Truth Magazine

By Ron Daly

One of the most remarkable and sublime declarations in New Testament writings regarding the deity of Jesus Christ is the address of Thomas after the resurrection of the Lord recorded in John 20. (The whole of the twentieth chapter of the Gospel according to John ought to be read for the important contextual material.)

We should note with particular significance verses 24-29 of chapter twenty, for the following facts are stated: (1) Thomas called Didymus (Gk. Didumos, meaning “twofold, twain, double, hence, by implication, twin”) was one of the twelve, but was not with them when Jesus came. (2) The other disciples of the Lord declared that they had seen Jesus but Thomas avowed that in the absence of physical testimony, “Except I shall see” and “put my finger into” and “put my hands into” (the nail prints and His side), “I will not believe.” (Note: In the Greek New Testament, the phrase, “I will not believe” is “ou me pisteuso”.) When used with the subjunctive or future indicative ou me is the strongest form of negative and connotes “in no way” or “not at all.” The verb pisteuso is the first person singular, future, active indicative of the root word pisteuo and, when we consider the phrase ou me pisteuso as a whole, the double negative ou me being emphatic, we see the force involved in Thomas’ refusal to believe unless he exercised what he thought was the proper ground (basis) for faith (belief). For study purposes, let us compare several translation of the phrase ou me pisteuso and see how they capture the force of it as recognized in the Greek text. Williams New Testament (p. 252), “I will never believe it,” ASV, NASB, Young’s Literal Translation, and KJV render the phrase, “I will not believe.” The Goodspeed Translation has “I will never believe it!” (3) We also ascertain that after eight days Jesus appeared to the disciples, and Thomas was with them. The Master said, “Peace be unto you.” (4) The Lord speaks directly to Thomas (how shocked Thomas must have been!). Jesus tells him to “reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” (5) In verse 28, Thomas addresses the risen Redeemer as, “My Lord and my God.” (6) Jesus states the true component of faith, “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

We shall now turn our attention specifically to the address of Thomas in verse 28 for a more complete discussion of its significance.

There has been divergence of views regarding the significance of the phrase “My Lord and My God” among New Testament scholars and theologians. Some of the exegetical and critical commentators believe that Thomas’ statement is to be regarded only as an exclamation, i.e. a matter of astonishment or excitement. But, this conclusion seems to be untenable for the following reasons: (1) Thomas knew that Jesus was more than man; (2) the use of expressing the vocative case (the case of address) by the form of the nominative with the article; (3) Jesus accepted Thomas’ emphatic words of conviction without rebuke; (4) the context, i.e., the fact that Christ appears after the breaking of the bonds of death (cf. Rom. 1:4); (5) eipen auto, “said to him.”

B.F. Westcott in commenting on the phrase “My Lord and my God” truly says, “The words are beyond question addressed to Christ (saith unto him), and cannot be understood as a confession of belief as to His Person . . . expressed in the form of an impassioned address” (The Gospel According To Saint John, p. 297). Albert Bengel asserted, “The disciples had said ton Kurion, the Lord, ver. 25: now Thomas, recalled to faith, not merely acknowledges Jesus to be Lord, as he had before, and that he had risen, as his fellow-disciples asserted; but even makes loftier confession of his Godhead, than anyone before” (New Testament Word Studies, p. 728). There is little doubt that Thomas’ words must be construed (interpreted), not as an avowal of excitement or exclamation, but as an address to the Christ concerning His person, deity, Godhood! Let us now look into the Greek Testament and briefly analyze the key words in John 20:28.

“Ho Kurios Mon Kai Ho Theos Mou”

The above phrase enclosed in quotations marks is a transliteration of what Thomas said as recorded in the gospel according to John.

A Grammatical Analysis. Ho is the definite article used to point out particular identity and is here translated “the.” Kurios is nominative singular masculine and denotes a potentate, sovereign. Mou is the first person singular, genitive case of ego and a literal translation is “of me.” Kai serves as a conjunction and is connective in nature. The second ho has the same nature as the first, a definite article. Theos is nominative singular masculine and denotes the supreme, one and only true God, deity. The second mou has the same structure as the first and being in the genitive is to be translated “of me.:

Based on the grammatical analysis we give the following as a literal, accurate translation of what Thomas said: “The Lord (sovereign) of me and the God (one true deity) of me.” It should be noted that the repetition of the article and that of the pronoun (mou, of me) give to the words of Thomas solemnity which only deity merits! Jesus, in full acceptance receives Thomas’ address! It is concerning Jesus that Paul the apostle says in Colossians 2:9 – “For in Him dwelleth (katoikei, third person singular, present, active ind. of katoikeo). The fact that katoikei is a present tense verb denotes durative or linear action which could be literally translated, “is dwelling” or “continues to dwell.”

Christ the Lord (Kurios) and He is God (Theos) according to the teaching of Old and New Testament Scripture (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Ps. 110:1; Jn. 1:1, 14; 8:58; 5:17-18; et. al). The fact that Christ is Lord (Kurios) in the absolute sense means that he has “all authority” over all creation (Mt. 28:18).

God’s children should always be ready to defend the gospel (Phil. 1:15, 6; Jude 3) against “spiritual intruders” and teachers of heresy concerning the divinity of Christ. It disturbs me no little to gaze intently upon a new generation which is unable and ill-equipped to present the case (as taught in the Scriptures) for the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Modernistic and materialistic groups as foaming waves of the sea are marching to and fro disseminating their damnable propaganda, saturating the minds of the gullible and unsuspecting. Furthermore, if we sit upon the mountain top and watch without becoming active participants in the ever present conflict with error, we sin!

Brethren, are we putting forth the necessary exertion in order to overthrow the onslaught of infidelity? Why not start now by diligently studying the Scriptures?

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 309-310
May 16, 1985

By Jimmy Tuten

Our Lord entrusted the salvation of all mankind to human hands when He declared that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations” (Lk. 24:47). We have recorded for us in the annals of the book, of Acts a record of the far-flung efforts of the early disciples in carrying out this commission. So determined were they in their resolve that they were accused of turning “the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). They were bold and uncompromising (Acts 5:29). They went everywhere preaching the Word of God (Acts 8:4).

The church of the eighties needs this resolve. In many areas of our country, brethren have a great degree of concern for the lost. Yet we are allowing others to convert people to their soul-damning doctrines while we pride ourselves in having the truth, nice buildings as centers of learning, and well-trained preachers to expound the knowledge of God’s Word unto us. We have not awak ened to the fact that each of us has an urgent responsibility to save others. It is more than a collective responsibility (1 Tim. 3:15). Early disciples not only preached in public places and from house to house, they also engaged in some “one on one” type of teaching (Acts 20:20; 18:24-26). They knew that “into our hands the gospel is given, into our hands is given the light, haste, let us carry God’s precious message, guiding the erring back to the light.”, It seems that far too many think the sum total of evangelism is warming a pew three times a week. Sadly, they are encouraged by too many who find it easier to avoid the teaching of this responsibility, knowing that it is sheer hypocrisy for them to preach it and not practice it. In this regard, we are not a “people of the Book” because we have not been taught, what the Book teaches. The, generalization is somewhat harsh, but it must be said even at the risk of alienating some who have read this treatise up to this point. Brethren, let’s face it: the cause of Christ is growing, but not as it, should. We are not turning anything upside down. We could turn each community around if we could experience the truth of personal involvement in I ‘Personal evangelism.” If only the spirit of Martin Treptow could be instilled into the battle against the spiritual host of wickedness (Eph. 6:12). Just a few like him in the ranks of God’s soldiers would get the job done. “Who,” you ask, “is Martin Treptow?” It is he of whom President Reagan spoke in his Inaugural Address. Treptow was killed in battle during World War I while trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire. On his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf, under the heading, “My Pledge,” Treptow had written these words: “America must win this war. Therefore I work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will, right cheerfully and to my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”

Can elders, deacons, preachers and brethren of this decade have any stance less than that of Treptow when it comes to the Lord and His cause?’ We must rise up to the awesome challenge of reaching the lost with the saving message of Jesus Christ. Indeed, “Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the Principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). It must be understood that the Lord never instituted a professional evangelist to specialize in certain fields, but in the truest sense of the word, each Christian is an evangelist (1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:2). This is not to say that there are not other areas where the Christian in his dedication cannot serve God and advance the Kingdom. The Crossroads system is the other extreme in the opposite direction of failure to assume to the extent of one’s ability his responsibility to take the gospel to a lost people. Too, I am sympathetic toward those who, for reasons of health or problems beyond their control find it necessary to work in other areas of the Lord’s work.. These situations should not be drawn into the scope of the question posed except by way of clarification. But, again I raise the question, why is it that so few are involved in the work of personal evangelism except for a few brief spurts now and them? I don’t have all the answers and it is not the scope of this writing to examine those reasons as to why so many have failed in this regard. Rather the question is, “Why do brethren continue to do personal work?”

The Love Of God

Brethren keep on doing personal work because of A Love For, God which prompts them to love what God loves and hate what God hates. God’s love produced the proof in the form of the giving of His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for sin (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8). Hence, we love Him because He first loved us and knowing the terror of the Lord that one day shall come upon the ungodly brethren go from house to house warning the ungodly with tears and pleadings (2 Cor. 5:11).

The Only Power

Brethren keep on doing personal work because of the conviction that the gospel of Christ is the only power of God to save the lost (Rom. 1:16-17). No matter how good one may appear in the eyes of others, it is God’s Word that saves and not one’s personal goodness (Tim. 3:5). This power can only be communicated by the teaching of the Word of God (1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 10:14). Brethren are conscious of the beauty of the feet of them that teach the gospel (Rom. 10:15). With the awareness that this is the most noble work on God’s earth, brethren are reluctant to wither in the heat of the day or to slacken their efforts when the going gets rough.

To Enthrone Christ

Brethren keep on doing personal work in order to enthrone Christ in the heart of every individual through a knowledge of the Savior that comes only through the Word. Truly, the New Testament says, “and many other signs truly did Jesus . . . but these I are written, that Ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God . . .” (Jn. 20:30-31).

Love For People

Brethren keep on doing personal work because of an innate love for people This love for those lost in sin refuses to be soured regardless of unkind words or thoughtless acts that are sometimes scattered like chaff before the wind. They love though intimidated with rejection, body language shenanigans and charges of radicalism.

The Only Hope

Brethren keep on doing personal work because they realize that is the gospel which shall judge the world in the day of judgment (Rom. 2:16; Jn. 12:48). The fact that not all brethren will be pure of the blood of all men places the blood of men on the hands of those of us who know it (Acts 20:26). We must teach it to others!

We are living in a changing world where in every area of life changes have occurred with incredible swiftness. Science has forced outer space to yield its secrets and has made an entire new way of life for the housewife. IT has modernized industry and technology has introduced the computer age. In the meantime, sociologists have established standards of measurements for human conduct and have built new foundations under human relations to make this age truly unprecedented. But these scientific and social upheavals have not solved society’s problems. Instead, they have created new ones. Double and great insecurities abound more and more; thousands are driven to drugs as a way of escape, and the more religiously-inclined part of society has long ago turned to the charismatic and cult segment in the hope of finding a sense of well-being that would reach beyond the securities of God’s Word.

One cannot be ignorant of these rapid-fire changes in the world. There was once a proud owner of a race horse that was so fast that it defeated every horse it raced. The proud owner placed it in a large barn and painted a huge sign on the side which said “This is the fastest horse in the world.” But he failed to train and exercise the animal, so one day when he entered his horse in a race, it was decisively defeated. After he returned him to the barn, he painted another sign which read, “This is the fastest world this horse ever saw.” We all can identify with this observation.

It should be repeatedly affirmed that man’s spiritual needs remain constant in a changing world. Sin is still making havoc of people’s lives to the point that unspeakable orgies of the ancient world have become a way of life for some today. The Word of God is the only effective antidote for the deadly malady of sin. We must hold forth the word of life by teaching it in our assemblies and in the private places. To do this each child of God must stay in contact with heaven, keep himself spiritually and mentally fit, and find strength for responsibilities. Pessimism, self-pity and discouragement are moods that defeat many of us. When these are conquered, our brethren will march to the Lord’s drum beat and buy up every opportunity available to lead men to Christ. Thank God for these brethren who are willing to sacrifice time and effort to do personal work. May their tribe increase.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 304-305
May 16, 1985

By Olen Holderby

Young people of today live in an age of uncertainty. Turmoil in the world has destroyed from see minds of many youth, the desire to plan for the future, to set goals for happiness and success. There is an old adage which says, “That which man wants most is that of which he has been deprived.” Whatever degree of accuracy we attach to this adage, it apparently is true of most people in the world today. In fact, with many, it seems that the goal is simply to adjust themselves to the idea that not anything is really worth much, that success is being able to adjust one’s self to the status quo. And, this is adjudged to be happiness. May I kindly suggest that if you are walking in this path, you not only have a problem, but you are multiplying your problems. And, my young friends, these problems will, sooner or later, arise to haunt you — night and day!

There is a solution! Out of the turmoil and frustration of the present can come some real happiness and may make life worth living to the fullest – not because of the turmoil, but in spite of it! There are many areas that could be explored in this context, but I wish to develop only one point for your consideration.

Unselfishness

I am speaking not just of unselfishness with those among whom you live now, but unselfishness to your posterity. This is made necessary because of the tendency, especially among the young, to “live just for today.” To “live it up” for here and now is presently the focus of much attention. This kind of thinking is basically selfish. And, this deprives our posterity of sharing in the good things which we have and forces upon them the bad. It is difficult for us to think of, and work for, a time when we shall no longer live. If we cannot personally experience it, we think it is of no value to us. We seem to have largely forgotten the debt we owe to our ancestors; therefore, we give little or no thought to what our posterity may receive from us.

From the Roman historian Levy, I give the following quote, “Barcas, father of Hannibal, took his son at the age of nine to the pagan altar and there the child (Hannibal), at that tender age, swore eternal hatred to the Romans.” Barcas knew little about the principles embraced by Christianity; nor did he expect to live to see Rome destroyed. However, there is one thing Barcas did that many Christians never do – he established an ideal for his posterity! This is exactly what I am suggesting to you – establish an ideal for your posterity! Leave something to your posterity from which they may profit, really profit. Many are ready to ask –

What Can I Give To My Posterity?

To answer this question we shall draw from two sources, biblical and historical. “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the words of God, but keep his commandments: and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God” (Psa. 78:2-8). We cannot overlook the ideal expressed here, “That they might set their hope in God.” We take our historical, quote from Patrick Henry, as he made his last will and testament, “I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that and I had not given them one shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not that, and I have given them all the world, they would be poor. ” From these we can easily see that we, at least, should leave to our posterity a heritage rich in the religion of Jesus Christ. To think differently is to admit (though we may resent it) our own faulty concept of happiness and success.

In discussing the material things which we may leave to our posterity, Solomon said, “This also is vanity and a great evil” (Eccl. 2:19-20). This was true, of course, because of the great uncertainty of how such things would be used. All know that a man must care for his own (1 Tim. 5:8); but there comes a time, out there somewhere, when our children must accept the responsibility of their own care, and no longer depend upon their parents. But, while they are under parental care, the parents possess an awesome responsibility. Look at Hosea 4:6, “. . . seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Think of this, rejected of God and deprived of heaven! Why? Read the passage again. The parents have ignored the law of God to them, leaving to their posterity little hope of God’s favor. Do we see our chores for today? Many of you to whom I speak are young parents; many more will soon be young parents. What shall you give to your posterity? Will it be an ideal of hopelessness, live for today, forget about others, especially the future? From what has been said, we may easily see the unselfish service we are to render to our posterity. Give them an untarnished faith in God and His Word, give them unblemished examples of parents whose greatest desire is to please God, give them a real and an abiding hope in something better than, and beyond, this life. You will, thusly, leave them rich! “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13). But, let us go further.

About Our Forefathers

Some of them fled religious intolerance to an uncertain and unknown land. As they left the lands of their births there appeared to be only one thing certain with them – their faith and trust in the guiding power of the word of God. They established schools. The Bible became the first reader, the second reader, and the third reader. Children thus taught were to become leaders of a great nation, patriots who were to become the authors of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Untied States. These fathers had given to their children a heritage that equipped them with the means of real success – a familiarity with and respect for the commands of God. In view of all this, if you can see why some wish to remove God from national affairs, you have better insight than I have. We must instill in our posterity the same attitude towards God’s Word that those Pilgrims must have had when they started across the Atlantic, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). Any departure from this lofty idea is a departure from the design of our forefathers, and is a departure from the whole God-assigned duty of man (Eccl. 12:13).

It Won’t Be Easy

To live this unselfish life, planning for a time when you no longer live, you are faced with a momentous problem. If this problem was not solvable, I would not be suggesting that you even try. In many of our public schools, especially in the higher realms of education, the professors never pass an opportunity to slur or to belittle the Bible. They are trying for a total eclipse of the student’s faith in the God of the Bible; and their effort is, like Satan’s, an unrelenting effort. “Professing themselves to be wise they became fools” (Rom. 1:22). They aim at shame in the student; but Romans 1:16 is still true, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” If our children can see that Christianity is intelligent, workable, practical, and enjoyable, they will the tools to combat that “fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph. 6:16). And, it is our own unselfish efforts that can give to our posterity these value qualities. It is my challenge; it is your challenge! Will we accept this challenge? May heave help us to see it, and may we have the strength and courage to do it!

Young people, I ask you a question, “Shall the religion of Jesus Christ perish from the earth? Shall the church for which Jesus died (Acts 20:28) cease to exist? Shall that system of faith based solely upon the gospel of Jesus Christ bid the world farewell?” You may ask, “Do I need to answer that? What is it to me?” Indeed you must answer it, and it is everything to you! Do you not realize that all these things will soon rest in young hands?

A few years ago a speaker walked to the stage to speak to the student body of the University of Arizona. He began by saying, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” I shall not, here, say that to you, for it may or may not be true. A great deal depends upon what you are inside and in what determination you have for the future. I do, however, challenge you to think of the future of the church, that institution that was purchased with the blood that flowed from Calvary. The future of that church is, or soon will be, in your hands. How will it fare?

Young people, grow up with a faith in the Bible (and its God), a faith that all the powers of hell cannot shake; when the time comes, instill that faith in your posterity; and, after you are long gone, you will still be thought of as a great man or a great woman. Christianity is a proper goal, a reasonable way of life. Such will bring greater happiness here; and it is the only path from earth to heaven! I am confident that Solomon had all this in mind when he said, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Eccl. 12:1). God bless you; and, I thank you!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 307, 312
May 16, 1985

By Mike Willis

Critics have often misrepresented members of the church of Christ, saying that members do not believe the Old Testament. Nevertheless, the position which members of the church hold toward the Old Testament is different from that which is typical of denominationalism. Denominationalism does not recognize the divinely-revealed change in covenants; consequently, some of the things authorized and practiced under Old Testament law are brought into modem church practice.

Let us study the Scriptures to see the role of the Old Testament. However, before going too far, I want to dismiss the charge that “members of the church of Christ do not believe the Old Testament.” The Old Testament was given by the inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Pet. 1:21). As a revelation from God, it is inerrant. Those who say that we do not believe the Old Testament misunderstand what we teach and, consequently, misrepresent us.

Not Living Under Monk Law

The Old Testament law was given by God to the nation of Israel. When Moses gave the Ten Commandments, he said, “The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, who are all of us here alive this day” (Deut. 5:2-3). Those who know their Bible history will remember that God gave His law to Israel at Mount Sinai after delivering them from Egyptian bondage. The divine revelation was a unique treasure to Israel (Rom. 9:4; 3:2).

The covenant with Israel was given for a definite period-until the promised Messiah should come to the earth (Gal. 3:19). When Jesus came, He gave a new covenant to the world (cf. Jer. 31:31-14; Heb. 8:9-13). When this new covenant was given, Israel was no longer obligated to obey the Mosaic ordinances (Eph. 2:14-15; Col. 2:14-17). Both Israelite and Gentile are subject to Christ and His law (Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20). The Jewish person has no privileged status with God; if he is going to be saved, he must obey the same gospel as the Gentile.

Usage Of The Old Testament

1. The Old Testament reveals sin and God’s attitude toward it. Paul said, “Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet” (Rom. 7:6). Paul learned that coveting was sinful by God revealing His will in the Old Testament. Through the law is “the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20).

Not only did the Bible reveal what was and was not sinful, it also displayed God’s attitude toward sin. God’s displeasure toward sin was manifested in Genesis 3. Other Old Testament records document His willingness to punish sin, including such things as the Flood (Gen. 6-8), the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19), the death of Nadab and Abihu,(Lev. 10:1-2), etc. From the Old Testament record, we can learn that sin is the transgression of the law of God (1 Jn. 3:4) and that sin will be punished by God (Rom. 6:23).

2. The Old Testament reveals God’s work to bring the Messiah to redeem man from sin. The Old Testament predicts the coming of the Lord’s Messiah. The selection of Abraham and Israel was part of God’s work to bring the Messiah into the world. The prophets foretold that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 12:3) and David (2 Sam.-23,1-7), born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14), perform miracles (Isa. 35), suffer for the sins of man (Isa. 53), establish His kingdom (Dan. 2:44), etc. As we read the Old Testament, we can see God’s work in bringing this promise to fulfillment.

3. The Old Testament is an example for us. Writing regarding examples of apostasy from the Old Testament, Paul said, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted . . . . Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the en ds of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:6,11). The history of Israel in the wilderness records many sins which Israel committed and God’s punishment for those sins. These apostasies of Israel warn us: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).

4. The Old Testament encourages us. Paul also wrote, “For 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). The Old testament Scriptures were written for our benefit today; we need to study and learn their great messages. Through reading them, we learn’to persevere through trial as did Job, to have the courage of Daniel, to trust in the providence of God like Esther, to walk with God like Enoch, and to be a man after God’s own heart like David. Learning the character and nature of God gives us comfort and hope.

There are other usages of the Old Testament which we have not mentioned. Men err when they neglect the study of the Old Testament.

Improper Usage Of The Old Testament

Though there are many good usages of the Old Testament, there are also some improper usages of it. We need to be just as aware of them as we are of the good usages of it.

1. The Old Testament is not a covenant by which we live. There are many things taught and accepted in the Old Testament which would not tolerated under the law of Christ. The spiritual law of Israel taught and commanded animal sacrifice; the moral.law of Israel tolerated polygamy; the civil law of Israel had many ordinance’s which are not followed by any civil government today. The Law of Moses was given to the nation of Israel for a limited period of time.

2. The Old Testament is not a means of salvation today. The Old Testament revealed God’s grace to those under the law of Moses. Those men were saved by faith, not by a system of perfect obedience (Rom. 4:6-8). David, for example, could not be justified by a system of perfect obedience; rather, he received the forgiveness of God, divine grace, when he complied with the conditions of the Old Testament for receiving grace.

The Jews of the first century, rejected the Messiah-the Lord’s appointed sacrifice for sin. Having rejected the blood of Christ as the grounds for forgiveness, they were left with nothing but the Old Testament law-a law with the divinely revealed grace removed from it. Their only means of justification, therefore, was perfect compliance with the statutes of that law. Furthermore, with the change in law, the conditions for receiving God’s grace were also changed. The one who does not comply with the conditions will not receive God’s grace. Paul assured the Jews who rejected Christ as the all-sufficient sacrifice for sin that they could not be justified by law (i.e., perfect law keeping). Paul wrote, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28). “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal. 3:10).

Inasmuch as the Christ has come, men cannot be saved by obeying the law of Moses. The Lord has replaced the Old Testament covenant of grace which was given to Israel with a superior covenant of grace which is given to every manthe gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who try to be justified by the law of Moses reject the grace in Jesus Christ and cannot be saved (Gal. 5:4).

3. The Old Testament does not provide authority for religious,practice today. The Old Testament did provide authority for the worship of the people of Israel, during the period it was binding. Those who introduced things into the worship of Israel during that period without divine authority as revealed in the Old Testament were guilty of sin before God (cf. 1 Kgs. 12:25-33).

Now men are living under the law of Christ. What is revealed in the law of Christ is what men are obligated to obey. To introduce into the worship, work, or mission of the church anything not authorized by the law of Christ is a transgression of Jesus’ will (Col. 2:21-22; Matt. 15:8-9; Rev. 22:18-29).

Many things have been introduced into the church for which Old Testament authority is cited. Some churches have a separate priesthood, citing Old Testament authority for the practice, although their priests are not of Levitical descent; others use the Old Testament to authorize the burning of incense; others use the Old Testament to teach that Christians must observe the Sabbath, although the Old Testament regulations describing how the Sabbath is to be observed are ignored; others authorize their usage of mechanical instruments of music and their choirs by the Old Testament. This is a misuse of the Old Testament. The Old Testament is not a smorgasbord of worship entrees from which every man selects what is palatable to his own taste!

Conclusion

The church of Jesus Christ must subject itself to the will of Christ, which is revealed in the gospel. We should rejoice that we have the superior grace and worship of the New Testament, rather than looking back to the Old Testament with longing eyes for such things as a separate priesthood, burning incense, Sabbath observance, and other things which were a part of a worship system that the Lord chose to abolish.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 290, 308-309
May 16, 1985