But the Correct Context is…the OT
It’s important to note that the New Testament does not “replace” the Old Testament but fulfills and builds upon it. (In fact, there are many things documented in the Old Testament that are still to come.) There’s a host of things in the New Testament that you’ll never fully understand until you’ve made the effort to understand the Old Testament.
The best example and evidence of this is the message provided through Peter at Pentecost, probably the most defining moment for the early church other than Christ’s resurrection.
At Pentecost, the core of the very first message conveyed by the Holy Spirit through the early church is based on quotations of David, Joel, and Samuel. In this explanation to the Jews in Jerusalem of the meaning of the events they were witnessing it is explained how the Old Testament is being fulfilled. Peter quotes from Joel 2, Samuel 7, and Psalms 16, 89, 119 and 132. The events surrounding the New Testament epicenter of Pentecost needed the foundation of the Old Testament to be properly understood.
It’s important to note that every New Testament writer does not simply use the Old Testament as a teaching tool but repeatedly demonstrates that it is the foundation for the New. Every writer at various points not only directly quotes the Old Testament but often uses the people, places, and events of the Old Testament to place God’s will and work through Christ in the proper context.
It’s important to note that the New Testament did not come together with the Old Testament as a single book for at least the first century after Pentecost. (There are many good textbooks and references detailing how the New Testament “canon” came about so seek them out if you have a thirst for detailed information on this subject.) Therefore one of the primary teaching tools of the Apostles and teachers was the Old Testament, properly placed in the context of Christ’s life and teaching.
In fact, look at Christ’s own use of the Old Testament throughout the Gospels. It’s interesting to note that no one on either side of a conversation in the New Testament ever disputed the authority of the Old Testament, nor the fact that a New Covenant was to come through the Messiah to be sent by God. Even the authorities that rejected Jesus as the Messiah believed the correct interpretation of the Old Testament yielded a forthcoming “New Covenant”, Messiah, etc.
The important point being made here is that “information” never saves, never changes a person’s behavior or thinking on its own. One of Jesus’ most important discourses was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) wherein He begins, point by point, quoting familiar Old Testament Law and explaining not only how it was misinterpreted and misapplied, but why everyone is going to continue to misunderstand God’s Word as long as they’re simply “hearers” and not “doers.” In other words, the bottom line, ultimate proper context for all Scripture is whether or not you chose to live by it rather than just be aware of it.