Why do we give credence to the Old Testament? Didn’t the New Testament replace it?

¹⁶ All [Old Testament] Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for ever y good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Most people tend to forget that anytime Scripture is used in the New Testament, it is from the Old Testament. From, “A Grand Illusion,” by David Young, page 56,

“As many as 300 quotes and allusions to the Old Testament appear in the New Testament alone. Take the Gospel of Matthew. Chapters 1 and 2 make four references to the Old Testament as the infallible Word of God:

1. That Jesus would be born from a virgin (1:23, referencing Isaiah 7:14),
2. In Bethlehem (2:6, referencing Micah 5:2),
3. That He would flee to Egypt (2:15, referencing Hosea 11:1),
4. and that Herod would kill babies in Bethlehem (2:18, referencing Jeremiah 38:15).”

We know these prophecies to be true based upon the Gospels and history. They were the Word of God fulfilled. The disciples believed it, and so do we. The Old Testament is the Word of God.

Again from, “A Grand Illusion,” pages 56-57,

“The apostle Paul regularly argues for the validity of the Old Testament and builds his theology around it as the Word of God.” “Paul teaches us that those who put their faith in Christ actually obey the Old Testament because the entire Old Testament was written about Christ (Romans 3:31; 8:3-4). Paul makes the point that the Old Testament was actually written for Christians because we are its heirs (1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4). The rest of the New Testament continues to build upon the conviction that the Old Testament is the Word of God–quoting it, alluding to it, and building a theology upon it.”

Are there differences of interpretation? Sure! We don’t have first versions of any of the original Scriptures. We have many copies that substantiate each other, but then we have interpretations from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English (the Vulgate), Hebrew to Greek 200 BC (Septuagint) and Hebrew to Greek 1050 AD (Masoretic), and the many Hebrew/Greek/Latin to English versions that we have today. On top of all that, we have different biblical views through which we read the Scriptures, such as Christological (Christ as the fulfillment of all Scripture) and eschatological (the study of End Times). The one verse upon which we all rely is,

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Philippians 3:15

We can trust that the Spirit will “guide us into all truth” (John 16:13). We read regularly, widely, and meet to discuss His Word in order to get a full, well-rounded and mature understanding (the definition of perfection). Christ is the Head of the Church and He guides us as a body. We need each other.

Today, trust the Spirit to guide you into all truth as you read His Word. Talk about what you read with someone and enjoy the presence of the Savior among you.

Abba, Robin is that person for me. We have such great discussions. I also love it when the kids come over and want to talk about Scripture and the things that they are learning. Then, I love to go to church and teach Sunday School and hear what others have to say about their walk with the Lord. You have provided me with plenty of opportunities to grow. Bless You, Lord. Amen.