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“Pointing To Principles”
Categories: NEW TESTAMENT, OLD TESTAMENTIn Acts 1:20, Peter quotes Psalm 109:8. Can it be said that Psalm 109, especially verse eight, serves as a prophecy as well as a hymn by King David?Sincerely,
Pointing To Prophecy
Dear Pointing To Prophecy,
Sometimes, Old Testament verses are quoted in the New Testament because they are prophecies that are being fulfilled – like Peter did in Acts 2:16-21. However, we must also remember that the Old Testament does more than just prophecy about Christ and His kingdom. The Old Testament is full of examples and principles that are useful to us (1 Cor 10:11). In the case of Acts 1:20, Peter and the rest of the apostles had to decide what to do about Judas’ death. Should they leave his position vacant? Should they replace him with another apostle? How should they handle the void created in the apostleship by this wicked man? Peter quotes Ps 109:8 because that Psalm addresses the principle that it is a good thing when a good man replaces the office of a bad man. Peter referred to Ps 109, not because it was prophetic about their specific circumstance, but because it is a universal truth that good people should take the place of bad people in positions of authority.
