LESSON ONE

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The Holy Bible is made up of two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Both sections are important for understanding God’s Word. But they are also different in many ways. 

What Is the Old Testament?

The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible. It contains 39 books. These books were written before the birth of Jesus Christ. They include the history, laws, poetry, and prophecies of the people of Israel. The focus of the Old Testament is God’s covenant with His people, the Israelites. It shows how God chose Israel, gave them laws, and led them through many events. It also includes many promises of a coming Savior.

Books of the Old Testament are divided into several sections:

The Law (Torah): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

History: Joshua to Esther

Poetry and Wisdom: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon

Prophets: Isaiah to Malachi

Each book has a unique purpose, but all point to God’s character and plan.

What Is the New Testament?

The New Testament is the second part of the Bible. It contains 27 books. These were written after Jesus came into the world. It reveals God’s new covenant with all people through Jesus Christ. The New Testament focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It also teaches how believers should live by faith. It shares the message of salvation, grace, and eternal life.

Books of the New Testament include:

The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

History: Acts of the Apostles

Letters (Epistles): Romans to Jude

Prophecy: Revelation

These books explain how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament promises and how the Church began.

Key Differences Between the Old and New Testaments

1. Time Period

Old Testament: Written over many centuries, from around 1400 BC to 400 BC.

New Testament: Written within about 50 years, from around AD 45 to AD 95.

The Old Testament was written before Jesus’ birth. The New Testament was written after Jesus came.

2. Covenant with God

Old Testament: Based on the covenant between God and Israel through the Law of Moses.

New Testament: Based on a new covenant through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice.

Jeremiah 31:31 predicted this new covenant: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”

Jesus fulfilled that promise.

3. The Role of the Law

Old Testament: The Law was central. It showed people how to live and worship.

New Testament: The Law is fulfilled in Christ. Believers now live by grace through faith.

Romans 10:4 says: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

4. The Sacrifices

Old Testament: Animal sacrifices were used to cover sin temporarily.

New Testament: Jesus’ death on the cross was the final and perfect sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:10 teaches: “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

5. The Promised Messiah

Old Testament: The Messiah is promised but not yet revealed.

New Testament: The Messiah, Jesus, is revealed and His mission is fulfilled.

The Gospels tell the story of Jesus—the promised Savior.

Similarities Between the Testaments

Even though there are differences, the two Testaments are connected. They are part of one Bible, and they share the same God and the same plan.

1. God’s Character

In both Testaments, God is holy, loving, just, and merciful. He does not change.

Malachi 3:6 says: “For I the Lord do not change.”

Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

2. Human Need for Salvation

Both Testaments show that people are sinners who need salvation. The Old Testament shows the problem. The New Testament shows the solution.

Romans 3:23 says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

3. The Role of Faith

Faith was always the key to pleasing God. In the Old Testament, Abraham was saved by faith. In the New Testament, we are also saved by faith.

Hebrews 11:8 says: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called…”

Ephesians 2:8 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith…”

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

Many Old Testament books contain prophecies about the coming of Messiah. Examples include:

Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son…”

Micah 5:2: The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.

Isaiah 53: The suffering servant will die for our sins.

New Testament Fulfillment in Jesus:

Matthew 1:22-23 confirms the birth of the virgin.

Luke 2:4-7 tells of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.

1 Peter 2:24 shows that Jesus bore our sins on the cross.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Old Testament: In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon certain people for specific tasks, such as kings, prophets, and judges. The Spirit was not given to all believers.

New Testament: In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is given to all who believe in Jesus. The Spirit lives inside believers and helps them live holy lives.

Acts 2:38 says: “Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The Birth of the Church

The Old Testament does not describe the Church. It focuses on the nation of Israel.

The Church begins in the New Testament after Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). It includes all people—Jews and Gentiles—who trust in Christ.

Galatians 3:28 says: “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Salvation Through Jesus

In the Old Testament, salvation was hoped for. People looked forward to the coming Savior. They trusted in God’s promises.

In the New Testament, salvation is revealed through Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). We receive eternal life by believing in Him.

John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Why Both Testaments Matter

Together, the Old and New Testaments tell one story—God’s story of love, sin, judgment, and salvation.

They Reveal God’s Plan

The Old Testament sets the foundation. The New Testament builds on that foundation and shows its fulfillment in Christ.

They Help Us Grow in Faith

All Scripture is useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). We need both parts to understand God’s will.

Conclusion

Though the Old and New Testaments are different in many ways, they are united in purpose. They both reveal God to us. They both point us to Jesus. And they both help us live for God.

As Christians, we should read and treasure both the Old and the New. They are gifts from God that show us His truth, His love, and His plan for our lives.

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” —Romans 15:4