What Are The Two Main Divisions of The Bible?

What Are the Two Main Divisions of the Bible?

Most people are quick to say:
“Old Testament” and “New Testament.”
But is that the right division God wants us to make?

Let’s take a closer look — rightly divided (2 Timothy 2:15) — to discover what the two main divisions in the Bible really are.

Prophecy vs. Mystery

The true division is not simply between the Old and New Testaments in your Bible’s table of contents.

The real biblical division lies between:

PROPHECY
God’s plan for Israel revealed since the world began

vs.

MYSTERY
God’s plan for the Body of Christ kept secret since the world began

PROPHECY – "Since the World Began"

“As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began.”
— Luke 1:70

Prophecy refers to everything spoken before, concerning:

• God's promises to Abraham and Israel

• The coming kingdom on earth

• The Messiah reigning from Jerusalem

• The hope of restoration and blessing for nations through Israel (Isa. 60:1–3)

This includes most of the Old Testament and the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ to Israel (Matthew–John), as well as early Acts (1–7).

MYSTERY – "Kept Secret Since the World Began"

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you… according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began...”
— Romans 16:25

The mystery was:

Not known by the prophets
Not revealed to Peter or the 12 apostles
Hidden in God until revealed to Paul (Eph. 3:1–5)

This mystery includes:

• The formation of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)

• Salvation by grace through faith apart from the Law (Eph. 2:8–9)

• Jew and Gentile in one new man (Eph. 2:15)

• Our heavenly position in Christ (Eph. 2:6)

• The blessed hope of the rapture (Titus 2:13)

The Bible’s True Structure

PROPHECY
• God’s plan through Israel
• Revealed in the Old Testament
• Spoken since the world began (Luke 1:70)
• Earthly kingdom promised
• Gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:17)

MYSTERY
• God’s plan through the Body of Christ
• Revealed to Paul only (Romans 11:13)
• Kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25)
• Heavenly position in Christ
• Gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24)

Why Does This Matter?

Mixing prophecy and mystery leads to:

• Confusion about salvation (faith vs. works)

• Misunderstanding about baptism, the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts

• False hopes about signs, miracles, or Israel’s promises

• The church thinking it is “spiritual Israel” — which it’s not

Right division brings clarity, not confusion.
It honors all of Scripture — while applying only what is for us today (Romans – Philemon).

Conclusion: Two Main Divisions

The two main divisions in the Bible are not Old and New Testaments based on page breaks — but:

PROPHECY – God’s revealed plan for Israel
MYSTERY – God’s hidden plan now revealed for the Body of Christ

To understand your Bible clearly:

Trust the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1–4)
Rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15)

Know what is written to you and what is written for you

Final Thought

Don’t be content with tradition.
Dig deeper.
Let the Word rightly divided guide your growth.

“Make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery…”
— Ephesians 3:9