PROOF THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD

PROOF THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD

What impressed you most regarding the harmony between the Old Testament and the New Testament?

What impressed me most regarding the harmony between the Old Testament and the New Testament is how they truly fit perfectly with each other.  The New Testament has a much firmer grip than the Rabbis of the Old Testament.  The New Testament quotes the Old Testament hundreds of times and I will give you a few samples of their fitting together.  There is consistency between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  There is an incredible design between them.

The New Covenant took the place of the Old Covenant.  When the temple was destroyed it symbolized the destruction of the Old Covenant.  God’s Words doesn’t change but God’s activity changes.  The truths that are included in the Old Testament are valued.

Under the Mosaic Covenant there was never a promise of eternal life but under the New Covenant there is.  The laws are now written in our hearts.  Our sins will be forgiven.  The New Covenant is totally about God and His grace.  It’s unconditional and not conditional as the  Mosaic Covenant.  God will cause us to walk in His statue because He will put His spirit in us.  He promised to remember our sins no more.

The New Covenant which is everlasting will be sealed by God’s own atonement.  Atonement was made by the High Priest in the Mosaic Covenant.  There is only one atonement that will truly cover the people and His land.  That covenant is the blood of the Messiah Jesus Christ.

***All of salvation is a gift of God.***

Listed are just a few prophecies that were fulfilled from the Old Testament to the New Testament and you will see how they fit together:

JESUS’ BIRTH

a)      Be of the offspring of the woman, shall bruise the serpent’s head:

OT References:  Genesis 3:14, 15

NT References:  Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8

b)     All nations shall be blessed through Abraham

OT References:  Genesis 18:17, 18 [Also Genesis 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14

NT References:  Act 3:25, 26 [Also Matthew 1:1, 17; Galatians 3:16

c)      A child to be born

OT References:  Isaiah 9:6

NT References:  Luke 2:11

d)     Be born of a virgin

OT References:  Isaiah 7:13, 14

NT References:  Matthew 1:18-23

JESUS’ BIRTH (Continued)

e)      Have eternal existence

OT References:  Micah 5:2

NT References:  John 1:1, 4; 8:58; Colossians 1:15-19

JESUS’ LIFE AND MINISTRY

a)      Call those who were not His people

OT References:  Isaiah 55:4, 5 [Also Hosea 2:23]

NT References:  Romans 9:23-26

b)     Be a “stone of stumbling” to the Jews

OT References:  Isaiah 8:14

NT References:  Romans 9:31-33; 1 Peter 2:7, 8

c)      Fulfill promises to Jews, be a light to the Gentiles

OT References:  Isaiah 42:6; 49:6

NT References:  Luke 2:25-32; Acts 26:23

d)     A new lasting covenant

OT References:  Jeremiah 31:31-34 [Also Jeremiah 32:37-40; 50:5]

NT References:  Luke 22:15-20; Hebrews 10:15-20 [Also Matthew 26:27-29;

                             Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Cor. 11:25; Hebrews 8:8-12]

e)      The Redeemer to come out of Zion

OT References:  Isaiah 59:16-20

NT References:  Romans 11:26, 27

f)       God shall dwell among His people

OT References:  Zechariah 2:10-13

NT References:  John 1:14; Revelation 2:13

g)      Prophet sent before the day of the Lord

OT References:  Malachi 4:5, 6

NT References:  Matthew 11:13, 14; Mark 9:11-13; Luke 1:17; 7:27, 28

JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION

a)      Be Passover male lamb, without blemish, slain, with blood applied as protection from judgment

OT References:  Exodus 12:1-11; Isaiah 53:7

NT References:  John 1:29-36; 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Revelation 5:6-13; 7:14; 21:22-27; 22:1-4

b)     Be led as a lamb to the slaughter

OT References:  Isaiah 53:7

NT References:  John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:28-35; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation5:6

c)      Make intercession for the transgressors

OT References:  Isaiah 53:12

NT References:  Luke 23:34

JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION (Continued)

d)     Be made into an offering for sin

OT References:  Isaiah 53:10, 11

NT References:  Acts 10:43; 13:38, 39; Romans 3:21-26; 4:5-8; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:2

e)      Be “cut off” at a specific time after Jerusalem wall is rebuilt, before the Temple is destroyed

OT References:  Daniel 9:24-26; Zechariah 9:9

NT References:  Matthew 21:1-5; 1:15; 24:1, 2; Luke 19:37, 38; John 12:13-15

JESUS’ TITLE AND ATTRIBUTES

a)      “I AM” (Jehovah)

OT References:  Exodus 3:13-15

NT References:  John 8:24; 13:19

b)     The throne of David established forever

OT References:  2 Samuel 7:12, 13, 16, 25, 26; Psalm 89:3, 4, 36, 37; Isaiah 9:7; I Chronicles 17:11-14, 23-27

NT References:  Luke 1:32, 33; Acts 2:29-36; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 1:8

c)      The promised Redeemer

OT References:  Job 19:25-27; Psalm 130:7, 8; Isaiah 59:20

NT References:  Galatians 4:4, 5; Titus 2:13, 14

d)     Never changing, everlasting

OT References:  Psalm 102:24-27

NT References:  Hebrews 1:10-12, 13:8

e)      The way of repentance for all nations

OT References:   Isaiah 2:2-4

NT References:  Luke 24:47

f)       The enthroned High Priest

OT References:  Zechariah 6:12, 13

NT References:  Hebrews 7:11-28; 8:1-2

Why I was impressed regarding the harmony between the Old Testament and New Testament was in doing a little research with the above findings there is truly harmony, a fitting of the Scriptures.  It’s like a hand going into a glove that fits very well.  They truly go together.

What value does an appreciation of the Old Testament and New Testament harmony have for living the Christian life?

The Old Testament was living under the Mosaic Law, it was temporary.  God’s forgiveness depended upon animal sacrifice and obedience.  His love was conditional.  The New Testament we live under the New Covenant which is eternal and God’s love is unconditional.  Jesus Christ gave His blood for the atonement of our sins so we no longer need animal sacrifice.

What value does an appreciation of the Old Testament and New Testament have for apologetics?

I think Colossians 2: 2-3 says it all.  When we have assurance in the Word of God we will abide in what He says.  We have to have trust in what we are reading.  We have to get wealth in what we are reading and in order to do that we have to have full assurance and understanding of His Word.

We need to be certain in our salvation.  It takes time.  We don’t acquire it all at once. Look at Ephesians 4:13-14. We need to be truly founded in our faith, if not we can be easily swayed to other religions.  If we are truly grounded we will have peace.  No one will be able to fool us.  Scripture tells us to defend the faith.  We have to be able to refute when someone says something against the Word so we have to be sure of our salvation and we have to understand God’s Word.  You are able to silence people primarily with the truth, God’s Word.

In which areas does confusion remain?

One area of confusion is Harmony, the fact that the Old Testament fits perfectly with the New Testament.  What was told by the leaders in the Old Testament has come to pass in the New Testament, Acts 3:17-19.  This is clarified because Christ is truly the Rock.  He fulfills the prophecies.

Another area of confusion is the Mosaic Covenant temporary or eternal?  Even the prophets recognized that the Mosaic Covenant was only temporary, (Jeremiah 3:16/Isaiah 65:17).  It was restricted to the Land of Israel.  The Mosaic Covenant was inadequate and it showed many signs that it would be superseded and it was.  This fact is clarified in Scripture, (Jeremiah 31:31-34).  This New Covenant will be sealed by God’s own atonement.  There will be no more sacrifices.  The Lamb of God is all that is needed and God’s Holy Spirit will be in the peoples hearts which will help them not to sin again Him.  Israel’s hope has always been Messianic, not Levitical, (Malachi 3:1-2).  We have a grand design and a grand designer, GOD.  There is always harmony/peace in HIS presence.

The next area of confusion is SALVATION.  All of salvation is a gift of God.  We have nothing to do with it.  By God’s grace we are saved, (Ephesians 2:8-10).

The law brings condemnation.  There is nothing we can do to come before God and say, “He owes us”, (Romans 3:19-20).

God wants people to repent and He will have mercy upon you, (2  Chronicles 7:14).  It is clarified because God has to grant you faith and repentance and then He will forgive you, (II Timothy 2:24-25). 

THE RABBIS – GRACE + MERITORIOUS WORK

                                                                                                                   SALVATION

THE NEW TESTAMENT – GRACE