Old & New Testament, not two levels, but two lines
1. Introduction: what many believe, and what is often overlooked
Many Christians unconsciously think: the Old Testament is "the harsh time of law," the New Testament "the loving time of Jesus." But that is a misunderstanding.
➡️ The Old and New Testament are not opposites, but two lines that run toward each other, and meet in Christ.
And: the New Testament does not begin at Matthew, but at the Acts of the Apostles, there where the Testament comes into force, through death, resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit.
For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death.
Hebrews 9:16-17
2. Two lines, same direction
The first line begins with creation (Genesis 1), the calling of Abraham (Genesis 12), the covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19-20) and the great prophets (e.g. Isaiah, Jeremiah).
The second line begins with the cross (Luke 23), continues with the resurrection (Matthew 28), the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2), the church (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12), up to Revelation.
➡️ The Old Testament prepares, the New Testament unfolds.
➡️ The Old is the shadow, the New the image, but both belong to the same revelation.
For the law has but a shadow of the good things to come, instead of the true form of these realities.
Hebrews 10:1
➡️ The shadow announces what is coming, but the light itself is Christ.
3. Why does the New Testament begin only in Acts?
Many Bible readers think: "with Matthew the new covenant begins." But that is not correct, Jesus still lives under the law:
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law ...
Galatians 4:4-5
➡️ Jesus lives and works within the old covenant, fulfills it, but does not abolish it on the spot.
➡️ Only with his death does the new testament come into force (Hebrews 9:16-17).
➡️ And only with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit does the new covenant become visible in the people:
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound ... and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:2-4
➡️ Here begins the living effectiveness of the new testament.
4. The red thread: Christ in both lines
Promised in the Old Testament:
I will put enmity between you and the woman ... he shall bruise your head ...
Genesis 3:15
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son ...
Isaiah 7:14
Revealed in the Gospels:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us ...
John 1:14
Communicated in the Acts of the Apostles:
This Jesus God raised up; of that we all are witnesses.
Acts 2:32
Explained in the letters:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation ...
2 Corinthians 5:17
Completed in Revelation:
And I saw heaven opened ... and his name is: THE WORD OF GOD.
Revelation 19:11-13
➡️ Jesus is not the rupture, but the origin and climax.
5. Why this understanding is decisive
Whoever separates Old and New Testament as two systems understands:
- the law only as a burden, instead of as a mirror: "Through the law comes the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20)
- grace only as relief, instead of as fulfillment: "I have not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it." (Matthew 5:17)
- Christ only as Savior, instead of as the center of all history: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation ..." (Colossians 1:15-17)
➡️ The Bible is a narrative, a plan, with prelude and completion.
➡️ It is coherent, carried by love, and anchored in Jesus.
6. Conclusion
The Bible is no two-story house with a "good" upper and an "outdated" lower floor. It is a way, with beginning, middle and goal.
The Old Testament shows us what is coming, points forward, longs for fulfillment.
The New Testament shows us what now lives, how God in Christ fulfills everything and makes it alive.
All Scripture is breathed out by God ... that the man of God may be complete.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Both belong together, for only together do they show the whole picture of God's glory.