Even though Christians live under the New Covenant and the Law of Moses is not our law today, we still need the Old Testament to fully understand the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Because both testaments come from the same God, the Old Testament provides essential context for defining moral principles, defining law, and clarifying difficult concepts in the New Testament.
In this concluding lesson on the role of the Old Testament in a Christian's life, we examine how Old Testament context defines key biblical concepts—including the biblical definition of murder vs. capital punishment, self-defense, killing in war, the sanctity of life in the womb, and principles regarding moral purity and financial stewardship.
Timestamps / Key Topics Covered:
0:00 – Introduction: Why Christians Still Need the Old Testament 1:15 – Defining "Do Not Murder" (Matthew 5 vs. Old Testament Context) 2:48 – Capital Punishment & Manslaughter: What Is (and Isn't) Murder? (Genesis 9, Numbers 35) 6:30 – Is Killing in War Considered Murder? (Numbers 10 & 31, 2 Samuel 3, Hebrews 11) 13:48 – Sanctity of Unborn Life & Abortion (Judges 13: Samson's Nazirite Vow) 16:46 – Defining Sexual Purity & Lewdness (Leviticus 18, Deuteronomy 22, Hosea 4) 18:26 – Principles of Lending, Interest, and Mercy (Matthew 5 & 25, Exodus 22, Proverbs 37) 19:48 – Conclusion: Using the Whole Word of God to Build Faith