The NT as a Christian testament
How did the term NT came into use?
It comes from Latin, Novuum Testamentum which
itself a translation of Greek H KAINH ΔΙΑΘΗΚΗ, Διαθηκη in Greek usually mean a
will (last) or testament.
Meaning:
Διαθηκη-The greek term diatheke
literally means will or Testament. Will or
Testament refers an arrangement made by one party which
can be accepted or rejected by one party but which one cannot alter or change
and when accepted, binds both parties by its terms.
-In Psalm, the word Διαθηκη is translated as
covenant which in turn is derived from a Latin word convenire meaning ‘to come
together.’ It means an agreement, a stipulation or a contract which involves
through purpose.
-the term covenant can be traced back to the
OT, berith (used 270 times), which comes from barah meaning to cut. When Bible
is translated from Hebrew to Greek, the word berith is translated into Διαθηκη
as covenant.
Why do we use ‘NEW’?
The term New comes from the Old testament
references where God promises that he is going to make a new covenant or
testament. Jer.31:31-33). This is fulfilled in the Ministry of Jesus (Luke
22:14-20, 2Cor.3:6, Gal.4:24-26, 1 Cor.11:23-26)
- God made covenants with Adam, Moses and others
but they fail to abide by it. So, prophets prophecy that God would bring about
a new covenant (Jer. 31:31-33).
- The Old Covenant still stood. But it is
renewed.
- Thus the term ‘new.’
When did the New Testament came
into existence:
- The term NT came to be used only in the 2nd Century
(about 190AD)
- It was not written by the authors to be part
of the scripture in the first place. They were records of the life and ministry
of Jesus Christ and his immediate followers.
New Testament is the collection of or library
of 27 books. It contains variety of documents with different literary types or
genres and different literary forms within it and sometimes different view
points. Probably written by about 16/15 people over a span of 100 years ( AD
40-150). 1 Thessalonians is the first letter and all the books were written in
Greek which is the linqua franca. Some Aramaic are also used for classified
meaning
.jpg)
.jpg)