The Weblog of Trenton & Nichole Adams

The LAW and The Prophets Part 2

In my blog entry on "The LAW and The Prophets", I spoke about

1. how, though we are not under the LAW, the LAW is still valuable.  Not for righteous standing before God, but for teaching righteousness.
2. how some scriptures are used erroneously to invalidate the LAW.
3. how some of the LAW has been fulfilled, and some hasn't.
4. how our righteous standing before God is not judged by the LAW, it is judged as seen through the blood of Christ.
5. how the LAW can still teach us of righteousness, and how we can obey by the power of the Holy Spirit.
6. how the majority of what Paul taught was already contained in the LAW and the prophets.
7. how the OT saints came to God by faith, just like we do.
8. how the LAW and the prophets will make us wise unto salvation by faith in Christ.

Now, I would like to write some thought provoking things concerning the LAW and the prophets.

1. Which part of the bible did the Bereans use to confirm what Paul was saying, as truth?
2. What scriptures did Paul teach from?
3. What scriptures did they have at the time?
4. What scriptures did Paul tell Timothy had made him wise unto salvation?

The answer to all four questions above is "the OT scriptures", as that is all the apostles had. They did not have the benefit of the NT scriptures as we do. All they had, concerning Christ, was the OT, and the word of mouth accounts.

Only later did they have more, as Paul had written epistles to them. The NT scriptures shed a lot of light on doctrines found in the OT, as well as the understanding of the new covenant that started when Christ died and rose again. But, the truth remains, their doctrine was founded on the OT, and revelation.

Now, if you give me a doctrine, clearly taught in the NT, it is possible to ALMOST always show you where it comes from in the OT as well. There are very few NT doctrines that were not already shown in the OT, or at least typified in the OT, but there are some. That doesn't imply we're still under the old covenant, because we're not. Even that was a promise from the OT, that a new covenant would be ushered in. But, what it DOES NOT say, is that God would somehow change His nature. The basics of judgment, justice, chastisement, mercy, and grace, have all remained the same. God has always desired mercy over sacrifice and justice. In fact, Galatians 3:17 says that the promise of salvation through faith was confirmed before the LAW, therefore the law cannot possibly override that promise. Basically, it was not the LAW that came first, but it was faith that came first. God wanted to have a personal relationship with all of the Israelites from the beginning. This is shown when He called for them to come up to the mountain that burned with fire. In fact, He specifically wanted them to fear Him, so that they would not sin against Him.

So, let us be like the Bereans. The Bereans confirmed what Paul was teaching from the OT. If something does not line up with the OT, then perhaps we should seriously examine whether it's true or not. It could be that we simply do not understand the OT enough to see that it does line up with the OT, or it may just be a doctrine that is actually not from God. But remember, the bible says that the veil of the OT has been taken away in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14). But, if we don't read it, that veil will still exist.

Furthermore, we should not think that we are a teacher, if we do not understand these things. Paul said that elders that labour in the Word and doctrine should be counted with double honour. Which Word was that? The NT or the OT? THE OT!!! However, the NT enlightens us to some of the OT. Now, one can witness the simple things of the gospel, be an evangelist, heal people, or whatever. But I believe that they cannot be an apostle, prophet, or teacher, unless they understand these things.

Just so there's no confusion, I do not consider myself a teacher either. Although we can all share our thoughts on different doctrines, and there's nothing wrong with that. But, it's very dangerous to be saying that we are right, and we are unwilling to change our views.