The Gospel of Matthew became the bridge between the Old Testament and the New. Matthew often pointed out how God was fulfilling his Old Testament promises through Jesus. In so doing, the Holy Spirit was teaching those new believers that their Savior was God the Son, the long-awaited Messiah. The Lord Jesus had rescued them from their bondage of sin and rebellion. If they repented and, by faith, believed that Jesus had paid the penalty for their disobedience, they would receive forgiveness of sin and everlasting life with God. What a marvelous transition from the Old to the New! The rest of the New Testament would further enlighten them so that they would rejoice in the progressive storyline of salvation history. God had always intended to make a new special people—one made up of only believers from all races.