Old and New Testaments difference between the two

The Bible most frequently refers to a covenant when the word “testament” (or testaments) is used, such as the covenant that God formed with Israel at Mount Sinai when He made them His people and gave them His rules (Exodus 19:3-6; 20:1-17; 24). The testaments “Old Testament” and “New Testament” are defined in this context.

The Testaments are the two sections that make up the Bible. All the writings connected to the covenant arrangement God made with Israel during Moses’ lifetime are found in the Old Testament (Exodus 24:8). The prophet Jeremiah declared God’s intention to establish a new covenant with His people some 1,000 years after Moses (Jeremiah 31:31–34). In the texts of the New Testament, which deal with the arrangement God has made with humanity via Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25; Hebrews 8:6–8), that new covenant is laid out.

General differences between testaments

The Old Testament and the New Testament differ from one another even though the Bible as a whole is one book. They are complementary in many respects. The Old Testament serves as the cornerstone, while the New Testament adds to it with more revelation from God. It is believed that the Old Testament establishes concepts that serve as examples of New Testament truths. The New Testament fulfills a number of Old Testament prophecies. The Old Testament provides information on a people’s history, whereas the New Testament focuses on a Person. The Old Testament depicts God’s wrath towards sin (with hints of His grace), whereas the New Testament depicts God’s grace towards sinners (with hints of His wrath).

Messiah in both testaments

A Messiah is foretold in the Old Testament (see Isaiah 53), and the identity of the Messiah is revealed in the New Testament (John 4:25–26). God’s Law was given in the Old Testament, and the New Testament demonstrates how Jesus the Messiah carried out that Law (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 10:9). According to Matthew 16:18, God primarily dealt with His church in the New Testament as opposed to His chosen people, the Jews, in the Old Testament. Spiritual blessings under the New Covenant take the place of the material blessings promised under the Old Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:9) (Ephesians 1:3).

On Christ…!

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Despite being very detailed, the Old Testament’s predictions about the coming of Christ contain some uncertainty that is resolved in the New Testament. For instance, the prophet Isaiah made references to the Messiah’s death (Isaiah 53) and the establishment of the Messiah’s kingdom (Isaiah 26), but gave no indication as to when these events would take place or that they would be separated by millennia. It is made explicit in the New Testament that the Messiah would make two entrances: in the first, He would suffer, die, and rise again; in the second, He would establish His kingdom.

Ideas in old and new testaments

The New Testament emphasizes ideas that were first revealed in the Old Testament since God’s revelation in Scripture is progressive. In the book of Hebrews, it is explained that Jesus is the real High Priest and that all other offerings in the past were merely shadows of what was to come. The Old Testament’s Passover lamb (Ezra 6:20) is transformed into the New Testament’s Lamb of God (John 1:29). The Old Testament contains the Law. The New Testament makes it clear that the Law was never intended to be the means of salvation but rather was meant to demonstrate to men their need for redemption (Romans 3:19).

Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained

In the Old Testament, Adam experienced the loss of paradise; in the New Testament, Christ—the second Adam—shows how paradise is reclaimed. The Old Testament teaches that sin caused man to be cut off from God (Genesis 3), and the New Testament declares that man’s relationship with God can be repaired (Romans 3–6). The Messiah’s life was foretold in the Old Testament. The Epistles explain Jesus’ life and how we should react to what He has done, whereas the Gospels recount Jesus’ life.

The holy and righteous God in testaments

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The Old Testament prepares people for the coming of the Messiah, who will make His own sacrifice to atone for humankind’s sins(1 John 2:2). The New Testament recounts the life and career of Jesus before reflecting on what He accomplished and advising us on how to respond. The God who is revealed in both testaments is the same holy, forgiving, and righteous God who hates sin but longs to save sinners through an atoning sacrifice. God exposes Himself to us and instructs us on how to approach Him through faith in both testaments (Genesis 15:6; Ephesians 2:8).

Difference of time period of testaments

The time periods are different. From the time of Moses until roughly 400 BC, the Old Testament books were written. The events that took place over this roughly 1,000-year span extend from the universe’s genesis to the Jewish people’s return to Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah. Between the years of 50 and 150, approximately, the New Testament was written.

Difference of prophecy

The way that worship is conducted differs. The tabernacle or temple was emphasized as the primary venue of worship throughout much of the Old Testament. The creation of offerings, festivals, and related practices involved a lot of specifics. Jesus offered Himself as the object of worship in the New Testament, claiming to be the only one who could lead people to the Father and to be the way, the truth, and the life.

Focus of testaments

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There are various types of prophecy. The majority of predictions in the Old Testament are future-focused and unfulfilled at the time the Old Testament was finished. More than 300 prophesies from the Old Testament, including several that were fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ, are highlighted in the New Testament.

There is a distinction in focus. Looking ahead to the Messiah’s imminent arrival, the Old Testament records God’s activity and deeds. In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the Messiah, with His life and teachings serving as the cornerstone for the church and the proclamation of the gospel.