A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

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

IV. Principles and Implications for New Testament Study

A. Principles

1. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Messianic promise of the OT. In Jesus, the Messiah is revealed in his perfect life, his matchless authority, his prophetic teaching.

a. In the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the kingdom reign of God has been reasserted in the earth.

b. God in Christ reclaimed his right as sovereign Lord over his creation, and over humanity upon earth.

c. Though present, the Kingdom has not yet been consummated; this will occur at the Second Coming of Christ.

2. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Messianic promise of the OT in its hope for the Kingdom of God to come to earth,

not in cataclysmic power, but in Jesus’ kingdom authority shown in humility and obedience.

3. Our Lord came into the world at a strategic moment in secular history, during the Roman empire, and was evaluated and largely misunderstood by his contemporaries who viewed him through the lens of their own agenda and purpose. 4. As God’s Messiah, Jesus received opposition from spiritual forces during his public ministry on earth. He overcame them, however, showing in his miracles and other works his supremacy and victory over the evil powers of Satan and his angels.