Most people know the Bible is divided into the Old Testament and New Testament, but the word "testament" also means "covenant," a contract between two parties.
The Old Testament was a foreshadowing of the New, a foundation for what was to come. From the Book of Genesis on, the Old Testament pointed forward to a Messiah or Savior. The New Testament describes the fulfillment of God's promise by Jesus The Christ.
Old Covenant: Between God and Israel Obedience to the Law
The Old Covenant was established between God and the people of Israel after God freed them from Egypt it was Moses who led the people out, served as the mediator of this contract, which was made at Mount Sinai.
God promised that the people of Israel would be his chosen people, and he would be their God (Exodus 6:7).
God issued the Ten Commandments and the laws in Leviticus to be obeyed by the Hebrews. If they complied, he pledged prosperity and protection in the Promise Land.
Altogether, there were 613 laws, covering every aspect of human behavior. Males had to be circumcised, sabbaths had to be observed, and people had to obey hundreds of dietary, social, and hygiene rules. All these regulations were intended to protect the Israelites from their neighbors' pagan influences, but no one could keep so many laws. To address the people's sins, God set up a system of animal sacrifices, in which the people provided cattle, sheep, and doves to be killed. Sin required blood sacrifices. Lev. 29:11
Under the Old Covenant, those sacrifices were carried out at the desert tabernacle. God installed Moses' brother Aaron and Aaron's sons as priests, who slaughtered the animals. Only Aaron, the high priest, could enter the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement, to intercede for the people directly with God.
After the Israelites conquered Canaan, King Solomon built the first permanent temple in Jerusalem, where the animal sacrifices continued. Invaders eventually destroyed the temples, but when they were rebuilt, the sacrifices resumed.
New Covenant: Between God and New Covenant Believing Believers
That system of animal sacrifice lasted hundreds of years, but even so, it was only temporary. Out of love, God The Father sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world. This New Covenant would resolve the problem of sin once and for all.
For three years, Jesus taught throughout Israel about the kingdom of God and His role as Messiah. To support His claim as The Son Of God, He performed many miracles, even raising three people from the dead. By dying on the cross, Christ was the Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice whose blood has the power to wash away sin forever.
New Covenant began with Jesus' crucifixion. At Pentecost, with the coming of the Holy Spirit and founding of the Christian Church was established. The New Covenant was established between God and the individual Believer.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Besides serving as the sacrifice, Jesus also became the new high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)
The New Covenant promises salvation from sin and eternal life with God. As high priest, Jesus constantly intercedes for his followers before his Father in heaven. Individuals may now approach God themselves; they no longer need a human high priest to speak for them.
Why the New Covenant Is Better
The Old Testament is a record of the nation of Israel struggling--and failing--to keep its covenant with God. The New Testament shows Jesus Christ keeping the covenant for his people, doing what they cannot do.
The New Testament book of Hebrews gives several reasons why Jesus is superior to the Old Covenant, among them:
Jesus is superior to Moses as a mediator;
Jesus is a high priest forever, seated next to God in heaven;
Jesus' sacrifice was once for all, perfecting believers for eternal life.
Both the Old and New Testaments are the story of the same God, a God of love and mercy who gave his people the freedom to choose and who gives his people the opportunity to come back to him by choosing Jesus Christ.
The Old Covenant was for a specific people in a specific place and time. The New Covenant extends to the entire world:
Hebrews 8:13 By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Love in His Amazing Grace, Pastor Joe
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