You know what I find really funny about the gentile Christian churches and their followers?
The fact that they begin their Bible studies by starting from the New Testament.
I find this interesting for two reasons.
FIRST, since a good 50% of the contents of the New Testament come directly from the “Old” Testament, you’re really not gonna be able to understand the New Testament minus a firm grounding in the foundational Hebrew Scriptures which came before.
SECOND, many Christians seem to totally overlook the fact that when Yeshua and his disciples walked the earth, the New Testament wasn’t even in existence.
Take this following popular verse for example that Christians just love to quote.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”-2 Timothy 3:16
I’ve got a news flash for you.
The ONLY Scripture Paul was talking about here was the so-called “Old” Testament.
Factually speaking, there were no other words of God written down until around a century after Paul passed away.
In addition, understand that whenever the word “Scripture” is used in the New Testament, it is ONLY referring to the “Old” Testament…
…because that’s the only thing that existed at the time.
The truth is the authors of the New Testament…Paul, Peter and even John the Revelator had absolutely no idea that 100 years after Paul was martyred, their writings would eventually be compiled and added to the original Holy Scripture (again which is ONLY the “Old” Testament) .
Remember, when Yeshua and his disciples and then later Paul preached the gospel, they were ONLY PREACHING FROM THE “OLD” TESTAMENT!
Don’t you think we should learn how to do the same?
One final point.
Notice what Paul is saying is the true source of teaching, reproof, correction and learning.
He is telling us it is the written word of God.
Or the so-called “Old” Testament.
Again, I have to say I really don’t like the label the “Old Testament” as it implies something that is dead and gone and no longer useful.
And in 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul is saying the exact opposite.
He is telling us the that the “Old” Testament or the Scriptures (which is what I think we should call them) is the very source of attaining righteousness.
Notice another thing Paul says in in 2 Timothy 3:16 which I find quite profound.
What is the REASON WHY Paul is telling us we need to thoroughly understand the foundational Hebrew Scriptures?
He is telling us we are to learn the Torah and Prophets so that we can be equipped?
Hmmm….equipped to do what?
Well…
…Paul is telling us we should study the OT…
…so we can be equipped for…
…every “good work”.
What?!
How can this be?
“Good works”?!
I thought that studying the Torah and doing good works is “legalistic” and something to be completely avoided.
Well obviously I’m being super sarcastic.
Of course, we’re supposed to learn the Torah and Prophets and go out and teach and make disciples in preparation for the Kingdom to come.
Greetings brethren wishing to partner with you shalom achi pastor paul nyabuto from Kenya
Thank you Pastor Paul! May HASHEM richly bless you!!!
You hit the nail on the head. In starting a course for a small Christian group on the Psalms, I explained that Jesus’ only Bible was the Hebrew Bible and asked them to henceforth in our study to refer to them as Jesus’ Bible. That is accurate and dispenses with bad theology & nomenclature!
Awesome Stephen. Thanks for sharing.