Christ-
Centered Principle
In this principle Jesus Christ is shown to be
written about and is the center of the entire Bible. We read of Him in the Gospels, but He is
written of throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament. This is a very important principle to keep in
mind while reading the Old Testament because Jesus Christ can be found
throughout the Bible.
In the Gospels, Jesus Christ proclaimed this
truth about Himself:
“…in the
volume of the book it is written of me…”
(Hebrew 10:7). This is
reference to the Old Testament, the first five books of the Bible. Jesus Christ had arrived to replace the
sacrifices of the Law and be our sacrifice for sin. Jesus Christ can be found throughout the Law
of Moses.
“Search
the Scriptures…they are written which testify of me.” (John 5:39). Here Jesus Christ himself tells us to study
the Old Testament and look for Him. The
Old Testament testifies of the coming of Jesus Christ, His ministry, His sacrifice
and death on the Cross.
“...believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these
things, and to enter into his glory? And
beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the
scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24: 25-27).
“…all
things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the
prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
(Luke 24:44).
The apostles also said that this is true:
“To Him
give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him
shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts
10:43). They admit that all of the
prophets witnessed about Jesus Christ.
Not some of the prophets, but all of them! This would include the entire Old Testament!
“…we
have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of
Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45).
Here the Apostles tell us that Jesus Christ is
spoken of throughout the Old Testament.
The Law is a reference of the first five books of the Old Testament and
the Prophets is a reference to the rest of the Old Testament.
“For by
him were all things created…And he is before all things, and by him all things
consist.…that in all things He might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:16-18).
Here the Apostle Paul admits that Jesus Christ has created all things,
including Scripture and He is preeminent in Scripture.
The Apostle Paul wrote that Jesus
Christ considered Himself equal with God.
Being equal with God really means that He was God in the flesh.
“Who, being in the form of
God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” Philippians 2:6.
The writer of the book of Hebrews
wrote that Jesus Christ is the power and authority of God, which is what this
phrase means.
“…sat down on the right hand
od God.” Hebrews 1:3.
The writer again says the same
thing but in another way.
“But unto the Son he saith,
Thy throne, O God…” Hebrews 1:8.
Jesus Christ, and the Apostles
said that He has created all things!
Jesus Christ had made it very
clear to the Romans and the Pharisee’s that He was God who had created the
world. If Jesus Christ is the creator of
the world, then He is the creator of the Word of God as well. That would make the Bible Christ centered!
“Jesus said unto them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM!” (emphasis is mine) John
8:58.
The Apostle John repeated this in
his Gospel of John.
“All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3.
And again, the Apostle John
repeats this thought.
“He was in the world, and the
world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” John 1:10.
Not to be out done, the Apostle
Paul said the same thing in his writings to the Colossians!
“For by him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones, or dominion, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all
things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17.
Also, later in this same book:
For of him, and through him,
are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Colossians 11: 36.
Salvation of man is by Jesus
Christ alone:
If this is correct then Jesus
Christ is indeed the center theme of the entire Bible since the Bible’s story
is centered on the salvation of sinful man!
The Apostle Peter gives us the Plan of Salvation.
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38.
And again, Peter repeats this
before the Council of the Sanhedrin.
“Neither is there salvation in
any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby
we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
John the Baptist also proclaimed
the salvation of man of his sins by Jesus Christ as told by the Apostle John in
his Gospel.
“The next day John seeth Jesus
coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins
of the world.” John 1:29.
As we can
see from the Bible itself and the testimony of Jesus Christ and some of the
Apostles is that Christ is spoken of throughout the Scriptures and is the
central theme of the Bible.
William J. Roop, M.A.B.S.
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