Building Bible Confidence: Part 10

Part 10: The Two Testaments (Part 1)

Introduction

From ancient times to modern day, navigating without a map or directions makes a journey practically impossible. Whether one used the stars, a paper map, or an electronic device, all have this in common: knowing where you’re going provides clarity and direction. In this final section, Bible students are encouraged to consider their own Biblical navigational abilities. Do you know what a testament is? Do you know the general structure and outline of the Old and New Testaments? Hopefully, these studies will help foster awareness and build confidence.

Planning Note: The author suggests spending time memorizing the sixty-six books inside. This discipline will be valuable in many ways throughout a Christian life. Spend time at the beginning of the lesson before reading and after the lesson to recite the sixty-six books. If working as a group, take turns saying all sixty-six or go around the group one by one with each person saying the next book in order. If working alone, say the books out loud and hold yourself accountable to try to say all sixty-six in order by the end of Section II. In addition to the regular weekly practice, please make the memorization of the Bible books a priority.

A Single Step

The Bible is one great book with one central message: the redemption of man from sin. When someone opens the Bible for the very first time, it can feel overwhelming. Perhaps they ask: Where should I start? How much should I read? Anyone who is willing to learn should take comfort knowing that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). He wants us to learn and be edified when we read. Even though the Bible is a big book, we can see it as a long journey. The journey of 1,000 miles always begins with one step. We should start by understanding the general layout as our first step toward Biblical literacy.

What is a Testament?

The description of the word testament includes covenant, promise, will, and agreement. A testament is like a relational and contractual agreement between two parties: God and His people. The Bible is organized into two major testaments, commonly referred to as Old and New. A testament with God was ratified, or brought about, by blood (Hebrew 9:16-22). The Old Testament was ratified by the blood of bulls and goats. The New Testament was established by the blood of Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament bears this name because it is not the Testament that we live under today (Hebrews 9:15). During the Old Testament, two ages of time passed. During the Patriarchal Age, God made covenant promises with family leaders like Noah and Abraham. The Mosaic Age focused on a covenant with Israel. Thirty-nine books of Law, History, Wisdom, and Prophecy form the “Old Testament”. The New Testament is new because it came after (and replaced) the Old Testament. It was brought about by the death of Jesus Christ. The covenant was not written on tablets of stone, like the ten commandments, but is written on the hearts of those who seek God (see Jeremiah 31:31-34. The Bible also says:

By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:10-12).

Jesus’ one time sacrifice was all sufficient to take away our sins. We can, therefore, read the New Testament with fresh appreciation for the very concept of testament. Additionally, when Christians worship God on Sundays and partake of the communion, we drink grape juice from a cup (e.g. Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). This is Jesus’ blood (the grape juice) of the new covenant (the cup). Christians, therefore, remember the new covenant weekly when we gather for worship.

The New Testament also can be seen as a new age of time that continues today: The Christian Age. Jesus' sacrifice makes salvation from sin and spiritual death possible for all mankind (see Hebrews 9-10). Twenty-seven books of Gospel, History, Epistle, and Prophecy were compiled together to complete the New Testament.