Pioneer and Bell Church of Christ

The apostle Paul, in writing to the young preacher Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15) admonished him to rightly divide "the word of truth.� As students of God�s Word, we too must learn to handle aright (American Standard Version) the Bible in order to be approved of God.

Not long ago two New Testament experts on the Fox network were comparing the U.S. Constitution to the Bible. The parallel between the two is certainly valid. However, the two schools of thought are poles apart. The conservative school holds that both documents are to be understood and applied as the original authors intended. The liberal school, on the other hand, holds both works to be "living documents� and changed at will to fit the moors of the day.

The difference between the Constitution and the Bible is monumental. The Constitution does have provisions for changing it by the amendment process. The first ten amendments were necessary in order to have the Constitution accepted. We have since added 16 for a total of 26, and changed our mind on the 18th amendment and repealed it.

The Bible, on the other hand, cannot be changed by man. The Bible is God�s book containing God�s laws and only God can change them. As Jesus expressed it, in one of his many discussions with the Jewish leaders of that day, "the scripture cannot be broken� (John 10:35). Jesus� opponents understood this basic truth and they had nothing more to say.

All this brings us to the major difference between the Old and New Testament. The Old Testament was God�s law for the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 5:1-3). The New Testament, on the other hand, is intended for all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). The Law of Moses was intended for the Jews alone and never intended for us Gentiles. This vital distinction was made clear to God�s people in the first century. The thrust of Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews are intended to make this truth abundantly clear.

The Hebrew writer pointed out that we have a new covenant and that the old covenant or Law of Moses "decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away� (Hebrews 8:13). The destruction of Jerusalem (along with the Temple and altar) by Titus and the Roman army in 70 AD was the end of the Mosaical system. As the apostle John expressed it, "the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ� (John 1:17).

"And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them." The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. "The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day."

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."