 (KJV) And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. 12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Not only that, but even the LAW was ordained to life. It is only a part of that life. In other words, as Ray Comfort puts it, it brings conviction, and their own conscience bears witness to it.

Romans 1:20 (KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Romans 2:14-15 (KJV) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Throughout the NT, we read that sin is the transgression of the LAW, and so it is. We also read how the LAW is Holy, and righteous, and good. To abandon the LAW is just as dangerous as it is to embrace it as the sole source of life. Should a true Christian really say that they are not under the LAW in the sense that they do not have to obey it? Is murder, adultery, fornication, and all manner of evil, not still wrong? Do we not need conviction of these things? Where can the conviction come, except through the LAW, by the Holy Spirit?  The Holy Spirit uses our own conscience to convict us of sin, thereby testifying that the LAW is right, and holy, and good.

1 Timothy 1:8-11 (KJV) But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

So, not only is the LAW good, but it is part of the glorious gospel, in that it is what makes a distinction between sound doctrine and false doctrine.  The NT expounds on pre-existing doctrines from the OT.

We, as the body of Christ, NEED to read, study, and understand the OT a whole lot more than we do.  We need to provoke the Jews to jealousy.  How can you provoke a Jew to jealousy, when you do not have an understanding of the LAW and how it applies to your walk with Yashua/Yahweh?

Romans 10:19 (KJV) But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

Romans 11:11 (KJV) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.