BASIC COVENANTS IN THE BIBLE

The term “Old Testament” basically reflects the idea of the covenant between God and man. However, “old” does not mean the old, the ancient or the discarded, but the word “old” here has the meaning of distinguishing specific stages in God’s plan of salvation. Or in other words, to distinguish between the Old Covenant [2Cor 3:14] and the New Covenant [2Cor 3:6]. However, we must understand that although the two stages are different, they are closely connected. Indeed, “The Old Testament was arranged with the main purpose of preparing for the coming of Jesus, the Savior of all, the day of the Messianic Kingdom, announced through the prophets and signified by various images” [Constitution on Divine Revelation, nos. 14-15]. The New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is revealed in the light of the New Testament. Therefore, the study of the biblical covenantal thought of this period dispelled the skepticism of some scholars, who believed that the Old Testament had no connection with the New Testament and even had no role in the formation and consolidation of Christian faith.