Is the Old Testament applicable for Christians?

[Vine Abider]

29 minutes ago, Tony the student said:

As a born-again disciple and student of Jesus Christ, this is my understanding of the relationship and connection between the Law of Moses (OT) and the Law of Christ (NT).

As a man who accepts the Trinity explanation, then I know God is three persons. Who then, in their thinking, will try to separate a Holy Father from His Holy Son. Neither can I separate the Son from His Father. This behavior makes me tremble in fear thinking about setting aside much of God's Testimony.

As for the Old Testament Law: my understanding is that we reveal, act, and speak in love when we obey the ten commandments.

For example, if I speak and act in love toward another person, regardless of their belief in Christ, then I will not lie, nor cheat, nor steal, nor covet, nor envy, nor commit murder, nor corrupt justice, nor bear false witness. This is what Jesus revealed when he never became lawless in his behavior toward others. I wish I could be so perfect.

Also, regarding the OT law, father told us cursed is any man who does not uphold the law of this book. Secondly, Paul wrote in one of his epistles that we are not to judge the law; we are not under the law; however, we must uphold the law.

 

I think Scripture reveals that these words might be filled with truth. If I have spoken falsely or with wrong thinking, please do not hesitate to correct me.

Welcome to the Worthy conversation, Tony!

The law stands as a testament to who God is and what He expects of man. But without the new covenant way of these laws being written on our heart and minds (Jer 31:33), man could never fulfill the law.  But hallelujah, Christ came!   And with Him came grace and reality!

In the new covenant we are supplied, by Christ's indwelling us, to actually do the things of the law.  We can now "be perfect" as our Father is perfect, like the Lord exhorts us to do in Matthew 5:48, because His Spirit lives in His born-again believers!  This is grace in Christ coming to us to supply our inward need to, for instance, love even our enemies!

[choir loft]

On 3/26/2023 at 12:04 PM, JohnD said:

When asked if the Old Testament is not for Messianics / Christians I reply it most certainly is!

The Old Testament contains the New Testament concealed.
The New Testament contains the Old Testament revealed.

The thing to remember about the Old Testament is that it is God's instructions for getting through this current life
given our fallen nature... along with prophetic hints and clues about the afterlife and how to get right with God
forever and ever.

All references to the scriptures in the New Testament are of the Old Testament Tanakh as the source, revelation, and authority
of the Gospel message (Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 etc).

And we can authenticate the claims of the New Testament by the established Old Testament (especially with regards to the authenticity of the Messiah Yeshua Jesus).

"I did NOT come to abolish the LAW.  I came to fulfill it." (Jesus as quoted by Matthew 5:17)

Protestors and lawless types deny the LAW altogether admitting as they go along with their senseless arguments that they are ignorant of the LAW of Grace and the law of works.

THERE ARE TWO LAWS.

The LAW of Grace was WRITTEN BY GOD and given to Moses upon the holy mountain.  It has not changed.  It will NOT change.

The law of works was codified by the Jewish rabbinate during their captivity in Babylon.

Jesus and His apostles lived ministered and died by the LAW of Moses/Grace.

They argued constantly against the pharisees, who supported the law of works and/or tradition.

Numerous predictions and prophecies were made by Jesus and His apostles that in the Last Days lawLESSness would multiply.  I submit, dear reader, that they were talking about denial of the LAW of Moses by Jews and gentiles alike.   While it is true that predictions of violence and criminality were made, those deeds have been common since the first man made designs against another. (Cain vs. Able)  It is rather those attitudes and denials of God's Holy LAW that are now commonplace. 

Unfortunately, many Jews now deny Torah altogether (1st 5 books of the Bible, called the LAW).  Many post-modern church types do also arguing as they do in support of THEIR OWN PAGAN TRADITIONS.  <--- This IS the leaven of the pharisees we were warned to oppose.  

For the post-modern church now lives and breaths it's own invented traditions, in denial of God's LAW. As the pharisees did before us, so we do ourselves today.

and Jesus is still opposed to it, boys and girls.

As for the LAW, I can only say that if it was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me.

that's me, hollering from the choir loft.....