WCF 17 October 1993

Theme: Christ in the Old Testament

 

          Reading
Isa 49:1-13; Isa 61:1-3; Lu 4:14-21.

1.      Jesus Existed before the World was Created
John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17:He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

2.      The Old Testament Speaks of Christ
Read Isa 61:1-3; Lu 4:14-21.
Luke 24:25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26:Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27:And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

3.      Christ's Mission - Suffering Servant
Isa 49:1-13
Planned before His birth (v1)
Speaking forcefully (v2)
Serving without recognition from men(v3,4)
Calling Israel back to God (v5)
Bringing salvation to all the world (v6)
Despised and rejected (v7)
Exalted by God (v7)
Introducingg a new covenant with God (v8)
Setting captives free (v9)
Leading His people as a shepherd (v9,10).

Questions
Is it important that Jesus existed before he was born on earth as a human? If so, why?
What difference would it make to our understanding of God and His will for us if we only had the New Testament and not the Old Testament?