The trustworthiness of the gospel of Jesus Christ rests upon the fulfilment of OT prophecies concerning Jesus Christ, the apostolic witness to Jesus Christ and the divine witness to Jesus Christ during his ministry, culminating in his resurrection.
Prophecies of the OT concerning Jesus Christ
Fulfilment of prophecy recognised by Jesus Christ
Matthew 26:54–56 See also Matthew 26:24, Matthew 26:31; Luke 4:21, Luke 21:22, Luke 24:25–27, Luke 24:44, Luke 24:46; John 13:18; Psalm 41:9
But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Fulfilment of prophecy recognised by NT speakers and writers
Romans 3:21 See also Luke 1:68–70; Acts 3:18, Acts 10:43, Acts 26:22; Romans 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:3–5; 1 Peter 1:10–12MAT 1 Peter 1:22–23; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 2:5–6; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:17–18; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:23, Matthew 4:14–16; Isaiah 9:1–2; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 12:17–21; Isaiah 42:1–4; Matthew 21:4–5; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 27:9–10; John 19:24; Psalm 22:18; John 19:28, John 19:36; Exodus 12:46; John 19:37; Zechariah 12:10; Acts 2:25–28; Psalm 16:8–11
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.
Realisation of types
The sign of Jonah: Matthew 12:38–41 parallel Luke 11:29–32; Matthew 16:4; John 6:31–35, John 6:48–51; Hebrews 3:1–6 Jesus Christ as the greater Moses; Hebrews 6:20–7:10 Jesus Christ as the high priest after the order of Melchizedek
Fulfilment of ceremony and sacrifice
John 1:29 Jesus Christ fulfils all that the sacrificial system stood for. See also Hebrews 9:6–14; 1 Peter 1:18–19
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
Witness of the apostles to Jesus Christ
John 19:35 See also Luke 24:48; John 1:14, John 15:27, John 21:24; Acts 1:8, Acts 2:32, Acts 4:20, Acts 5:32, Acts 13:31; 1 Peter 5:1; 1 John 1:1–2, 1 John 4:14
The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.
Witness of God the Father to his Son
Matthew 3:16–17 parallels Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22 See also John 1:32–34; Matthew 17:5 parallels Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35; John 12:23–32; 2 Peter 1:17–18
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Jesus Christ vindicated by his resurrection
Romans 1:1–4 See also Acts 2:24–28; Psalm 16:8–11; Acts 13:30–35, Acts 17:31; Romans 8:11, Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:14–15; 1 Peter 1:21
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Warnings against false gospels
Galatians 1:6–9 See also 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 John 4:1–3
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.