While preaching his second recorded sermon after Pentecost in Acts Chapter 3, Peter referenced Moses’ messianic prophecy found in Deuteronomy 18.
Moses said, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23 Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’ Acts 3:22-23 (NLT)
Some think that if we cannot write theology on a napkin, it is too complicated. I have presented the “four spiritual laws” in this fashion, which is an effective way to explain what some call the “plan of salvation.” But, such “napkin theology” is not the gospel.
The gospel is the story of Jesus the Messiah set in the context of God’s history with Israel.
Jesus’ incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming return were all promised in the Old Testament scriptures. A proper presentation of the gospel will reference at least some of these promises in an effort to provide context and corroboration of the truth of the gospel.
Jesus did not just “show up” without warning to introduce some new religion. He came to fulfill God’s eternal plan to save God’s people and restore all creation to the Creator’s original intent, thus bringing our Father in heaven great glory. It is impossible to understand the gospel without understanding how it fulfills the Law and the Prophets.
Paul summarized this connection in his letter to the church in Rome.
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:1–4 (NASB95)
Jesus explained the same to the disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection.
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke 24:27 (NASB95)
If we want to become more accurate and effective gospel communicators, we will make the effort to study how the apostles preached the good news and follow their lead. We will familiarize ourselves with some of the messianic prophecies and include them in our presentation.
