Covenant Loyalty
I occasionally hear a follower of Christ suggest that the Old Testament be abandoned or discarded. As Christians, it can be tempting to focus solely on the New Testament and to overlook the importance of the Old Testament. However, it seems that abandoning the Old Testament would be a mistake. In fact, Hebrews 8:13 reminds us that the Old Testament is not obsolete, but rather that the old covenant has been fulfilled and completed by the new covenant.
Hebrews 8:13 says, “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Some Christians have interpreted this verse as a reason to abandon the Old Testament entirely. They argue that since the old covenant is obsolete, there is no need to study or learn from the Old Testament. However, this interpretation is misguided and overlooks the significance of the Old Testament.
First, the Old Testament provides us with a rich history of God’s interaction with His people. It contains stories of God’s faithfulness and love for His people, as well as examples of human failings and God’s justice. The Old Testament teaches us about God’s character and His plan for humanity. To ignore the Old Testament is to miss out on a vital part of our Christian heritage.
Furthermore, the Old Testament provides the foundation for the New Testament. Many of the prophecies and promises in the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament. The Old Testament helps us to understand the context in which Jesus lived and the significance of His teachings and actions. The Old Testament also provides us with a framework for understanding the New Testament’s teachings on salvation and redemption.
The author of Hebrews understood the significance of the Old Testament, which is why he quotes extensively from it throughout the book. The author of Hebrews emphasizes the continuity between the old and new covenants, and how the old covenant was a shadow or a type of the new covenant. The author of Hebrews argues that the new covenant is superior to the old covenant because it offers forgiveness of sins and a direct relationship with God through Jesus Christ. However, this does not mean that the Old Testament is irrelevant or unimportant.
Instead of abandoning the Old Testament, we are to seek to understand its significance in light of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament provides us with a deeper understanding of God’s character and His plan for humanity. It helps us to understand the context in which Jesus lived and the significance of His teachings and actions. The Old Testament provides us with a foundation for our faith and a framework for understanding the New Testament’s teachings on salvation
Finally, abandoning the Old Testament entirely would be a mistake for Christians. While Hebrews 8:13 reminds us that the old covenant has been fulfilled and completed by the new covenant, it does not mean that the Old Testament is obsolete or irrelevant. Instead, the Old Testament provides us with a rich history of God’s interaction with His people, a framework for understanding the New Testament’s teachings, and a deeper understanding of God’s character and plan for humanity. As Christians, we are to seek to understand the significance of the Old Testament in light of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ.
JG