MasterTruth

Types connect the Old Testament with the New Testament

For all you doctrinal students, here’s a new lens through which to read the Bible. Author Greg Axe in his book “Revelation Made Simple” said, “Another cardinal rule of Bible study: any New Testament doctrine must have a corresponding type in the Old Testament.”

He used the rapture as an example. Some folks (hopefully us!) will never taste death, but will be caught up to meet Christ in the air, per 1 Thes. 4:16-17. He pointed out that doctrine in OT type is the story of Enoch in Gen. 5:24, which says, And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. To confirm this, Heb. 11:5 says, By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. He is an OT type of raptured believers.

Greg Axe is on to something considering this verse: In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Cor. 13:1b) For any New Testament doctrine, you get two or three witnesses (directly or in type) elsewhere in the Bible.

Another NT doctrinal example is Jesus became sin and a curse for us that He might redeem us from sin and the curse (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13). One OT type of this is in Numbers 21:8-9 when God told Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole that whoever would look up at it would live and not die in the plague that was killing everyone for their rebellion. That serpent on the pole was a type of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross for our sins. Another “witness” verse of this idea is Isa. 45:22. And like is often the case, there is yet a future fulfillment of this when Israel finally looks on Jesus whom they pierced… and they will be saved (Zech. 12:10).

I’m back to talking to you doctrinal students. Romans is the first doctrinal book in the New Testament. If doctrines were first discussed (in type) in the Old Testament, wouldn’t you expect to find some correlation between the many doctrines Paul outlines in Romans and many mentions, types and prophesies in the Old Testament? Yes, you would.

As I’m almost finished studying Romans, I’ve been impressed with the vast number of times Paul refers back to something said in the OT to make his NT doctrinal point. Someone else observed this before I did and noted that in Romans, there are 51 direct quotes from the Old Testament, 10 paraphrased quotes and 15 clear allusions. That comes to 76 references to the OT in the book of Romans as Paul discusses doctrine to us in the church age.

The point I want to make is that the Old Testament and the New Testament weave together in a God-orchestrated, God-breathed hologram type of way. You really can find Jesus on every page of the Bible. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33)

If I was going through Romans again, I’d do it through this lens comparing OT types and prophesies with the NT.

I really want to encourage you to study your Bible with different eyes like this. Hopefully this helps. And if you are interested in a doctrinal take on the book of Revelation, let me encourage you to go on Amazon and buy Greg Axe’s book “Revelation Made Simple.” You won’t be disappointed!

R&J Shee

The Most Important Question

How did YOU come to get saved? It’s a question I like to ask believers when I get comfortable enough with them to ask. I love to hear their stories. That question is also one that a disciple-maker will ask others, because one’s salvation is the very foundation on which to build the Christian life.

But over the past few years, I’ve noticed a change in the answers I hear when I ask, “How did you come to get saved?” Or “How did you come to know the Lord?” Here’s what I’m hearing more of:

• I’ve always known the Lord.
• I just started getting interested in religion.
• God helped me when I called out to Him when I was sick (or had some other need).

I’ve actually gone around the room and asked gatherings of believers how they got saved, and not a single one had what I’d call a “spiritual reckoning moment.” That is concerning.

All this came to my mind while studying Romans. Particularly Romans 6:17, But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. We go from sinner to saved by obeying “that form of doctrine.” What’s that? You hear the gospel, God draws your heart, and you obey the gospel. Here’s a reminder of what the gospel is per the Apostle Paul: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

So, is it possible to be born again or saved without knowing and reckoning with the doctrine of the gospel? Simply put, “You are a sinner in need of a savior. Jesus died, was buried and rose again to purchase your salvation. Believe, confess and be saved.”

Is that your testimony? Here’s an amplifying passage, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you (1 Peter 1:23-25).

The word of God is operable in your salvation. So no one is saved by an experience that doesn’t include reckoning with what the Bible says about your condition and His solution. A salvation testimony is going to involve being convicted in your heart about how you woefully fall short and thus your need for a savior. Is that your story?

If the facts of the gospel are boring to you, get it right between you and God before it is too late. Jesus didn’t die to meet your felt needs. He died to purchase your soul from sin through faith. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).

Of course many or most of you reading this are 100% there with me. Let’s be the ones to hold the line on the gospel and true salvation. Let’s not assume everyone is already saved. Let’s question a little more and be at the ready to insert the word of truth through verses and our testimonies, outlining the facts of the gospel.

R&J Shee