Scripture

• Mark 11; Isaiah/Jeremiah (Jesus quotes OT while cleansing the temple)

• Acts 5:1–11

• Psalm 103:8–13

• Galatians 3:23–25

• Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 22:20

• Romans 7

• Ezekiel 36:26–27

• Mark 7:15

• (Also referenced: 1 Kings 17; Luke 7; John 6; Exodus/manna)

Key themes

• Misconception: OT wrath vs NT love

• Same God, unified story, deep continuity across both Testaments

• Jesus doesn’t discard the OT—He fulfills it

• The law as “guardian” and “road signs” pointing to Christ

• New covenant and Spirit-empowered obedience

• How to think about OT laws: ceremonial vs civil vs moral

• Building confidence in God’s unchanging character

Description
This week in our FAQ series we take on a huge question: Why does the Old Testament God seem angry, while the New Testament God seems loving? The short answer: it’s a misconception—because the Bible reveals one God with one character, from Genesis to Revelation.

We look at passages that disrupt the stereotype: Jesus doesn’t just “teach love”—He confronts corruption with holy anger when He cleanses the temple (Mark 11), and Acts 5 shows a sobering moment of judgment in the early church. At the same time, the Old Testament is overflowing with God’s compassion and mercy (Psalm 103) and even miracles that echo the ministry of Jesus (1 Kings 17 / Luke 7). The more you read both Testaments together, the more the continuity becomes obvious.

Then we address the follow-up question: If it’s the same God, why don’t Christians follow all the Old Testament laws (like pork or Sabbath rules)? We walk through how the New Testament explains it: the law was a guardian pointing us to Christ (Galatians 3). God promised a new covenant (Jeremiah 31), which Jesus inaugurates in His blood (Luke 22), and the Spirit gives us new hearts to love and obey God (Ezekiel 36). Finally, we show a practical way to understand OT commands through categories: ceremonial laws fulfilled in Jesus, civil laws for Israel’s covenant nation, and moral laws that reflect God’s heart and continue to guide our discipleship.

While I don't answer every potential question that could come up, this should give you robust confidence in trusting God, because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.