The Bible Was Never Meant to Be Read in Pieces

Many believers spend most of their time in the New Testament—and while that is incredibly valuable, reading only the New Testament can cause us to miss the depth of what Scripture is actually revealing.

The Bible is not two separate stories.

It is one continuous story written by one Author, revealing one plan of redemption.

The Old Testament lays the foundation. The New Testament reveals the fulfillment.

Without the Old Testament, much of what is said in the New Testament loses its depth, its context, and sometimes even its full meaning.

Jesus Constantly Referenced the Old Testament

When Jesus spoke, He often referenced what had already been written.

He didn’t come to erase the earlier Scriptures. He came to fulfill them.

In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 (NKJV):

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

The Law, the Prophets, and the writings of the Old Testament were already pointing toward Him.

From Genesis onward, the entire biblical story moves toward the arrival of Christ.

The Book of Revelation Is Filled With Old Testament Language

One of the clearest examples of how the Old and New Testaments work together is the book of Revelation.

Many of the descriptions of Jesus in Revelation come directly from earlier prophetic writings.

For example, when Jesus says:

• “I am the Alpha and the Omega”

• “The First and the Last”

• “The Beginning and the End”

This echoes what God declared in Isaiah 44:6 (NKJV):

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.’”

Without knowing Isaiah, the weight of Jesus making that statement can be missed.

Revelation also describes Jesus using imagery that comes from the book of Daniel. Daniel’s vision of the “Son of Man” and the “Ancient of Days” provides the backdrop for how Jesus is revealed in Revelation chapter 1.

When we read both together, the picture becomes much clearer.

Paul Said All Scripture Is God-Breathed

Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV):

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

When Paul wrote those words, the New Testament had not yet been fully compiled.

He was speaking primarily about what we call the Old Testament.

Those Scriptures were already considered God-breathed, authoritative, and essential for spiritual growth.

The Old Testament Helps Us Understand the Gospel

Many of the most important ideas in the New Testament only make full sense when we understand their Old Testament roots.

For example:

The Lamb of God This phrase connects directly to the Passover lamb in Exodus and the sacrificial system described in Leviticus.

Atonement for sin The concept of sacrifice, substitution, and cleansing was established long before the cross.

Jesus as the Second Adam This only makes sense when we understand the fall of humanity in Genesis.

Prophecy about the Messiah Many details about Jesus’ life, suffering, and mission were foretold centuries earlier.

The Old Testament prepares the reader to recognize who Jesus truly is.

The Bible Tells One Unified Story

When we step back and look at the entire Bible, we see a beautiful and unified story unfold.

Creation. The fall of humanity. God establishing covenant. Prophets pointing forward to redemption. The arrival of Christ. The cross and resurrection. The birth of the Church. The promise of restoration.

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture consistently points to Jesus.

The Old Testament whispers His coming.

The New Testament declares His arrival.

Don’t Neglect Half of the Story

Reading only the New Testament is a little like starting a book halfway through.

You may understand the ending, but you miss the setup, the foreshadowing, and the deeper meaning behind what is happening.

The Old Testament reveals God’s character, His holiness, His covenant promises, and the prophetic anticipation of the Messiah.

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of those promises through Jesus Christ.

Together, they show us the full picture of God’s redemptive plan.

Read the Whole Story

If you truly want to understand the depth of Scripture, read both the Old and New Testaments together.

Let the Old Testament build the foundation.

Let the New Testament reveal the fulfillment.

When we study the entire Bible, we begin to see something incredible:

Jesus was never an afterthought.

He was the plan from the very beginning.

Pastor Scott