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The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament
The Indispensable Witness: How the New Testament Utilizes the Old
The Holy Bible, though comprised of two major divisions—the Old and New Testaments—is undeniably one unified revelation of God's redemptive plan for mankind. Far from being a mere historical precursor, the Old Testament serves as the foundational bedrock upon which the New Testament is built. The writers of the New Testament, inspired by the Holy Ghost, did not discard the former covenant but rather demonstrated its fulfillment, illumination, and continued relevance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Understanding how the New Testament employs the Old is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of God's eternal truth.
Prophecy Fulfilled in Christ
Perhaps the most prominent use of the Old Testament in the New is the demonstration of Messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. The apostles and evangelists meticulously pointed to specific Old Testament passages that foretold the coming, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Christ. This served as irrefutable evidence that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God.
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
From His birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, referenced in Matthew 2:6) to His suffering and death as a substitute for sinners (Isaiah 53:5, echoed throughout the Gospels and Epistles), the New Testament consistently shows how the ancient prophecies found their ultimate 'Yea and Amen' in Christ. The disciples, after the resurrection, understood this profound connection:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
This fulfillment underscored Jesus' divine authority and the trustworthiness of God's Word.
Typology and Shadows Pointing to Christ
Beyond direct prophecy, the New Testament often interprets Old Testament persons, events, institutions, and rituals as "types" or "shadows" that prefigure New Testament realities, especially Christ and His work. The Law, with its elaborate system of sacrifices, priesthood, and tabernacle, was but a shadow of good things to come.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Consider these examples:
This typological use highlights the continuity of God's plan, demonstrating that God had a singular purpose from the beginning, revealing it progressively until its culmination in Christ.
Authoritative Scripture and Doctrine
The New Testament writers held the Old Testament as the very Word of God, authoritative and infallible. They quoted it not merely as ancient wisdom but as divine utterance. When they wrote, "the scripture saith" or "as it is written," they were appealing to an undisputed authority. This authority served as the basis for Christian doctrine, ethical instruction, and theological argumentation.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Peter affirmed that the Old Testament prophecies did not originate from human will but from the Holy Ghost moving holy men of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). Paul, in his letter to the Romans, repeatedly appealed to the Old Testament to establish doctrines such as justification by faith (Romans 4:1-25, citing Genesis 15:6) and the universality of sin (Romans 3:10-18, quoting from Psalms 14 and Isaiah 59).
Moral and Ethical Foundation
While the ceremonial and civil laws of the Old Testament found their fulfillment and transformation in the New Covenant, the moral law remains eternally binding and is often expounded upon by Jesus and the apostles. Jesus declared that He came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
He then proceeded to intensify the demands of the Law, moving beyond mere outward conformity to address the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Matthew 5:21-48). The apostle Paul frequently quoted from the Ten Commandments and other Old Testament ethical injunctions to guide Christian conduct, summarizing the whole law in the command to love one's neighbour:
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
The Old Testament provides the moral framework that is upheld and deepened in the New, revealing the consistent character and expectations of a holy God.
Historical Context and Continuity of God's Plan
The Old Testament provides the essential historical narrative and theological context for understanding the New. Without the accounts of creation, the fall of man, the covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David, and the history of Israel, the New Testament would lack its profound depth and meaning. The New Testament writers assumed their readers' familiarity with this history.
- The genealogies in Matthew and Luke trace Jesus' lineage back to Abraham and Adam, establishing His identity within the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants.
- The book of Hebrews extensively uses the Old Testament to explain the superiority of Christ's priesthood and sacrifice over the Levitical system, drawing upon the history of Israel's worship and the tabernacle.
- Stephen's sermon in Acts 7:1-53 is a powerful exposition of Israel's history, demonstrating God's consistent dealings with His people and their persistent rebellion, culminating in the rejection of the Messiah.
This historical continuity underscores that the God of the Old Testament is the same God revealed in the New, working out His singular plan of salvation through successive stages of revelation.
Jesus's Own Use of the Old Testament
Jesus Christ Himself, the central figure of the New Testament, frequently appealed to and quoted from the Old Testament. He used it to teach, to refute His adversaries, and to explain His own mission. In His temptation in the wilderness, He repelled Satan's assaults by quoting Deuteronomy 8 and Deuteronomy 6.
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
He corrected the Sadducees' error concerning the resurrection by referring to God's words to Moses in Exodus 3:6:
But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Jesus's consistent reliance on the Old Testament validates its authority and demonstrates its indispensable role in understanding God's will and His plan for humanity.
The Apostles' Consistent Appeal to the Old Testament
Following their Master's example, the apostles and early church leaders continually turned to the Old Testament to preach the gospel, explain Christ's significance, and instruct believers. Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, which led to thousands of conversions, was deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy, particularly from Joel 2 and Psalms 16.
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Paul's epistles are replete with Old Testament citations and allusions, forming the very framework of his theological arguments concerning justification, sanctification, and the nature of the church. The book of Hebrews is virtually a sustained exposition of the Old Testament in light of Christ, demonstrating His superiority as Priest and Sacrifice.
Conclusion
The New Testament's pervasive use of the Old Testament reveals a divine tapestry, intricately woven by God's hand from eternity past to eternity future. The Old Testament is not merely a collection of ancient stories or laws; it is the living, powerful Word of God that testifies of Christ (John 5:39). It provides the prophecies, types, historical context, moral framework, and divine authority necessary for a full apprehension of the New Testament's message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
For the believer today, the Old Testament remains an indispensable part of holy writ. It enriches our understanding of God's character, His faithfulness, the depth of human sin, and the glory of His redemptive plan. To neglect the Old Testament is to diminish the New; to embrace both is to behold the complete and wondrous counsel of God unto salvation and righteous living. May we ever heed the admonition to search the scriptures, both old and new, for in them we find eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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