The New Covenant

[Christ4Ever]

"But this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31:33 NKJV

In the first covenant, God chose the nation of Israel and set it aside for a special relationship with Him. He gave the people laws to live by, sacrifices to atone for their sins, and land where they could live. But the Israelites broke the covenant to bits.

They violated the written laws. They offered sacrifices to other gods. The Land they were promised was conquered so God’s people would turn back to Him for help. God kept His covenant faithfully, but His people broke it all the same.

Then the prophet Jeremiah announced a new covenant. The old covenant was written on breakable tablets and scrolls, but God’s new covenant would be written directly on a person’s heart.

The promise of a new covenant came to fruition in the atoning grace of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. The Holy Spirit, who visited Israel in the past, now takes up residence in the hearts of believers. God expanded the new covenant beyond the nation of Israel to every nation on earth.

God has called you to be part of this unbreakable covenant. Are you committed to Him? He is committed to you.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for making me part of Your new covenant!

 

[complete]

"But this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31:33 NKJV

In the first covenant, God chose the nation of Israel and set it aside for a special relationship with Him. He gave the people laws to live by, sacrifices to atone for their sins, and land where they could live. But the Israelites broke the covenant to bits.

They violated the written laws. They offered sacrifices to other gods. The Land they were promised was conquered so God’s people would turn back to Him for help. God kept His covenant faithfully, but His people broke it all the same.

Then the prophet Jeremiah announced a new covenant. The old covenant was written on breakable tablets and scrolls, but God’s new covenant would be written directly on a person’s heart.

The promise of a new covenant came to fruition in the atoning grace of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. The Holy Spirit, who visited Israel in the past, now takes up residence in the hearts of believers. God expanded the new covenant beyond the nation of Israel to every nation on earth.

God has called you to be part of this unbreakable covenant. Are you committed to Him? He is committed to you.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for making me part of Your new covenant!

' ... For if that first covenant had been faultless,
then should no place have been sought for the second.
For finding fault with them, He saith,
"Behold, the days come," saith the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
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.
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord;
I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:
and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a People:
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour,
and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord:
for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
In that he saith, "A new covenant," He hath made the first old.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.'
(Heb 8:7-13))

Hello @Christ4Ever,

Forgive me, but I must disagree. The new covenant will be made with Israel and Judah, as the old covenant was. It has yet to be made with them, for Israel is in a Lo-ammi condition 'Not My People', because they did not come to repentance at the preaching of John the Baptist, The Lord Jesus Christ, or the ministry of the Twelve, either in the land or in the diaspora, so the covenant is now in abeyance at this time, awaiting a future fulfillment.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Dave M]

@complete

what is the new covenant that you are referring to ?


thanks

 

[B-A-C]

Forgive me, but I must disagree. The new covenant will be made with Israel and Judah,

Huh? So how are we Gentiles saved?

Matt 26:28; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Luke 22:20; And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

1Cor 11:25; In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

2Cor 3:6; who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

These last two verses in Corinthians. Who were the Corinthians? Jews or Gentiles? Who were these books written to?

Heb 7:22; so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Heb 8:6; But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

It's the same covenant for the Jews.

Heb 10:29; How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
Heb 12:24; and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Why did Jesus die? Not for the Gentiles? His blood/sacrifice doesn't cover our sins?

John 1:29; The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Interesting John the Baptists didn't say, "The Lamb who takes away the sin of the Jews". He specifically says "the world".

1Jn 2:2; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

The last 27 books of the Protestant Bible are called the New Testament, or New Covenant. They are about Jesus dying and paying the price for our sins.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear Sister, @complete
Actually the devotional is actually as you say. It's just doesn't extrapolate it further, because then it won't be a devotional, but rather a study!
However, there is nothing with taking it further, but in truth as it stands it doesn't disagree with what you have said.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 12:18; "BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.
Matt 12:21; "AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE."
Luke 2:32; A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."

Sorry for the capitalization. Those verses are capitalized in my Bible, I didn't capitalize them, I just copied and pasted the way they were.

Acts 11:18; When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."
Acts 14:27; When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

It isn't just the Jews who will "be called by my name". The Gentiles are called by His name also.

Acts 15:17; SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,'

 

[complete]

@complete

what is the new covenant that you are referring to ?


thanks

Hello @Dave M,

There is only one New Covenant isn't there, for it replaces the Old Covenant made with Israel at Sinai.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[complete]

Huh? So how are we Gentiles saved?

Matt 26:28; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.​

​

Luke 22:20; And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.​

​

1Cor 11:25; In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."​

​

2Cor 3:6; who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.​

These last two verses in Corinthians. Who were the Corinthians? Jews or Gentiles? Who were these books written to?

Hello @B-A-C,

It was necessary for Israel to come to repentance, Gentiles were brought into the Kingdom in order to make Israel Jealous and seek to emulate them (Romans 11:11), but they did not. The New Covenant blessings were being enjoyed by the believing remnant and the believing Gentiles who were grafted into Israel's Olive Tree (which is symbolic of Israel's religious privileges) all through the forty year Acts period: but when the Jews of the dispersion finally rejected the Lord as their Messiah, as they had within the land during the Lord's ministry; then both the new covenant and it's blessings were laid aside until that future day when Israel will repent and no longer be Lo-ammi (not my People); it is then that the New Covenant will be made with Israel and Judah, when Israel's sins will be forgiven and they will be 'My People' once more.

Heb 7:22; so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.​

Heb 8:6; But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.​

It's the same covenant for the Jews.

Heb 10:29; How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?​

Heb 12:24; and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.​

Why did Jesus die? Not for the Gentiles? His blood/sacrifice doesn't cover our sins?

John 1:29; The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!​

Interesting John the Baptists didn't say, "The Lamb who takes away the sin of the Jews". He specifically says "the world".

1Jn 2:2; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.​

The last 27 books of the Protestant Bible are called the New Testament, or New Covenant. They are about Jesus dying and paying the price for our sins.

The New Covenant has nothing to do with our salvation. Sinners are saved by God's grace, regardless of their nationality now, for at the end of the Acts period salvation was sent to the Gentiles (Acts 28:28). Before that time salvation was of the Jews (John 4:22).

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[B-A-C]

the end of the Acts period

The Acts period? There is no "Acts Period". Everything that happened in Acts still applies today, the very same way.

 

[Dave M]

The New Covenant has nothing to do with our salvation. Sinners are saved by God's grace,

Then why did Jesus have to die on the cross??

Why does the ot make such a big deal of animal sacrifices being done in order to atone for sins, pointing to Jesus? Jesus died so we could be saved by grace is the way I see it. God requires a sacrifice for your and my sin, no one gets saved without a sacrifice first.

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings
@complete
@B-A-C
@Dave M

May I suggest that at the time of Acts (i.e. the account thereof) there was a remnant, faithful to the LORD and indeed the promise through the prophets came to pass. [this 'time' was 'preceded (pre-seeded) by Jesus, the Son of God, Servant and Lamb of God}

It was always the plan and desire of the LORD that the Nations/Gentiles would 'see the Light' and it was the Nation of Israel that was to be 'that Light' and witness, over and over. As we read and understand, Israel (including Judah) did not do all that well in shining the Light for the LORD, much as we see today from professing Christians, even though, God, in HIs Mercy was a testimony for all nations/gentiles, over and over again.

It was from this remnant that the Gospel went into the whole world, to the nations and gentiles, according to the wisdom and glory of God.
The New Covenant was 'in effect' and the children of the house of Israel who would hearken, heeded the call and the message soon spread in obedience to that 'Covenant Call'.

Consider the writing of the Apostle Paul in the Book of Romans, chapter 15. The Apostle 'drew' from the Old Testament writers, namely, 2Samuel, Deuteronomy, Psalms and Isaiah to explain the 'plan' ... the promise.. given to Abraham which was fulfilled in and through that Servant, Christ Jesus our Lord.

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.


Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name.
And again He saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people.
And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud Him, all ye people.
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust."


Bless you ....><>

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

================
*** it may be best to move this discussion as this is a Devotional and if it does get moved, please, continue and help and build one another up!
--------------------------------------
ps... the bit I underlined... is that the LORD's plan for man? ....><>

--------------
pps.. I understand that it is quite common to believe that at a time we know not, the Lord will call Israel back and they will repent. However, let us consider the above and perhaps see that some did repent and that the Lord has not forgotten the faithful who took the New Message, the Good News of God's Glory and Salvation to the Gentile Nations.

 

[complete]

@Br. Bear,
@B-A-C
@Dave M

Thank you for your input, I will come back on this when I can, but I am limited by vertigo at the moment. It makes the time I spend, on the computer 'looking', and 'reading' or 'listening,' difficult. So forgive me if I leave this subject to another time. I must stand by what I have already entered, and leave it at that.

Within the love of Christ our Saviour,
our Lord and Head.
Chris

 

[Dave M]

Praying for you Chris @complete hope you feel better soon, and thanks for chiming in

 

[Christ4Ever]

As Brother Bear has suggested, I'll go ahead and move this discussion to another thread, in another location by copying the posting, and deleting them here. The new forum will be in the Bible Discussions one.

This way nothing will be lost that has been brought to light here.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Br. Bear]

Praying for you Chris @complete hope you feel better soon, and thanks for chiming in

yes,
amen

 

[Br. Bear]

@complete

Greetings Chris,

do you know what the vertigo is a symptom of? (you don't have to go public if you prefer not to, but be reassured of our prayers ....><>

==================

regarding the subject of this discussion,

1). what is a covenant?

2). If the New Covenant is for the Jews at some later time, does that mean that they are still under the Old Covenant?


Bless you ....><>

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As it pertains to Covenants, there are in truth more than one or two to consider.
Some have gone as high as eight or nine in their explanations!!!
I've also heard it said by a professor that they also build one upon the other as well!!!

Here are two charts that reflect five of them and another that compares the two being spoken of.

Chart of Bible Covenants

Two Covenants Compared

This is a subject that has great depth to it, and some here lately on TJ have based the very foundation of Salvation is less through Christ Jesus, then following the Covenant itself!!! So, please take care.

Anyway, I share this in the hope that it will help some in the discussion taking place. Remembering that this is always done so that we may continue to grow in His Word, and most especially in love of one another as Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus, to His Glory and Praise!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Dave M]

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As it pertains to Covenants, there are in truth more than one or two to consider.
Some have gone as high as eight or nine in their explanations!!!
I've also heard it said by a professor that they also build one upon the other as well!!!

Here are two charts that reflect five of them and another that compares the two being spoken of.

Chart of Bible Covenants

Two Covenants Compared

This is a subject that has great depth to it, and some here lately on TJ have based the very foundation of Salvation is less through Christ Jesus, then following the Covenant itself!!! So, please take care.

Anyway, I share this in the hope that it will help some in the discussion taking place. Remembering that this is always done so that we may continue to grow in His Word, and most especially in love of one another as Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus, to His Glory and Praise!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

That is most excellent thanks for sharing bro

 

[complete]

@complete

Greetings Chris,

do you know what the vertigo is a symptom of? (you don't have to go public if you prefer not to, but be reassured of our prayers ....><>

==================

regarding the subject of this discussion,

1). what is a covenant?

2). If the New Covenant is for the Jews at some later time, does that mean that they are still under the Old Covenant?


Bless you ....><>

Hello @Br. Bear,

I don't know what it is a symptom of in my case, for I have only had a telephone consultation with the GP at the moment, and all she treated was the symptoms, but as it is continuing, I shall have to arrange a face-to-face consultation.

Your question number 1, 'What is a covenant?'

* Is it not a contractual arrangement between two or more parties? In the Old Testament the covenants were either, 'Covenants of Obligation', in which the contracting parties agreed to observe certain terms: or, 'Covenants of Promise', in which no such agreement was entered into.

* When Israel stood before mount Sinai, and said, 'all that the LORD hath spoken we will do' (Exod. 19:8), Moses 'returned the words of the people unto the LORD.' Consequently an agreement was entered into, the 10 commandments were given, and became the covenant which Israel, 'broke'. This covenant they received by the hands of a Mediator, and that Mediator was Moses. This was a covenant of obligation, yes?

* In Genesis 8:21-22 is an example of a covenant of promise (Genesis 9:9-17), and this covenant has remained inviolable to this day. Similarly, when the Lord made the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15, Abraham was in a deep sleep, consequently the covenant with Abraham is called a covenant of promise, which the covenant and obligation given 430 years after could not disannul. The Mediator of the covenants of promise is Christ, and He faileth not.
----------------

In regard to question 2 (quote):- If the New Covenant is for the Jews at some later time, does that mean that they are still under the Old Covenant?

* Hebrews 8:13, says, 'In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away'. It was 'ready' to vanish away, but it had not gone. The New Covenant was in force up to a certain point. Hebrews 8 and 2 Corinthians 3 only quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34, Jeremiah continues in 35-40, and these are not referred to in Hebrews or Corinthians, but in Romans 11:25-29, and come into force after the Deliverer has come unto Zion (Isa.59:20,21). Sin has been righteously and mercifully removed, on the basis of the blood of Christ, for everyone who believes, but the rest of the covenant blessings refer to the restoration of Israel and of Israel alone.
----------------

* Titus 1-2 says that the eternal life was 'promised before the world began'. 2 Timothy 1:9 says that the believer was called according to the Lord's own purpose and grace, 'which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began'. Ephesians 1:4 says that such were, 'chosen IN HIM before the foundation of the world.' Here are covenants, agreements, promises, but they were not made with or to us, they were all made in and with Christ. In 2 Corinthians 3 and 4 we see that everything turns on two mediators - Moses and Christ. How thankful we should be, to think that so far as the Church of the one Body is concerned there are no contractual agreements, no covenants, no testaments, that involve the believer, he finds all in his completeness in Christ.

I hope I have made myself clear.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Brother Paul]

' ... For if that first covenant had been faultless,
then should no place have been sought for the second.
For finding fault with them, He saith,
"Behold, the days come," saith the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
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.
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord;
I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:
and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a People:
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour,
and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord:
for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
In that he saith, "A new covenant," He hath made the first old.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.'
(Heb 8:7-13))

Hello @Christ4Ever,

Forgive me, but I must disagree. The new covenant will be made with Israel and Judah, as the old covenant was. It has yet to be made with them, for Israel is in a Lo-ammi condition 'Not My People', because they did not come to repentance at the preaching of John the Baptist, The Lord Jesus Christ, or the ministry of the Twelve, either in the land or in the diaspora, so the covenant is now in abeyance at this time, awaiting a future fulfillment.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Ah but when Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians most of the Northern 10 tribes were scattered through out (to the outer most part of the empire) and became both enculterated and acculterated. God, in His all foreknowing plan, sowed them (the Israelites called Ephraim) in among the Gentiles:


Hosea 7:8a - Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people (the goyim)…






Hosea 8:8 - Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.






Hosea 9:17 - My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

They became and were the fulfillment of Genesis 48's promise/prophecy. Ephraim would become "a multitude of nations" which literally in the Greek is "the fulness of the Gentiles" and it is in them, among us and part of many of us, that this is the New Covenant made.