By T. W. Parker

The book of Genesis lays the foundation for salvation history. As a result, it is no surprise that the text has numerous connections with the (NT). Consequently, four stand out; Paul repeatedly describes the sins and judgments of (Gen. 3) and applies them to the redeeming work of Christ. Indeed, this is clear in (Rom. 5:12-21); the sin and death that one person, Adam’s transgression, brought contrasts with the justification, righteousness, and life that one person, Jesus Christ, brings through His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Therefore, Jesus is a second Adam, succeeding where the first Adam failed.

Second, (Gen. 14:18-20) is a brief account of Melchizedek, the priest-King of Salem, who blesses Abram by God Most High and receives from Abram a tithe of what Abram had captured. The account forms the background for designating the Messianic King of (Ps. 110) as one who is also a priest “in the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 5:6, 10, 6:20, 7:1, 10, 11, 15, 17, NIV). In addition, because Abram gave a tithe to Melchizedek, so did all his descendants, including Aron and the priestly line of the tribe Levi. Moreover, this line of priests honored Melchizedek as superior. For this reason, Jesus, the Messianic King, is in this priesthood (Ps. 110), and therefore, His priesthood surpasses that of Aaron and his line.

Third, the focus for the appearance of Genesis in the (NT) is the book of Revelation. The Bible’s first book describes how the serpent deceives the woman and how her offspring consequently struggle with the serpent (Gen. 3:1-15), and the last book explains how the serpent seeks to destroy the woman and her child (Rev. 12:1-17). However, the serpent is ultimately defeated and is explicitly identified as Satan in the (NT) (Rev. 20:2). The first Eden had an abundance of water and a tree of life that gave life to those who ate its fruit (Gen. 2:10-14, 3:22). Whereas, the new Eden of the restored world, the new Jerusalem, will have the river of the water of life with the tree of life growing on both sides of the river. Also, the tree leaves will heal the nation (Rev. 22:1-3), and the curse of the ground (Gen. 3:17) will no longer be present (Rev. 22:3). There is no doubt according to Scripture the bounty of the Garden of Eden will return.

The final focus of Genesis in the (NT) appears in (John. 1:1-4), which consciously imitates the opening verses of Genesis. Accordingly, these verses refer to the Word or (Christ), who was present and involved in the world’s creation at the beginning. Furthermore, this parallels (Gen. 1:1) and identifies Jesus Christ with God and the Creator of the world. A further example is the light in Christ (John. 1:4-5), parallel to the creation of light in (Gen. 1:3). Finally, the Gospel of John emphasizes life (John. 1:1-18, 1:4), modeling one of the great themes of (Gen. 1), God’s creation of abundant life and His blessing of life that He has given us freely!