The New Covenant

[Michael]

I am interested in learning more about the grace movement. One thing that I can't seem to get around is the fact that Paul is telling the Corinthians (who are in the body of Christ) that he is an able minister of the new testament. From what I have learned, midacts people--who usually take the bible in a literal way--do not take Paul's statement as literal. If Paul said he was an able minister of the new testament then that's what he meant. But if we believe his words then this statement doesn't seem to fit the mid acts position that the new testament was to be given to Israel only (Jer 31:31).

I'd appreciate a detailed explanation of the midacts understanding of Paul's statement in 2 Cor 3:6.

Thanks so much.

[Christine]

I am interested in learning more about the grace movement. One thing that I can't seem to get around is the fact that Paul is telling the Corinthians (who are in the body of Christ) that he is an able minister of the new testament. From what I have learned, midacts people--who usually take the bible in a literal way--do not take Paul's statement as literal. If Paul said he was an able minister of the new testament then that's what he meant. But if we believe his words then this statement doesn't seem to fit the mid acts position that the new testament was to be given to Israel only (Jer 31:31).

I'd appreciate a detailed explanation of the midacts understanding of Paul's statement in 2 Cor 3:6.

Thanks so much.

First things first... It is GODS position that both the OLD and NEW Covenants had to do with Israel alone. (Jer. 31:31) We  simply agree with HIM, do YOU?

You ask a great question and it has an answer. But before we get to it, I would like to ask you a few questions.

Do you agree with the Bible that Paul is the apostle to the Church the Body of Christ today?

Do you agree with scripture that Peter and Paul preached a different message?

Do you agree that Judaism is NOT the same thing as Christianity?

Do you agree that we are not under law but under GRACE today?

These things are foundational to your being able to understand the answer to the question you posed. If you don't see the truth of the things listed, then the answer to the question won't do it for you either.

The fact that you let ONE scripture, OUT of context, keep you from believing and enjoying the Body of truth entrusted to us as believers today, gives me pause as to your true intent here. One must begin with foundational truths BEFORE one can expect to comprehend the big picture. So, lets see if you have acknowledged the basics FIRST, and then we will go on to your initial question.

So, before we go on, please answer the above. Thank you.

[Michael]

Thank you very much for your interest in answering my question from a midacts perspective.  I agree that Judaism is not the same thing as Chistianity (Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead for the forgiveness of my sins is key for the believer today). I also agree that we are not under the law today but are under the grace provided by our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm still learning about the first two questions you asked about so I can't answer them at this time.

[Christine]

Thank you very much for your interest in answering my question from a midacts perspective.  I agree that Judaism is not the same thing as Chistianity (Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead for the forgiveness of my sins is key for the believer today). I also agree that we are not under the law today but are under the grace provided by our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm still learning about the first two questions you asked about so I can't answer them at this time.

Fair enough. If you are truly interested in knowing more about right division, then all the material you need from the scriptures is right here for you to study.

 I will give you time to study out the fact that Scripture clearly states that Paul IS the God appointed apostle to the Gentiles, which means he is Gods spokesman TODAY. You also need to take a look at the differences between Peters gospel and Pauls gospel that we have here on the forum, which clearly show that the two gospels are NOT the same.

When you have decided that there indeed IS a difference, and that Paul IS the apostle God has given US today, and not the 12 of times Past to the Jew, THEN we will will show you what the context is for the question you asked. When you study the scriptures rightly divided, the answers are found IN the scriptures themselves, and don't rely on anyones "interpretation."  But FIRST, you must determine these two foundational issues for yourself.

Please feel free to use the resources here to further your studies on these matters. There are several places here that deal with these issues in depth from the scriptures.

This is like building a house. You don't begin with the roof, but must have a foundation FIRST. I can tell you that once you make up your mind with regard to what the scriptures DO say about the first two issues, your question will readily solve itself, and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

If you would like some of the free study material we offer thru this ministry, please let me know. We would be more than pleased to send it to you.

[Christine]

What is the New Covenant?
 
by Justin Johnson

 
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Sometimes called the New Testament, the new covenant is a fulfillment of the promise God made with Israel to bring them back to the land and to help them obey the law. As a result this better testament would allow Israel to reap the blessings of God’s covenant made with their fathers (Luke 1:72-75).

The beginning of this New Testament can be found in Deuteronomy 30:1-9, where God promises that he will:

Have compassion on them (30:3)

Gather them together from among the nations (30:3-5)

Allow them to dwell in the promised land (30:3-5)

Circumcise their heart so they can obey the commandments (30:6-8)

Make their work plenteous (30:9)

This testament would finally provide for the redemption of the nation Israel and institute what was needed to begin God’s strategy for blessing the ‘kindreds of the earth’ through their priesthood (Gen 12:3, 22:18, Acts 3:25).

What Israel would fail to accomplish on their own accord under the old covenant, God would provide for them under the new.

New Covenant prophesied

The prophets also reminded the Jews of the promised new covenant:
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:” – Jeremiah 31:31

Jeremiah goes on to describe how God will ‘put my law in their inward parts’ and will ‘remember their sin no more’ (Jeremiah 31:33-34).
Ezekiel also describes the supernatural empowerment that will accompany the new covenant as he writes:
“And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. “ – Ezekiel 36:27
The description given by Ezekiel also mentions how God will:
Gather them from all countries (36:24)
Allow them to dwell in the Promised Land (36:28)
‘Multiply the fruit of the tree’ (36:30)
New Covenant confirmed

In Romans, Paul says that Jesus was a minister to the circumcision to ‘confirm the promises made unto the fathers’ (Romans 15:8).

Hebrews tells us that Jesus came as the mediator of the new covenant. Jesus testifies to this during the Passover supper with the disciples. In describing the symbolism of the meal he says:
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” – Matthew 26:28
During his ministry, Jesus was preparing his followers for the coming kingdom and new covenant when he taught them about obeying the law, and told them about the supernatural empowerment he would send from heaven (John 14:26, Matthew 6:24-33).

The sign to all that men were part of the New Covenant blessing was if they bore fruit, were protected from harm, and spoke of the law written in their hearts. Therefore Jesus taught that,
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” – Matthew 7:20

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them…” – Mark 16:17-18

“And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” – Luke 12:11-12

The New Covenant enforced

Hebrews tells us that the new covenant was not in force until after Christ died.

“For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” – Hebrews 9:17
So then, after Jesus died he sent down the ‘Comforter’ who would prepare the saints with the new covenant power to enter the kingdom (John 14:26).

It is this ‘better covenant’ that the author of Hebrews describes while quoting Jeremiah 31:

“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” – Hebrews 8:6
It was for this reason that Christ died for Israel so that their past transgressions under the old covenant would be redeemed and they could partake of the promise of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:15).

The enforcement of this covenant relationship with God was exclusive and severe. All of those who were part of the covenant were accompanied by the blessings of the covenant, while those who rejected or fell away from the covenant were denied salvation:
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” – Hebrews 10:26-27

The New Covenant never realized

During Saul’s rebellion in Acts, God’s strategy for implementing the New Covenant was halted in order to implement a different strategy for a purpose that had never been previously revealed. This revelation of the mystery dispensed to Paul was information about God’s plan for heavenly places and a heavenly people. As a result the New Covenant promises have yet to be realized. Paul explains how those promises would be realized after the future 'fulness of the Gentiles be come in' (Romans 11:25-27).

"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:" (Romans 11:26)

Although the new covenant has been confirmed and established as a result of Christ’s death, the results of that covenant with Israel are yet to be realized. Israel has not assumed the promised kingdom, nor is God's plan for the earth complete.

Instead, what pervades is the interim dispensation of reconciliation to all the world, where Christ is offered apart from any covenant or special people status or nationality (2 Cor 5:19).

[Christine]

Hebrews 9:15-17 says: "And for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. [16] For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. [17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives."

This passage teaches that Christ had to die first before the New Covenant could be instituted. But this does not mean that the New Covenant was instituted during the book of Acts. The REPENTANCE of the Nation of Israel had to take place FIRST (Joel 2:12-17) before the blessings of God could be poured out on Israel. Commentators have completely overlooked this very important fact. What the Lord did was to provide for the institution of the Covenant when it is set up at the beginning of the Millennium after the Second Coming of Christ (Rom. 11:26-27).