Many are convinced that the OT is law and the NT is grace. The writers of the NT disagree completely. We first learn of the gospel from the OT and gain a fuller sense of it in the NT. See Galatians 3:8, Romans 1:1-2, Romans 16:25-26. The prophetic writings or the Scriptures referred to are the OT and that is where the gospel was promised.
OT WITNESS TO SALVATION: ACCOMPLISHED IN HISTORY
Without historical facts there is no gospel to believe. The gospel is grounded in human history. The gospel - the redeeming work of the Triune God summarized in Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. We can trace the story of the gospel in the OT as the NT points to particular passages that help us know Christ.
1. Where Have We Been
a. Creation And Fall - 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 modifies Genesis 1:3-5 to help us see that God intended creation to help us understand salvation that would be necessary after the fall.b. Israel's Unfinished Story - Matthew 's genealogy helps us to see that the story of the OT is unfished and is continuing in Christ. The division of the genealogies ties us to Abraham to David to Babylon to Jesus. It's Israel's prior story that is unfinished. The Kingdom has not been fully restored as God promised in the OT. The NT authors don't see kiddie stories in the OT. They see the redemptive work of God.
2. Where We Are Now
a. The Last Days - Acts 2:1-13 records the outpouring of the Spirit of God on the Day of Pentecost. Peter explains that this is a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32. Joel uses the word "afterward." Peter modifies it to "in the last days." He's letting us know that the restoration that God promised in the OT is coming to fruition. The last days, according to Peter, are not far off but were upon them. They and we are in the next stage of God's redemption plan. The pouring out of the Spirit marks these days.b. The Time of Gentile Inclusion - Peter's sermon in Acts shows us that the gospel was being extended to "all who are far off" (Acts 2:39). Peter emphasizes that the OT always emphasized a new era where non-Jews would be included in the people of God. This goes back to Genesis 3:15, Genesis 12:3 and many other passages in the OT.c. The Day of Salvation - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 speaks of how the old has passed away and the new has come. This happens in Christ. This is an allusion to Isaiah 43:18-19 where it's said that the old age of Israel and their wandering from God will lead to a new age of restoration. Then immediately Paul cites Isaiah 49:8 in 2 Corinthians 6. What do we learn?
Step 1 - Identify the Passage
Paul has mentioned the newness that is to be found in Christ as the old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). He then urges the listeners to cling to Christ for salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) by citing Isaiah 49:8.
Step 2 - Double-Click on the OTAs we observe Isaiah 49 in a broader context we see that it is an end-time prophecy. The servant of God will bring Jacob back to God. Salvation will spread to the nations of the earth through as God works through Jacob/Israel. God will rule over the rulers of this world (Isaiah 49:7). God's covenant will include Gentile nations per the day of salvation (Isaiah 49:8). There'll be a time of renewal (Isaiah 49:9-10). All creation will rejoice as the work of God (Isaiah 49:13). This is what Isaiah calls the "day of salvation."Step 3 - Listen to the RemixPaul quotes Isaiah to help the listener to focus on Isaiah's message so that everyone will see that the Jesus is the Servant and the day of salvation for the nations is now. This is a joyous moment worthy of praising God. We are currently in that same era.
3. Where We Are Headed
The story of redemption is not finished. We await a future resurrection, a future judgment and a renewed creation. Revelation shows us this and uses the OT (Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah) extensively to drive home this point.
OT WITNESS TO SALVATION: APPLIED TO BELIEVERS
1. General Concepts And Vocabulary
Grace and faith are not invented in the NT. They are words that find their meaning in the OT. This has implications for us. The NT rarely defines these huge theological words that we throw around. The NT presupposes some knowledge of these concepts based on OT usage. We need the OT to help us know the concept of righteousness, sacrifice, atonement, etc. These are things we have to learn. As a side note, let's make sure when we share the gospel with people who don't know these words, that we use common language and terminology.
Concerning the following words, I'll only make mention of the NT passage that reference or point back to the OT passages or concepts.
(a). Election - Romans 9-11/Genesis 21:12, Genesis 18:10-14, Genesis 25:23, Malachi 1:2-3, Exodus 33:19, Exodus 9:16, Isaiah 29:16(b). Personal Sin - Romans 3:10-18/Psalm 14:1-3, 5:9, 140:3, 10:7, Isaiah 59:7-8, Psalm 36:1(c). Calling - Romans 10:14-18/Isaiah 52:7, 53:1, Psalm 19:4(d). Regeneration - Romans 2:29/Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4(e). Conversion - Acts 10:43/Isaiah 28:16, Joel 2:32, Habakkuk 2:4.(f). Justification - Romans 4:3/Genesis 15:6(g). Adoption - Romans 9:4/Exodus 4:22, Jeremiah 31:9, Hosea 11:1(h). Sanctification - 1 Corinthians 1:2, 6:11/Leviticus 11:44(i). Glorification - 1 Corinthians 15/Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14
2. Summary
The NT authors use the OT to explain these truths. The good news has come to us just as it came to them. Understanding all this helps us to do away with the myth that the OT was only law and the NT is only grace. It also helps us to see that the OT is useful for us even now in helping us understand salvation. Even while we don't adhere to the Mosaic Law in practice, we can understand how it was meant to serve as a guardian to lead us to Christ. We must continue to grow in our understanding of how the NT authors used the OT so that we can:
(a). Preserve the Apostalic gospel(b). Present an intelligible gospel to newcomers(c). Show that the gospel is not just about you
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