Do the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Belong in the Old or New Testament? Title Slide: Do the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Belong in the Old or New Testament? False doctrines and teaching come in different shapes. Can the church today use these books as authority?

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? “The four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, before the cross, must scripturally be placed in the Old Testament age and law of Moses as originally taught in the first century by Christ, the Holy Spirit and inspired apostles, and not in the New Testament and new covenant age as done today by uninspired Roman Catholic translators and publishers of our original modern Bibles.” Quote from Dan Billingsly, a preacher for the COC in Texas. He has written and debated on the subject. His audience is growing. Dan Billingsly

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? “Many today mistakenly believe that preaching stories from the Old Testament, rehashing and misrepresenting the Old Testament work, mission and teaching of the Old Testament law of Moses by Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- before the cross -- is New Testament doctrine. Such teaching is not now and it has never been the New Testament “truth” of Christ. All New Testament doctrine is in Acts 2 through Revelation 22.” (BIBLE STUDIES...by Dan Billingsly www.biblestudiesbydanbillingsly.net) What’s the purpose for such teaching? It is true that much of the history in the gospels took place during the time the law of Moses was still in effect. But one must ask, “Are the teachings of Christ applicable today? Are they binding today? Did any of Jesus’ teaching have meaning for us today?” Bottom line—nothing written before Acts 2 can be taught today as doctrine or authority. This teaching only applied to the Jewish audience—redefining the Law of Moses. I suggest that such conclusions have serious ramifications… Dan Billingsly

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? When did the authority and jurisdiction (sic) of the Old Testament end?  Was the time between the end of the Old and beginning of the New Testament the fifty days between the cross and the day of Pentecost, or the 450 years between the time of Malachi and Matthew? When did the New Testament age and revelation of New Covenant doctrine begin? Three Questions. We know that the Law ended at the cross (Col.2:14). We also know that there was a transition period of about 50 days between the time of Jesus’ resurrection, His ascension back to heaven, and the first gospel sermon preached on Pentecost. The third question is really two questions. The NT age began with the events in Acts 2. Yet, the revelation of the New Covenant was not complete till the end of the first century, and began to be written in the mid 40s. Brother Don McClain, of Little Rock, AR had an email exchange with brother Billingsly, and he asked a couple of questions. The questions and answers will help us see where this is leading… Dan Billingsly

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? Don's Question 1:  Is there ANYTHING that Jesus said in M, M, L, or J that specifically applies to the Christian under the New Testament? If so – what? - - - I am willing to affirm that Jesus taught His disciples how it was going to be in the church age on many occasions, and some of the laws by which they, (and we) would be governed. Dan's Answer: No, none of Jesus' teaching in MMLJ/BC is New Testament doctrine. Jesus, as the last Old Testament prophet sent by God to Israel (Deut. 18:15-18; Acts 3:22), a prophet like Moses, Jeremiah, Malachi, John the baptizer of Israel or any other Old Testament Mosaical prophets, spoke for God to Old Testament Israel only (Matt. 15:24). . . . Please notice that in Acts 3:22, we are told to “listen to Him in all things.” In verse 23, we are told that one who will not hear will be cut off!

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? Don's Question 1:  Is there ANYTHING that Jesus said in M, M, L, or J that specifically applies to the Christian under the New Testament? If so – what? - - - I am willing to affirm that Jesus taught His disciples how it was going to be in the church age on many occasions, and some of the laws by which they, (and we) would be governed. Dan's Answer: Every word in the teaching of Christ in MMLJ/BC was His teaching of the Old Testament law of Moses to Israel. . . MMLJ (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) BC (before the cross) were only for those living under the Law of Moses—The Jews only. Can this be correct? I do not agree with Brother Billingsly’s conclusions because they abuse the context of the text!

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? Don’s Question 2: When were these books written and for whom…were they written during the period governed by the Old Law and were they written for the Jews for guidance and instruction of their Law, or were they written during the New Covenant dispensation and for Christians to use to prove that Jesus was the Messiah and what He taught? Dan's Answer:  While no one knows the exact date of MMLJ/BC; . . . the date of writing makes no difference - In all of the teaching of the law of Moses by Christ in MMLJ/BC, He was correcting the false teaching of the law by the rabbis and others (Matt. 15:1-10), and in this He was restoring and guiding the Jews back to faithfulness before God as the law was about to be abolished. According to Jesus’ own words, He came to “fulfill the law” (Matthew 5:17). He correctly told them it was about to be abolished; why call them back to it? The Law of Moses was a national Law to the nation of Israel. The Law of Christ is universal—to all men!

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? Don, I suggest that you select any passage from MMLJ/BC and show us by the Scriptures that it is New Testament doctrine. This is Brother Billingsly’s challenge to brother McClain. Brother McClain thought of some, and Brother Billingsly even debated one not long ago… (Next slide) Dan Billingsly

What About the Sermon on the Mount? The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? What About the Sermon on the Mount? The Scriptures teach that the "Sermon on the Mount," Matthew chapters 5 through 7, is exclusively Old Testament doctrine. Affirm: Dan Billingsly Deny: Ethan R. Longhenry Brother Longhenry preaches in Norwalk, Ohio. Brother Billingsly, took the position that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of heaven (church), was strictly an Old Testament doctrine. I would take Brother Longhenry’s position and could easily defend it. Before we show this to be true, listen to one more comment from Dan Billingsly… Dan Billingsly

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? “When Jesus preached "the sermon on the mount" as the Old Testament Messiah sent only to old covenant Israel, His mission was to "restore" and "save" the "preserved” remnant of Israel by "restoring" them from unfaithfulness to faithfulness in keeping their old covenant with Jehovah (Matt. 1:21). His mission was not to "save" alien sinners of the world.” Brother Billingsly took the position that the purpose of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was to restore and save the remnant of Israel—nothing more. Were the Jews the only ones who were lost? (LK.19:10) Dan Billingsly

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? What About the Sermon on the Mount? “But I say unto you” (different from the Law of Moses!) “Whoever is angry without a cause” "Swear not at all"; "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her . . ."; "Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication . . ."; "whosoever shall smite thee . . ."; "Love your enemies"??? Consider Jesus’ teaching and the statements , “You have heard it said of old…” and “But I say unto you.” When were these things taught in the Law of Moses? Angry without cause (5:21-24). Swear not at all (5:33-37). Lusting after a woman (5:28-30). MDR (5:31,32) (Teaching on Deut.24:1-5). Smite thee (5:38-42); Love your enemies (5:43-45).

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? What About the Sermon on the Mount? “But I say unto you” (different from the Law of Moses!) Jesus went further than Moses – Jesus was stricter! Jesus went to the heart of the matter – Hebrews 10:16 Jesus was dealing with kingdom principles – Matthew 5:3-10 Remember the prophecy of Jere.31:31-34—it would be written “on their hearts.” Jesus was preparing them for the kingdom of heaven—which is the CHURCH! (Matt.4:17)

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? What About the New Birth  “John 3:16 - Like all other passages in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – before the cross – was Old Testament teaching of the law of Moses for only the nation of Israel.” . . . “none of Jesus' teaching in MMLJ/BC is New Testament doctrine.” What about the New Birth? Is this OT doctrine? Dan Billingsly

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? What About the New Birth “Except one is born of water and the spirit” (not Old Covenant teaching) The new birth of John 3:3-7 is the same new birth we read about in the following passages: (1 Cor. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal 6:15; James 1:18; Eph. 5:26; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:22, 23; 1 John 5:1). What about the teaching in John 3:3-7--being “born of water and spirit.” Is this OT Covenant teaching? 1 Cor.4:15—begotten thru the gospel. 2 Cor.5:17—new creation. Gal.6:15—new creation. Jam.1:18—firstfruits. Eph.5:26—washing by the word. Titus 3:5—washing of regeneration. 1 Pet. 1:22,23—born again. 1 Jno.5:1—born of God. Where was baptism ever taught in the OT?

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? What About Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage? This study . . . will show that all men today are not accountable to the Mosaical covenant law spoken by Christ in Matthew 19, nor will all men be judged by the human "traditions" among churches of Christ now surrounding this passage. . . . the Old Testament doctrine found in Matthew 19 certainly does not apply to anyone -- Jew or Gentile -- in this New Testament age! http://biblestudiesbydanbill.com/MDM.pdf Now the rubber meets the road. The reason for this doctrine is to justify false views on MDR! Dan Billingsly

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? What About Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage? “And I say to you” (Matt.19 is not Old Covenant teaching!) These brethren know that if they can convince themselves and others that Mt. 5:31,32 and Mt. 19:1-9 pertain to the law of Moses, they can discard this teaching as having been nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). Such reasoning would open the door (and it has) to allowing men and women to marry as many times as they desire—as long as it’s only one at a time!

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? What About Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage? “And I say to you” (Matt.19 is not Old Covenant teaching!) Reference back to the beginning–Genesis 1:17; 2:24 Indicates God’s continual will– Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus’ teaching different from Moses’ teaching–Matthew 5:32; 19:8,9 Eunuchs for the kingdoms sake–Matthew 19:12 Keep these passages in their context! A new Law…God’s mind has never changed on this subject!

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? Jesus Christ "came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" (Mark 1:14; Matthew 10:7). Jesus chose twelve Apostles and "sent them to preach the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:2). Jesus told a man who promised to follow Him, "let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:60). Jesus sent the seventy and they preached the kingdom of God (Luke 10:9). Where does the teaching of the “kingdom of God,” (church) belong—OT or NT?

The Four Gospels..Where Do They Belong? Luke 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” According to Luke’s account, the “kingdom of God” (Lk.16:16) has been preached. Does Jesus’ MDR teaching in the next two verses (16:18) apply to the kingdom!

See the dates of the three gospels and John…long after the death of Jesus…

Do the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Belong in the Old or New Testament? Summary—Invitation…