The Old Testament Can Not Be Canceled
By Alex Murashko and Tom Claycomb III
Having trouble understanding the relevance of the Old Testament? If so, you are not alone.
Comprehending scripture aside from the New Testament is difficult enough to compel some pastors, whose theology is most likely off-kilter, to place less importance on the Old Testament. Those people attending their churches are being grossly shortchanged.
The problem with this unhitched doctrine, which was given some steam by a prominent pastor several years ago, is that the Old Testament and New Testament are inseparable. They are superglued together. One cannot be canceled from the other.
Too many churches and pastors from the pulpit neglect the “hard parts” of the Bible as they preach His Word.
However, the NT is the fulfillment of the OT.
A revealing exercise of just how saturated the Old Testament is within the New Testament is to grab a Bible and mark out (highlight) all the references to the OT in the NT. You’re thinking that’s just a 1 to 2-hour exercise, right? Wrong! You can spend a lifetime discovering all the cross references between the two Testaments.
Some Examples: Old in the New
In Matthew (the first book of the New Testament), 23 of 25 verses (92 percent) in the first chapter originate in the Old Testament. First, comes a genealogy that begins with Abraham – yes, that’s the Old Testament Abraham. Then, a list of descendants, and this summary:
“So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.” (Matthew 1:17)
Matthew Chapter 1 ends with what was first prophesied in the Old Testament in Isaiah 7:14:
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
New Testament:
“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ (Matthew
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:22-25)
Jesus and the Devil
Another vivid example of God’s Word validating itself from beginning to end is found in both Matthew 4 and Luke 4. In these passages we find the same account of a confrontation between Jesus and the devil.
The devil himself used Old Testament scripture to challenge Jesus as described in the New Testament:
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and,
‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” (Matthew 4:5-6)
Jesus countered:
“It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” (Matthew 4:7)
It’s clearly evident that what was expressed in the NT was foretold in the OT:
The devil’s words quoting Old Testament:
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12)
Jesus’ words found in the Old Testament:
“You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.” (Deuteronomy 6:16)
The Common Theme
Although some people set aside or discount the Old Testament, for those who believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God, it’s unlikely that they will miss the common theme found from Genesis to Revelation: God loves Israel.
Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3)
In Revelation 7:4 we read that 144,000 Jews are to be sealed or given the special protection of God.
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.
The futurist interpretation of Revelation states that those “sealed” will be kept safe from the divine judgments and from the wrath of the Antichrist. Their mission seems to be to evangelize the post-rapture world and proclaim the gospel during the tribulation period.
How relevant is the Old Testament?
God makes it clear that we are not to omit or twist His words, whether they are found in either the Old Testament or the New Testament.
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. (Old Testament - Proverbs 30:5-6)
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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (New Testament - 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Alex Murashko is a journalist and writing team leader for Think Eternity, a site for powerful faith content to help you live the fulfilled life in Jesus.
He is also founder of Media on Mission. Connect on X: @AlexMurashko.
Tom Claycomb is an author and speaker, who loves the Lord, and whose expertise includes the great outdoors. He is highly desired at pro-outdoor sports seminars from Texas to Alaska on topics such as hunting, fishing, and knife sharpening.
Tom also teaches lessons about memorizing scripture. Email: tomclaycomb3rd@gmail.com.