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

B. The forerunner of the Messiah: OT prophecy and its NT fulfillment in John

1. The messenger who prepares and clears the way before Messiah, Mal. 3.1

2. He would instruct the people, Mal. 2.7 – For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

3. He would come in the spirit and power of Elijah, Mal. 4.5 – Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.”

4. Prophecies were given at his birth, Luke 1.76 – And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.

5. Jesus acknowledges John as the messenger of the covenant.

a. Matt. 11.10-11 – “This is he of whom it is written, ’Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ [11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” b. Mark 1.2-3 – As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, [3] the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”