The word “testament” is Latin for the Hebrew word “covenant.” Therefore it would be equally proper to say: “Old and New Covenant;” or to say: “Old and New Testament.” The Old Testament is the “Covenant of The Law.” The New Testament is the “Covenant of Grace.”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before-hand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJB).

“Now, therefore, you (Gentiles) are no longer strangers, and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:19,20 NKJB).

For some 3 and one half years, Jesus conducted a Jewish Bible School for twelve zealous young Jewish students, known as the 12 apostles. The only text books used was the OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES. During that time, the greatest Bible Teacher who ever lived endeavored to teach NEW TESTAMENT TRUTH to Old Testament believers, but even He was unsuccessful. It was not until the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost that Peter fully understood his own great confession, recorded in Matthew 16:16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then responded:

“Upon this rock (solid foundation of reality) I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18 NKJB).

“What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1,2).

In other words, Paul was saying: Judaism is better than heathenism, but it does not save. Everyone whoever went to Heaven, was saved by grace—not law (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8 NKJB).

In this letter Paul was writing to the Roman church of that day. These people were non-Jewish and had no religious training. That gave the Jews an advantage, but neither Jews nor gentiles are saved until they repent of their sins and accept Christ as personal Savior. On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 Jews said to Peter, “What must we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37,38).

“Just as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Galatians 3:6).

“And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and ninety years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect” (Galatians 3:17 NKJB- read verses 6-17).