Russell Haffner
There is a great misunderstanding in the religious world today. There are some who are teaching that the Old Testament is still in effect or binding today. However, Colossians 2:14 tells us that Jesus "wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." Our Bibles even show the distinction that should be recognized by separating for us the Old Testament from the New Testament. In Hebrews 10:9 we find Jesus saying, "'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.' He takes away the first that He may establish the second."
Therefore, the Old Testament was made null and void when Christ died on the cross. Jesus' New Testament could not take affect and remove the Old Testament until after He died. Hebrews 9:16-17 tells us, "For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives." His death fulfilled the old law and made His New Testament active and in force for everyone. When Christ died on the cross, the Old Testament fulfilled its purpose, and the New Testament was enacted as the will of God. Therefore, it is the New Testament that sets forth God's conditions for salvation, regulates our worship, and guides our conduct.
The Ten Commandments were thus removed as a binding force on mankind. However, nine of the ten were stated again and made binding in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 4:8; Acts 14:15; 17:29; Matthew 6:9; Ephesians 6:2; Romans 13:9). We must obey the nine because they are a part of the New Testament not because they were a part of the Old Testament. The only one not stated again and made binding in the New Testament was the Sabbath Law. In the New Testament the first day of the week (Sunday) is the special day of worship for Christians.
We cannot be justified by the Law of Moses because it is no longer in effect (Romans 7:4; Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:13-14), but we are under a law, the Law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 1:25). We study the Old Testament and learn from it (Romans 15:4), but it is the words of Christ and the New Testament that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48).
The WVBS Online Bible School has no statement of faith, creed book or religious manual. The only statement of a Christian's faith which is needed is the Bible. If a statement of faith says less than the Bible it has left something out. If a statement of faith says more than the Bible it has added to God's word (Revelation 22:18-19). Let us abandon the opinions of men and seek to practice and teach only that which is found in God's word. The staff of the school is composed of Christians seeking to teach others about the Bible. The material produced is designed to be used by anybody seeking a greater understanding of God's word.
The goal of the school is to serve God and His people by doing His will to the best of our ability. We have a genuine desire to glorify the Father, His beloved Son, His word and His blood-bought church and not to glorify ourselves or any other men.