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

II. Principles and Implications for New Testament Study

A. Principles

1. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. He tasted death for every person and is himself the cure for sin, death, and the curse.

2. Jesus of Nazareth rose again on the third day after his crucifixion, in fulfillment of Scripture and his own testimony.

3. Jesus has ascended into the heavens to reign as Head of the Church at the Father’s right hand, and from there will return to complete his work of salvation.

B. Critical implications

1. In his deep suffering and agony on Calvary’s cross, Jesus gave the clearest and most convincing evidence of his love for his Father, his commitment to humankind, and his identity as God’s Passover lamb. Through his death, Jesus as Messiah has once for all and for all time paid our debt of sin to God, overcome the effects of the curse, and set the stage for the destruction of death and the works of the devil. 2. On the third day after his death, Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead and was seen by eyewitnesses to whom he appeared as alive. This he did both in the fulfillment of OT Scripture and his own testimony. Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus is the critical doctrine of the entire Christian faith; indeed, if Christ Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our faith is untrue, futile, and empty.