Episode 123 Show Notes
Was There a Church in the Old Testament?
From the Show
Can you speak to the claim that there was no church in the Old Testament?
The church is created by the gospel. When was the gospel first announced? Genesis 3:15, when, after the fall, God promised a Messiah who would crush the serpent’s head. And then we read in Genesis 4:26, after Seth, who replaced Able, “then people began to call on the name of the Lord.” From that time on, the church grew into a large people, as God promised Abraham, he would be the father of many. And then that people became a nation at Mount Sinai. Violating the terms of that covenant that they swore before God, God promised a new covenant of pure promise in Jesus Christ through the prophets. But, Paul tells us, salvation has always been by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And God has always had his church in both testaments. In 1st Peter 2:9, the church, which is made up of Gentiles as well as Jews, is called God’s “chosen nation,” “a royal priesthood.” These are titles that were attributed to Israel in the Old Testament. In Revelation 5:9, Christ purchased with his blood people from every tribe, and tongue, and people, a nation to be a kingdom of priests for our God. So, throughout the New Testament, the titles applied to Israel are now applied to the church today. — Michael Horton
Questions in this Episode
1. Since Jesus was without sin and incapable of sin, how was his temptation real and
genuine?
2. I would really like to take my faith more seriously and study the Bible, but I have no
idea where to begin. What do you recommend?
3. How do you understand Romans 13 on obedience to the government? Does this mean
we can never oppose a government even if we think it’s corrupt?
4. How do faith and works relate to salvation?
5. Can you speak to the claim that there was no church in the Old Testament?
Resources
The Church Didn’t Start in the New Testament
The One Tool that Can Really Help You Study God’s Word
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