A Study of Authority

Is the Old Testament a Source of Authority

Today?

Are we under the Old Law?

• Many appeal to OT as a source of authority.

• Can we? • No! NOT as our Law!• Why?• Is the Old Testament still useful?

Are we under the Old Law?

• To whom was it written?

• Children of Israel •Exodus 19:3-6Deut. 4:13, 5:2-3

• The Law of Moses was for Israel

Are we under the Old Law?

• Did it have a purpose?

• The Old Law predicted its own conclusion: Jer. 31:31-34

Are we under the Old Law?

• The New Law emphasizes its conclusion continually:•Romans 10:4•Galatians 3:19, 23-25

Are we under the Old Law?

• Jesus brought about this change:•Matthew 5:17-20•Hebrews 1:1-2•Hebrews 8:7-13, quotes

Jeremiah as he establishes the priesthood of Jesus

Are we under the Old Law?

• BUT when we stand before God it will be by the Gospel that we are judged! •Acts 4:12, Romans 2:16, Acts 17:30-31cf. Gal. 5:4

Are we under the Old Law?

• BUT, the Old Testament is STILL the word of God!

•2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Tim. 2:15 – we must “rightly divide the word of truth” – this INCLUDES distinguishing the Old Law from the New Law!

Is the OT still useful today?

• Yes! Consider the following:•Romans 15:4•1 Corinthians 10:6, 11•2 Peter. 2:6

Is the OT still useful today?

• Both Jesus and other NT writers continually appealed to the Old Testament

• OT quotes or references more than 600 times in the New Testament including the majority of OT books are quoted.

Is the OT still useful today?

• Jesus lived under the Old Law but taught of the New Law cf. Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28

Is the OT still useful today?

• It can bring to light many New Testament passages

• Biblical characters often mentioned – Adam, Moses, David, Lot, Rahab, Joseph, etc.

Is the OT still useful today?

• It can bring to light many New Testament passages

• Faith – Hebrews 11• Prayer – James 5:17-18• Patience – James 5:10-11• Priesthood of Jesus, New

Covenant, sacrifice, etc.

Is the OT still useful today?

• It confirms Jesus and the Church

• Through prophecies – Luke 24:44, Acts 2:17-21 (Joel 2:28-32)

Is the OT still useful today?

• It can strengthen our faith

• God exists and is all powerful – prophecies, miracles, etc..

• The unity of its message

• Its scientific and geographic accuracy

Is the OT still useful today?

• Principles that are always true!

• The character of God – Heb. 13:8, Psa. 102:27 (Heb. 1:12)

• The nature of man – Rom. 3:23 (10-18)

• The book of Proverbs

Is the OT still useful today?• Much of the Law of Moses was a

TYPE of the New Law in Christ• From the fall of man through the

unfolding of God’s plan• Much of New Testament explains the

Law – Hebrews, Galatians, Romans, Matthew, etc.

• I.e. - Tabernacle a type of heaven – Heb. 8-9

• Baptism (water) - 1 Peter. 3:20-21

Is the OT still useful today?

• The New Law is CONTRASTED with the Old Law continually!

• Old law physical – the New law is spiritual!

•Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Let us use the Old Law ONLY as He intended!