Where Does The New Testament Begin?

According to Hebrews 9, Jesus ministry was part of the Old Testament until His death on the cross. So in your opinion where does the New Testament begin?

Q. According to Hebrews 9, Jesus ministry was part of the Old Testament until His death on the cross. So in your opinion where does the New Testament begin?

A. You didn’t include a verse from Hebrews 9 as a reference, but I don’t interpret the chapter quite the same way you do, although from man’s point of view it’s reasonable to say that until Jesus had actually completed His work of redemption, the New Testament wasn’t officially in force. But consider this.

The Jewish name for the part of the Bible we call the Old Testament was The Law And The Prophets. Matt. 11:11-15 records these words of the Lord.

“I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.”

To me this means that John the Baptist was the last Old Testament figure and is not part of the Church. I say this because the Lord indicated that he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John. The Church will occupy the most favored position in Heaven placing the most insignificant member of the church in a more favorable position than John’s. That means that the New Testament effectively began as John’s ministry ended.