OT in NT 10: Paul and the Old Testament

The foundational truth is that Paul did not discard the Old Testament; rather, he honored it as entirely consistent with the good news he proclaimed. This is evident from Romans 1:1-4, which states, "The gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son..." This passage clearly establishes that the gospel was not an unforeseen development but was in fact foreseen and promised within the sacred texts of the Old Testament itself, particularly in reference to the Son of David and His powerful resurrection.
The reason Paul firmly maintained this connection is that his understanding of the gospel was never a deviation or a rupture from the sacred writings of Israel. As Romans 3:21-22 declares, "The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it..." This demonstrates that the righteousness of God, revealed fully in Christ, was not alien to the Law and the Prophets but profoundly affirmed and witnessed by them. Moreover, the principles of faith and righteousness were already central to the Old Testament narrative, illustrated by Genesis 15:6, where "Abraham believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness," and Habakkuk 2:4, stating that "the righteous shall live by his faith." These examples from ancient scripture show that the very core of Paul's message — righteousness and faith — was deeply rooted in God's prior revelation.
Therefore, for your faith, it is vital to recognize that Paul did not introduce a new religion that supplanted the Old Testament. Instead, he illuminated how the ancient promises of God regarding righteousness, faith, and the resurrection consistently pointed toward the risen Messiah. This understanding helps us see the cohesive sweep of God's redemptive plan through all of Scripture, affirming that the New Testament fulfills rather than abolishes the Old. You are called to interpret the entirety of God's word through the lens of Christ, discovering how the long-foretold hope of salvation is brought to fruition in Him.