The Bridge: Old Testament and the New Testament

²⁷ Then starting with what Moses and all the Prophets had said about Him, Jesus began to explain everything that had been written about Himself in the Scriptures. . . . ⁴⁴ He (Jesus) said to them, “Remember when I was with you before? I said that everything written about Me must happen — everything in the Law of Moses, the books of the Prophets, and the Psalms.” ⁴⁵ Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “It is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day ⁴⁷ and that a change of hearts and lives and forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name to all nations, starting at Jerusalem. Luke 24:27, 44-47 (NCV)

Readers of the Holy Scriptures cannot separate the message of the New Testament from the message of the Old Testament. The Old Testament contains many promises from the true and living God that Jesus Christ fulfilled in the New Testament (e.g., see Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 3:15; Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 1:45). God is faithful to keep all His promises (e.g., see Joshua 21:45; Joshua 23:14-16; Psalm 145:13). Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the writings of the Old Testament and the thread woven through all the Holy Scriptures. 

The Old Testament promised that God would save His people through the Seed of the woman that would defeat the seed of evil (Genesis 3:15; see also, e.g., Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Galatians 4:4-5). Then, God promised through His covenant with Abraham to bless all the families on earth through his Seed (Offspring) (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18; see also, e.g., Acts 3:25-26; Galatians 3:8, 16). Through His covenant with Moses (the Mosaic covenant), the LORD God promised His continual blessing and grace on His people, if they faithfully loved and obeyed Him and followed all His ways (Exodus chapters 19 through 24). Then, God made a covenant with Israel to bring a King through the Davidic line to fulfill His promises originally given to Abraham to bless the world (e.g., see 2 Samuel 7:12-16; see also Psalm 89:3-4, 28, 34-37; Psalm 132:11-12, 17-18; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:22-36). Through His faithful prophets, God promised to bring a His people a new covenant that would graciously give His Holy Spirit to His faithful people and write His laws and statutes on their hearts, so that they lovingly would obey His will and teachings (e.g., see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4, 17-21).

Then, the New Testament opens with predicted messenger announcing the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah (Christ) with John the Baptist (e.g., see Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:2-17; John 1:19, 23) and then the arrival of Jesus the Christ (see Mark 1:9). The arrival of John the Baptist and the launching of Jesus’ public ministry occurred in the year approximately AD 28-29. Jesus was the long-awaited Son of David and Son of Abraham that fulfilled the Old Testament promises of God of a King and Seed that would bless the entire world and defeat evil (e.g., see Jeremiah 23:5-6; Zechariah 9:9; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 1:1, 17, Mark 1:1; Romans 16:20; Galatians 4:4-5). At the time of John the Baptist and Jesus’ arrival, the Roman government ruled the land and sin ran rampant among the people. Therefore, John the Baptist summoned the people to repent and to receive baptism for the forgiveness of their sins, so that they would be prepared for the coming Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) promised in the Old Testament (e.g., see Matthew 3:2, 6, 11; Mark 1:4). For Jesus one the One coming who would pour out the Spirit of God and judge the world (see Matthew 3:11-12; Mark 1:7-8).

The Lord Jesus the Christ represented the fulfillment of Old Testament and the arrival of God’s Kingdom to earth (see Mark 1:14-15). The arrival of God’s Kingdom came not with fame and fanfare but with the arrival of a Jewish Baby Boy in a humble stable in Bethlehem around 5 BC (see Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:1-7). The Old Testament predicted Jesus Christ’s great star and birth in Bethlehem (e.g., see Numbers 24:17; Jeremiah 23:5; Micah 5:2, 4) and people from other parts of the world was awaiting His arrival (e.g. see Matthew 2:1-2). Jesus' humble birth in Bethlehem was life changing because He was the Savior of the world (see Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:10-12; John 3:16-18; John 4:42). The arrival of God’s Kingdom with Jesus’ birth began with a small mustard seed, and yet God’s Kingdom would grow into a great tree that would tower over the entire universe (see Matthew 13:31-33; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-21).

The first century Jews had predicted that when God’s Kingdom arrives, God would immediately defeat the Jews’ enemies and a new creation would dawn (Isaiah 65:17; see also Revelation 21:1). However, the Jew ignored the Old Testament prophets and Psalms’ predictions of the Messiah’s suffering and sacrifice to bring God’s salvation to His people (e.g., see Psalm 22:1; Psalm 69:4, 8-9, 20-21; Isaiah 50:16; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Zechariah 6:12; Zechariah 13:7). On Jesus’ first arrival to earth, Jesus took on the role of a Suffering Servant where He graciously took upon Himself the sins of the world and God’s wrath for our forgiveness and healing (e.g., see Isaiah 52:13-53:12). On Jesus’ second arrival to come, God’s judgment and wrath will come (see Isaiah 61:2) where Jesus will return and sit on His glorious throne and judge between the good and evil (e.g., see Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus’ second return to earth will culminate God’s Kingdom on earth (e.g., see Revelation 21-22).

The New Testament highlights the fulfillment of God's promises through His Son, Jesus the Christ (Messiah) (e.g., see Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus is the new and better Moses, declaring God’s infallible word as the sovereign interpreter of the Mosaic Law (e.g., see Matthew 5:17-48; Hebrews 3:1-6). The Old Testament Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms point to Jesus and find their fulfillment in Him (e.g., see Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 3:15; Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 1:45). Moreover, Jesus is the new Joshua, who gives God’s faithful people rest and peace (see Hebrews 3:7-4:13). Furthermore, Jesus is the true wisdom of God and has become our righteousness, holiness, and redemption through faith in Him (e.g., see 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:1-3). During Jesus’ public ministry on earth, the people often called Jesus a Prophet (e.g., see Mark 6:14–15; Luke 7:16; Luke 9:7-8; Luke 13:33; Luke 24:19). Truly, Jesus is God’s Prophet Moses wrote about and predicted (e.g., see Deuteronomy 18:15-18; John 5:46; Acts 3:22-23; Acts 7:37). Jesus' miracles, healings, and authority over all evil forces indicate that He brings the God’s Kingdom to earth (e.g., Matthew 12:28). Jesus is fully God and King (e.g., see Psalm 110:1; John 1:1-5, 14, 18, 49; John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1); and Creator-Lord who can walk on water and calm the raging sea (e.g., Psalm 107:29; Matthew 8:23-27). Even more, Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God (e.g., see Mark 1:1; John 20:31). One day, Jesus will return in the clouds of glory as the glorious Son of Man who will receive the eternal Kingdom from the Ancient of Days (e.g., see Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:61-62; Revelation 1:7). Jesus is Lord and Christ (see John 13:13; Acts 2:21, 36; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:10-11; Hebrews 1:10-12).

Thus, the New Testament is Jesus centered, God-focused, and the Holy Spirit empowered to bring salvation to the world through wholehearted faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection (e.g., see Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 1:16-17). The Holy Spirit was given to bring glory to Jesus the Christ (John 16: 14) so that Jesus would be magnified as our Savior and Redeemer. Through our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit empowers God’s people to live in a way that is pleasing God. True transformation into Christlikeness is the Holy Spirit’s work (e.g., see Romans 8:2, 4, 13-14; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5: 16, 18).

All people stand in need of Jesus’ gracious salvation because of sin and the Great Fall of humanity (see Genesis 3; Romans 3:23). Sin – selfishness, rebellion, and disobedience to God’s will and lordship – has existed since the beginning of time (Genesis 3; see also 1 John 3:4). The Holy Scriptures reflect the power of sin throughout its storyline, beginning with Genesis 3 and continuing throughout the entire Old and New Testament. Even Israel as God’s chosen people lived under the dominion of sin, showing that written Law of God given to Moses by its power cannot deliver humanity from the bondage to sin.

However, God has given a solution to the sin problem by sending His Son, Jesus the Christ (Messiah) to save sinners, thereby highlighting the mercy and grace of God (John 3:16-18; Romans 3:23-25). The New Testament’s Gospels and Acts open with a call to faith and repentance to receive God’s gracious salvation found in Jesus (see, e.g., Mark 1:14-15; Acts 2:38). The call to faith and repentance in Jesus Christ is evident throughout the New Testament (e.g., see (e.g., Acts 3:18-19; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:18, 20). Those who desire to be part of Jesus’ new community (the church) and part of God’s Kingdom of God (God's rule in people's hearts and lives) must turn from sin (e.g., selfishness, rebellion, and disobedience) and turn to Jesus with humble obedience as Lord, Master, and Savior. The call to repentance is nothing less than a summons to the abandonment of sin and personal faith in God’s saving work in the Lord Jesus the Christ. Instead of selfish, self-salvation, and self-worship, the New Testament calls all people everywhere to look to Jesus Christ for deliverance from God's wrath and reception of His gracious salvation. Indeed, readers can understand the entire New Testament as a call to repentance and faith in God and His Son, Jesus the Christ, and a continual faith and repentance as long as life lasts (cf. Hebrews 11). The New Testament writers constantly encourage their readers to persevere in faith until the end and warn of the dangers of rejecting Jesus as Lord and Master at any stage. True believers testify that God’s salvation is of the Lord Jesus the Christ and that Jesus is the only One, who can save all from God’s coming wrath.

God’s true church is composed of united believers in Jesus the Christ - both Jews and Gentiles (e.g., see 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27-29; Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 3:11). The Old Testament laws that separated Jews from Gentiles (e.g., circumcision, purity laws, and special festivals and holidays) are no longer in force (e.g., see Ephesians 2:14-22). The church is God's new Temple, indwelt by His Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God calls His church to live out the beauty of the Gospel by showing the supreme mark of Jesus Christ's disciples: love for one another (e.g., see Matthew 22:34-40; John 13:34-35; John 15:12). However, the church exists in an interim state as she eagerly awaits the return of' Jesus the Christ to earth and the consummation of all of God's purposes. Until Jesus’ final return, the church is to live out her life in holiness, righteousness, and godliness as the radiant bride of Christ (see Ephesians 5:26-27; Revelation 19:7-8; Revelation 21:2). Even more, the church is to proclaim faithfully the Good News of God’s salvation found in Jesus Christ so that others who live in the sin and darkness can be transferred from darkness to the light of Jesus the Christ (Matthew 28:16-18; Acts 1:8).

References

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

The Holy Bible NIV 2011 (Grand Rapids, MI: Biblica, 2011).

The ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).