We refer all the time to either the “Old Testament” or the “New Testament” but don’t really stop to consider what the word “testament” actually means. It’s become part and parcel of our vocabularly and in a sense has become a word that defines a part of the Bible, rather than a word which already has a definition. Reflecting on it’s intent has helped me understand something a little more…
Testament, on it’s own, can have various meanings, but all of them shadows of each other.
> it can a be a profession of belief
> it can be a legal document, as in a will and testament
> it can be strong evidence
And this word “Testament” was chosen as a translation from the Hebrew word for “covenant”, which itself is a solemn contract, a solemn agreement. The Greek equivalent “diatheke” means covenant and is translated “testament” or “covenant”. So for our understanding of what God’s intention is in His Word referred to as the “New Testament”, we know it means covenant.
Where the concept of the new covenant is taken from is primarily Jer 31, and applied variously but most directly in Heb chapters 8-13 and sealed by Jesus:
(Matthew 26:28 KJV+) For this is my blood of the new testament [covenant], which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
(Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV) “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, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
The new covenant promised from days of past, fulfilled in Jesus. Thus the new testament is a a new agreement between God and man and that agreement is mediated through Jesus. And as we enter into a the new covenant, it is an agreement: we agree to live as God has intended for us, and He agrees to give us every spiritual blessing. And like any agreement you make, be sure to make good on your part. There’s lots to be said at this point about the world and the way agreements are broken- but that’s another discussion.
What’s also interesting is that if we understand the word “testament” in the sense of “last will and testament”, the translation from covenant still applies. We know that your last will and testament is a solemn agreement, more so, it can only come into affect upon your death. Why is this the accorded state of things? The most consice explanation i can find:
“Where a testament is, where it acts and operates, there must of necessity by the death of the testator; till then the property is still in the testator’s hand, and he has power to revoke, cancel, or alter, his will as he pleases; so that no estate, no right, is conveyed by will, till the testator’s death has made it unalterable and effectual.” -Matthew Henry
Here too, the testament had to be put into effect by death. And so even legally and according to the natural order of things which God Himself ordained, the testator must die before the testament can come into effect. And so, Jesus offers His life so that the agreement can be sealed. And in baptism, we identify with that agreement and more so, we become partakers of that testament- in its death and its life.
(Hebrews 9:16-17 ESV) For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
If we understand testament as strong evidence, here too, the definition qualifies. There is overwhelming evidence through the ages [ancient texts and the testimonies of many a good man brought and paid for by their lives and their blood] which shows that the testament is indeed truthfully in effect. Us not believing does not change that.
Further, it is also a legal document. When it comes to judgement, standing before the throne of Our Mighty God, we approach the throne of Grace because we “know” [the definition of faith] we can enter based on the agreement made in the “New Testament”.
The testament, the covenant, the agreement and promises are all part of God’s plan so that we can live a life to the full. Not just a plain ordinary life on this planet. But an exceedingly joyful life. And yes, there are troubles ahead- everyone has their fair share, but dealing with them on God’s strength is far better than dealing with them on your own.
If you haven’t made an agreement with God, make it today! Repent! [turn to God- that’s what repent means] The kingdom of Heaven is at hand! And if you have made that agreement some time before, but need to examine your side of the deal, judge yourself and set your heart to re-engage your commitment with vigour… God is good!