What are the differences between the Old and New Testaments?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible is made up of two distinct yet deeply connected sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament lays the foundation by revealing God’s power, laws, and promises, pointing forward to the coming Messiah over a span of about one thousand years. The New Testament, written between AD 50 and 150, reveals Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills over three hundred Old Testament prophecies and establishes a new covenant of grace. Together, both Testaments form one unified story of redemption that shapes Christian faith, worship, and life. Understanding this continuity helps us trust God’s promises, engage with Scripture more fully, and strengthen our faith in Jesus as the true Savior.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament books were written from the time of Moses (Exodus 24:4) until about 400 BC, covering roughly one thousand years and a wide range of events from the creation of the universe (Genesis 1:1) to the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 1:1-4; Nehemiah 2:1-8).
• The Old Testament chronicles God’s power and works, looking forward to the coming Messiah (Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 9:6-7).
• Most Old Testament prophecies point toward a future fulfillment and were unfulfilled at the time of its completion (Isaiah 53; Jeremiah 31:31-34).
• Much of the Old Testament focuses on the tabernacle or temple as the central place of worship, including detailed instructions on offerings, festivals, and worship practices (Exodus 25:8-9; Leviticus 23; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3).
• The Old Testament emphasizes the Mosaic covenant, centered on the Law given by the Lord (Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 5:1-22).
• The Old Testament contains thirty-nine of the Bible’s sixty-six books and comprises about three-fourths of the entire Bible, reflecting God and His work in human history (Psalm 40:7-8; cf. Luke 24:44).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament was written between approximately AD 50 and AD 150, capturing the life and teachings of Jesus and the early church (e.g., Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2).
• The New Testament reveals Jesus as the Messiah, reflecting on His life, death, and resurrection as the foundation for the church and the spread of the gospel (Matthew 16:16; Acts 2:36).
• It highlights the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies, with over three hundred fulfilled in Jesus’ life (Luke 24:44; Matthew 5:17).
• In the New Testament, Jesus presents Himself as the focus of worship, declaring, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
• The New Testament introduces a new covenant through Jesus, who fulfills the Law, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe, apart from the old Mosaic requirements (Hebrews 8:6-13; Romans 10:4).
• The New Testament consists of twenty-seven books, including the four Gospels, one historical book (Acts), twenty-one epistles, and one prophetic book (Revelation) (Luke, Matthew, Mark, John; Acts; Romans through Jude; Revelation).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

In many ways the Old Testament serves as the foundation for the New Testament. While the Old Testament comprises approximately three-fourths of the Bible, its contents point toward the Messiah who is revealed in the New Testament. Rather than an entirely new message, the New Testament reveals how Jesus fulfilled the predictions regarding the Messiah and provides many of His teachings and miracles, along with the writings of His earliest followers.

Recognizing the continuity between the Testaments reminds us that God’s promises are trustworthy and that Jesus is the true fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation. This helps us avoid seeing the Bible as disconnected or confusing, instead allowing us to see God’s consistent character and purpose throughout history. It also encourages us to engage deeply with the whole Bible, not just the parts that seem familiar or easy, enriching our spiritual growth and equipping us to share the gospel with clarity and confidence. Ultimately, it strengthens our faith by anchoring it in the full story of God’s redemption, inspiring hope and obedience in our daily lives.

UNDERSTAND

• The Old Testament lays the foundation with God's laws, promises, and prophecies pointing to the coming Messiah.
• The New Testament reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of those promises and establishes a new covenant.
• Together, the Old and New Testaments form one unified story of redemption that shapes Christian faith and life.

REFLECT

• How does understanding the continuity between the Old Testament and New Testament shape the way you read the Bible?
• How does recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises deepen your trust in Him?
• Are there parts of the Bible you tend to overlook? How might embracing the full story of Scripture strengthen your walk with God?

ENGAGE

• How do the differences between the Old and New Testament fulfill their purposes in giving one unified message?
• In the church’s evangelism outreach efforts, what groups might be best reached by pointing to the continuity between both Testaments, emphasizing the Bible as one unified story rather than two separate messages?
• How can we encourage believers to engage with both the Old and New Testaments in their teaching and worship?