The NT fulfils and completes the revelation of God which began in the OT. Jesus Christ is the central focus of this self-revelation of God.
The unity and progress of revelation
The unity of OT and NT
Matthew 5:17–18 See also Romans 3:21–22; 2 Timothy 3:14–15; 2 Peter 3:15–16 The writings of Paul are presented as having equal status with the OT Scriptures; Revelation 22:18–19 These sanctions have the same force as those of Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
The progress of NT revelation
Hebrews 1:1–2 See also Hebrews 2:1–4, Hebrews 12:22–27
On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
The NT fulfils and completes God's revelation of himself
Jesus Christ is the supreme revelation of God
Colossians 1:25–27 See also John 1:9–18, John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Galatians 4:4; Philippians 2:6–8; Hebrews 2:14
I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Jesus Christ is the image of God
2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Jesus Christ has the nature of God
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
Jesus Christ is the exact representation of God
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word of God
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The role of the Holy Spirit in revelation
He is the divine agent of revelation
John 16:12–15 See also John 14:16–17, John 15:26; 1 John 4:6, 1 John 5:6; Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22
I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you. Everything that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take from what is Mine and disclose it to you.
He is the source of revelatory manifestations
1 Corinthians 12:7–11 See also Acts 2:1–12; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:28–30, 1 Corinthians 13:8–12, 1 Corinthians 14:1–33; Ephesians 4:11
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.
God's purposes in revelation
To reveal himself in Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:15–20 See also John 1:14, John 12:44–45, John 14:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
To reveal his plan through Jesus Christ
Ephesians 1:9–10 See also Romans 16:25–27; 1 Corinthians 2:7–10; Ephesians 3:3–11; Colossians 1:19–20
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
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.