Introduction
The Old Testament tells of God's covenant with the people of Israel before the birth of Jesus, and points to a coming savior. The New Testament tells of the life of Jesus, the birth of the church, and the new covenant offered to all peoples. The first was written mostly in Hebrew, the second in Greek.
When you open a Bible, you quickly run into two major sections with rather unusual names. What does testament mean? Why is one called old and the other new? Should you read both, and which one should you start with? This page answers these questions simply. You will see what sets the two sections apart, what connects them, and why Christians keep them together.
What Does the Word Testament Mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, testament is a translated word that means covenant, that is, a solemn agreement between two parties. It does not mean an inheritance left at death, even though the New Testament also speaks of a legacy that Jesus leaves to his disciples.
The Old Testament presents the covenant God made with his people, Israel, after they left Egypt. The New Testament presents the new covenant, open to all nations, that Jesus sealed by his death.
What Sets the Two Testaments Apart?
The Old Testament has 39 books in Protestant Bibles, and a few more in Catholic and Orthodox editions. It was written mainly in Hebrew, over a period of more than a thousand years before Christ, with a few passages in Aramaic. It contains the Law, historical accounts, poetry, wisdom writings, and the prophets.
The New Testament has 27 books, written in Greek in the second half of the first century AD. It includes the four Gospels, the book of Acts, the letters of the apostles, and Revelation.
So there are about four hundred years of silence between the last page of one and the first page of the other. During that time, the people wait for the promised Messiah.
How Do the Two Testaments Fit Together?
Christians do not see two different religions, but one story in two parts. Here are passages that show the connection.
Genesis 12:2-3
"I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you."
God promises Abraham a blessing that will reach all the families of the earth. Already in the Old Testament, the plan goes beyond a single people, and Christians see in it an announcement of what Jesus brings to the whole world. Read all of Genesis 12.
Jeremiah 31:31-33
"Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which covenant of mine they broke, although I was a husband to them,” says Yahweh. “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says Yahweh: “I will put my law in their inward parts, and I will write it in their heart. I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Several centuries before Jesus, the prophet announces a new covenant, written on the heart rather than on tablets of stone. The New Testament takes up this promise as fulfilled. Read all of Jeremiah 31.
Luke 22:20
"Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
During the last meal with his disciples, Jesus speaks of the new covenant in his blood. He thus presents himself as the one who fulfills the promise the prophet made. Read all of Luke 22.
Matthew 5:17
"Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill."
Jesus declares that he did not come to abolish what was written before him, but to fulfill it. The New Testament does not replace the Old: it brings it to its goal. Read all of Matthew 5.
Luke 24:44
"He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled."
After his resurrection, Jesus explains that the Law, the prophets, and the psalms spoke of him. This is the key to reading that he gives his disciples himself. Read all of Luke 24.
Hebrews 1:1-2
"God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds."
This text sums up the difference: God once spoke through the prophets, and now he speaks through his Son. The same voice continues, but here it reaches its fullness. Read all of Hebrews 1.
Which Testament Should You Read First?
For a beginner, it is best to start with the New Testament, more specifically the Gospel of John or Mark. You meet Jesus directly, and the rest of the Bible becomes clearer afterward.
Then move on to the Old Testament, beginning with Genesis, Exodus, and the Psalms. You will then understand where the promises that Jesus fulfills come from, and you will recognize many references.
Keep in mind that the Old Testament is best read in the light of the New, and the New in the light of the Old.
Common Misconceptions About the Old and New Testaments
The first misconception is the idea of a stern God in the Old Testament and a gentle God in the New. Both sections show the same God, who is just and compassionate. Love, forgiveness, and mercy are already present in the Psalms, while Jesus also speaks firmly about justice.
The second misconception is thinking the Old Testament is outdated. Christians draw on it for their promises, their prayers, and their understanding of God. What has changed is how people approach God, now through Jesus.
The third misconception is believing the Old Testament belongs only to Jews. It is their Scripture and the foundation of their faith, and Christians receive it with respect as the first part of their Bible.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Old and New Testament?
The Old Testament tells the story of Israel and points to a savior. The New Testament tells of the coming of Jesus, the birth of the church, and the new covenant for all peoples. The first was written mostly in Hebrew, the second in Greek.
How many books does each Testament have?
The Old Testament has 39 books in Protestant Bibles, and more in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. The New Testament has 27 for all Christians. Together, they form the Protestant Bible of 66 books.
Should Christians read the Old Testament?
Yes, because it explains who God is and why Jesus came. Jesus and the apostles quote it constantly. It is best read after discovering a Gospel, so you can see how the promises find their fulfillment.
Why are there about four hundred years between the two?
After the last prophets of the Old Testament, no biblical book was written for several centuries. The people lived under different empires and waited for the Messiah. The New Testament opens with the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of that waiting.