The Old Testament and New Testament are the two major divisions of the Bible, together forming the inspired Word of God. While they share the same overarching purpose—revealing God’s plan for redemption—they differ in their focus, covenants, and historical context.
1. The Structure and Content
Old Testament
- Focus: The history, law, and prophecies of God’s covenant with Israel.
- Books: 39 books (in Protestant Bibles) including the Torah (Pentateuch), Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and the Prophets.
- Themes: Creation, fall, covenant, law, and prophecy about the coming Messiah.
Key Verse:
- Genesis 1:1 (NIV):
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
New Testament
- Focus: The fulfillment of God’s promises through Jesus Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant.
- Books: 27 books, including the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and Revelation.
- Themes: Salvation, grace, faith, the church, and the second coming of Christ.
Key Verse:
- John 1:17 (NIV):
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
2. The Covenants
Old Testament Covenant
- The Mosaic Covenant (Law): God’s covenant with Israel, based on obedience to the law.
- Key Elements: The Ten Commandments, ceremonial laws, and sacrifices.
- Purpose: To reveal humanity’s need for a Savior and prepare the way for the Messiah.
- Exodus 19:5-6 (NIV):
“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
New Testament Covenant
- The New Covenant (Grace): Established through Jesus Christ, offering salvation by grace through faith.
- Key Elements: Christ’s sacrifice, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of eternal life.
- Purpose: To fulfill the law and provide direct access to God through Jesus.
- Jeremiah 31:31-33 (NIV):
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah… I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'” - Luke 22:20 (NIV):
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”
3. The Role of Jesus Christ
In the Old Testament: Prophecy
The Old Testament points to Jesus as the coming Messiah through prophecies, types, and foreshadowing.
- Isaiah 53:5 (NIV):
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” - Micah 5:2 (NIV):
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
In the New Testament: Fulfillment
The New Testament reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the Savior of the world, and the mediator of the New Covenant.
- Matthew 5:17 (NIV):
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” - John 3:16 (NIV):
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
4. Salvation in the Old and New Testaments
Old Testament: Salvation Through Faith and Obedience
- Faith in God and adherence to the law were central.
- Genesis 15:6 (NIV):
“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” - Sacrifices were required for atonement, symbolizing the future sacrifice of Christ.
- Leviticus 17:11 (NIV):
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
New Testament: Salvation Through Grace by Faith
- Salvation is offered freely through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV):
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” - Christ’s death and resurrection provide eternal atonement.
- Hebrews 10:10 (NIV):
“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
5. The Law vs. Grace
Old Testament: The Law
- The law served as a guide to reveal sin and direct people toward God.
- Romans 3:20 (NIV):
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
New Testament: Grace
- Grace supersedes the law, offering salvation as a gift through Christ.
- Romans 6:14 (NIV):
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
6. The Unity of Scripture
Despite differences, the Old and New Testaments form a unified whole. The Old Testament lays the foundation for the New Testament, and the New Testament fulfills and explains the Old Testament.
- Romans 15:4 (NIV):
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV):
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Comparison Chart
| Aspect | Old Testament | New Testament |
| Focus | Covenant with Israel | Fulfillment in Jesus Christ |
| Salvation | Faith and obedience | Grace through faith |
| Law/Grace | Mosaic Law | Grace through Jesus |
| Sacrifice | Animal sacrifices for atonement | Jesus’ sacrifice as ultimate atonement |
| Key Figure | Moses (lawgiver, prophet) | Jesus (Messiah, Savior) |
| Scripture Count | 39 books | 27 books |
Conclusion
The Old Testament and New Testament together reveal God’s plan of salvation. The Old Testament establishes the problem of sin, God’s holiness, and humanity’s need for redemption. The New Testament fulfills this with the coming of Jesus Christ, who brings salvation to all through His life, death, and resurrection. Believers are called to see the Old and New Testaments as complementary parts of God’s eternal Word.
- Hebrews 8:6 (NIV):
“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.”