Bible Basics

Old Testament Prophecy

In considering evidence for the death and resurrection of Christ, let us first look at what the Bible affirms. The Old Testament prophets foretold the death of Christ in a most detailed fashion. For instance, the psalmist says of Christ’s death, “They pierced my hands and feet” (Psa. 22:16). And Isaiah prophesies, “He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth” (Isa. 53:7). Both of these passages are highly and specifically descriptive of Christ’s death, even as Paul describes Christ as the Passover victim (1 Cor. 5:7). The psalmist also predicts, “For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption” (Psa. 15:10). “Sheol” is the Hebrew word used for the realm of the dead - Hades. The apostle Peter uses this passage on the Day of Pentecost to prove the resurrection of Christ (cf. Acts 2:27). His argument is that while David wrote Psalm 16 in the first person, he is not referring to himself because David is “dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day” (Acts 2:29). David “spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption” (v. 31).

                                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

Bible Basics