The Old Testament books are not outdated. For they were the only scriptures that Christ and His disciples had. Jesus referring to the Old Testament said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled”(Matthew 5:17,18). And He added, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus often quoted the Old Testament as authority for the truth (John 17:17). And when meeting the temptations of Satan, He again referred to them: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone.” “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” “It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).
Paul referring to the Old Testament said to Timothy, “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus… All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:15-16). Again, Paul pointed that “All scripture” is inspired by God and applicable to all.
God does not authorize men to attempt to differentiate between that which they suppose to be divinely inspired and that which they assume to be merely a product of human ingenuity. For “the word of the LORD endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25). The words of the Almighty abide forever; nothing He says needs to be changed or corrected (Psalm 89:34). They will endure as long as God Himself continues to exist (Matthew 24:35).
The Old Testament was written by men who were guided by the Holy Ghost, so, it cannot be broken or proven untrue. “Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). Therefore, the Old Testament books are not outdated and are certainly suitable to every generation.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
