In simple words, Bible is a book that has religious texts and scriptures divided into several other books that also include laws, stories, prayers, and many wise words of Christians, Jews, and others. As per the beliefs of both Christians and Jewish Dogma, Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible in 1300 B.C.
New Testament vs Old Testament
The main difference between the New Testament and The Old Testament is that the Old Testament is written before the New Testament, and both of them focus on different aspects and beliefs of salvation. Both of them have a different number of books in different languages.
The New Testament has 27 numbers of books in the Greek Language which mainly focuses on Jesus, life, teachings, and the Christian Church. During the End time, as per the New Testament, Jesus will save the Earth also to gain forgiveness, a person just has to feel repent, and he’ll be forgiven automatically.
The Old Testament, on the other side, is the first-ever division of the Bible which a several books categories accordingly such as, in Catholic, there are 51 books, in Protestant, there are 39 books, in Orthodox, there are 55 books, in Coptic Bible, there are 57 books, written in Hebrew and Aramaic Languages. It mainly focuses on the history and creation of the World.
Comparison Table Between New Testament and Old Testament
| Parameters of Comparison | New Testament | Old Testament |
| Definition | It is the second division of the Bible. | It is the very first division of the Bible. |
| Main Focus | Focuses more on Jesus’ life, teachings, and church. | Focuses on the history and the creation of the world. |
| No. Of Books | 27 books | Catholic = 51 Protestant = 39 Orthodox = 55 Coptic Bible = 57 |
| Language | Greek | Hebrew and Aramaic |
| Doomsday | Earth will be saved by Jesus. | Salvation will be brought by a messenger sent by God. |
What is New Testament?
The major division of the Bible after the Old Testament is the New Testament, which is also known as New Covenant or the New Law. The arrangement of books in the New Testament is not in chronological order.
Some Additional Books that New Testament have are:
- Tobit,
- Judith
- Wisdom of Solomon
- Wisdom of Jesus Search and many others
All of these above and other books focus on and teach about the teachings and life of Jesus and are written in the Greek Language. As per the New Testament, people who have done any sins and realizes his mistake and want to gain forgiveness have to feel repent only. No sacrifice is required for gaining forgiveness. The Vocabulary words of the New Testament are less, i.e. 4800 words. In the end, time the New Testaments state that Jesus will come and save the Earth.
New Testament functions as a medium of guide for the people who want to gain salvation; it functions to make people follow the footsteps of Jesus. The New Testament doesn’t have the beliefs for sacrificing animals and others. The New Testament simply conveys the message of how God saves his people by healing them.
What is Old Testament?
The Old Testament is similar to Hebrew Bible. Along with the history and creation of the world, it also includes the following:
- Ten Commandments God gave to Moses
- The exodus of Israelites
The books in the Old Testaments are written in Hebrew and Aramaic languages. It has the following number of books:
- Protestant: 39 books
- Catholic: 51 books
- Orthodox Bibles: 55 books
- Coptic Bibles: 57 books
All of these above are the books of poetry, prophets, and wisdom proverbs. All the contents of the books and their order vary in various churches.
Old Testament has more vocabulary words, i.e. 5800 words. As per the Old Testament, if a person wants forgiveness of his sins, he has to bring and sacrifice a lamb. If the sacrifice is not made, that person can never be forgiven. The Lord is the God as explained in the Old Testament also that in the end time Salvation will be bought by the messenger of the God.
The main motive of this is to give people knowledge through other’s experience. It also tells the end of the world and the arrival of the Messiah.
Main Differences Between New Testament and Old Testament
- The major division of the Bible after the Old Testament is the New Testament, whereas the Old Testament is the division before the New Testament of the Bible.
- The basis of the New Testament is Jesus Life, teachings, and Christian Church, whereas the main focus of the Old Testament is the history and creation of the world.
- The language used in the New Testament is the Greek language, whereas Old Testament is in Hebrew and Aramaic languages.
- As per the New Testament on Doomsday, Jesus will come and save the world, and as per the Old Testament, Salvation will be brought by the Messenger sent by God.
- There are 4800 vocabulary words in New Testament and 5800 vocabulary words in Old Testament.
- As per the New Testament, forgiveness is attained by feeling repent, whereas as per the Old Testament, the lamb has to be brought to as a sacrifice to attain forgiveness.
Conclusion
Therefore it is pretty much clear how New Testament is Different from the Old Testament. Except for the above differences, The New Testament explains God as three-person; God as the Father, God as the Son, and God as the Holy Spirit, whereas as per the Old Testament, Lord is the only God. But despite all these differences, the fact that they are a part of the Bible doesn’t change, and both of them have religious texts and scriptures written in different languages. Both of them teach the lesson and ways how a person can earn forgiveness and attain salvation after committing any sins.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=yXqKAAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT7&dq=old+and+new+testament&ots=yNHoMfbnvn&sig=X5dhNOGMwNvrsCtMXnoxEQh14S4
- https://philpapers.org/rec/HARITT-13