The Old and New Covenants

Your Bible no please to Romans three briefly and from there will going to other places you may recall that several weeks ago on Wednesday nights when I have been teaching women looking at the opening verses of Romans chapter 3 and are focus on that passage last time last Wednesday with the last time I was speaking brings us to a broader discussion that were going to take up today in regard to the old and new covenants, but the thought that launched us in that direction as well. Romans 31 Ripoll after having explained in chapters 1 and two. There really is no difference in the spiritual condition of Jews versus Gentiles all have sinned. All are equally guilty before God. None of them have a an advantage with God. The only way of salvation is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Regardless of whether you are Jew or Gentile. Then he says in chapter 3, verse one. What advantage then has the Jew. What is a profit of circumcision pretty natural question to raise after you have just been told that Jews have no advantage and so then the question is will if they have no advantage in salvation. No advantage in their privileges before God and what advantage would there be in and having been a Jew, having been born into the nation of Israel and being raised in that environment. Is there any advantage at all in in for the Jew, or what profit is there in circumcision. You remember his answer.

Verse two is much we expected him to say not much but he says much in every way and what is that great advantage, he says, chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God is the word of God. That's what Israel have the other nations did not have God's word came to Jewish prophets to men, inspired by the spirit of God, who would Jew and the word of God came to them and they delivered it to their people in their language to human Hebrew language and so there's great advantage to being born into the nation of Israel because that's the nation that has the Scriptures and Gentile nations didn't have the Scriptures very rarely had any translation into other languages was virtually unknown. That time in history.

Nobody but the Jew spoke Hebrew all of the Scriptures at that time, written in Hebrew so Gentiles didn't have an advantage there was a great advantage of being a Jew, namely having the word of God in the Hebrew language, but that caused me as you may recall last time to focus a bit on that question about circumcision what advantage that has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision. Knowing what an emphasis Jews placed upon circumcision and knowing that the Jews considered that circumcision scission itself gave people a privilege standing with God. They didn't conceive the circumcision in itself saved them at least most of them didn't really do wonder if some of them may have harbored that notion.

Read some of the responses of Jewish people in the New Testament Scriptures, but nevertheless they seem to believe that circumcision was a right that conferred special privileges on those who received it and Paul says no. The only advantage the Jews had is not circumcision Scripture and he doesn't indicate that there's anything else he does indicate that circumcision is an advantage for them at all what was circumcision. Circumcision was the sign for the mark of the old covenant.

This is what's going to get us into the discussion of the covenants was the mark of the old covenant. Those who are circumcised were marked as members of the covenant community. The course we now call it the old covenant, but it only became the old covenant when the new covenant was introduced. Up until that time people to talk about the old covenant because there wasn't any other covenant that was it. And so circumcision marked one as a member of the covenant, and as you know, there are many Christians in our day who embrace what is often called covenant theology along with the fatal baptism and they equate water baptism under the new covenant was circumcision under the old covenant, and in some cases equate special status to those children who have been baptized into the covenant community as they they conceive of it is having a special privilege status with God because of that work of the new covenant as the mark of the old covenant was circumcision. The mark of the new covenant is water baptism now is that a proper understanding.

My understanding of Scripture would say no is not is a misunderstanding of the relationship between the old covenant and the new covenant I think is vitally important to understand this distinction. So now we go back to Jeremiah chapter 31 you will turn back in your Old Testament to Jeremiah 31 where the prophet Jeremiah introduces the new covenant that in his day was still future, but now it is foretold Jeremiah 31 beginning in verse 31 behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when 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 lead them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days as the Lord I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. And I will be their God and they shall be my people know more, shall every man teach his neighbor and every man to his brothers saying know the Lord, for they all shall know me from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord, for I will forgive their iniquities and their sins. I will remember no more. There are going to cover the next 2025 minutes or so is first of all, looking at this announcement of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31 will point out a few things there. Secondly, the fulfillment of the new covenant as we see it described in the New Testament Scriptures, primarily in the book of Hebrews and then thirdly, some of the implications of the new covenant, which grow out of what we learn from the first two examinations.

So the first one is the announcement of the new covenant in the verses I just read them. Yes new covenant in verses I just read in Jeremiah 31 and two things primarily are emphasized here that is number one. The recipients of this new covenant number two. The differences of the new covenant as compared to the old and who are the recipients of this new covenant and they are described as the house of Israel in the house of Judah. Verse 31 behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel with the house of Judah. Now reading that in Jeremiah 31 of the surprises at all course, Jeremiah's writing in terms of the divided nation, which was divided after the death of Solomon into the northern kingdom.

The southern kingdom. The northern kingdom known as the kingdom of Israel. The southern kingdom known as the kingdom of Judah. So that's what Jeremiah is referring to the house of Israel.

The house of Judah. Both both sections of the nation of Israel that we had been divided into two separate kingdoms are our name tear is the recipients of this covenant. So those are the recipients. In other words, Jews, Israel right. I bet and that's the recipients. One of the differences between the old covenant and the new well the fact that there are significant differences stated generally in verse 32 and then to specific ones, are enumerated in verse 33 and 34. First of all, the statement of verse 32. This covenant with the house of Israel house of Judah is quote, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. I covenant which they broke.

This new covenant is not like the old. Let's pause for a moment there a lot of the difference between understanding the relationship between the old and new covenant, whether baptism should be viewed as related to circumcision or not. What that hinges on is in how much similarity should we understand between the old covenant, the new covenant is more similar than not, or is it less similar than then, other than we might concede that this general statement certainly doesn't answer all the questions but just generally speaking, as we as we read this statement about the introduction of the new covenant is that language sounds like Jeremiah by the spirit of God is emphasizing similarity or differences is the emphasizing continuity that's the more technical term continuity or discontinuity. The way he states it here when he lead us to look for similarities between the old covenant, the new covenant, or would he instead lead us to think more in terms of differences between the old and again, I point your attention to verse 32.

This new covenant, not according to the covenant that I made with the fathers and the date of I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. This covenant is not like the old one is that what he says it's not like the old now. One one formulation of covenant theology and in this I said these things I must be honest to tell you that gradually over the years I studied Scripture.

My understanding of Scripture. Much, much more closely parallels covenant theology. The dispensation of the that is I believe in everything that classic covenant theology teaches and here's one of these areas where I see a problem classic. If I can use that term classic covenant theology that there different different versions of covenant theology, so there certainly not all people who believe in covenant theology believe like a classical covenant theology emphasizes one covenant of grace with two administrations in that way of thinking were only dealing with one covenant not to one covenant of grace begins in the garden of Eden into administration just by putting in that kind of language you see there there deemphasizing the difference. They don't say a covenant of grace in the beginning and then another covenant called the old one. In the end, and 1/3 covenant, no one, not the old and the new in their system is not to separate covenant since she was two, 1 cup is that with this text would lead us to think. I think not so the differences are stated in verse 32 we are to look for differences now. What are the differences into a particular spelled out here. The one difference.

The first difference in verse 33 is that the new covenant is internal, as opposed to the old covenant, which is external in regard to the law of God.

Verse 33, but this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days as the Lord I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.

And I will be their God and they shall be my people how the old covenant didn't talk in terms of writing God's law in the mind on the hard talked in terms of writing God's law on tablets of stone in writing God's law in the on the parchments of Scripture external, not internal. And speaking of his language of of internal application internal placing of God's law and hearts is talking about an inward understanding and inward ability in the new covenant that seems to be missing in the old so that's the first difference, internal versus external location of God's law. And then there's another significant difference may be even more significant, but rather they are joined together and that is in verse 34.

Every new covenant member is a regenerated believer that sick, that is highly significant. This is what how the new covenant is going to look verse 34. No more shall Everyman teach his neighbor and every man his brother, saying no, the Lord, for they all shall know me no more. When the new covenant comes now Jeremiah's writing in terms of the old covenant what you have is members of the covenant community who don't know the Lord and so people have to teach the members of the community.

The word of God and urge them to believe the word of God because they don't know the Lord, and of course that's inevitable if you're going to going to inaugurate people of the covenant community at eight days old circumcised coarsely.

The captain of the Lord that age so there to grow up unconverted in the hope hope and desire is that along the way. They will come to embrace the promises of God's word and truly become believer be regenerated, but there's no guarantee that and you realize that having many un-regenerated members of the covenant community.

For indeed they are, they are considered members of the covenant community. Once they are circumcised. They are full members of the old covenant and having unconverted members of the old covenant is by God's design. He designed not something that man came along and messed up. That's the way God designed the old covenant were going to inaugurate people into the covenant community who are unbelievers, but not under the new covenant. No more no more that waivers 34 no more shall Everyman teach his neighbor and every man his brothers. They know the Lord, for they shall all know me least of them to the greatest of them poorest of them to the richest of them so forth. You can insert several ideas into that least to greatest the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord, for I will forgive their iniquity and their similar nursing. I will remit or no more.

Will anyone have to tell a member of the new covenant community that you need to go to the Lord, you need to believe the Lord you need to know the Lord, you don't know the Lord.

They all do so right away we see a pretty big distinction and will get to the implications of that later. But that's the announcement of the new covenant and its contrast with the old now turn to the book of Hebrews chapter 8 will take up the major most major passage of Scripture that deals with the fulfillment of the new covenant. That's Hebrews chapter 8 verses seven through 13 is also referred to more briefly in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 16 and 17, but let's focus on the chapter 8 passage Hebrews 87 and following. For if that first covenant had been full first one because it here one recalling the old. The first one. If the first covenant had been faultless, then no place would've been sought for a second I have to chuckle because even as I'm speaking I'm thinking allowing him another undercover theology. The first one goes back to the Garden of Eden. That is, that doesn't fit in here at all. But the writer of Hebrews says the first one is the one that came under Moses is met with sales. If the first covenant had been faultless.

The no place would've been sought for a second because finding fault with them, he says here and now he's quoting from Jeremiah. Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah exact language from Jeremiah, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not continue my covenant, I disregarded them, says the Lord is, there was a little bit different language than Jeremiah. How do you explain the different Hebrew Scriptures in the Septuagint translation. The Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures firsthand for this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days as the Lord I will put my laws in their mind and write them in their hearts, and I will be their God and they shall be my people right out of Jeremiah 31.

None of them shall teach his neighbor and on his brothers. They know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest rival would be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their lawless deeds. I will read member no more that comes to conclusion of the quotation from Jeremiah 31 but he concludes that section with verse 13 in that he says a new covenant, he has made the first with the old covenant the first covenant obsolete.

What is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. All right, the fulfillment of the new covenant. What we learn in Hebrews chapter 8, first of all, the inadequacy of the first covenant back to verse seven, the first covenant had been faultless that no place would've been sought second, if the first covenant would've been adequate we wouldn't need this but wasn't was inadequate and as we learn elsewhere, particularly the book of Galatians we can go to many places now. But as we learn elsewhere in Scripture.

The problem of its inadequacy was was spiritual inability, it wasn't with the word of God was with the promise of God. Nothing wrong with what God said God's will.

God said was his word. It was perfect.

It was flawless, but remember the long was external and internal, wasn't written in their hearts.

And so even though they have the law they had no ability to keep it that takes something internal, not external so here's what God requires. Here's what the law says this is what I know I must do. They even promised many times all the Lord commanded.

We will do, but they didn't. They couldn't because they needed they needed an operation on her heart and the old covenant didn't provide for the member phrase work and do the law demands but gives me neither feet, hands run around and do the law demands gives me neither feet nor hands a better promise the new covenant brings I'm slaughtering this quotation. It convinced me fly and just be wings convinced me fly and gives me way and internal work in the heart to give us an ability to know to understand and obey God's word. So we see the inadequacy of the first covenant we see this quotation of Jeremiah's prophecy which I just read in Hebrews 812 and we see in surrounding passages hear the inauguration of the new covenant was inaugurated by Jesus.

Go back to chapter Hebrews chapter 7 verse 22 by so much more. Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant of the reason I'm taking time to emphasize this is because like it's one of the implications here to find people who say well covenant that Jeremiah foretold has not yet been inaugurated.

Blows my mind that anyone could draw the conclusion, but there's a reason for that shall explain to you the moment but it seems to me the Scripture is clear.

Yes it's been inaugurated. Jesus did it again. 722 by so much more.

Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant he's done it was inaugurated by Jesus. Look at chapter 8 verse six but now he has obtained a more excellent ministry. This is Jesus. Inasmuch as he is also mediate tour of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Yes, it's it's been inaugurated without waiting future fulfillment.

It's been inaugurated. Jesus did it when he came the night before he was crucified. He gathered his disciples the reached down to the Passover table under the old covenant, and he picked up a couple of elements in inaugurated a new ordinance, the Lord's table of the elements of the Passover person obvious connection here, but a new covenant, and he said this is the new covenant in my systems often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. And he went to the cross and shed his blood covenant was inaugurated with his death, with the shedding of his blood.

Yes, it's been an it was inaugurated by Jesus, and it was finalized by Jesus. I do take time out to read chapter 10 verses 11 through 18 talks about Christ passing into heaven and having finalized. So he inaugurated the new covenant and completed it. He took it's it's it has been inaugurated. It's in effect, and Jesus has done everything that needs to be done to make it effective. I don't have that ability about. But Jesus does and he gives it to his people. He gives it to those who are members of the new covenant community now gives me a few minutes to talk about some implications of the new covenant is I study these passages in Jeremiah and in Hebrews I realized that my understanding of this passage presents number one a problem for Plato baptism and number two a problem for dispensationalism both the first one first a problem for Plato baptism Plato baptism, paralleling the old covenant and basically saying that the new covenant is just like the old covenant, except when change circumcision into baptism but otherwise are the same, whereas as I understand it, the whole emphasis is upon the difference and the new covenant requires an inward change of heart, mind, and here's the difference. All members of the new covenant community are regenerated believer no more, no more shall a man teach his neighbor and on his brother, saying know the Lord for all shall know me from the least of them to the greatest of the it's clear he's talking about the members of the covenant community. Obviously he's not saying that there's nobody in the world. Nobody in your community. Nobody in your neighborhood does know the Lord, and you don't have any need to tell the tell other people know the Lord.

Of course we continue to preach the gospel until people know the Lord. But the people who belong to the new covenant community know the Lord everyone of you don't teach them to know the Lord.

They've already been born again.

The noble Lord, now you teach them more of his word and help them grow in grace and become better follows Jesus Christ. But you don't have to tell a single member of the new covenant community to know the Lord.

All members of the new covenant community are regenerated believers in stark contrast to the members of the old covenant community, most of whom were unbelievers when they were inaugurated of the community by circumcision.

Therefore, here's the implication. All members of new covenant community are regenerated believers, and therefore only believers may receive the signed of the new covenant, namely water baptism who was eligible to receive this the sign of the old covenant and the Jewish baby boy born to Jewish parents.

He was eligible to receive the signed of the old covenant, and upon the right of circumcision.

He became a member of the old covenant, but he wasn't regenerated the new covenants different everybody who receives water baptism should be can see hearts. Of course, but as far as we can tell week. We only baptize people who give a credible profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ only believers those who are already believers. Those who already know the Lord. They're the only ones who receive the sign of the new covenant, namely water baptism. That's my understanding.

I think Jennifer Jeremiah 31 passage has a button number two.

It also is a problem for dispensationalism system short word on that. And that is it's obvious is that from what we read in Jeremiah 31 and then the fact that we come to he chapter 8 in tandem. We realize at this new covenant has been fulfilled. It's been inaugurated, but who was of interest to the house of Israel and the house of Judah is only one conclusion I can draw the new net New Testament church must be the house of Israel in the house of Judah.

No dispensation list is prepared to say that except that this is where battle comes in. This is why dispensationalism will often say well to request covenant has been fulfilled yet so something else is kind of interim and here, but the one that was made by Jeremiah, the prophecy that was given by Jeremiah is only going to be fulfilled among the Jews in the millennium future Israel is this forever.

Separation of church and Israel right on to the time part and parcel of dispensationalism which I used to embrace a belief myself, but things like this began to cough's call this into question. Here it is the new covenant has been inaugurated. It has been fulfilled. It was promised to the house of his house. It has been fulfilled in the New Testament in the church. It applies to all who believe. Jew and Gentile.

Therefore, the church must pay.

I'm sorry dispensation will staff the savings the church must be spiritualist churches the house of his business spiritualist when you do with what what are you going to do with the Bible can't make the house of Israel house of Judah to mean the church know you can't unless the Bible does the Bible does then you not only can, but you must and it forces you to understand Scriptures in a whole new way. It forces you to interpret Scripture in a different way it forces you to realize that there are more things in the Scriptures that must be understood metaphorically, symbolically, spiritually spiritualized, you can't spiritualize these promises made to Israel employing church. I would not dare do that unless the Bible didn't, and if the Bible does. I can't dear not do it. I'm forced to do maybe kicking dragging screaming setting everything about my background and training says no you can't, you shouldn't do that with you must the Scripture demands the church is spiritual Israel promises made in Jeremiah the house of Israel and to the house of Judah were made to church believing Jews and Gentiles church and therefore the church is spiritual Israel physicalism, not the physical descendents of Abraham spiritual Israel makes it clear elsewhere that everyone who has faith in Christ is a son.

Obviously not a physical one, a son of Abraham spiritual matter, so there is my explanation of the old and new covenant, from our study in Romans chapter 3 mentioned the circumcision that spring father. The word enlighten our hearts and guide our understanding of the truth which you have given this we ask in Jesus name