Affirmative [conclusions].
Affirmative [conclusions].
§ 122. On the basis of the previously cited declarations of Scripture, the following affirmative corollaries expressing the difference between the two testaments result. (1) The old and new testaments differ in the time of their promulgation. The former was promulgated at the time of Israel’s departure from Egypt (Jer. 31:32), but the latter at the end of time (Isa. 2:2; Mic. 2:4).
(2) They differ in the place of their promulgation. The old was promulgated on Mount Horeb in the wilderness of Sinai (Exod. 19:18), but the new went out from Zion and Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2; Gal. 4:24, [26]).
(3) They differ in mediator. As mediator the old testament had Moses (Deut. 5:5). The Mediator of the new testament is Christ (Heb. 8:6; 9:15).
(4) They differ in their mode of promulgation. The old testament was promulgated by the ministry of angels amid thunder, lightning, and terrors (Exod. 19:16; Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19). But the new testament was promulgated in this way: God Himself came down from heaven and lifted up the hearts of people by the pleasing preaching of the Gospel. Augustine (on John, tractate 3): “The Law He sent by His servant; with grace He Himself came down.”
(5) They differ in their contents and promises. The old testament consisted in the solemn promulgation of the moral Law (and as a result the tablets of the Decalogue are called “the tablets of the covenant,” Deut. 9:11, 15; the Ten Words written on them are called “the words of the covenant,” Exod. 34:28; the Book of the Law is called “the scroll of the covenant,” Exod. 24:7; Deut. 29:21), and it had joined to it an almost countless multitude of laws, rites, and ceremonies. But the new testament contains the solemn promulgation of the Gospel and has rites much fewer in number, much easier to observe, and much more majestic in understanding, and for this reason Irenaeus (bk. 3, ch. 12, p. 196) calls the new testament “[the covenant] of freedom.” The old testament had specific promises about settling the land of Canaan and preserving its polity. It also had spiritual and eternal promises, but under the condition of keeping the Law. But the new testament has the free promise of salvation for the sake of the revealed Christ, and it promises physical goods in general, with the exception of the cross.
(6) They differ in the manner of dedication. The old testament was dedicated with the blood of animals (Exod. 24:5); but the new, with the blood of the Son of God (Zech. 9:11). Also, since the blood of animals with which the old testament was dedicated was a type of the blood of Christ, with which the new testament was going to be dedicated, therefore in this sense and respect the Law is said to have “a shadow of the good things to come, not the true image of those things” (Heb. 10:1). Indeed, the legal rituals were “a shadow of what is to come; but the body is of Christ” (Col. 2:17).
(7) They differ in the subject of their writing. The old testament, with regard to the moral Law, whose solemn promulgation was its main part, is said to have been engraved on stone tablets (Exod. 31:18; Deut. 9:10). But the new testament is written by the Spirit of God in the hearts of believers (Jer. 31:33; 2 Cor. 3:3).
(8) They differ in the breadth of their embrace. The old testament was established with the children of Israel and was therefore closed in by the narrow borders of Jewish territory (Deut. 5:3). The new extends as broadly as the entire world reaches (Matt. 28:19).
(9) They differ in duration. The old testament has been abrogated, but the new continues forever (Heb. 8:13; 10:9).
(10) They differ in excellence and dignity, for in clear words the new is said to be better than the old (Heb. 7:22; 8:6). The reason for its excellence can be learned from the rest of the chief points of difference.
(11) They differ in their effects. The old testament was “the letter which kills, the ministry of death and condemnation, giving birth unto bondage” (2 Cor. 3:6[–11]; Gal. 4:[24–]25), namely, because of the corruption of our nature. But the new is “the spirit which gives life, the ministry of righteousness, of the Spirit, and of life, leading to freedom.” As a result we have this well-known statement of St. Augustine (Contra Adimant. Manich.): “The clearest and briefest difference between the two testaments: fear and love.”