Definition of a type. For the purpose of our study, a type is a person, thing, or event in the Old Testament designed to represent or prefigure some person, thing, or event in the New Testament. The one resembles the other in certain particulars. The two things thus related are called type and antitype. The antitypes for the most part center about the person of Christ and His redemption; the conversion, life, and the service of the Christian; and the Church.

Why we should study types. A wise study of types clarifies and illustrates spiritual truth. Some parts of the Old Testament would have little meaning for us today if we did not make use of typical teaching. And many godly ministers and teachers have used the study of types successfully. Thus there is plenty of warrant for such a study.

Jesus used types as a method of teaching. In John 1:51 He claimed to be the antitype of Jacob's ladder. In John 3:14, 15 He referred to Himself as the antitype of the Brazen Serpent in the wilderness. In John 6:35 He taught that He Himself was the antitype of the manna sent down from Heaven to the children of Israel. Then in Matthew 12:42 He spoke of Solomon as a type of Christ.

Paul used types as a method of teaching. In Romans 5:14 Paul mentions Adam as a type of Christ. In I Corinthians 5:7 he speaks of the Passover as a type of Christ. In I Corinthians 10:4 he refers to the rock as a type of Christ. And in Colossians 2:16, 17 he talks of "the shadow of things to come," of which the body or antitype is Christ.

How we should study types. We should avoid two extremes in our study of types. Some have sought for types in every detail of Scripture. This was done by certain of the Church fathers, and resulted in fanciful interpretations. On the other hand, some Bible teachers have limited the study of types to those declared to be types by writers of the New Testament. These writers were teaching us how to gather spiritual lessons from the storehouse of the Old Testament by the examples of typical teaching they used; they were not indicating that they had exhausted the possibility of such a study.

We should study types prayerfully in dependence upon the Holy Spirit for guidance. We should study them scripturally. We should note wherever the New Testament gives us warrant for an Old Testament type. We should study all Old Testament types in the light of New Testament teaching. And we should make our study of types practical and helpful for our everyday living.