Romans 15:04 Why Study the Old Testament? audio

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Text: Romans 15:4

Introduction

1. What benefit is the Old Testament (OT) to the Christian today…?

a. Is the Christian under the OT as a system of justification?

b. Is the OT authoritative regarding the work, worship, and organization of the church?

c. If not, why even bother with reading and studying the OT?

2. It is true Christians are not under the OT

a. Gentile Christians were never under the OT (or Old Covenant)

1) The Old Covenant was made with the Israelites at Mount Horeb (Sinai) – Deuteronomy 5:1-2

2) Not even Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc., were under the Old Covenant – Deuteronomy 5:3

3) Even Gentile Christians were not required to be circumcised or keep the Law – Acts 15:1-29

b. Jewish Christians have been delivered from the OT law

1) Through the body of Christ – Romans 7:1-6

2) By His death on the cross, Jesus brought the OT covenant to an end – Ephesians 2:14-16

3) It served to lead the Jews to Christ, a purpose fulfilled – Galatians 3:23-25

3. Unfortunately, some conclude from this that we need not read the OT

4. Is that the proper attitude of Christians toward the OT? NO!! This attitude:

a. Is wrong, contrary to the teaching of the NT itself!

b. Deprives the Christian of a wonderful source of peace and comfort

c. Prevents the Christian from gaining wisdom and understanding concerning the life that now is, and that which is to come!

Body

I. WHY STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT? LET’S LOOK AT WHAT THE NT SAIDS:

A. WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING

1. Note carefully what Paul wrote in Romans 15:4

a. Things “written before” (i.e., the OT) were “written for our learning”

b. The OT was written and preserved especially for the Christians’ benefit!

c. The OT provides “patience and comfort”, that we “might have hope”!

2. The OT provides a record of God’s faithfulness, how He kept His promises:

a. To Abraham and the nation of Israel

b. To judge the wicked and avenge the righteous

c. To forgive the penitent, and protect the humble

3. The history of the OT is intended to give us hope that God will keep His promises to us!

B. WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION

1. Paul reminded the Christians at <a target=”_blank” href=”http://www.biblemap.org/#Corinth”>Corinth</a> of Israel’s fall in the wilderness – 1 Corinthians 10:1-10

2. Note carefully what he says in 1 Corinthians 10:11

a. The events described may have happened to Israel

b. But “they were written for our admonition…”

c. Again, the OT was written and preserved especially for the benefit of Christians!

3. Other NT writers often appealed to the OT in admonishing Christians

a. The writer of Hebrews, in exhorting Christians to remain steadfast – Hebrews 3:12-19

b. James, in encouraging Christians to be patient in their suffering – James 5:7-11

c. Peter, in warning of false teachers and scoffers – 2 Peter 2-3

4. The history of the OT is intended to serve as a warning to Christians!

C. MAKES ONE WISE REGARDING SALVATION IN CHRIST

1. Paul noted that Timothy had known the “Holy Scriptures” since childhood – 2 Timothy 3:14

a. When Timothy was a child, the only scriptures available was the OT

b. So Paul clearly had the OT in view

2. He said the OT is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” – 2 Timothy 3:15

3. How is this possible? The OT provides:

a. The fall of man and the rise of sin

b. The background and development of God’s scheme of redemption

c. Hundreds of Messianic prophecies which describe what to expect when He comes

4. One cannot hope to fully understand such books of the New Testament like:

a. Hebrews, without an understanding of the Levitical priesthood

b. Revelation, without an understanding of OT prophecy and apocalyptic literature

5. If one is to be wise concerning salvation in Christ, studying the OT is imperative!

D. PROFITABLE TO MAKE ONE COMPLETE

1. Paul writes of the benefit of “All Scripture”, which includes the OT – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. Therefore the OT is profitable for:

a. Doctrine – such as the nature of God, man, and sin

b. Reproof and correction – the need for repentance

c. Instruction in righteousness – how to live godly lives

3. The apostles often appealed to the OT concerning Christians’ conduct:

a. Romans 12:19-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 2 Corinthians 9:7-10

b. James 2:20-26

c. 1 Peter 3:8-12

4. There is much we can learn from the OT about truth and righteousness!

Conclusion

1. Should we only study Scriptures pertaining to the covenant under which we live…?

a. Should Israel have discarded Genesis, and the first nineteen chapters of Exodus? No!

b. Should we discard the gospels, since Jesus lived and died under the Old Covenant? No!

2. Neither should we ignore the OT, for it provides:

a. The background and setting of the NT

b. Much in the way of learning, admonition, comfort, hope, even wisdom concerning salvation!

3. Be careful not to neglect that which was written and preserved for OUR benefit

a. “For whatever things were written before were written for OUR learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:4

b. “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11

c. “ALL Scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable…” – 2 Timothy 3:16