Topical Bible: Prophecies Respecting Christ: As the Seed of Abraham: Fulfilled

Bible > Topical > Prophecies Respecting Christ

◄ Prophecies Respecting Christ: As the Seed of Abraham: Fulfilled ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The prophecy concerning the Messiah as the Seed of Abraham is a foundational element in the biblical narrative, establishing a direct link between the promises made to the patriarchs and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This prophecy is rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant, where God promises Abraham that through his offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed.

Old Testament Prophecy

The initial promise is found in Genesis 12:3, where God tells Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This promise is reiterated in Genesis 22:18, "And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." The term "offspring" or "seed" is singular, indicating a specific descendant through whom this blessing would come.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament writers identify Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this prophecy. In the Gospel of Matthew, the genealogy of Jesus is traced back to Abraham, establishing Jesus as a direct descendant (Matthew 1:1). This lineage is crucial for demonstrating that Jesus is the promised Seed through whom the blessings to all nations would be realized.

The Apostle Paul explicitly connects Jesus to the Abrahamic promise in his epistle to the Galatians. In Galatians 3:16, Paul writes, "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, 'and to seeds,' meaning many, but 'and to your seed,' meaning One, who is Christ." Here, Paul emphasizes that the promise was intended for a singular Seed, identifying Christ as the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.

Furthermore, Paul explains the implications of this fulfillment for both Jews and Gentiles. In Galatians 3:29, he states, "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise." Through faith in Christ, believers become partakers in the blessings promised to Abraham, thus extending the reach of this covenant to all nations, as originally prophesied.

Theological Significance

The fulfillment of the prophecy of the Seed of Abraham in Christ underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture. It highlights the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises and the centrality of Christ in the divine narrative. This fulfillment also affirms the unity of the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating that the coming of Christ was not an isolated event but the culmination of God's covenantal promises.

In recognizing Jesus as the Seed of Abraham, Christians see the fulfillment of God's promise to bless all nations, a promise that is realized through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This fulfillment is not only a testament to God's faithfulness but also a call to all believers to participate in the mission of spreading the blessings of the gospel to every corner of the earth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 3:16
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed, which is Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of ...
... and say to David, "I will set up thy seed after thee ... So definite and distinct were
the Old Testament prophecies respecting the Birth of Christ, that the ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter five the fulfilled prophecies.htm

Against Heresies
... Their views as to the prophecies. ... as to their own origin: their opinions respecting
the Demiurge ... Abraham from the salvation bestowed by Christ, who liberated ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/

Index of Subjects.
... Prophets, the Hebrew, and their prophecies respecting Christ, defended against ... and
Son of God, Christ the, denied ... absurd views of Faustus respecting, [889]252 ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm

The Life of Christ.
... The silence of all the evangelists respecting matters of ... no fact connected with the
life of Christ better attested ... and how He was described in the prophecies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the life of.htm

Translated from the Greek.
... will not fail some of his seed, until the ... are following the language of the prophecies
respecting Him, and ... of the heavenly Church of Jesus Christ according to ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from the greek.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... was renewed with, [12]324; the seed of, to ... the reply of, when questioned respecting
Christ, [828]416. ... Hosea, his prophecies respecting the things of the gospel ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

John Chapter ii. 11-Jan
... Prophecies are fulfilled, the water-pots are full ... also is manifest, forasmuch as
Christ was concealed ... time permits, mention certain facts respecting the several ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate ix john chapter ii.htm

The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
... The question respecting the original language of Matthew's gospel ... to establish in
accordance with the prophecies of the ... of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxix the historical books.htm

Subject Index
... manners of, [542]26. promised as seed to the patriarchs, [543]259. ... as a roaring lion
against Christ, [707]251. ... views of the Carpocratians respecting, [711]351. ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... There are two questions, especially, respecting which interpreters ... the numerous and
very explicit prophecies of their ... That Christ will come again in glory to ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm