When Did The New Testament Begin?

[Matthan]

I had an interesting thought, and I wanted to run it by all of you to see what you thought on this particular subject.

When, precisely, do you think the New Covenant actually began? As I see it, there are several possible choices. They are:

1. At the instant of conception of our Lord in Mary's womb.

2. At the birth of our Lord in the stable.

3. When Jesus began His ministry in Cana.

4. When He died on the cross.

5. When He arose from the tomb.

6. When He ascended into Heaven (remenber "touch me not" in John 20?).

7. When He breathed on the disciples (Also in John 20).

7. When the Holy Spirit decended upon all of the apostles on the day of Pentacost?

Personally, I believe the New Covenant between God and man actually began the instant Jesus arose from the grave, victorious over death. And, if that is so, then most of the Gospels actually cover much more of the Old Covenant times rather than the New Covenant times, even though they are found in the New Testament and not the Old Testament. Confused yet?

But the truth is that I really do not know precisely when the New Covenant actually began.

What are your thoughts?

Matthan

By the way, I tried to make this into a poll and found out I don't know how to do that. Could somebody PM me with the secret, but please don't post it in this thread? Personally I think this one could be a lot of fun....

 

[DeaconDean]

The New Testament era began I believe 430 years after Malachi was written often refered to as the Intertestmant era. Most of the Gospels tell or start with a time reference, this is most often refered to as the start of the New Testament:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." Luke 1:1

Or one could make the argument that it began when the Angel told Mary she would be with child.

The New Testament gospels were written as early as AD 40 with the Gospel of Mark.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[mlqurgw]

It would depend greatly on whether you are a Dispensationalist or not wouldn't it?

 

[BereanTodd]

First off the "New Covenant" comes from Jer 31:31 and following, and I do not believe that has been fully begun at all yet. If we look at it there are things that have clearly not been met that are a part of that, the NC will be in the Kingdom and beyond.

Now as for the church age, or the beginings of the church, that happened at Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit was poured out on those first believers.

 

[RajunCajun86]

my instincts say that it was at conception, not sure exactly though, interesting question

 

[Matthan]

The New Testament era began I believe 430 years after Malachi was written often refered to as the Intertestmant era. Most of the Gospels tell or start with a time reference, this is most often refered to as the start of the New Testament:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." Luke 1:1

Or one could make the argument that it began when the Angel told Mary she would be with child.

The New Testament gospels were written as early as AD 40 with the Gospel of Mark.

God Bless

Till all are one.

I guess my question was not clear. The topic I want to address is when, precisely, mankind went from being under the Law of God to being under the Grace of God. What specific point in time did that event occur?

Matthan

 

[ncsugrad]

I guess my question was not clear. The topic I want to address is when, precisely, mankind went from being under the Law of God to being under the Grace of God. What specific point in time did that event occur?

Matthan

I believe it was when Christ surrendered his spirit back to the Father and the veil was torn, allowing us to come to God and have a personal relationship with Him. That ended the old Jewish laws and customs.

 

[BereanTodd]

I guess my question was not clear. The topic I want to address is when, precisely, mankind went from being under the Law of God to being under the Grace of God. What specific point in time did that event occur?

Matthan

Personally I think your question is still not entirely clear. The Torah was given to the Hebrew people, and though they were to be the light of the world, the whole world was not under that law nescasarily. The gentiles had not been given the revelation of that law.

An age of grace, or people under the grace of God? That would be the elect of all times.

But if I can dig to what I think you are asking, or meaning to ask, and that is when did the church begin, when did the particular grace such as we experience begin ... then I again come back to that it happened in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was first poured out on believers.

 

[mlqurgw]

I guess my question was not clear. The topic I want to address is when, precisely, mankind went from being under the Law of God to being under the Grace of God. What specific point in time did that event occur?

Matthan

According to Paul it occurred before time began. 2Tim. 1:9 We find the first Gospel promise and grace exhibited by God in Gen. 3:15 and a progressive revelation of grace from that point on through the Old Testament. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Gen. 6:8 The Psalms are full of praise for the grace of God. As far as the local, visible New Testament church goes it is a subject of debate as to when it first began to exist. Some say it was when Jesus began His public ministry and proclaimed the Kingdom of God at hand. Some say it began when the veil was rent. Others believe it was at Pentecost. Still others think it began when Christ was baptized. My personal view is that it began at the point when John the Baptist declared Christ to be the Lamb of God and men began to follow Him, though the arguments for the other views can be convincing.

 

[ncsugrad]

^ Good points there!

 

[JuJube]

I would say it was at the cross.

Lk 22:20 At the last supper Jesus said as he lifted the cup that this cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Heb. 9:15 Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant and it was by His death as a ransom for the sins that were commited in the old covenant..
There is a verse that I can't find that says that a covenant is not in effect (valid) until someone dies....

 

[JuJube]

I would say it was at the cross.

Lk 22:20 At the last supper Jesus said as he lifted the cup that this cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Heb. 9:15 Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant and it was by His death as a ransom for the sins that were commited in the old covenant..
There is a verse that I can't find that says that a covenant is not in effect (valid) until someone dies....

Well, it was right under my nose....
It's the next couple of verses about:
Covenant
Heb.9:16 Necessity of death for the one who made it
Heb.9:17 Is Not valid when the one who made it lives
Heb.9:18 The 1st covenant was inaugurated with blood, so.....

 

[DeaconDean]

I guess my question was not clear. The topic I want to address is when, precisely, mankind went from being under the Law of God to being under the Grace of God. What specific point in time did that event occur?

Matthan

When Christ said: "It is finished" (Jn. 19:30)

To be more precise:

"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many...Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Mt. 27:50-53; 28:19-20

When Jesus arose from the grave, the age of the Law ceased, and now we are in the age of Grace. Thank you Lord!!!!!!!

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[daveleau]

I guess my question was not clear. The topic I want to address is when, precisely, mankind went from being under the Law of God to being under the Grace of God. What specific point in time did that event occur?

Matthan

H Matthan,

Jesus said He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, and said nothing would be changed (future tense) until it had been fulfilled. God did not reveal all at once, and hasn't revealed all yet (Revelation has not yet been fully revealed...meaning it has not happened yet). I believe the Law was fulfilled (except moral law) at the Resurrection.

In Him,
Dave

 

[IisJustMe]

The New Covenant and the New Testament are not the same thing. The fact the New Testament covers some period of time when the world was still under the Mosaic (Old) Covenant is immaterial to its content or time frame, as it is a Testament (witness) to the institution of the New Covenant.

The New Covenant is actually first mentioned in Jeremiah:

"Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:31, 32)

Unlike the Mosaic Covenant which was written in stone, the New Covenant is written on our hearts, made possible only by the shed blood of Christ who took upon Himself the sins of the world and died on the cross for us, paying a price we could not.

And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:20)

Thus Jesus proclaimed the New Convenant, and fulfilled it in less than 24 hours. It could be said that His crucifixion, death, and resurrection instituted the New Covenant, but the New Testament (Church) age began with His birth, as God was providing for all people through His birth, death, and resurrection. His advent (birth) brought forth a new era in human history, and therefore required a new witness (testament).

 

[daveleau]

The New Testament period and the New Covenant outside of the Law are fairly synonymous. The New Testament as a written document began, as Dean said above, around AD 40, with the writing of Mark. The New Testament was complete by AD 96 (the latest realistic date) when John completed Revelation.

 

[DeaconDean]

The New Testament period and the New Covenant outside of the Law are fairly synonymous. The New Testament as a written document began, as Dean said above, around AD 40, with the writing of Mark. The New Testament was complete by AD 96 (the latest realistic date) when John completed Revelation.

And daveleau, if you believe one member of this forum, God cut off all revelation at AD 100.

Like God still don't reveal Himself today or what He wants revealed, i.e., revealed meaning of scripture through the Spirit.

God Bless

Till all are one.