My two standard proof-texts for arguing that the promises of the OT find their fulfillment in Christ are:
2 Corinthians 1:20: For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Acts 13:32-33: "We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.
I would add that the promises referred to in both passages are specifically the Abrahamic promises of blessings for the nations, land, and descendents.
4 comments:
Great to have on hand Mike. Does Alexa have them memorized yet?!
I tend to throw out two as well:
(1) Romans 4:11-13, both in its primary argument (promise does not come by Law/Moses) and its secondary argument, where Paul is more or less redefining Abrahamic descent and even the promise of the Land (4:13, "inherit the comsos").
(2) Romans 15:8. In context this also shows the fulfillment of what God promised to Abe and co. had to have a radical, universal impact.
Dr. Caneday,
I posted on the your other blog, but have you had a chance to pick up Guy Water's new book "Justification by Faith Alone"? If so, Im just curious what your thoughts are and also some of his other books.
Intersting blog as always, Mike!
What about Romans 10:4
I note that you wrote, "I would add that the promises referred to in both passages are specifically the Abrahamic promises of blessings for the nations, land, and descendents". Isn't that a reference to the 'covenant' in the NT?
Are you aware of the now dated work by FF Bruce "Promise and Fulfilment: Essays Presented to Professor S. H. Hooke in celebration of His Ninetieth Birthday" (1963)?
cheers, sujomo
And of course there is the passage in which Jesus accompanies the two walking on their way to Emmaus. The Lukan narrative reads, "'Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory'? Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures" (Luke 24:26-27). Although I'm not sure Jesus has in mind here the promises of the Abrahamic covenant, I do think it possible (plausible?) that later Christian ideas of OT promises finding their fulfillment in Christ go back to scenes such as this one in which Jesus himself pointed out ways in which he fulfilled the promises of God's Scriptures.
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