Some few years ago I wrote an article in which I mentioned how Satan, a super-intelligent spirit being – quite obviously had a master stroke of genius when he was able to confuse in the minds of Christians, true believers, the following four terms: 1) Old Testament, 2) Old Covenant, 3) New Testament, and 4) New Covenant. I asked my readers: Which of these four terms are synonymous? The answer: NONE! None of the four terms listed above are synonymous. And that’s where Satan had his master stroke of genius. He led Christians to believe the first two terms (Old Testament/Old Covenant) and last two terms (New Testament/New Covenant) are indeed synonymous – and they are NOT! The Old Testament is comprised of the books of the Bible (thirty-nine in all) that begin with Genesis and end with Malachi. But the Old Covenant is the covenant God made with ancient Israel and is only mentioned in a very few of those Old Testament books, primarily in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Likewise, the New Testament is comprised of the books of the Bible (twenty-seven in all) that begin with the Gospel According to Matthew and end with the Book of Revelation. But the New Covenant is the covenant God made with the church and is only mentioned in a few of those New Testament books, primarily in John’s Gospel account, and the books of Romans and Galatians. Satan knew the Old Covenant was superseded by the New Covenant and that the Old Covenant was done away with and abolished. He, therefore, considered that if he could deceive believers into thinking the Old Covenant and the Old Testament were synonymous, then believers would assume the Old Testament was also done away with, abolished – no longer to be used as a guide or considered for instruction and spiritual enlightenment. And that is exactly what has happened in the Christian world, and it happened a long time ago. Countless are the believers who will loudly affirm and declare that they do not get their doctrine from the Old Testament – the Hebrew Scriptures! They are utterly and totally blind to the fact that the apostle Paul plainly declared in writing that “ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE….” (See 2 Timothy 3:16). Remember that Timothy was a fellow minister and companion of Paul on his missionary travels, and writing to Timothy Paul urged him to “continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them (from an apostle’s personal instruction), and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures (the Hebrew scriptures, what are commonly called the Old Testament), which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture (and note well that Paul is here making reference to the Old Testament scriptures- the ONLY scriptures this grown man could possibly have known from childhood) is given by inspiration of God, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, for reproof (to show you where you err in doctrine), for correction (to reveal to you God’s truth in any given matter), for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect (complete) thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works” (See 2 Timothy 3:14-17). Beware of any preacher or supposed Bible teacher who says they do not get their doctrine out of the Old Testament. You are standing in the presence of a deceived man or woman when you hear those words.
Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley