The thirty-nine books of the Old Testament as we know it was meticulously reproduced and circulated throughout the Mediterranean during Jesus’ day. Virtually every synagogue had a copy where it was studied by Rabbis and read religiously every Sabbath. Faithful Jews who attended those Sabbath services were taught its creeds, canons, and covenants as they tried to apply its principles to their everyday lives. It was well known among the Jewish community.
As far as we know all of Jesus’ disciples were Jewish by heritage. Whether they read or studied the Torah, or practiced their faith by attending Sabbath ceremonies, is out for debate. However, we are told one disciple, Philip, was familiar with the Scriptures. Upon his initial encounter with Jesus, he hurried to find Nathanael to proclaim,
“We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” – John 1:45
It appears that Philip was familiar with the writings of Moses (Torah) and the Prophets. In addition, he expressed his anticipation of the coming Messiah written about in the Prophets. He seems to not be moved by the fact that Jesus was from Nazareth, a town despised by Jews for its Gentile population.
We’re given another indication of Philip’s understanding of the Old Testament later in his ministry. The time is after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. He had just preached the Gospel in Samaria and baptized many. An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and told him to go on the south road out of Jerusalem that leads to Gaza. On his way, he encounters a eunuch who is reading the scroll of Isaiah. Philip asked the eunuch if he knew what he was reading and the eunuch told him he did not. Philip was invited to explain to him the Scriptures more clearly.
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.” – Acts 8:35
He preached Jesus to the eunuch from the book of Isaiah even though the name of Jesus is never mentioned in Isaiah (or any part of the Old Testament for that matter!). What Philip understood was that the prophet Isaiah had a clear understanding of the role the Messiah was to play in the redemption of mankind. He clearly saw Jesus in the Old Testament!
Peter, perhaps Jesus’ most committed disciple, preached Jesus from the Old Testament during Pentecost by quoting the prophet Joel (Acts 2:17-21). In addition, before a crowd of anticipating believers, and in the midst of resentful Jewish authorities, he proclaimed that the Messiah fulfilled many of the prophetic Scriptures.
“But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.” – Acts 3:18
Later, in writing to fellow believers, Peter divulges in 1 Peter 1:10-11 that the Old Testament writers were guided by the Spirit of Christ when they prophesied. It was this Spirit, living within them, that propelled them to write of Jesus. Peter reassures this fact in his second epistle (2 Peter 1:19-20).
Paul, the most prolific writer and theologian in the New Testament, was convinced that Moses and the Prophets spoke of Jesus. In fact, everywhere Paul evangelized he used the Old Testament Scriptures to lead people to Christ because he saw Christ all through them. Key verses that support this are Romans 1:2-7, 16:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Timothy 3:15-16.
Other, less significant figures, were also shown Christ in the Old Testament. Prior to Jesus’ final ascension into heaven, we are told in Luke 24:13-35 that He communed with two men on their way to the town of Emmaus. At first glance, the two did not recognize Jesus, but when they sat down for dinner “their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.” What is interesting about this story is that Jesus took the time to reveal to them who He was in the Old Testament,
“Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” – Luke 24:27
Oh, what I would have given to have been a fly on the wall during that conversation! To have the Messiah, Himself, teach me what the ancient writers were cryptically coding in the Old Testament would have been a most glorious moment. I’m pretty sure after that encounter Cleopas and his friend made it their life’s mission to reveal Jesus in the Old Testament to everyone they encountered.
What did early Christians think of the Old Testament?
What did Philip, Peter, Paul and other early Christians think of the Old Testament? They believed that it was inspired by God, pointed the way to, and was fulfilled by, JESUS!
Links to the previous articles in this series:
Part 1: What did the Pharisees think of the Old Testament?
Part 2: What did Jesus think of the Old Testament?
The next article in this series will look at Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament.
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