4th Apr 26 | 21:01
Studies by Book
Reading of the Old Testament
📖 Acts 15:19-21
Acts 15 - Series 1/Episode 73 - Sat, 04th Apr 2026 - Reading of the Old Testament - Acts 15:01-21 - THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL - Luke 04:15-16
Acts 15:19-21 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, (20) but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. (21) For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
The reading and understanding of the Old Testament are essential for comprehending salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. It was in the reading, understanding and application of the Old Testament that kept the people walking in the ways of God, prepared for the Messiah.
Our Lord gave importance to the reading of the Old Testament. Luke 4:15-16 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. (16) So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
This was the response of our Lord when He was questioned about His doctrine. John 18:19-21 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. (20) Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. (21) Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said."
We also know that Paul's custom was to go to the synagogues in every city to read and listen to the Scriptures. Acts 17:2-3 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (3) explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."
Gentile believers can fully understand Christ, the gospel, or the New Testament only by understanding the Old Testament. Not because we are under the Law of Moses -but because the Old Testament is the story, vocabulary, symbols, promises, and framework that make sense of who Jesus is and what He came to do.
Jesus quoted the Old Testament with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24:25-27 Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! (26) Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" (27) And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
He did the same with all His disciples. Luke 24:44-48 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." (45) And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. (46) Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) And you are witnesses of these things.
As witnesses for Christ, under the enablement of the Holy Spirit, Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.", we must be able to build our message of Jesus from the Old Testament.
Here are some of the Old Testament Scriptures that provide a comprehensive understanding of Jesus in the New Testament.
He is the seed of the woman. Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." / Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
The Passover Lamb. Exodus 12 / I Corinthians 5:7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed *Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us*.
The Son of David. II Samuel 7:12-16 / Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
The suffering Servant. Isaiah 53 / Acts 8:32-35 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH. (33) IN HIS HUMILIATION HIS JUSTICE WAS TAKEN AWAY, AND WHO WILL DECLARE HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS TAKEN FROM THE EARTH." (34) So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" (35) Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
The new covenant Giver. Jeremiah 31:31-34 / Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.