Scriptural Basis for the Beginning of Advent
The beginning of Advent marks the start of the Christian liturgical year, focusing on the preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The scriptural basis for this season is rooted in biblical passages that foretell the advent and significance of Christ's arrival.
The Gospel of Mark introduces Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, stating, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ" [1]. This opening verse sets the tone for understanding Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The book of Hebrews also references the foundational teachings about Christ, urging believers to move beyond the "doctrine of the beginning of Christ" and towards maturity [2].
Early Christian writers, such as those featured in the Ante-Nicene Fathers, emphasized the Old Testament's role in foretelling Christ's advent. For instance, Justin Martyr and Irenaeus highlighted how various Old Testament scriptures pointed to Jesus Christ, underscoring the significance of his coming [3].
The anticipation of Christ's advent is not limited to the New Testament; it is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies. The book of 1 Enoch, referenced in Jude, contains apocalyptic visions that include the coming of a messianic figure [4]. While not part of the canonical Hebrew Bible, 1 Enoch was considered significant by early Christians.
Reformed theologians like Charles Hodge discussed the second coming of Christ and its precursors in their systematic theologies. Hodge outlined the common Church doctrine regarding Christ's second advent, emphasizing the events preceding it, such as the universal diffusion of the Gospel and the conversion of the Jews [8]. This eschatological framework informs the liturgical season of Advent.
The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, also contemplates the signs preceding Christ's coming to judgment. Aquinas argued that certain signs would precede Christ's advent to induce reverence and subjection among people [5]. This theological reflection on the second coming influences the themes explored during Advent.
The early Church Fathers, including Hippolytus and Tertullian, wrote extensively on the end of the world, Antichrist, and Christ's second coming. Their works demonstrate an early and ongoing Christian interest in the events surrounding Christ's advent [6, 9].
The scriptural basis for Advent encompasses a broad range of biblical themes and prophecies related to Christ's coming. As Charles Hodge noted, the doctrine of Christ's second advent has been a subject of discussion since the days of the Apostles, with various interpretations emerging over time [7].
The season of Advent, therefore, is grounded in a rich biblical and theological heritage, drawing on both Old and New Testament scriptures, as well as the reflections of early Christian writers and theologians across different traditions.
The liturgical observance of Advent serves as a period of preparation for the nativity of Jesus Christ, echoing the biblical call to readiness and watchfulness for the Lord's coming. This preparation is informed by the diverse scriptural and theological themes associated with Christ's advent.
Sources
- Mark “Mark 1:1 (LEB) — The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 6:1 (Geneva1599) — Therefore, leauing the doctrine of the beginning of Christ, let vs be led forward vnto perfection, not laying againe ye foundation of repetance from dead workes, and of faith toward God,”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. X. -- THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES, AND THOSE WRITTEN BY MOSES IN PARTICULAR, DO EVERYWHERE MAKE MENTION OF THE SON OF GOD, AND FORETELL HIS ADVENT AND PASSION. FROM THIS FACT IT FOLLOWS THAT TH (part 2): joyous than wine,(1) and His teeth whiter than milk."(2) For, let those who have the reputation of investigating everything, inquire at what time a prince and leader failed out of Judah, and who is the hope of the nations, who also is the vine, what was the ass's colt [referred to as] His, what the cloth”
- Introduction “1 Enoch (Book of Enoch), Introduction, section 1: The Book of Enoch the Prophet THE BOOK OF ENOCH THE PROPHET TRANSLATED FROM AN ETHIOPIC MS. IN THE BODLEIAN LIBRARY BY THE LATE RICHARD LAURENCE, LL.D. ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL THE TEXT NOW CORRECTED FROM HIS LATEST NOTES WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR OF “THE EVOLUTION OF CHRISTIANITY” LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO., 1, PATERNOSTER SQUARE 1883 (_The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved._) INTRODUCTION. In the Authorized Version of the Epistle of Jude, we read the following words:— “Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesi”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of the Signs That Will Precede the Judgment, Art. 1: Article: Whether any signs will precede the Lord's coming to judgment? I answer that, When Christ shall come to judge He will appear in the form of glory, on account of the authority becoming a judge. Now it pertains to the dignity of judicial power to have certain signs that induce people to reverence and subjection: and consequently many signs will precede the advent of Christ when He shall come to judgment, in order that the hearts of men be brought to subjection to the coming judge, a”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — A DISCOURSE(1) BY THE MOST BLESSED HIPPOLYTUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR, ON THE END OF THE WORLD, AND ON ANTICHRIST, AND ON THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. (part 11): the Hebrews. Christ gave to those who believed on Him the honourable and life-giving cross, and he in like manner will give his own sign. Christ appeared in the form of man, and he in like manner will come forth in the form of man. Christ arose from among the Hebrews, and he will spring from among the Jews. Christ displayed His flesh like a temple, and raised it up on the thi”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 95: § 5. The Theory of the Pre-millennial Advent. The common doctrine of the Church stated above, is that the conversion of the world, the restoration of the Jews, and the destruction of Antichrist are to precede the second coming of Christ, which event will be attended by the general resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the end of the world, and the consummation of the Church. In opposition to this view the doctrine of a pre-millennial advent of Christ has been extensively held from the days of the Apostles to the present time. 876 ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 85: § 2. The Common Church Doctrine. The common Church doctrine is, first, that there is to be a second personal, visible, and glorious advent of the Son of God. Secondly, that the events which are to precede that advent, are 1. The universal diffusion of the Gospel; or, as our Lord expresses it, the ingathering of the elect; this is the vocation of the Christian Church. 2. The conversion of the Jews, which is to be national. As their casting away was national, although a remnant was saved; so their conversion may be national, although some m”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — FROM THE LATIN. (part 1): Micah, who said, "And thou, Bethlehem, land of Judah, art by no means small among the leaden of Judah: for out of thee shall come forth a Leader, who shall rule My people Israel."[1] The weeks of years, also, which the prophet Daniel had predicted, extending to the leadership of Christ,[3] have been fulfilled. Moreover, he is at hand, who in the book of Job[4] is said to be about to destroy the huge beast, who also gave power to his own disciples to tread on serpents and scorpions, and on all the power of t”