That Which Is Perfect
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by: Timothy
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Word Count: 813
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 Time: 12:27 PM
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Q. As the first generation believers had no "New Testament" (it had not yet been written) to consult, did they remain faithful to the "thus saith the LORD" passages of the Law and Prophets? Thank you.
A. First I want you to consider that the Apostles were there in the first century and they had or were writing the letters that are the New Testament. The apostles knew that these letters needed to be shared among the churches, for instance: Collosians 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
The Apostle Paul also knew that until the Bible (that which is perfect ) was completed, the church would have to rely on:
- Prophecies ~ Foretelling of future events as given to the church directly from God. (1st Corinthians 13:2)
- Knowledge ~ The ability to know instantly what was true and what was false clearly through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5:1-11, 1st Corinthians 13:2)
- Tongues ~ The God given ability to speak anothers language without ever having learned it previously or the ability to use the language of the holy angels. (1st Corinthians 13:1)
- In 1st Corinthians, Paul understood well that these three gifts were temporary because they were just the bolsters of the faith until that which is perfect came. Perfect means completed and is not referring to a person but a thing.
- 1st Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 1Cor:13:10: But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
- Note: In verse eleven, could it be that Paul is calling those who try to continue to rely on tongues, prophesy, and knowledge childish? Something to ponder on there!
- 1st Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 1Cor:13:10: But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
- In 1st Corinthians, Paul understood well that these three gifts were temporary because they were just the bolsters of the faith until that which is perfect came. Perfect means completed and is not referring to a person but a thing.
James also called the Bible the "Perfect" Law of Liberty: James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
And to answer your question, yes the Old Testament was relied upon until the New Testament had been completed. This example from 2nd Timothy is a good indicater: 2nd Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 3:15 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
Once the last of the letters was written which is Revelation we find that these letters had been dilligently copied and shared with the sister churches throughout. The Blood bought Christians of that day starting with the 1st century throughout had the new testament... It was then providence of God that these were compiled into one testament, The New Testament.
The Lord Jesus, making sure that his final book, Revelation was shared among all the churches told John to write: Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; This was to signify that all shared in this final book of prophecy as was also the case with all the Apostolic letters and the Gospels.
So to summerize, yes, they did rely on the Old Testament but it wasn't long before the New Testament was fulfilled and the completed Bible became THAT WHICH IS PERFECT...
About the Author
Tim Davis, is the webmaster of PCIM Christian Fellowship Message Board at http://parsonscorner.org/pcimunity/. If you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to visit and start a thread.
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