MBS 502 - New Testament Theology

ASSIGNMENT - Research

Type a paper on the subject, “The Redemptive Significance of the New Testament with
regard to Old Testament Prophecies.” Minimum of 3,000 words - 15 typewritten pages.
(25%)

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The Redemptive Significance of the New Testament with regard to Old Testament Prophecies.

Clyde Leon Baker Student Number 04-21-550P

Caribbean College of the Bible International

Dr. Jack Green

15th May 2023

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Introduction

Throughout history, redemption is not only conceptualized but also carries the

understanding that something has been paid for or brought back to make right a situation.

Thus, in Christianity, redemption refers to the act and mystery of God in His deliverance of

mankind from the evil of sin to His restoration of man to the state of grace by an act of divine

power and merciful love. Purposefully, God wills to “have all men to be saved, and to come

unto the knowledge of the truth.” [1 Timothy 2:4] through Jesus Christ. That intention is

confirmed by Paul who wrote in Ephesians 1:7-8: “ In whom we have redemption through his

[Jesus] blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;8 Wherein he hath

abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence” Additionally, Jack Zavada (2019) submits,

“The Christian use of redemption means Jesus Christ, through His sacrificial death,

purchased believers from the slavery of sin to set us free from that bondage”. And Ligon

Duncan (2020) defines

Redemption means to secure the release or recovery of persons or things by the

payment of a price. It is a covenantal legal term closely associated with ransom,

atonement, substitution, and deliverance, thus salvation. Theologically, redemption

refers ultimately to the saving work of Christ, who came to accomplish our

redemption by giving his life in substitution for our own as the ransom price.

The Old Testament attests to the fact that this redemptive act of God not only had

its genesis and promise from the fall of man in the Garden of Eden noted in Genesis 3:15 but

also its myriad of evidence, prophecies and typologies in the said Old Testament. Thus, as a

consequence the New Testament can then assert “But when the fulness of the time was come,

God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” [Galatians 4:4]. Jesus Christ,

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therefore, came and fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies, more so those with respect to

redemption. Confirming this, in their book, 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies [2022], the

authors claimed that; “some scholars have proposed that there are many as 1,800

prophecies in the bible”. Of these, there are more than three hundred Old Testament

prophecies concerning Jesus Christ that were fulfilled by Him in the New Testament.

Most Bible scholars agree that these prophecies are in respect to His Birth, His ministry,

His death, His resurrection, and His role in the church. For example, Rose Publishing

[2003] showed how Deuteronomy 21:23 [hung upon a tree as a curse for us] was fulfilled in

the word of Galatians 3:13. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a

curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” Henry Clay

Morrison [2013] is thus correct when he stated:

There is no more interesting or profitable study than to take the Old Testament

statements concerning the coming life and sufferings of Jesus and the New

Testament containing the account of the early life, ministry and sufferings of

Jesus and not perfectly conclude that Christ’s life fits into the prediction of the

prophets

Indubitably, also, the New Testament writers not only believed what the Old Testament

prophesied about Jesus Christ, but also contended that Jesus Christ fulfilled those

prophecies In Matthew 5:17 Jesus Christ Himself said “Think not that I am come to destroy

the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil”

Thus, with the foregoing the theoretical framework is provided for the statement:

“The Redemptive Significance of the New Testament with regard to Old Testament Prophecies.”

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To address this statement therefore, it is the purpose of this Paper not only to identify some

Old Testament prophecies that relate specifically to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ

but also to explain the significance to have them fulfilled in the New Testament to attain

redemption. The methodology adopted would thus include the examination of

redemptive prophecies in terms of their Name, Sources, Explanation, Fulfillment, and

Significance. Finally, it is to be noted that this Paper does not intend to identify all or a

substantive number of the 300 prophecies allegedly fulfilled by Jesus Christ. There is

thus room for future research on the subject.

Redemptive Old Testament Prophecies, Fulfilled in the New Testament

Why was it important therefore for Jesus Christ to suffer and to die? There are

many biblical reasons. Importantly it was more than to fulfill the Old Testament

prophecies. Genesis 3 narrated that from the very beginning, man disobeyed God and

accordingly sinned. Redemption thus became necessary. And whereas in the long history

of the Old Testament, redemptive acts were made, true salvation could not be found. In

fact, Hebrews 9:13-14, and 10:10-12, show that Jesus Christ is the true sacrifice for

man’s sins, once and for all. He did what the blood of bulls and goats could not do in

terms of redemption. John 3:16-17 tell about God expressing His love through His Son to

bring about salvation or redemption. 1 John 4:10. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but

that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Romans 5:8 “But God

commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” But

all of this was prophesied firstly in the Old Testament and found fulfilled in Jesus Christ in

the New Testament. We begin then with Isaiah 53 which describes the Suffering Servant

Isaiah 53 provides one of the most significant Old Testament prophecies that

Jesus Christ fulfilled in the New Testament. Made some seven hundred years (700 years)

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before its fulfillment, Isaiah prophesied that Jesus Christ would be despised and rejected, a

man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and despised, He was smitten and afflicted. He

would carry our sorrows and He would be wounded for our transgressions. In short, using the

most descriptive words, Isaiah vividly prophesied about the suffering and death of Jesus

Christ in His atonement for our sins. Henry Clay William [2013] concluded that this

prophecy of Isaiah concerning our Lord is one of the most remarkable in all the Old

Testament Scriptures, He noted that Isaiah described the humility of Jesus, His patient

sufferings, and His being led “as a lamb to the slaughter and is dumb as a sheep before the

shearers is dumb he openeth not his mouth” . In confirmation, John N. Oswald [2019] also

concluded that Isaiah 53 “passage is about humanity’s atonement: for our reconciliation with

God“. Significantly, therefore, Isaiah 53 contains many prophecies that were all fulfilled

by Jesus. The New Testament writers and in particular the narrators of the gospels

meticulously narrated those fulfillments. 1 Peter 3:18 states: “For Christ also hath once

suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in

the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”.

Exodus 12, is another Old Testament prophesy or typology that Jesus Christ fulfilled

in the New Testament. That chapter reported the event of how God protected the children of

Israel from death and destruction. Firstly, however, there had to be the preparation,

slaying of the lamb, and the spreading of its blood as the token for that protection and

saving. Hence in Exodus 12:21-27, Moses gave specific instructions about the Passover.

Leviticus 17:11 adds a further understanding to this by stating: “For the life of a creature is in the

blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood

that makes atonement for one’s life” The events of Exodus 12 is thus a typology and a

prophecy pertaining to Jesus Christ as the Passover lamb. Thus in a public statement

John the Baptist said in John 1:29: “  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and

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saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” In Matthew 26:28,

Jesus said: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness

of sins”. Later, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:7 “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for

us” . Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are

not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

These then are all statements made to confirm that Jesus Christ had fulfilled the Old

Testament prophesy of the Passover Lamb. Further, Justin Dillehay (2020) adds:

And yet as with all typology, Jesus corresponded to the Old Testament type in many

ways. Like the Passover lamb, he was a mature male (Luke 3:23). None of his bones

was broken (Ex. 12:46; John 19:36). He was thoroughly examined and found spotless

(1 Pet. 2:22), and he was slain for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3; Rev. 1:5).

Thus, the shedding of the blood of Jesus as a sacrificial lamb is significant to our

redemption. The writer of Hebrews helps us to understand that significance when in

Hebrews 9:22 he said: “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without

shedding of blood is no remission.” And 1 John 1:7 says:  “But if we walk in the light, as he is

in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin”

In addition to the foregoing Old Testament Prophecies and their fulfillment in the

New Testament, there are also prophesies pertaining to the manner of the crucifixion of Jesus

Christ. Old Testament passages such as Exodus 12:46, Psalm 16. Psalm 22, Psalm 31 and others

are examples of these. For example, Psalm 22:1-2,7-8], “My God, my God, why hast thou

forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?”

Similarly, and with reference again to Jesus Christ, the writer in Psalm 16: v 9-11 and

particularly at Verse 10 noted: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou

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suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” And in Psalm 31 and particularly verse 11- “I was a

reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine

acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me”. Clearly, among them, Psalm 22

is foremost in prophesying about the unspeakable sufferings of Jesus Christ by

crucifixion. But that was the pathway that Jesus had to follow in order to redeem

humanity. As prophesied also, His bones were not broken, even though his hands and feet

were pierced. Like the lamb, His side was also pierced and from there flowed out all His blood

and water. Hence, when the soldiers came to break His bones, He was already dead.

It was again, the gospels writers who in their writing showed how indeed all the

prophecies concerning the crucifixion of Jesus Christ were fulfilled. Thus, Matthew 27:42-43,

46 and John 19:28, 31-36 narrate those fulfilments well and aptly. Mark 14:50 even stating

“And they all forsook him, and fled.” The significance of the fulfillment of those Old

Testament prophecies in the New Testament could be found in the answer to the

question; What if Jesus Christ had not suffered and died and more importantly arisen

from the dead? The answer in the words of Paul were- “...we are of all men most

miserable” 1 Corinthians 15:9 It was significant, therefore, that He was crucified in the

manner in which He was

Numbers 21:9 is another Old Testament prophesy or typology that Jesus Christ

fulfilled in the New Testament. “So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then

when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived” The people had

sinned and God allowed snakes to come among them that bit and killed them. The same

God then instructed Moses to use the very snakes as the cure. Moses lifted up a bronze

snake for all the people and who looked on it lived. In the New Testament, Jesus says in

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John 3:14–18. “‘Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be

lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’ Evidently, Jesus was

referring to that event or prophecy of Numbers 21:9. Hence we can conclude here that the

significance is not so much that the very snake that bit and killed the people was their cure, but

rather that Jesus Christ being so lifted up that all can see and come to Him is the answer to their

sin and sickness. And this was indeed fulfilled and is being fulfilled even today.

Most commentators cite Isaiah 25 as the prophecy with respect to Jesus conquering

death. The relevant verses thus state in part. Verse 8 says: “.8 He will swallow up death in

victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his

people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.” The

suffering and death of Jesus were not only foretold by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah

here but that He must do so became necessary. Significantly, He had to show that He was

the Promised One, the Messiah. Further, by allowing His only Begotten Son to suffer and

to die as He did, God also was demonstrating that He is God. The God who loves in spite

of the sins of the world.

Hence the fulfilment of Isaiah 25 can be gleaned from the words of Jesus Christ

Himself when in Mathew 16:21-24 and in Mark 8:31-38, He spoke of His own suffering and

death. Relevantly also, Paul captured that fulfilment well when in 1 Corinthians 15:54, he

wrote: “54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall

have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death

is swallowed up in victory” Significantly then Had Jesus not conquered death, then there

would be no hope and His promises not fulfilled

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 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is undeniable one of the most fundament

doctrines and beliefs of Christianity. But long before its physical occurrence, the Old

Testament writers foretold or prophesied of its happening. Job was one. Job 19:25 “ For I

know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” Old

Testament prophecies with regard to the resurrection of Jesus Christ also include the

Psalmists, Isaiah, Daniel, Hosea and Zechariah. For example, Psalm 118:17-18, “I shall not

die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but He

hath not given me over unto death” The Resurrection of Jesus Christ was a literal, physical

raising of Jesus’ body from the dead. He rose from the dead, on the third day after He was

crucified and buried. When Jesus rose from the dead, He confirmed His identity as the Son

of God and His work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. Hence in

evidencing the fulfillment of the Prophecies concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul

made some interesting statements in 1 Corinthians 15. There, he not only confirmed that there

were eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ but implied strongly that the prophecies

concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ had indeed been fulfilled by Jesus Christ Himself.

In Luke 24:5-7 and John 20, there are also reported narratives confirming the fulfillment of

the Old Testament prophecies with respect to the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New

Testament. Mary Fairchild (2020) contends “By rising from the dead, Jesus Christ fulfilled

his own promise to do so and solidified the pledge he made to his followers that they too

would be raised from the dead to experience eternal life (John 14:19).”

What then was the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Apart then

from the answer which can be gleaned from the biblical and other references, Robert L

Deffinbaugh [1971] posited that the resurrection of Jesus Christ signified: “

1.Proof of what Jesus claimed to be

2.Proof of what Jesus had promised

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 3. Proof of the fulfillment of biblical prophecy

4.Proof of its logical requirement and necessity

5.Proof of its necessary element of faith “

Conclusion

Indubitably, all of the Old Testament Prophecies that Jesus Christ fulfilled in the

New Testament were significant. In fact, the entire life of Jesus Christ was a fulfillment

of predictive prophecies. [Isaiah 7:10-17, Micah 5:2. Zechariah 9:9, Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 53]

Jesus Christ came into the world essentially to bring redemption to humanity. And in

doing so He fulfilled in the New Testament the related prophecies in the Old Testament.

Therefore, this Paper focused primarily on some of those Old Testament prophecies that

are in respect to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and their fulfillment in the New

Testament and their redemptive significance. As shown above therefore these fulfilled

Old Testament prophecies included Isaiah 53 [the Suffering Servant], Exodus 12 [the

Passover Lamb], Psalms 16,22,31 [the manner of His crucifixion] , Numbers 21:9 [being

lifted up as the bronze serpent]. Isaiah 25 [His conquering death] and Job 19:25, Psalm

118 etc. [His resurrection] Certainly, Jesús’ redemption is an expression of God’s love

and forgiveness. John 3:16-17 and Romans 5:8. Jesús’ redemption is also the plan and

purpose of God. From Genesis 3:15 we read” And I will put enmity between thee and the

woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt

bruise his heel.” My prayer and desire therefore, is that all should come to know and to

follow Jesus Christ, who by His death, burial and resurrection has reconciled us back to

God and has offered us a life that is abundant and more meaningful. I also agree with

Dan Story [2019] who holds:” Fulfilled prophecies give clear attestation to the hand of

God in human history.”

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 Bible References
All references were taken from the King James Version

Old Testament New Testament

 Genesis 3:15  Matthew 5:17
 Exodus 12;21-23,26-27  Matthew 26:28
 Exodus 12:46
 Leviticus 17:11.  Matthew 27:42-43
 Matthew 27:46
 Numbers 21:9
 Mark 14:50
 Deuteronomy 21:23  Mark 8:31-38
 Luke 21:22
 Job 19:25  Luke 24:5-7
 Psalm 22  John 1:29
 John 3:14–18
 Psalm 31:11
 John 20:11-14
 Psalm 16:9-11
 Psalm 118:17-18  John 19:28, 31-36
 Isaiah 53  John 3:16-17
 Isaiah 26:19  Acts 2:31
 Isaiah 25:7-8  Romans 5:8
 Daniel 12:2  1 Corinthians 15,
 Hosea 6:2
 1 Corinthians 5:7
 Zechariah 12:10
 1 Corinthians 15:4-6
 Micah 5:2
.  1 Corinthians 15:9
 1 Corinthians 15:54
 Galatians 3:13
 Galatians 4:4
 Ephesians 1:7-8
 1 Timothy 2:4
 Hebrews 9:13-14, 22
 Hebrews 10:10-12
 Hebrews 9:22
 1 Peter 2:22
 Revelation 1:5
 1 Peter 3:18
 1 John 1:7
 1 John 4:10

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  Revelation 13:8

References

Deffinbaugh, Bob [2071] -The meaning of the resurrection

https://www.Bible.org

Dillehay, Justin (2020) – How Jesus Fufilled the Passover salvation through substitution

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/.../justin-di…

Duncan, Ligon (2020) – Redemption

https://www.facebook.com/public/Dillon-Ligon

Fairchild, Mary (2020) -Relive the resurrection Story of Jesus Christ

https://www.learnreligions.com/mary-fairchild-699

Konig, Ray & George [2022] - 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies

https://www.georgekonig.org/page2.htm

Morrison, Henry Clay [2013] - Prophecies Fulfilled and Fulfilling

https://www.asbury.edu/.../henry-clay-morrison

Oswalt, John N. (2019) – Who is the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_N._Oswalt

Rose Publishing [2003] -100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus: Messianic Prophecies Made

Before the Birth of Christ 

https://www.hendricksonrose.com

Story, Dan [2019] - Defending Your Faith

ttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/640168

Zavada, Jack [2019] -What does redemption mean to Christians

https://www.Learningreligion.com

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