why do Christians put so much store in the old testament.?

Question

I dont pay much attention to all those storys myself. I only learn from what Jesus said.and I do my best to do Gods will the way Jesus wonted me to.by excepting the Spirit of God into me and asking of it and listening for the answers and trying to do what God wonts me to.

Answer 1

Sounds like you are on the right path to me.

Answer 2

The questioner that was two questions ahead of you asked essentially the exact same question. Here is the answer that I gave her:

The New Testament is not in opposition to the Old Testament. It is the completion of all the the Old Testament was saying. If there is no divine inspiration, no validity to the Old Testament, then there was no God to be satisfied, no sin debt to be paid, no Messiah to be sent. It has been said, that the Old Testament is really the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is really the Old Testament revealed. And so it is. Think about it. The Old Testament is the statement of the problem, and the promise for the cure, and the New Testament is the arrival of the promised cure, and the promise of resolving all things that are not yet resolved. Just as the promise of the Old Testament was fulfilled by the coming of Jesus the Messiah, so the fulfillment of the promise made in the New Testament will come - at the end of this age we are living in now.

Answer 3

I listen to the whole Bible, not just the New Testament.
Jesus taught from the Old Testament, we get the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament. We learn about the power of God and His love for the Prophets in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is very important !

We all should be Bible believing Christians, not just New Testament believing Christians.
There is to much we need to know from the Old Testament to disregard it.

God Bless and have a wonderful New Year!

Answer 4

Jesus himself was a Jewish Rabbi and as such studied the Old Testament closely. He did it for a reason. They are not just "old stories". When the devil tempted him, he could rebuke Satan with the written word! He quoted Old Testament scripture throughout his ministry. If he would have thought it better not to know OT he would have said so but he did not. Instead, he taught his disciples from the Torah. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He gave us His word so that we could know the examples of Godly men and women who walked with God before us and also the OT helps us to know what is pleasing to God and how God deals with mankind. If we are true Christians we have to do what Jesus did. Jesus studied the word of God and so should we! The whole Bible is important!

Answer 5

I think we must understand that God would not have preserved for us the Old Testament if it were of no value. Are we bound by the old law. Certainly not. We are under the new law of liberty under Christ Jesus. But can we learn from the writings of the Old Testament. Certainly. By reading the Old Testament we draw nearer to a true understanding of who God is and how He has related to His people throughout time. We learn of the nature of God. Of His justice. Of His love. Of His mercy. Of His jealousness for our submission. Of His wrath. And having a deeper understanding of God helps us in our relationship to Him.

The Old Testament prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. When the time was right for the coming of Jesus then all this preparation for Jesus through the Old Testament was fulfilled.


Rom 5:6

6 You see, at just the right time , when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
NIV

So don't live by the Old Testament but learn from it.

Answer 6

The old testament gives history, background, prophesy, guidance, and much much more. As others have commented Jesus studied, learned, lived and tough from the old testament.

God tells us to use all the scriptures:
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) . . .All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.

Answer 7

You are correct to filter both the New Testament and Old Testament scriptures through the teachings of Jesus. Remember how many times Jesus corrected the Jewish Rabbis concerning their OT interpretations. But also remember that Jesus came to fulfill the OT scriptures as well.

Answer 8

I love the New Testament and Jesus. Did you know that almost 1/3 (32%) of the New Testament quotes Old Testament Scripture?

I have respect for the Old Testament because it's principals still apply to our lives as much today as it did when it was written.

The New Testament explains the Old Testament...and the Old Testament symbolism's explain Revelation.

Jesus saves, forgives and LIVES!!!

Answer 9

Jesus referred to the Old Testament and gave it respect and credibility. The Apostles often referred to the Old Testament. It tells us a lot about the nature and character of God and his dealings with mankind. ALL Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching and reproof--don't limit yourself to the New Testament. God has a lot to say to you through the Old Testament as well.

Answer 10

1Timothy 3:16 says that ALL scripture is inspired of God and beneficial. Jesus often quoted from the word of God, which at that time was the so-called old testament. (These books are more properly called the Hebrew Scriptures) These books help us to put faith in Jesus Christ since he fulfilled them.

Answer 11

Jesus quoted from the OT, thus giving it validity. There were hundreds of messianic prophecies that Jesus fulfilled.
The bible was inspired by God, so we study it, both OT and NT, to get to know Him better.
I can't know what God wants u to do w/o reading His word.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians that Jesus is the 2nd Adam. Well, you have to know the OT to know what that means. The NT quotes extensively from the OT, so it is helpful to be familiar with it, especially the book of Hebrews.