New Testament writers included scriptures from the Old Testament in their accounts for a variety of crucial reasons, all centered around establishing the authority, meaning, and significance of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant:
1. To Establish Jesus as the Messiah:
* Fulfillment of Prophecy: The most prominent reason was to demonstrate that Jesus was the promised Messiah foretold in the Old Testament prophecies. By quoting and interpreting these prophecies, they aimed to show that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were not random events but the fulfillment of God's preordained plan. Examples include:
* Jesus being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, fulfilled in Matthew 2:1-6)
* Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9, fulfilled in Matthew 21:1-11)
* Jesus being betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13, fulfilled in Matthew 26:14-16)
* Jesus being crucified and pierced (Psalm 22:16-18, fulfilled in John 19:34-37)
* Typology (Types and Shadows): The Old Testament was often seen as containing "types" or foreshadowings of Christ. People, events, and institutions in the Old Testament were interpreted as prefiguring the reality of Jesus and the New Covenant. For instance:
* The Passover lamb was seen as a type of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
* The bronze serpent lifted up by Moses was seen as a type of Jesus being lifted up on the cross for the salvation of believers.
* Melchizedek, a priest who pre-dated the Levitical priesthood, was seen as a type of Jesus' eternal priesthood.
2. To Provide a Framework for Understanding Jesus' Identity and Mission:
* Historical Context: The Old Testament provided the historical, cultural, and religious context for understanding Jesus' Jewish identity and the world in which he lived. Without the Old Testament, Jesus' teachings and actions would be more difficult to comprehend.
* Theological Foundation: The Old Testament established the core theological concepts upon which the New Testament builds, such as:
* Monotheism (belief in one God)
* God's holiness and justice
* The concept of covenant
* The need for atonement for sin
* God's promises to Israel
3. To Validate the New Covenant:
* Continuity with God's Plan: By referencing the Old Testament, the New Testament writers showed that the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus was not a rejection of God's previous dealings with humanity but rather a fulfillment and culmination of them. They demonstrated that God's plan of salvation was a continuous and coherent narrative.
* Authority and Legitimacy: Quoting the Old Testament, considered sacred scripture by Jews, gave the New Testament writings and the message of Jesus greater authority and legitimacy, particularly to a Jewish audience. It showed that the Christian message was rooted in and consistent with God's previous revelation.
* Interpretation of the Law: The Old Testament Law was often reinterpreted through the lens of Jesus' teachings and example. The New Testament writers clarified the purpose and meaning of the Law, often emphasizing its spiritual and ethical dimensions over its purely legalistic interpretation. For example, Jesus' teachings on love, forgiveness, and the inward attitude of the heart were presented as the true fulfillment of the Law's intent.
4. To Persuade and Convince Readers:
* Appealing to Shared Beliefs: For Jewish readers, the appeal to the Old Testament was a strategic way to connect with their existing beliefs and demonstrate that Jesus was the logical conclusion of their own scriptures.
* Strengthening Arguments: Quotations from the Old Testament were used to support and strengthen the arguments made by the New Testament writers, providing evidence and justification for their claims about Jesus and the New Covenant.
In summary, the inclusion of Old Testament scriptures in the New Testament was a deliberate and strategic choice, aimed at:
* Establishing Jesus as the promised Messiah.
* Providing a theological and historical context for understanding Jesus' identity and mission.
* Validating the New Covenant and demonstrating its continuity with God's plan.
* Persuading and convincing readers of the truth of the Christian message.
Without the Old Testament references, the New Testament would lack much of its depth, meaning, and persuasive power. The Old Testament serves as the foundation upon which the New Testament is built, revealing the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout history.