Why is it necessary to understand the Old Testament before the Gospels?
Understanding the Old Testament is necessary because the Gospels continue a progressive revelation, not an isolated story. Scripture reveals truth like building blocks, so the Old Testament foundation must be laid before the Gospel accounts of Christ’s first coming and His dealing with Israel can be properly understood.
Les teaches that he is preparing everyone for the study of Matthew, which means the four Gospels. He explains that the class will take an overview of the Gospels rather than go verse by verse through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and this overview prepares them for the book of Acts. He says there is no use studying Acts unless you understand the Gospels, and there is no use trying to study the Gospels unless you understand the Old Testament. The reason is that all of this is a progressive revealing, just like building blocks. He then turns to Exodus chapter 19 as part of the introduction to Christ’s first coming and His dealing with the nation of Israel.