The New Pointed to the Old

(Special thanks to Kevin Swanson. As God used him at the UCFC conference in oct to open my eyes to the truth about 2 Tim 3:15-17)

In both of the following passages, God, through his servant Paul, shows the correct perspective on how to think and understand about what is really in the Old Testament. Now both passages can now be expanded to include the NT. But when God had this written to Timothy “the word of truth” and the “holy scriptures” and “ all scripture are given by inspiration….etc etc” would mean the Old Testament. As there was another 300yrs before the New Testament would be cannonised.

2 timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 timothy3:15-17 but you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. And that from childhood you have known the holy scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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.

Now God starts up his new church through his Son with only the Old Testament as his written witness. Now a short time ago I just thought it was God showing how he can do so much, with so little, because well, he is God.

But now I understand that when he gave us his son he had already given his “word of truth”.

With the Old testament we already had the “holy scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”. And with the Old Testament his people could… be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work!

Jesus death and resurrection changed the relationship between God and man. But Gods master battle plan was already in place. Christs arrival didn’t change the basic instructions from God to man. But now we gain access to the Author and finisher of our faith. And how!

2 timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This passage commands us to to be able to rightly handle the word of truth, so we won’t be ashamed. So if I am not confident handling Gods Law, statutes and precepts I might find myself ashamed?

2 timothy3:15-17 but you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. And that from childhood you have known the holy scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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.

Now again if I am not rightly dividing Gods Laws, statutes and precepts from the Old Testament, this passage causes me to question whether I am “complete” and “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Rats!!!

During the last 50yrs (last 20 for sure) When someone gets saved what would happen?

We do what? (im excepting our current fellowships,but modern churchs in general) we would Try to help them with what will seem like their most pressing areas and, where they need help the most.

After that, when they seem less wobbly they are placed someplace where they can minister to some one else. That was the pattern I saw.

But when do we go back and cover the Old Testament, and lay the foundation that God established…for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness , that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Oops.

I can now see that my New Testament understanding has been built on a foundation of Humanistic Americana . This just stinks. As now I have to check everybodys I.D. in all my thinking process’s. How my brain thinks must be brought captive to the word of God. I can only do this if I am willing to use All of Gods word. Otherwise it will seem that Gods word is silent on so many issues. Does anyone really believe that there is any subject in all the universe that God doesnt have an opinion on. Exuse me, how about any subject he doesnt have the foundational truth of.

A New Testament understanding, minus a solid foundation of the Old Testament, will leave you with a New Testament understanding…. possibly very different than the one God intended? Just thinking out loud....so no one shoot me.