Typology

Examples of Person Types

a. Adam and Melchisedec are types of Christ b. Abraham prefigures all those who believe by faith c. David is a type of Jesus Christ as Israel's King

Examples of Office Types

a. Moses as a prophet is a type of Christ as a prophet b. Aaron as a priest is a type of Christ as our Great High Priest

Examples of Events Types

a. The wilderness wanderings were types for the believer's benefits. b. Passover is a type of salvation c. Crossing of the red sea is a type of baptism

7 Kinds of Types

1. Persons 2. Sacrifices 3. Institutions 4. Offices 5. Events 6. Actions 7. Things

Principles for interpreting typology (1)

1. Study the similarities and dissimilarities that exist between the type and antitype.

Principles for interpreting typology (2)

2. Allow the context to determine how much of the type is significant to its antitype.

Principles for interpreting typology (3)

3. Locate the New Testament authority for accepting an Old Testament figure as a type.

Principles for interpreting typology (4)

4. Discern between true types and mere illustrations, e.g. colours, numbers, materials, shapes

Principles for interpreting typology (5)

5. Types were given to illustrate doctrine, not to prove doctrine.

What is Typology?

A type is an Old Testament prefiguring of some New Testament person or thing. The type of the Old Testament prefigures its antitype in the New Testament.

Types are prophetic symbols, and not just:

Illustrations or parallels in the Scripture

Examples of Action Types

Lifting up of the brazen serpent is a type of lifting up Christ on the cross.

Examples of Institution Types

The sacrifices are types of the cross. The institution of the Passover is a type of redemption.

Example of Thing Types

The tabernacle was a type of the incarnation, of God dwelling with his people.

Example of Sacrificial Type

The whole sacrificial system, with the types of animals and characteristics of these animals, are types of Christ in His work of redemption.