Is it necessary to read the old testament before the new testament?

Question

Thanks.

Answer 1

no but its kinda better to read the old one first! it will make more sense. . . at least to me it did! hope this helped! :) God bless! :)

Answer 2

Not at all. In fact it's like reading about 2 different Gods.But the New Testament frequently refers to the Old Testament. In that way it could be helpful to read the OT first.

Answer 3

I think it depends on what you are looking for.

Many people will say no. They will say it is too hard and that you should read the NT first. Ultimately, the Christian faith is centered around Jesus and his story begins there. If the reason to read the bible is to come to a place where you can recognize you are a sinner in need of God to help you, then the NT will tell you that.

However, I think the purpose of the Bible is not to come to some cognitive understanding of the need for a savior. I think this is part of it. A huge part of it. The Bible, though, is written to introduce the reader to God: Father, Son, and Spirit.

So, I find it interesting that so many of God's followers will emphatically say that you shouldn't read the OT first when the God they follow starts there with his redemption in history. Maybe we should follow his example.

That being said, I get their point. I think it may be ok to start with the New, as long as you make it a point to read the Old. The goal is to know and love the God who is, not the God we think is or the God that we wish was. Try, at some point, to read it straight through, as you would a novel. I think you will get insights that way.

Much love

Answer 4

A good teacher will teach you what Jesus taught.

This is in the New Testament.

Jesus taught out of the Old Testament books by way of parables.

As a person learns what Jesus taught - a good teacher will show also how the two fit together.

For example many people are on the path of self destruction by going and doing and participating in certain things. This is shown by Jesus in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Isaiah 29:9 talks about being drunk but not with wine we may look at this as being high on something. (among other meanings)

29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

It saddens a person of God to see a wondrous person - that could be - doing the drink and drug stuff. People die from these.

Answer 5

No. From my experience it is better to read the New Testament first before the Old Testament.

The Old Testament attains its full meaning and fulfillment in the New Testament and in turn sheds light upon the New Testament and allows it to be understood more fully. The New Testament in turn fulfils the Old Testament because it reveals the final Word of God, promised to Israel, Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 1,2)

Peace and every blessing!

Answer 6

No,you'll give up by the time you get to the "begats". Try the Gospels first, the Epistles of John,Acts and the rest of the New Testament. There are many quotes from the OT in the NT.
Then ,when you read the OT,which is also the written inspired Word of God, you can see it in the perspective of the merciful God of Love for all people

Answer 7

If you have never read the bible and know little then start of with the new testament. As you grow stronger in knowledge go to bible studies classes and learn about the old testament. Otherwise you will be very confused.

Answer 8

Christianity makes a lot more sense if you just read the new testament, and even more if you limit your reading to the actual quotes of Jesus. The old testament will just scare the crap out of you.

I'm joking of course, there are a lot of references to the old testament in the new, so you should read both to get a thorough understanding.

Answer 9

Certainly not the whole OT. A copy of the NT will usually have references to the OT; you can look at them to see the OT books that are important. It's mostly a matter of trying to persuade the Jews that Jesus' coming is foretold in the OT. Do you know the famous OT stories, like Adam and Eve, Noah's Ark, Moses and the Exodus, David and Goliath ? If not, you can get something like Bible Cliff Notes to fill you in. What's really valuable in the NT are some of the wonderful things Jesus said, and you don't need to do anything but read them. Can you believe a guy with the nerve to tell us we ought to love our enemies ? It's still far more than we can handle 2000 years later. He was ready to turn the world upside down. I don't believe that Jesus was more than a man, and it makes him that much more amazing. Churches exist to tame his message; you will look far and wide to find the few scattered Christians who live by the Sermon on the Mount.

Answer 10

The old testament is the holy book of the Jews, it was their holy book long before the birth of Christianity. Later Christians adopted the Old testament as part of their holy scriptures.

The important question, which has far reaching implications is, why is the holy book of the Jews accepted also as a valid scripture for the Christians?
Any Christian readily admits that he is not a Jew. Then why use their book?
Why not use also the holy book of the Zoroastrians, and the Buddhists, etc.. who came also before them.
.

Answer 11

of course to get the whole picture.also the fact is the new testament does not negate the importance of the old testament at all. JESUS himself followed the religious practices of the time and prayed always to our heavenly father.there are those who say that they go to church on Sunday and do not keep the Sabbath of the bible to honor the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.certainly a day to celebrate but it in no way at all is it the Sabbath! to know you must read the whole bible,i recommend the king James version of the holy bible.i also pray and ask GOD to let me clearly understand what he has stated not popular opinion.good luck to you.