CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
TO THE STUDY
The Bible is one book, composed of two Testaments. Comprised of
thirty-nine books, the Old Testament is God’s unfolding promise to his covenant
people Israel. With twenty-seven books, the New Testament fulfills all the
promises of the Old Testament in Christ, for Jew and Gentile alike. The New
Testament explains the person and work of Christ by showing how he fulfills the
Old Testament.
While the Bible is a unified book, there are differences between the Old
Testament and the New Testament. In all ways, they are complementary. The Old
Testament is foundational; the New Testament builds on that foundation with
further revelation from God. Bandstra opined that the Old Testament establishes
principles that are seen to be illustrative of New Testament truths. The Old
Testament contains many prophecies that are fulfilled in the New. The Old
Testament provides the history of a people; the New Testament focus is on a
Person. The Old Testament shows the wrath of God against sin (with glimpses of
His grace); the New Testament shows the grace of God toward sinners (with
glimpses of His wrath).[1]
The Old Testament predicts a Messiah (Isaiah 53), and the New Testament
reveals who the Messiah is (John 4:25–26). The Old Testament records the giving
of God’s Law, and the New Testament shows how Jesus the Messiah fulfilled that
Law (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 10:9). In the Old Testament, God’s dealings are
mainly with His chosen people, the Jews; in the New Testament, God’s dealings
are mainly with His church (Matthew 16:18). Physical blessings promised under
the Old Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:9) give way to spiritual blessings under the
New Covenant (Ephesians 1:3).
The Old Testament prophecies related to the coming of Christ, although
incredibly detailed, contain a certain amount of ambiguity that is cleared up
in the New Testament. For example, the prophet Isaiah spoke of the death of the
Messiah (Isaiah 53) and the establishing of the Messiah’s kingdom (Isaiah 26)
with no clues concerning the chronology of the two events—no hints that the
suffering and the kingdom-building might be separated by millennia. In the New
Testament, it becomes clear that the Messiah would have two advents: in the
first He suffered and died (and rose again), and in the second He will
establish His kingdom.
Because God’s revelation in Scripture is progressive, the New Testament
brings into sharper focus principles that were introduced in the Old Testament.
The book of Hebrews describes how Jesus is the true High Priest and how His one
sacrifice replaces all previous sacrifices, which were mere foreshadowings. The
Passover lamb of the Old Testament (Ezra 6:20) becomes the Lamb of God in the
New Testament (John 1:29). The Old Testament gives the Law. The New Testament
clarifies that the Law was meant to show men their need of salvation and was
never intended to be the means of salvation (Romans 3:19).
The Old Testament saw paradise lost for Adam; the New Testament shows
how paradise is regained through the second Adam (Christ). The Old Testament
declares that man was separated from God through sin (Genesis 3), and the New
Testament declares that man can be restored in his relationship to God (Romans
3—6). The Old Testament predicted the Messiah’s life. The Gospels record Jesus’
life, and the Epistles interpret His life and how we are to respond to all He
has done.
Old Testament theology is a rich and rewarding study of what God
revealed of Himself, His character, His attributes, etc., in the Old Testament.
The Old Testament focuses primarily on God’s relationship with the Jews,
starting with His call of Abraham in Genesis 12. He chose Israel and covenanted
with them for the purpose of relaying His message to the world and ultimately
bringing the Messiah to save us from our sin. Through His relationship with the
Jews, God blessed the entire world (Genesis 12:3). The Old Testament chronicles
God’s progressive revelation of Himself, specifically to His chosen people but
also to those of Gentile heritage, in order that we might learn who He is and
His plan in the world. Into the very heart of the Old Testament is woven the
idea of a covenant between God and man: the first was made with Adam and others
with Noah, Abraham, the nation of Israel, and David.
Old Testament theology is foundational to our understanding of God and
His purposes in the world. The seeds of the doctrines of substitutionary
atonement, salvation, election, holiness, mercy, judgment, and forgiveness are
all found in the Old Testament. A study of Old Testament theology includes a
look at theology proper, anthropology, and eschatology, among other vital
subjects.
The Old Testament lays the foundation for the coming of the Messiah who
would sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). The New
Testament records the ministry of Jesus Christ and then looks back on what He
did and how we are to respond. Both testaments reveal the same holy, merciful,
and righteous God who condemns sin but desires to save sinners through an
atoning sacrifice. In both testaments, God reveals Himself to us and shows one
how we are to come to Him through faith (Genesis 15:6; Ephesians 2:8). Together
these two testaments are a literary unity, progressively revealed. Modern
readers must pay attention to the textual, covenantal, and canonical horizons
to make sense of this one book to a believer.
This study examined the effects of Old Testament Theology on the New
Testament Believers, using Assemblies of God Esan District As A Case Study. Assemblies
of God Esan District covered a wide geographical area. This area is made up of
three Local Government Areas including Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben
Local Government Areas.
Esan District which is by a board of
presbytery lead by Rev. R. B. Aikhatumen (JP) District Superintendent has
Branches in Esan Central Local Government Area, Esan West Local Government Area
and Igueben Local Government Area with its headquarter in Ewu, has over 142 Pastors
with 120 churches and 31 Sections/Groups, 140 churches, and a total members of 17,000.[2]
1.2 STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM
Theologians and believers often say the New Testament overrules the Old
Testament, that the Old Testament is out of date, that the Old Testament is
only concerned with waging battles. That sort of thinking is superficial and
persons don’t really know either the Old or New Testament. For anyone who studies
and prays in the New Testament, will also know the value of the Old Testament.
When a person concentrate on one the New Testament, without proper knowledge
and love of the Old Testament, they become ignorant of the things of old. The
Old Testament is also the Word of God just like the New Testament. God speaks
through the Old Testament the same way He speaks to believers. God’s
self-revelation in the Old Testament did not lose significance for His people
with the Incarnation (God becoming human in Jesus). “All Scripture is inspired
by God.” (2 Tim 3:16). When that letter was written to Timothy. The Books of
the Old Testament was included. The Old Testament is inspired by God just as
the New Testament is inspired by God.
Lacking this knowledge will make one to become a half bake cake
believer. Because the Old Testament is inspired by God it is of value to the
New Testament believers. One comes to know God through the Old Testament just
as through the New Testament. Modern readers of the Bible often find the Old
Testament difficult and even disturbing. What are believers to do with obscure
prophecies of long expired nations? Why should one read and study ancient laws
that even the New Testament says are eclipsed by Christ? How can one reconcile
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with the Old Testament’s graphic narratives of sex
and violence? What does the Old Testament offer that is not surpassed and even
made irrelevant by the New Testament? Hence the necessity of this dissertation
to unveil to believers of the New Testament, the numerous benefits and effects
of Old Testament theology on New Testament believers.
1.3 PURPOSE
OF THE STUDY.
This study explore the Effects of Old Testament Theology on the New
Testament Believers: A Case Study of
Assemblies of God Esan District. Specifically, the study sought to
ascertain the concepts of
the Old and New Testament, Relationship between Old Testament and New Testament,
Significance of the Old Testament Theology on the New Testament, Problems of
the Old Testament Theology and the Effects of Old Testament Theology on the New
Testament Believers.
1.4 RESEARCH
QUESTIONS.
1.
What are the concepts of the
Old and New Testament?
2.
What are the Relationship
Between Old Testament And New Testament?
3.
What are the Significance of
the Old Testament Theology on the New Testament?
4.
What are the Problems of the
Old Testament Theology?
5.
What are the Effects of Old
Testament Theology on the New Testament Believers?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.
The
study should be of immense benefit to ministers of the gospel/church leaders, believers
of Christ, theologians and researchers.
Ministers
of the gospel/Church leaders will have working knowledge and understanding of
the Old Testament Theology and its
applications and the effects it will command on the New Testament Believers.
This study will enlighten the believers of Christ to have a better and
simplified knowledge of the Old
Testament Theology and the pattern to apply it for their own personal
upliftment and spiritual growth in life.
Theologians will see this study as a reference to better understand the
concepts of Old Testament Theology and the effects on the New Testament
Believers. This study should also be a spiritual elevator and a resource
material to improve theologian’s knowledge.
The researchers will see this study as a resource material in developing
further studies on this subject matters.
1.6 DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study concerned the the Effects of Old
Testament Theology on the New Testament Believers: A Case Study of Assemblies of God Esan
District. Assemblies of God Esan District covered a wide geographical area.
This area is made up of three local government areas such as: Esan West, Esan
Central and Igueben Local Government Area. Esan District has Thirty One
Sections with a total number of about One Hundred and Forty Churches. The
research covered Three Local Government Areas: Esan West, Esan Central and
Igueben Local Government Area which has over 142 Pastors with 120 churches and
31 Sections/Groups, 140 churches, and a
total members of 17,000.
1.7 RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY The methodology used for this research is the
descriptive research approach which involves the collection, analysis,
interpretation and application of data gathered from the field. However, in
this research, data were collected both through primary and secondary sources,
the survey method was adopted with the researcher going to the field himself.
Structured questionnaire and oral interview were constructed to gather data for
this study. Data collection through secondary sources includes: data collected
from text books, journals and internet with references shown in the
bibliography. Personal observation and experience of the researcher in ministry
is also utilized to enhance the quality of the work.
1.8 DEFINITION
OF TERMS.
Effects: A change which is as a result of something or a
consequence of an action or the end result of a cause.
Old Testament: The Old Testament describes the founding and
preservation of the nation of Israel. God promised to use Israel to bless the
whole world (Genesis 12:2-3). Once Israel was established as a nation, God
raised up a family within that nation through whom the blessing would come: the
family of David (Psalm 89:3-4). Then, from the family of David was promised one
Man who would bring the promised blessing (Isaiah 11:1-10).
Old Testament Theology: Is the study of what God has revealed about
Himself in the Old Testament. The system of Old Testament theology takes the
various truths that the Old Testament books teach us about God and presents
them in an organized fashion. It is God’s revelation of Himself begins in
Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth." The presupposition of God and His creative work is something that
all believers accept by faith and is emphasized throughout Scripture from
Genesis to Revelation.
New Testament: The New Testament details the coming of that promised Man. His name was Jesus, and He fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament as He lived a perfect life, died to become the Saviour, and rose from the dead.
Believers: In this contest are people who are follower(s) of Christ and submit to His Lordship. Believers who are also called Christian are Christ-like in nature, and follow the teaching and person on Christ.
New Testament Believers: are
those set of persons who have received Christ as their Lord and personal
saviour and have being baptised by immersion. They are Christ-like person who displayed His character,
His attributes, and what He is doing in the world.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter review literature that are related to the research study...........
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter captures the methodology and procedure applied to gather relevant information for this research study. It comprises of research design, population and sampling, research instrument, validity of the Instrument, administration of instrument and method of data collection and analysis......
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
The focus of this chapter is to present the findings obtained from the data collected and to discuss the analysis made out of the research questions.......
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES
This chapter consists of summary, conclusion, recommendations and suggestions for further studies which is as follows:.…...
[1]Bandstra L. Gabler. Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction
to the Hebrew Bible. (New Jersey: Wadsworth, 2004), 53.
[2]Esan District Diamond Jubilee
Publication (Ekpoma Press, 2018), 16
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