My notes on the exchange between Al Kresta and his guest Scott Hahn:

The “New Testament” found in scripture doesn’t refer to a collection of books. (Late second-century Bishop Ireneaus was the first to use the New Testament as a collection of writings. It wasn’t common until the end of the 4th century.)

Up until that time the “new covenant” or the “new testament” was used by the early Christians for the Eucharist or Lamb’s supper.  The New Testament was the giving of the divine life, through the Son of God offered to us on Calvary in the mass sacrifice.

The books came to be known as the New Testament only because they were used during the mass--they were what was being read from during the sacrifice. So Christians began to call them New Testament readings, which eventually the books took on the name of the sacrifice. The books that told of this New Covenant with God and man, in Christ’s blood, were read in mass and eventually took on the mass’ name.

Never does the New Testament call itself the New Testament. That name is a Christian tradition. Let’s see what the Bible refers to when it records the meaning of the New Testament:

The Cup of Blood at Christ’s Passover 

The only time that Jesus ever used the working “New Testament” was in context of the sacrifice and the cup of the Passover celebration.

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matt. 26:28, See also Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. I Cor. 11:25 (written c. AD 50’s. Earliest reference to “New Testament.”)

New Testament as Will (not as book)

Who also hath made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter but in the spirit. 2 Cor. 3:6

I will perfect, unto the house of Israel and unto the house of Judah, a new testament: Heb. 8:8

Christ’s Atonement and Shedding of Blood 

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions...Heb. 9:15

And to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel. Heb. 12:24

When the Apostles proclaimed the New Covenant/Testament gospel to the world and people accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, they didn’t read the New Testament. He didn’t say to write this in remembrance of me. Jesus told them to do the New Covenant in remembrance of me.

This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. I Cor. 11:25

The Bible, on its own terms, refers to the New Testament as a sacrament long before it became a document. The New Testament Bible really points to the Lord’s Supper.