The BIBLE & Our Perspective
The Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments
When a person begins to read the Bible, he quickly discovers that the Old and New Testaments seem to emphasize different things.Confusion over why these differences exist is the reason for many arguments, divisions, and even false teaching. Many people even claim that the two testaments contradict each other!
The following articles look at some of these differences, in an attempt to show that the two testaments actually complement (rather than contradict) each other. Though there are differences in emphasis, the over-all message is the same.
Note that the word "testament" means "covenant." Knowing this will help us when we study these issues. The Bible tells us that we are now under a "newcovenant" (which is what the name "New Testament" means) because of what Jesus did - and also because of Old Testament Israel's failures.
The Relationship between Israel and the Church
An attempt to organize (in table format) the various Scripture passages that describe the relationship between Israel and the Church. Some information about unsaved Gentiles is also included.
Comments about the Old Testament Ceremonial Law
Today, we do not need to practice the ceremonial rituals of the Old Testament. This study looks at some of the reasons why this is true. It is based on a New Testament study of the word "common," when used in a negative sense of "unclean," "unholy," etc. The people in Old Testament Israel were to separate themselves from anything that was ceremonially "unclean" or "unholy." These symbolic truths (expressed by the ceremonial rituals) were intended to teach them spiritual truths.
NOTE: The word "common," when used in a positive sense, can be found in a different study entitled, "Fellowship & Sharing in the Community of Believers." (See Part 2: Some of the Things We Have in Common.)
- Salvation Down Through History - A look at the way people were saved before and after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- The New Covenant Concept of Rest - The main focus is on the word "rest," which, in the Bible, has many salvation-related implications. But the article also deals with some of the differences between the Old and New Covenants.
- The Relationship Between Jesus (and the New Covenant) and Moses (and the Old Covenant) - This is part of a study about "The Relationship between God, Jesus Christ and people." Look at Sections "E" and "F" of the article.
- Israel's Future in Prophecy - A look at Israel's future and the reason there is a future for that nation.
The Bible tells us...
"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant ..." (Jeremiah 31:31a)
Jesus said...
"... all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (Luke 24:44b)