The New Testament

We are ready this week in our excursion through the Bible to step over the bridge from the Old Testament to the New Testament. And as we do so, I want to emphasize the continuity between the two Testaments.

It is a misconception to assign God’s Law to the Old Testament, and God’s Gospel to the New. Likewise, the Hebrew Scriptures are not all about judgment, while the New Testament is all about God’s amazing promises and His salvation.

Speaking of the Gospel, which is the pronouncement of good news, that heralding was consistently given throughout the Old Testament. As but four examples, we start with the mention of the “seed of the woman bruising the head of the Serpent,” in Genesis 3. Again in Genesis 26, we read of the seed of Abraham being a blessing to all the families of the earth. And in 2 Samuel 7 the promise is made of a coming King of the line of David to establish an eternal kingdom. Then, finally in Isaiah 53 we read of the Suffering Servant who would atone for our transgressions and iniquities.

To be sure, the Gospel proclamations in the Hebrew Scriptures are rather cryptic and the full contour of what they point to yet to be filled in. But they are unmistakable promises of good news! Each of the four examples was pointing to Jesus! Likewise, we will not find God’s Law and the threat of punishment lacking in the New Testament. Some of the harshest words of God’s judgment come from the lips of our Lord Jesus Himself.

There are a number of ways to divide the New Testaments 27 Books. I will use a threefold division. The first is historical and includes the four Gospel Accounts and the Book of Acts. The second is the 13 letters of the Apostle Paul plus the Sermon to the Hebrews. And the final is the 7 Catholic (general) letters and the Book of Revelation.

Since You Asked…

What is the significance of Christ the King Sunday?

The Festival of Christ the King marks the end of the long season after Pentecost, and it anticipates the day when Christ will return and be revealed to everyone as the rightful ruler of the world. The appointed lessons for the day make it clear that at the end of the age Christ will come in power and great glory. Previous to this we have known his gentle rule. We have known King Jesus as the one who shed his blood to free us from the grips of sin and death. But when he comes again in glory he will come to judge the living and the dead. There will then be no doubt as to who the sovereign of the cosmos is!