marguerites-daisies-14 lA Ten Chapter Series of Articles explaining our faith.

Why we believe as we do, and information to help you understand what it is to live as God intended us to live on this earth.

Originally appearing in Truth for the World, this series by John Grubb.

John M. Grubb is originally from the state of Indiana. He has been preaching since 1970. All but twelve of those years have been in mission work. He spent ten years as a missionary in Taiwan. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and can read and write Chinese. Since October 1992, he has been working full-time with Truth for the World, which is an evangelistic work of the Duluth church of Christ in Duluth, GA.

  It is used here as Creative Commons Material


WHY WE BELIEVE JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD

Many people do not believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. If He is not the Christ, then our faith is of no value. If He is the Son of God, we must obey Him to go to heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).

Jesus is a real person. He lived on this earth about 2,000 years ago. Not everybody believes He is the Son of God. Some say, “He was a good man, and a great Teacher, but He was not the Son of God.” This is impossible. Either He is the Son of God, or He was the biggest liar in the world. He said He was the Son of God.

Why do we believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? To believe something we must have good reasons. We must be able to prove why we believe Jesus is the Christ (1 Peter 3:15).

People must believe that Jesus is the Christ to be saved (John 8:24; John 14:6). We can give reasons for believing in Jesus.

CHRIST IS ETERNAL. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him; and without Him nothing was made that was made…. and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3,14). The “Word” in these verses refers to Jesus. Jesus said, “before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58). Jesus was only on the earth for about thirty-five years, but he said, “before Abraham was, I AM.” The only way that is possible is that He was alive before he came to earth.

HIS VIRGIN BIRTH. The prophet Isaiah said Christ would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). Matthew tells us Jesus was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-25).

FULFILLED PROPHECY. Jesus fulfilled over three hundred prophecies. He had the right ancestors - Abraham and David (Matthew 1:1-17). He was born in the right city - Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5,6). He died on the cross (Isaiah 53). He rose from the dead (Psalm 16:8-10; Luke 24:6,31,34).

HIS SINLESS LIFE. The Bible teaches all men have sinned (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:6-10). But, Jesus did not commit sin (1 Peter 2:21-23). Jesus was tempted just like us, but he did not sin (Hebrews 4:14,15; Matthew 4:1-11).

HIS MIRACLES. Nicodemus said, “we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no else can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). Later, the apostle wrote: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30,31).

Jesus performed miracles to prove his words were true. The purpose of miracles was to prove the words of the speaker were from God. This has always been the purpose of miracles.

Jesus did not perform miracles just to help the physical needs of people. He healed the sick, He fed the hungry, He raised the dead, He changed water to wine, He calmed the storm. He did not heal all the sick. He did not feed all the hungry people. He did not raise all dead people. Why? Because God never used miracles just to help physical needs. It was to prove a speaker was sent from God. When God had something new to tell people, He used miracles to prove it.

Moses used miracles to prove he was from God. His miracles helped Pharoah and Israel know God sent him. Elijah and Elisha also used miracles to show they were from God. So, when Jesus came to the earth, He used miracles to prove His words were true. It was a new message.

Some people say they have the same power Jesus and the apostles had. But they do not do the same miracles Jesus did. Jesus never took money for doing his miracles, but people today who claim this power are always asking for money. We hear of these people “allegedly” healing the sick but nothing else. Jesus and His apostles did not just heal the sick. They also raised the dead and fed the hungry. We never hear of these “so-called” miracle workers feeding the hungry. People are starving every day. These “so-called” miracle workers should used their power to feed the starving people in Africa with “five loaves and two fishes” like Jesus did. But instead, they ask people to send money to feed the hungry. They do not have the power to perform miracles.

The power to perform miracles stopped in the first century after the New Testament was finished (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Hebrews 2:1-4; Jude 3). In the first century, Christians could receive the power to do miracles if it was given to them by the apostles (Acts 8:5-22). When the last apostle died, this was not possible. God does not use miracles today. There is no new revelation, the Bible is all we need. Jesus proved He was the Christ by the miracles He performed. His enemies knew His miracles were real. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Bible says: “Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, What shall we do? for this Man works many signs” (John 11:47).

OTHERS BEAR WITNESS. In addition to our Lord Himself saying He is the Christ the Son of God, there are a number of others who bore witness to that fact. Our Heavenly Father (Matthew 3:16,17; 17:5). Pilate And His Wife (Matthew 27:19,24). The Centurion (Matthew 27:54). Apostles (2 Peter 1:16-18; 1 John 1:1-3). John The Baptizer (John 1:29-34).

HIS DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION. The first four books of the New Testament tell of the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection. Paul gives us the reason for His death in his letter to the Romans 5:6-11. Peter says it was planned before the world began (1 Peter 1:18-21). John adds the Lord's death was for everyone (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).

Everyone believes that Jesus was crucified on the cross and buried (Mark 15:16-28,42-47). But, there are many who doubt the resurrection. Many do not want to believe Jesus rose from the dead. They try to deny the resurrection of Jesus. However, it cannot be denied the tomb where Jesus was buried was empty. Three days after Jesus died, there was an “empty tomb.” Those who do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead try to give other reasons for the “empty tomb.”

“The Swoon Theory”


This theory says that Jesus did not really die, but just fainted. After a while Jesus woke up and left the tomb. However, the Bible tells us Pilate made sure Jesus was dead before he let Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus (Mark 15:42-47). Jesus really died, he did not just faint.

“Buried In The Wrong Tomb”

Others try to say that Jesus was buried in the wrong tomb, so when the women came to the grave on the first day of the week, they did not find the body of Jesus because He was in another grave.The Bible clearly tells us that the women “observed where He was laid” (Mark. 15:47).

“His Disciples Stole The Body”

It is not possible that the disciples stole the body of Jesus. Soldiers were guarding the tomb. The disciples would not be able to get past them to get to the body. Later, the disciples boldly said that Jesus had rose from the dead. They were even willing to die for the cause of the resurrected Christ. Would they be willing to do that if they knew they had stole the body of Christ? They were discouraged because they thought their hopes were ended. They had forgotten the promise of the resurrection. They did not steal the body to cause the tomb to be empty.

“His Enemies Stole The Body”

Why would the enemies of Jesus steal His body. They had guards to keep the body of Jesus from being stolen. Later, this is the story the guards were bribed to tell (Matthew 28:11-15). Had the guards stolen the body, on the day of Pentecost when Peter and the apostles preached that Jesus had risen from the dead, the enemies of Christ could have brought out the body. However, they did not do so! They did not do so because Christ really had risen from the dead (Acts 2:22-36).

Jesus Rose From The Dead!

There is plenty of evidence to prove Jesus actually rose from the dead. Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power...by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Paul gives us proof of the fact that Jesus really rose from the dead. He wrote: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Christianity is based upon the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. If he did not, “we are of all men the most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Peter adds his testimony to that of the apostle Paul. In his second epistle, Peter says: “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18). The apostle Peter is not just talking about himself but all of the apostles when he uses the plural pronoun “we.” Peter and the other apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Christ.

The apostle John also uses plural pronouns to prove Jesus is the Christ. The apostles gave up everything because they knew Jesus really rose from the dead. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life -- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us – that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:1-3).

Jesus rose from the dead, never to die again! This is unlike any other religious leader in history! There have been many religious leaders in the history of mankind. Everyone of them died, and they are still dead! Christianity is the greatest religion in the world because it offers hope for eternal life in heaven with the resurrected Savior. It is the greatest proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

ASCENSION.

The Bible tells us that Jesus went back to heaven (Acts 1:9-11). The prophet Daniel said this would happen (Daniel 7:13). Jesus went back to heaven to begin being King over His Kingdom which began on the first pentecost after He rose from the dead (Acts 2).

Conclusion

We have to believe in Christ to be saved. If we fail to believe and obey Him, we have no hope for heaven (John 8:24; Matthew 7:21-23). Let us all, with Peter say, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). We have given many reasons why you should believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. We hope you will continue to study the Bible to learn how to be pleasing to God.

 

 

THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

Men have different ideas about the existence of God. In this lesson we will see some wrong ideas about God, then give reasons why we believe in the one true God.

Atheism


The Atheist says, I know God does not exist. I have proof. This is a statement the atheist cannot prove. An atheist would have to be everywhere at the same time to prove God does not exist. However, being everywhere at the same time is called omnipresence.Being everywhere at the same time is one of the characteristics of God. A person must be able to be everywhere at the same time to prove God does not exist. For example: If you were looking for your friend and heard that he was in America, you could come to America and visit some of the major cities looking for him. While you are in New York City, your friend could be in Chicago. If you then go to Chicago, you friend could have moved on to Dallas. By the time you made it to Dallas, your friend could have gone on to Los Angeles. You might travel around the whole country and never find your friend. But you would not be able to make the statement, I know my friend is not in America. To make that statement, you would have to be everywhere at the same time.

So, a person would have to become God to prove God does not exist! But if a person was God, then God would exist! Atheists cannot prove their claims!

Agnosticism

The Agnostic says, There is not enough evidence to prove there is or is not a God. This is really what the atheist believes. There is much evidence to prove the existence of God. We will discuss this evidence later in this lesson.

Deism

The Deist says, A Supreme Being created the universe, gave laws, then had no dealings with his creation. He will admit the universe did not just happen. But, he claims that the God who created the universe does not care for his creation, and does not provide for the needs of man.

Theism

The theist believes that God created the universe, but does not believe that He is the God of the Old and New Testament, does not believe in Christ, the church, or the plan of salvation. This would include Jews and Moslems. It would also include the polytheist. The polytheist believes there is more than one God. Buddhists, Hindus, and other eastern religions fit into this category.

Christian Theism

The Christian theist believes in the one God of the universe, the God of the Old and New Testament who created the universe. This would include belief in Christ as the Son of God, the one church that was planned by God and established in the first century, as well as God's plan for saving man.

THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE

When we talk about the existence of God we must also talk about the origin of the universe. From where did the universe come? It is a fact that the universe had a beginning.

There are two possible explanations for the origin of the universe. It either came into existence by accident or it was created. Did the universe come about by accident? No, it did not. Things do not come into existence by accident. If I said the watch that I wear came into existence by accident, you would laugh. You would not believe it.

Who Created The Universe?

Since the universe did not come about by accident, it was created. Who created the universe? Man certainly does not have the power or ability to create the universe. How do we know? The nearest star is 4.3 light years away. Man does not have the ability to reach the nearest star in the universe. There are billions of stars in the universe. If man cannot reach the nearest star, how could he create the universe?

The Bible emphasizes that God exists and he created the universe. In addition to the first two chapters of Genesis, note the following passages: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:18-20). The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard (Psalm 19:1-3). For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4).

Design/Designer

Because the universe has design, this means there was a designer. Clothes have a design because they have a designer. If they came about accidentally, there would be no design. However,because there is design, there has to be a designer.

Cause/Effect

If a ball rolls into the room, we would wonder who threw the ball into the room. The ball coming into the room is the effect. Whenever there is an effect, there must be a cause. The universe is the effect, so there must be a cause. The cause of the universe is Almighty God. Add to all of this the example of the human body. It could not have happened accidentally. Man was the creation of God (Genesis 1:26,27).

Moral Argument

What is the difference between humans and animals? Animals do not have any moral guidance in their lives. When was the last time you saw a dog arrested for stealing food from another dog? Was the dog sorry about it? There have been suggestions by some that animals have the same feelings and morals as humans. Some say that dolphins are smarter than humans, or cows show concern for a fellow cow who is stuck in a mud hole and cannot get out. Animals do not operate according to any ethical or moral code. Only human beings recognize the existence of morality and ethics. You may have animals discussing these things in animated and computer-enhanced movies, but not in real life! We have a law to obey today. It is the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). It is the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

There are only two possible sources for the existence of morals and ethics. Either they evolved from man or they came from a Supreme Being (God). Atheism says there is no ultimate standard of right and wrong. Instead they argue for situation ethics, relativism, etc. The only reasonable and logical explanation for morals and ethics in this world is the existence of an eternal
God.

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

The God of the universe does not have just one attribute. Some seem to think that God has only one attribute. People will say God is only a God of love, or only a vengeful God, etc. The Bible teaches there is just one God (Isaiah 44:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6). However, the Bible speaks of our one God having many attributes. He is all-powerful (Genesis 17:1); everywhere (Psalm 139:7-11); all-knowing (Hebrews 4:13); just (Psalm 89:14); eternal (Psalm 90:1,2); concerned for man (John 3:16); and He communicates with man (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21).
It is impossible to believe in Christ and not believe in God. Jesus tells us that God exists. He proved His words were true. We must believe in God to go to heaven (Hebrews 11:6).

 

 

OUR STANDARD OF AUTHORITY IN RELIGION

To be able to agree in religion, we must have the same rules to follow. If we follow different rules, we will never be able to be united. We will first discuss what is not our standard of authority. It is not our opinions. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). If our opinions were the standard of authority in religion, there would be more than five billion standards of authority in this world.

It is not what most people think is not our authority in religion (Mt. 7:13,14). Jesus tells us there are only two roads that we can travel. We will travel the broad way that leads to destruction, or the narrow way which leads to life. All roads do not lead to heaven! There is a right way and a wrong way. As the writer Jeremiah said, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). If we want to travel from New York to California, we do not travel northeast. We have to travel the right way to go to the right place. We have to follow the road map. We do not say, “well, it feels all right to me.”

The traditions of our ancestors are not the authority in religion. Jesus said, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:3,6b-9). The apostle Peter added, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:18-20). Again, if traditions were our guide in religion, there would be thousands of standards of religion.

Zeal or sincerity is not our standard of authority. Paul wrote concerning the Jews, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's rightousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1-3). The apostle Paul was one of the most zealous and sincere individuals who ever lived, but his zeal and sincerity were not enough to save him. He still had to obey the commands of God.

The apostle Paul also helps us to know that our feelings and our conscience are not our guide in religion (Acts 26:9; 23:1; 24:16). This is one of the main reasons that people are divided into many different religions. They follow their feelings and their conscience instead of the word of God. Our conscience is only a safe guide when it is guided by the word of God.

Denominational creeds are not the standard of authority in religion. In fact, denominational creeds cause much of the religious division in the world. If a book has more in it than the Bible, it is too much. If a book has less in it than the Bible, it is too little. If it has exactly the same in it as the Bible, we do not need it because we already have the Bible. The Bible tells us we are not to add to, take away, or change the word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18,19; Galatians 1:6-9).

Our Standard Of Authority - The Word Of God

Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). The truth is our standard of authority in religion. Jesus added, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Peter wrote, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and abides forever.... But the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:22,23,25). Paul wrote, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). He added, “To which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). Paul also said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

It is the truth, the word of God, the gospel, the scriptures that is our standard of authority in religion. It is when we follow the scriptures and the scriptures alone that we please God and are able to receive his blessings.

 

 

THE ORIGIN OF THE BIBLE

From where did the Bible come? It did not come from man. The Devil would not write it either. If man had written the Bible, many of the facts would have been left out. If man had given us the Bible, we would not read of the weaknesses and sins of people. If the Devil had written the Bible, he would not be described as “the evil one.” The Bible came from God.

No Contradictions

The Bible was written by about forty different writers over a period of about 1600 years. The writers of the Bible were men who lived in different periods of time, having different occupations, living in different places. In many cases, the writers did not know each other. Yet, there are no contradictions in the Bible. No other book can make this claim. This could not have happened by accident.

Scientific Facts

We can also consider the scientific facts found in the Bible. The Bible is not a science book, but it has scientific facts in it. Columbus and Magellan proved the earth is round. That was just 500 years ago. The Bible told us the earth was round thousands of years before anybody ever heard of Columbus or Magellan. “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth” (Isaiah 40:22). “When He prepared the heavens, I was there: When He drew a circle on the face of the deep” (Proverbs 8:27).

The Bible also tells us we are not able to number the stars. In 1940, astronomers finally came to the conclusion they were not able to count all of the stars in the universe. Almost 2,500 years ago, Jeremiah recorded: “As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me” (Jeremiah 33:22). Almighty God cannot only count the stars, He can call them by name (Psalm 147:4).

Fulfilled Prophecies

There are more than 1,000 prophecies in the Bible. The fact that every prophecy is fulfilled is further proof that the Bible is from God. In addition to the prophecies concerning Christ, we note a few others. The prophecy and fulfillment concerning the city of Jericho (Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34). We could also mention the prophecy made by the prophet Isaiah concerning Cyrus, king of Persia (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1; Ezra 1). There were also many prophecies about the church that were fulfilled (Isaiah 2:1-4; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Daniel 2:31-46; Acts 2:14-47).

Archaeology

Archaeology confirms the facts of the Bible. Archaeology is a young science. It wasn't until about AD 1840 that archaeology began to be used to prove that the Bible record is true. Archaeology has established the location of Bible places. The location of Sheba. The Old Testament records the story of the Queen of Sheba traveling to visit king Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-3). Jesus tells us this story is true (Matthew 12:42). About one hundred years ago, two Europeans traveled to South Arabia and found writing on walls in the city of Marib. That city was the capital of ancient Sheba. Archaeology also proved the location of Nineveh. Archaeology has supported Bible doctrine. Some claim there were not enough pools of water in Jerusalem to baptize 3,000 people as recorded in Acts 2:41. Yet, archaeologists have found pool after pool in the ancient city. One pool was longer than two football fields and wider than one football field.

Conclusion

If we did not have the Bible, we would know nothing of the origin of man, the nature of God, the origin of sin, what happens to man after death, etc.

Christ, God, and the Bible all go together. We cannot believe in one without believing in the other. Some will say, “Oh, I believe in God, but I don't believe in Christ. Or, I believe in God, but I do not believe He gave us the Bible.” Others will say, “I believe the Bible is from God, but I don't believe the first eleven chapters of Genesis are true fact.” If we do not believe the first eleven chapters are from God, we cast doubt on the words of Jesus. Jesus often referred to the first eleven chapters of Genesis (Matthew 19:4-6; Luke 17:26,27). The Hebrew writer and Jude also refer to the first eleven chapters of Genesis (Hebrews 11:4-7; Jude 14). We have a reliable guide for our religious lives. It is the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

 

 

OLD OR NEW TESTAMENT?

The law was given to the Jews, and to them only. Gentiles were never under the law of Moses. Moses wrote: “And Moses called all Israel, and said to them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire” (Deuteronomy 5:1-4).

This law that was given to the Jews is no longer in effect. The apostle Paul makes this very clear in several passages of scripture (Ephesians 2:13-16; Colossians 2:14-16; Romans 7:1-7). The Hebrew writer devotes much of the book to show the law of Christ is better than the law of Moses (Hebrews 8:6-13).

The apostle Paul shows us we are not under the law of Moses, but under the law of Christ (Galatians 4:21-31).

 

One Son - Ishmael
One Son - Isaac
Mother - Hagar Mother - Sarah
Represents OT Represents NT
Source: Sinai Source: Jerusalem
Bondage Freedom
No promise Promise

Cast Out Which One? (vs. 30)

The old law is cast out. We are now under the new law, the law of Christ. All of the above passages tell us no one is under the law of Moses. We are now under the law of Christ. Once again, there are a number of passages that tell us we are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses (Matthew 7:21-23; 17:5; 28:18-20; John 12:48; Galatians 6:2).

Even though people are no longer under the Old Testament law, there is still much we can learn from its pages. Paul tells us: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.... Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:6,11).

Without the Old Testament we would not be able to understand many passages in the New Testament. When the New Testament mentions Old Testament characters, if we did not have the Old Testament, we would not be able to understand the point made in the New Testament. The Old Testament reveals from where the universe, sin, nations, and languages came. When Jesus said, “Remember Lot's wife,” if we did not have the Old Testament, we would not know who was Lot's wife, or why we should remember her.

All of the Bible came from God, but His law for us today is found in the New Testament.

 

NewManassas Side

8110 Signal Hill Road | Manassas, Virginia

Members Login

HomeBibleStudy

Bible Study

biblestudysd

Top
                                                                       © 2013 Manassas Church of Christ