THE NECESSITY OF UNDERSTANDING THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS

Part 1: Introduction

Greetings Brethren,

Peace be unto you. Thanks be to Almighty God, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As we go through this Christian journey we are often confronted with those in the Church that know not the difference between the Old and New Covenants.

Many come thus defying the resurrection as they pay homage to things and rituals that Christ Jesus the promised Savior has removed. However the answer to these questions and concerns are found in the Bible not in the wisdom of man.

Peace and Love, Carl A. Patton a willing slave of Almighty God writing for the FreedomJournal 13 August 2007 in the year of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.

As the true Church is denounced many so-called believers know not that they defy Christ when they still look to things of Old. Meanwhile the false teachers gain a greater Hell- hold as they convince those that listen that somehow we live by the Old and New Covenants. All things of Old have not passed. However look closely at the Covenant made with Abraham and the Covenant at Mt. Sinai.

Therefore we (FreedomJournal) see a piecemeal rendition of the Old Covenant taught. Also the transition is lost as the Old continues among many people and in the midst of this false teaching the essence of Christ is lost. For example the system of giving and atoning for sins is no longer seen in Tithes and Offerings. How can the system of atoning for sins through Tithes, Offerings and animal sacrifices be still intact when we no longer have the Aaronic priesthood? Brethren you cannot take a system of giving to a priesthood that no longer exists and make it a way to give to the Church today. Paul in the New Testament teaches us about giving to the Church under the New Covenant.

Therefore as we explore what the Bible teaches about the Old and New Covenants hopefully we can lend some clarity to those that are confused.

Secular dictionaries note that a Covenant is a solemn agreement between two or more persons or group to do or not to do a certain thing, a compact. A Covenant is also a solemn agreement between church members, toward maintaining its faith etc. Finally the secular world says the following:
”In the Bible the solemn promises of God to man as set forth in the Old and New Testament; compact between God and man.”

As a solemn agreement between two or more parties a Covenant is made binding by some sort of oath. Future conduct is what one or both parties concerned usually mutually agree upon.

Understanding the Old and New Covenants is best noted in an explanation of the Abrahamic Covenant. The Torah (Jewish Bible) lends great importance to the Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17 and Chapter 15). This everlasting Covenant is noted as one that has perpetual validity. But what does everlasting mean?

Meanwhile ingrained in the Abrahamic Covenant are three divine Covenants, each are termed an everlasting Covenant.

The first period extends from the creation to the Covenant with Noah after the flood. (Genesis 9).
The second extends from Noah to Abra (ha) m, and includes the divine promises of the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession and a special relationship between God and the descendants of Abraham and Sarah.
The third period extends from Abraham to Moses, the mediator of the Sinai Covenant, also designated as everlasting.

Meanwhile three signs accompany these Covenants: the rainbow, circumcision and the Sabbath.

In the Pentateuch primary emphasis is given to God’s Covenant with the Israelite people, portrayed in the migration of Abraham and Sarah in response to the divine promise (Genesis 11: 31- 12:7) and the special relationship between God and their descendants (Genesis 15: 1-21; 17: 1-22).

The Mosaics Covenant, set forth in the book of Deuteronomy was based on the people’s obedience to the covenant commandments. All of God’s Covenants with Israel include divine promises, as well as human obligation, though they differ as to which is emphasized.

So is the Abrahamic Covenant primarily a promissory Covenant? Does God impose any conditions on the Israelites? Is obedience a pact of all of the Old Testament Covenants?

Meanwhile the New Testament draws upon all of these Covenant traditions.

Part 2: The New Testament Covenant

Part 3: The Heart the New Covenant & Christ

Part 4: What Are The Covenants In The Bible?

Part 5: The Prophecy of Christ The New Covenant