Romans 1:2
2 (Which [hos] he had promised afore
[proepaggellomai] by [dia] his [autos] prophets [prophetes] in [en] the holy [hagios] scriptures [graphe],) KJV-Interlinear
2 which He promised beforehand
through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,
NASB
The word, which, is referring to the gospel and
doctrines of Christ mentioned in the prior verse, and herein Paul states that
these truths were originally advanced in the Old Testament scriptures, thus
proving that the Old Testament and the prophets who wrote and taught that
content, were actually laying the foundation for Christianity.
Both Old and New Testaments speak of the same
Christ, same salvation, same spirituality, and same doctrines throughout.
The common thread that runs through the entire
Bible is Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament scriptures were written, thus
allowing anyone to read and study and review and examine its content, which was
from God, written by legitimately inspired prophets from God, substantiated by
history.
None of the Old Testament is based on hearsay, or
vague or loose tradition that is subject to change or whim, but was recorded
for all generations.
Unlike every other religion in history which did
not begin at the beginning of human history, but was invented quite late in
history, at various times, thus leaving out any segment of humanity. Something that a true God would never do.
God would never exclude anyone from important doctrines
and principles of life, especially salvation.
And therefore, any religion, which means all
religions, are fundamentally flawed and therefore false. Religion is man seeking the approbation of
God, based on mans works.
Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with God through Christ. And seeks the approbation of God through
faith in Christ, based on the work of Christ, and of who Christ is.
Promise, ‘proepaggellomai,’ means a promise of old,
before, in front of, prior to, to assert something with respect to oneself.
God made this promise long ago, prior to human
history. It was set out in the divine decrees.
It was given to Adam and Eve in the form of the promise to defeat evil,
and taught in the form of the animal sacrifices, from which they received their
clothing of animal skins.
Those skins replaced their fig leaves.
Thus the skins reflect Gods work, which replaced
and was superior to, leaves which symbolized mans work.
