WHAT MAKES THE OLD TESTAMENT DIFFERENT FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT?

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God revealed Himself in the Bible in a progressive way. Scripture is one long story with parts, stages, and developments. The Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT) are two major sections of this single grand narrative. Although both are equally inspired and useful—“all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim 3:16)—they still differ in several ways. Understanding these differences helps us see how each part relates to the other. Here are some of them:

1. The People of God and the Person of Christ

The OT records the story of God’s people, especially Israel as His chosen nation. The NT, however, centers on one unique Person who came from Israel—Jesus, the Son of God. This does not mean the OT is silent about Christ; in fact, it points to Him (Jn 5:39; Lk 24:27). But in the NT, Christ is revealed more clearly—His words, His life, and how His earliest followers applied His teachings.

2. Foundational Truths and Further Revelation

The OT laid down foundational truths, while the NT built upon them to provide further revelation. That’s why the NT frequently quotes the OT—it uses it as its basis. Jesus Himself affirmed the authority of the OT (Matt 15:17-18; 22:29; Jn 10:35) and used it in His teaching. The writer of Hebrews also drew extensively from OT passages to explain God’s ultimate revelation through Christ (Heb 1:1-2).

3. From Partial to Fuller

The OT contains the earlier revelations of God, while the NT gives the later and fuller disclosure. Since God’s revelation unfolds progressively, the NT naturally provides more complete and updated truths. For instance, God’s promise to Abraham in the OT was that he would become a great nation and all peoples would be blessed through him (Gen 12:1-2). The NT clarifies that Christ, the “seed of Abraham,” fulfills this promise (Gal 3:16), bringing blessing to all nations. The book of Revelation, rich with OT imagery, concludes the Bible’s epic redemption story. The NT is not greater in inspiration, but it gives us a fuller revelation of what the OT revealed only in part.

4. From Prediction to Fulfillment

The OT contains prophecies, while the NT records their fulfillment. Many OT prophecies foretold the coming of the Messiah, and the NT shows how Jesus fulfilled them, proving He is the Promised Savior. Examples include: His virgin birth (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:22-23), birth in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2; Matt 2:1), descent from David’s line (Jer 23:5; Lk 1:32), crucifixion with criminals (Isa 53:12; Mk 15:27-28), and casting lots for His clothing (Ps 22:18; Jn 19:23-24). Beyond prophecies of the Messiah, the OT also predicted the new covenant and the coming of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17).

5. From One Nation to All Nations

The OT focuses on God’s covenant with Israel, while the NT reveals God’s new covenant with all people. The OT anticipated this new covenant (Jer 31:31-32), and Jesus became its Mediator (Heb 9:15). Though it began with the Jews, it eventually extended to all nations (Matt 15:24 cf. Acts 10:34-35; Matt 10:5-6 cf. Matt 28:19). While the OT includes Gentiles like Rahab and Ruth, its primary concern is Israel. The NT, by contrast, highlights God’s equal treatment of all nations.

6. The Temporary versus the Permanent

The OT presents God’s covenant with Israel, which was temporary and time-bound. The NT reveals God’s permanent covenant with believers, grounded in Christ who is eternal (Heb 7:16, 24, 28; 9:10). Believers under the new covenant are no longer bound by the Law of Moses, which belonged to the old covenant (Rom 6:14). Though the old covenant has been fulfilled in Christ (Gal 3:24), the OT remains God’s Word—helping us better appreciate the fullness of the new covenant found in the NT.

7. From Shadow to Spiritual Realities

The OT contains “shadows” of realities that are fully revealed in the NT (Heb 10:1). The OT tabernacle (later the temple) points to the heavenly reality (Heb 8:5; 9:10-11) and to the NT truth that believers themselves are God’s temple (1 Cor 6:19). Physical circumcision, the sign of the old covenant (Gen 17:10-13; Ex 12:48), points to the “circumcision of the heart” done by the Spirit at conversion (Rom 2:29; Col 2:11). The sacrificial lambs of the OT foreshadow Jesus, the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29; Rev 5:12), the ultimate sacrifice. Rules, festivals, and rituals of the OT find their true meaning in Christ (Col 2:16-17). Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

Houdmann, M. (Gen. Ed). (2015). “Old Testament vs. New Testament—what are the differences?” . 𝘘𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘡π˜ͺ𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘡 𝘡𝘩𝘦 π˜‰π˜ͺ𝘣𝘭𝘦. Westbow Press
McCain, D. and Keener, C. (2012). “The Rule of Progressive Revelation.” 𝘜𝘯π˜₯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘡𝘒𝘯π˜₯π˜ͺ𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘯π˜₯ 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺π˜ͺ𝘯𝘨 𝘡𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘀𝘳π˜ͺ𝘱𝘡𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴. African Christian Textbooks.
Alexander, P. and Alexander, D. (1999). “What is the New Testament?” . π˜›π˜©π˜¦ π˜“π˜ͺ𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘒𝘯π˜₯𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘡𝘰 𝘡𝘩𝘦 π˜‰π˜ͺ𝘣𝘭𝘦. (p.527). OMFLit
Sterret. N. (1974). “The Relation of the Old and New Testaments”. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘡𝘰 𝘜𝘯π˜₯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘡𝘒𝘯π˜₯ 𝘠𝘰𝘢𝘳 π˜‰π˜ͺ𝘣𝘭𝘦. (pp.157-168). InterVarsity Press


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