To a novice how would you explain the relationship between the Old and New testament?

Answer 1

I would have them read Hebrews Chapter 9 and 10.

http://bible.crosswalk.com

The NIV translation uses the word Covenant instead of Testament, you can verify that in the KJV for these verses.


Hebrews 9:1 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. ... Read to the end of the Chapter.

Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 10:1-25. You can read to the end of Ch.10 if you like.
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Answer 2

To explain to a novice what they will find in the Bible you begin with the Old Testament Torah, the first five books of the Bible, beginning with the story of Creation and the Levitical laws for the Israelites as they wandered in the desert.This also includes the counting of the people of Israel and a restating of the law. The rest of the Old Testament includes other writing on the History, Poetry, and Major and minor prophets. All showing the signs of a Savior to be born to the people of Israel.

The New Testament is the fulfillment of the prophecy stated in the O.T. The coming of the Savior and his redemption of the world changed many laws. All the things that have been changed by His coming are stated in the N.T while the other laws are still recorded in the O.T This is why the O.T is still just as necessary today. If it wasn't stated in the teachings of Jesus or by Paul, (Jesus revealed the Law to Saul at his conversion), then we need to return to the O.T for instruction.Also included in the N.T. is the book of Revelations to prepare people for the second coming of Jesus.

Answer 3

For Christians, the Old and New Testaments can be considered the names of two volumes of holy scripture. The Old Testament contains writing that pre-date Jesus; the New Testament contains writings from after the time of Jesus.

Since Jesus was a Jew and said that he came to fulfill the law, Christians consider the Old Testament (which is mostly Jewish scripture) to be holy. The Gospels in the New Testament are the story of Jesus, as handed down by tradition. The rest of it can be called teaching documents that help flesh out Jesus' teachings.

So in a nutshell: The Old Testament is the basis for Jesus' teachings while the New Testament takes them to the next step, based on the belief that Jesus is the Son of God.

Answer 4

Old Testament was the Old Covenant- People lived by the Laws of Moses- which are still relevant today of course, but the New Testament is a New Covenant through Jesus Christ- it is a grace period. Salvation has come and there is no longer a need for sacrficing animals for redemption from sins- for Jesus was that one and only sacrifice....

In the Old Testament people had to sacrifice the blood of an animal for forgiveness, every time they sinned- Where as today, since Jesus came, we are forgiven through His blood, past, present and future- and when we do sin, we confess to Him, and repent. We are also given the Holy Spirit under the New Covenant which keeps us from straying and teaches us truth.
So it is through grace we are saved, through faith in Jesus Christ as Ephesians 2:8 says: no longer do we need to shed the blood of an animal, for Jesus shed enough blood to cover the sins of the world- and when you believe in Him and repent you are forgiven and set free, you have eternal life in Him.

We are not saved by the Law, but the law is still important, because it shows how we have sinned against God, and of course we should always be faithful to obey it: As it says:
Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Answer 5

The old testiment was a history of how we came from God and how we used what we knew to lay a foundation of civilization as best as we could.

The new testiment is the history of Jesus and a new way of looking at the old ways with more peace, harmony, tolerance, love and respect.

There are examples in both books as too GOOD WAYS TO BE and BAD WAYS TO BE.

It's up to YOU to separate them. God wants to see how you use your powers of knoweldge of GOOD and EVIL, RIGHT and WRONG to make a life and live a life.

God tells you in writing on stone tables NOT TO KILL

God comes to you in person and tells you to kill someone

YOU, now, have to decide what to obey. The written edicts from God or God's personal demands.

Remember, God levels cities, God brings floods and God test's man all the time.

Now you decide which to follow and YOU must take the consquences for your actions. God will not tell you anything one way or the other. God just remembers what you have done.

Answer 6

The OT & NT go hand in hand- The OT replaced into sturdy on the regulations -- 10 commandments The NT is sturdy on LOVE- notwithstanding no the position does one get rid of the different- they in effortless words regulation finished away with, were the Temple regulations!! there replaced into no want to sacrifice anymore once Jesus Christ (The Lamb of God) replaced into crucified- many situations Jesus says interior the NT that we are to obey the Commandments & settle for His Grace- to make it to heaven- not one or the different -- yet both.

Answer 7

Testament means contract. This contract is between God and man regarding man's sin state and what man is required to do to be cleansed of sin and be restored to God.

The Old Testament is the 1st Contract God established through Abraham called the Abrahamic Covenant (Testament). God provided the blood of chosen animals (such as the Lamb), to be utilized as a substitute for man (because the blood of man is contaminated with sin) to make reconciliation (atonement) for their souls.

Leviticus 17:11

"For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul."

The New Testament is a revision of the original contract; where God Himself became "flesh and blood" to provide His own blood as a substitute for man.

John 1:29

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

Luke 22:7-20

"Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide [it] among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

Answer 8

The OT God was into genocide, ethnic cleansing, slavery, mass destruction and child sacrifice.

The NT God was only into child sacrifice.

Answer 9

TRUE AND FALSE,HISTORY AND MYTH,THE TRUTH AND THE LIE,REALITY AND FANTASY,NONFICTION AND FICTION