Expert: Joe Norman - 2/13/2009

Question
According to the following Scriptures, what does Christ complete, fulfill, or make possible?

2 Corinthians 1:18-20; 3:12-16
Colossians 2:8-12, 16-17
Ephesians 1:9; 2:16-17

Answer
Hi Sharron,

I must admit I am not sure why you chose these specific verses to limit me to in explaining what Christ completes, fulfills, or makes possible. It would have been better for me if you had just asked me to explain according to the New Testament what Jesus fulfills, completes, or makes possible.

I decided to begin by pasting the passages you listed first. (I am using the English Standard Version)

2 Cor.1:18-20
18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

2 Cor.3:12-16
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Col.2:8-12
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Col.2:16,17
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Eph.1:9
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Eph.2:16,17
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

These passages only hint at the answer to your question and in fact, you get a fuller picture when you evaluate all the surrounding verses as well. I do not think it is possible for me to answer you with only the passages you presented, but I will try.

In the first passage in the first chapter of second Corinthians, we see that all the promises of God are found in Jesus Christ. When we look to the third chapter, we see that Paul speaks of our having a boldness to approach God directly. When Moses returned from speaking with God on Mt. Sinai, his face would be glowing and it scared the Israelites. That is why he put a veil over his face. The Jewish Rabbi's would also wear a veil when reading the Law of Moses out of fear of God. Paul is also saying that the Jews who refuse to hear the gospel message and believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah, there remains a type of veil over their hearts that will only be removed when the believe in Jesus.

Next we read Col.2:8-12 and see that Paul warns the Colossi Christians not to let anyone deceive them and to understand that the fullness of deity dwells in Christ Jesus bodily. He also explains that when we were baptized, it was a spiritual circumcision in which we cut off fleshly desires. We were buried with Him in baptism - dying to our old selves and raised through faith in God's power, to live with Christ as our King.

In verses 16 and 17, Paul refers to not letting others judge us based on the foods and drinks we partake of and festivals and New Moons or a Sabbath. Under the Law of Moses, there were special days celebrated and certain food and drink avoided and they also observed the Sabbath. Paul says these are shadows of things to come and the substance is in Christ Jesus. Most everything that was done under the Law of Moses were shadows of things in the New Testament.

Another important passage is in Hebrews chapter 8. The writer explains that if Jesus were to be a priest on earth, He would not qualify because He was not of the tribe of Levi. In verse 5 of that passage, he says they (Jews) serve a copy and shadow of Heavenly things. Actually, it would benefit you to study the entire book of Hebrews because it fully explains the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant. It also explains that the church is the spiritual kingdom of Israel.

The passages you listed in Ephesians are referring to the fact that the gospel and all the New Covenant promises are for everyone. Those who are near and Jews and those far off are all non-Jews. There is neither Jew nor Greek under the New Covenant.

I am not sure I adequately answered your question. The answer is very complex and books have been written on this one topic.

To sum up, Christ Jesus fulfilled and completed all the promises regarding the Messiah in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, most Jews reject Jesus as the promised Messiah because they are looking for an earthly kingdom and misunderstand all the passages that prophesy about the Messiah.

When man sinned in the garden of Eden, he was instantly separated from God. God told Adam that if they ate of the tree of knowledge of sin and death, they would surely die. They did not instantly die physically, but would eventually physically die. Yet, they did die spiritually that very moment.

Death is a separation and sin separates us from God. Until we become Christians, we are spiritually dead and under the law of sin and death. When we become Christians, we are no longer under the law of sin and death, but under the law of Christ in which lies eternal life and an ability to have a true relationship with God our Father once more. Under the Old Law, only the high priest could enter the holy of Holies section of the Temple and a very thick curtain separated the holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. The high priest would enter in on everyone else's behalf and offer sacrifices to God.

Now we can enter the throne of God ourselves with Christ Jesus as our mediator in prayer. We can worship God together as children of God. There is a boldness that was not possible under the Old Covenant. (Heb.4:14-16)

I do hope that I have answered your question well. If I did not or if you have further questions, just let me know and I will be happy to help. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you more.

In Christ, Joe Norman