The Difference Between the Testaments

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS

BY MARK MOSHER

Next to a belief in God one must establish God has a standard-the Word of God (II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet. 1:3). Yet, as we look at that standard, we must decide what portions of the Bible are binding upon us today. The Bible is divided into three dispensations (Patriarchal, Mosaichal, and Christian) with two main sections (Old Testament and New Testament). There are different laws and different commands given. We have thirty-nine books in the Old Testament and twenty-seven books in the New Testament. Should we study the Old Testament since there are more books? Should we look to the religions of the day? The Jews believe the Old Testament is binding. The Catholics hold to a special priesthood like the law of Moses. The Sabbatarians keep the Sabbath claiming the authority to do so stems from the Old Testament. Yet, they believe in the New Testament as binding, also. The Methodist teach one can obey either Testament. They write in the discipline of the Methodist church, 1940: “The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and Man.” Many who believe instrumental music should be accepted in worship use Old Testament passages as an example. Therefore, the real problem is which testament do we follow – the Old or the New?

WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT?

The purpose of the Old Testament can be seen by showing the purpose of law. As stated by Paul, “For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Rom. 5:13). The purpose of law is to show the sinfulness of sin. If one is not subject to law, he is not in sin. This is Paul’s argument in Rom 7:9, “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died (emphasis mine).” If one is unable to understand the law, he is not held accountable to law. Thus, a baby is born safe and without sin. Yet, being accountable to law, one must surely understand the consequence if that law is violated. Paul, therefore, explains the law of Moses was added because of transgression (Gal. 3:19). He declared he had not known what sin was except the law had said, “…Thou shalt not covet” (Rom 7:7). He again states that, “…by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom 3:20). Yet, having the knowledge of sin did not atone for that sin. This is Paul’s struggle as stated in Rom. 7:11-23. he concludes by saying, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 7:24-25a). The law of Moses then, showing the sinful nature of sin, showed the need for Christ who would come with full grace giving hope to all man. The Law of Moses became our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24).

WAS THE OLD TESTAMENT THEN PURPOSED TO BE PERMANENT?

This can be answered by Jeremiah 31:31-34:

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not accourding to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neigbor, and every man his brother, saying know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

About six hundred years before Christ was born, God prophesied the Old Law was going to come to an end. The difference in this new covenant was, “…I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Full and complete forgiveness was to be the distinguishing mark of the New Testament. Under the law of Moses, forgiveness did not come through the offering of animals (Heb. 10:4), but rather in promise and prospect of Christ coming to liquidate the debt of sin (Rom 3:22-25). Again Paul declared:

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to this cross; (Col. 2:13,14).

The law then needed to be abolished (Eph 2:15), nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), for the purpose of presenting a new law with a new priesthood. The Hebrew writer declared where there was a change of priesthood, there was made of necessity, a change of the law (Heb 7:12). Christ, being a perfect mediator and high priest, became that high priest (Heb 3:1) through a change of the law. Therefore, the law of Moses was not to be a

permanent law; God, then, created a law to fulfill a particular purpose. Many have the misconception the law of Moses was imperfect. While it is true the provisions in the law of Moses did not take away sins (Heb. 10:4), it was never God’s intention for the law of Moses to do so. Its sole purpose was to pint out sin (Gal 3:19; Rom 3:20). Therefore, the law of Moses was perfect for is purpose. It fulfilled its mission in being a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal 3:19). One of the reasons some have concluded the law of Moses was imperfect is a misconception of Heb 8:2-8. The author first declares, “…if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought of the second.” Some conclude, then, the law was imperfect. But, Heb. 8:8 tells us the object of fault; it lies in the people: “for finding fault with them…” (emphasis mine). God would never fault a law He created; nor, would a perfect God create an imperfect law. Rather, in God’s infinite wisdom, He planned a way for man’s salvation and connected with that plan was a law that would show man his condition and need for Christ. Therefore, Christ makes the statement He came not to destroy the law (make it worthless, of no value), but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17). Christ, then, became the aim or goal of he law (Rom 10:4).

There are those, however, such as the Seventh Day Adventist who admit the law of Moses has been abolished, but the Law of God is still binding, and there is a moral law of God such as the Ten Commandments that God requires we keep. In answer to this, one can show the law of God and the law of Moses are used interchangeably, thus showing the old law of God was abolished to be replaced with a new law of God. Nehemiah records Ezra’s return to establish the law of Moses with the people. He, therefore, brought the books of the law of Moses an called it THE law of God (Neh. 8:8). In Luke 2:22,27,39, the law of Moses is referred to as “the law”, and “the law of the Lord.” In I Kings 8:9, we learn, that placed in the ark of the covenant were tables of stones (the ten commandments). These stones were placed there when God made a covenant with Israel. Therefore, the ten commandments are a part of that covenant. Yet, in Heb 8:6-8 and Jeremiah 31:31, God took away the covenant he made with Israel. The only conclusion is God took away the ten commandments (cf. Rom 7:1-12).

IS THERE ANY VALUE TO A STUDY OF THE LAW OF MOSES?

For many years, the church of our Lord in many places did a poor job in studying the Old Testament. The view was held that since we are no longer under the law, we should leave that law alone. Yet, that was never God’s intention. “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). There is great value to studying the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, we

learn the principles of God’s law have not changed because God is unchanging (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).

God has always used priesthood and sacrifice as a means of approach to His throne (Lev. 1-10). God has always had a place where He will meet man in worship. Under Patriarchy, there was the altar; under Judaism, there was the temple; under Christ, there is the church.

In the Old Testament, we learn there are consequences to man’s disobedience to God. When we read of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10), we learn man must respect the silence of God in worship or else face the consequences. When we read about Uzza (II Sam. 6:6-7), we see the consequences of disobedience, even when we think it is good. When we study Judges, we see we must never walk again by our own sight (Judges 21:25) or else God will give us up.

In studying the Old Testament, we have a better foundation for studying the New Testament. The New Testament is filled with Old Testament references. It would be nearly impossible to study the books of Galatians, Hebrews, and Romans without a good understanding of the Old Testament.

Through a study of the Old Testament, we can be made “wise unto salvation” (II Tim 3:15). Through the teachings of his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice (II Tim. 1:5), Timothy was able to know the principles of salvation. As one studies Genesis, he sees the beginning of sin, and how man cannot hide the guilt of his own sins but must meet the provisions God made. As one studies Exodus, he sees that although there is a way out, we can rely on the Passover lamb. As one studies Leviticus, he sees that sacrifice, priesthood, and tabernacle become the means through which grace operates. As one studies the book of Numbers, he learns God’s promises are sure; therefore, we must serve Him. As one studies Deuteronomy, he learns love is the motivation for serving God, and true love for God will come from our remembering all God’s blessings and provisions. As one studies Joshua, he learns if we obey God, we will receive the gift of His grace. As one studies Judges, he learns one cannot walk by his own sight deciding one’s own right and wrong but rather walk by faith in accepting God’s standard for right and wrong. As one studies Ruth, he sees

God: is not a respecter of persons; God never forgot the Gentiles, for God so loved the world.

As one studies I and II Samuel, he learns that God needs great leaders to teach and pray for the people (I Sam. 12:23). As one studies I and II Kings, he sees the only true king is God. As one studies Ezra, he sees the means of restoring one’s faith in God and His Word. As one studies Nehemiah, he sees the need to restore the work of the Lord. As one studies Esther, he sees the providential care of God. As one studies Job, he sees the need for one to plead our case to God. As one studies the Psalms, there is renewal of appreciation for God’s Word. As one studies Proverbs, he sees the need to have God in all areas of life. As one studies Ecclesiastes, he sees the whole of man is to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13). As one studies the Song of Solomon, he learns the beauty of the marriage God has created. As one studies the prophets, he sees the coming Christ and His church and the need for repentance and return to God.

Through a study of the Old Testament, we see the serious nature of sin. As one studies sacrifices, there is an impression of violence in death. Yet, we read in Genesis that Adam and Eve were to die the day they ate of the forbidden fruit (Gen 2:17). While some will conclude this is a spiritual death, the phrase “in the day that thou eatest thereof

thou shalt surely die” is a Hebrew idiom stating, “In dying thou shalt die.” This phrase demands a violent physical death. Yet, Adam and Eve did not die a violent physical death the day they sinned. Thus, our minds are centered on Genesis 3:15, which prophesies of the one who took the place of Adam and Eve and of all men in dying that violent physical death, for Christ “tasted death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). Therfore, as one thinks about the cross, there should always be a remembrance of his sin. There should be a remembrance of the graphic picture of violence and ugliness. One should never forget the seriousness of sin.

Through a study of the Old Testament we learn about Christ in prophecy (Acts 10:43), we learn the Bible is divine, and we learn of those whose faith we should imitate.

CONCLUSION

Although a study of he Old Testament is vital to one’s Christian life, there is a warning given to not go back and accept the law of Moses as the law now binding. The whole of Hebrews was written for this purpose. The Hebrew writer reminds them if they willfully go back to the law of Moses, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (Heb 10:26,4). Therefore, we must go on to perfection (Heb 6:1), the New Testament.