Part 3 · Deep dive
The story the gospel completes
How the whole Bible builds to Christ, and how Jesus taught His disciples to read it.
After His resurrection, Jesus opened His disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures: everything in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms was about Him (Luke 24:44–47). The gospel is the key that unlocks the whole Bible.
Creation: made for life with God
God made humanity in His image to know Him, reflect His goodness and care for His world. The gospel aims to restore what was lost, and more.
The fall and the first promise
When Adam and Eve turned from God, death entered. Yet God immediately promised a descendant of the woman who would crush the serpent's head, while being wounded Himself (Genesis 3:15). The early church called it the protoevangelium, the 'first gospel'.
The early church
Irenaeus of Lyons · c. 180 · Against Heresies 5.21.1
Read Genesis 3:15 as fulfilled in Christ, the second Adam, who wins the victory where the first Adam was defeated.
Abraham: the gospel announced in advance
God promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his offspring. Galatians calls this the gospel 'announced in advance' (3:8). On Mount Moriah, God provided a ram in Isaac's place, a picture of the Son He would one day not spare.
Israel: exodus, sacrifice, king and prophets
Exodus and Passover
Rescue from slavery through the blood of a lamb.
Tabernacle and Day of Atonement
A holy God dwelling among sinners through sacrifice.
David's everlasting throne
The suffering Servant
Isaiah 52:13–53:12 describes one who is pierced for our transgressions and then sees light and life. Philip began here to tell the Ethiopian about Jesus (Acts 8:35).
The new covenant
Christ: the story's center
In Jesus every thread comes together: the true Israel, the Passover Lamb, the great High Priest, the Son of David, the suffering Servant, the second Adam. 'All of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding Yes!' (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Church and new creation
The risen Christ sends His Spirit and His church to all nations. The story ends not with souls escaping the world but with God dwelling with His people in a new heaven and new earth, where there is no more death, sorrow or curse.
Key takeaways
- The gospel completes a single story from Genesis to Revelation.
- Old Testament promises, sacrifices and patterns point to Jesus.
- The goal is a renewed creation where God dwells with His people.