1. How to Study the Bible

2. Week #3 – Old Testament vs. New Testament
The Old Testament
Relationship Between the Old and the New Testament

3. The Old Testament Significant Dates in the OT:
2000 BC—Abraham BC—Moses BC—David 722 BC---Fall of Israel to the Assyrians 587 BC—Fall of Judea to Babylon 538 BC—Return from Babylonian Exile 420 BC—End of OT (1 and 2 Chronicles, Neh., Malachi)

4. The Old Testament
Completion of OT and acceptance of it as canonical impacted (3 things):
Made Hebrew the Holy Language
Created the Foundational Body of Authoritative Lit (RL, NT, Sectarian Lit.)
Effected morals, ethics, domestic life, commerce, land, agriculture, economics, temple, priesthood, sacrifice, calendar, feasts, etc.
Pretty much every area of life - cite as authority because of development of the “text-bound society”.

5. The Old Testament Major Themes to be Remembered
Covenant – “agreement enacted between 2 parties in which one or both make promises under oath to perform or refrain from certain actions stipulated in advance.” (ABD) Unconditional Covenants of Grace: * Adamic – Gen. 1: * Noahic – Gen. 9: * Abrahamic – Gen. 17: * Mosaic – Sinaitic – Ex * Davidic – 2 Sam. 7: 11-16
Treaty - Between Yahweh as Lord and Israel as Vasal

6. The Old Testament Major Themes to be Remembered
Hesed - “everlasting loving kindness” – unconditional love of God
Covenant and Promise – (prophets)
Salvation in OT did not include idea of Christ’s atonement as part of it
Out of pit, dungeon, darkness – walking in freedom, plains, light
Wisdom Lit – “walking” “way of the Lord” protection – ongoing journey – mostly nomadic

7. Relationship Between the Old & the New Testament
The OT is cited or alluded to 100’s of times in NT
Quoted authoritatively by Jesus, Paul other Apostles
The NT culture, religious expressions, messianic expectations, all Jews as people of God, informed by the OT, are all part of what led up to NT
OT is part of our canon, equally inspired (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

8. Relationship Between the Old & the New Testament
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work Tim. 3:16-17
Theoneustos – inspired by God
Hapax legomenon – used only “once”
graphē – “writing”
Divine Spirit as a flow of air?
What “writing” did they have in Paul’s time?

9. Relationship Between the Old & the New Testament
Matt. 5:17-19—“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

10. Relationship Between the Old & the New Testament
Rom 2:13—“for not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.”
Rom 3:31—“Do we then nullify the Law thru faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we uphold/ establish the Law!”
“In the OT, people were “saved” by keeping the Law; in the NT, we are saved by grace”. Gen 15:6; Rom 4:3,22; Gal 3:6; Gal 3:11; Hab. 2:4 (Rom 1:17); Heb. 10:38

11. “Why then the Law?”
So God’s chosen people might reflect His character (Lev 19:2—“Be holy for I am holy”)
Give a unique identity to the Chosen People (Exod. 19:5-6 = 1 Peter 2:9)
Provide training in obedience (school master— Gal.3:24)
Reveal the sinful nature of humans and show them their need for God—Gal. 3:19; Rom. 5:20; 7:7
Protect from harmful things that can hurt the individual, family, and society

12. Relationship - OT & NT
In the OT, there is Covenant & Promise; in the NT, Fulfillment
So why the NT? Why Jesus? Why the Cross? Hebs. 1:1-3; Rom. 5:6 “at the right time”; Gal. 4:4; Mt. 1: karios – point of time – period of time
“Progressive Revelation” —“steadily increasing, ever-unfolding and unveiling of God, His will, and His plan for mankind.”
Christ is not a plan “B”, to fix a failed system. He was from the beginning, a culmination.

13. Relationship - OT & NT
Emphasis on Continuity not Discontinuity— “Covenant” Heb. 9:22 (no forgiveness without blood)
So why OT and NT? To progressively reveal the same God, same plan for me, same way of salvation in an ever-increasing clarity.

14. What are the similarities?
Questions for Small Group Discussion:
What do you think are the major differences between the OT and the NT?
What are the similarities?
Is one more important, “greater than,” the other?
What questions does this raise for you regarding the relationship between the OT and the NT?