THE COVENANTS


A. CONTROVERSY OVER THE COVENANTS
  1. General idea among Christians:
  2. Weekly Sabbath and the Ten Commandments the issue:
  3. Claims of Sabbath opponents:
B. TEACHING OF THE BIBLE
  1. The Ten Commandments:
    1. They are called - "the covenant commanded" - Deut. 4:12, 13; Ex. 20:1-17
    2. They existed, as a law and a covenant, long before the old covenant came into being - Hos. 6:7; Gen. 26:5; Ex. 16:28, 29; Deut. 4:12, 13
    3. They became the basis of the old covenant - Ex. 19:5
    4. Of this covenant the Bible predicts:
      1. That it will stand fast forever - Ps. 89:24-35; 111:7- 9
      2. That Christ would magnify it and make it honorable - Isa. 42:18-21; Matt. 5:17-19
  2. The Old Covenant:
    1. Dates back to Mount Sinai - Ex. 19:3-8; 24:1-9; Gal. 4:21-26
    2. Was an agreement between ancient Israel and God - Ex. 19:8; 24:3-8; Deut. 5:28, 29
    3. Was ratified with the blood of animals - Heb. 9:18, 19; Ex. 24:3-8
    4. Had an earthly sanctuary - Heb. 9:1-12
    5. Was faulty - Gal. 4:21-31; Jer. 31:31-33; Heb. 8:9-11; Ex. 32:1
    6. Was abolished - Heb. 8:9-11; 10:4-6
  3. The New Covenant:
    1. Dates from eternity - Compare Rev. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:20; Eph. 1:4 - Adam, Noah, and Abraham had the promise of this covenant - Gen. 3:15; 9:11; Gal. 3:17
    2. Was given to Israel - Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10, 11
    3. Gentiles become partakers of this covenant through Christ - Eph. 2:11-16; Gal. 3:26-29
    4. Was ratified with the blood of Christ - Compare Heb. 9:14-16 with Matt. 26:28; Heb. 10:29
    5. It provides -
      1. Forgiveness of sin - Heb. 10:15, 16
      2. Writing the Ten Commandments upon the tables of the heart - Heb. 10:15, 16; Ezek. 36:26-28
      3. Eternal redemption through faith in Christ our Lord.
C. COMPARISON OF THE TWO COVENANTS
  1. The Old Covenant:
    1. Was based upon man's promise - "we will do" - Ex. 19:8; 24:3, 7
    2. God knew that they would and could not keep their promise - Deut. 5:27-29; Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:6-9; John 15:5
    3. It was totally of a temporary nature connected with carnal ordinances which would pass away - Heb. 9:9-17; 10:1-7
  2. The New Covenant:
    1. Is based upon God's promise - "I will" - Compare Jer. 31:31- 33 with Heb. 10:15, 16
    2. All God's promises are "yea and Amen" - 2 Cor. 1:20; Heb. 6:17-20
    3. Takes away sin, which the old covenant could not do - Heb. 9:22, 23; Matt. 1:21; Mi. 7:18, 19
    4. Changes human nature - 2 Cor. 5:14-17; Gal. 3:26-29; 2 Pet. 1:2-9
    5. Writes God's law upon the tables of the heart - Ezek. 36:26- 29; Heb. 10:15, 16
    6. Was ratified with the precious blood of Jesus Christ - Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Pet. 1:18
    7. It is the everlasting covenant - Heb. 10:29, 30
    8. It is known as -
      1. The New Covenant because it was ratified last or after the first covenant, and it deals with a new relationship in Christ.
      2. It is the covenant of peace because we have peace with God through the blood of the everlasting covenant, the blood of Jesus Christ.


Design © John Bryant 2011