New Testament Christian Scripture vs. Old Testament Hebrew Scripture

Attribute	New Testament Christian Scripture	Old Testament Hebrew Scripture
Time Period	1st century AD	Before 4th century BC
Language	Greek	Hebrew, Aramaic
Number of Books	27	39
Central Figure	Jesus Christ	Moses
Focus	Teachings of Jesus, Early Christian Church	History of Israelites, Laws and Prophets
Themes	Love, Forgiveness, Salvation	Justice, Covenant, Prophecy

Introduction

Christianity is a religion that is deeply rooted in both the Old Testament Hebrew Scripture and the New Testament Christian Scripture. These two bodies of text are considered sacred by Christians around the world, but they have distinct attributes that set them apart from each other. In this article, we will explore the differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament, focusing on their content, themes, and overall message.

Content

The Old Testament is comprised of 39 books that were written over a span of centuries by various authors. These books include historical accounts, laws, prophecies, poetry, and wisdom literature. The New Testament, on the other hand, consists of 27 books that were written in the first century AD by early Christian leaders. These books include the four Gospels, letters, and the book of Revelation.

Themes

One of the key differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the theme of redemption. In the Old Testament, the focus is on the covenant between God and the Israelites, as well as the promise of a Messiah who will deliver them from their sins. The New Testament, however, centers around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.

Overall Message

While both the Old Testament and the New Testament share the same God and many similar moral teachings, they convey different overall messages. The Old Testament emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's laws and the consequences of disobedience. The New Testament, on the other hand, focuses on the grace and forgiveness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Prophets and Apostles

In the Old Testament, prophets played a crucial role in delivering God's messages to the Israelites and foretelling the coming of the Messiah. Some of the most well-known prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. In the New Testament, apostles were chosen by Jesus to spread his teachings and establish the early Christian church. The most prominent apostles include Peter, Paul, and John.

Law and Grace

Another significant difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the emphasis on law versus grace. In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law was given to the Israelites as a guide for righteous living and worship. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the law, and believers are saved by grace through faith in him, rather than by following the law.

Salvation

Salvation is a central theme in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, but the way it is achieved differs between the two. In the Old Testament, salvation is often portrayed as deliverance from physical enemies or captivity, as well as spiritual restoration through repentance and obedience. In the New Testament, salvation is seen as a gift from God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.

Conclusion

While the Old Testament and the New Testament are both essential components of the Christian faith, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. The Old Testament lays the foundation for the coming of the Messiah and emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's laws. The New Testament, on the other hand, focuses on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the grace and forgiveness that comes through faith in him. Together, these two bodies of scripture provide a comprehensive understanding of God's plan for humanity.