In what ways can we ensure our faith is based on "fulfilled" truths? The Verse at a Glance Luke 1:1: “Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us.” Why Fulfillment Matters • God binds His character to His promises (Numbers 23:19). • Fulfilled prophecy authenticates the gospel (John 19:28–30). • Believers gain confident assurance when they see God’s word carried out exactly as written (Joshua 21:45). Scripture’s Track Record of Fulfillment • Birth of the Messiah – Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2 – Fulfillment: Matthew 1:22–23; Luke 2:4–7 • Messiah’s atoning death – Prophecy: Isaiah 53:5–6; Psalm 22:16–18 – Fulfillment: Luke 23:33; John 19:24 • Resurrection on the third day – Prophecy: Psalm 16:10; Hosea 6:2 – Fulfillment: Luke 24:6–7; 1 Corinthians 15:4 • Spirit poured out – Prophecy: Joel 2:28–32 – Fulfillment: Acts 2:16–21 Ways to Ensure Our Faith Rests on Fulfilled Truths • Build on Eyewitness Testimony – Luke immediately anchors his narrative in first-hand accounts (Luke 1:2). – Read the Gospels and Acts regularly; they preserve direct testimony from those who saw Jesus’ works. • Trace Prophecy and Fulfillment Side-by-Side – Keep a running list: write the Old Testament promise in one column, the New Testament fulfillment in the other. – Romans 15:4 affirms this study method. • Apply a Whole-Bible Lens – From Genesis to Revelation the same storyline unfolds; spot recurring themes (seed, covenant, kingdom, redemption). – This guards against isolating verses and missing their realized fulfillment (Luke 24:44). • Test Every Teaching by the Written Word – Acts 17:11: the Bereans examined the Scriptures daily “to see if these teachings were so.” – Measure sermons, books, and cultural ideas against what has already been accomplished in Christ. • Remember God’s Proven Faithfulness in Personal Experience – Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” – Journal answered prayers and providences; they reinforce biblical fulfillment in daily life. • Stay Grounded in the Local Church – Ephesians 4:11–16 shows how pastors and teachers equip saints “so we may no longer be infants.” – Consistent teaching and communion guard against drifting into speculative theories. • Look Ahead with Confidence – Because past promises were kept, future ones—Christ’s return, bodily resurrection—are equally certain (John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18). Living Out Fulfilled Truths Today • Speak of Scripture’s completed promises when sharing the gospel; it roots evangelism in history, not opinion. • Use fulfilled prophecy as a shield against doubt; when challenges arise, rehearse what God has already accomplished. • Worship with gratitude, recognizing every fulfilled word as evidence of the Lord’s steadfast love (Lamentations 3:22–23). |
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