ePRH: Supplementary Lesson 3: Introduction to the Old Testament: 1 Two parts

Supplementary Lesson 3: Introduction to the Old Testament

Why are the Old Testament and the New Testament called testaments? A testament is a legal agreement, a pact, or a covenant. In this case, the whole Bible is a covenant that God made with His people, promising to save us through Christ. There is only one plan of salvation, and salvation has always been by grace through faith in Christ, but there are different ways that God expressed this covenant throughout history. When Jesus came, the changes in benefits were so striking that this expression was called a new covenant. Thus Christians began dividing the Bible into the old covenant and the new covenant, or the Old Testament and the New Testament.

QUESTION:

Why are the two main parts of the Bible called the Old and New Testaments? Select the best answer.

They are two different covenants of God with His people. During the Old Testament, salvation was by means of good works. When Jesus came, the new means of salvation by faith was called the "new covenant," or "New Testament."

They are two different covenants of God with His people. During the Old Testament, God demanded justice and punishment for sin. When Jesus came, He began to save His people by grace through faith. The new covenant is called the "New Testament."

They are two different expressions the same covenant of salvation by grace through faith. When Jesus came, the new benefits of the covenant of salvation were so amazing that this expression is called the "new covenant," or "New Testament."