As we began to research the question, “What does the NT say about the theme of the OT?” we find that the question changes.  It quickly becomes “What does the NT say the OT reveals about Christ?”

How does the NT refer to the revelation of Christ in the OT?

{Acts 2:16-21 this [phenomenon of hearing and understanding different languages at Pentecost] is what was spoken by the prophet Joel [Joel 2:28-32]}

Acts 2:25-31 David said concerning Him [Christ]…he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades nor did His flesh see corruption.

Jn.5:45-47 Moses wrote of Me

{Acts 8:35 Philip…heard him [the Ethiopian] reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I unless someone guides me?”…Philip…beginning with this Scripture (Isa.53:7-8) told him the good news about Jesus [explained to him that this passage (and others) referred to Jesus].}

Acts 10:42-43 He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the Prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.

Rom.3:21-22 the law and the prophets bear witness to the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ

Acts 26:22-23 I am saying what the Prophets and Moses said

{Acts26:6 I am on trial today because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers [forefathers: Abraham, etc]}

Lk.24:44-47 everything that is written about Me [Jesus] in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled...Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations…

Jn.5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that you have eternal life in them, and it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me...

I Cor.15:3-4 Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, He was buried, He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

Heb.9:8-9 [speaking of the covenant with Israel, the tabernacle, its accouterments and services] the Holy Spirit was indicating that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.  It was symbolic for the present time.  Accordingly, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshipper [forgiveness].

Col.2:16-17 …questions of food and drink or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths [Old Covenant regulations] are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ

Heb.8:1b-2 …We have a high priest seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent [not the mere “copy and shadow” that the priests on earth serve, v.4-5a]