The True Teachings of God According to the Old Testament

The Old Testament is a foundational resource in understanding the teachings of God before the advent of Jesus Christ. Prophets taught that there is only one true God, and the guidance they provided centered on obedience, repentance, and love. Let's delve into these core teachings and understand how they differ from the later Christian interpretations.

Prophets and the One True God

Prophets in the Old Testament consistently emphasized the existence of a single, omnipotent, and all-knowing God. For instance, Deuteronomy 6:4 reads: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.'

Jesus' Teachings: True Saviour or Misunderstood?

Jesus taught that the way to salvation is through obedience, love, and good deeds. He emphasized human responsibility for one's own salvation. When asked about his status, he responded humbly and emphatically, denying claims of divinity:

"Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.” (Mark 10:18, Luke 18:18-19, Matthew 19:17)

Jesus also stated:

"The Father is greater than I." (John 14:28)

These statements align with the Old Testament teachings, which emphasize that humans should direct their worship to the one true God, not to Jesus or any other divinity.

Obeying the Commandments: The Path to Salvation

Contrary to some Christian teachings, the Old Testament does not mention concepts such as original sin, atonement, or salvation by grace. Instead, it emphasizes that obedience to God's commandments is the path to salvation:

"Do this and you will live." (Luke 10:28)

"Go and do the same." (Luke 10:37)

Moreover, Jesus underscored the importance of obeying God's will in the New Testament:

"And this is life eternal, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)

The Role of the Trinity and Miracles

Some Christian denominations teach the doctrine of the Trinity, but the Old Testament does not mention this trinitarian concept. In fact, Jesus himself did not claim to be a god or his ministry to be centered around miracles:

"A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!" (Matthew 12:39, Mark 8:12, Luke 11:29)

Further evidence of this is found in various New Testament passages, such as:

"For God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain salvation" (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

"For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost" (Matthew 18:11, note: this verse was added later in some manuscripts)

These statements highlight that salvation is based on God's mercy and the importance of obedience rather than on faith alone or the merits of miracles.

Conclusion

The Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus provide a clear path to salvation through obedience, repentance, and love. The true teachings of God are found in the principles of the Old Testament and the humble and humble demeanor of Jesus, rather than in the later additions that may lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Understanding these core teachings is essential for a genuine and transformative spiritual journey.