Differences between New Testament and Old Testament
New Testament vs. Old Testament[edit]
The Christian Bible is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament, which makes up about three-quarters of the entire Bible, contains the sacred writings of the Jewish faith.[1] The New Testament centers on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the early Christian church.[2][3] While the Old Testament is considered foundational, the New Testament builds upon it with further revelation, and Christians believe it fulfills many of the prophecies found in the Old Testament.[4][2]
The Old Testament was written over a period of centuries, primarily in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic.[5] Its composition covers a vast historical timeline from creation to about 400 BC.[2] In contrast, the New Testament was written in Koine Greek within a much shorter period, less than 100 years, with most writings dated between 50 and 100 AD.[3]
The two testaments also differ in their central themes and covenants. The Old Testament details God's relationship with the nation of Israel under what is known as the Old Covenant, which was established through Moses and centered on Law.[3] The New Testament introduces a New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, which emphasizes grace and a personal relationship with God available to all people, not exclusively the Jewish nation.[4]
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Old Testament | New Testament |
|---|---|---|
| Original Language | Predominantly Hebrew, with some Aramaic. | Koine Greek. |
| Time Period Covered | From creation to approximately 400 BC.[2][3] | Primarily the 1st century AD (approx. 50-100 AD).[3] |
| Number of Books | 39 books (Protestant), 46 (Catholic), 49 or more (Orthodox). | 27 books (consistent across major Christian denominations).[2][1] |
| Primary Focus | The history of God's covenant with the nation of Israel and the giving of the Law.[2] | The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the formation of the early church.[4][3] |
| Central Figure | Figures like Abraham, Moses, and David are prominent. | Jesus Christ is the central figure.[4] |
| Covenant | The Old Covenant, established through Moses on Mount Sinai, based on God's Law. | The New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, based on grace and faith. |
| Literary Genres | Includes law, historical narrative, poetry, wisdom literature, and prophecy. | Includes Gospels (biographies of Jesus), historical narrative (Acts), epistles (letters), and apocalyptic literature. |
Canonicity[edit]
The canon, or the official list of books, differs for the Old Testament among various Christian denominations. The Protestant Old Testament consists of 39 books, which corresponds to the Hebrew Bible.[2] The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions include additional books, known as the deuterocanonical books or Apocrypha, resulting in a larger Old Testament canon of 46 and 49 or more books, respectively. The canon of the New Testament, containing 27 books, is universally accepted across these major Christian traditions.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "ministryvoice.com". Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "soh.church". Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "biblegateway.com". Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "gotquestions.org". Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ↑ "biblica.com". Retrieved October 20, 2025.
