Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition

LESSON 3 | THE OT WITNESS TO CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM: THE PROMISE GIVEN / 139

II. Complimentary Concepts that Connect the Old and New Testaments Augustine’s epigram (little saying) about the relationship between the two testaments: “In the Old Testament the New Testament lies hidden; in the New Testament the Old Testament stands revealed.” A. Introduction and conclusion: the Old Testament provides us an introduction to the truths about Christ and his Kingdom, and the New Testament brings these to a conclusion (e.g., the teachings of Isaiah of the Servant in chapters 42-55 introduces a figure who in fact is shown to be Jesus Christ at his first advent [cf. 1 Pet. 1.22 25]). B. Anticipation and climax: what is anticipated regarding Christ and his Kingdom in the Old Testament is brought to its final climax in the New Testament (the salvation of the remnant of Israel in Zech. 12.10-13.1 anticipates the climax of Jesus’ return in Revelation 19). C. Shadow and substance: what is embodied and prefigured in the Old Testament regarding Christ and his Kingdom is revealed and given substance in the New (the physical tabernacle of Hebrews 8.5 is the shadow of the true tabernacle mentioned regarding Jesus as priest in heaven). D. Ineffective former and consummated latter: what is demonstrated and found to be ineffective in the Old Testament is finalized and consummated in the New (e.g., the entire book of Hebrews speaks of the insufficiency of the old sacrificial system to actually take sins away; Jesus’ death is the effective reality behind the OT example, e.g., Heb. 10.1-10).

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B i b l i ca l S tud i e s

E. Particular and universal: what is particularized in the experience of the people of Israel in the Old Testament is extended and expanded to all who believe in the New.