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| Easy to understand, easy to apply |
INTRODUCTION:
Matthew 5:18 “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
Why is the Old Testament important/necessary to a Christian? One reason is it defines for us terms used in the New Testament, without consulting any outside secular source. Stated differently, it allows God to define His own terms. Sacrifice, alter, fornication, redemption, Passover, Tabernacle/Temple, Priest, High Priest, Pentecost, feast, sodomy, et cetera are all defined/delineated in the Old Testament.
So, we (can) derive Biblical principles from the Old Testament for practical Christian living without again coming under the purview of the Old Testament/Covenant. These ‘principles’ are what marked (elevated) the teachings of the apostles (above the Scribes and Pharisees), who quoted extensively (along with Paul) from the Law of Moses to teach Christian doctrines in the New Testament. The Apostles showed how the Old pointed to the New (and Christ). They illuminated the Old Testament types, in a way unrevealed before Christ’s earthly ministry. The Apostles teachings, God’s intent, and even what the Law says about itself, does not keep mankind in bondage to the Law, but set men free to enter fully into God’s grace.
