Modern Bibles consist of an Old and New Testament. A “testament” is simply a will (as in “last will and testament”), a legal covenant, or a contract. Therefore, the New Testament in our Bibles represents the New Covenant – or the Law of Christ. Beginning with the book of Matthew, the New Testament follows nearly four hundred years of silence from God (the inter-Testament period). It opens with the four books of the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These respective books/men each give their personal account of the life of Jesus. Since a testament is the same as a covenant, does the new covenant begin where the New Testament in our Bibles begins?
How Scripture answers "When did the New Covenant begin?"
The new covenant begins after the death of Jesus Christ1,2,5, who is its mediator2 in heaven3. Jesus’ death — when the old covenant ceased1,4 — is recorded near the end of each of the Gospel accounts (in our “New Testaments”). As a result, it’s notable that the entire life of Jesus on earth…as well as the saving of the thief on the cross by Jesus…happened under the Mosaic Law. It’s not until fifty days later, on the day of Pentecost, where we see the evidence of the new covenant being in effect with the apostles preaching the gospel message3 and declaring the inauguration of the “last days” as was foretold by the prophets.
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