Antitype

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 2min
 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 12
The word antitype does not occur in the AV (KJV), but the Greek word a ἀντίτυπον occurs in Hebrews 9:24,24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Hebrews 9:24) translated “figures,” and in 1 Peter 3:21,21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21) translated “like figure.” It is that which answers to a type, as a wax impression answers to a seal: if the device is sunk, the impression will be raised, or vice verSam. To take a simple but beautiful example, a lamb was offered up for a burnt offering both morning and evening under the law; and in the New Testament we read, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” It is plain that the morning and evening lamb in Israel were types, and the death of the Lord Jesus was the antitype. In Hebrews 9:23,23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Hebrews 9:23) the “heavenly things” are the type, and “holy places” (Heb. 9:2424For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Hebrews 9:24)), the antitype, or what corresponded to the pattern. In 1 Peter 3:21,21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21) eight souls were saved through water, of which baptism is the figure, or what answers to it. Doubtless there are many other antitypes in the New Testament, but every antitype must have a type to which it corresponds, though the correspondence may not lie on its surface. Where scripture is silent as to types and antitypes the teaching of the Holy Spirit is needed, or grievous error may result in associating two things together which have no spiritual connection, though names and words may seem to correspond.