When did the New Testament really begin?

Question

Was it in the book of Acts when Jesus ascended into heaven?

Acts 1:9
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up: and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Answer 1

Thanks for the honest question. I'd say it was when Jesus die on the cross and said, "it is finished". The old covenant was finished and his death which pays our debt ushered in a new covenant of mercy.

Answer 2

This is an excellent question. Since most people would say that the NT begins with Jesus, then there are three passages that would shed light on the answer. In the Gospel of John we read in verse 1 through 5 and 9 through 14 tell us that Jesus was is the beginning wioth God. the book of First John chaopter 1 verses 1 through 3 tell us the same thing. And then in the book of Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." So in reality, Jesus and the NT began in the beginning.

Answer 3

According to the bible, the New Testament MIGHT have began the very moment when " An Angel of the Lord Spoke to Zecharias" in the Temple. Luke 1: 5-13 (Note: Angel of the Lord may be God himself)

You have to remember that NOBODY has heard the voice of God in about 400 years until this visit by God so during this incident, i believe could have been the beginning of the NT. This revelation was given to Zecharias of the coming of his son "John the baptist the messenger of God to pave the way"

This was the cousin of Jesus and he was about 6 months older than Jesus. Luke 1:24-26

God bless

Answer 4

The book of Mark is considered the earliest, generally thought dated to about 60 C.E. (Sorry to disagree with my friend Ray). The book of Acts was originally like a second volume of Luke, and was written around the mid 70's. Mathew and Luke have material in common believed to be from a source called "Q."

Answer 5

Hi Sandy,

That's a very interesting question.

To find it out, let's read Hebrews 8:6

" But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also

the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises. "

Here, Apostle Paul was referring to the Lord Jesus Christ as the mediator of a

BETTER COVENANT.

When you it says BETTER COVENANT, does it imply there was a covenant BEFORE?

YES OF COURSE.

Let's read the next verse (Hebrews 8:7),

"For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been

sought for a second. "

There was the FIRST COVENANT.

What happened to this first covenant?

Continue reading to the next verse (8:8).

"For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That

I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah."

It was very clear.

The Lord will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of

Judah.

Not according to the first covenant.

"Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers In the day that I

took them by the hand to lead them forth out of the land of Egypt; For they continued

not in my covenant, And I regarded them not, saith the Lord. "

What is it then?

Let's continue on verse 10-12,

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those

days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And on their heart also

will I write them: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people:

And they shall not teach every man his fellow-citizen, And every man his brother,

saying, Know the Lord: For all shall know me, From the least to the greatest of them.

For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more."

That was very clear.

That is the second covenant. What is this particular covenant called?
In verse 13,

"In that he saith, A new covenant he hath made the first old. But that which is

becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away. "


NEW COVENANT.

In Greek (dee-ath-ay'-kay), COVENANT may also mean TESTAMENT.

The question of yours is: WHEN. When.

To help us understand when, let's read Luke 22:20,

"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my

blood, which is shed for you. "

This was said during the Lord's supper with his 12 apostles.

That cup was the new testament in his blood, which is shed for his disciples.

Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new covenant.

Hebrews 9:15

"And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken

place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant,

they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. "

On your question, you were mentioning about what happened in the book of Acts.

Remember, that the book of Luke 22:20, the time when the Lord ate his supper with

his 12 Apostles came first before what is mentioned in the book of Acts.


I hope the verses above helped.


For further information, visit

http://esoriano.wordpress.com
http://www.theoldpath.tv
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Answer 6

Genesis 3:14-15, Here is where the promise of Jesus is given.

Answer 7

The oldest New Testament writing is Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, A.D. 50.

Peace and blessings!

Answer 8

Do you mean the written collection we know of today as the "New Testament"? If so, then none of it was written as early as the time when the story in Acts is set. Did you mean the "new covenant"?

Answer 9

With the preaching of John the Baptist.

Pastor Art

Answer 10

Definitely after