Chapter 1 BIBLE STUDY NOTES ON UNDERSTANDING THE OLD TESTAMENT AGE AND DOCTRINE OF MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN by Dan Billingsly BSN# 100 Although the Bible continues to be the best selling book in America, and while today Bible study and interest in religion may represent an all-time high, unfortunately the present-day confusion and division of the religious world also continues to show the Bible to be the most misunderstood book in the world. Seeing this is the case, we ask, why do people misunderstand the Bible? Can we come to know the basic cause of this misunderstanding and division over the Bible? Yes, we believe that it is possible to uncover the primary cause of the misunderstanding, point the way for all to have a greater knowledge of the Bible, and unite all believers in the true New Testament faith of Christ. After many years of studying denominational creeds and the emphasis of denominational preaching that has caused such enormous doctrinal divisions, it is evident that one of the primary causes for misunderstanding the Bible is the denominational failure to scripturally understand where the Old Testament Mosaical covenant age and teaching ends and where the New Testament age and teaching begins. Unfortunately, and contrary to the teaching of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the majority in denominations (and "traditionalists" among New Testament churches of Christ) have accepted the book of Malachi as the end of the Old Testament age and the book of Matthew as the beginning of the New Testament age. Many have never understood that the four Old Testament "gospels" of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- not the book of Malachi, describe the end of the Old Testament Mosaical age -- not the beginning of the New Testament age. Millions have never learned that only Acts, chapter 2, marks the beginning of the New Testament age and revelation of new covenant doctrine! The failure to understand this critical point of Bible teaching has caused millions among the denominations to build their faith and hopes erroneously upon the teaching of the law of Moses by Christ in the four Old Testament "gospels" rather than on the true New Testament doctrine as revealed by Christ and the apostles in Acts 2 through Revelation 22. Why have so many misunderstood the old covenant age of the four Old Testament "gospels" of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross? Why have so many misunderstood the difference in between the Old and New Testaments? The New Testament "Title Page" -- The Most Misunderstood "Page" In The Bible BSN# 101 Common people have misunderstood the Bible because they have been misled by "the title page" of the New Testament -- a page unscripturally placed between the books of Malachi and Matthew by sectarian and denominational translators and publishers of our modern Bibles. The New Testament "title page" has caused people to believe that the book of Malachi marks the end of the Old Testament age and the book of Matthew marks the beginning of the New Testament age. This mistake of the translators and publishers in organizing the sixty-six books of the Bible and incorrectly placing the four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament age -- rather than in the Old Testament age where biblical history, and the teaching of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the apostles and the doctrine of both the Old and New Testaments place them -- is the primary cause today of the misunderstanding of the Bible and religious division among Bible believers. Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 1
The New Testament "title page" of our modern Bibles does not scripturally divide between the Old and New Testaments. Malachi is not the last book of the Old Testament age, teaching of the old Mosaical law of Moses and practice of the old covenant religion of Israel. Matthew is not the first book of the New Testament; it does not mark the beginning of the New Testament age, teaching of the New Testament "gospel" of Christ, establishment of the new covenant church and worship. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe the last thirty-three years of the Old Testament age, with John the baptist and Jesus Christ as the last two Old Testament prophets that God sent to Israel. Acts 2 marks the beginning of the New Testament age and first revelation of new covenant doctrine. Most people could understand that the Old Testament Mosaical age ended with the death of Christ on the cross as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- and that the New Testament age began in Acts 2 by just studying the Scriptures -- if the New Testament "title page" did not confuse and mislead them. This being true, let us ask, just when and how did the New Testament "title page" originate? The present "title page" of the New Testament is not a part of the original Scriptures. It was not placed in the Bible by God, the Holy Spirit, Christ or an inspired prophet or apostle. It is a "page" placed in the Bible by modern denominational translators and commercial printers who, according to sectarian theology, erroneously believed and taught that Matthew's Old Testament Mosaical "gospel" was the beginning of the historical New Testament age. By inserting the New Testament "title page" just before the book of Matthew, contrary to the biblical teaching of both the Old and New Testaments, the sectarian translators and publishers of our modern Bibles have given the impression that the four Old Testament "gospels" describe the beginning of the New Testament age rather than the end of the Old Testament age in which Christ actually lived. This unauthorized and unscriptural placement of the New Testament "title page" between Malachi and Matthew, instead of between Acts, chapters 1 and 2, where the New Testament age really began, has caused untold millions to misunderstand the teaching of the Bible. It creates the impression that John the baptizer of Israel established the New Testament age, preached the New Testament "gospel," and established the New Testament church before the advent of Christ. Of course, this is not true to the teaching of either the Old or New Testaments, but the present erroneous and sectarian New Testament "title page" has created this false impression in the minds of countless people. This denominational misunderstanding of Old Testament teaching has created a false Catholic, Protestant and "traditional" theology that has become the basis for religious division among those who would believe and follow Christ. It has caused millions to base their hopes for salvation on a misunderstanding of the teachings of the Old Testament law of Moses. No Old Testament Patriarchal Or Mosaical "Title Page" BSN# 102 Because there is no Old Testament "title page" that separates between the Old Testament Patriarchal and Mosaical ages to mislead Bible students, few have any difficulty understanding where the Patriarchal age ended (Exodus 19) and when the Mosaical covenant began (Exodus 20). As a result, few have any difficulty understanding and applying the teaching of those two different covenants to the people who were in those covenants. How Should We Rightly Divide The Sixty-Six Books Of The Bible Into Their Proper Old And New Covenants? BSN# 103 The Bible is composed of sixty-six books, Genesis through Revelation, and to understand the true message of the Bible these books must be scripturally divided into the three different biblical or covenant ages in God's Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 2
scheme of redemption. Care should also be given to the period of time between the Old and New Testaments. The division should be as follows. 1. Genesis through Exodus 19 describe the Old Testament Patriarchal age when God made his covenant with various individuals and families. (Note: The old covenant teaching and historical record of this Old Testament Patriarchal age applied only to the people with whom God made these covenants. While we today should believe the veracity and historical record of these Old Testament Patriarchal covenants -- none of the teaching of the old Patriarchal age for faith and the practice of religion applies to anyone in this New Testament age.) 2. Exodus 20 to the death of Christ on the cross in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19 describe the Old Testament Mosaical age when God made his old covenant of "the ten commandments" with the one nation of Israel. (Note: The old covenant teaching and historical record of the Old Testament Mosaical age applied only to the people or nation of Israel with whom God made this covenant. While we today should believe the veracity and historical record of the Old Testament Mosaical covenant -- none of the teaching of the old Mosaical age for faith and the practice of religion applies to anyone in this New Testament age.) 3. The Old Mosaical age and covenant ended and was abolished at the death of Christ on the cross (Rom. 7:4; 2 Cor. 3: Col. 2:14; Heb. 10:9-10). On that date, every Old Testament Jew in the world lost his Old Testament religion and covenant relationship with God. Matthew, chapter 28, Mark, chapter 16, Luke, chapter 24 and John, chapters 20, 21 and Acts, chapter 1, all describe the same period of time and activities of the eleven disciples -- between the Old and New Testaments. "Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:2-3). 4. Acts 2 through Revelation 22 reveal and describe the beginning and first thirty-five year history of the New Testament age and revelation of Christ's new covenant in "the apostles' doctrine." The New Testament of Jesus Christ is fully set forth in these twenty-three books. The plan of salvation for alien sinners is clearly revealed in "the great commission" of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:46-47; Acts 1:8), and many examples of aliens becoming Christians and entering into the new covenant relationship with Christ in the church are given in the book of Acts (2:36-42; 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48; 16:15, 30-34; 18:8). In Romans through Revelation, Christ sets forth his new covenant law in "the apostles' doctrine" for the church for worship, life and service to God. If we are to understand the Bible, we must "rightly divide" the sixty-six inspired books into their proper old and new covenants, and then understand the differences between the covenants and religions of the three different biblical ages. The Scriptures teach that the dividing line between the Patriarchal and Mosaical covenants and ages falls between Exodus 19 and 20, and the dividing line between the Mosaical and Christian covenants and ages falls between the cross and Acts 2. While we today should believe the accounts of the first two biblical Patriarchal and Mosaical ages, we must realize that only the teaching of the New Covenant of Christ in Acts 2 through Revelation 22 -- "all truth" as bound by the apostles (Jn. 16:7-13; Matt. 16:18-20) is the basis for new covenant salvation, faith and worship for this New Testament age It is only by "rightly dividing" the teaching of the Scriptures into these three different covenant ages that we can understand and apply the teaching, example and practice of the new covenant faith and religion to men of this New Testament age Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 3
Understanding The Old And New Testaments BSN #104 What is the greatest hindrance today in understanding the Bible? Is it the accurate translation of the ancient Hebrew or Greek languages, the geography, cultures, difficult foreign names or unfamiliar places? Is it the number of the 66 books, the volume of the 750,000 words, 1189 chapters, and 31,000 verses of the Bible? Is it the selection of the right version or translation of the Scriptures? In reality, is it simply the failure to "rightly divide" (2 Tim. 3:16-17) between the teachings of the Old and New Testaments -- especially Christ's Old Testament teaching and prophecy in the four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? To understand the Bible today, every person needs to realize the covenant difference in the plan, purpose, people, teaching and covenant age of the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament Patriarchal and Mosaical ages are described in the books of Genesis through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the New Testament age is described in the books of Acts 2 through Revelation 22. Many Bible students simply have never understood just when the historical and doctrinal Old Testament age ended and the historical and doctrinal New Testament age began. Many do not know which books and teaching of the Bible belong to the Old Testament age and which belong to the New Testament age. To understand the Bible, we must realize that modern translators and publishers of the Bible have "wrongly divided" the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and placed them in this New Testament age rather than the Old Testament Mosaical age where they actually belong -- where Christ, the Holy Spirit and the apostles placed these four books in their inspired teaching. As a result of this error in dividing between the books of the Old and New Testaments, millions have misinterpreted and misunderstood Christ's teaching of the old covenant teaching of the law of Moses in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as new covenant teaching. These misguided people have never understood that these four books show John and Jesus, as God's last two old covenant prophets in Israel, teaching the law of Moses to the Jews -- rather than New Testament evangelists establishing the historical and doctrinal new covenant age and revealing only New Testament teaching. Many have never understood that the teaching of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John before the cross -- not the book of Malachi -- describe the last thirty-three years of the Mosaical age and mark the end of the Old Testament. Because of the confusion caused by this erroneous arrangement of the books of the Bible, most people who study the Scriptures today have never grasped the Old Testament historical and covenant age of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross. In their efforts to believe and follow the teachings of Christ, they have unwittingly placed their faith and hope in Christ's teachings of the Old Mosaical covenant under which he lived and taught -- rather than in the faith and examples of his New Testament teachings for this age as revealed through the apostles in Acts 2 through Revelation 22. Millions have never understood that it was not the birth of Christ -- but his death on the cross -- that brought the Old Testament age to an end (Rom. 10:4; Col. 2:14). Many people have been misled into believing that Malachi marked the end of the Old Testament age, and that John and Jesus established the New Testament age. As a result, they believe that all the teaching, examples, and practice of religion in the Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- is to be followed as New Testament teaching today. They do not understand that they have established their hopes and theology in the conditions for faith and salvation in the teachings of the Old Testament Mosaical covenant taught in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- rather than the teaching of Christ through his apostles in Acts2 through Revelation 22 for this New Testament age. Many denominations -- believe and teach -- that to follow Christ today they must practice John's old covenant baptism, keep the sabbath, worship according to the law of Moses, and teach men to keep "the ten commandments" as Christ did when he lived under the law of Moses in Israel. Few denominational people realize that the New Testament age, with the new covenant teaching of Christ revealed through the apostles, did not begin until after his death, burial, resurrection and ascension as described in Acts 2! Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 4
Five Things We Must Learn About Matthew, Mark, Luke And John BSN# 105 If we are to believe in and obey Christ today, we must learn the difference between and Old and New Testaments. We must not interpret Christ's teaching of the Old Testament law of Moses in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- as New Testament doctrine. Let us learn the following biblical facts. 1. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- describe the last thirty-three years of the Old Testament Mosaical age -- rather than the beginning of the New Testament age. Only Acts 2 and the epistles of Romans through Revelation 22 describe new covenant faith, doctrine and example of the New Testament church in the beginning of the New Testament age. 2. These four books show the Old Testament mission of John and Jesus to Israel for the purpose of fulfilling all promises and prophecies that God had made to his old covenant people. They show John and Jesus as Old Testament prophets -- not New Testament evangelists! 3. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, record the events before the cross when John and Jesus preached the "good news" of the Old Testament "Mosaical gospel" (Matt. 4:17). They declared that the Messiah had come to Israel and that God's new covenant kingdom was "at hand." John and Jesus did not establish the New Testament kingdom on earth during their personal ministries to Israel; the new covenant church was established by Christ through the apostles when the New Testament age began in Acts 2. 4. These four books describe examples of unfaithful Jews "believing" on their Old Testament Messiah and being "restored" to God under the law of Moses. They do not show John and Jesus preaching the new covenant "gospel" to alien sinners and producing Christians by "faith only" or by a "personal experience" with Christ in this New Testament age. 5. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- show John and Jesus worshiping according to the law of Moses, commanding the offering of animal sacrifice and use of instrumental music in temple worship while the Old Testament Mosaical covenant was still in force. They do not show John and Jesus worshiping with the new covenant church in this New Testament age. This study is dedicated to a correct interpretation of the Old Testament life and teaching of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and to a scriptural explanation of the difference between "the two covenants" as seen in the New Testament teaching of Christ through "the apostles' doctrine" in Acts 2 through Revelation 22. This study will show how to separate or "rightly divide" between the Old Testament teaching and prophecies of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross, and the revelation of his New Testament teaching in "the apostles' doctrine" of Acts 2 -- Revelation 22 -- after the cross. Questions And Answers About The Differences Between The Old And New Testaments Or Covenants BSN# 106 1. When did the Old Testament Patriarchal age begin and end? Answer: The Patriarchal age began immediately after Adam's fall into sin at the garden of Eden (Gen. 3). This biblical age continued until God selected the nation of Israel to be his covenant people (Ex., chapters 19 and 20). At that time the Patriarchal covenant age ended as God cast away the other nations (the Gentiles) who had become incorrigibly wicked and idolatrous (Eph. 2:11-12). 2. When did the Old Testament Mosaical age begin and end? Answer: The Mosaical age began when God made his covenant with Israel (Ex., chapters 19 and 20, it ended when Christ was crucified on the cross (Rom. 7:7; 10:4; Col. 2:14). 3. Is the book of Malachi the last book of the Bible that describes the Old Testament Mosaical age? Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 5
Answer: No! The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe the history of the last thirty-three years of the Old Testament Mosaical age (Matt. 8:4; Mk. 7:1-13; Lk. 1:5-9; Jn. 12:1). 4. How do we know that the Old Testament Mosaical age did not end with the book of Malachi or the birth of Christ in Matthew 1 -- but after the death of Christ on the cross? And how do we know that the New Testament age did not begin until Acts 2? Answer: Because the Scriptures repeatedly teach this truth (Jer. 31:31-35; Rom. 10:4; 7:1-4; Heb. 9:16-17, 10:9-10; Col. 2:14; 2 Cor. 3:1-18). 5. How do we know that both John the baptizer of Israel and Jesus Christ lived under the authority and law of the Old Testament Mosaical covenant? Answer: Because both John and Jesus were born into Jewish families in Israel (Lk., chapters 1-3); John's father, Zacharias, was a Jerusalem temple priest (Lk. 1:5). John's mission was only to the old covenant nation of Israel; he died while preaching old covenant repentance to Israel (Matt. 14). Jesus was born under the law (Gal. 4:4), and under the authority of the old Mosaical covenant -- he spent his entire personal ministry teaching the truth about the law of Moses to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:24). He continued his faithfulness to the covenant of God with Israel -- as seen in his observance of the last Passover feast with Israel (Matt. 26) -- until his crucifixion. 6. How shall we apply the teaching of the Old Testament law of Moses by John and Jesus to Israel -- before the cross -- as described in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Answer: The mission of John and Jesus to Israel was to restore unfaithful old covenant Israelites to faithfulness under the law of Moses. Christ's mission was to fulfill all of God's promises and prophecies to Israel before the old covenant ended (Matt. 5:17-18; Lk. 24:44-45). Because the law of Moses was still in force during the lifetime of Christ, his teaching of the law in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- can only be applied to that last generation of old covenant Jews in Israel whom he personally taught (Matt. 8:1-4; 15:1-9; 19:16-22; 22:34-46). Because the Mosaical covenant ended at the cross, the law of Moses as taught by Christ in these four books does not apply to anyone in this New Testament age (Acts 15; Gal. 5:1-4). 7. How shall we understand and apply the Old Testament parables and prophetical teaching of Christ for the New Testament age in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross? How shall we interpret his parables and prophecies that were not fulfilled or did not come into force until after the death of Christ (Heb. 9:16-17)? Answer: Although Jesus' earthly ministry was only to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," and its purpose was to fulfill and bring to an end the Mosaical covenant (Rom. 10:4), he did speak in parables and prophecy of some New Testament principles that would govern the New Testament church when it was established after his death (Heb. 2:1-4). However, even though that last generation of old covenant Israel didn't understand the parables or prophecies of Christ during his personal ministry, all of these prophecies and parables of Jesus were completely revealed and all of his prophetical teaching of New Testament truth was explained and confirmed by the apostles' teaching in Acts 2 through Revelation 22. Only by studying Acts 2 - Revelation 22 -- after the cross -- can men today can fully understand the Old Testament prophecies and parables of Jesus from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross. 8. What was the Old Testament "gospel" of the Mosaical law that both John and Jesus preached to Israel in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- and how did it differ from the New Testament "gospel"? Answer: Both John and Jesus preached "the good news" of "the limited commission" of the Old Testament Mosaical age. They preached that the promised Messiah had indeed come to Israel, and that the new kingdom of heaven was "at hand" (Matt. 3:1-17; 4:17; Jn. 1:19--3:36). However, they did not preach the New Testament "gospel" of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ in "the great commission" (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16). As Mosaical prophets (Lk. 1:76; Matt. 21:11) -- not New Testament evangelists, they preached to the last remnant of Israel that God, through Christ, was fulfilling all of his promises to his old covenant nation. While Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 6
John and Jesus prophesied of the coming of the New Testament age, neither they are their old covenant disciples preached the facts of the new covenant "gospel" of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ -- before the cross -- as did the new covenant apostles under "the great commission" in the new covenant age of Acts 2 through Revelation 22 (1 Cor. 15:1-4). 9. Why was the message of John and Jesus before the cross only for the Jews -- "the lost sheep of the house of Israel"? Why didn't they evangelize among the alien sinners of the Gentiles? Answer: Both John and Jesus were sent to Israel, not to evangelize among alien sinners of the Gentiles, but to preach repentance to old covenant Jews and restore the unfaithful and disobedient children of God in Israel. When the Jewish disciples asked Jesus about teaching non-covenant alien Gentiles, he answered, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt. 15:24). While still under the exclusive command of "the limited commission" in the law of Moses, Jesus commanded his Old Testament Jewish disciples to go only to the Jews of Israel; he forbid them -- while the old Mosaical covenant was still in force -- to go to the alien Gentiles (Matt. 10:5-6). 10. What was the "restoration" that John and Jesus preached to Old Testament Israel? Answer: When it came time for God to be faithful and to fulfill all of the promises and prophecies that he had made to former generations in Old Testament Israel, he sent two prophets, John and Jesus, to restore unfaithful Jews back to faith in their old covenant with God. God sought a faithful and believing old covenant people in the end time of the Mosaical age so he could keep the promises he had made unto their fathers (Isa. 49:6; Matt. 17:9-13; Mk. 9:12). The work of John and Jesus was not to save alien sinners from among the Gentiles, but to restore unfaithful Jews under the authority of the old Mosaical covenant. For the new covenant was not revealed or in force on earth until after the death of both John and Jesus. 11. Did John or Jesus have "the keys" of the New Testament kingdom during their personal old covenant ministries to Israel? Answer: No! Neither John nor Jesus had "the keys" of the New Testament kingdom during their personal ministries to Israel, for the new covenant kingdom was not established on earth during the lifetime of either John or Jesus. John was dead and buried (Matt. 14) before Christ promised to give "the keys" of the New Testament kingdom to Peter (Matt. 16:18-20). Christ was dead, buried, resurrected, had ascended into heaven and was reigning from the right hand of God before Peter received "the keys of the kingdom" -- the New Testament gospel which men were to believe and obey to enter the kingdom of Christ (Acts, chapters 2 and 10). John the baptizer did not have "the keys" of the new covenant kingdom; in his Old Testament ministry, he did not know or preach how men would enter the New Testament kingdom! 12. Did John or Jesus establish the New Testament church or kingdom on earth during their personal ministries as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross? Answer: No! Both John and Jesus preached that the new covenant kingdom or church was "at hand" -- but not yet established at the time of their mission to Israel (Matt. 3:1-4; 4:17). Jesus declared that many of the Jews of his day were trying to find the New Testament kingdom and enter by force (Lk. 16:16), but because it was a spiritual kingdom still to come at that time, they could not find nor enter until it was established on earth. No one could have entered the new covenant kingdom until it was established on earth (Acts 2), and the terms of entrance revealed in the New Testament gospel (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12). 13. During the historical Old Testament time of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, were John and Jesus (and their Jewish disciples) Old Testament "Israelites" or New Testament "Christians"? Answer: Both John and Jesus, and their Jewish disciples, were Old Testament "Israelites"! Because the New Testament was not in force before during their personal ministry before the cross, there were no "Christians" during their lifetimes as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. John and Jesus never used the word "Christian" because their mission to Israel was for the purpose of "restoring" unfaithful Jews in Israel -- not producing "Christians" in the New Testament church. The first New Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 7
Testament covenant children of God -- the first "Christians" came into existence in Acts 2. The New Testament disciples of Christ were first called "Christians" in Antioch (Acts 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16). 14. Was John's old covenant baptism the new covenant baptism of "the new birth"? Answer: No! The "new birth" of the New Testament could not take place under the Old Mosaical covenant, for the "old birth" of the flesh of Israel was still in effect during John's ministry. In John's day, Jewish families produced covenant children of God through the old covenant fleshly birth of the physical seed of Abraham. John's baptism was for the purpose of restoring Israelites under the law of Moses and not converting alien sinners from among the Gentiles. John's message was not the seed of the New Testament kingdom (1 Pet. 1:22-25); his message was not the New Testament gospel of regeneration of "the new birth" (Titus 3:5). 15. Why was Jesus baptized of John's Old Testament baptism? Answer: John's message and baptism was God's call for restoration of unfaithful Jews in the Old Testament nation of Israel, and Jesus as a member of God's old covenant nation heeded the command of God in the message of John. Jesus obeyed God's prophet as a member of the nation of Israel; it was the righteous thing for all Israelites of that day to do (Heb. 5:8-9). Jesus could not have faithfully discharged his responsibility as the Messiah to Israel if he had been disobedient to John's message and baptism. Jesus could not have been an obedient Israelite and set the right example for his own ministry to Israel if he had been disobedient to John's baptism. 16. Do the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe New Testament conversions of alien sinners? Answer: No! The examples of the forgiveness of sins and salvation described in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- are examples of Jews being forgiven and restored through Moses'law in God's Old Testament covenant with Israel. Jesus came to "save" his own unfaithful old covenant people by restoring them to God -- not to convert or evangelize among alien sinners in the New Testament age! The Jews were the only covenant people of God during the Mosaical age, as the Gentiles were without God and hope in the world at the time Christ came to Israel (Eph. 2:11-12). The sinful Jewish woman of Israel (Lk. 7:44-50) and the thief on the cross (Lk. 23:39-43) are two examples of Jesus restoring Jews in Israel and saving his own people. Acts is the only book that describes New Testament conversions! 17. What was the difference between "the limited commission" of Matthew 10 before the cross, and "the great commission" of Matthew 28 after the cross? Answer: "The limited commission" of Matthew 10 (before the cross and the end of the Old Testament age) was for the restoration of unfaithful old covenant Israelites only. It was given by Christ under the authority of Moses and was based on the conditions of salvation for Jews within the Old Mosaical covenant. "The great commission" of Matthew 28 (given after the cross and before the New Testament age began) is for the preaching of the New Testament gospel to men of all nations in this new covenant age. It was given by Christ under his authority as King of the New Testament kingdom, and is based on the conditions of salvation found in the teachings of Christ through the apostles in Acts 2 through Revelation 22. 18. What is the difference between the Old Testament Mosaical "faith" found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the New Testament "faith" found in the book of Acts? Answer: Because "... faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17), the "faith" of each succeeding biblical age in the scheme of redemption was and is dependent upon the teaching and revelation of God for each specific covenant age. As God's plan of salvation progressed through the years, the facts, conditions, and commands for faith and obedience changed from covenant age to covenant age. For example, Abraham believed in God, but he did not believe in or keep the law of Moses, for the Mosaical covenant law was not given until 400 years after the death of Abraham. Moses believed in God and kept the law received in "the ten commandments" and the covenant with Israel, but Moses did not believe in the New Testament gospel of Christ -- for it was not revealed until 1500 years later. The "faith" of the New Testament (Acts - Revelation) -- the new covenant faith preached after the death of Christ Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 8
Answer: When it came time for God to be faithful and to fulfill all of the promises and prophecies that he had made to former generations in Old Testament Israel, he sent two prophets, John and Jesus, to restore unfaithful Jews back to faith in their old covenant with God. God sought a faithful and believing old covenant people in the end time of the Mosaical age so he could keep the promises he had made unto their fathers (Isa. 49:6; Matt. 17:9-13; Mk. 9:12). The work of John and Jesus was not to save alien sinners from among the Gentiles, but to restore unfaithful Jews under the authority of the old Mosaical covenant. For the new covenant was not revealed or in force on earth until after the death of both John and Jesus. 11. Did John or Jesus have "the keys" of the New Testament kingdom during their personal old covenant ministries to Israel? Answer: No! Neither John nor Jesus had "the keys" of the New Testament kingdom during their personal ministries to Israel, for the new covenant kingdom was not established on earth during the lifetime of either John or Jesus. John was dead and buried (Matt. 14) before Christ promised to give "the keys" of the New Testament kingdom to Peter (Matt. 16:18-20). Christ was dead, buried, resurrected, had ascended into heaven and was reigning from the right hand of God before Peter received "the keys of the kingdom" -- the New Testament gospel which men were to believe and obey to enter the kingdom of Christ (Acts, chapters 2 and 10). John the baptizer did not have "the keys" of the new covenant kingdom; in his Old Testament ministry, he did not know or preach how men would enter the New Testament kingdom! 12. Did John or Jesus establish the New Testament church or kingdom on earth during their personal ministries as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross? Answer: No! Both John and Jesus preached that the new covenant kingdom or church was "at hand" -- but not yet established at the time of their mission to Israel (Matt. 3:1-4; 4:17). Jesus declared that many of the Jews of his day were trying to find the New Testament kingdom and enter by force (Lk. 16:16), but because it was a spiritual kingdom still to come at that time, they could not find nor enter until it was established on earth. No one could have entered the new covenant kingdom until it was established on earth (Acts 2), and the terms of entrance revealed in the New Testament gospel (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12). 13. During the historical Old Testament time of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, were John and Jesus (and their Jewish disciples) Old Testament "Israelites" or New Testament "Christians"? Answer: Both John and Jesus, and their Jewish disciples, were Old Testament "Israelites"! Because the New Testament was not in force before during their personal ministry before the cross, there were no "Christians" during their lifetimes as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. John and Jesus never used the word "Christian" because their mission to Israel was for the purpose of "restoring" unfaithful Jews in Israel -- not producing "Christians" in the New Testament church. The first New Testament covenant children of God -- the first "Christians" came into existence in Acts 2. The New Testament disciples of Christ were first called "Christians" in Antioch (Acts 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16). 14. Was John's old covenant baptism the new covenant baptism of "the new birth"? Answer: No! The "new birth" of the New Testament could not take place under the Old Mosaical covenant, for the "old birth" of the flesh of Israel was still in effect during John's ministry. In John's day, Jewish families produced covenant children of God through the old covenant fleshly birth of the physical seed of Abraham. John's baptism was for the purpose of restoring Israelites under the law of Moses and not converting alien sinners from among the Gentiles. John's message was not the seed of the New Testament kingdom (1 Pet. 1:22-25); his message was not the New Testament gospel of regeneration of "the new birth" (Titus 3:5). 15. Why was Jesus baptized of John's Old Testament baptism? Answer: John's message and baptism was God's call for restoration of unfaithful Jews in the Old Testament nation of Israel, and Jesus as a member of God's old covenant nation heeded the command of God in the message of John. Jesus obeyed God's prophet as a member of the nation of Israel; it was the righteous thing for all Israelites of that day to do (Heb. 5:8-9). Jesus could not have faithfully discharged his responsibility as the Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 9
Messiah to Israel if he had been disobedient to John's message and baptism. Jesus could not have been an obedient Israelite and set the right example for his own ministry to Israel if he had been disobedient to John's baptism. 16. Do the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe New Testament conversions of alien sinners? Answer: No! The examples of the forgiveness of sins and salvation described in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- are examples of Jews being forgiven and restored through Moses'law in God's Old Testament covenant with Israel. Jesus came to "save" his own unfaithful old covenant people by restoring them to God -- not to convert or evangelize among alien sinners in the New Testament age! The Jews were the only covenant people of God during the Mosaical age, as the Gentiles were without God and hope in the world at the time Christ came to Israel (Eph. 2:11-12). The sinful Jewish woman of Israel (Lk. 7:44-50) and the thief on the cross (Lk. 23:39-43) are two examples of Jesus restoring Jews in Israel and saving his own people. Acts is the only book that describes New Testament conversions! 17. What was the difference between "the limited commission" of Matthew 10 before the cross, and "the great commission" of Matthew 28 after the cross? Answer: "The limited commission" of Matthew 10 (before the cross and the end of the Old Testament age) was for the restoration of unfaithful old covenant Israelites only. It was given by Christ under the authority of Moses and was based on the conditions of salvation for Jews within the Old Mosaical covenant. "The great commission" of Matthew 28 (given after the cross and before the New Testament age began) is for the preaching of the New Testament gospel to men of all nations in this new covenant age. It was given by Christ under his authority as King of the New Testament kingdom, and is based on the conditions of salvation found in the teachings of Christ through the apostles in Acts 2 through Revelation 22. 18. What is the difference between the Old Testament Mosaical "faith" found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the New Testament "faith" found in the book of Acts? Answer: Because "... faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17), the "faith" of each succeeding biblical age in the scheme of redemption was and is dependent upon the teaching and revelation of God for each specific covenant age. As God's plan of salvation progressed through the years, the facts, conditions, and commands for faith and obedience changed from covenant age to covenant age. For example, Abraham believed in God, but he did not believe in or keep the law of Moses, for the Mosaical covenant law was not given until 400 years after the death of Abraham. Moses believed in God and kept the law received in "the ten commandments" and the covenant with Israel, but Moses did not believe in the New Testament gospel of Christ -- for it was not revealed until 1500 years later. The "faith" of the New Testament (Acts - Revelation) -- the new covenant faith preached after the death of Christ -- is the "faith" that God requires of men today. God does not require men of this New Testament age to have the old covenant faith or keep the old covenant law that he gave to Abraham in the Patriarchal age, or the Mosaical faith and law given to Israel in Exodus 20 -- that was in force during the personal ministry of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 19. Which Scripture marks the historical period of time between the Old and New Testaments? Answer: The last chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (those that describe the events after the death of Christ) and the first chapter of the book of Acts -- those Scripture that describe the historical period of time between the cross and the day of Pentecost, mark the true historical period of time between the Old and New Testaments. (The 400 years between Malachi and Matthew marks the time between two different periods of Old Testament Mosaical history, they do not describe or mark the time between the Old and New covenants.) 20. Which covenant was in force during the fifty days between the crucifixion of Christ and the day of Pentecost (Acts 2)? Answer: When Christ was crucified he nailed the Old Mosaical covenant to his cross (Col. 2:14). This means that the Mosaical covenant ended by the crucifixion of Christ on the cross (Rom. 10:4), and that no Jew Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 10
could ever again be justified from sin and obtain righteousness by keeping the law of Moses. When Christ abolished the old Mosaical covenant (2 Cor. 3:1-18), God cast away the people of Israel as his special old covenant people (Rom. 11:15). And because God took away the old covenant kingdom of Israel from the Jews by the crucifixion of Christ (Matt. 21:43), the Israelites -- without a covenant -- became alien sinners just like the Gentiles (Rom. 3). This means that between the cross of Christ and the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 -- before the New Testament age began, all men (both Jews and Gentiles) were alien sinners before God. Because the Old Testament Mosaical covenant ended at the cross, and because the New Testament did not come into force until the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), there was no covenant in force (or covenant people) between the cross and Pentecost. 21. Are today's Jews still under the Old Testament Mosaical covenant? Answer: No! The old Mosaical covenant and law was abolished at the cross (Col. 2:14). 22. When was the one moment in history when every Jew lost his Old Testament Mosaical religion? Answer: When Christ died he abolished the old Mosaical covenant religion (2 Cor. 3). At that time he took the Old Testament kingdom away from Israel (Matt. 21:43), and cast away his unfaithful old covenant people (Rom. 11:15). 23. Can alien sinners be saved today and have eternal life by keeping the commands of the law of Moses that Christ gave -- before the cross -- to old covenant Jews in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Answer: No! Christ told only the old covenant Jews to keep the law of Moses to have eternal life (Matt. 19:16-22); he did not teach what alien sinners should do to be saved until after his death (Mk. 16:15-16). 24. Can denominational people receive New Testament salvation ftoday by having faith in and keeping the teachings of Christ of the Old Testament law of Moses -- such as "the ten commandments" -- in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross? Answer: No! No person today, not even Jews, can be justified by keeping "the ten commandments" or any other part of the old covenant law of Moses (Rom. 3:19-26; Gal. 2:16-21; 5:4-5). 25. Why do so many people have trouble understanding what the Bible teaches about "faith" and "works"? Answer: Because they confuse passages of Scripture that refer to Old Testament "works" with passages that refer to New Testament "faith." They apply passages that speak about Old Testament "works" to interpret New Testament "faith." Most denominational churches follow the doctrine of John Calvin and try to show that men are justified today by "faith only." A "faith" separate and apart from all New Testament "works" -- baptism, church membership, etc. They misunderstand and misinterpret New Testament teaching when they apply passages that speak of Old Testament "works" of the law of Moses, such as Romans 3:19-23 and Galatians 2:16-21 and 5:4-5, to New Testament "works." They confuse Christ's teaching about Old Testament Jewish "faith" and "works" in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross, with the apostle's teaching of New Testament "faith" and "works" for Christians in Acts 2 through Revelation 22. In these passages, the apostles teach that Old Testament "works" of the law of Moses, (observing the sabbath, animal sacrifice, circumcision, tithing, the ten commandments, etc.), could not justify men in this New Testament age. New Testament "faith" requires New Testament "works" -- obedience to the new covenant teaching and commands of Christ! For men to be justified before God today, Christ requires both New Testament "faith" and "works" in the lives of those who would follow him in the new covenant church (Jas. 2). Doctrinal Differences Between The Old And New Testaments BSN# 107 As already stated, to understand the difference between the Old and New Testaments, we must begin by "rightly dividing" the books of the Bible into the three covenant and historical ages described in the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15). Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 11
First, we must remember that the Old Testament describes two covenant ages, the Patriarchal and Mosaical, and not just one covenant or historical age as does the New Testament. Second, we must also remember there is no "title page" that separates between the Patriarchal and Mosaical covenant ages and their different covenant teachings. The Patriarchal age begins in Genesis and ends in Exodus 19; and the Mosaical covenant age begins in Exodus 20 and continues through the time of the death of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Third, we must remember that the New Testament age does not begin with the book of Matthew -- but with the book of Acts. THE FIRST OLD TESTAMENT DIVISION: The Patriarchal Age (Genesis 1 - Exodus 19) The first division of Bible history in the Old Testament is the Patriarchal age as revealed in Genesis 1 through Exodus 19. In this section of the Scriptures, God reveals his dealing with the first family, early tribes and nations of man. The principal characters and events of this age were: the creation, Adam and Eve, the temptation and fall of man into sin, Noah and the flood, the apostasy of the Gentile nations into wickedness and idolatry and God's forsaking these nations to their sins (Gen. chapters 6 through 11; Rom. 1:18-32); the call of Abraham out of his idolatrous family and surroundings (Gen. 12:1-3; Josh. 24:1-4); the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 17) and its renewal with Isaac and Jacob, the twelve sons of Jacob that God used to form the twelve tribes of Israel into a nation, and their deliverance from their bondage in Egypt. The Patriarchal age ended with the apostasy of the Gentile nations into idolatry and the giving of the law of Moses to the covenant nation of Israel (Ex. 20). THE SECOND OLD TESTAMENT DIVISION: The Mosaical Age (Exodus 20 - Matt. 27, Mk. 15, Lk. 23, Jn. 20, 21) The second division of Bible history in the Old Testament is the Mosaical age; this period is described in Exodus 20 to the death of Christ on the cross in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. While Genesis reveals several covenants between God and certain families of the Patriarchal age, the Mosaical age describes the first major covenant between God and the one nation of Israel (Ex.19-20; Deut. 5:1-5). The other nations (Gentiles) had rejected God and they were abandoned to their impenitence and idolatry as God chose Israel as his covenant nation (Eph. 2:11-12). The Israelites were the fleshly descendants of Abraham from the former Patriarchal age, and they were essential in fulfilling God's promise to build a covenant nation through whom Christ would eventually come (Genesis, chapters 12-17). The 1500 years of the Mosaical age begins in Exodus 20 and concludes with the life and death of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And because Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- describe the end of the Old Mosaical age and not the beginning of the New Testament age, it is absolutely essential to know that John the baptizer and Jesus were the last two Old Testament Mosaical prophets of God sent to Israel -- not the first two evangelists for the New Testament age. The present "title page" of the New Testament continues to mislead people, because it appears to mark Malachi as the end of the Old Testament age and Matthew the beginning of the New Testament age. However, as we have already learned, the insertion of the present "title page" between Malachi and Matthew does not divide between the Old and New Testaments, but between two different periods of Old Testament Mosaical history. To divide correctly between the Old and New Testaments, "the title page" of the New Testament should be placed between the 1st and 2nd chapters of the book of Acts. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe John and Jesus teaching the law of Moses to the Jews and practicing the Old Testament religion of Israel. While at the same time, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before Fundamental BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly Page 12