Todd Clippard

Topic(s): Old Testament

The passage here mentioned is 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The assumption that the Old Testament was the only scripture in existence in the first century is incorrect. In fact, most of the New Testament had been penned by the time Paul wrote this second epistle to Timothy. Assuming a late date for John's writings, the only books yet to be written were the gospel of John, the three epistles of John, the book of Revelation, and possibly Hebrews.

Many of Paul's letters were already in wide circulation among the first century Christians. In the closing statements of the Colossians epistle, Paul wrote, "And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea" (Col 4:16).

In 1 Corinthians 16:1, Paul said, "As I have given commandment to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye . . ." And earlier in that same letter, he said "For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church" (4:17). Also, Peter spoke of the writings of Paul as scripture in 2 Peter 3:16-17.

I don't know of anyone who denies the need to study and understand the Old Testament. This is a common, but misguided, charge against members of the church of Christ. We believe in the inspiration and integrity of the Old Testament. Without the Old Testament, much of the New Testament could not be properly understood. For example, without the Old Testament, one could not properly understand John the Baptist's statement concerning Jesus in John 1:29 when he said "Behold the lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. Without the Old Testament, the books of Galatians and Hebrews and the gospel of Matthew would be an enigma, as they contain the fulfillment of so many Old Testament prophecies, and include so many explanations of Old Testament texts and examples.

However, believing in the need to study and understand the Old Testament is a far cry from saying one should live by the Old Testament. The Old Testament and its authority has been taken away, being nailed to the cross. Please consider the following texts: Ephesians 2:11-22; Colossians 2:13-17; Hebrews 8:6-13.

Finally, if the law of Moses has not been abrogated, then we are still obligated to follow it. But Paul said if righteousness came by keeping the law of Moses, then Christ died in vain (Galatians 2:21). Paul also instructed the Roman Christians that they were no longer bound (married, as to a husband) to the law of Moses, but that the Mosiac Law was dead so that they could be joined (married) to Christ (Romans 7:1-4). The command to keep the law of Moses and the law of Christ was a source of contention in the early church (Acts 15), and those who vehemently opposed it included Paul and Barnabas (v 2), Peter (vv 7-11), James the brother of Jesus (vv 13-21), the apostles, elders, and the whole church in Jerusalem (vv 22-29).