Old Testament and New Testament

Understanding the Two Major Parts of the Bible

One of the first things people notice when they begin reading the Bible is that it is divided into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Together, these two parts form one unified story of God’s relationship with humanity and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Although the Old Testament and New Testament were written during different periods of history, they work together to reveal God’s character, His promises, and His redeeming work in the world. The Bible is not two separate stories. It is one story that unfolds across many centuries and reaches its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

One Story, Two Testaments

What Is the Old Testament?

The Old Testament contains thirty-nine books and records God’s work from Creation through the centuries before the birth of Jesus.

These books tell the story of God’s covenant relationship with His people, Israel. They include accounts of creation, the patriarchs, the Exodus, the giving of the Law, the rise and fall of kings, the messages of the prophets, and the hope of a coming Messiah.

The Old Testament reveals:

Who God is

How sin entered the world

God’s covenant promises

The history of Israel

The importance of worship and obedience

The promise of redemption

The expectation of a Savior

Jesus and the early church regularly quoted and taught from the Old Testament Scriptures.

Major Sections of the Old Testament

The Law (Genesis–Deuteronomy)

The Historical Books (Joshua–Esther)

Poetry and Wisdom Literature (Job–Song of Solomon)

The Major Prophets (Isaiah–Daniel)

The Minor Prophets (Hosea–Malachi)

Each section contributes to the larger story of God’s plan for His people and ultimately points forward to Christ.

What Is the New Testament?

The New Testament contains twenty-seven books and focuses on the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and continuing work of Jesus Christ.

It begins with the four Gospels, which tell the story of Jesus. It continues with the Book of Acts, which records the birth and growth of the early church. The letters, or epistles, provide instruction and encouragement for believers. The New Testament concludes with Revelation, which points toward God’s ultimate victory and the fulfillment of His promises.

The New Testament reveals:

The life and teachings of Jesus

The meaning of His death and resurrection

The coming of the Holy Spirit

The birth of the church

Christian doctrine and discipleship

The hope of Christ’s return

The promise of a new heaven and new earth

Major Sections of the New Testament

The Gospels (Matthew–John)

History (Acts)

Letters of Paul (Romans–Philemon)

General Letters (Hebrews–Jude)

Prophecy (Revelation)

These books explain how God’s promises are fulfilled through Jesus Christ and how believers are called to live as His followers.

How the Old and New Testaments Work Together

The Old Testament prepares the way for Jesus.

The New Testament reveals Jesus.

The Old Testament contains promises.

The New Testament shows their fulfillment.

The Old Testament points forward.

The New Testament looks back to Christ’s completed work while also pointing forward to His return.

Many events, people, symbols, and prophecies in the Old Testament help us better understand Jesus and His mission. Likewise, the New Testament helps explain the meaning and significance of the Old Testament.

Jesus Is the Center of the Story

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible points to Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, we see promises, prophecies, patterns, and pictures that anticipate the coming Messiah.

In the New Testament, we see those promises fulfilled through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Understanding this connection helps readers see that the Bible is one unified story rather than a collection of unrelated books.

Why This Matters

When we understand the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament, we gain a deeper appreciation for God’s faithfulness throughout history.

We see how God’s plan unfolded over generations.

We understand why Jesus came.

We recognize how God’s promises were fulfilled.

We gain confidence in the unity and reliability of Scripture.

Most importantly, we discover that the entire Bible points us toward a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Understanding the Bible

Getting Started with the Bible

Understanding How the Bible Is Organized

Bible Timeline

Major Themes of the Bible

How the Old Testament Points to Jesus

Understanding Old Testament History