What does testament mean?

Question

and what does it mean to Christians?

Answer 1

According to Merriam-Webster, "testament" has three basic meanings:

1 a archaic : a covenant between God and the human race b capitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible
2 a : a tangible proof or tribute b : an expression of conviction : CREED
3 a : an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death b : WILL

Answer 2

A testament (realted to "testimony") is a statement of one's understanding or opinion about life in general. The word is often associated with legal wills because it gives the departed an opportunity to make a final statement about family members, or the world, without any rebuttal.

For Christians, the Old and New Testaments reflect different understandings of how God is offering salvation. Both scriptures are based on a "covenant" or binding agreement between God and people. In the Jewish scriptures, it's the covenants of Abraham, Moses and David. In the Christian scriptures, it's the covenant established by Jesus through his death and resurrection. The "testaments" provide the background, the explanation of how the covenants came about and what they mean.

Answer 3

Testament is a legal term which could also be translated "covenant". The best way to look at it is as a "will" such as in a "last will and testament". Paul explained it this way...

Hebrews 9:15-17
And for this reason [Yeshua] is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.

So because Christ died, His "last will and testament" of the first covenant (our redemption) came in to force. The catch is that He rose on the third day, so we gain the inheritance of redemption without losing the relationship with the loved One.

Answer 4

It means a testimony of a witness...One who saw and recorded the message....Like the testaments of the bible, different people saw things and recorded them down on paper..Like john, matthew, luke and so one..Christian means, christlike and following him..This is what christians go by in reference to what god says, and try, and I mean try to live by..We all stumble and fall and are not perfect, but thru his word we try to live the way god intends us to live...But only thru god, and excepting his son jesus as our saviour, we then can have eternal life..thats a promise God gives us.....

Answer 5

1. Law. a will, esp. one that relates to the disposition of one's personal property.

2. either of the two major portions of the Bible: the Mosaic or old covenant or dispensation, or the Christian or new covenant or dispensation.

3. a covenant, esp. between God and humans.

Answer 6

Testament - A will or covenant.

Answer 7

A testament is a will and goes into effect when you are dead.

Answer 8

as far as the Bible is concerned it is Covenant. That is why the new testment is called that. It is the new covenant that Jesus made when he came to save us. "I did not come to change the law but save that which was lost."

Answer 9

It means witness I think

Answer 10

an experience that happened to you to make you see the light and then others can follow and that is what I think it is in my church