Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, substance and attribute, fact and value. And sadly today’s theology is based on metaphysics. That is man using his mind minus the Holy Spirit in trying to figure out who and what God is. Trying to figure out the supernatural by using human reason. It is the human mind without God’s Spirit trying to figure out God.
So, for followers of Jesus Christ, it is important to stop sometimes and go back to basics and lay down the strong foundation that Paul instructed Timothy to teach: “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
Paul makes it very clear what he considers to be the “word of truth”. Paul was speaking to Timothy about what we call the Old Testament scriptures: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for 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,” (2 Timothy 3:14-16).
The Old and New Testament are actually welded together into one book, not two separate entities. Note Christ’s response to a question: “ ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ 37 Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40).
Christ is quoting the Old Testament from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. Also, during the temptations of Christ by the Devil, He answered each temptation with a quote from the Old Testament, the first one from Deuteronomy 8:3.
In reality, the writings of the prophets of the Old Testament was for those called to the gospel of Jesus Christ: “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven — things which angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:10-12). Peter is talking about grace and he’s going back to the prophets of the Old Testament to convince them that the doctrine of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ was not a new doctrine. For more examples see: John 5:46-47, Luke 24:25-26.
The only scriptures that Paul had were also from the Old Testament: “So when they had appointed [Paul] a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening” (Acts 28.23).
The Apostle Paul also applied Old Testament scriptures to draw applications in the New Testament: (Deuteronomy 25:4, Proverbs 12:10, 1 Corinthians 9:4, 8-11). And also, “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’ ” (1 Timothy 5:18). Here Paul is putting the two situations together to support each other. Both principles are out of the Old Testament but he applied them in a New Testament situation. Clearly Paul’s ministry had an Old Testament base.
The Prophets even write about grace and the armor of God. Note Zechariah says the Spirit of Grace comes through Jesus the Christ (Zechariah 12:10). And Paul seems to be aware of Isaiah 59:16-17 when writing about the whole armor of God to the Ephesians.
When Philip met the eunuch from Ethiopia on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, he taught him from Old Testament scriptures about the meaning of Isaiah 53:7-8 (Acts 8:26-35). So Philip began to teach the eunuch about Jesus Christ and the reasons why Christ had to die. Philip could have explained Christ’s resurrection from (Psalms 16:10-11). And there are many other prophetic scriptures referring to the Christ and His roles as humanity’s redeeming Savior.
One area that needs to be included is from the Old Testament, because it’s very much for this moment today. It’s our godly approach to those who are ruling over us. We live in an incredibly difficult time. We have had and do have leaders that it’s nearly impossible to respect. As God’s people, what does God want from us in regard to this? What are Old Testament principles we can turn to, to deal with this situation?
Exodus 22:28 “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
Ecclesiastes 8:2–5 “I say, “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. 3 Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.” 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment,” We’re expected to use our mind to apply to the situation that we live in today as Christ did in His days on earth.
In John 19, Jesus is being examined by a Pontius Pilate, a Roman civil authority. They brought Christ to him to be questioned yet He had not responded to Pilate’s questioning: “Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” 11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin” (John 19:10–11).
Pilate thought he had the power, but Christ knew that power came from God. Pilate wasn’t a particularly good Roman governor at that time. But that’s not the point. In Acts 23, Paul acknowledged this principle in reality. The Apostle Paul is being seriously questioned by the council:
“And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?’ 4 And those who stood by said, ‘Do you revile God’s high priest?’ 5 Then Paul said, ‘I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people’ ” (Acts 23:2-5). Pau acknowledged the law in Exodus applied to his circumstances.
What we need to keep in mind is that the person who occupies the office is accountable to uphold the power behind the office. People in office may not know it, but they will be held accountable as to how they have ruled. Had they ruled according to God’s law? Have they ruled for the good of the people they have rule over? God will hold rulers into account for the pride, the vanity, the ego that may be expressed.
We tend to think democratically. We tend to think in terms of “we the people” have the power to put people in office. “We” get them in office. It’s not true. God is the one that allows them to have the power of an office:
“Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Psalms 2:10-12).
If God allows someone to have power as a civil ruler, God is also going to hold each accountable for how they abused that power. If we have rulers with little to no moral standards, God will judge them, not us. The standard of justice from the Old Testament to the New Testament is consistent. God does require everyone to be under subjection to the governing authorities for their good:
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:1-4).
“Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:5–7).
It’s clear that we need to be very careful about our attitude towards civil authorities. We don’t have to agree with them. We don’t have to do everything they say. If what they tell us contradicts God’s law then we don’t do it. If it does not contradict God’s law we are subject to these powers because God has ordained them.
Rulers are to deter evil by ruling according to God’s law. In Acts 12 there is an example of the concept of God holding the rulers accountable, where we let God do the judging: “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2).
“Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country. 21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:20–23).
Herod was allowing himself to be put in the position of God. What the people were saying was wrong but he obviously basked in the glow of their adoration. God’s judgment was in the picture and God dealt with Herod. And we have all had people in the Church who have abused positions of authority. That does not give us the right to speak evil or badly against them to stir up contention and division in any way. God will deal with it. We are to: “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. (And in that context), Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).
The entire Bible is our foundation. We must not diminish the value of the Old Testament: ”For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:4–6).
The “hope” in these verses are drawn from the information given to us in the Old Testament. Hope is vital. And it is a very important way that we can preach the gospel – by living according to every word of God. And our example of hope will give all glory to the Father and Jesus Christ as the authors of our hope.
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute” (Hebrews 6:10-16).
“Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,” (Hebrews 6:17–19).
Each of us must strive to build a spiritual house – one that God would desire His Spirit to dwell within. Christ has provided the foundation. We must continue to do the building. And the Old Testament is a very valid tool for us to use.
Brian Orchard