4945 history
In Scripture, more than a record of and reflection on past events, but a process under God’s control which has as its goal the eventual fulfilment of his purposes and through which he makes himself known. The goal of history is realised in Jesus Christ, through whom the age of salvation is inaugurated. Both the OT and NT point to the importance of faith rooted in historical events.
God is active in history
God’s control over historical events Da 2:21; Ac 17:26 See also Ge 45:5-8; 1Ki 12:15 pp 2Ch 10:15; Da 4:25; Da 7:25; Am 9:7
God’s saving purposes worked out through history Eph 1:11 See also Isa 14:24-27; Isa 37:26; Isa 41:4; Isa 46:10-11; Ac 1:7; Ac 2:23
God is known through his people’s history
God is known to his people Isa 46:9 See also Ex 10:2; Dt 4:32-35; Ps 77:11-15; Isa 43:10-13; Isa 44:6-8; Mic 6:5
God is revealed to the nations Ps 126:2 See also 1Ki 8:56-60
The Israelites were called to remember their history
The past was recalled in festivals Lev 23:42-43; Dt 16:1-6
The past was recounted to successive generations Ps 78:2-7 See also Dt 32:7-9; Jdg 6:13; Ps 44:1-3
Jesus Christ as the centre of the history of salvation
He is its beginning and end Rev 22:13 See also Rev 1:8,17; Rev 2:8
God’s saving purposes in history fulfilled in Jesus Christ Eph 1:9-10 See also Ro 5:6; Gal 4:4; Col 1:17
Jesus Christ inaugurates God’s new age Col 1:18 See also Da 7:13-14; Mk 1:15; Mt 12:28 pp Lk 11:20; Eph 2:7
The Christian faith is based on the historical facts of salvation
Testimony passed on by eye-witnesses Lk 1:1-4 See also Heb 2:3; 1Pe 5:1; 2Pe 1:16; 1Jn 1:1-3
Remembering Jesus Christ’s death 1Co 11:23-25 pp Lk 22:19-20
Jesus Christ’s resurrection as historical fact Ac 1:3 See also Lk 24:1-3,39; Jn 20:27; 1Co 15:3-8
Historical references in the NT Lk 1:1-2; Mt 2:1; Lk 3:1-2; Mt 14:3-4 pp Mk 6:17-18; Ac 5:37
Landmarks in salvation history
The call of Abraham Ge 12:1-3; Heb 11:8
The exodus from Egypt Ex 13:3; Ex 19:4-6
The birth of Jesus Christ Jn 1:14; Heb 1:1-2
Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection 1Co 15:3-4; Php 2:6-11; Heb 1:3-4
See also
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