Thursday: The Apostles and the Bible
The New Testament writers approach the Bible the same way that Jesus does. In matters of doctrine, ethics, and prophetic fulfillment, the Old Testament for them was the authoritative Word of God. We find nothing, anywhere, in what these men say or do that challenges either the authority or authenticity of any part of the Bible.
What do these passages below teach us about how the apostles understood the authority of God’s Word?
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Notice in these passages how closely related the Scriptures are to the voice of God Himself. In Acts 4, just before being filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples praise God for the deliverance of Peter and John. In their praise, they raise their voices, acknowledging God as the Creator and for speaking through David His servant. That is, David’s words are God’s words. In Acts 13:32-36, David is quoted again by Paul, but his words are attributed to God, for verse 32 says: “What God promised to the fathers” (RSV).
In Romans 9:17, where one would expect God as the subject, Paul uses the term “Scripture”, saying: “For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh” (NKJV), which could actually be stated, “For God says to the Pharaoh”. In Galatians 3:8 the subject “Scripture” is used in place of “God”, showing just how closely tied the Word of God is to God Himself.
In fact, the New Testament writers uniformly rely on the Old Testament as the Word of God. There are hundreds of quotes in the New Testament from the Old Testament. One scholar has compiled a list of 2,688 specific references, 400 from Isaiah, 370 from the Psalms, 220 from Exodus, and so on. If one were to add to this list allusions, themes, and motifs, the number would greatly increase. The books are replete with references to the Old Testament prophecies that are often introduced with the phrase, “it is written” (Matt. 2:5, Mark 1:2, Mark 7:6, Luke 2:23, Luke 3:4, Rom. 3:4, Rom. 8:36, Rom. 9:33, 1 Cor. 1:19, Gal. 4:27, 1 Pet. 1:16). All of this confirms that the Old Testament Scriptures are the foundation upon which the teachings of Jesus and the apostles rest.
| What should these examples teach us about how dangerous any ideas are that would lessen our trust in the authority of the Scriptures? |
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I seriously think that the authors have deliberately ignored some of the challenges that the New Testament Church faced in sorting out the differences between Christianity and Judaism. It was not all that long ago when we were studying the book of Acts, and when the issue came up about what was required of the Gentiles. Circumcision is prescribed in the Torah with words like "everlasting covenant". The Church fathers had to make a decision whether to follow the written Torah, or make an exception for Gentile Christians and no longer obey the requirements of the Torah. Clearly, this was a big issue and it ultimately split the early church into the Judaiser's and what we may like to call "grace Christians".
Remember, this took place before the New Testament was written and the only written Scripture was the Jewish Old Testament. Yet the church leaders decided to say that the rite of circumcision would not be required of Gentile Christians. I could, of course, refer to other laws from the Written Torah which we too consider no longer relevant.
I cite these examples not to stir up strife but to remind ourselves that belief and practice are viewed through a cultural lens. We perhaps need a vigorous discussion about how this principle applies. Note I have carefully avoided those religious practices such as sacrifices and the day of atonement. Clearly there is a good case for no longer observing those because the pointed to Christ. However, circumcision and the unclean/clean laws served different purpose.
Hello Maurice, great idea to include this topic into our study this week. We need to understand how all our beliefs/practices are soundly based on God's word.
I find this matter of circumcision is rather well covered by Jesus, who never taught this as part of receiving Him, along with the Holy Spirit filling Cornelius and his household though uncircumcised. Also, the very initiation of this came well after Abraham received the covenant from God, and was only introduced after the Hagar incident as a reminder to all Abraham's seed, which included the "stranger" who would sojourn with Israel in order to take part in the ceremonial laws, such as the Passover, which Jesus replaced with the symbols of wine and unleavened bread. Could baptism be the "new covenant" circumcision? I view circumcision as being similar to the blue border on the garments, added after another departure from obedience to the Law during the wilderness journey from Egypt.
Notice how these were not required of Namaan, when he vowed to serve the LORD for the remainder of his life though not sojourning among Israel. Eventually the question arose and was settled by the apostles guided by the Holy Spirit, who would have protested their decision if they had been wrong in their conclusion.
I'm also wondering if this might come up later in the lessons or not, though it was covered not that long ago as you mentioned. I agree that it is a valid point to resolve during this quarter's topic, and we must not be limited to the study guide's limitations. I've always viewed the SS Quarterly as the diving board, and not the pool. 😉
Remember Jesus used the old testament to expound on himself. The disciples also referenced the old testament prophecies to authenticate the life of Jesus on this earth.
The division of the old and a new testament was a concept created by us.
Acts 1: 15-16
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d] the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.
Peter talking about Judas says, “It was the Holy Spirit which spoke through David concerning Judas.” Therefore, Peter believed the scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit. If the Word of God was not inspired, we would have never learned the word Agape. Agape is a word can only be used to demonstrate godly love. It has been demonstrated only in the cross of Christ.
In the book of James, we learn the Ten Commandments are not a multiple choice for us to choose but he calls for obedience to the entire law. James emphasizes the importance of faith in action by referencing the devil himself contrast that with the actions of Abraham and Rahab.
New Testament is not the replacement of old testament.
Can you imagine New Testament without Old Testatment. John 3:16 would not make sense unto us.
Why did God give His son?
What is the purpose of the sacrifice?
Without Old Testament we have no clue the life we have lost.
No wonder evolution took a strong hold in this world.
"How many times is the Old Testament quoted in the New Testament? Over 1,600 times."
https://quizlet.com/147772708/survey-of-the-bible-unit-1-flash-car
This lesson lets us understand that we cannot understand the New Testament without having a clear understanding of the Old Testament. We cannot understand the book of Hebrews if we don’t have a great understanding of the book of Leviticus. The Old Testament is intertwined with the New one. Have a blessed everyone and stay blessed. Let us use God’s word as our strength in this difficult time.
The Old Testament was all anyone had at the time Jesus walked this earth. It’s interesting that even then, there were different understandings of what was said in them. The Jewish leaders and most of Israel, totally missed the point of the Messiah coming, they looked for someone that would defeat the Romans and make their life on earth better. Jesus, the author of that Old Testament, came to show them and teach them what it all really meant. He tried to help them see that it was salvation from sin that was needed, not salvation from the Romans. The apostles finally were able to see it when Jesus walked with them after being resurrected, the first to be shown were the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, their hearts burned within them, as Jesus unfolded the scripture with them. The New Testament is full of references to the Old for a good reason, and with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can have that same experience. Understanding the Old Testament is the key that unlocks the New Testament.
Above all else, the authority of the Scripture is based on the author - God the Creator of Heaven and Earth and all that is therein.
His vessels spoke and wrote as they were led by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Both, the new and old Testament, are inspired from the same source so that the God of Creation is revealed; to let man know that there is a God in Heaven that rules with Authority.
1.Cor.8:6; Col. 1:16; Rom. 1:18-20 and many more inspired, powerful scriptural references.
John 4:24 - But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth:for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
To keep His promise and to declare/reveal Himself to us, God has send us the new Adam, our Savior Jesus Christ, as declared throughout the old and new Testament.