Is the Old Testament still important for New Testament believers?

Quick Answer: Is the Old Testament still important for New Testament believers? Absolutely! We live under a new covenant, but the entire Bible – from Genesis to Revelation – is the inspired Word of God. And we can learn a great deal from the Old Testament.

Diving Deeper: 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” At the time this was written, only the Old Testament had been compiled as Scripture. So, Paul is specifically referring to the Old Testament.

The books of the Old Testament reveal why God created us, how Israel (and humanity) abandoned Him, and how God pursued us in His love and mercy. Further, we read the Psalms, and we treasure/ponder the writings of a man after God’s own heart. We read Proverbs, and we discover God’s view of wisdom and why it is greater than ours.

However, we should read the Old Testament from the vantage point of the New Covenant. For instance:

• Leviticus lists dozens of dietary restrictions, but Acts 10:9-16 reveals we are free to eat and give thanks for all kinds of food.
• The Mosaic Law commanded that Israel keep the Sabbath, but under the new covenant, we find that all days belong to the Lord. The Sabbath was just a shadow of the rest every believer enjoys in Christ (Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:9; 10:1).
• The old covenant Law instituted the tithe to support the Levitical priests, but under the new covenant, every believer is part of a royal priesthood, and we can give freely without pressure (2 Corinthians 9:7).
• Before the cross, people had to continually offer sacrifices to obtain more and more forgiveness. Jesus’ sacrifice brought us “once for all” forgiveness (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10).
• In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God would sometimes rest on people, but it was never permanent. Under the new covenant, the Holy Spirit lives within us and will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). He has sealed us until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

The entire Bible is the inspired Word of God, but we read it with the understanding that we are living in the new covenant era ushered in by the death of Christ. Hebrews 11:37-40 tells us: “These [Old Testament believers] were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us, so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” The men and women who lived under the old covenant were looking forward to the promise, yet none of them received it. The “something better” we enjoy today is what Jesus brought through His death and resurrection.

God never changes, and His Word is inspired from Genesis to Revelation. But we should read, study, and learn from the Old Testament while maintaining a New Testament perspective.

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. What characteristic of God do you appreciate the most in reading the Old Testament?
2. Do you have a favorite Old Testament character or story? Why is it your favorite?
3. When you’ve studied the Old Testament, have you had your “New Testament glasses” on? Why or why not?
4. How does living under the new covenant change the way you see the Old Testament?