A) HOW MANY PROMISES ARE IN THE BIBLE?

B) PROMISES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.

C) PROMISES THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO CHILDREN.

D) PROMISES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

 

 

A) HOW MANY PROMISES ARE IN THE BIBLE

 

 

The concept of God giving “promises” to us holds an important place in the Scriptures and in the development of the religion that culminated in Christ.  The Bible is indeed full of “precious and exceeding great promises,” Second Peter 1:4, “Which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,” Romans 1:2, although the word “promise” is not always used in connection with them.

 

It has been said that there are over 8,000 specific promises (one man, Everett Storms, counted 8,810) in God’s Word.  To list them has, as yet, not been done.  Therefore, let’s take a quick look at what we can find.

 

 

B) PROMISES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

 

 

Of the more outstanding promises of the Old Testament that may be mentioned are:

 

1) The pre-existence of a Mediator (Gen. 3:15);

2) The promise to Noah no more to curse the ground (Gen. 8:21-22; 9:1-17);

3) The promise to Abraham to make of him a great nation in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed (Gen. 12:2-3), which is often referred to in the Old Testament (Exo. 12:25; Deu. 1:8 & 11; 6:3; 9:28; etcetera);

4) The promise to David to continue his house (or lineage) on the throne (2Sa. 7:12-13 & 18; 1Ki. 2:24; etcetera);

5) The promise of the restoration of Israel, of the Messiah, of the new and everlasting kingdom, of the new covenant, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Isa. 2:2-5; 4:2; 55:5; 66:13; Jer. 31:31-34; 32:37-42; 33:14; Eze. 36:22-31; 37:11; 39:25; etcetera).

 

Other different types of promises that turn out to be prophecies or conditions are found in:  Deuteronomy 10:9; Joshua 9:21; 22:4; 23:5 & 15; Psalm 105:42; etcetera.  If you cross-reference these you will find other gems.

 

Of course, there are multiple promises in the Books of Psalms and Proverbs.  Still other prominent promises are found in Genesis 26:3-4; 28:14; Deuteronomy 1:11; Joshua 22:4; 23:14; Second Samuel 7:12-13; First Kings 8:56; Psalm 89:3-4 & 35-36; 105:42; Isaiah 1:18; 43:2; Jeremiah 33:14.

 

 

C) PROMISES THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO CHILDREN

 

 

Promises specific to children are usually very popular also.  Therefore, I will mention just a few here:

 

Proverbs 22:6:  “Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Isaiah 49:25:  “. . .for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”

Lamentation 2:19:  “Arise, cry out in the night:  in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the LORD:  lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.”

Jeremiah 32:39:  “And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear Me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them.”

 

 

D) PROMISES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

 

In the New Testament these promises are founded on, and regarded as having their true fulfillment in Christ; and those who are His (2Co. 1:20; Eph. 3:6).

 

The promise of the Holy Spirit is spoken of by Jesus as “the promise of My Father,” Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:4, and this was regarded as fulfilled at “Pentecost.”

 

The promise of a Savior of the seed of David is regarded as fulfilled in Christ (Acts 13:23 & 32; 26:6; Rom. 1:2; 4:13; 9:4).  Paul argues that the promise to Abraham that he should be “heir of the world,” made to him before circumcision, is not confined to Israel, but is open to all who are children of Abraham by faith (Rom. 4:13-16; compare with Gal. 3:16 & 19 & 29).

 

In like manner, the writer to the Hebrews (Paul) goes back to the original promises, giving them a spiritual and eternal significance (Heb. 4:1; 6:17; 11:9, etcetera).  The New Testament promises include manifold blessings and hopes, among them “life,” “eternal life” (1Ti. 4:8; 6:19; 2Ti. 1:1; Jam. 1:12); the “kingdom,” James 2:5; Christ’s Second “Coming” (2Pe. 3:4 & 9; and too many others to mention); “new heavens and a new earth” (2Pe. 3:13; etcetera).

 

Other prominent promises are found in Luke 1:54-55 & 69-73; Acts 2:33 & 39; 7:17; 13:22-23 & 32; 26:6-7; Romans 1:1-2; 4:13 & 16; 9:4 & 8; 15:8; Second Corinthians 1:20; 6:18; 7:1; Galatians 3:17-18 & 21-22 & 29; 4:4 & 28; Ephesians 1:13; 3:6; Second Timothy 1:1; 4:8; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 4:1; 6:12 & 15 & 17; 8:6 & 10 & 12; 10:23 & 36; 11:9 & 33; James 1:12; 2:5; Second Peter 1:4; 3:13; First John 2:25; Revelation 22:12.

 

Keep in mind that there will be scoffers who despise these precious “promises” (2Pe. 3:3-4) and “fear,” lest ye should come short of them (Heb. 4:1).  Therefore, stagger not at our Lord’s promises (Rom. 4:20), even though through “infirmity” you may be tempted to doubt (Psa. 77:8 & 10); but have implicit confidence in them (Heb. 11:11) and expect the performance of them (Luke 1:38 & 45; 2Pe. 3:13), even if you should have to learn to wait (Acts 1:4).

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