The concept of "fulfils" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's promises, prophecies, and the realization of His divine plan. The term is often associated with the completion or realization of what has been foretold or promised by God, particularly through the life and work of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of fulfillment is closely tied to the covenants and promises made by God to His people. For instance, the promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5) is seen as fulfilled through the growth of the nation of Israel and ultimately through the coming of Christ, who opens the way for all nations to be blessed (Galatians 3:8).

Prophecies concerning the coming Messiah are a significant aspect of fulfillment in the Old Testament. Isaiah 7:14 prophesies the birth of a child called Immanuel, which is fulfilled in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:22-23). Similarly, Micah 5:2 predicts the birthplace of the Messiah in Bethlehem, fulfilled in Matthew 2:1-6.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament frequently emphasizes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through the life, death, and resurrection 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 Gospel of Matthew, in particular, highlights numerous instances where Jesus' actions and experiences fulfill specific prophecies. For example, Matthew 8:17 states, "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.'"

The concept of fulfillment is not limited to prophecies about Jesus' birth and ministry but extends to His sacrificial death and resurrection. Jesus' crucifixion is seen as the fulfillment of the Passover lamb, as described in John 19:36 : "These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: 'Not one of His bones will be broken.'"

Theological Implications

The fulfillment of Scripture in the person and work of Jesus Christ is central to Christian theology. It underscores the reliability and sovereignty of God, who orchestrates history according to His divine will. The fulfillment of prophecy serves as evidence of Jesus' messianic identity and the truth of the Gospel message.

Moreover, the concept of fulfillment extends to the eschatological promises of the New Testament. Believers anticipate the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom, as promised in Revelation, where God's purposes will be fully realized in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

Practical Application

For Christians, the fulfillment of God's promises provides assurance and hope. It encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness and to live in anticipation of His continued work in the world. The fulfillment of Scripture calls Christians to a deeper understanding of the Bible, recognizing the interconnectedness of God's redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation.

Whether the New Law Fulfils the Old?
... OF THE NEW LAW AS COMPARED WITH THE OLD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the New
Law fulfils the Old? Objection 1: It would seem that the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the new law fulfils.htm

The Love which Fulfils the Commandments is not of Ourselves, but ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 37 [XVIII.]"The Love Which
Fulfils the Commandments is Not of Ourselves, But of God. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 37 xviii the love which.htm

To the Editors of El Espanol
... an ecclesiastic and talks about 'the sacred duty of his august ministry,' and for
the purpose, I suppose, of showing how strictly he fulfils the precepts of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/borrow/letters of george borrow/to the editors of el.htm

Who are the Children of the Old Covenant.
... But he who thus fulfils the commandments beyond a doubt fulfils them unwillingly,
and then does not do them in his heart; for he would rather not do them at all ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 who are the children.htm

Whether it is More Praiseworthy and Meritorious to do Something in ...
... Therefore it is better to do a deed in fulfilment of a vow than without a vow: since
he that does it without a vow fulfils only one counsel, viz. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is more praiseworthy.htm

Unwise Interference.
... this to oneself, and while leaving the Christian of whom I am speaking in peace,
it is but justice not to trouble a soul that not only fulfils the precepts at ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section i unwise interference.htm

Concerning "Omnipotent," "Ancient of Days"; and Also Concerning " ...
... According to Plato, Time is "incomplete life" and Eternity is "complete life." Thus
Eternity fulfils Time and yet contradicts it, as infinite number fulfils ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter x concerning omnipotent ancient.htm

On Grace.
... vast freedom and abundance fills all creatures according to their capacity": that
is, "GOD through His great freedom of His great grace fulfils all creatures ...
/.../rolle/the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/on grace.htm

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... LOVE FULFILS THE LAW. "For he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.". ...
Hence it cannot in every sense be said that faith fulfils the Law. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm

(On the Passion, viii. : on Wednesday in Holy Week. )
... (On the Passion, VIII.: on Wednesday in Holy Week.). (On the Passion, VIII.: on
Wednesday in Holy Week.) I. Christ's arrest fulfils His own eternal purpose. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lix on the passion.htm

Fulfils (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fulfils (2 Occurrences). Psalms 57:2 I cry out to God
Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me. (See RSV). ...
/f/fulfils.htm - 6k

Fulfilment (25 Occurrences)

/f/fulfilment.htm - 13k

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... ends specified. Who that brings Scripture to its own tests of inspiration,
will deny that, judged as a whole, it fulfils them? 4 ...
/i/inspiration.htm - 57k

Full (1047 Occurrences)

/f/full.htm - 36k

Quotations
... This use of the formula of fulfillment by James involves the principle that any
event which realizes the meaning and truth of a Scriptural statement fulfils it ...
/q/quotations.htm - 40k

Preaching (116 Occurrences)
... To Holy Scripture, therefore, ought the pulpit to abide faithful, for out of its
treasures the preacher fulfils his double office of edifying believers and ...
/p/preaching.htm - 50k

Apostles (79 Occurrences)
... Now Luke was a companion of Paul during his later ministry and was a physician.
(Colossians 4:14). Hence, he fulfils all the requirements of the case. ...
/a/apostles.htm - 62k

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)
... This use of the formula of fulfillment by James involves the principle that any
event which realizes the meaning and truth of a Scriptural statement fulfils it ...
/s/sodomite.htm - 101k

Acts (271 Occurrences)
... Now Luke was a companion of Paul during his later ministry and was a physician.
(Colossians 4:14). Hence, he fulfils all the requirements of the case. ...
/a/acts.htm - 101k

Preacher (27 Occurrences)
... To Holy Scripture, therefore, ought the pulpit to abide faithful, for out of its
treasures the preacher fulfils his double office of edifying believers and ...
/p/preacher.htm - 48k

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