The Bible is divided into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. While they were written centuries apart and have distinct characters, both tell one unified story and point to the same God.
The Old Testament (39 Books)
Written primarily in Hebrew between approximately 1400 BC and 400 BC, the Old Testament covers the period from the creation of the world to roughly 400 years before the birth of Jesus. It tells the story of God creating the world, humanity's fall into sin, and God establishing a covenant (a binding agreement) with the nation of Israel.
Key themes include:
- Creation and Fall (Genesis 1-11): God's perfect world is broken by human rebellion.
- The Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12-50): God chooses one family through whom He will bless all nations.
- The Exodus and the Law (Exodus-Deuteronomy): God rescues Israel from slavery and gives them His law to define what holy living looks like.
- The Promised Land and the Kings (Joshua-2 Chronicles): Israel settles in Canaan but repeatedly cycles through faithfulness and rebellion.
- The Prophets (Isaiah-Malachi): God sends messengers to call Israel back and to promise a future Messiah who will fix everything.
The New Testament (27 Books)
Written in Greek between approximately 45 AD and 95 AD, the New Testament reveals that every promise and pattern in the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Key themes include:
- The Gospels (Matthew-John): Four accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
- The Early Church (Acts): The explosive growth of Christianity after Jesus' ascension.
- The Epistles (Romans-Jude): Letters explaining the implications of the Gospel for daily life.
- Prophecy (Revelation): A vision of Christ's ultimate victory and the renewal of all creation.
How They Connect
The Old Testament is the promise; the New Testament is the fulfillment. As Augustine famously said: 'The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.' The Old Testament asks the questions that only Jesus can answer. It establishes the problem (sin), creates the longing (for a Savior), and sets up the symbols (sacrifices, temples, priests) that Jesus perfectly fulfills. You cannot fully understand Jesus without the Old Testament, and you cannot fully understand the Old Testament without Jesus.