The Old Testament as a Christian Guide
By John Hamilton
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I find when conversing with professed disciples of Christ upon keeping the Sabbath of the Lord our God, some take the position that the commandments were given to the Jews, and are done away; others, that all the Old Testament scriptures are to us as a dead letter, under the gospel dispensation; and that Christians are not to be guided by them. And thinking that the Review might fall into the hands of some of the same opinion, I thought to give a few passages of scripture, showing that the Old Testament scriptures as well as the New, are still the guide of the children of God. Christ says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfil." "Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven." See Matt. v, 17-19. We see the commandments are found in Ex. xx, and as Christ says, not one jot or tittle of them are gone; for the heavens and earth yet remain. Therefore, they are still the lamp to guide our feet. The Saviour again says, [Matt. xix, 17,] "But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."—How important that we should know what the commandments of God are! Again, [John v, 39,] "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." Also, Acts iii, 18-21, shows that neither the law or prophets can be done away before the coming of Christ. Let us now hear the great teacher to the Gentiles. Rom. iii, 31. "Do we make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea we establish the law." Hear him again in the same letter. Chap. xv, 4. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." This is but the language of every one that is striving to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Let us listen again to the words of our Saviour, spoken to his servant John on the isle of Patmos. Rev. xiv, 12. "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Who does not wish to be found with that blessed company. Let all such be careful to keep all the commandments of God. For Jesus says, [Chap. xxii, 14,] Blessed are they that do his [the Father's] commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Yours in the love of the truth,
JOHN HAMILTON.
Fredonia N. Y., April 4th, 1853.