A Biblical Vision, Part I: Mastering the Old Testament Witness to Christ

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A B i b l i ca l Vi s i on, Par t I : Mas ter i ng the Ol d Tes tament Wi tnes s to Chr i s t

2. As such it is infallible (authoritative) along with the New Testament for both faith and practice.

II. Critical Outline: Christ is the theme of the Bible (both Old and New Testament)

And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, [38] and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. [39] You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, [40] yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. ~ John 5.37-40

What is the proper way to read and interpret the core meaning of the biblical texts?

Matt. 22.29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Mark 12.10 Have you not read this Scripture: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” John 5.46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. Matt. 5.17-18 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

A. Christ is the theme of both the Old and New Testaments

1. Testament = covenant or pact between God and his people

2. The Old Testament = Christ by anticipation , the New Testament = Christ by realization

3. The Old Testament is incomplete without the New Testament; the New Testament provides a full understanding of the Old Testament.

4. The Old Testament = commencement (beginning), the New Testament = completion (fulfillment)

5. The Old Testament’s relationship to the New is specifically Christocentric .