Question:
It seems that the Message breathes the atmosphere of the Old Testament primarily. Would you please comment?
Answer:
We believe that the whole Bible is the Word of God and contains all that we need to obtain salvation. The apostle Paul stated that we are built upon the “foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).
When rightly understood, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Prophets, Jesus Christ and His Apostles all taught the same gospel. This is confirmed by the fact that the New Testament writers quoted extensively and frequently from the Old.
Furthermore, “the Lord our God is one Lord” (Deut. 6:4 KJV), and “one Lord” must present one harmonious plan of salvation from beginning to end. One God cannot lead us two directions. As Paul wrote, we have “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Eph. 4:5-6). Otherwise one would be able to pick and choose as they wished, and unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened many times.
The seeming conflict between the Old Testament and the New is often caused by a misunderstanding of the sacred writers, coupled with the desire for an easier way to salvation.