What is the New Testament?
A collection of Christian writings that announces the new covenant between God and humanity, established by Jesus Christ — the Son of God.
- The meaning of the name: 'new covenant'
- The difference between Old and New Testament
- The structure of the 27 books
- Where to start reading
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"New Testament" means new covenant
The word testament comes from the Latin testamentum, translation of the Greek diatheke — which means covenant or pact. The New Testament, therefore, is not only a collection of books: it is the record of a new covenant established by Jesus Christ as the basis of the relationship between God and human beings.
This new covenant replaces and fulfills the old covenant made with Israel, offering atonement and redemption to all humanity. Augustine of Hippo highlighted that the New Testament is not merely a continuation of the Old, but a radical transformation: while the Old Testament is a covenant based on the law, the New is a covenant of the Holy Spirit, which acts in the human heart — as foretold by the prophet Jeremiah: "This is the new covenant in my precepts" (Jer 31).
“Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.”
Jeremiah 31:31
Old Testament × New Testament
The two parts of the Christian Bible do not contradict each other — the New fulfills and transforms the Old.
Old Testament
- Covenant based on the law of Moses
- Promises and prophecies about the Messiah
- Sacrifices and rituals as a sign of atonement
- Relationship of God with the people of Israel
- Written mainly in Hebrew
New Testament
- Covenant of the Holy Spirit, which acts in the heart
- Fulfillment of the messianic promises in Jesus Christ
- Definitive atonement through the death and resurrection of Christ
- Relationship of God with all humanity
- Written in koine Greek
The New Testament as 'gospel' — the good news
The New Testament can be described as the gospel — the Greek word euangelion, translated as good news or gospel. This term points to the divine and saving message brought by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is the center of the entire narrative and Christian faith.
The gospel is not only a doctrine: it is an announcement. The news that God acted in history, that Jesus lived, died and rose, and that this reality transforms those who receive it. Paul summarizes this novelty in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
The Greek word kainós (καινός), translated as new, carries the idea of something qualitatively different — not only recent, but renewed in its essence.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:1:17
The 27 books of the New Testament
Gospels (4 books)
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John narrate the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are the heart of the New Testament.
Acts of the Apostles (1 book)
Written by Luke, it narrates the birth and expansion of the primitive Church after the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Epistles (21 books)
Letters written by Paul, Peter, John, James and Jude to the first Christian communities, addressing doctrine, ethics and community life.
Revelation (1 book)
Prophetic vision of John about the end times, Christ's victory, and the new creation — the climax of the redemption history.
The Synoptic Gospels and the first book of the NT
Matthew is the first book of the New Testament in the Christian canon. Its author, a tax collector called by Jesus, wrote with ethical and theological focus, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah to the Jewish people. The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12) are among the most well-known texts of the entire New Testament.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they share a similar narrative perspective — synoptikos in Greek means "see together." They form the natural entry point for those who want to know the story of Jesus.
An accessible reading order for beginners
1. Mark — the most concise Gospel
The shortest of the four Gospels, with a direct and agile narrative. Ideal for those reading the New Testament for the first time.
2. Luke — the historical Gospel
Written with historical care and attention to the marginalized. Luke also wrote the Acts of the Apostles, which can be read next.
3. Matthew — the ethical Gospel
Presents Jesus' major speeches, including the Sermon on the Mount. It connects the New Testament to the promises of the Old.
4. John — the philosophical and theological Gospel
More reflective and profound, John explores the divine identity of Jesus. Recommended after familiarity with the Synoptics.
5. Acts and the Epistles of Paul
After the Gospels, Acts narrates how the message of Jesus spread throughout the world. Paul's letters deepen the theology of the new covenant.
6. Revelation — the great finale
John's vision of the new creation and Christ's definitive victory. Best read after becoming familiar with the rest of the NT.
Frequently asked questions about the New Testament
How many books are in the New Testament?
In which language was the New Testament written?
Does the New Testament replace the Old?
What are the Synoptic Gospels?
Is the New Testament only a historical document?
What does 'new' mean in the New Testament?
“Jesus answered: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3
The New Testament as a living message
The New Testament is not just a document from the past. It is the record of an alliance that remains active — a message that, according to Christian faith, continues to transform lives. The encounter of Nicodemus with Jesus at night (John 3) illustrates this dynamic well: a religious man, full of knowledge, who needs a new birth to see the kingdom of God.
Starting to read the New Testament is coming into contact with this message. It is not necessary to master all the theology before starting: the Gospels themselves were written so that the reader may find Jesus on the pages and decide what to do with him.
What you need to know
- New Testament means 'new covenant' — the pact established by Jesus Christ between God and humanity.
- Its center is the 'gospel': the good news that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died and rose again for the salvation of all.
- The new covenant is of the Holy Spirit, who acts in the heart — unlike the law covenant of the Old Testament.
- The NT has 27 books: Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation.
- For beginners, the recommended order starts with Mark, then Luke, Matthew, and John.
- The Greek word 'kainós' (new) indicates qualitative renewal — not just something recent, but transformed in essence.
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