Yes, a solid understanding of Genesis is crucial because it provides the foundation for understanding the New Testament.
Les Feldick teaches that the Old Testament, especially Genesis, is the bedrock for the New Testament, and you cannot understand the New without the Old. Genesis fits wonderfully with the writings of Paul and other New Testament authors, revealing doctrine progressively. A careful study of Genesis helps believers see the whole of Scripture as connected, preventing them from building doctrines on isolated verses.
1 Corinthians 10:11 — Paul states that Old Testament events were written for our learning, emphasizing their importance for New Testament understanding.
The Bible itself indicates that the Old Testament, including Genesis, is intended for the instruction of New Testament believers. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul writes about events from Exodus and says, 'Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.' This shows that the Old Testament narratives were recorded for our benefit. Also, Galatians 4 uses the account of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar as an allegory, demonstrating that Genesis serves as a foundation for New Testament doctrine. Moreover, the phrase 'in the beginning God' (Genesis 1:1) establishes God as the Creator and the starting point for all understanding of His plan.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the Old Testament is the bedrock for the New Testament, and you cannot understand the New unless you understand the Old. He teaches that Genesis, in particular, fits wonderfully with the New Testament, especially the writings of Paul. He points out that many people mistakenly think the New Testament starts something totally different, but he stresses there is no great wall between the testaments; rather, it is a progressive revealing, like building blocks. He advocates taking Genesis slowly and carefully because it establishes the framework for the rest of Scripture, and he warns against picking out verses here and there to build a doctrine, insisting that a true doctrine must harmonize from Genesis to Revelation.
Les Feldick teaches that Genesis is the bedrock for the New Testament. He explains that the Old Testament, including Genesis, was written for our learning, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10. He gives examples of how Genesis connects to the New Testament, such as the allegory of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar in Galatians 4. He also notes that the New Testament doesn't start something totally different; instead, it builds on the Old Testament. Understanding Genesis helps you see the progressive revelation of God's plan.
Les Feldick takes Genesis slowly because it is foundational. He says that he takes time in Genesis to establish the framework for the rest of Scripture, and then he moves through other parts of the Old Testament at a faster pace, but returns to detailed verse-by-verse teaching in books like Daniel, Acts, Romans, and the rest of Paul's epistles. He believes this careful approach helps believers understand the whole counsel of God.
Les Feldick warns that many people have preconceived ideas about what the Bible says, and they pick out a verse here and there to build doctrines, which leads to misunderstanding. He says that a sound doctrine must harmonize with all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. He also notes that people often think the Bible says things it doesn't, so he stresses being aware of what the Bible does not say as much as what it does say.
Why God Established Capital Punishment | Genesis 9 Explained
And God sees there's only one remedy, and that is to just utterly destroy them. But then we found that God's grace was still evident. There were eight souls that He was able to save and bring to the other side of the flood, Noah, of course, and his three sons and their wives.
Old Testament as Bedrock for New
Les teaches that the Old Testament is the bedrock for the New Testament, and you cannot understand the New without the Old.
Genesis Connects with Paul's Writings
Les shows how Genesis fits wonderfully with the New Testament, particularly Paul's writings, using the Galatians allegory.
What the Bible Really Says About God's Righteousness — Romans 3
We're just doing it as a service. Now again, we want to spend as much time as we can in the Book, because after all, that's why we're here, and we're going to go right back again to Romans chapter 3. Now we're not going to rush through Romans, where this is one of the basic books of Scripture for us today.
No Wall Between Testaments
Les explains that the New Testament does not start something totally different, and that we must take the whole theme of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Slow Study of Genesis
Les indicates he takes Genesis slowly because it is foundational, and he emphasizes that 'in the beginning God' is the key truth.
Progressive Revelation
Les says all Scripture is a progressive revealing, like building blocks, and that you cannot study the Gospels without understanding the Old Testament.
Avoiding Preconceived Ideas
Les stresses being aware of what the Bible does not say as much as what it does say, to avoid misconceptions.
1 Corinthians 10:11: Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Paul explicitly states that Old Testament events were written for our learning, showing their relevance for New Testament believers.
Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The very first verse of Genesis establishes God as Creator, foundational to understanding all of Scripture.
Galatians 4:22-24: For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Paul uses Genesis characters as an allegory for the two covenants, demonstrating the foundational nature of Genesis for New Testament doctrine.
Genesis is the foundation for understanding the entire Bible, including the New Testament. Les Feldick teaches that the Old Testament is the bedrock for the New, and you cannot understand the New without the Old. Genesis reveals God's plan from the beginning and provides essential context for doctrines like salvation and grace.
No, Les Feldick emphasizes that there is no great wall between the testaments. He teaches that Scripture is a progressive revelation, and the New Testament builds on the Old. He says the New Testament doesn't start something totally different but continues the overall theme from Genesis to Revelation.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10 that Old Testament events were written for our admonition and learning. Les Feldick explains that they are not for our doctrine (like the plan of salvation) but are for our understanding and hope, providing pictures and foundations for New Testament truths.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Established Capital Punishment | Genesis 9 Explained