Why Do We Have the Old Testament?

The previous post ("Under Which Law Do We Live?") brings to light another common question: “If we’re not under the Law of Moses then why do we even have the Old Testament?” This article seeks to answer that question.

The answer as to the importance of the Old Testament to the Christian can be found recorded in Romans 15:1-4: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime [the Old Testament scriptures] were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Paul, speaking by inspiration, points out that the Old Testament scriptures are “for our learning.” Here Paul appeals to an Old Testament passage (Ps. 69:9) and holds up Christ as our example of “pleasing not ourselves” but rather edifying our neighbour. One might ask: “Paul, why are you quoting from the Old Testament? Don’t you know that we’re under the New Testament?” He answers in v.4 and says, in essence, “I’m trying to teach you something.” Though we are not ammenable to the Law of Moses this verse shows that the scope of the Old Testament scriptures extended beyond that age. Notice Romans 4:23, 24: “Now it was not written for his [Abraham’s] sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” We are taught that belief (trusting obedient faith) in God brings about righteousness (Gen. 15:6, 1 Jn. 3:7), and that from the Old Testament.

Paul also lists two specific things that can be produced by a study of the Old Testament: patience and comfort. I know from the Old Testament that God rewards those that submit to Him in loving trusting obedience (Gen. 15:6, 2 Chr. 7:14). I know that God never forsakes those who do not forsake Him (Deu. 31:6-8, Josh. 1:5, Heb. 13:5). Those things bring me comfort. I can take Job as my example (Job 1:21, 22; 2:10; 42:10; cf. also James 5:10, 11) and learn patience. One could read numerous other passages where New Testament writers quote Old Testament scriptures as examples for us (cf. 1 Cor. 10:6-11, Heb. 3:7-4:11, 1 Tim. 5:18, 1 Pet. 2:21-25).

“All scripture [“all” encompasses both testaments] is given by inspiration of God…and is profitable” (2 Tim. 3:16). One cannot fully appreciate the abounding riches of the New Testament without a thorough knowledge of the Old Testament. One need only to read his New Testament and note how many times the writers thereof penned the words “It is written” to know how important the Old Testament is to our understanding of the New. Often has it been said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The Old Testament is of great value and should not be neglected by any student of the word of God.