It is commonly taught that the Old Testament has no relevance today because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Why is Jesus used to do away with the Old Testament? This concept is use to seduce the masses into believing that sin is acceptable because we are all saved by grace. Though it is true that we are saved by grace, it is not true that the laws of the Old Testament carry no weight in regards to the salvation God has promised us.

Studying the words of Jesus can make this clear. In addition, the New Testament is filled with references to the Old Testament. Let’s explore this.

Proving the Validity of the Old Testament

Jesus tells His disciples the following:

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” (Matt. 5:17 KJV)

There should be no misunderstanding this statement Jesus made to His disciples which is applicable to us. Jesus did not come to destroy the laws outlined in the Old Testament or the prophecies told through the prophets. He declares that He came to fulfill them. What does this mean? This means Jesus came to fulfill the law by keeping it. This means He came to fulfill prophecies of His first coming and will return to fulfill the prophecies of His second coming.

This is made plain in the book of Acts. Note the following:

“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.” (Acts 3:20-24 KJV)

This is Peter preaching about Jesus. Peter declares that Moses and all the prophets after him taught of the coming of Jesus. So why should we ignore that those who taught of His coming? These prophets also to about things that would lead to Jesus’ second coming. We should want to know and understand the prophecies they were use to teach. Nevertheless, we can see that mainstream Christianity focusing on Jesus Christ and not the message He came to preach. His gospel was the gospel of the kingdom of God not of Himself. His message is the same as the message of the prophets. How can we know this? Look at the Old Testament. The prophets all teach of Jesus and God coming to establish a righteous kingdom on Earth. Is this not the same message Jesus preached? Be sure to compare the prophecies of Christ to the prophecies of the Old Testament.

When asked what the greatest commandment was Jesus said the following:

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matt 22:37-40 KJV)

Notice that Jesus said that all the law and the prophets hang on the two greatest commandments. This means that the prophecies of the Old Testament are directly connected to the Ten Commandments which are just as valid now as they were in the Old Testament. Why? Because Jesus made the following statement:
“…but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matt 19:17 KJV)

If all the law and the prophets hang on the two greatest commandments and we are commanded to keep them by Jesus, then the rest of the law and the words are of the prophets are important to keep in order to keep the two greatest commandments. Reread that statement. This is why Jesus says keep the commandments not just two.
Jesus also says:

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 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. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:18-20 KJV)

This is very plain language and it needs no explanation. Note the following points:

• All the prophets preached of the coming of Christ
• Jesus did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.
• Jesus came to keep the law and fulfill the prophecies of His coming
• All the law and the prophets hang on the two greatest commandments
• If we want to enter into life we should keep the commandments. This means not breaking the least of the commandments.

Where are the commandments defined and explained? In the Old Testament. Where are the prophecies of the coming of Jesus? In the Old Testament. Revelation is probably the greatest book of prophecy; however, it couples with the prophecies of the Old Testament. It is impossible to understand Revelation without books like Daniel, Malachi, Joel, Ezekiel, and many others. Anyone trying to explain the book of Revelation without studying the Old Testament will not do a good job at explaining it.
Recognize that the New Testament quotes from the Old Testament. So how can the Old Testament be obsolete?

Notice this statement that Jesus Christ makes:

“It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Luke 4:4 KJV)

Could He have been talking about the New Testament? No because it was not written yet!!! This means Christ was referring to the Old Testament as “every word of God.” How can many be so blind to the clear statements of Jesus?

Quoting the Old Testament

The previously mentioned verses are also given in Mathew as the following:

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4 KJV)

Notice Jesus says, “It is written…” Here Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3. Let me prove it to you.

“And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” (Deut. 8:3 KJV)

Compare the two verses. Jesus quoted the Old Testament. This is undeniable.

Let’s look at the birth of Jesus to continue identifying quotes and paraphrases from the Old Testament. Notice the following:
“And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” (Matt 2:5-6 KJV)

Two verse before these, Herod called together those scribes (men who copied the Old Testament word for word) to ask about the prophecy of Jesus. Notice they say it is written by the prophet. We must ask which prophet. It is the prophet Micah.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2 KJV)

Look at the similarity of what they said in what is written. Though it is not exact, it clear that this is the prophet they were talking about. Search this for yourself.

During the temptation of Jesus, Satan quoted the Old Testament. Observe the following verses:

“And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” (Matt 4:6 KJV)

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” (Ps 91:11-12 KJV)

Satan quotes a prophecy told by David. Read Psalms 91 to see that this is a prophecy. This is undeniable evidence of quoting. Even Satan know that the Old Testament is valid!!!
Look at what Jesus tells us in Mark:

“Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” (Mark 7:6 KJV)

He tells us exactly where to find this verse which is in the book of Isaiah.

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men…” (Isa. 29:13 KJV)

Again this is undeniable evidence that the New Testament reaffirms the Old Testaments validity!!! Research how many times Jesus says “it is written.” You’ll find that He preaches directly out of the Old Testament every time.

-This is an extensive study that can written as a book. I intend to demonstrate as many connections as I can find between the Old and New Testaments. For this reason, a second installment will be posted in the next few days. I also must add that I am learning a lot while doing this research. I hope you are as well

God bless…

-Bryant Muldrew