Belief through fulfillment is a theological concept that emphasizes the strengthening of faith through the realization of God's promises and prophecies as recorded in the Bible. This concept is deeply rooted in the narrative of Scripture, where the fulfillment of divine promises serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and sovereignty.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament is replete with instances where God's promises are fulfilled, thereby reinforcing the faith of His people. One of the earliest examples is the promise made to Abraham. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:2). This promise is fulfilled through the birth of Isaac, despite Abraham and Sarah's old age, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness.

The Exodus narrative is another significant example. God promised to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, and this promise is fulfilled through a series of miraculous events, culminating in the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22). The fulfillment of this promise not only liberated the Israelites but also solidified their belief in Yahweh as the one true God.

Messianic Prophecies

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, which are fulfilled in the New Testament through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 7:14 prophesies the virgin birth, which is fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')."

Similarly, Micah 5:2 foretells the birthplace of the Messiah in Bethlehem, fulfilled in Matthew 2:1: "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem."

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament continues the theme of belief through fulfillment, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself speaks of fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, as seen in Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment that solidifies Christian belief. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing assurance of eternal life and the truth of Jesus' teachings.

The Role of Fulfillment in Strengthening Faith

Throughout the Bible, the fulfillment of God's promises serves to strengthen the faith of believers. In John 20:29, Jesus tells Thomas, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." This statement underscores the importance of faith, even when fulfillment is not immediately visible.

The Book of Hebrews highlights the faith of those who trusted in God's promises, even when fulfillment was not realized in their lifetime. Hebrews 11:13 states, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance."

Conclusion

Belief through fulfillment is a central theme in the biblical narrative, demonstrating that God's promises are trustworthy and His plans are sovereign. This concept encourages believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness, knowing that His promises will ultimately be fulfilled.