The Old Testament by S. B. WHITNEY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 3, 1874

The Old Testament.

By S. B. WHITNEY

It seems surprising how far the advocates of error are sometimes carried in their blind zeal to defend their favorite, but erroneous, theories from the force of simple, unadulterated truth. An illustration of this is the notion, becoming so prevalent, that the teachings of the Old Testament are not to be received as Christian doctrine, or even moral instruction; some contending that it is the old covenant, and others asserting that it has no more connection with salvation than an almanac or spelling book.

As one of the “Two Witnesses” is thus slandered and impeached, a word in its defense may not be amiss. And by way of introduction, the following from Mrs. H. B. Stowe is in point: “It is too much the fashion of this day to speak slightingly of the Old Testament. Apart from its grandeur, its purity, its tenderness and majesty, the Old Testament has a peculiar interest to the Christian from the fact that it was the BIBLE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” This fact alone is forcible, and entitles the book to our respect and confidence, but its force is heightened by a consideration of how our Lord himself regarded it. He says, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me. . . . For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” John 5:39, 46, 47.

This must, of course, refer to the Old Testament, as does the following: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned; 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. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:14–17.

Paul also declares that the gospel was “promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,” and “now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” Rom. 1:2; 16:25. Such testimonies as the above show that the Old Testament is very closely related to the subject of salvation, modern sectarian partisans to the contrary, notwithstanding.

The New Testament was not given to take the place of the Old, but to illustrate and enforce its practical instruction, making such additions as the change of dispensation required, and to furnish a record of the fulfillment of many of its wonderful predictions. Indeed, much of the New Testament would be without force and meaningless had we not the Old containing the predictions of which the events recorded in the New are cited as fulfillments. The same may be said of other allusions to the Old Testament. For instance, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” How much of the force of this beautiful figure would be lost had we not the historical account of the event and its attending circumstances. Such instances are numerous; and thus it is shown that the “Two Witnesses” are united and harmonious in their testimony; and happy is the man who gives such heed to them as to be made wise unto salvation, and, by keeping the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” escapes the impending judgments threatened by both upon the ungodly of this generation.

S. B. WHITNEY.