COVENANTS – A Comparison Old and New

(Guest Post)

The Old Covenant: Always Looking Forward — The New Covenant: Already Have in Christ

1.) The Old Covenant – right after the 10 Commandments were given on Mt Sinai in Ex 20:1-17, there was a trumpet noise and the mountain smoked, and people stood far off:

 

• Exo 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

 

The New Covenant – As the contrast, says that as believers, we come to Jesus and Mount Zion (Heavenly Jerusalem). We have Christ now the Mediator of the New Covenant, not the Old Covenant, which had Moses as the mediator. It burned with smoke and was so terrible that he said, I exceedingly fear and quake. We are told not to go to that mountain (Sinai), which is where the 10 Commandments were given.

 

• Heb 12:18-24 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,  (19)  And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:  (20)  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  (21)  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)  (22)  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  (23)  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  (24)  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

 

2.) The Old Covenant – the people didn’t want to hear God, lest they die.

 

• Ex 20:19 …they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

 

The New Covenant – As the contrast, sinners draw near to Christ to hear Him. We come to God by a new and living way and we can draw near, not stand far off in fear like in the Old Covenant.

 

• Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
• Heb 10:18-22 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  (19)  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  (20)  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;  (21)  And having an high priest over the house of God;  (22)  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

3.) Old Testament – After the Old Covenant was given, God said He would give Jesus for a Covenant, as was prophesied through Isaiah:

 

• (Isa 42:6)  I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
• (Isa 49:8)  Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

 

New Testament: Jesus is not only given for a Covenant, but as the contrast, He is the Mediator of the New Covenant, through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant. Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant on Sinai, But “they continued not in my covenant” God said.

 

• Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises… Heb 8:9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
• Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
• Heb 13:20  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

 

4.) The Old Covenant – prophesied regarding the price that was to be paid for Jesus as the New Covenant. It appears that God is confirming in these verses He broke His Covenant that He made with all the people. He mentions the price that was paid for Jesus – thirty pieces of silver. It sounds like Jesus said… give me my price and then said – my price thirty pieces of silver…. Zechariah prophesies And it was broken in that day. Was that day, the day Jesus was given for a Covenant and and His price was thirty pieces of silver and He was crucified? It appears so in Scripture.

 

• Zec 11:10-14  And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.  (11)  And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD.  (12)  And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.  (13)  And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

 

New Testament – Confirms the price for Jesus was thirty pieces of silver.

 

• Mat 26:15  And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
• Mat 27:3  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
• Mat 27:9  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

 

 

5.) The Old Covenant – Another sign looking forward regarding Sinai, the 10 Commandments and thunder and lightening, was that The Lord came down on the third day:

 

• Exo 19:11  And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
• Exo 19:16  And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

 

The New Testament – Confirms Jesus was raised on the third day. In the Old Covenant the Lord came down. In the New Covenant Jesus came down from heaven, BUT was raised for our salvation. The contrast is people rejoiced and worshiped Him

 

• Luk 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
• Matt 28: ⁵ And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. ⁶ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ⁷ And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. ⁸ And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. ⁹ And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. ¹⁰ Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

6.) The Old Testament – The atonement is another example of the Jews not receiving the fullness of Christ. Also It looks like the stranger was not able to partake in the atonement.

 

• Ex 29:33  And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.

 

The New Testament – As a contrast, whosoever will come to Christ, have already received the atonement through Christ. He tells us symbolically through Communion to eat His body and drink His blood in remembrance of Him.

 

• Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
• Mat 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.  (27)  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;  (28)  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
• Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

 

7.) The Old Testament – Israel and Gentiles are both called strangers at one time or another.

 

• Lev 25:23 The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.
• Deu 10:19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

The New Testament – As the contrast, Jesus calls us friends. In Christ, Jew (Israel) and Gentile believers are no longer strangers, but friends, like believing Abraham. We are no more Jew or Greek (Rom 10:12; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11), but all believers are part of the household of God.

 

• Joh 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
• Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
• Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 

God makes us righteous in Him now without the law, by our faith in Christ. Now we are told (by Christ) to do the First and Second  Commandment. He speaks only the things the Father tells Him, which are not based in the Law, but in faith and love.

 

• Rom 3:20-22 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  (21)  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
• Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
• Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
• Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
• Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

• Joh 17:26  And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

 

 

 

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Do You Really Keep the Law (Torah)?

Peter and the other apostles understood that Jew and Gentile were one under Christ and all are saved by God’s grace through faith, not by the law.

Every single person that claims to keep the law of Moses and advocates it must be kept fails. Because the very parameters within the law keep it from being kept without the temple, without the Levitical priesthood, and if even practicing Jews in Israel can keep less than 300, the dilemma becomes if one is required according to God in the law—to keep ALL of it– or face the curses for not and there is no verse anywhere in there to allow not keeping it ALL if one is bound to it—all those saying they keep it are lying–and breaking another commandment—so please before accusing, consider the implications.

Because Paul, Peter, Silas, Barnabas and other Jewish believers gave witness they could be with the Gentiles and not live as a Jew. Because Christ delivered the final sacrifice and removed the law out of the way so all people would have equal access based on the very basic reality that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The law made no one righteous–and no one or no sacrifice or works can make us clean or acceptable to God, except through Christ, who can make us clean. Acts 15 tells that those Jewish believers who were commanding that new believers be circumcised and keep the law of Moses—-were subverting the souls of those they told, according to the apostle James and the other apostles and elders of the churches.

Act 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

subverting means>

G384
ἀνασκευάζω
anaskeuazō
Thayer Definition:
1) to pack up baggage in order to carry it away to another place
1a) to move one’s furniture (when setting out for some other place)
2) of an enemy
2a) dismantling, plundering
3) of a place
3a) to overthrow, ravage destroy towns lands etc.
4) to turn away violently from a right state, to unsettle, subvert
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G303 (in the sense of reversal) and a derivative of G4632

So to say those in Christ must be circumcised and keep the law is destroying their souls. That’s quite a burden to acquire and have on judgment day.

Peter said the Gentiles were no different than Jewish believers, and were made clean by faith in Christ, which is the true circumcision of the heart, not the body. He then asked why did any of them expect to put the yoke on Gentiles that the fathers couldn’t bear—and which they–the Jewish believers including the apostles– couldn’t bear. Notice that–it was meaning those from the time of Moses to then, and they as Jews were not able to bear that yoke; no one could keep it perfectly. So why expect Gentiles to?

Peter went so far as to say this concerning Jews and Gentiles, “… put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples…”

In other words, who did they think they were to challenge and try to change the message and Truth of the Gospel and the New Covenant, and try to burden new believers with the yoke that was taken away with Christ dying on the cross. And the truth that faith from Christ causes circumcision of the heart, and cleanses that which was unclean. For all. Jew and Gentile. There aren’t 2 different gospels and 2 different ways to live for Christ.

What was the yoke in question? What was being discussed? Circumcision and commanding the keeping of the law of Moses. That was the yoke the fathers nor they could bear.

The yoke was not something else as some try to say. Many Messianics and Hebrew Roots proponents like to say that the yoke was the “oral law”. But “fathers” in that text is defined as the fathers of Israel, meaning ancestors to those at Mt Sinai where the law was given to the children of Israel. The contrast of the burden of that yoke that Peter said the fathers nor they could bear, is found with Jesus saying,

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The yoke of the law was not on Abraham, but on Moses and the people of the covenant. Paul encouraged against being caught up in trying to keep the law of Moses by comparing it to being entangled with the “yoke of bondage.”

Galatians 5:1-4 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

People who advocate the keeping of the law of Moses, are trying to be justified by the law, which they can’t keep. Therefore, they are fallen from grace, according to the Scriptures. Anything believers do is to be for the glory of God and sharing the gospel. That is what the apostle Paul exemplified. Circumcision, as part of the discussed issues, did not come from the law of Moses, but was given to Abraham, after the promise was given to him by God and before he was circumcised. So that all those who walked by faith could be heirs of the promise. Circumcision became part of the continuing covenant with Abraham under the Mosaic law, but the promise had nothing to do with the law of Moses, other than to point to Christ and be a shadow of what was to come.

Act 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
Act 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Act 13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
Act 13:41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=504

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