CBCG: OT Predicted New Testament

CBCG’s July newsletter is now out. In it, its Fred Coulter writes:

While working on the Bible Project, it has become apparent there is a profound unity between the Old and New Testament Scriptures. This unity is demonstrated, for example, by the fact that over one third of the NT is made up of quotes from the OT. Additionally, many of the prophecies of the OT could not be understood without the NT. Consider the numerous prophecies referring to Jesus Christ—“the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world”—such as those in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. Likewise, OT and NT prophecies regarding the end time and the return of Jesus Christ cannot be understood without the book of Revelation. In fact, without a thorough understanding of the Sabbath and Holy Days, the general prophetic time frame for the fulfillment of the plan of God cannot be understood.

All of these are proofs of God’s inspiration of the entire Bible as the complete Word of God and evidence of the unity of Scripture! In the book of Isaiah, God provides us with the standard by which to seek Him and understand His Word, as well as to discern those who speak the truth of God: “To the law and to the testimony: if they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. 8:20). In this same chapter we also find a prophecy showing that the NT would be written by Jesus’ disciples, or apostles: “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples” (verse 16). Because this verse foretells of the NT, it is also a prophecy that the OT alone would not comprise the complete Word of God.

We can verify this in the NT, which again demonstrates the unity of Scripture. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy concerning the OT: “But as for you, continue in the things that you did learn and were assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from a child you have known the holy writings [the OT], which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim. 3:14-15). Paul is showing that salvation not only involves faith in Jesus Christ and NT teachings, but that OT teachings are necessary as well. Paul then shows that all Scripture, OT and NT, is inspired by God—and in no way represents humanistic ideas of men: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work” (verses 16-17).

When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he understood that he was to help complete the Word of God with his God-breathed writings of the Gospel: “Of which I became a servant, according to the administration of God that was given to me for you in order to complete the Word of God; even the mystery that has been hidden from ages and from generations, but has now been revealed to His saints; to whom God did will to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:25-27).

Contrary to views held by many so-called scholars, the fact is that not only was the NT predicted, the true Church (which was primarily based in Asia Minor in the second century) had a complete Old Testament and New Testament.

Three articles of possibly related interest include:

The Old Testament Canon This article shows from Catholic accepted writings, that the Old Testament used by non-Roman Catholics and non-Orthodox churches is the correct version.
The New Testament Canon – From the Bible Itself This article, shows from the Bible and supporting sources, why the early Church knew which books were part of the Bible and which ones were not.
History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church?