Old Testament Vs. New Testament

Q

A friend of mine told me that I could ask you biblical questions and get a good answer. my question is this: There is a lot of violence in the old testament like the slaughter of baal’s prophets that God said was ok but in the new testament He tells us that violence is never ok and that we should love our enemy. It just seems like there was a huge change between the new and old testaments.

A

The short answer is you’re right. There is a big difference between the Old and New Testaments. That difference is the cross, where God made peace with us by dying for our sins (Colossians 1:19-20). Now He asks us to live at peace with other out of gratitude for what He’s done. Romans 12:17-18 says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

But that doesn’t mean bad people will get away with doing wrong to you. Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord.