While driving home on a very familiar road; something rather strange happened. I noticed, as if for the first time, the weathered sign in front of a small church. It read “New Testament Church”. My mind began going in several different directions all at once.
Please understand, nothing in this post is ment to be negative to any Christian believer in any church worshiping Yeshua. That is not what this is about. But the thought did strike me; can we know the truth by the sole means of the Second (New) Testament? And if that is true, then is it equally true we can learn the truth solely from the First (Old) Testament?
I have been contemplating that issue ever since.
My personal conclusion is yes; the we can come to believe either way. However, if we chose to do so we cheat ourselves in the process.
All the instructions YHWH gave to his Son Yeshua are explained in the First Testament. Who and what Christ is was clearly identified, along with multiple identifiers that make his identity obvious. All the elements of God’s love are listed as well as clear instructions how to access his Grace. Nothing is left out.
The same clear message comes through Christ in the Second Testament. All that we need is there, given in clear distinct statements along with invaluable personal examples to follow. The lessons given in the First Testament are made fully human in the Second.
But if God’s word is divided, we lose all the flavor and beauty of creation’s greatest written masterpiece. We lose the history, the culture and most importantly the depth of God’s tremendous love for His people and what He has done to bring us to salvation.
We can read the last chapter first and have all that is necessary. We can also stop at Malachi and be saved without savoring the full fervor of God’s love. Either choice brings us up just short of the full blessings of God’s word.
Please understand, nothing in this post is ment to be negative to any Christian believer in any church worshiping Yeshua. That is not what this is about. But the thought did strike me; can we know the truth by the sole means of the Second (New) Testament? And if that is true, then is it equally true we can learn the truth solely from the First (Old) Testament?
I have been contemplating that issue ever since.
My personal conclusion is yes; the we can come to believe either way. However, if we chose to do so we cheat ourselves in the process.
All the instructions YHWH gave to his Son Yeshua are explained in the First Testament. Who and what Christ is was clearly identified, along with multiple identifiers that make his identity obvious. All the elements of God’s love are listed as well as clear instructions how to access his Grace. Nothing is left out.
The same clear message comes through Christ in the Second Testament. All that we need is there, given in clear distinct statements along with invaluable personal examples to follow. The lessons given in the First Testament are made fully human in the Second.
But if God’s word is divided, we lose all the flavor and beauty of creation’s greatest written masterpiece. We lose the history, the culture and most importantly the depth of God’s tremendous love for His people and what He has done to bring us to salvation.
We can read the last chapter first and have all that is necessary. We can also stop at Malachi and be saved without savoring the full fervor of God’s love. Either choice brings us up just short of the full blessings of God’s word.
