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

Session 1 Introduction The Centrality of Jesus of Nazareth to the New Testament: Christ Is the Key to the Inspiration, Canonization, and Interpretation of the Bible What is the Bible all about? How can I understand its meaning? Why are there sixty-six books in the Bible? How do I know it is the Word of God? All of these questions can be answered in one word – Christ. Jesus Christ is the key to both the inspiration and the interpretation of the Bible. Further, it is Christ who confirmed the collection of books as both complete and authoritative.

~ Norman L. Geisler. A Popular Survey of the Old Testament . Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977. p. 11.

Acts 10.42-43 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. [43] To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives John 1.45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” forgiveness of sins through his name. 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 5.39-40 You search the

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I. Setting the Right Foundation

A. The need for a biblical hermeneutic

1. The dominant internal hermeneutic (i.e., way of interpretation) of the Scriptures is the motif of promise and fulfillment .

2. The study of the New Testament is dependent upon and made sensible by an understanding of the critical foundation of OT revelation .

3. The promise of salvation given in the Old is fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth in the New:

a. Protoevangelium (the first telling of the Good News in Scripture): Gen. 3.15 – “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and

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