UNION GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST, CLEVELAND TN.

In our last article we noted the false claim that the church of Christ was founded by Alexander Campbell. Another false statement that you might hear is: "The church of Christ does not believe in (or study) the Old Testament." Let’s examine the validity of such an idea.

Is the Old Testament inspired of God? It most certainly is. All scripture is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Holy Spirit moved holy men of God to write the Old Testament (2 Peter 1:20,21). Because the Old Testament is the word of God, we believe its message.

Do we study the Old Testament? Many of us try to read it on a daily basis. What about in our Bible classes, do we ever study the Old Testament? We sure do. So, again, the claim that we do not study the Old Testament is simply not true.

Well, if we openly admit that we believe in and study the Old Testament, then why would anyone think otherwise? Perhaps this is because when they learn that we do not "go by" or follow the Old Testament law in our service to Christ, they jump to a false conclusion.

Do you mean to say that we really do not follow the Old Testament? That is correct. We do not "follow it" in the sense of obeying it. Why not? First of all, the old covenant was between Jehovah and only one nation, the nation of Israel. The Israelites were the only ones to whom God committed His oracles, "the Law of Moses," at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-15).

In the second place, when Jesus died on the cross He abolished the old law (Ephesians 2:14-16), nailing it to His cross (Colossians 2:14). It is also written, "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second" (Hebrews 10:9).

Third, today we are to hear the Christ (Matthew 17:5), observing His commandments (Matthew 28:20) or abiding in His teaching (2 John 9). Thus, we obey the law of the Christ (Galatians 6:2), not the old law.

Remember, to say that we do not obey the Old Testament is far from saying that we do not accept it as God’s word or take time to study it. If someone should say to you about the church, "Oh, you are the ones who don’t believe in the Old Testament," do not be surprised or enraged by such a notion. Just calmly explain to them that such is not true, that we really do believe in and study it. Then, try to show, as we have done above, why we are no longer bound to obey the Law of Moses.

-- Roger D. Campbell

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Last modified: September 27, 2008