D. The Old Testament

When rebuking the Pharisees for their hypocrisy Jesus quoted from the book of Exodus referring to it as “the commandment of God” and what “God said”.

Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, {2} “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” {3} And He answered and said to them, “And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? {4} “For God said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ (Exodus 20:12) and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH.’ (Exodus 21:17) {5} “But you say, ‘Whoever shall say to his father or mother, “Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God,” {6} he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. (Matthew 15:1-6)

On one occasion Jesus was questioned about the resurrection by those who did not believe in it. Jesus answered by referring to the book of Exodus, commenting that God was speaking to the very people asking Him the question through the words of scripture.

“But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, {32} ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? (Exodus 3:6) He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” {33} And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. (Matthew 22:31-33)

THE ENDURING AND UNALTERABLE NATURE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Jesus embraced the Old Testament as God’s word and declared that everything written within its pages will be fulfilled before the end of all things takes place. He also warned that no one should annul any of the Old Testament commandments but rather should keep and teach them. Jesus of course is inferring the because the Old Testament is God’s word these characteristics are inherent to it.

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. {18} “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. {19} “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

THE APOSTLES AFFIRMED THE OLD TESTAMENT AS GOD’S WORD

Because we recognize the apostles as authoritative representatives of God who were guided by God regarding truth we want to know how they viewed the Old Testament. The Apostle Peter described how God worked through the prophets when he wrote that the prophets were men moved by the Holy Spirit who were speaking from God.

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, {21} for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Paul described the Old Testament scriptures as that which was inspired by God. The Greek word translated into the English word inspired literally means God-breathed.

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; {15} and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (2 Tim 3:14-16)

Perhaps this all can be best summed up in the following verse written by the apostle Paul. Here he explains to those who had believed in Jesus that they are now a part of God’s household, living in a “house” which has as its foundation the teaching of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone!

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, {20} having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone… (Ephesians 2:19-20)