Decoding the Divine: 12 Surprising Differences Between the Old and New Testament
Did you know that each section of the Bible is quite different? In the article, we’re diving into this sacred book that holds so much wisdom. Here, we will uncover differences between the Old and New Testaments that you might not have noticed before.
These surprises will change the way you see these sacred texts and reveal new aspects of their stories. Let’s embark on this journey to uncover the mysteries hidden within the Bible’s pages.
1. Difference in Storytelling
The Old and New Testaments in the Bible tell stories differently. The Old Testament is all about the Jewish people as a group, their history, and their relationship with God. In contrast, the New Testament shifts the focus to one person, Jesus Christ. It’s a significant change in the Bible’s storytelling, emphasizing Jesus’s important role in Christian beliefs and marking a new chapter in humanity’s connection with God.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1–5
2. Difference in Time Period
The Old Testament, written by Moses around 400 BC, covers over a thousand years of the Jewish people’s history and their connection with God.
On the other hand, the New Testament, penned between AD 50 and AD 100, focuses on a more recent period, telling the story of Jesus and the early Christian church. These two parts of the Bible provide a significant glimpse into our spiritual history, with the Old focusing on Jewish history and the New on the beginnings of Christianity with Jesus.
“If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” John 5:46–47
3. Difference in Focus
In the Bible, there are two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament tells stories of amazing things God did in the past and hints about a special person called the Messiah who was coming in the future.
The New Testament is where the Messiah, Jesus, finally appears. It’s like the “reveal” part of the story. It introduces Jesus and explains his important teachings, which are the basis of Christian beliefs. Together, these two parts tell the story of God’s plan for people.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
4. Difference in Prophecies
The Old Testament is full of predictions about the future, often looking far ahead. The New Testament shows us how these old predictions are coming true, especially in the life of Jesus, who is seen as the promised Messiah.
The New Testament acts like a flashlight, helping us see that these ancient predictions are actually happening through Jesus. It’s like a big “aha!” moment where we realize these old promises were all about him.
So, the New Testament isn’t just about celebrating the fulfillment of these predictions but also showing us how important they are in the Christian faith. It connects the past to the present, all centered around Jesus, the promised Messiah.
“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21
5. Difference in Worship
In the Old Testament, people would gather in places like the Tabernacle or Temple to connect with God through rituals and offerings.
In the New Testament, worship takes a different perspective. It’s about having a personal and truthful connection with God, thanks to Jesus. True worship isn’t about a specific place or rules. It’s about a sincere relationship with God. This change in worship approach is a key difference between the Old and New Testaments.
“You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you.” Leviticus 1:4
6. Difference in the Covenant
In the Old Testament, there’s a big focus on the “covenant of the Law,” which lays out rules for the Jewish people. But in the New Testament, things change. Now, salvation is about having faith in Jesus, not just following all of the old rules.
The wonderful thing is that this new way of salvation is for everyone who believes in Jesus, not just a specific group. It’s a shift from rules to faith in Christ.
“Before the coming of this faith,[a] we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” Galatians 3:23-25
7. Difference in Size
The Old Testament is the first three-quarters of the Bible, with thirty-nine books about the history and beliefs of the Jewish people.
The New Testament is the last part of the Bible, with twenty-seven books about Jesus and the early Christians. Together, they guide people’s beliefs and morals.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
8. Difference in Sacrificial System
In the Old Testament, people used sacrifices as a way to make up for their mistakes temporarily. It was like apologizing to God with symbolic gestures.
In the New Testament, we learn that these old sacrifices were hints about a more significant, more important sacrifice – Jesus. He’s the key to finding lasting peace with God, not just temporary fixes for our mistakes. This is the important message that links the two parts of the Bible.
“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.” Hebrews 10:17-18
9. Difference in the Commandments
In the Old Testament, the commandments guide people on how to live right and have a good relationship with God. But in the New Testament, we learn that the commandments are not just about following rules to get into heaven. They show us that people need help to be saved and that help comes through believing in Jesus, not just obeying rules.
So, the New Testament helps us understand that real salvation and a good relationship with God come from believing in Jesus. The commandments are still important for living well, but they can’t save us alone. They remind us that we need God’s help to be truly saved. This is an important message from both parts of the Bible.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John. 14:15-18
10. Difference in Temporality
The Old Testament is temporary and limited and focuses on the past and how the Jewish people practiced their religion. The New Testament provides a timeless message of salvation through Jesus that’s important for everyone, no matter when they live.
The message in the New Testament is about something that lasts forever and is important for everyone, regardless of when they live. It’s a shift from the past to the present and the future, from temporary to eternal, and from something for a few to something for all.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
11. Difference in Language
The Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew, with some short parts in Aramaic. In contrast, the New Testament was originally written in a common form of Greek spoken in the first century, known as koine. This type of Greek influenced the later stages of the language.
The Roman Empire admired ancient Greek culture in the first century and tried to follow its best aspects. It’s interesting to note that, even though the New Testament is in Greek, a few words and phrases from Hebrew and Aramaic are included.
“When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.” Acts 22:2
12. Difference in Genre
The Old Testament has a mix of different kinds of writing, covering history, wisdom, stories about people like Job before Abraham, laws, poetry, songs, and more. These are divided into categories like Law, Prophets, and Writings.
On the other hand, the New Testament is more focused. It mainly tells about Jesus’ life in four different ways, describes the early Christian church’s history, shares letters from church leaders, and includes a prophetic book using symbols to talk about the defeat of evil and the arrival of a new, sin-free world called “new heavens and a new earth.”
“He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Luke 24:44
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For example, I was definitely taught that “you don’t smoke, drink, cuss, gamble, or spend time with those who do.”
Imagine my surprise, then, when — as an adult — I learned that not all Christians find all of these actions (or others) wrong in the slightest!
No matter your personal preference (and I still prefer not to do most of these things myself), here are 7 things the Bible never actually prohibits as sin.
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Even lifelong Christians can be told one way of viewing Scripture and cling to that belief without realizing that it is tradition or cultural rather than truly Biblical.
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When you’re going through trials and suffering, Scripture verses about trusting God in difficult times can be such a comfort. The Bible’s whole narrative is about humanity’s journey in trusting their Creator.
Meditate on and pray through these verses about trusting God in difficult times when you need a reminder about the big picture: God’s story, what He’s doing in the world, His boundless grace and mercy, and how much you matter to Him.
