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Why Is There An Old Testament And A New Testament?
The Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible are two distinct sections of Christian Scripture that serve two distinct yet intertwined purposes. The Old Testament is the narrative that sets the stage for the introduction of Jesus Christ and His teachings, while the New Testament focuses on that introduction and the teachings that follow. The two sections together provide a comprehensive look at the story of the faith and help believers to understand its principles.
The Old Testament is composed of 39 books, written mostly in Hebrew and some in Aramaic, that provide an account of God’s relationship with His people beginning with creation and ending with the appearance of a Messiah. It is largely seen as a narrative of divine intervention, as God reveals Himself to mankind and leads them through times of conflict and events of great significance. Within the Old Testament, believers can find stories of heroes and villains, great victories and heavy losses, and troubling times of hardship and despair. Most crucially, the Old Testament provides a historically accurate account of the nation of Israel’s origins and its struggles.
The New Testament contains an additional 27 books that were written in Greek and detail the events of Jesus’ life and ministry as well as the growth of the early Christian Church. This includes detailed accounts of Jesus’ birth and death, as well as His parables and teachings. It is these writings that serve as the primary source of Christian doctrine and, as a result, are capable of forming the foundation of a believer’s faith.
The Old and New Testaments together tell the story of a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people and who, through the life of Jesus, has provided a means for all to know Him. They provide a thorough understanding of God’s plans and purposes, His faithfulness, and His desire to restore relationships between man and Himself. Ultimately, the Old and New Testaments provide believers with a deep insight into the character of God and the way He chooses to lead and sustain His people.
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