THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS
(Jeremiah 31:31-34)
Introduction
1. Some brethren advocate there has always only been one
covenant. They further say the prevailing idea in the church of an old and new covenant is at best
misguided, or at worst, hypocritical and heretical.
2. What does the Scriptures say?
a. Does the Bible teach there has only been one covenant between God and man,
renewed or revitalized from time to time? Or,
b. Does the Bible say there was an old covenant and a new covenant, different in
their scope, their commands, their capabilities, their promises, and their blessings?
I. THE OLD COVENANT.
A. God Made A Covenant With Israel (The Law of Moses) - Exod. 19:5-6; 24:8;
Deut. 4:13-14; 5:2.
1. It was not made with "the fathers" (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
etc.) - Deut. 5:3.
2. It was mediated by Moses - Gal. 3:19.
3. It did not exist before Mt. Sinai (the time of the fathers).
4. Therefore, it is not the "one, everlasting covenant."
B. The Covenant God Made With Israel When They Came Out Of Egypt Has Now Become Old
- Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:13.
1. The "new" covenant is distinct from the one made with
Israel - Jer. 31:31.
- "Not according to…"
2. "New" necessarily implies the first covenant is old and
about to vanish away - Heb. 8:13.
a. It was becoming old in Jeremiah's day.
b. Vanish away (aphanismos) - "disappearance,
destruction." (Strong's)
C. There Was A Remembrance of Sins Under The Provisions of The Old Covenant - Heb.
10:1-4.
1. Otherwise, Christ died in vain - Gal. 2:2 1; 3:21-22.
2. There would be no more offerings for sin if its provisions could
solve the problem of sin -Heb. 10:18, 1-2.
D. The Ten Commandments Were "The Words Of The Covenant" -
Exod. 34:27-28
(Deut. 9:9); Deut. 4:13-14, 23; 5:1-3 (6-21).
E. The "Book Of The Law" Was The Same As The "Book Of The
Covenant" - 2 Kings 22:8, 11; 23:2.
II. THE NEW COVENANT - Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:8, 13, 12:24.
A. There Is A New Testament.
1. Dedicated by the blood of Jesus - Matt. 26:28 (Mk. 14:24; Luke 22:20;
1 Cor. 11:25); Heb. 9:15-18.
2. The apostles of Christ are ministers of it - 2 Cor. 3:6.
3. Christ is the mediator of it - Heb. 9:15; 12:24.
B. It Did Not Exist Before The Death Of Jesus (Blood) - Heb. 9:15-17.
C. Under It There Is Remission Of Sins - Heb, 10:15-18.
1. One sacrifice for sins forever - Heb. 10:12.
2. No remembrance of sin - Heb. 10:17 (cf. v. 3).
III. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. (These differences who they are distinct and different covenants.)
Charts:
-Two Covenants (Galatians 4:21-31)
-Two Covenants Contrasted (2
Corinthians 3)
-Old and New Testament (Hebrews
9:11-22)
-The Covenant Mediated By
Christ Was New. (Hebrews 8:6-13)
-Covenants: Old
and New,
First and Second (Hebrews 8:6-13)
-Covenants: Old
and
New, First and Second (Hebrews 9:15-20)
-Covenants: Old
and
New, First and Second (Hebrews 10:1-18)
-Jeremiah 31:33-34 -- FULFILLED -- Hebrews
10:15-18
IV. IS THE MOSAIC COVENANT A CONTINUATION OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT?
No.
A. cf. Sabbath Observance.
1. Israel was given the Sabbath, and sinned when did they did not keep
it (Exod. 20:8; 31:12-17; Num. 15:32-36).
2. Abraham was not given the Sabbath, and did not sin when he did not
keep it (Deut. 5:2-3, 15; Neh. 9:13-14).
3. Therefore, the law of Moses was not a continuation of the
Abrahamic Covenant.
V. IS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST A CONTINUATION OF THE ABRAHAMIC AND MOSAIC
COVENANTS? No.
A. cf. Fleshly Circumcision.
1. Abraham and his descendants were commanded to be circumcised, and
failure to obey was sin (Gen. 17:14; 21:4; Lev. 12:3).
2. The gospel of Christ does not command fleshly circumcision (Gal.
5:6; Rom. 2:28-29).
3. Therefore, the gospel of Christ is not a continuation of
the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants.
VI. IS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST A CONTINUATION OF THE MOSAIC COVENANT?
No.
A. cf. Polygamy.
1. Law of Moses permitted its practice, while limiting its extent and
widespread occurrence (Exod. 21:7-11; Deut. 21:15-16).
2. The gospel of Christ does not permit polygamy (Matt. 19:4-6; Rom.
7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:2; Heb. 13:4).
3. Therefore, the gospel of Christ is not a continuation of
the Mosaic covenant.
