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

f. Acts 26.22-23 – To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: [23] that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles. 3. God’s final word to humankind has been given in the person of Jesus of Nazareth ; credible biblical hermeneutics makes plain how God has spoken and is speaking to us through his Son, Jesus of Nazareth, Heb. 1.1-4 – Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, [4] having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

B. Critical implications

1. The study of Scripture must simultaneously become the study of Jesus Christ.

2. The Scriptures can be expertly known but spiritually misapplied.

3. Authentic Christian leadership interprets the Scriptures in light of their raison d’etre : Jesus of Nazareth, John 5.39-40.