Permission Granted ~ Using the Old Testament for doctrine (Part One)

Perhaps you have heard from some that it is wrong for New Covenant believers to practice any doctrine based upon the Old Covenant Scriptures. Very few of those who make this claim are consistent with this conviction. Many will still teach that tithing, using musical instruments in worship, and the death penalty, as well as other practices may be practiced. If you ask them how do they determine what is to be practiced from the Old Testament, they do not have any clear answer. Do New Covenant believers have permission from the New Testament Scriptures to practice doctrines contained within the writing of the Old Testament? Absolutely! However, although it is true, it is more complicated than merely reading the Old Covenant Scriptures about animal sacrifices, finding a lamb, and commencing to prepare it for a sacrifice to God. There are many factors to consider. However, it is not the intent of this article to deal with how one determines what actually applies to New Covenant believers from the Old Testament. Instead, the blogs in this series will only deal with the general New Testament principles that allows for Old Testament Scripture to be used for doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:15-16:

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

As way of background, one should note that this passage is quoted from an epistle written by Apostle Paul to Timothy, his son in the faith. Notice how Paul reminds Timothy about his personal acquaintance with  “the holy scriptures.” What Scriptures is Paul referring to? The New Testament wasn’t written yet! More astonishing still, Paul tells Timothy that those Old Testament Scriptures “make [him] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Although this shouldn’t surprise a student of the Word, some may be surprised by this statement. Yet, Jesus already told us that the Old Testament was speaking about Him:

John 5:39:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

How long was Timothy familiar with the Old Covenant Scriptures? At first glance it does not seem to be very clear, however, the the term “from a child” (ἀπὸ βρέφους apo brephous) would seem to indicate a very “early” age. βρέφος brephos is also used to refer to

1. An unborn baby ~

Luke 1:41:

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke 1:44:

For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

2. An Infant ~

Luke 2:12:

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:16:

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manager.

Since Timothy’s mother Eunice was a Jewess, it was expected that little Jewish boys would be trained in the Word of God as soon as possible. Rabbi Judah said, “The boy of five years of age ought to apply to the study of the sacred Scriptures.”  Rabbi Solomon declared that “When the boy begins to talk, his father ought to converse with him in the sacred language, and to teach him the law, if he does not do that, he seems to bury him (Both quotes come from Barnes, A. (1884-1885). Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible. (R. Frew, Ed.) London: Blackie & Son. 1 Timothy 3:15).” Therefore, it is highly likely that Timothy began studying the Old Testament Scriptures very, very young.

What should be interesting to observe to those reading this text is the fact that Apostle Paul isn’t suggesting that Timothy was wrong studying the Old Testament all of his life. In fact, he makes it abundantly clear that these Old Testament studies were “able to make [him] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” This seems to be the opposite view of many today who suggest that learning the Old Testament merely has story book value, as opposed to practical doctrinal value. However, Paul makes it abundantly clear that one can actually become “wise unto salvation” through the reading of it. How can that be?

Well, back to the main point.

2 Timothy 3:16:

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The meaning of this specific text, understood historically, is that the Old Testament is specifically “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Some may not like the implication of this passage, but it cannot be any clearer. The primary meaning of any verse is single, definite and fixed. Does this verse apply to the New Testament Scriptures? Yes, but only in a secondary sense ~ that of application ~ for “There is only one true interpretation – but many applications! (see Milton S. Terry, Biblical Hermeneutics, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, n.d. 205)!” Since the New Testament was also written by inspiration of God, we know that it is also profitable for doctrine, etc…

There is much more to think though on this topic, but it will have to wait.

The Need for Hermeneutics ~ The Ethiopian Paradigm

On the way from Jerusalem, an Ethiopian man of great authority of the court of Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia (Acts 8:27), was reading Scripture. God told Philip to meet the Ethiopian (vv. 26-29), so he ran up to the chariot and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah (vs. 30). Philip asked the African if he understood what he was reading. The man said, “How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?” He then invited Philip into his chariot, asking him if the Prophet Isaiah was speaking about himself or someone else (vs. 31). This question clearly revealed his need for help with the interpretation. As a result of Philip’s explanation, the Ethiopian man came to faith in Christ and was water baptized.

From my perspective, at times we all need help with interpretation of passages. We have all felt like we were the Ethiopian man. This story demonstrates that merely because someone reads the words of a passage, this does not necessary mean that the one reading understands what he is reading. Hence, the need for principles of interpretation, or in other words, hermeneutics.lains it to me?” He then invited Philip into his chariot, asking him if the Prophet Isaiah was speaking about himself or someone else (vs. 31). This question clearly revealed his need for help with interpretation.

Hermeneutics ~ Herma What?

In it’s most simple definition, hermeneutics is the science of interpretation. In reality, it should be considered both an art and science. As a science, there are specific principles that need to be applied to a given text. Neglecting to apply a specific principle could lead to an erroneous interpretation.  It is an art in the sense that it requires the skill of an interpreter. The application of these principles cannot be merely mechanical procedures. Some passages are quite complicated. To merely attempt to apply a specific principle to a passage without considering it’s meaning within the full context of Scripture may lead to incomplete interpretation. Sometimes every passage written in Scripture that even slightly refers to the text needing interpretation needs to be brought into the analysis to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the specific passage being studied. Perhaps one of the most insightful definitions comes from Dr. Milton S. Terry, where he suggests that it should be  “…more specifically defined as the science of interpreting an author’s language. This science assumes that there are divers modes of thought and ambiguities of expression among men, and, accordingly, it aims to remove the supposable differences between a writer and his readers, so that the meaning of the one may be truly and accurately apprehended by the others” (Terry, Milton S. Biblical Hermeneutics, A Treatise on the Interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. New York: Hunt & Eaton, 1890.).

The word hermeneutics is a Greek word, from ἑρμηνεύω (hermēneuō), which means to interpret, to explain, to translate. The Greek New Testament uses the following words within the category of “interpretation.”

Hermeneuo: ~ to interpret, explain, expound, translate

John 1:38:  Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

Hebrews 7:2: To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Hermeneia: ~ explanation, interpretation

1 Corinthians 12:10: To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

1 Corinthians 14:26: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Diermeneuo: ~ to interpret, explain thoroughly, interpret fully, to unfold the meaning of what is said, explain, expound

Luke 24:27: And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Acts 9:36: Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.

Diermeneutes: ~ a thorough interpreter, one who interprets or explains fully

1 Corinthians 14:28: But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Dusermeneutos: ~ hard to interpret, difficult to explain, hard to be understood

Hebrews 5:11: Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Methermeneuo: ~ to translate into the language of one with whom communication is desired, to interpret

Matthew 1:23: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Acts 4:36: And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus

A compilation of the word usages above show that interpretation covers translation, expounding, interpreting and explaining obscure phrases. All of these things are important for one who takes interpretation seriously. Too many take interpretation as merely “this passage means this to me” approach, which has created a cesspool of confusion among believers today instead of Embracing Biblical Realities.