When I attended a Bible college for my undergraduate studies, a chapel speaker encouraged us to turn our Bibles to the side and look at the pages. He said that most people would notice worn and faded pages toward the end, at the New Testament.
The other large chunk of pages at the beginning, the Old Testament, would likely appear fresh and white. He showed the other students and me that many of us neglect to study the Old Testament as much as the New Testament.
Believers often struggle to read the Old Testament, but they may also have false ideas about the connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
For instance, some people have fallen for the lie of Marcionism, that there are two different gods in the Old Testament and New Testament.
Also, believers may wrongly assume that God’s plans changed, salvation changed, or that the Old Testament is not relevant to the Christian life.
All these ideas stand in contrast to the scriptural truth that God is immutable. There are different epochs in biblical history, but the Lord is still carrying out His perfect plan.
To understand the ways that God has remained unchanged, we need to compare the Old Testament and the New Testament. Upon careful study, we will discover that the same God is present in both sections of Scripture.
God Is the Same
The entire revelation of Scripture shows us that God has always been the same because He never changes (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17). We know there is only one God, who is three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19).
The Trinity was fully revealed in the New Testament, but the Old Testament also gives indications of this doctrine. All three members of the Trinity were involved in creation (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16).
Other places in the Old Testament also show the Godhead (Genesis 1:26; 11:7; Psalm 110:1; 51:11-13; Isaiah 48:16).
Significantly, we can see how Jesus, God the Son, reveals Himself as the great “I AM” (John 8:58; compare with Exodus 3:14). He is Yahweh, equal with the Father (John 10:30).
Multiple passages in the Old Testament support Jesus’ divinity and argue against Marcion’s teaching that the Old Testament prophecies do not relate to Christ. For instance:
- The prophecy of the virgin birth: “God with us” (compare Isaiah 9:6 and Matthew 1:23).
- John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord, which refers to Christ (compare Isaiah 40:3 and John 1:23).
- Those who trust in the Lord (Jesus) will be saved (compare Joel 2:32 and Romans 10:9-13).
- Every knee will bow to the Lord (compare Isaiah 45:22-25 and Philippians 2:9-11).
- Israel will look on the One they pierced (compare Zechariah 12:10 and Revelation 1:7).
Thus, the same God we read about in the Old Testament is the same God in the New Testament. No disconnect exists. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always been the Lord God.
God’s Attributes Are the Same
Marcion caused trouble in the early church by arguing that the Old Testament was not important for Christians and that it was not a part of Scripture. He claimed that the Old Testament presented a vengeful god and that the true God is presented in the New Testament.
When looking at biblical evidence, though, we receive a different picture. In the Old Testament, we read about God’s righteousness and holy wrath (Genesis 6:5-7; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 4:24). He is a perfect God that cannot stand in the presence of sin.
However, we can also read about how “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 145:8, ESV). He upholds the cause of the poor and needy (Psalm 140:12). The Lord is holy, just, gracious, and loving.
In the New Testament, we see the same attributes in Jesus, the perfect Son of God. He showed love to His enemies, commanding His disciples to do the same (Matthew 5:44; Luke 23:34; Romans 5:8).
His earthly ministry was often focused on the poor, sick, lame, and marginalized (Matthew 4:23-25; 11:5; Mark 2:15-17). Most importantly, He gave His life for us on the cross to save us from our sins (John 3:16).
Holiness and wrath also characterize Jesus. He is the sinless Son of God, which is why He could bear our sins on the cross (John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22).
Scripture presents us with Jesus’ righteous anger when He flipped the tables of the moneychangers in the Temple and when He harshly rebuked the Pharisees (Matthew 21:12; 23:1-36). In the future, Jesus will unleash the seal judgments, bringing His wrath on the earth (Revelation 6).
Furthermore, He will return in judgment. The Apostle John described Jesus’ Second Coming in Revelation 19:11-13:
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.”
God’s Plans Are the Same
Ever since Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, God had a plan of redemption. He promised that the “seed” of the woman would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15).
From the first pages of Genesis to the final words of Revelation, we read about the Lord’s plan of salvation and restoration.
Although some people believe that the sacrificial system in the Old Testament was a different form of salvation than Jesus’ sacrificial death, salvation has always been by grace through faith. Hebrews explains that the sacrifice of bulls and goats never took away sins (Hebrews 10:1-4).
Instead, the sacrificial system pointed to Jesus’ death on the cross as the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29). The fact that He died during the Passover was no coincidence. He fulfilled the role of the Passover Lamb, dying for humankind’s sins once and for all (1 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 10:5-10).
The Mosaic Law’s main purpose was to show people their sinfulness since they could never perfectly keep the Law (Romans 3:20; 7:7).
When Jesus came and lived on earth, He kept the whole Law and fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17). Through His death and resurrection, He instituted the New Covenant (Luke 22:19-20). Thus, the Old Testament seamlessly connects with the New Testament.
Finally, God’s plan is the same because He has always had a plan for both Jews and Gentiles. The Lord has not forsaken His people, Israel (Jeremiah 31:36).
Lots of Christians struggle to see the significance of the Old Testament because so many of the prophecies and instructions were given to Israel.
While biblical scholars have different views about the meaning of “Israel,” I believe a consistent reading of Scripture shows us that God intends to keep His promises to the physical descendants of Israel.
The Old Testament and New Testament agree that in the End Times, Israel will look on the One they have pierced, mourn in repentance, and experience salvation (Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7).
Also, the Old Testament teaches that the Lord always had a plan for the Gentiles to lead them to salvation. When the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, He said that all nations would be blessed through Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 22:18).
Furthermore, the Psalms mention people from around the world worshiping God, which supports the future scene in Revelation (Psalm 22:27; 86:9-10; Revelation 7:9). God’s plans have not changed because He is unchanging.
Why Does This Matter?
As Christians, we want to uphold the truth about God. To counter false claims, we need to show the truth of the Bible that God is unchanging. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has always been holy, just, loving, and kind.
His plans of redemption for all people, both Jew and Gentile, are present throughout the Bible. Therefore, the same God who created the world is the One who saved us from our sins and invites us into a relationship with Himself.
For further reading:
What Is the Difference Between the Old and New Testaments?
How Is Jesus the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever?
Is God Different in the Old Testament Vs. in the New Testament?
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