Old Covenant Vs New Covenant What Is The New Covenant The Old Covenant Explained

What Is The New Covenant

In the Old Testament book of Exodus, God gave the Ten Commandments, to the children of Israel after their escape from Egypt under Moses. Each of the 10 commandments are restated, either in word or meaning, in the New Testament. It is important to be mindful of the difference between Old Testament customs and Old Testament law.

How both the law (Old Testament) and grace (New Testament) coexist?

In the New Testament book of Revelation (the last book in the bible), John, the apostle, relates in Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.". Reminding us that both faith and obedience are to coexist.

In the New Testament book of Matthew (Chapters 5-7 known as the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus states Matthew 5:17-20 "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." . Matthew 5:17-20

In the New Testament book of Revaltion (the last book in the bible), John, the apostle, relates in Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." . Revelation 14:12

Reminding us that both faith and obedience are to coexist.

The Old Covenant

The Old Covenant was a physical agreement (sometimes referred to as an earthly agreement) that was made between God and the children of Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai. It required strict obedience to God's law. For both a person and a nation, it promised to be blessed (health, wealth, etc.) or cursed (captivity, poverty, etc.) depending on their obedience to the commandments of God
Exodus 19:5-6Deuteronomy 11:26-29
Deuteronomy 28:1-68Leviticus 26:1-46

Old Testament Points
- Required physical circumcision.
  Genesis 17:9Exodus 12:48John 7:22
- Physical works of law such as animal sacrifices were required.
  Leviticus 1-7
- A human High Priest served in the tabernacle as an intercessor between God and man.
  Hebrews 8:3-5Exodus 28:1
- If the letter of the law was obeyed, a person could access God through an earth-based tabernacle.
  Hebrews 9:13Galatians 3:12Leviticus 18:5
  2 Corinthians 3:16
- No direct access to him was available or offered.
  Hebrews 9:6-8Hebrews 10:19
- Could not have their consciences made clean or perfect before God in heaven.
  Hebrews 9:9Hebrews 10:14Hebrews 11:1-40

The New Covenant

The new covenant comes through the death of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Luke 22:20 states "Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."".

Forgiveness of sins is now only in the new covenant through Jesus's death on the cross and resurrection. Hebrews 9:14-15. "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."
Luke 22:20Hebrews 9:14-15

New Testament Points
- Jesus' sacrifice, the fruits of God's spirit and good works are required.
  Hebrews 9:10Hebrews 10:12Hebrews 13:15
  Galatians 5:22-24Ephesians 2:10Romans 12:1-2
  Matthew 19:17Mark 15:15-18
- Christ's sacrifice, in God's heavenly temple, forgives and justifies those who repent and are baptized.
  Hebrews 7:25-27Hebrews 9:23-28Acts 11:18
  Galatians 2:20Romans 3:24-25
- Jesus continually serves as man's spiritual High Priest and intercessor.
  Hebrews 4:14-16Hebrews 5:1-9Hebrews 7:17
  Hebrews 8:1-2Hebrews 9:11
- Christ, however, gives those who obey one-on-one access to the Father through him.
  John 4:23-24John 16:23-27Hebrews 6:20
  Hebrews 10:23Romans 8:9-39Ephesians 2:18-22
  2 Corinthians 3:6
  This means that believers can talk to him at any time no matter where they are.
  Matthew 27:51Hebrews 4:14-16Ephesians 7:25-27
  John 16:1-33Galatians 4:6-7Romans 8:15
  Ephesians 2:18
- Made possible through Jesus' blood, a believer's sins can be spiritually forgiven. The Holy Spirit within them is able to purge their consciences and make them wholly acceptable to the Father.
  Hebrews 10:14-172 Corinthians 3:9
  Colossians 1:27Matthew 5:48

Grace Vs Faith

Prayer For Salvation How do I receive Jesus into my heart and make him Lord in my life?

What is the Sinner's Prayer for Salvation?

The sinners prayer is a common Christian term for a prayer that is said when someone wants to repent of their sin, ask God for forgiveness, and verbally state their belief in the life, death, and saving resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"For, if with your lips you acknowledge the truth of the message that JESUS IS LORD, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with their hearts people believe and so attain to righteousness, while with their lips they make their Profession of faith and so find salvation." Romans 10:9-10

Christ's death on the cross paid in full the debt of our sin. Action must be taken to take hold of the gift.

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and there is nothing that I can do to save myself. I confess my complete helplessness to forgive my own sin or to work my way to heaven through any good works. At this moment I trust Christ alone and receive by faith all Grace purchased by Jesus as the One who bore my sin when He died on the cross. I believe that He did all that will ever be necessary for me to stand in your holy presence. I thank you that Christ was raised from the dead as a guarantee of my own resurrection. As best as I can, I now transfer my trust to Him and by my faith take hold of His grace and love for me. I am grateful that He has promised to receive me despite my many sins and failures. Thank you for your word that will guide me as to how I should live my remaining days. Please grant me the wisdom to discern correctly and motivation to grow my faith, obedience, understanding, appreciation, and love for you. Thank you for your Grace and mercy that I do not deserve. Thank you that my salvation is not based on my level of performance in my short life but in my receiving what your victory on the cross did pay for. Thank you that I can receive by my faith alone, your glorious gift of salvation. Thank you for hearing this prayer and for saving me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.