The New Testament Is the Fulfillment of the Old Testament

Last time we saw that the Old Testament was divided into three sections in the Jewish Canon. These were the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). The first letters of the Hebrew words for Law Prophets and Writings may be seen in the modern name for the Jewish canon – TaNaK. As Christians, the Scripture is not only the Old Testament – it is both the Old and New Testament. In fact, the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. We see this a few ways.

First, simply note how we divide our Bibles. They begin with the Old Testament. The latter portion is then called the New Testament. These are not two separate books; together they form one book, the Bible. They are intimately related to one another.

Second, it is important to note that the word “testament” is the same Greek word as “covenant”. This is important because the Old Testament is not the older last will and testament – it is the record of the Old Covenant. Similarly, the New Testament is not a newer last will and testament, it is the record of the New Covenant, which is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant.

This means that when we read the New Testament it is imperative that we read it as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Just as the New Covenant was expected in the Old Covenant and is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, so also the New Testament is expected in the Old Testament and is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

In Christ,

Bret