Difficult Questions: Is the Old Testament Needed for Today?

From time to time, we dig into Scripture and seek answers to difficult questions from the Bible. Today, we are asking the question: “Is the Old Testament needed for today?”

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. I Corinthians 10:11 (KJV)

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Romans 3:31 (KJV)

Is the Old Testament for us today? Can we live by it? Can we learn from it? Are we obligated to read, study, and obey it? Can we fulfill it? Since we now have the New Testament, do we ignore and reject the Old Testament?

First of all, Jesus said that He did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. Jesus often quoted Old Testament Scripture, as did all the New Testament writers. After all, what else was there to quote at that time? Jesus endorsed, followed, and taught from the Old Testament.

What was concealed in the Old Testament is now revealed in the New Testament. They work together. A lot of the Old Testament is seen and referenced in the New Testament. So, in truth, you are actually reading some of the Old Testament when you read the New Testament. The Old Testament, or as some call it, the First Covenant, has not been done away with, but fulfilled in the Second Covenant.

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10 (KJV)

It is true that we are no longer under the sacrificial law and ceremonial law of the Old Testament. This is because Jesus fulfilled them, becoming the perfect Sacrifice and purchasing our cleansing. However, we are still obligated to follow the moral law of the Old Testament. We do this when we walk in love because love fulfills the law.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 (KJV)

The things that were written before were written for the purpose of our learning. The Old Testament has lessons for us in what to do and not to do. There are many promises in the Old Testament that I claim personally for myself. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament that foretold the coming of Christ. He fulfilled them and brought those promises to life- salvation, healing, prosperity, protection, peace…. These were all promised in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)

All Scripture- in both the Old and New Testaments- is given from God through man and for man. It is useful for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. It does not say this about the New Testament only- it says ALL Scripture. The Old and New Testaments give us examples to follow and mistakes to avoid.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. II Peter 1:20-21 (KJV)

God moved on Old and New Testament writers to record God’s Word for us to read, study, and obey. It is all beneficial for us and allows us to know God by His revealed Word. All Scripture helps us know God more fully.

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:4 (KJV)

Love is the fulfilling of the law. When we love, the Old Testament law is fulfilled in us. The First Covenant and the Second Covenant come together to present a full picture of God’s plan for man and for each of us as individuals. The life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the bridge that connects the two covenants together. Yes, the Old Testament is definitely needed for today. We couldn’t have the New Testament without it.