“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.” — Luke 24:27 (BSB)
“For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.” — Romans 15:4 (BSB)
“So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” — Galatians 3:24 (BSB)
“On many past occasions and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.” — Hebrews 1:1–2 (BSB)
Jesus Himself taught that the Law and the Prophets point to Him (Luke 24:27). He did not abolish them, but fulfilled them (Matthew 5:17), revealing their true meaning and purpose. The sacrificial system, temple worship, and prophetic expectations all find their climax in Christ. The Book of Common Prayer draws from both Testaments in its lectionary and collects, affirming that both are essential for Christian life and worship.
The Thirty-Nine Articles reflect this relationship in Article VII: “The Old Testament is not contrary to the New: for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ.” The Law, while no longer binding in its ceremonial form, remains holy and instructive. It teaches us about God’s holiness and our need for grace. The Gospel, then, does not discard the Old Covenant, but brings it to completion and perfection in Christ.
Bishop N.T. Wright writes, “The New Testament is not a rejection of the Old, but its joyful climax.” And Bishop J.C. Ryle declared, “No one ever understood the New Testament who did not first sit humbly under the Old.” Together, the Testaments reveal the one story of salvation—from promise to fulfillment, from shadow to substance, from law to grace—all united in Christ.
Understanding this unity deepens our faith and enriches our reading of Scripture. When we study the Old Testament, we see Christ foretold; when we read the New Testament, we see Him revealed. The Church proclaims both, because they testify to the same God, the same covenant of grace, and the same Savior who reigns forever.
Irenaeus taught that the Old and New Testaments are part of one divine narrative, both inspired and consistent.
St. Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD) explained: “The Law and the Prophets foretold what has happened in the person of Christ. We read them because they proclaim Him whom we now know.” — Dialogue with Trypho, 29
Justin viewed the Old Testament as a prophetic witness, fulfilled by the Gospel.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) famously said: “The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.” — Quaestiones in Heptateuchum, 2.73
Augustine highlighted the deep, reciprocal relationship between the Testaments in God’s plan of salvation.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD) taught: “Let us receive the Old and the New Testaments with equal reverence: both are inspired by the same Spirit and speak with one voice.” — Catechetical Lectures, 4.33
Cyril affirmed the authority and unity of the whole Bible as the Spirit-inspired Word of God.
St. Gregory the Great (c. 540–604 AD) wrote: “What the Old Testament promises, the New Testament declares; what the prophets proclaim, the apostles explain.” — Moral Reflections on Job, Preface
Gregory saw the Testaments as mutually illuminating parts of the one revelation of God.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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