Lesson 18 — The Old Testament Church

1. 1 THE OLD TESTAMENT CHURCH

THE OLD TESTAMENT CHURCH

Acts 7:38

1. It is not the New Testament Church of this Age of Grace Matthew 16:18.

2. It is not the Gentiles of any or all past ages.

3. It is not the Jews who will become heavenly, glorified saints (Heb. 11).

4. It is not the kingdom of Heaven Matthew 3:2Matthew 4:17.

5. It is not the kingdom of God Matthew 21:43.

II. What the Old Testament Church Is

The Old Testament Church was made up of living Jews and proselytes of the Old Testament period. The nation of Israel is called “the Church in the wilderness” Acts 7:38. The Greek word for “church” in this passage is ekklesia, the same word used of the New Testament Church. It means “assembly,” “a popular meeting,” or “political gathering,” especially a religious congregation of ones called-out from the mass of humanity. It is derived from two Greek words: ek meaning “from” or “out of,” and kaleo meaning “to call.” It is used in the Septuagint for the Hebrew kahal, from which we get our word “call.” It is used 114 times in the New Testament, eighty times in the singular and thirty-four times in the plural. It is translated “assembly” Acts 19:32, 39; “church” (Mt. 16:18; 18:17; Acts 2:47; 5:11; 7:38; 8:1, 3; 11:22, 26; 12:1, 5; 13:1; 14:23, 27; 15:3, 4, 22; 18:22; 20:17, 28; Rom. 16:1, 5-23; 1 Cor. 1:2; 4:17; 6:4; 10:32; 11:18, 22; 12:28; 14:4, 5, 12, 19, 23, 28, 35; 15:9; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:13; Eph. 1:22; 3:10, 21; 5:23-32; Phil. 3:6; 4:15; Col. 1:18, 24; 4:15-16; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:5, 15; 5:16; Phm. 2; Heb. 2:12; 12:23; Jas. 5:14; 1 Pet. 5:13; 3 Jn. 6, 9-10; Rev. 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14); and “churches” (Acts 9:31; 15:41; 16:5; 19:37; Rom. 16:4, 16; 1 Cor. 7:17; 11:16; 14:33-34; 16:1, 19; 2 Cor. 8:1, 18-19, 23-24; 11:8, 28; 12:13; Gal. 1:2, 22; 1 Thess. 2:14; 2 Tim. 1:14; Rev. 1:4, 11, 20; 2:7, 11, 17, 23, 29; 3:6; 22:16).

Israel was a “called-out” nation in the Old Testament times just as the Christians in the New Testament times are a “called-out” people from the world. Israel was supposed to be separate from the world and wholly given over to the service of God to evangelize the nations Genesis 12:1-3. Their calling was earthly, but the present Church’s calling is heavenly. Israel was governed by natural laws and ruled by earthly men who were to be responsible to God for their administration. They were to have as an everlasting possession the land of promise. They had the covenants, promises, callings, the service of God, etc., and were supposed to bring the knowledge of God to all nations Romans 2:17-29Romans 9:4-7Romans 11:25-29. Israel failed in every century from the time of her calling to the present day. God sent the Jews prophets and teachers from time to time, urging them to carry out their calling, but they rebelled more and more until at last they had to be scattered among the nations. They will not be fully gathered and made a blessing to all nations until the return of their rejected Messiah in glory Matthew 24:29-31Romans 11:25-29Isaiah 11:10-15.

The Old Testament Church was the earthly nation of Israel which will continue in an earthly calling forever. It was the living Jews and proselytes of the Old Testament days and will be in the future. It always has been made up of living earthly people and always will be. Those who have died cease to be members of this company of people by virtue of their death. They will be resurrected and become members of the heavenly family of God and part of the bride of Christ Ephesians 3:15Revelation 21:9.

III. The Calling and Purpose of the Old Testament Church

As seen above, the Hebrew kahal is the same meaning as the Greek ekklesia. It is used 123 times in the Old Testament and is translated “congregation” eighty-six times, “assembly” seventeen times, “company” seventeen times, and “multitude” three times. Israel was called out of all nations to accomplish certain things in the eternal earthly plan of God as follows:

1. To remain separate from all nations Genesis 12:1-3Exodus 19:5-6.

2. To evangelize the nations Genesis 12:1-3Matthew 21:33-46Romans 9:4-5Romans 11:29.

3. To write, preserve, and transmit the Holy Scriptures John 1:16-17Romans 9:4-51 Peter 1:10-122 Peter 1:19-21.

4. To bring the Savior into the world Genesis 49:10Deuteronomy 18:15-19Isaiah 9:6-7Micah 5:1-2Luke 1:32-35Romans 9:4-5.

5. To save the world from physical and moral decay Genesis 12:1-3Exodus 20:1-19Romans 9:4-52 Peter 2:9.

6. To head the nations of the Earth in all ages under the government of their Messiah Deuteronomy 28:13Isaiah 9:6-7Daniel 7:13-14Luke 1:32Romans 11:29. See Lesson Fifteen, Point V, for the other reasons for the calling of Israel.

IV. The History of the Old Testament Church

The history of the Jews began about 4,100 years ago with the call of Abraham. For all these years they have been distinct and separate from all peoples, having their own laws and customs. They have produced some of the greatest men in the history of the human race. Their faithfulness to their calling has been only temporary and local, but in the Millennium and future ages it will be permanent and worldwide.

A brief history of Israel is recorded, Lesson Fifteen, Point VII, and Lesson Seventeen, Point VII. Practically all the important events of their history are recorded in the Bible. The origin of Israel may be read in Genesis; the establishment of the theocracy in the other books of the Pentateuch; the entrance into Canaan in Joshua; the period of the judges in the book of Judges; the monarchy and its development in 1 and 2 Samuel and in 1 Ki.; the division of the kingdom and the history of the two kingdoms down to the captivities in Kings and Chronicles; and the return from captivity in Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. From there on to Christ, we have nothing but scattered dates except for the second century b.c., which is partially recorded in 1 and 2 Maccabees. The books of the prophets furnish much historical data from the reign of Amaziah about 884 b.c. to the return from the captivities and the restoration until about 400 b.c. Much of the history of Israel during this period has been brought to light by the monuments recently found in Palestine, Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and other countries.

The history of Israel from Abraham to our day reveals continued oppression because of her sins. During this time she has undergone numerous sieges, servitudes, and captivities. The history of Jerusalem, her capital city, is one of many sieges. It has undergone twenty-eight sieges as follows:

1. By the tribe of Judah against the Jebusites about 700 years before the founding of Rome Judges 1:8.

2. By David against the Jebusites 2 Samuel 5:6-10.

3. By Shishak, king of Egypt, against Judah 1 Kings 14:25.

4. By the Philistines, Arabians, and Ethiopians against Judah (2 Chron. 21:16-17)

5. By Israel against Judah 2 Kings 18:13–19.

6. By Syria and Israel against Judah (1 Chron. 28).

7. By Assyria against Judah 2 Kings 18:13–19.

8. By Babylon against Judah (2 Chron. 36:6-7).

9. By Babylon against Judah (2 Chron. 36:10).

10. By Babylon against Judah (2 Chron. 36:17-20).

11. By Egypt against Judah after the captivities, 320 b.c.

12. By Scopus, a general of Alexander, about 299 b.c.

13. By Syria against Judah after the captivities, 203 b.c.

14. By Syria against Judah, 168 b.c.

15. By Syria against Judah, 162 b.c.

16. By Syria against Judah, 135 b.c.

17. By Hyrcanus, the priest of Aristobulus, 63 b.c.

18. By Pompey against Aristobulus, 63 b.c.

19. By Herod with a Roman army, who besieged the city in 39 b.c.

20. By Titus in 70 a.d. Matthew 24:1-2Luke 19:42-44Luke 21:20-24.

21. By the Romans again in 135 a.d. against the false messiah, Bar-Cochebas, who had acquired possession of the ruins. The city was obliterated, and renamed Elia Capitolina, and a temple to Jupiter was erected.

22. After 400 years of so-called Christian colonization, Chrosroes the Persian (about 559 a.d.) swept through the country; thousands were massacred, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was destroyed. The emperor Heraclius afterwards defeated him and restored the city and the church.

23. The Caliph Omar, in 636-637 a.d., besieged the city against Heraclius. It passed into the hands of the Turks, in whose hands it remained until 1917 a.d.

24. Afdal, the Vizier of the Caliph of Egypt, defeated the Muslims in 1098 a.d. and pillaged the city.

25. In 1099 it was besieged by the army of the First Crusade.

26. In 1187 it was besieged by Saladin for seven weeks.

27. The wild Tartar hordes in 1244 captured and plundered the city, slaughtering the monks and priests.

28. It was taken by General Allenby and the British in 1917 a.d. At this writing (1949), there is war between the Jews and Arabs over control of the city.

The history of Israel from the rejection of their Messiah to our day reveals terrible sufferings. Beginning about 50 a.d., 30,000 were killed by the Romans. In 66 a.d. Titus with a Roman army of 66,000 met Josephus and killed 40,000 Jews and subjugated Galilee. In 70 a.d. Titus with 100,000 men captured Jerusalem after four months; and one million were killed, 97,000 captured, and the city destroyed in fulfillment of Dan. 9:26; Mt. 24:1-2; Lk. 21:20-24. In 135 a.d. the Jews again revolted, and after a war of three-and-a-half years 580,000 were killed, the land made utterly desolate, a plow run over Zion Micah 3:12, and the Jews forbidden to enter the land. Since then the Jews have been few in the land until in recent years. From 140 to 312 a.d., the Jews flourished in Rome and had imperial favor and had a great part in the persecutions of Christians. When Constantine became Emperor, they lost imperial favor and became a condemned sect.

In England in 1020 a.d., Canute banished them from the country. In 1096 a.d., a war was waged on the Jews who would not submit to baptism. Henry II made them pay $291,000.00 to help the crusades. In 1189 a.d., murderous riots started against the Jews, and every Jewish home in London was plundered. In 1190 a.d., the chief rabbi of York and 500 Jews were besieged until they slew one another. In 1272 a.d., Edward I claimed to own the Jews and all they possessed, and he let them get rich in order to rob them. He finally drove them from England, and for four centuries no Jew was found there.

In France in 1306 a.d., 100,000 Jews were stripped, robbed, and banished from the country. In ten years they were allowed to return, but fanatical shepherds killed thousands of them. In 1683 a.d., they were again ordered to quit France and her colonies and were not permitted to own real estate therein until 1723.

In 1348-1350 a.d. the black plague swept Europe as a whole but affected the Jews but little because of their simple life and the hygienic requirements of the law. They were suspected of poisoning the waters of Europe. In Germany thousands were killed by cauldron, fire, and in many other ways. They were banished from Prague and Constantinople.

In Spain during the “Inquisition” thousands disappeared never to return. They were finally banished from Spain. Many were sold into slavery. Their sufferings were indescribable. For 200 years they were not permitted to enter Spain.

The present state of the Jews is one of peace except in many places of Europe and Asia where they are again being persecuted, killed, and used as slaves. They are looking forward to a homeland of their own again. Their ambition will be realized in a small way before they are again persecuted in their land under the Antichrist. In fact, even now the Jews have a nation of their own again with about 700,000 population. They have recently fought a war with all the Arab states of Egypt, Syria, TransJordan, Iraq, Iran and others and have won the respect of many nations. Various nations are now establishing diplomatic relations with the new state. Many thousands of Jews are going back to the land of their fathers, but their final restoration awaits the return of their Messiah in glory to deliver them from the Gentiles and set up an eternal kingdom over them, as predicted by the prophets.

VI. The Future of the Old Testament Church

Of the future of the Jews, God’s Word speaks in detail. Nothing is clearer in the Bible than this subject. Note the following facts in Scripture:

1. 1 THE FACT OF THEIR RESTORATION

   This is called the “second time to recover the remnant of his people.” The first time was the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian captivity, as in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. Since the first restoration of Israel they became a nation again and then rejected their Messiah and crucified Him and for this they were led away captive into all nations and Jerusalem has since been trodden down of the Gentiles, as predicted by Jesus in Lk. 21:20-24. The Scriptures are so clear on the future restoration of Israel that we shall merely quote a few of many hundreds of passages revealing this truth.

Isaiah said, “It shall come to pass in that day [the Millennium], that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people . . . he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” Isaiah 11:10-16; “Fear not [Israel]: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west, I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth” Isaiah 43:1-7

Jeremiah foretold that the days will come “that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the north, and from all lands whither I have driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers” Jeremiah 16:14-15; “I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid . . . though I make an end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished . . . I will punish all that oppress them . . . Ye shall be my people, and I will be your God . . . In the latter days ye shall consider it. And at that time . . . I will build thee . . . I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth . . . He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth a flock . . . they shall come and sing in the height of Zion” Jeremiah 30:10-24Jeremiah 31:1-40Jeremiah 32:37-44Jeremiah 33:7-26.

Ezekiel also prophesied of the final gathering of Israel as follows: “I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel” Ezekiel 11:17-21; “As I live, saith the Lord God, . . . I will bring you out from the people and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered . . . I will bring you into the land of Israel” Ezekiel 20:33-44; “When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered . . . then shall they dwell in their land” Ezekiel 28:25-26Ezekiel 34:11-31Ezekiel 36:16-38; “I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen . . . and bring them into their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all . . . my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore” Ezekiel 37:1-28Ezekiel 47:13-48.

Other Old Testament prophets speak of the final regathering of Israel: “The children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days” Hosea 3:4-5; “For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem . . . the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel . . . Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation” Micah 4:1-13Micah 5:3-15Micah 7:7-20Zephaniah 3:8-20Zechariah 8:1-8, 20Zechariah 12:1-14Zechariah 13:1-9Zechariah 14:1-21Malachi 4:5-6.

Jesus predicted that Israel will be finally gathered at His second advent Matthew 24:29-31 and the apostles taught that God would build again the house of David after the Church age Acts 15:13-18Romans 11:25-29. Thus it is clear from both Testaments that Israel is yet to be regathered and converted and will be ruled by their Messiah forever Luke 1:32-35. The reason they are now scattered is their rebellion against God Deuteronomy 4:22-28Deuteronomy 28:1-68Judges 2:11-191 Samuel 8:62 Kings 21:112 Kings 25:3Jeremiah 15:4Matthew 23:37-39Matthew 27:25.

1. 1 THE TIME OF THEIR RESTORATION

   The partial restoration of Israel will be before the Antichrist reigns, but their final restoration will be at the close of “the times of the Gentiles” at the second coming of Christ Luke 21:24Matthew 23:38-39Matthew 24:27-31Zechariah 12:10–14Isaiah 11:10-11.

1. 1 THE MANNER OF THEIR RESTORATION

   They will be gathered back unconverted Ezekiel 36:24-27. Before their conversion they will go through the greatest period of trouble they have ever gone, called the great tribulation, which will bring them back to their God. They will have a most glorious future when they are restored to favor with God and converted unto their Messiah. They will become the richest and most powerful nation in the Earth. The land of Palestine is at present rich in natural resources and is coveted by many nations. This partially explains why Palestine will become the center of many wars just preceding the second coming of Christ to the Earth.

Who among the nations would not want the mineral wealth of the Dead Sea alone, which is estimated by the British Government to be worth about $1.19 trillion, which is nearly three times the total wealth of the United States? The following report made by the British Government is of interest: “The Dead Sea is 340 sq. miles in area, the surface of which is 1,292 ft. below the Mediterranean Sea level. It has a content of potash amounting to 1.3 billion tons, valued at $68.040 billion; bromide 835 million tons, valued at $252.72 billion; salt 11.9 billion tons, valued at $46.17 billion; gypsum 81 million tons, valued at $116.64 million; and magnesium chloride 22 billion tons, valued at $797.04 billion.

VII. Who Belong to the Old Testament Church

The earthly Jews or the natural seed of Abraham who obeyed the terms of the covenants and met the conditions of the promises belong to the “called-out” people in the wilderness. Those who sinned were cut off from the blessings of the covenants just as people in the present Church are cut off through sin 1 Corinthians 10:1-13Hebrews 2:1-4Hebrews 3:7-4. Those saints who lived before the calling of Abraham and the founding of the nation of Israel could not be considered a part of the Jewish “called-out” body of people, for the simple reason that they lived before that time. In a technical sense, those who have died “in faith” and in a justified state before God during the whole period from Abraham to Christ do not belong to the Old Testament Church, for the reason that it is an earthly Church with an earthly calling. Such people who have died will be resurrected to become immortal and will have rulership over the future Old Testament Church, the Jews, after the coming of Christ. In other words, God’s promises and callings with Israel are without repentance and are earthly and in connection with earthly living people forever Romans 11:29. They will be fulfilled in connection with the earthly Jews of the future when they are reconciled to God (Rom. 11). Jews who have died and who become part of the heavenly, glorified family of God will have no part in the earthly fulfillment of the promises to Israel. They will become severed from the natural people of Israel and the earthly blessings of the future by virtue of their death and resurrection to immortality.

Neither the New Testament Church nor the future living Gentiles belong to the Old Testament Church, the Jews. They will have no part in the restoration of the Jews, or in the fulfillment of any prophecies concerning the Jews in their land in the eternal future. We conclude, therefore, that the Jews of today and of the future make the original Old Testament Church which was called out of all nations to evangelize and reconcile them to the true God; that the Jews were cut off from their original calling because of their failure to fulfill it, and that they will be redeemed again and will yet fulfill their calling among all nations in the Millennium. The Old Testament Church then is an eternal “called-out” body of people and is merely temporarily inactive and set aside because of sin. But it will become the channel of blessings to all nations in the future after the New Testament Church has fulfilled its earthly ministry Isaiah 52:7Isaiah 61:6Isaiah 66:18-21Acts 15:13-18.

VIII. The Marriage of the Old Testament Church

The Jews are commonly spoken of as the Bride of God, the Father, and the present Church as the Bride of Christ; but this is incorrect. It is generally held that Israel is now the wife of God and that the present Church is not yet the wife of Christ but will become such at the marriage of the Lamb, after the rapture of the Church. A gross inconsistency appears here, for if Israel is the wife of God now through covenant relationship, the body of Christ is also now married to him on the same basis.

Was Israel the Wife of God in Old Testament Times?

The Bible definitely states that Israel was the wife of God; that she is now the estranged or divorced wife of God; and that she will again become His wife in the future. Israel in the Old Testament is called the “wife” of God Isaiah 54:1-6Jeremiah 3:1-25Hosea 1:1-11Hosea 2:1-23Malachi 2:14-16.

In what sense could Israel be called the “wife” of God? It must be by covenant relationship only, not physical. If by covenant relationship, then she became the covenant wife of God when He made covenants with her through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. Only those who entered into covenant relationship with God can be considered as married or united to Him by covenant. Thus Abraham, the father and source of the chosen family, was as much united to God as any one of his descendants later on. The different covenants made between God and the chosen race were entered into voluntarily and were binding on both parties from the time of the consummation of the contract which united them in such relationship. Therefore, Israel can be called the covenant wife of God. In Jeremiah, Hosea, and other books, Israel is pictured as divorced from God because she broke the terms of the covenant and because she refused to continue in covenant relationship to God. She will remain as such until her final conversion and reconciliation to God. Then Israel will be considered the wife of God just as she was in Old Testament times, because of the New Covenant God will make with her at that time Jeremiah 31:31-40Ezekiel 36:16-38Ezekiel 37:15-28Hosea 2:14-23Romans 11:25-32Hebrews 8:6-13Hebrews 10:16-18 Thus we conclude that Israel in the past was the wife of God, that at present she is divorced, and will in the future become the covenant wife of God again.

Now, as to Israel being the wife of God, the Father only, and in covenant relationship to Him only, such teaching is out of harmony with the whole Word of God, for the following reasons:

1. 1 Any person or group of persons entering into relationship with God in any sense, whether by covenant or by actual re-creation, does so equally with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, for Israel’s God was “one [united] God” Deuteronomy 6:4. This God is declared as existing in three separate and distinct persons, as we have seen in Lesson Four 1 John 5:7-8. Therefore, Israel being the covenant people of the Triune God is related to each person in the “one” God through the terms of the same covenant.

1. 1 It cannot be that God the Father has a wife with which the Son has nothing to do, or is not related to. The same is true also of the Spirit. It is likewise impossible for the Son to have a wife that is not related to the Father or the Spirit by the same covenant and redemptive work. Such teaching would make the Father, Son, and Spirit independent of each other in connection with the various groups of redeemed people. Such is never the teaching of the Bible, as proven in Lesson Four, Point III.

1. 1 Both Testaments speak of the Son as being the direct personal and visible king of Israel, and therefore, must be related to the Jews as much as the Father or the Spirit Isaiah 9:6, 7Micah 5:1-2Luke 1:32-35. Would the Father permit the Son to take His own wife and rule over her forever if the Son had no covenant relationship to Israel?

1. 1 The whole family of God in Heaven and in Earth is one family Ephesians 3:14, 15. It includes all spiritual and material, glorified and natural, heavenly and earthly free moral agents who are in harmony with God. God is the Father of all, the Son is the Savior of all, and the Spirit is the Helper of all Ephesians 4:4-6. If God the Father is the Father of all, then is He not the Father of the New Testament saints as well as of the Old Testament saints? If the Son is the Savior of all, then is He not the Savior of the Old Testament saints as well as of the New Testament saints? If the Spirit is the Creator and Helper of all, then has He not been the agent of God in the regeneration of all Old Testament saints as well as of the New Testament saints? The relationship of the Father, Son, and Spirit is the same with each redeemed person and certainly must be the same with each redeemed company of saints. It is unscriptural to teach then that the Father has a bride—the Old Testament saints, the Son has a bride—the New Testament saints, and the Holy Spirit has no bride. It is just as erroneous to teach that the Son will not marry the New Testament Church but will marry Israel, as some teach. We conclude that Israel is merely one part of the great universal family of God and is related to each person of the Triune God equally according to His respective relationships.

IX. The Blessings and Glory of the Old Testament Church

There is a universal mistaken idea among Christians that the Old Testament saints did not have the New Testament spiritual experiences promised the present Church. Theories are advanced that only a few special prophets were filled with the Spirit; that even these were temporary anointings; and that Old Testament saints were not born-again, sanctified, made holy, or had the many blessings of grace that we can have today. Every one of these ideas is erroneous, as proven by the following facts in both Testaments:

Old Testament Saints Experienced Many Spiritual and Physical Blessings Such As:

1. The Lord as their Savior and salvation Exodus 15:21 Samuel 2:1Psalms 9:14Psalms 18:46Psalms 51:1-14Psalms 91:16Luke 1:67-79Luke 7:47-50Luke 19:9Romans 4:1-8.

2. Forgiveness of “sin” Exodus 32:32Leviticus 4:261 Kings 8:30, 36Psalms 32:5Jeremiah 36:3 and “sins” Psalms 25:18Psalms 103:3Matthew 9:1-9Luke 7:48-50Luke 18:9-14Romans 4:1-8.

3. Cleansing from “sin” Psalms 51:2Job 35:3 and “sins” Isaiah 1:16-18Ezekiel 36:25Ezekiel 37:23Psalms 19:12Revelation 1:5.

4. Covering (propitiation) for “sin” Psalms 32:1Psalms 85:2 and “sins” Romans 4:7Romans 4:10Romans 3:24, 25.

5. Purging from “sin” Numbers 19:9, 17Isaiah 6:7 and “sins” Psalms 79:9Psalms 10:22 Peter 1:9.

6. The taking away of “sin” Isaiah 6:7Isaiah 27:9 and “sins” Psalms 103:12.

7. Atonement for “sin” Isaiah 53:10, 12 and “sins” Hebrews 9:15, 221 Corinthians 15:3Galatians 1:4Hebrews 9:281 Peter 2:24.

8. Washing from “sin” Psalms 51:2 and “sins” Isaiah 1:16-18Jeremiah 4:14.

9. Repentance and confession of “sin” Leviticus 5:5Leviticus 26:40Numbers 5:7Psalms 32:5Daniel 9:20 and “sins” Leviticus 16:21Nehemiah 1:6Nehemiah 9:2, 3Proverbs 28:13Ezekiel 14:6Ezekiel 18:30.

10. Turning away from “sin” 1 Kings 8:351 Kings 7:14 and “sins” 2 Kings 17:13Ezekiel 18:21.

11. Redemption from “sin,” “iniquity,” and bondage to Satan Genesis 48:16Exodus 15:132 Samuel 7:23Psalms 31:5Psalms 34:22Psalms 49:15Psalms 71:23Psalms 72:13, 14Psalms 103:4Psalms 107:2Isaiah 29:22Hosea 7:13.

12. Sanctification Exodus 29:43Exodus 31:13Leviticus 20:8Leviticus 21:8, 15Leviticus 22:9, 16Ezekiel 20:12. Every one of these passages states that God, Himself, sanctified the people. This could refer only to moral sanctification and holiness, for God does not sanctify anything or anyone ceremonially. All ceremonial sanctification is done by man.

13. Justification Isaiah 45:25Romans 3:25Romans 4:1-8Galatians 3:6-14.

14. Healing of the body Genesis 20:17Exodus 15:26Exodus 103:3Exodus 107:20.

15. Presentation and health Psalms 91:1-12Psalms 105:37Psalms 107:20.

16. Names written in Heaven Exodus 32:32, 33Psalms 69:28Luke 10:20.

17. Conversion Psalms 19:7Psalms 51:13Isaiah 6:10Isaiah 60:5.

18. Grace Genesis 6:8Genesis 19:19Exodus 33:12-17Psalms 84:11.

19. Imputation of righteousness Genesis 15:6Romans 4:1-25Galatians 3:6James 2:23.

20. Deliverances Psalms 18:19Psalms 34:4Psalms 51:14Psalms 55:18Psalms 56:13Psalms 107:20.

21. Reconciliation Leviticus 8:15Isaiah 53:12.

22. Substitution Genesis 22:8, 13.

23. Ransom Job 33:24Hosea 13:14.

24. Heirship Romans 4:13, 14Romans 8:14-18Galatians 3:8-14.

25. Prayer Genesis 20:7Psalms 72:20Proverbs 15:8, 29.

26. Restitution Exodus 22:1-12Luke 3:8.

27. Consecration and dedication Exodus 28:3, 41Exodus 29:33-351 Kings 7:511 Kings 8:63.

28. Spiritual revelation Acts 3:21Hebrews 1:1, 22 Peter 1:21.

29. Resurrection Daniel 12:21 Kings 17:17-242 Kings 4:18-37.

30. Glorification Romans 8:14-18Hebrews 11:40.

31. The new birth Deuteronomy 32:18Psalms 82:6Galatians 4:28-30Isaiah 63:16Isaiah 64:8.

Old Testament Saints Had the Fruit of the Spirit:

1. Love Exodus 20:6Deuteronomy 6:5Leviticus 19:18Psalms 18:1Psalms 91:14.

2. Joy Ezra 3:12, 13Ezra 6:16-22Nehemiah 8:10Psalms 16:11.

3. Peace Psalms 4:8Psalms 29:11Psalms 34:14Psalms 37:11Proverbs 3:2Isaiah 26:3.

4. Longsuffering Psalms 63:1Psalms 84:2Psalms 119:40, 131.

5. Gentleness 2 Samuel 18:52 Samuel 22:36.

6. Goodness Psalms 23:6Psalms 107:9.

7. Faith Hebrews 11:1-40Romans 4:1-25Habakkuk 2:4.

8. Meekness Numbers 12:3Psalms 22:26Psalms 25:9Zephaniah 2:3.

9. Temperance or self-control. The word “temperance” is not found in the Old Testament, but who could manifest more self-control, love, longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness than David, when he had his enemy in his hand and let him go twice? Saul made twenty-one attempts upon the life of David; and after he was dead David said, “Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives” 2 Samuel 1:23. Thus we see that Old Testament saints had the fruit of the Spirit, and, if so, they must have also had the Holy Spirit in their lives, as well as cleansing from all sin.

The Old Testament Saints Had the Gifts of the Spirit:

1. Interpretation of dreams and visions Daniel 1:17Genesis 37:5-11Genesis 40:1-41, 44.

2. Faith Hebrews 11:1-40Romans 4:1-25.

3. Wisdom and knowledge 1 Kings 3:121 Kings 4:29-342 Samuel 14:20.

4. Healings Genesis 20:7, 17Exodus 15:26Psalms 105:37Psalms 107:20.

5. Miracles Exodus 4:12Exodus 17:6Numbers 16:30.

6. Prophecy Acts 3:21Luke 1:702 Peter 1:21Hebrews 1:1, 2.

7. Discernment 2 Kings 5:25-272 Kings 6:122 Samuel 14:20.

The only gifts that were not manifest in Old Testament days were the gifts of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues, and these were reserved to be given to men in this age Isaiah 28:9-11Mark 16:17-20.

Other Spiritual Experiences of Old Testament Saints:

1. They had different measures of the Spirit Numbers 11:17-292 Kings 2:9Luke 1:15-17Matthew 10:1-7, 20Mark 6:7-13.

2. They were “filled” with the Holy Spirit, but not baptized in the Spirit Exodus 28:3Exodus 31:3Exodus 35:31, 35Deuteronomy 34:9Micah 3:8Luke 1:15-17, 41.

3. They had the Holy Spirit “in” them Genesis 41:38Numbers 11:17-29Numbers 27:18Ezekiel 2:2Ezekiel 3:24Daniel 4:8-9, 18Daniel 5:11-14Daniel 6:3Matthew 10:201 Peter 1:11.

4. They had the Holy Spirit “upon” them Numbers 11:17-29Judges 3:10Judges 6:34Judges 11:29Judges 14:6, 19Judges 15:141 Samuel 10:6, 101 Samuel 11:61 Samuel 16:131 Samuel 19:20-232 Kings 2:9.

5. They had the Holy Spirit speak “through” them Luke 1:70Acts 3:18-21.

6. They were holy men Leviticus 11:22, 45Leviticus 19:2Leviticus 20:7, 26Romans 11:16Ephesians 3:5Acts 3:212 Peter 1:212 Peter 3:2-5.

The Disciples Had Salvation Before the Cross Which Included:

1. Full deliverance from sin Luke 1:69-77Luke 3:6Luke 19:9, 10.

2. Remission of sins Luke 1:77Luke 7:41-50Luke 11:4Luke 17:3, 4Matthew 6:12-15Matthew 8:1-9Matthew 18:21-35.

3. Conversion Matthew 18:3Mark 4:12Luke 22:32.

4. Repentance and belief in the gospel Matthew 3:2Matthew 4:17Mark 1:15Luke 13:1-5.

5. Healing Matthew 10:1-7Mark 6:7-13Luke 10:1-18.

6. Names written in Heaven Luke 10:20.

7. Prayer Matthew 6:5-15Matthew 7:7-11Matthew 18:19Luke 11:1-24Luke 18:1-14.

8. Glory from God John 17:22.

9. Full consecration Matthew 4:20Matthew 19:27-30.

10. Eternal life John 3:16, 36John 10:27-29John 17:2, 3.

11. The new birth John 3:1-5John 15:31 John 5:1-5, 18.

12. Spiritual revelation Matthew 16:16, 17John 6:67-69.

13. Being “in Christ” John 15:1-17.

14. A great “measure” of the Spirit and power Matthew 10:1-7, 16.

15. Sanctification. Jesus said of the disciples: “Ye are clean” John 13:10, 11;

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” John 15:3; “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word . . . I have kept them in thy name . . . they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” John 17:6, 8.

The Greek word for “clean” in Jn. 15:3 is katharos and means “clean,” “clear,” and “pure.” In every place where it is used, it refers to perfect cleansing and purity. It is translated “clean” in the following passages: “Cleanse first that which is within . . . that the outside may be clean also” Matthew 23:26; “clean linen” Matthew 27:59Revelation 19:8, 14; “All things are clean unto you” Luke 11:41; “Ye are clean” John 13:10, 11John 15:3; and, “I am clean” Acts 18:6. In Rev. 19:8 and 14, it is used of the righteousness of the saints in Heaven, and surely no one will argue that in their case it refers to ceremonial instead of moral cleanliness. The same word is translated “clear” in reference to the purity of the New Jerusalem Revelation 21:18.

It is also translated “pure” in the following passages: “Blessed are the pure in heart” Matthew 5:81 Timothy 1:52 Timothy 2:221 Peter 1:22; “I am pure from the blood of all men” Acts 20:26; “All things indeed are pure” Romans 14:20; “pure conscience” 1 Timothy 3:92 Timothy 1:3; “pure water” Hebrews 10:22Revelation 22:1; “pure religion” James 1:27; “pure and white linen” Revelation 15:6; and “pure gold” Revelation 21:18, 21.

Those who argue that the baptism in the Spirit is sanctification and the only heart-purity and the taking out of the old man use Mt. 5:8; 1 Tim. 1:5; 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3; 2:22; 1 Pet. 1:22 of the above passages to prove their doctrine. If these verses prove that “purity” and “sanctification” are the baptism in the Spirit, then the testimony of Jesus proves that the disciples were sanctified, had the Spirit-baptism, and had the old man taken out before Pentecost, and therefore, they did not need these experiences at Pentecost.

On the other hand, if they were “pure” or “clean” in heart without and before such a baptism, then this fact proves that the baptism in the Spirit is not sanctification. Shall we make Christ guilty of false testimony in Jn. 13:10, 11; 15:3? Or, shall we reject the theory of men who deny His testimony?

What could be clearer than that the disciples were sanctified? Could a person be “clean,” belong to God, keep God’s Word, be kept by Christ, be “in Christ,” not be of the world “even as” Christ was not of the world, and still be unsanctified and be morally unclean?

The Disciples Were Spirit “Filled” and Endued With a Measure of Power Before the Cross

Nothing is more clear in Scripture than the fact that the disciples were given power by Jesus, and that they exercised this power before the cross and before Pentecost. They had to be saved from all sin, and sanctified, before they could receive this power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus “gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease . . . These twelve [Judas included] Jesus sent forth, and commanded them saying . . . as ye go preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely ye have received, freely give . . . Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves . . . when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father [the Holy Spirit] which speaketh in you” Matthew 10:1-8, 16.

The twelve (Judas included) “went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them” Mark 6:7-13. Even the seventy went out and preached and cast out many devils by the Spirit of God Luke 10:1-18. It is ridiculous to think of such men as being unholy and unsanctified and still having an “old man” or the devil in them. The old man is nothing but the devil working in men, as we have seen in Lesson Six. If unsanctified people had enough of the Spirit to do these things, without the baptism in the Spirit, or the fullness of God, then shouldn’t people today who claim to have the fullness of the Spirit as sanctification be able to do as much or more? In other words if they had these experiences and were not sanctified, or, if they could do all these things without sanctification, then sanctified people today should be able to do at least as much or more than those unsanctified disciples could do.

If the disciples had the Spirit “in” them before the cross, then the statement of Jesus, “He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” John 14:17, must refer to she Spirit’s coming into their lives in all fullness at Pentecost. It could not teach that the Spirit was not “in” them in a measure, as was true of all Old Testament saints and as is also true of every believer born of the Spirit since Pentecost. The Spirit was “in” them in a measure at the time Jesus made this statement. (See Lesson Four Point I, 4, on how the Spirit comes into and dwells “in” believers.)

Thus the Bible abundantly reveals facts to teach that the Old Testament saints, including the disciples before the cross, were saved, morally sanctified, and justified as much as any one since the cross can be. It is not logical to hold that they were not sanctified and thus make Jesus and the above Scriptures untruthful, just to try to prove some erroneous teaching on sanctification. It is not worth the price one has to pay. One would have to be willfully blind and openly rebellious against many plain facts of both Testaments to hold to such an idea, and no honest person will do this when he sees the truth.

Basis of the Old Testament Blessings

Men in the Old Testament days had the gospel of salvation preached to them Galatians 3:8-14Hebrews 4:2. It was the same as the gospel preached in the New Testament. We have seen from the facts stated above that they had all the blessings or salvation from sin, had the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, and had many “measures” of the Spirit.

God gave the Old Testament saints these blessings on the basis of their faith in the coming Redeemer, just as New Testament saints are blessed by faith in the Redeemer that has come. Even New Testament saints are to “walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham” Romans 4:12Galatians 3:8-14.

If Christ had not died, neither the Old Testament saints nor the New Testament ones would have been redeemed. God did a credit business before the cross, that is, He blessed men by giving them the benefits of the coming redemption, and they enjoyed those benefits just as much before the debt was paid as men now enjoy them since the debt has been paid. Men through all ages have enjoyed the benefits of things bought on credit just as much as they have enjoyed them when bought for cash. Things bought on credit must be paid for according to the promise given, or it is a dishonest transaction. So it is with redemption. God had promised to pay the debt man owed; so on the basis of His own Word and faithfulness to pay the debt, He blessed men before it was paid. Now, since the debt has been paid, God deals strictly on a cash basis. Men no longer look forward to a coming redemption. They can now act on the basis of an accomplished work of redemption in Christ.

Paul definitely stated that “God hath set forth [Christ] to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past [the Old Testament sins], through the forbearance of God” and “for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they [the Old Testament saints] which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” Romans 3:24, 25Hebrews 9:15. Faith in the wrong kind of atonement for sin or the time true faith is exercised in the right atonement is not the thing that makes the blood efficacious. It is the faith in the blood of Jesus, whether before or after the cross, that is efficacious. The blood of bulls and goats before the cross could not take away sins any more than it can today; but faith in the thing for which they were offered as types did take away sins Ephesians 1:7Hebrews 9:11-15, 21Hebrews 10:10-181 John 1:7-9Revelation 1:5. It is God who is the Blesser of all men, and He can bless men at one time as well as another, if they meet the gospel requirements.

Besides these wonderful blessings of the Old Testament saints, Abraham’s seed saw the mighty power of God in miraculous ways throughout their history in the Dispensations of Promise and Law. They saw the glory of God manifested in visible form in the pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. They saw the glory of God filling the tabernacle and the temple and the fire of God falling from Heaven to consume the sacrifices. Many of the judges, kings, and prophets were greatly anointed with the Holy Spirit to prophesy, do miracles, write the Old Testament books, and do innumerable things that were beyond human ability.

The standard for the ministry of Israel in the Dispensation of Law was a high one. Every man had to be holy in life, faithful in service, and perfect in body. The physical requirements were so high that the majority of men in the modern church could not have been ministers in the service of the Old Covenant Leviticus 21:16-24.

Paul, in 2 Cor. 3, contrasts the glory of the Old Covenant with that of the New Covenant, and sets forth the fact that the glory of the Old Covenant had no glory in comparison to that of the New Covenant. If men in the modern church could see the truth of the New Testament just as it is written and would try to attain to some of the higher blessings and privileges of the New Covenant, there would be no end to the possibilities before them in the exercise of the power of God among men today. Men today should have all the blessings of the Old Covenant plus many greater blessings of the new until God would be glorified among men through every minister and even every believer. There would be no falling away from Christianity to false and heathen religions that are making continual inroads upon the membership of modern churches. As we shall see in the next few lessons, the Church is coming far short of even the blessings of the Old Testament saints, much less the blessings that every believer can attain to in the gospel.

God demonstrated through the saints of the Old Testament many powers and gifts that are seldom dreamed of today in the modern church. Some of them exceeded modern believers in the art of yielding to God to be used by the Holy Spirit. Some of them obeyed God in ways that a modern preacher would not possibly consider as being the working of God.

God demonstrated not only the art of yielding to His will, but He used the Old Testament saints to demonstrate to the world how God will bless materially, physically, and spiritually those that will have faith in God and obey Him. This we have seen in Lessons Fifteen and Seventeen. The Old Testament Church when yielded to God saw the mighty power of God and His visible manifestations, proving the reality and actual existence of the God of the Bible. In many respects this church excelled the New Testament Church, especially that part of the Church since the days of the apostles to our day. If modern believers would learn the many lessons that can be gleaned from a study of God’s dealings with the Old Testament Church and if they would profit by these lessons and contend for even as much power with God as was manifest in Old Testament times before the fullness of the Holy Spirit was given to men, we would see today great things done in the name of Jesus Christ. Anyone who claims the fullness of God, as many do today, should manifest more supernatural power among men than anyone ever did who lived before Pentecost and who had only the Holy Spirit in a measure. One of the chief purposes of these lessons is to show by Scripture the lost and little known blessings of the New Covenant that every believer in Christ should be enjoying to the full. As we proceed with Lessons Nineteen through Thirty-six this will be made clear by many Scriptures.