Before the days of Jesus, Noah was the most influential person in the new testament. In this post we look at who Noah is, why he was chosen, and what he means for the modern Christian.

What did Noah do in the New Testament? I know, you’re probably asking yourself why this is an important question. First, it’s unlikely that we will be required to build him and his ark when the world floods again. Second, this is only a very basic overview of what he did in the New Testament—there are many other actions concerning Noah’s time period which are beyond the scope of this article.

What We Can Learn from Noah

The story of Noah and the Flood is one of judgement and salvation; of obedience and disobedience. In an era of overwhelming wickedness, Noah set himself apart by living righteously. Noah was likely mocked for building a giant boat when no flood was yet seen upon the earth – but he did not worry about what other people thought. He simply responded to God’s commands with a willing heart and hands. God rewarded him for his righteousness and obedience, saving both him and his family from destruction.

The story of the Flood also demonstrates both the gravity of God’s justice and the promise of His salvation. Every sin we commit grieves God, and His justice demands judgement for that sin. Just as God provided salvation for Noah and his family when His judgement was brought upon the world, so also does God provide salvation for each of His followers through Christ.

The Biblical character Noah is a fascinating one, as he spans both the Old Testament (the first 5 books of the Bible) and the New Testament, standing out amongst other prophetic figures. He is also called by God to undertake what many would consider to be a very big task — he is to build an ark!

The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible, and it includes the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) tell stories about Jesus Christ’s life on earth. The book of Acts tells about how the early Christians spread their message after Jesus’ death.

In the New Testament there are several references to Noah. In Matthew 24:37-39 Jesus refers to Noah as an example of someone who built an ark in preparation for a flood. In 2 Peter 3:5-6 it says that God saved Noah through water just like he saved mankind through water when he sent Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross.

Noah was also mentioned in 1 Peter 3:20-21: “[God] saved Noah…who serves as an example of salvation through water.”

The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible. It contains 27 books, written by various authors between 40 and 100 AD. The New Testament heavily references the Old Testament, which was completed around 400 BC and contained 39 books. Both parts of the Bible are considered sacred scripture in Christianity.

The New Testament contains many references to Noah, who is mentioned by name in Matthew 24:38 and Luke 17:26. In Matthew 24:38, Jesus says “As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.” Jesus goes on to say that it will be like when God destroyed all life on earth with a flood except for Noah’s family.

In Luke 17:26-27, Jesus talks about how he will come back one day like Noah did when he built an ark to survive God’s wrath against mankind. He says that “just as it was in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered into the ark” (Luke 17:27).

Noah in the new testament

The faith of Noah illustrated

The faith of Noah is illustrated in the book of Hebrews 11:7. It says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

Noah was a righteous man (Genesis 6:9). When he was commanded to build an ark, although it had never rained before and people had never seen rain, he obeyed God. So his obedience showed his great trust in God. In addition to building the ark to save his family from destruction, he also preached to them about repentance so they could be saved from God’s wrath that would come because of their wickedness and unbelief (2 Peter 2:5).

Christ the ark

You may not have previously realized it, but the ark of Noah’s day is a type of Christ—the reality that it reflects. The New Testament shows us this in several ways.

First, just as the ark was made of wood, so Christ was made of flesh, which comes from seed. Paul wrote to the Galatians: “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16).

Second, just as the ark was made with incorruptible wood (gopherwood), so Christ came with incorruptible flesh. John wrote about Jesus’ incorruptible flesh: “That which was from the beginning . . . we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled” (1 John 1:1).

The state of the ungodly during the flood

The ungodly, indeed, were destroyed by the flood. The flood came upon them suddenly. Their destruction was complete. They are a warning to future generations that there is a day of judgment coming for all who do not repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation (Revelation 20:11-15).

The use which should be made of great mercies.

Having considered the obligations of Christians under the gospel, to a careful and diligent performance of duties; we may now proceed to consider what use is to be made of mercies; which will lead us,

I. To illustrate the subject by an example in fact: And that example I shall make choice of is Noah’s, who was one that had the greatest experience of God’s mercy.

• He had been reserved amidst general destruction (v. 18): But with thee will I establish my covenant; that is, ‘Thy life shall be continued and preserved even when those of all others are cut off.’ This was a mercy both singular and surprising. There were then living upon earth many millions more than are now supposed to do so, and yet only eight souls out of all these did God save from the deluge; but Noah was one of those eight…

The mercies we receive from God should lead us to repentance and faith in Him

The Lord being slow to anger, and of great mercy, did not at once bring the flood upon the world, that men might be led to repentance; but waited 120 years before he brought it. But though he was so long forbearing, yet they were no more reformed. This is the case with those under God’s judgments; they will not give glory to God for his patience and forbearance towards them; see Rom 2:4. Now let us consider –

• What we should learn from this example of the antediluvian sinners: namely, that we should take warning by their ruinous end. We are apt to be secure in a day of God’s patience, presuming upon it as if there were no judgment approaching; but what will our security profit us when the flood comes? Let us therefore lay these things seriously to heart now, lest we perish afterwards
• What God would have us learn from his mercies: namely, that he has given sufficient proofs of his displeasure against sin in all its degrees and shapes; and that he has left no room for excuse or pretence for any sinner living in any kind of known sin. He has been pleased so far to condescend as to express himself very plainly at different times concerning every sin which men commit; so that every man knows what is right and wrong in itself, and how sinful every act is which we do contrary to the law written on our hearts. Let this be a motive with us always to flee from even a thought against any commandment of God’s law (Rev 22:14).