The word “testament” refers to a covenant or agreement between God and His people. In the Bible, there are two major divisions – the Old Testament and the New Testament. These represent two overarching covenants that God made with mankind.
Old Testament
The Old Testament speaks of God’s original covenant with the nation of Israel. It contains 39 books written before the time of Jesus Christ. Some key elements of the Old Covenant include:
– God promising to make Israel His chosen people if they obeyed His laws (Exodus 19:5-6)
– The giving of the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses (Exodus 20, Deuteronomy)
– A system of animal sacrifices for atonement of sins (Leviticus)
– The promise of a Messiah who would deliver Israel (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22)
The word “testament” itself comes from the Latin word “testamentum” which means covenant. The Old Testament can be thought of as the “Old Covenant” between God and His people Israel. It laid the foundation for the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ.
New Testament
The New Testament details the new covenant we have through Christ. It contains 27 books written after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Some key elements include:
– Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah (Luke 24:27)
– The life, death and resurrection of Christ as atonement for sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
– The Great Commission calling believers to share the Gospel (Matthew 28:19-20)
– The establishment of the Church through the apostles (Acts 2)
– Teachings for Christian living and church order (Romans to Jude)
So while the Old Testament shows how God dealt with His people under the old covenant of Law, the New Testament reveals how God deals with mankind through the new covenant of grace in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:6-13). The “books of the new covenant” reveal how we can now have a right relationship with God through faith in Christ.
Covenants in Ancient Times
In ancient times, covenants were common between tribes and nations. They bound two parties together in agreement for mutual loyalty or defense. Both parties had benefits and responsibilities laid out in the covenant.
Likewise, God’s covenants with mankind spell out how He will deal with us, the blessings He promises, and what He requires of us in response. The Old and New Testaments record God’s covenants and show how He faithfully kept His promises through the nation of Israel and then through His Son Jesus Christ.
Major Covenants in the Bible
While the overarching covenants are called the Old and New Testaments, there are also several specific covenants contained in the Bible:
- Noahic Covenant – God’s promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood (Genesis 9:8-17)
- Abrahamic Covenant – God’s promise to make Abraham a great nation and bless all nations through him (Genesis 12:1-3)
- Mosaic Covenant – God giving the 10 Commandments and the Law to the nation of Israel through Moses (Exodus 19-24)
- Davidic Covenant – God promising David that his descendant would have an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7)
- New Covenant – God writing His Law on our hearts through the death of Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
These covenants build on one another, progressively revealing God’s purposes. All of them ultimately find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant (Luke 22:20).
Why the Term “Testament”?
When the Old Testament was translated from Hebrew to Greek (the Septuagint), the translators used the Greek word “diatheke” for covenant. “Diatheke” can mean “covenant” but also “will” or “testament.”
When the Bible was later translated into Latin, the word used was “testamentum” which means “will.” So the use of “Old Testament” and “New Testament” came from this Latin translation tradition. That’s why we have the two divisions called “testaments” – pointing to the covenants and the inheritance God promised and provided.
The Old and New Covenants Contrasted
The author of Hebrews contrasts the two covenants this way:
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. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another… By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. (Hebrews 8:6-7, 13)
So the New Covenant through Christ is superior to the Old Covenant under Moses. Yet both covenants reveal important truths about God’s relationship with mankind.
Continuity Between the Covenants
While there are differences between the Old and New Covenants, it’s important to see the continuity between them as well. Key ways they are connected include:
– Having the same God as Lawgiver and Savior
– Sharing core moral laws like the 10 Commandments
– A common salvation by grace through faith (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4)
– Both containing God’s self-revelation and redemptive plan
The same God speaks in both covenants, progressively revealing Himself. So the New Testament does not erase what was written previously but fulfills it (Matthew 5:17).
Implications for Bible Interpretation
Recognizing the covenants helps us interpret the Bible rightly. We see how Old Testament laws, sacrifices and prophecies point to Christ. Yet we also rely on Old Testament moral law and wisdom to instruct our lives.
The two testaments complement each other. The Old Testament prepares the way while the New Testament reveals the fulfillment in Christ. This gives us the complete special revelation of God and His purposes.
Testament Means Covenant
In summary, the biblical testaments are covenants that reveal God’s redemption promises. The Old Testament laid the foundation as God dealt with Israel under the Mosaic Law. The New Testament fulfills the promises as God deals with spiritual Israel – the Church – under grace.
Both testaments reveal the character of God and His faithfulness. And together they testify to the salvation we have through Jesus Christ and the new covenant in His blood.
