Are we judged on our knowledge of the New Testament only?
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I’m not exactly sure what direction the questioner is taking. Is he asking about the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament? Is he asking about knowledge verses practice? Is he asking whether judgment is subjective or objective? Additionally, the word “only” in this question creates an exclusion of all other things. So, depending upon what the questioner meant by this question, the answer could be either “yes” or “no.” I am going to try to address a little of each of these areas.
We certainly will be judged upon both our knowledge and practice of the New Testament. Jesus said in John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Jesus also said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). It would be good to note, that it is not our knowledge per se that we are judged upon, but the objective knowledge within the revealed message of the gospel. Of course, we must know it personally in order to practice it, and that is really the most important thing. Christianity is not an academic religion, but one that must be practiced. Having said this, we will be judged by the words of Christ. The message of Christ is found both in the New Testament and the Old Testament. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 tells us that when we read the Old Testament as Christ has interpreted it to us, then a mystery is revealed, and we have a better understanding of what God was doing in those days. So, we certainly want to study the Old Testament having Christ’s understanding of it in mind. Paul states in 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.”
There are many people today who believe that we are still under the authority of Moses Law today. However, the New Testament teaches that Moses Law was abolished (2 Corinthians 3:13, Ephesians 2:15). The book of Hebrews teaches us that it was necessary for there to be a change of the law (Hebrews 7:12) and that the Old Law was annulled (Hebrews 7:18) so that a New Covenant could take its place (Hebrews 8:13). Does this mean, therefore, that we only need to know the New Testament in order to be saved? Does God judge us based solely upon our knowledge of the New Testament? Paul told Timothy “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). The Old Testament is part of the scriptures, so I can use it for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. When I do, I can be a complete man of God prepared for all good works.
With that understanding, all the scriptures are profitable for me. However, we don’t appeal to the Old Testament to determine forms of worship, the organization of the church, or the plan of salvation. However, the Old Testament can supply us information on correct attitudes, wisdom, teach us concerning faith, and provide a great deal of background information regarding the New Testament. In that sense, we will be judged by it. However, the Old Covenant will not be our judge in the sense of providing authority for religious practices in service to God. Hence, we won’t be judged based upon items such as circumcision, temple worship, instrumental music, animal sacrifices, burning incense, and many other things. “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they” (Acts 15:10, 11).