Yes — the Old Testament is still relevant for Christians today, but it is written for our learning rather than as the source of our doctrine.
Paul wrote in Romans 15:4 that whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope. Les Feldick teaches that while the Old Testament does not contain the Church Age doctrines of grace, the Body of Christ, or the Rapture, it is the bedrock for the New Testament and cannot be understood without it. That is why believers are to keep studying the Old Testament.
Romans 15:4 — This verse directly explains that Old Testament writings were given for our learning so believers can have patience, comfort, and hope.
2 Timothy 3:16 — This verse shows that all Scripture, including the Old Testament, remains profitable and inspired by God.
Paul explicitly tells believers why the Old Testament remains useful: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). The word "aforetime" refers to the Old Testament writings, and their stated purpose is to produce learning, patience, comfort, and hope. Paul also writes, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). Even though Paul's letters contain the specific truths for the Church Age, the earlier Scripture is still profitable for the believer. The Old Testament, therefore, is not to be set aside; it is part of the inspired Word that instructs and corrects.
Les Feldick's consistent teaching is that the Old Testament was written for our learning, not for our doctrine. He points to Romans 15:4 and explains that the Old Testament gives believers the background needed to understand New Testament truth. He calls the Old Testament "a bedrock for the New," and says you cannot understand the New unless you understand the Old. At the same time, Les explains that the Old Testament was written to the nation of Israel under the Law, with temple worship, priesthood, and sacrifices. It contains pictures of salvation but not the Gospel itself; you will not find grace, the Body of Christ, or the Rapture in the Old Testament. New revelations given through Paul are like a newer will that takes precedence, but that does not make the earlier writings irrelevant. Les is emphatic that he never tells anyone to skip the Old Testament or the Gospels. Everything written before Paul wrote is for the believer's learning, and Paul himself writes that all Scripture is profitable. The key is always to remember to whom a passage was written and not to force what God said to Israel into direct application for today — while still recognizing that God has not changed. For the Church Age, Paul is the designated Apostle of the Gentiles, and his letters provide the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the local church.
In Romans 15:4, Paul says the Old Testament was written for our learning, so that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope. Les emphasizes this phrase repeatedly. The Old Testament is not to be dismissed because the plan of salvation is not laid out in Exodus; rather, it provides the historical and theological background that makes New Testament doctrine understandable. God gave the Old Testament so believers can see how His plan fits together and gain hope from His faithfulness.
Les is clear that the Old Testament was not written as the source of Christian doctrine. He says you will not find the plan of salvation in Exodus, nor will you find concepts related to the Body of Christ or the Rapture in the Old Testament. Those truths are part of the mystery revealed through Paul. Instead, the Old Testament gives us pictures and types. That is why Les says it is for learning, not doctrine.
Absolutely. Les says he never tells anyone not to look at the Old Testament or the Gospels, and he loves to teach Genesis. Everything written before Paul wrote is for the believer's learning. Since all Scripture is profitable, the Old Testament remains part of the believer's study, even though Paul's letters contain the foundational truths for salvation and church life in this age of grace.
Les compares new revelation to a newer will that replaces an older one: the latest will is the valid one. In the same way, the new revelations given through Paul are the truths believers are accountable to today, especially in matters of doctrine and eternal destiny. But this does not discard the Old Testament; rather, the Old Testament explains why the New Testament doctrine is true and how everything came into place.
New Revelations as a Newer Will
Les explains that the new revelations given through Paul take precedence like a newer will, showing why believers today must focus on these truths without discarding the Old Testament background.
Old Testament Is Bedrock for the New
Les says the Old Testament was written for our learning, not our doctrine, and calls it the bedrock without which you cannot understand the New Testament.
Learning, Patience, Comfort, and Hope
Les points to Romans 15:4 to show that the Old Testament increases hope and helps believers trust the supernatural, miraculously written Word of God.
Old Testament Salvation Under a Different Economy
Les notes that Old Testament saints like Abraham, David, and Moses were saved, but under a wholly different set of spiritual and physical circumstances than believers today.
Not Doctrine, But Still Studied
Les says the Old Testament does not contain grace, the Body of Christ, or the Rapture, yet he still loves teaching Genesis and insists Christians study it.
Remember Who the Old Testament Addressed
Les says to remember the Old Testament was written to Israel; God has not changed, but He deals with believers today on resurrection ground.
Everything Written Before Paul Is For Learning
Les clarifies he has never told anyone to skip the Old Testament or the Gospels; everything written before Paul wrote is for the believer's learning.
Pauline Letters and All Scripture Profitable
Les says the Pauline letters contain fundamental truths for salvation and the church, but that never implies the rest of the Bible is inappropriate, since all Scripture is profitable.
Romans 15:4: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
This is the key verse Les uses to show the Old Testament's purpose in the Christian life.
2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Paul's words show that the Old Testament, along with the rest of Scripture, remains inspired and profitable for the believer.
No. Les says he has never told anyone to skip the Old Testament or the Gospels. Instead, he teaches that everything written before Paul wrote is for the believer's learning and that the Old Testament is the bedrock for the New.
Les says you will find a picture of salvation in the Old Testament, but you will not find the Gospel itself. The plan of salvation is not found in Exodus or anywhere else in the Old Testament; those truths come through Paul's epistles.
Because Paul is the designated Apostle of the Gentiles, and for this age of grace the Pauline letters contain the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the local church. That emphasis never implies the rest of the Bible is inappropriate.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 3: Why No One Can Be Saved by the Law