Old Testament God vs New Testament God

**These posts are to encourage everyone to read the Bible, and get a deeper understanding of Gods Word.

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Is the God of the Old Testament different from the God of the New Testament?

To answer this question, we must first take a look at some of the unique attributes of God as depicted in the Bible. God is:

• Eternal (Revelations 21:6, Luke 1:33, 1 Peter 1:25, Matthew 28:20)
• Omnipotent (Matthew 28:18, Revelation 17:14, Acts 10:36)
• Omniscient (Mark 2:8, John 2:24-25)
• Omnipresent (Matthew 28:20)
• Creator of Heaven and Earth (John 1:2-3)

As God is Sovereign and Almighty, none of us as humans can fully understand His complete nature. However, some aspects of who He is, is revealed within the Bible:

• Unchanging (Malachi 3:6)
• Righteous (Psalm 119:137)
• Perfect (Psalm 18:30)
• Loving and compassionate (Isaiah 54:10 and Psalm 86:15)
• His word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8 and Matthew 5:18)

*Note: The Bible verses below are taken from the ESV translation.

Bible Study: The story in 1 Samuel 8:1-9 depicts the true loving nature of the God in the Old Testament.

Based on both the attributes and the nature of God, we can do a comparative study between the God in the Old Testament vs the New Testament.

There are reasons why the God in the Old Testament books may have appeared much harsher than Jesus in the New Testament, and here’s why:

Related: Is Jesus God?

1. The Old Testament followed the rules of Law through which sin was revealed. The New Testament follows the road to salvation which showed a way out of sin given to those who believed in the salvation of Christ
2. The Old Testament inaugurated the Law while the New Testament fulfilled the Law through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross (Romans 10:4)
3. Jesus came as a humble Lamb at His first coming and at His future return He will come again as a Lion to judge (2 Timothy 4:1), showing two natures of Jesus.
4. Finally, while Jesus showed immense love and compassion, there is a side of Jesus many never read. Study Matthew 23, John 8:43-47, Luke 9:5 and Mark 11:15, where He corrects and disciplines people for their mistakes

➡ Note: If the points above does not answer your questions, read this post.

So to recap, we see that while the Old Testament brought the Law, Jesus fulfilled this Law in the New. This shows us that the Old and New Covenants are connected. This also reveals God’s perfect plan of how He gave us the Law and how He fulfilled it through Christ Jesus.

While it may be hard to believe, but Jesus was actually present in the Old Testament as mentioned in theses bible verses:

1. John 8:54-59
2. John 5:39
3. Matthew 5:17
4. Hebrews 11:25-26
5. List of Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus

God of the Old Testament vs the New Testament

Without any interpretation necessary, these self explanatory bible verses compare statements made between the God of the Old Testament vs New Testament.

1. I Am The First and the Last

God in the Old Testament says,

Isaiah 44:6 – Thus says the Lord , the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.”

Jesus in the New Testament says,

Revelation 1:17-18 – When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

2. I Will Give You Rest

In the Old Testament, God said,

Exodus 33:14 – And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

In the New Testament, Jesus said,

Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

3. Saved By The Blood

God in the Old Testament:

Exodus 12:13: The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.

God in the New Testament:

1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

1 Peter 1:18-19 – Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

4. Coming With The Clouds

God in the Old Testament

Exodus 19:9 – And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.

Jesus in the New Testament

Matthew 24:30 – Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Also study ➡ Psalm 104:3, Daniel 7:13, Mark 14:62

5. Old vs New Covenant

God in the Old Testament spoke about the Old and New Covenant

• Old Covenant

Exodus 24:8 – And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

• New Covenant

Jeremiah 31:31 – “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord , when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.

Jesus confirms that He is the New Covenant

Luke 22:19-20 – And he took bread, and when he had 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 likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Also study ➡ 1 Corinthians 11:25, Matthew 26:28 and Acts 20:28

6. I Do Not Change

The God in the Old Testament says,

Malachi 3:6 – “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

About Jesus in the New Testament,

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

7. The Division

Note– The bible passages under this topic “the division” requires a deeper study for revelation, to understand why there is a division. Superficial reading of these passages might not initially make much sense.

God in The Old Testament

Exodus 8:22-23 – But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.”

Exodus 9:4 – But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.

Jesus in The New Testament

Luke 12:51-53 – Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Matthew 25:32 – Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Bible Study Questions:

1. Why is there a division made?
2. Who is God dividing?

More on the Differences in the Old and New Covenant:

The book of Hebrews is the best place to begin. It teaches the differences in the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, and how we are reconciled through Christ. Apostle Paul gives detailed answers to most of our burning questions. Use these free Book of Hebrews PDF notes that will take you Chapter-by-Chapter, and help you study this book as a beginner.

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