The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Mentor's Guide, MG09

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T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

The three critical movements in the NT’s use of OT Messianic prophecy include 1) Jesus’ explanation of the OT predictions about himself, 2) the apostles’ commentary on Jesus’ meaning in the NT writings, especially in the preaching of the book of Acts, and 3) the Church’s application of the apostles’ commentary of Jesus’ understanding of the OT. The Abrahamic covenant promise was universalized to all nations by the inclusion of Gentile salvation in the Messianic hope. This promise includes the unveiling of the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs of the covenant and heirs of salvation. Clues are given prophetically of this inclusion throughout Scripture, including the protoevangelium , the promise that all the families of the earth will be blessed in Abraham, and the prediction that Messiah would be a light to all the Gentiles. Various strands of OT Messianic prophecy were progressively understood by the apostles to represent God’s salvation for all peoples, including predictions such as the promise of the outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh and full inclusion of Gentiles as fellow heirs of the Abrahamic promise. The apostolic use of OT Messianic prophecies in their preaching as recorded in Acts and the Epistles reveal their developing understanding of Gentile inclusion in the faith. They cite, among other things, the outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh, the rejection of Messiah by the builders (Jewish generation), Jesus as light for the Gentiles, the rebuilding of the tent of David including Gentile salvation, and the Messianic blindness of God’s people (the Jews) due to their hardness of heart. Also, they mention the global proclamation of the Gospel, the provoking of the Jews to jealousy, and the blessing of Abraham on the Gentiles. The OT Messianic prophecies regarding the Gentiles show the plan and purpose of God for the nations; not only has God fulfilled his promise for salvation to Abraham, but he also includes the salvation of the Gentiles in that salvation promise. Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about the role and power of OT Messianic prophecy to illumine our understanding of the Messiah’s person and work, and God’s intention to provide salvation for the nations through the promise of Abraham. Again, more than any other section in our lesson, this section will be determined by the kinds of questions, concerns, and issues that

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Student Application and Implications