The New Testament Has Been Commanded To All Men

The New Covenant (New Testament of Christ) is similar in this respect to the covenant God made with Israel. Christ’s covenant (testament or will) became binding at His death and was announced to the world by preaching it to all nations:

“And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” (Heb. 5:15-17)

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matt. 28:18-20)

All men are under the authority of the gospel of Christ whether they agree to it or not. If man is not under the authority of and answerable to the new covenant of Christ, then he bears no responsibility to hear it, believe it and obey it. The Great Commission to preach the gospel to the world is thereby stripped of its binding authority.

For example, Mark 16:16 commands, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” This is a part of the new covenant of Jesus Christ – the part which teaches how a sinner is saved from his past sins. Now then, can a lost person say, “I will not believe the gospel of Jesus and be baptized” and thereby be immune from the penalty of the covenant (condemnation of unbelief)? Not at all! He is obligated to obey Jesus at the point the command goes forth from Christ, his refusal notwithstanding.

A similar application can be made regarding divorce and remarriage. Should one say, “I will not abide by what Jesus said about marriage, divorce and remarriage – therefore, I am not under His law on the subject,” that does not grant him immunity from the law of Christ or the punishment of violating His will on the subject (Matt. 19:6, 9; Heb. 13:4). Man does not dictate to God the terms and conditions of God’s covenant, and that includes the covenant (testament) of Christ.

Additional Evidence that the New Covenant is a Testament

A testament dispenses the inheritance of the testator. A person draws up a will which, upon his death, directs the disbursement of his estate. In like manner, the inspired writer of the book of Hebrews describes the blood of Jesus dedicating the “new covenant” (Heb. 9:15). He is the testator, and His testament or will is now in force through His death (Heb. 9:16-17). When a sinner meets the terms of His will, he obtains an eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:15).We should note that what is said of the new covenant is also said of the new testament. For instance:

 1. Jesus:

a. Mediated the “new covenant (diatheke)”, Heb. 12:24.
b. Mediated the “new testament (diatheke)”, Heb. 9:15 (KJV).

 2. The blood of Christ:

a. Dedicated the new covenant, Heb. 12:24.
b. Dedicated the new testament, Heb. 9:14-16, 17-22.

Hebrews 9:17 affirms that the new covenant or testament of Christ was powerless to dispense the eternal inheritance (redeem the sinner) before Christ’s death. “For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” The blood of Jesus (His death) gave His testament the power to provide human redemption (cf. Matt. 26:28; Mk. 14:24; Lk. 22:20). Now, notice that Hebrews 10:29 speaks of the “blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified.” The blood of the testator gives power to the testament to dispense the inheritance. The blood of the covenant sanctifies the sinner. The expressions “blood of the covenant” and the “blood of the testament” speak of exactly the same thing.

Conclusion

A new covenant was set in place by the blood of Christ which is contrasted with the old covenant God made with Israel at Sinai (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-13; 10:16-18). The new covenant of Christ is an entirely different covenant from the one made at Sinai — a “better covenant” established on “better promises” (Heb. 7:22; 8:6).God’s promise to Abraham, that in his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed, has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:16, 19). Christians are the heirs of that promised inheritance — children of God by faith (Gal. 3:14, 26-29; Rom. 8:16-17).The Bible presents Jesus as the Mediator of a new and better covenant. He is also presented as the testator of His new testament. We must not deprive the gospel of its testamentary attributes, since Hebrews 9:15-17 ascribe such traits to it. We must be content to allow God to depict the covenant of Christ as He sees fit. He has described the new covenant as a testament which contains an eternal inheritance when the conditions of His will are met. The grace of God through Christ is available to all men, and the “gospel of His grace” establishes the conditions of faith by which sinners are saved (Acts 20:24; Titus 2:11-14). It is because all men are under the authority of Christ that His gospel is to be preached to every creature (Psa. 110:1-3; Matt. 28:18-20). His death on the cross accomplished human redemption (Rom. 4:25; Gal. 1:4; Eph. 1:7). By means of His New Testament, the conditions of faith are proclaimed so that we may be redeemed from our sins (Jno. 8:24; Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 2:38). Whether alien sinner or a Christian “saved by grace through faith,” all men are obligated to conform to the stipulations of Christ’s testament or be judged for their sin against Christ (Jno. 12:48; Rom. 2:8-9, 16). Will you obey the new testament of Christ and become an heir of the eternal inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3-4)? (Watchman Mag.)

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1. Heb. 12:28 (Shaken): “unshaken, unmoved; metaph. not liable to overthrow and disorder, firm, stable.” (Thayer)
2. Christ’s kingdom is not shaken by things of this world, Jno. 18:36.

I. THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST CANNOT BE SHAKEN, Heb. 12:28.

  A. Prophecy Fulfilled, Dan. 2:40-44; 7:17-18, 22, 27.
    1. Announced, Matt. 3:2; Mk. 1:14-15.
    2. Defined by Jesus (church), Matt. 16:18-19.
    3. Established in days of NT, Mk. 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1, 41; Col. 1:13; Heb.12:28.
  B. The Kingdom Cannot Be Shaken By:
    1. Kingdoms of men, Dan. 2:44 (Rev. 17:14).
    2. Death of its king, Matt. 16:18 (Acts 2:24).
    3. The power of sin, 1 Cor. 15:54-58.

II. THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM CANNOT BE SHAKEN, Mk. 1:14-15.

  A. Gospel of the Kingdom Withstands Every Assault, Matt. 24:35; 1 Pet. 1:22-25; Heb. 4:12.
  B. The Gospel Cannot be Shaken because of the Integrity of God, Heb. 6:16-18.

III. THE ETERNAL INHERITANCE CANNOT BE SHAKEN, 2 Pet. 1:11.

  A. God’s Description of the Christian’s Inheritance, 1 Pet. 1:3-9.

IV. FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE CANNOT BE SHAKEN, 1 Cor. 13:13.

  A. Faith, 2 Tim. 1:12 (1 Pet. 4:19).
  B. Hope, cf. Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:17-19.
  C. Love, 1 Jno. 4:8 (Matt. 22:37-39).

Conclusion -  Serve God with thankful reverence; unshaken, Heb. 12:28 (Rom. 8:37-39).

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According to a recent survey in Britain, 72% said they were Christian but only 32% reported actively practicing their religion. In contrast, only 4% said they were Muslim, yet 80% of those report actively practicing their faith (the highest ratio of those with a religious preference). (“Christians ‘less devout’ than followers of other religions in Britain”, religiousnewsblog.com)

     We do not have the space here to expose the depth of error in the Anglican Church. Suffice it to say that the Church of England began in treachery, is sustained by political power and is tolerant of immorality and all manner of false teaching (Gal. 1:6-10; 1 Jno. 4:1-6; 2 Jno. 9-11). It is not the church of Christ.

     Yet, we can learn something from the aforementioned survey: We must not be Christians in name only. To do so forfeits the blessings and power of Christ in our lives. Christians are devout disciples who “deny self” and “forsake all” in order to follow Jesus (Lk. 9:23; 14:33; Acts 11:26). One cannot be a “hearer of the word and not a doer” and be devoted to Christ (Jas. 1:21-27).

     Devotion has waned in the denominations in comparison to the Islamic religion. But then, what do the Protestants and Catholics have to be devout about? Immorality is glamorized and defended (Gal. 5:19-21). Doctrinal error is not even discussed – only ways to enhance “ecumenism” (which is agreeing to disagree and calling it ‘unity’). And, practicing religion is viewed harshly while “self-expression” is glorified (even though the Bible affirms the virtue of “pure religion”, Jas. 1:27).

     Christians must be devoted to Christ above all else. Otherwise, we cannot be His disciples (Lk. 14:26-33). We must do all things by His authority (Col. 3:17). Devotion is not a display, but a way of life (1 Jno. 2:3-5; 3:7). Examine yourself. Are you a devout Christian? (2 Cor. 13:5)

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