Chapter 8
THE COVENANTS
Q. Where in GOD'S WORD do we read of the one "Covenant of Grace" which is said to run from Abraham to this present day and on to the end of time?
Q. How many Testaments are there in your Bible and what are they called?
Q. If we wish to learn about the what, why and when of circumcision, as commanded and practiced under the old covenant, to which Testament in GOD'S WORD should we go?
Q. If we wish to learn about the what, why and when of baptism, as commanded and practiced under the new covenant, to which Testament in GOD'S WORD should we go?
Q. Do men have the right to take what they like of Old Testament circumcision and what they like of New Testament baptism, and with the parts of the two, make their own ceremonial religious sacrament?
* * *
"And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." Gen. 17:7-8
Q. Where in GOD'S WORD is Gen. 17:7 ever referred to as a promise and covenant which was given to any other than to Abraham and to his physical seed?
Q. Where in GOD'S WORD is Gen. 17:7 ever referred to as the promise and covenant by which God would bless all the families of the earth?
* * *
"And I will establish my covenant between me and thee (Abraham) and thy seed (the Jews) after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee." Gen. 17:7
Q. Do the words, "everlasting covenant" in Gen. 17:7 mean eternal or forever?
Q. Comparing the "everlasting" of Gen. 17:7 with its use in the other books of Moses, does it mean forever, OR as long as the old covenant with the house of Israel is in effect?
"And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father (Aaron), that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations. Thus did Moses: according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he." Ex. 40:15-16
"And it shall be unto him (Phinehas), and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel." Num. 25:13
"And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth parts of an ephah shall be in one cake. And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before Jehovah. ... Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before Jehovah continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant." Lev. 24:5-6, 8
"And he shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year. And he did as Jehovah commanded Moses." Lev. 16:33-34
Q. Does GOD'S WORD already in the Old Testament tell us that God planned to take away the covenant He made with Abraham and with Abraham's seed through Moses, and in its place to give all men a new eternal covenant?
"And in thee (Jacob) and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee, whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Gen. 28:14-15
"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come: And unto him (Christ) shall the obedience of the peoples be." Gen. 49:10
"Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt." Jer. 31:31-32
"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; and I will put my fear in their hearts, that they may not depart from me." Jer. 32:40
"They shall inquire concerning Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come ye, and join yourselves to Jehovah in an everlasting covenant that shall not be forgotten." Jer. 50:5
"Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore." Ezek. 37:26
"Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom ye desire, behold, he cometh, saith Jehovah of hosts." Mal. 3:1
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, are we yet today living under the covenant that God made with Abraham and with Abraham's seed through Moses?
"Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:" Jer. 31:31 Heb. 8:8
"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Matt. 26:28 AV
"And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you." Luke 22:20
"God; who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant." II Cor. 3:5-6
"And for this cause he (Jesus) is the mediator of a new covenant." Heb. 9:15
"And to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant ... See that ye refuse not him (Jesus) that speaketh." Heb. 12:24-25
"By so much also hath Jesus become the surety of a better covenant." Heb. 7:22
"In that he saith, A new covenant he hath made the first (covenant) old. But that (covenant) which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away." Heb. 8:13
"He (Jesus) taketh away the first (covenant), that he may establish the second (covenant). By which will (covenant) we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Heb. 10:9-10
"Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good thing to do his will." Heb. 13:20-21
"Tables of stone,
... the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones...
for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it (the old covenant) is done away in Christ. But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord (Jesus), the veil is taken away." II Cor. 3:3, 7, 14-16
... the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones...
for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it (the old covenant) is done away in Christ. But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord (Jesus), the veil is taken away." II Cor. 3:3, 7, 14-16
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Q. According to GOD'S WORD, what is the great spiritual promise and covenant that God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and by which all nations and families can be benefited today?
"Now Jehovah said unto Abram...
I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Gen. 12:1, 3
I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Gen. 12:1, 3
"And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?" Gen. 18:17-18
"And the angel of Jehovah called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith Jehovah, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son ... And thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." Gen. 22:15-18
"And Jehovah appeared unto him (Isaac), and said...
I will establish the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Gen. 26:2-5
I will establish the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Gen. 26:2-5
"And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba...
And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth...
And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac...
and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed...
for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Gen. 28:10-15
And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth...
And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac...
and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed...
for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." Gen. 28:10-15
"Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Acts 3:25
"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham." Gal. 3:8-9
"Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed." Rom 9:7-8
"And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:29
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, what is the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant?
| Old Covenant - II Cor. 3:14 | New Covenant - II Cor. 3:6 | |
| 1. | Given by the fathers and prophets - Heb. 1:1 | Given by Christ - Heb. 1:2 |
| 2. | Given to Abraham and his seed - Gen. 17:7-9 | Given to every creature - Mk. 16:15-16 |
| 3. | Fleshly circumcision - Gen. 17:9-11 | Circumcision of the heart - Col. 2:11-12 |
| 4. | Moses the mediator - Ex. 20:19 Gal. 3:19 | Christ the mediator - Heb. 12:24 |
| 5. | Its law from Sinai - Ex. 19:16-25 | Its law from Jerusalem - Isa. 2:2-4 |
| 6. | Written on stones - II Cor. 3:7 | Written on hearts - II Cor. 3:3 |
| 7. | Was glorious - II Cor. 3:9-10 | Exceeds in glory - II Cor. 3:10-11 |
| 8. | Blood of animals - Heb. 9:18-20 | Blood of Christ - Heb. 9:12 |
| 9. | Carnal ordinances - Heb. 9:10 | Spiritual sacrifices - I Pet. 2:5 |
| 10. | A ministration of condemnation - II Cor. 3:9 | A ministration of righteousness - II Cor. 3:9 |
| 11. | A temporal inheritance - Ps. 105:9-11 | An eternal inheritance - I Pet. 1:4 |
| 12. | Priest of the tribe of Levi - Heb. 7:11 | Priest of the tribe of Judah - Heb. 7:14 |
| 13. | Priest had sins - Heb. 7:27 | A sinless priest - Heb. 7:26 |
| 14. | Priests without an oath - Heb. 7:21 | Priest by an oath - Heb. 7:21 |
| 15. | Many priests all died - Heb. 7:23 | One Priest abides forever - Heb. 7:24 |
| 16. | Offer many sacrifices - Heb. 10:11 | Christ once for all - Heb. 7:27 |
| 17. | A shadow of good things to come - Heb. 10:1 | The true - Heb. 8:1-2 |
| 18. | A figure of the true - Heb. 9:24 AV | The true - Heb. 8:1-2 |
| 19. | Infants - Gen. 17:1-14 | All know the Lord - Jer. 31:34 Heb. 8:11 |
| 20. | Natural birth - Gen. 17:1-14 | Spiritual birth - John 3:3-7 |
| 21. | A remembrance of sins - Heb. 10:3 | Sins remembered no more - Heb. 10:17 |
| 22. | Bondage - Gal. 4:24-25 | Freedom - Gal. 4:26,31 |
| 23. | No clear conscience - Heb. 9:8-9 | Conscience cleansed - Heb. 9:14 |
| 24. | Made nothing perfect or complete - Heb. 7:19 | Made perfect or complete in Christ - Col. 1:28 |
| 25. | Faulty - Heb. 8:7 | Better, perfect - Heb. 8:6 Jas. 1:25 |
| 26. | Christ takes away the first - Heb. 10:9 | Christ establishes the second - Heb. 10:9 |
| 27. | Passed away - II Cor. 3:11 | Remaineth - II Cor. 3:11 |
| 28. | Blotted out - Col. 2:14 | Remaineth - II Cor. 3:11 |
| 29. | Abolished - Eph. 2:14 | Remaineth - II Cor. 3:11 |
| 30. | Taken away - Heb. 10:9 | An eternal covenant - Heb. 13:20 |
Q. Do men have the right to take what they like of the old covenant and what they like of the new covenant, and with the parts of two covenants, make their own system of salvation and worship?
"He (Jesus) taketh away the first (covenant), that he may establish the second (covenant). By which will (covenant) we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Heb. 10:9-10
"Tables of stone...
... the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones...
... for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it (the old covenant) is done away in Christ. But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord (Jesus), the veil is taken away." II Cor. 3:3, 7, 14-16
... the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones...
... for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it (the old covenant) is done away in Christ. But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord (Jesus), the veil is taken away." II Cor. 3:3, 7, 14-16
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, when was the old covenant taken away and the new covenant with its new conditions of salvation, established?
"Having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he (Christ) hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross." Col. 2:14
"And for this cause he (Christ) is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it. For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth." Heb. 9:15-17
"He (Christ) taketh away the first (covenant), that he may establish the second (covenant). By which will (covenant) we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Heb. 10:9-10
"He (Jesus) became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation." Heb. 5:9
"Jesus the mediator of a new covenant...
See that ye refuse not him (Jesus) that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him (Jesus) that warneth from heaven." Heb. 12:24-25
See that ye refuse not him (Jesus) that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him (Jesus) that warneth from heaven." Heb. 12:24-25
Q. Does GOD'S WORD teach that there are those in this present day, who by their physical birth are born into a special covenant relationship to God, and that therefore it is not necessary for them to obey the gospel of Jesus to be saved?
"Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed." Rom. 9:7-8
"But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father." Eph. 2:13-18
"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him (Jesus) shall not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him." Rom. 10:11-12
"Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction." Rom. 3:22
"And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. ... And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." Acts 10:34-35, 48
"Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. ... But we believe that we (Jews) shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they (Gentiles)." Acts 15:7-9, 11
"Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham...
For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:7-9, 26-29
For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:7-9, 26-29
* * *
"For to you is the promise, and to your children..." Acts 2:39a
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, is Acts 2:39a addressed to good covenant-keeping Jews, OR is it addressed to people who were guilty of the greatest crime that has ever been committed.?
"Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay." Acts 2:22-23
"Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified." Acts 2:36
* * *
"For to you is the promise ("remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit" Acts 2:38) and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him." Acts 2:39
Q. If this promise of remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit is not to all men of all time on the same conditions (repent and be baptized, Acts 2:38), according to GOD'S WORD, who are those who are not included in it?
* * *
"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife,
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother:
else were your children unclean; but now are they holy." I Cor. 7:14
and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother:
else were your children unclean; but now are they holy." I Cor. 7:14
Q. If this scripture teaches that children are holy or sanctified because of one of the parents is a believer, WHY does it not also teach that the unbelieving husband or wife is sanctified because of the faith of the believing husband or wife?
* * *
Q. Does Gal. 3:29 teach that we are the spiritual sons of Abraham because of a physical birth into a so called "covenant home", OR does it teach that we must first become Christ's and that only then are we the spiritual sons of Abraham?
"And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:29
Q. According to GOD'S WORD, how do we become Christ's, get into Christ, and put on Christ?
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ...
And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:27, 29
And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:27, 29
"Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" Rom. 6:3
Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)
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