Major Differences Between Old and New Testament

[eclipseEventSigns]

The secrets talked about and predicted in the Old Testament are revealed in the New Testament.

 

[prism]

I suggest a study on interpreting OT prophecy---in particular apocalyptic prophecy. Many of the prophecies had an OT application that applied to the current events and those to be fulfilled in those times. But they also have future applications as it is all a part of the same redemption as it plays out in our history, and the parts must fit seamlessly into the whole.

For example there may be a prophecy that pertains to Israel returning to the land---which they did when a remnant returned from Babylon. The same prophecy may look forward to a future time that is not exclusive to Israel but relates to the consummation of our salvation. In that case, the geopolitical Israel is not in view exclusively but is seen in the light of the Redeemer arriving, dying, rising, ascending and even further into the consummation.

Another good resource is A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times by Kim Riddlebarger.

I tend to steer clear of prophetic topics (too much speculation) and gravitate to what'I consider central, I.e. how sinful man can stand before a Holy God, justification, redemption etc.

Kim Riddlebarger? I use to attend a congregation he use to co-pastor with Michael Horton.

 

[fastfredy0]

Please list what you consider the major differences.
Maybe as I read the responses and ask questions my Dispensational leanings will be readjusted accordingly?

The question gives itself to Dispensational leanings as it asks for differences in different time periods.

Dispensationalism: A doctrine prevalent in some forms of Protestant Christianity that divides history into distinct periods, each marked by a different dispensation or relationship between God and humanity.

... to answer the question ... The Old Testament is all about Israel. The N.T. is all about Israel too till a decade or so after Christ's death, then God opens things up to the Gentiles too.
Also, all the O.T. has A.D. dates and the N.T. is mostly B.C. dates. (smile)

 

[eclipseEventSigns]

I tend to steer clear of prophetic topics (too much speculation) and gravitate to what'I consider central, I.e. how sinful man can stand before a Holy God, justification, redemption etc.

Kim Riddlebarger? I use to attend a congregation he use to co-pastor with Michael Horton.

Salvation is prophetic. That is the whole point of the Old Testament.

 

[Carbon]

Salvation is prophetic. That is the whole point of the Old Testament.

The OT is all part of the gospel.

 

[Josheb]

Please list what you consider the major differences.
Maybe as I read the responses and ask questions my Dispensational leanings will be readjusted accordingly?

I do not think there are any "major" differences, but if I had to opine a difference, it would be that the people in the OT were less informed, bordering on ignorant, of God's plan for creation. I've always thought the terms "Old" and "New" were misapplied and the Bible should be read as a single book that speaks with one voice about a single person, Jesus, and God's plan for creation through that person. There are literary devices that vary between Old and New, like the OT's use of typology or the use of history as allegory, but by the time the NT comes around the significance and meaning of everything in the OT is brought to bear on the conclusion of the purpose, or God's "story". The basic principle is the Old Testament informs the New Testament, whereas the New Testament explains the Old Testament. No exegesis of the Old should ever fail to consult the New to see what the New has to say about the Old. Any hermeneutic denying the precedent of the NT writers should be abandoned as heretical. As far as Dispensationalism goes, I think it a thoroughly corrupt way to divide up scripture that leads to a huge variety of problems theologically, logically, doctrinally, and practically (I have never met a Dispensationalist who actually lives as if what s/he believes is true). I also think it the single greatest source of division in modern Christianity, and largely responsible for the waning population in the Church in western societies.

 

[prism]

I don't know where you understand that the NT leads us to not expect a literal fulfillment.

My point was, since the OT had literal fulfillments in the NT, shouldn't we expect the same (from the NT into the future)?

What do you mean?

For example, there are many types and shadows in the OT which have a real substance in the NT (which becomes its antitype).
Ex. sacrificial lambs in the OT have their literal fulfillment in Christ (its antitype). I said I agreed, as long as the antitype is not spiritualized.

 

[Tambora]

I have to scratch my head when it comes to Ezekiel 40-48 and the sacrifices/priesthood/worship etc., going on there???

Did you ever notice that in all those measurements of a temple there are no height measurements given?
All those images of Ezekiel's temple you find on the internet are just made up images as to how tall any of it is.

The only 2 height measurements given are in:

Eze 40:5 -- a wall outside of the temple area.​

Eze 43:13 -- an altar.​

Not to mention that there is never a command given by God to build a third temple.

So, what could be the meaning of all the measurements that are given?
Many scholars have noticed that there are at least sixty references to Jubilee numbers (50) and their multiples of the measurements given.

In chapters 40-48​

The number 25 shows up 8 times​

The number 10 shows up 10 times​

The number 100 shows up 13 times​

The number 250 is 4 times​

The number 500 is 8 times​

The number 1,000 is 4 times​

The number 5,000 is 2 times​

The number 10,000 is 7 times​

The number 25,000 is 14 times​

The Jubilee year starts on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement 10th day of the month and started a new year), and Ezekiel chapter 40 (with the man told to measure) just so happens to start with:

Ezekiel 40:1 ESV​

In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me to the city.​

Could Ezekiel be using this symbolism to express the promise to someday end the exile of all the tribes from the nations of the world?
It has been a Jewish tradition that a future Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, the New Year) would be the day that marks the end of the exile of all the tribes.

Of course it could all be just a coincidence.

 

[Mr GLee]

The OT was a prefigure of the NT, is fulfilled in the NT, and is correctly understood only in the light of NT apostolic teaching authoritative to the church.

Apostolic teaching authoritative ?

 

[Mr GLee]

The secrets talked about and predicted in the Old Testament are revealed in the New Testament.

Amen, the new is a testimony of the old.

 

[Red Baker]

2nd Corinthians 3:7.... But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:​

1. Paul’s able ministry of the New Testament was far superior to any ministering of the Old Testament.
   1. Anyone preaching a “gospel” of legal works of Moses’ Law was a minister of death!
   2. Anyone preaching a “gospel” of legal works of Moses was preaching a perversion (Gal 1:6-9).
   3. Anyone preaching a “gospel” of legal works of Moses was preaching another gospel (11:3-4).
2. As is plainly evident from the next verse, Paul contrasted the glory of the Old Covenant to the New.
   1. The first argument, which was introduced in the previous verse, is the superiority of life to death!
   2. The second argument, also introduced, contrasts writing in stone to spiritual writing in hearts!
   3. The third argument, seen here, contrasts the permanent New Testament to the temporary Old, which is the whole reason for their names, old and new (Heb 8:7-13; 9:15; 12:26-29).
3. The ministration of the Old Testament by Moses was definitely a glorious event in its own right.
   1. The account recorded by Moses is surely a glorious event in the history of Israel (Ex 19:1-25).
   2. Moses himself was exceedingly fearful of God’s glory revealed on Mount Sinai (Heb 12:18-21).
   3. When Moses returned after forty days, he wore a vail to cover his shining face (Ex 34:28-35).

3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?​

1. If preaching the Old Testament of Moses was glorious, how much more Christ’s New Testament!
   1. The Old Testament was letter, death, and temporary; the New was spirit, life, and permanent.
   2. The book of Hebrews is given to show from every angle the superiority of the New Testament.
2. Jesus Christ and the New Testament is infinitely superior to the Old, as the book of Hebrews proves.
3. A message of life, written in our hearts, that is to last forever is far superior to a message of death, written only in cold stone, which was only a temporary institution prior to the permanent! Glory!
4. The new covenant is called the ministration of the spirit because of the abundant blessings of the Holy Spirit that accompanied the preaching of the gospel from the Day of Pentecost forward.
   1. The apostles were given a superabundant portion of the Holy Spirit for miracles and teaching.
   2. Those who believed received confirming signs of the Spirit to confirm them in the faith.
   3. There was a work and possession of the Spirit for the ability and conviction to obey the gospel.
   4. There was a sealing of the Holy Spirit as an earnest of their eternal inheritance.
   5. There was a gift of the Holy Spirit by which God’s adopted sons call Him, “Abba, Father.”
   6. There was a Spiritual revelation of divine truth as opposed to mere writing in stone.
   7. There was a Holy Spirit work in the inner man to truly grow in grace and knowledge of Christ.
   8. There was a very definite and real change in the hearts of men by the work of the Spirit.
   9. There was the revelatory ministry of the Holy Spirit to open the Scriptures and truth to men.

3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.​

1. Here is Paul’s fourth argument for the superiority of the New Testament – it brings righteousness.
2. The Old Testament left men condemned, but the New Testament brings the good news of salvation.
   1. The old covenant was a ministration of death – it revealed and enforced death on the disobedient.
   2. The law was brought into make man’s offences against God to abound – to condemn all men as worthy of the judgment of God (Rom 3:19-20; 4:15; 5:20; 7:7-13; Gal 3:19-23).
   3. No man can go to the Law for safety or salvation, for it only condemns to death; it does not save.
   4. Yet the New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the perfect Substitute and Sacrifice for all sins.
3. A gospel minister has the highest calling on earth – to bear glad tidings of the glory of Jesus Christ.

3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.​

1. Here is a play on glory! While the Old Testament was glorious in certain respects, it truly did not have any glory when compared to the infinite glory of the New Testament! Glory!
2. No matter what aspect of the Old Testament you care to consider for its glory, the New Testament is far superior in that particular aspect and in all others as well. Glory!
3. A candle in a dark room is very glorious to obtain light; but a candle in broad daylight of a sunny day is absolutely nothing; so is the glory of the old covenant compared to the glory of the new.
4. Choose any perspective in which you wish to compare them – the new covenant was far superior.

3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.​

1. Again, Paul argued for the superiority of the New Testament by its permanent and lasting character.
   1. Without saying so directly, Paul continued to jab the false apostles for an out-of-date covenant!
   2. The Jews never called their Scriptures the Old Testament, for only Christians know it is now old!
   3. God had promised to shake the earth once more to get rid of the Old Testament (Heb 12:26-27).
   4. Why in the world did Jesus declare the “new testament in my blood” at the last supper? Glory!
2. When something is old, by means of a replacement called new, it is to be thrown away (Heb 8:13)!

 

[eclipseEventSigns]

The OT is all part of the gospel.

Incorrect. The gospel means "good news". What is the good news? That the Messiah Jesus had paid for the sins of those who trust in Him. The Old Testament lays the foundation to explain that. But it is NOT the gospel. { edit}

 

[Mr GLee]

Did you ever notice that in all those measurements of a temple there are no height measurements given?
All those images of Ezekiel's temple you find on the internet are just made up images as to how tall any of it is.

The only 2 height measurements given are in:

Eze 40:5 -- a wall outside of the temple area.​

Eze 43:13 -- an altar.​

Not to mention that there is never a command given by God to build a third temple.

So, what could be the meaning of all the measurements that are given?
Many scholars have noticed that there are at least sixty references to Jubilee numbers (50) and their multiples of the measurements given.

In chapters 40-48​

The number 25 shows up 8 times​

The number 10 shows up 10 times​

The number 100 shows up 13 times​

The number 250 is 4 times​

The number 500 is 8 times​

The number 1,000 is 4 times​

The number 5,000 is 2 times​

The number 10,000 is 7 times​

The number 25,000 is 14 times​

The Jubilee year starts on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement 10th day of the month and started a new year), and Ezekiel chapter 40 (with the man told to measure) just so happens to start with:

Ezekiel 40:1 ESV​

In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me to the city.​

Could Ezekiel be using this symbolism to express the promise to someday end the exile of all the tribes from the nations of the world?
It has been a Jewish tradition that a future Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, the New Year) would be the day that marks the end of the exile of all the tribes.

Of course it could all be just a coincidence.

I would offer.

Five in multiples 50, 500, 5,000 = redemption

Numbers as well as certain metals Gold and Silver, measuring tools used as metaphors in parables, which without parables, Christ spoke not.

In that way the historical temporal must be compared to the eternal invisible. They must be mixed or no gospel rest as a understanding (Hebrews 4:1-2)

Satan would have mankind to seek after the temporal... what the eyes see. No faith. .not little . . .none.

A very valuable tool below needed to rightly divide or understand a parable. . the hidden things of God

2 Corinthians 4:18King James Version18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal

The first use of Gold is in respect to the gospel going out of the river Pison. . the river of eternal life. Pison = ."great outpouring; full flowing; fully diffused; spread out;"

Twice during creation mentioning Gold twice to emphasize the only rudiment of this world signified as God alone good approval . Gold representing the unseen eternal things of God . .faith

Genesis 2:11The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.

The bdellium Pearl the color of manna taste like honey .

In Revelations 2:17 it is referred to as hidden manna. pointing back to the golden ark representing the unseen faith as power of God .

The Bible was placed on the outside. . it revealed what was inside. . unmeasurable

Revelation I believe shows both kinds of measurements the golden faith the unseen eternal and the measure of man . . literal

Revelation21: 15-17 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

The chaste virgin bride the church

Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and fourthousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and fourthousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and "no man could learn" that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

(144, 000) The number no man could learn .Not revealed by the measure of man

.God does not number like David. . he desires we walk by faith the golden measure

 

[Josheb]

Please list what you consider the major differences. Maybe as I read the responses and ask questions my Dispensational leanings will be readjusted accordingly?

I do not think there are any "major" differences, but if I had to opine a difference, it would be that the people in the OT were less informed, bordering on ignorant, of God's plan for creation.

I thought of another big difference. The OT is much more filled with a record of is obedience than the NT, and much of it involves bad Jewish doctrine the Dispensationalists think correct. I often say,

Tanakh is always correct.
Judaism is often incorrect.

We find it corrected in the gospels in Jesus' teaching, but Jesus is not teaching something new so much as teaching something restored; the original meaning of scripture, not the religiously misused, abused, mangled, twisted perverted dross that had been taught in Judaism.

 

[Josheb]

The OT is all part of the gospel.

Incorrect. The gospel means "good news". What is the good news? That the Messiah Jesus had paid for the sins of those who trust in Him. The Old Testament lays the foundation to explain that.

You just contradicted your own statement. If the OT "lays the foundation" then it is part of the gospel. The implication being the gospel has no OT foundation, no foundation at all, and the NT is an entirely new and radically different revelation begetting a radically different religion that has absolutely nothing to do with the OT.

But it is NOT the gospel.

Scripture proves otherwise. Nearly everything Jesus taught can be found in the OT.

The gospel means good news.

That is not entirely correct because the word euangalion means good news of a specific kind, not just any kalon akoe. A euangalion was good news of a great victory won by a great warrior or king. See HERE. There are more than two dozen references to good news in the OT and most of them can be understood typologically as the gospel foreshadowed. There is no greater victory than that in which sin and the grave are defeated and that is decidedly found in the OT.

It's wishy washy generalizations like yours that is very common who do not truly understand the underlying theology.

Appeal to ridicule noted.

 

[prism]

Did you ever notice that in all those measurements of a temple there are no height measurements given?
All those images of Ezekiel's temple you find on the internet are just made up images as to how tall any of it is.

The only 2 height measurements given are in:

Eze 40:5 -- a wall outside of the temple area.​

Eze 43:13 -- an altar.​

Not to mention that there is never a command given by God to build a third temple.

So, what could be the meaning of all the measurements that are given?
Many scholars have noticed that there are at least sixty references to Jubilee numbers (50) and their multiples of the measurements given.

In chapters 40-48​

The number 25 shows up 8 times​

The number 10 shows up 10 times​

The number 100 shows up 13 times​

The number 250 is 4 times​

The number 500 is 8 times​

The number 1,000 is 4 times​

The number 5,000 is 2 times​

The number 10,000 is 7 times​

The number 25,000 is 14 times​

The Jubilee year starts on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement 10th day of the month and started a new year), and Ezekiel chapter 40 (with the man told to measure) just so happens to start with:

Ezekiel 40:1 ESV​

In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me to the city.​

Could Ezekiel be using this symbolism to express the promise to someday end the exile of all the tribes from the nations of the world?
It has been a Jewish tradition that a future Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, the New Year) would be the day that marks the end of the exile of all the tribes.

Of course it could all be just a coincidence.

If there is no time in eternity, there would be no distance, as time = distance ÷ speed.
Or
D = (Speed x Time)

 

[prism]

I thought of another big difference. The OT is much more filled with a record of is obedience than the NT, and much of it involves bad Jewish doctrine the Dispensationalists think correct. I often say,

I had noticed that also, almost to the point of 'obey or else!'
I guess it is God's way of 'shutting us up all under sin'.

 

[Eleanor]

Apostolic teaching authoritative ?

Lk 10:16.

 

[Eleanor]

Please list what you consider the major differences.
Maybe as I read the responses and ask questions my Dispensational leanings will be readjusted accordingly?

Depends on which brand of dispensationalism to which you subscribe. . .

Two bodies of Christ is one difference.

 

[Josheb]

If there is no time in eternity, there would be no distance, as time = distance ÷ speed.
Or
D = (Speed x Time)

Is there distance in eternity prior to creation being created? By what scripture was that position arrived?

I had noticed that also, almost to the point of 'obey or else!' I guess it is God's way of 'shutting us up all under sin'.

I liken it to raising a child. A parent spends a lot of time and effort correcting the wayward child but by the time the child becomes and adult the correction becomes guidance and with maturity comes collaboration. My 25-year-old son and his wife of one year just bought their first car together. He called me to ask my opinion about a few options he'd selected and when I asked whether he'd discussed them with his wife and why he was asking me he assured me he and his wife had picked through the options together and he was calling me because it's good to hear various points of view, I've always given him good advice, and a smart son seeks out his father while he can still do so.

I had noticed that also, almost to the point of 'obey or else!'

I do not think this a "major" difference," (it's more a shift in emphasis) but the ratio of obedience to disobedience in the OT is heavily weighted in favor of disobedience, whereas in the NT the ratio is reversed because of the propitiatory nature of the prophesied anointed one and the attribution of ontological righteousness. Few in the OT understood the foreshadowed good news. They stand in juxtaposition to the majority of the ignorant (which still persists today but is largely ignored in the epistolary in favor of revelation to a regenerate population.