1 Corinthians and OT

(1Cor 1:2) The Church described using two common OT designations for Israel ‘the assembly of God’ and ‘holy people’.

(1Cor 1:19) Consistent with the OT, the cross, demonstrates God acting in ways counter to human wisdom c.f. Isa 29:14.

(1Cor 1:24,26) Election – in addition to Jews and Greeks is a third class of people ‘those who are called’.

(1Cor 1:24,26) Election – ‘those who are called’ i.e. the inward call of the Spirit not the general call that is rejected by Jews/Gentiles.

(1Cor 1:27-28) Election – three times in these verses emphasis is placed on God’s choosing people. i.e. God chooses and then he calls.

(1Cor 1:30) Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Strongly OT concepts.

(1Cor 1:31) Election – God’s choosing not based on any human condition "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." c.f. Jer 9:23-24

(1Cor 2:7) Election – The gospel is God’s wisdom decreed before the ages for the glory of the chosen-called ones

(1Cor 2:8-11,14) Election – God’s wisdom. Gospel, can only be understood by those who have received the Spirit and had it revealed to them.

(1Cor 3:5; 4:1) Paul and Apollos are servants of the Lord. This description is used of prophets in the OT and especially in Isa 40-66

(1Cor 3:17) The Church described as a greater expression of the OT temple as a holy place.

(1Cor 5:1,13) NT & Law have same sexual prohibitions cf Lev 18:8 and same punishment i.e. cut off from the assembly (church) e.g. Deu 22:24.

(1Cor 5:7) Christ is our Passover Lamb c.f. Exo 12.

(1Cor 5:8) The removal of yeast in OT Feast of Unleavened Bread pointed to removal of sin.

(1Cor 6:2) The saints to judge the world c.f. Dan 7:22,10-9.

(1Cor 6:16) Two become one flesh c.f. Gen 2:24.

(1Cor 6:19) Individual believers are temples indwelt by God’s Spirit c.f. Tabernacle and Solomon’s temple.

(1Cor 7:19) For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

(1Cor 8:13) A new kind of food law that radically differs from the food laws of Lev 11.

(1Cor 9:9-10) OT laws such as not muzzling an ox treading grain are directly relevant to NT believers.

(1Cor 10:1-2) Passing through the Red Sea as a baptism into Moses and foreshadowing of Christian baptism.

(1Cor 10:3-4) Israelites in the wilderness ate spiritual food and spiritual drink.

(1Cor 10:4) … they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

(1 Cor 10:2-4) I will need to read up on what this means.

(1Cor 10:6,10) Israel’s rebellion in wilderness took place as examples for us that we might not desire evil. Written for instruction.

(1Cor 11:1-16) Paul’s directions about gender are based on Genesis 1-3.

(1Co 11:25) "This cup is the new covenant in my blood." c.f. Exo 24:8; Jer 31:31.

(1Co 13:12-13) When Christ returns faith and hope will end in their realization but love will always continue and in this sense is greater.

(1Co 14:21-22) Tongues are for unbelievers as a sign of judgment c.f. Deu 28:49, Isa 28:11-12; Jer 5:15.

(1Co 14:39) As in the OT, prophecy and divine speech are part of the life of the people of God.

(1Co 15:3-4) Chris died for our sins according to the OT Scriptures and was raised according to the OT Scriptures.

(1Cor 15:20-24) Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection offered to God c.f. the OT festival of first fruits.

(1Co 15:21-22) There is both a first Adam and a second Adam – a representative man with whom others have corporate solidarity.

(1Co 15:24-28) Christ receives the kingdom and all things placed under his feet c.f. Psa 8:6; Dan 7:14.

(1Co 15:32-33) Paul bases his ethical teaching on the OT c.f. Isa 22:13.

(1Cor 15:45-49) We bear the likeness of both first Adam and second Adam – a representative man with whom others have corporate solidarity.

(1Co 15:51-52) A mystery, not all sleep, changed, in a moment, in twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, dead will be raised imperishable

(1Co 15:55) In Hos 13:14 God invites death to have victory and sting in judgment. Paul reverses to indicate its defeat.

(1Cor 16:1-2) The setting aside and storing of goods for a collection to be shared with the poor is consistent with OT practices.

(1Co 16:22) Paul uses the OT description of being devoted to destruction to refer to those who have no love for the Lord i.e. accursed.

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Thessalonians and OT

(1Thes 1:4-6) Chosen – evidenced by God’s love, the Spirit’s power at work upon them, , joy.

(1Thes 3:13) Christ’s coming with his holy ones c.f. Deu 33:2, Zec 14:5.

(1Thes 4:7) God calls his people to be holy and not unclean. These concepts come from Leviticus.

(1Thes 5:2-3) The phrase ‘day of the Lord’ comes from the OT prophets as does the comparison to labor pains that come upon a pregnant woman.

(1Thes 5:8) The Christian’s armor is the same as God’s in Isa 59:17 – breastplate righteousness (i.e. faith and love) & helmet of salvation.

(2Thes 1:6-10) OT described God coming to judge the nations in order to bring relief and deliverance for his people e.g. exiles in Babylon.

(2Thes 1:7) Christ’s coming with his holy ones c.f. Deu 33:2, Zec 14:5.

(2Thes 2:3-4) Opposes and exalts himself above every god or idol c.f. Dan 11:36. Takes his seat in the temple of God c.f. Dan 11:45.

(2Thes 2:6-7) I think Michael as in Dan 12:1 is the restrainer. notes – Michael as the restrainer.pdf

(2Thes 2:7,8,9) ‘Man of Lawlessness’ c.f. Dan 7:25 and his foreshadowing by Antiochus Epiphanies as described in Daniel.

(2Thes 2:8) The destruction of the antichrist by the fire that comes from Christ’s mouth cf. Dan 7:10-11.

(2Th 2:13-14) Election – loved by the Lord, God chose to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and called to believe in the truth.

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Galatians and OT

(Gal 1:15-16) Paul was set apart by God before he was born to preach to the nations c.f. Same words as of Jeremiah Jer 1:5.

(Gal 2:12-14) In OT one purpose of the food laws in Lev 11 was to emphasize the divide between Israel as God’s people from the nations.

(Gal 2:12-14) Peter’s observing food laws of Lev 11 was wrong because it was a denial of God’s work of including nations within his people.

(Gal 2:16) The OT Law of Moses was unable to justify sinners but Christ does.

(Gal 3:6) Abraham is an example of justification by faith alone.

(Gal 3:7,9) One becomes a son of Abraham by faith and also an heir of the promises.

(Gal 3:8) The OT predicted that God would justify the Gentiles by faith.

(Gal 3:8) The OT preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."

(Gal 3:10) The Law shows that we are sinners and cursed due to disobedience.

(Gal 3:11) The OT says that the righteous shall live by faith c.f. Hab 2:4.

(Gal 3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us c.f Deu 21:23 Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.

(Gal 3:14) In Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham comes to the Gentiles.

(Gal 3:16) The promises were made to Abraham and to his seed i.e. Christ.

(Gal 3:17-19) The inheritance is given on basis of a promise. The Law was given to restrain sin.

(Gal 3:24-26) The law was a pedagogue until the coming of Christ.

(Gal 3:29) If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

(Gal 4:21-31) Abraham had a son according to the flesh by a slave woman and a son according to the promise (the Spirit) by a free woman.

(Gal 4:21-31) Allegory. Hagar’s son = Sinai, earthly Jerusalem, Israel according to flesh.

(Gal 4:21-31) Allegory. Sarah’s son = heavenly Jerusalem, Israel according to the Spirit.

(Gal 5:2-6) Being circumcised as a sign of the old covenant is to reject Christ’s grace and come under curse.

(Gal 5:14-26)The Law of Moses is fulfilled by loving one’s neighbour and this is made possible through the work of the Spirit.

(Gal 6:15) Being Israel according to the flesh does not count for anything. What counts is being a new creation.

(Gal 6:16) The Israel of God are God’s chosen people, sons of Abraham according to the Spirit who have faith in Christ.

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Acts and OT

(Acts 1:4-5) The promise of the Father is the OT promise to pour out the Spirit i.e. Israel’s spiritual regeneration.

(Act 1:8) Spirit-empowered witness beginning at Jerusalem and going out to all nations is a strong theme in Isaiah 40-66.

(Act 1:9-11) Jesus riding the clouds of heaven and the presence of angelic beings indicates an eschatological event c.f. Dan 7:13-14.

(Acts 1:15-20) Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was according to the OT scriptures c.f. Psa 69:25; 109:8-15.

(Act 1:23-26) Sovereign choosing. Matthias chosen as an apostle. The lot is cast but result is God-determined c.f. Pro 16:33.

(Acts 2:1) Pentecost – the anniversary of the giving of the Law at Sinai.

(Acts 2:2-4) A mighty wind, fire and prophetic speech are characteristic of an OT theophany. God’s presence and Skekinah glory.

(Acts 2:5) Devout Jews from every nation under heaven gathered in Jerusalem c.f. OT prophetic overtures.

(Acts 2:9-11) Nations of the exile. Acts of the risen Christ are of like kind as the OT "mighty works of God".

(Acts 2:16-21) Pentecost fulfills Joel 2 and other prophetic writings that foretold God’s pouring out of his Spirit on the whole nation.

(Acts 2:19-21) Apocalyptic description of the last days that have already broken in with the pouring out of the Spirit.

(Acts 2:22) Jesus is like Moses, having performed "mighty works and wonders and signs".

(Acts 2:23) Sovereignty. Jesus was killed "according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God".

(Acts 2:24-28) David’s being saved from sickness in Psa 16 foreshadowed Christ’s deliverance from death.

(Acts 2:30-31) David was "a prophet" who "foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ".

(Act 2:33) Jesus is exalted to the right hand of God c.f. Dan 7.

(Acts 2:34-36) Christ fulfills Psa 110 – "The LORD said to my Lord, sit at my right".

(Act 2:39) Salvation is "the promise", is "for you and for your seed" i.e. "everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself" c.f. election.

(Acts 2:43) The apostolic age of signs and wonders is of like kind as the Exodus.

(Acts 2:44-45) The Spirit causes the Law to be maximized in the lives of God’s people c.f. the Law’s concern for the poor.

(Act 3:13) Jesus is firmly set within the OT story i.e. "The God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob glorified his servant, Jesus"

(Acts 3:18,22-25) Everything about Jesus was foretold by the prophets from Samuel on. Jesus is the prophet like Moses c.f. Deu 18:18.

(Acts 4:11) Jesus is the stone the leaders rejected c.f. Psa 118:22-23; Isa 28:16.

(Acts 4:25-28) David as a prophet spoke of Christ’s being opposed and raised in Psa 2. Strong theme of David speaking of Christ in Acts.

(Acts 4:28) Sovereignty. The actions of evil men did what "your hand and your plan had predestined to take place".

(Act 4:30) Exodus like language "stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

(Act 5:12) Exodus language used of Moses now used of the apostles – "many signs and wonders were done among the people by hands of apostles.

(Act 5:30) The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. c.f. Deu 21:22-23.

(Acts 6:3) In Exo 31:3 craftsmen of Spirit and wisdom built the tabernacle. Now men "full of the Spirit and of wisdom" build up the church.

(Act 7:9-10) Like Joseph, Christ was the object of jealousy, rejected, God was with him, rescued, made ruler.

(Act 7:22-27,35-36) Like Moses, Christ – wise, mighty in his words, sign & wonders, salvation through work of his hands, rejected by Israel.

(Act 7:37-39) Christ is the prophet like Moses whom Moses predicted would come and like Moses met with a refusal to obey.

(Act 7:52) As done to the prophets who announced the coming of the Righteous One so Christ betrayed and murdered.

(Act 7:55-56) Stephen saw heavens opened and the son of man standing at the right hand of God c.f. Dan 7:13-14.

(Act 8:6-9) Philip does signs and wonders c.f. Exodus and Isa 35.

(Act 8:1-25) Pouring out of the Spirit on Samaritans of the old northern kingdom fulfils OT promises of reuniting Israel under David/Christ.

(Act 8:32-35) Philip says the suffering servant of Isa 53 is Christ.

(Act 8:39-40) the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away and the eunuch saw him no more c.f. Elijah 1Ki 18:12.

(Act 9:8-9) Saul’s blindness is a sign of being under the covenant curse c.f. Deu 28:28-29.

(Act 9:15-16) Saul is called to be a suffering servant of the LORD who speaks to Israel and the nations c.f. Isa 49:6.

(Act 9:20) Saul proclaims Christ to be the son of God c.f. Psa 2.

(Act 9:40-41) Peter’s raising of dead presents him as one through whom God works comparable to Elijah/Elisha c.f. 1Ki 17:19-23; 2Ki 4:32-36

(Act 10:13-14,28) c.f. Eze 4:12-13. Ezekiel & Peter commanded by God to eat unclean food to indicate break down of Jew/Gentile distinction.

(Act 10:13-14,28) Ezekiel – judgment as Jews become as Gentiles (not God’s people). Peter – grace as Gentiles become part of God’s people.

(Act 10:38) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. c.f. OT judges, prophets and kings.

(Act 10:39) Christ hung upon a tree under the covenant curse. C.f. Deu 2:22-23.

(Act 10:43) All the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Christ receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

(Act 10:44-46) Pouring out of the Spirit on all Gentiles was NOT seen in the OT!!!

(Act 11:15-18) Pouring out of the Spirit on all Gentiles was NOT seen in the OT!!!

(Act 11:19-30) In OT Syria was a traditional enemy of God’s people. Now Antioch in Syria become part of God’s people through the Spirit.

(Act 11:19-30) In OT Syria took food from Israel by force. Now Antioch in Syria send food to Jerusalem to help them in famine.

(Act 12:23) Being struck down by the angel of the LORD in judgment is a common concept in OT especially re: sins against God c.f. 1Ch 13:10.

(Act 13:11) Elymas the magician makes crooked God’s ways and is struck blind as a covenant curse c.f. Deu 28:28-29. c.f. Pharaoh’s magicians

(Act 13:27-32) The OT prophets spoke of Christ – his rejection, his being hung on a tree and of God raising him back from the dead.

(Acts 13:32-37) Jesus is the son of David c.f. Psa 2, inherits the promises made to David c.f. Isa 55:3, is raised from the dead c.f. Psa 16

(Acts 13:38-39) Through Jesus comes a release from sin for everything that you could not be released from by the Law of Moses.

(Act 13:40-41) The OT prophets warn against the hardness of heart that rejects Jesus. c.f. Hab 1:5.

(Acts 13:46-49) The Lord made Paul and co. "a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth" c.f. Isa 49:6.

(Acts 13:48) Election "… and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed."

(Acts 14:3) Exodus language – signs and wonders.

(Acts 14:8-10) The raising of the lame in Jesus’ name foreshadows resurrection but is also a sign the new age has dawned c.f. Isa 35.

(Acts 14:14-17) As servants of the LORD, Barnabas and Paul call for the nations to turn from idolatry. This is a strong theme in Isa 40-66.

(Acts 14:14-17) Isa 40-66 themes – servant of the LORD, light to Gentiles, proclamation to nations, call to turn from idolatry.

(Acts 14:17) Sovereignty and common grace – God gives rain, food and gladness.

(Act 15:12) God worked signs and wonders among the Gentiles c.f. Exodus language.

(Acts 15:13-18) The Gentiles coming to faith fulfills OT prophecy of the restoration of David’s kingdom. c.f. Amos 9:11-12.

(Acts 15:28-29) Gentile Christians are to obey general thrust of the Law in avoiding idolatry (love God) & sexual immorality (love others).

(Acts 16:14) Election. The Lord opened Lydia’s heart …

(Acts 16:17) Girl possessed by python spirit refers to ‘servants of Most High God’ and ‘the way of salvation’. Isaiah 40-66 type language.

(Acts 17:2-3,11) Paul reasons from the OT that Jesus is the Christ who had to suffer and rise from the dead. Bereans study OT daily.

(Acts 17:16,23-29) Paul preaches against idolatry using concepts drawn from Isaiah 40-66 i.e. living God contrasted with statues of idols.

(Acts 18:9-10) Election. Jesus tells Paul that he has many people in Corinth even though they aren’t converted yet. His people by election.

(Acts 18:28) The OT Scriptures convince that Jesus is the Lord’s promised Christ.

(Acts 19:19) Fulfills Isaiah 40-66 that the servant(s) of the LORD would turn the nations from idolatry and magic.

(Acts 20:28-29) As in the OT, God’s people are both led by godly shepherds as well as at times oppressed by wicked leaders like wolves.

(Acts 21:20) Thousands of Jews who believed in Jesus expressed their faith in zeal for the OT law.

(Acts 21:23-27) Paul was willing to practice the OT cultic law, including sacrifice, for the sake of the gospel.

(Acts 21:25) Gentiles to obey the law of Moses regarding not practicing sexual immorality and idolatry.

(Acts 22:12) Ananias as a Christian is a devout man according to the OT law.

(Acts 22:21) "I will send you far away to the Gentiles" i.e. Paul is a servant of the LORD in an Isa 40-66 kind of way.

(Acts 23:5) Paul regards OT law as authoritative not because he is under the law but rather in Christ able to obey the law c.f. Exo 22:28.

(Act 24:14-15) The Christian hope is the resurrection of both the just and the unjust as laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets.

(Act 24:17) Paul as abiding by OT cultic law i.e. in the temple, gifts for the poor (in OT Levites, aliens, fatherless), sacrifices, clean.

(Act 26:6-8) Paul summarizes his faith as the hope of the twelves tribes of Israel, that is, that God raises the dead.

(Act 26:13-14,16) Paul’s conversion vision of Jesus is much like OT encounters with heavenly beings.

(Act 26:16) Paul appointed a servant and witness of God’s work. Sent to Gentiles to open eyes so turn from darkness to light. Very Isa 40-66

(Act 26:22-23,27) Paul’s faith is in what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass …

(Act 26:22-23,27) … that Christ would suffer, first to rise from dead, and proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.

(Acts 26:16,22-23) Christ is THE servant of the LORD opening eyes, gives light to the Gentiles. His followers become servants like Christ.

(Act 28:20) Paul’s faith is "the hope of Israel".

(Act 28:23) Every day in Rome Paul expounded the Law of Moses and the Prophets to testify to the kingdom of God & convince them about Jesus.

(Act 28:24-28) Jews’ rejection of gospel fulfils Isa 6:9-10 – dull hearts, blocked ears, closed eyes so not turn and be forgiven.

(Act 28:28) OT foresaw both rejection of the gospel by the Jews and salvation of God being accepted by the Gentiles c.f. Isa 40-66.

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The Kind of Tree Hugging God Blesses

“[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.”

—Proverbs 3:18

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Old Testament worship involved all of one’s senses.

Auditory – Beautiful songs and instruments and choirs

Touch – laying of hands in confession or benediction

Taste – Old Testament feasts

Sight – engravings, tapestries, pillars

Smell – aromas of incense

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Not the absence of sin …

When overtaken by a fault, there is passionate relenting and bitter mourning. O my reader, do you know what it is to be melted before God, for you to be heartbroken with anguish over sinning against and grieving such a Savior? Ah, it is not the absence of sin, but the grieving over it which distinguishes the child of God from empty professors.

Source: Saving Faith: Its Evidences by A.W. Pink (1886-1952)

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Others May, You Cannot

If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-25

If God has called you to be truly like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility. He will put on you such demands of obedience that you will not be allowed to follow other Christians. In many ways, He seems to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.

Others who seem to be very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and scheme to carry out their plans, but you cannot. If you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others can brag about themselves, their work, their successes, their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing. If you begin to do so, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others will be allowed to succeed in making great sums of money, or having a legacy left to them, or in having luxuries, but God may supply you only on a day-to-day basis, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, a helpless dependence on Him and His unseen treasury.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward while keeping you hidden in obscurity because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade.

God may let others be great, but keep you small. He will let others do a work for Him and get the credit, but He will make you work and toil without knowing how much you are doing. Then, to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work which you have done; this to teach you the message of the Cross, humility, and something of the value of being cloaked with His nature.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch on you, and with a jealous love rebuke you for careless words and feelings, or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over.

So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign and has a right to do as He pleases with His own, and that He may not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you.

God will take you at your word. If you absolutely sell yourself to be His slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love and let other people say and do many things that you cannot. Settle it forever; you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue or chaining your hand or closing your eyes in ways which others are not dealt with. However, know this great secret of the Kingdom: When you are so completely possessed with the Living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of heaven, the high calling of God.

source: George D. Watson, an early 20th century Wesleyan minister.

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Andrew Murray quotes

In the quietness of prayer let me believe that a simple and determined surrender of my will to Him will bring the heart-cleansing I need.

When I bow in deep stillness before God and believe what He says, then His law will take possession of my inner life with all its power.

I need daily, prayerful fellowship with God if I am to have His thoughts make their home in me.

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How to forgive someone

Forgiving when one does not desire to is only possible when a person has a genuine love for God and has a personal heart knowledge that God loves them.

First. Recognise your own sin in all its intensity so that the distance between you and the person who has sinned against you is lessened.

Second. Pray for yourself.

(1) For forgiveness of your own sin.

(2) That you will receive from God both his power to forgive, confessing your powerlessness to do so, and comfort from God to experience healing within yourself.

Third. Recognise the weakness and brokenness of the person who has sinned against you so that you might be moved to compassion for them. You may need to ask God for wisdom and compassion.

Fourth. Humbly and perhaps thankfully view the opportunity to extend forgiveness as an opportunity to reflect God’s grace in a way that glorifies God. Opportunities to glorify God in this manner do not occur every day but they bring great glory to God.

Fifth. Know that in forgiving another you suffer no loss. God will reward you on the day when he crowns his own works in you. Exchange the motivations of pride and hurt for the eternal reward of glory forgiving will bring.

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