The Relevance of the Old Testament for the New Testament Believer, Pt 2

Jesus and the Old Testament…..continued

In the last post we considered that Jesus did not come to set aside the moral commands of the OT, rather He came to fulfill them.

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:17-19 NAS).

The Relevance of the Old Testament for the New Testament Believer

What relevance, if any, does the Old Testament have for the New Testament believer?[1] That is not a question to be left to Bible scholars with little or no practical value for the “people in the pew.” It is of tremendous practical concern for the church and the individual Christian. Walter Kaiser Jr. states this very clearly,

It is no exaggeration to claim that this question outranks every other problem in Christian theology. The manner in which this question is solved affects every other area of theology in one way or another. Therefore, we can pose no more fundamental question in all of theology: the answer to this problem will leave its mark in every realm where we can formulate and act out our theology.[2]

What is the relevance of the OT for the NT believer?