– Adapted from the article: Why God is against me IF I claim my words are God’s own
– PIC from Pixabay
The Old Testament (OT) is still truth for today. It guided to the birth of Jesus – and beyond, into the amazing grace of salvation in Christ. The OT is an integral part of our Christian faith. We couldn’t have gotten to Jesus without it!
It has given us many prophecies. And it continues to teach us (2 Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:8). The Old Testament is as valid for Christian faith and doctrine as ever before – since the century the books were written, and since the death and resurrection of Jesus. It’s all good. Truly.
Introduction
I write this because I am concerned for the thousands, and thousands of Christian churches that recently disconnected with the Old Testament in a huge way. Yep. In case you missed it: It’s them NAR folks.
I am so very, very concerned. Some churches lead their people to declare that the words they say are the actual “words of God”. This is a very serious issue for folk who give heed to the NAR type churches. Do you attend one?
Are you (by your approving attendance there) authorizing mere men and women with the supernatural ability to speak for God – His exact words? Or, you yourself? Why would God give you “inexact” or “untrue” words to share?
Are your words
ever “exact words of God” —
as Old Testament
prophet standards require?
– Source: Why God is against me IF I claim my words are God’s own
As they would have you believe: [with my comments interjected]
Our NAR prophets and teachers [false every one of them] have led us to declare [in error] that the New Covenant replaced the old covenant [of the Judaic sacrifice of animals for sin] with the New Covenant of Jesus [kind of true]. And, we of the NAR persuasion say, [and here is the kicker]:
the New Covenant makes the Old Testament to be not in-force any more, irrelevant, with no OT Word affecting us anymore. [Not so, I say!]
[– not a direct quote. I have synthesized it for our discussion]
Well folks, that is a dastardly lie of the Devil. They teach doctrines of demons. They are now indoctrinating apostate churches. The Apostle Paul clearly teaches us this would happen “in later times“, the times we are now living:
4 But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons – 1 Timothy 4:1
3 But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ. 4 For [you seem willing to allow it] if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted. You tolerate all this beautifully [welcoming the deception]. – 2 Corinthians 11:3-5
Be aware of NAR false doctrines, and them… they who really never were a part of Christ at all, Paul says.
“…in later times some will turn away from the faith….” – 1 Timothy 4:1
“…what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God?” – 1 Peter 4:17
We must stick to the firm teachings-of-old: The Old Testament is still in-force, it is still the Word of God, and it is still teaching us about Jesus and His Gospel. Don’t be one of those…
those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God
– 1 Peter 4:17
________________
“They went out from us
[seeming at first to be Christians],
but they were not really of us.”
Scary thought!
– 1 John 2:19
________________
What the Old Testament (OT) teaches us:
1. What is sin
The Old Testament’s Ten Commandments show us what sin is (so we can therefore stay away from sin, and seek forgiveness). These Commandments integrate directly into New Testament warnings of what is good and what is not.
See: Do “good and honorable things”
The OT teaches:
2. Prophets speak God’s Actual Words
We are told in the OT that the prophet is to speak forth God’s Words, not their own words. And by it’s very definition, a “false prophet” is the one who says:
“these are words God gave me for you”
— but then merely speaks his own words. They lie.
Plain and simple: their words are a lie. God’s standard for speaking for God is still:
Words of Mere Men are not God’s Words
God’s true prophets always said:
“These are the true and exact words of God.”
– Revelation 19:9
The OT teaches:
3. Misrepresenting God is evil…
God condemns this evil vehemently. God is still against false speakers who misrepresent Father God (Ezekiel 13:8). Don’t get sucked into their false doctrines and find yourself one of those who “went out from us [seeming at first to be Christians], but they were not really of us.” (1 John 2:19).
“I am against you….” – you who misrepresent Me (Ezekiel 13:8).
The OT teaches:
4. Many of God’s nuggets of truths… The OT is replete with God’s good instructions for today.
If God gave us the OT for our good — it is still for our good.
Excerpt: How do you view the Old Testament? The Old Testament is a mysterious, deep mine, full of God’s revelations. It is a rich mine full of God’s nuggets of truths — about our life as God sees it, about God Himself, what He’s like, and what His plan is for the ages.
Christians follow the God of the Bible. So it behooves us to continually mine the depths, take out nuggets deep in this mine, and make them ours. Our mindset changes as we read the Bible and adopt its truths.
– Source: The Rich Mindset of God
Example: Psalm 119:8-10
8 I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not utterly abandon me [when I fail].
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
10 With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You];
Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience].
– Psalm 119:8-10
We do well to know the Old Testament, as Luke said of the old priest Zacharias and his old wife, Elizabeth:
Luke 1:6z
“They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.”
There are many more nuggets, but in this context I would just urge you to read the OT yourself and search-them-out.
The OT teaches:
5. That which is profitable for His followers – even today.
The complete Bible, both OT and NT, was given to us by God for His purposes. Why would Jesus negate the Old Testament? Did not! NAR-types are changing God’s Way, denying the Old Testament. Don’t believe the NAR false movement. They are apostates!
The Bible introduces us to the rich mindset of God. The Bible was shaped over hundreds of years by God inspired writers – prophets, and apostles. The Bible is showing us the mindset of God Himself….
If we want our way of thinking to be permeated by God’s way of thinking, then it behooves us to read the Bible and know it well. Then our ways will be His Ways – His ways of thinking will be our ways of thinking.
– Source: The Rich Mindset of God
Verse 16…All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The OT teaches:
6. Many OT revelations are in the NT and in the Book of Revelation
I recommend you refer ahead to the end section titled: Old Testament found in the New Testament. Then return here.
If they (the OT revelations), are there (in the NT and in Revelation)… then how on earth can you NAR prophets remove them from Christian faith and doctrine? You “false…not-of-God” NAR-type church folk are so clearly more than just “unqualified and worthless” as teachers of the faith.
OT references are all over the NT and in Revelation. This truth is showned to us here by Randy Nettles:
References to the Old Testament in Revelation – Part 1 | Randy Nettles | at rev310.net
Excerpt: “The Book of Revelation contains approximately 400 – 500 references or allusions to the Old Testament. This last book of the New Testament (and the Bible) contains citations or allusions to 28 of the 39 books of the Old Testament. Revelation contains more references to the Old Testament than any other book in the New Testament.”
Jesus will call you “workers of iniquity”, “you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]” (Matthew 7:23) You teach impure JUNK.
Do you see it now? This is dangerous. There are damnable heresies coming into churches all around you throughout the world.
Excerpt from: Pure Junk
Beware the gullibility factor in your thinking. Be a Berean. 1
Excerpt from The Apostle Paul’s Criticisms:
We Berean types expect: reasoning, explaining, and evidence given. We want to compare Scriptures with what is said – “to see whether these things [are] so“. Who wants to follow what is NOT so!? Apparently many did then, and many do today. I guess as humans – some just accept what they are told, and others want to ask, “Why?”.
– Source: The Apostle Paul’s Criticisms
I want to ask: What what what!?
The OT teaches:
7. Many OT prophecies which Jesus the Messiah fulfilled
Long before His birth prophets spoke of Jesus the Messiah. Over the centuries God spoke through prophets predicting Christ.
They point to verifiable evidences from history – that Jesus was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament! That is exciting. I myself am a follower of Jesus the Christ – because the evidences are too overwhelming to not accept Him as the Messiah. – Source: If You Are a Jew
See: Top 40 Most Helpful Messianic Prophecies | by Rich Robinson | August 04 2020. Compiled by Jews for Jesus
Here is an interesting account of two editors researching for author Myers… and, in the proces became convinced Jesus was the Messiah.
Author Dr. Jeff Myers shared:
Felix Pratensis and
Jacob ben Hayyim ibn Adonijah
both became Christians while working
on this text for Jews. Davis says
the editors saw clearly that Jesus
Christ was woven into all the key
figures and narratives of the Old
Testament; it was impossible not to
see Jesus as the Messiah once they
began serious study of the Hebrew texts.
– Dr. Jeff Myers,
How to Find Jesus in All of Scripture This Christmas.
Summit.org: The Journal, Dec2013;Vol.13;Issue 12.
I’m sure you know that Jesus was a Jew. Duh! Well, Christians worship a Jew! The New Testament writers claim that Jesus fulfilled over 360 Old Testament prophecies! We are still learning about the Messiah through Old Testament passages.
Look into this, incomplete list of the types and prophecies Jesus has fulfilled, and you see the many types and prophecies that were revealing to us that Jesus was coming. There are myriads of them in the Old Testament — which Jesus has fulfilled.
During His life, Jesus showed that He Himself was The Mystery of Salvation. The Mystery of Salvation was revealed to us during His 3 year ministry, His death, and His resurrection. By His resurrection Jesus established The New Covenant, He abolished death, and He provided a way to be legally forgiven by God.
You can’t remove all that from our Christian faith! You cannot!
The OT is still a valuable resource. Because of the Old Testament – we now know these evidences showing us that Jesus is Messiah. And thus we accept Him. God spoke through prophets and Jesus – the greatest of all.
“1 In times past,
God spoke
in partial and various ways
to our ancestors
through the prophets.”
– Hebrews 1 Verse 1
FOR MORE:
The Old Testament (OT) is still true today. It is an integral part of our Christian faith. It still teaches us what God established.
______________
The Mystery of the Gospel has been revealed
So, God sent His Son into the world. Do you know why?
The one-off offer Jesus makes to everyone
How you can know you are a Christian
Evidence for all Jews and Goy that the Messiah came to earth
About evidences for faith in Jesus
Acts 7. I recommend you read Acts 7, a sermon by Stephen before he was stoned to death.
About Being Apostate… following “another gospel”
Research and Evidences
There are many who have researched Jesus before you. Here are some good jumping-off points:
How Heretics Help Establish the Historicity of Jesus. From ColdCaseChristianity.com; by J. Warner Wallace … a Cold-Case Detective, a Christian Case Maker, and the author of Cold-Case Christianity
‘The End of Reason‘ by Ravi Zacharias – a review by Lydia Asker
Christmas and Hanukkah – Thinking of Our Jewish Friends (Part One) –by Team Christi
From Atheism to Christianity: a Personal Journey by Philip Vander Elst, working with The Areopagus organization. See other resources by Elst
Additional Resources to Investigate the Faith –List from coldcasechristianity.com
Misrepresenting God This article is Coming Soon
Return above to: The OT teaches: 6
Old Testament found in the New Testament
References to the Old Testament in Revelation – Part 1 | Randy Nettles | at rev310.net
Excerpt: “The Book of Revelation contains approximately 400 – 500 references or allusions to the Old Testament. This last book of the New Testament (and the Bible) contains citations or allusions to 28 of the 39 books of the Old Testament. Revelation contains more references to the Old Testament than any other book in the New Testament.”
‘Coming To Life In World Events’: The Record Of Precise Fulfillment Of Prophecies In Scripture Confirms Its Integrity Jonathan Brentner |
Top 40 Most Helpful Messianic Prophecies | by Rich Robinson | August 04 2020. Compiled by Jews for Jesus
Fulfilled Prophecy: Evidence for the Reliability of the Bible | from Reasons to Believe
Return above to: The OT teaches: 6
The Wonder of the Birth of God
Holy, Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty
Was Jesus actually God Almighty?
God as man – the short version
Our perfect God and our response to Him
The Godman Jesus said “Follow Me”
Is Jesus’ worldview – your worldview?
Teaching about Jesus the Messiah
Evidence for all Jews and Goy that the Messiah came to earth
It is what it is: The Bible Is God’s Word To Us
Words of Mere Men Are Not God’s Words
When it comes to God – who wants mere opinions?
The Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul
The Dangers of Consorting With Error
How to Study the Bible: Study Guide
Needing something more than Jesus
Practicing Sin, Not Following Christ
Wandering Stars. The Paganism of Bethel, Hillsong, and the NAR pt 1
Pretending their word is God’s Word
Curses, evil spells, and being jinxed
“…contend for the faith….” www.jude3.com… christianministriesintl.org/articles/
The NAR – “A New ‘Reformation’ That Many Don’t Realize They’ve Joined
Wandering Stars. The Paganism of Bethel, Hillsong, and the NAR pt 1
There is no other saving gospel
The Complete Pentecost Experience?
The Gurus in Christian Churches
Verify Jesus. Verify, verify, verify
Why Jesus will say to some, “I don’t know you”
Jesus saves and Jesus condemns
Footnotes
- Berean thinking:
Contrary to the Thessalonian example (Acts 17:11) – Berean type peoples want to carefully examine beliefs and statements and sermons all the time. They maintain a mind that is open to examination of what they are told. They don’t just accept the authority of the person or of the religion, but – they put it to the test of Scripture. They ask: What does Scripture teach about this? Is what they are saying – true to Scripture, or not?
For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but wanting to have their ears tickled,
they will accumulate for themselves
teachers in accordance to their own desires
– 2 Timothy 4:3.
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