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The Old Testament And The New Testament
The Two Covenants
Compared
By Mike Riley
The Bible is divided into two great parts – the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament, commonly called “The Law” (2 Kings 17:13;Jeremiah 2:8; Lamentations 2:9; Ephesians 3:4; Zechariah 7:12; Matthew 7:13;John 1:45; Acts 24:14; Acts 28:23) was written to guide and direct God’s people before the coming of Christ (Galatians 3:23-24; cf. Romans 10:4).
When our Lord died upon the cross, He fulfilled that law (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44; Acts 3:18) and therefore the Old Testament was abolished (Ephesians 2:15).
In its place, He gave mankind the New Testament, the system of faith (Acts 6:7; Acts 14:22; Acts 16:5;Acts 24:24; Romans 1:5; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:23; Colossians 2:7,12), to guide and direct His people until the end of the world (or the age) when He comes again (Matthew 24:30; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Rev. 1:7).
In this article, let us compare the two covenants and see how they differ:
Old Covenant – The letter killed (2 Corinthians 3:6).
New Covenant – The Spirit gives life (Romans 8:2).
Old Covenant – Was given by Moses (John 1:17).
New Covenant – Was given by Christ (John 1:17).
New Covenant – Is a ministration of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:8; cf. Galatians 3:5).
Old Covenant – Was a ministration of condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:9).
New Covenant – Is a ministration of righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:9).
Old Covenant – Written and engraved in stones (2 Corinthians 3:7).
New Covenant – Is written in the heart of man (2 Corinthians 3:3).
Old Covenant – Fading glory – was done away (2 Corinthians 3:11).
New Covenant – More glorious – remaineth (2 Corinthians 3:11).
Old Covenant – Veil upon the heart (2 Corinthians 3:14).
New Covenant – Veil done away with in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14).
Old Covenant – Spoken unto the fathers by the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-2; Hebrews 8:8-9).
New Covenant – Spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Old Covenant – Changeable priesthood resulted in a change of the law (Hebrews 7:12-13).
New Covenant – Unchangeable priesthood resulting in an unchangeable law (Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:14-17, 24; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 10:9-10; 1 Peter 1:25).
Old Covenant – Imperfect priesthood (Hebrews 7:12).
New Covenant – Perfect high priest (Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:26).
Old Covenant – Priests of the tribe of Levi (Hebrews 7:11-13).
New Covenant – Christ of the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14).
Old Covenant – Priest without an oath during the law (Hebrews 7:21).
New Covenant – Christ a priest by an oath since the law (Hebrews 7:28).
Old Covenant – Was a “shadow” of heavenly things (Hebrews 8:5; cf. Colossians 2:17).
Old Covenant – Was a “shadow” of heavenly things (Hebrews 8:5; cf. Colossians 2:17).
New Covenant – “Heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices” (Hebrews 9:23).
Old Covenant – Law of Moses was imperfect (Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 10:1; cf. Acts 13:39; Romans 3:20).
New Covenant – Law of Christ is perfect (James 1:25).
Old Covenant – Blood of animals (multiple sacrifices) could not take away sin (Hebrews 10:4,11).
New Covenant – Blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14) resulted in one sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:12).
Old Covenant – No complete forgiveness of sins – “a remembrance” (Hebrews 10:3).
New Covenant – Complete forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 8:12; Hebrews 10:17).
New Covenant – Gives us a description of “a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:19-20).
Old Covenant – Tabernacle made with hands (Hebrews 9:24).
New Covenant – Tabernacle made without hands (Hebrews 9:11).
Old Covenant – For Jews only (Genesis 17:13; Deuteronomy 5:1-5).
New Covenant – For every creature (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 9:25-26; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Peter 2:10).
Old Covenant – Christ took away the first (Hebrews 10:9).
New Covenant – Christ established the second (Hebrews 10:9; cf. Hebrews 8:13).
Old Covenant – We are dead to the of Moses (Romans 7:4).
New Covenant – We are now married to another (Christ) Romans 7:4.
Old Covenant – No man was justified by the law of Moses (Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:11).
New Covenant – Man now justified by the faith (law of Christ) Acts 13:38-39; cf.Isaiah 53:11; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:24.
Old Covenant – Believers were considered servants (Galatians 4:7).
New Covenant – Believers are now considered “sons” (Galatians 4:5-7) and “heirs” (Romans 8:17).
Old Covenant – Jews were under bondage (Galatians 4:24-25,31).
New Covenant – Christians find freedom in Christ (Galatians 4:26, 31; cf. John 8:36).
Old Covenant – Gentiles were without Christ; had no hope, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12).
New Covenant – Gentiles were made nigh by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13; cf. Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5).
Conclusion
We need to thank our heavenly Father that we “which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) are no longer living under the law of condemnation (Mosaical system) but are now living under “the perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25).
With this great blessing, let us be those who “continue” in that perfect law “being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work” so that we may be blessed in our doing.
The new covenant transforms us into servants who gladly and willingly obey Christ in all things.
In this life, we will live in ever greater obedience to Christ.
When He returns, we will be finally and completely conformed to His glorious image.
“Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” 1 Corinthians 15:49 (ESV)
God has sworn that this covenant will never be superseded. There is nothing that will ever make Him change that.
Why not reflect on your status as being covered by the new covenant? Remember that you live in a better period than any of the old covenant saints.
Perhaps, you have considered to partake of the new and living way being offered to you.
Settle that sin issue now by calling on God.
He has promised that anyone who calls on Him shall be saved. Open your heart and say this prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You. I would like to receive Your free gift of salvation.
Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.
I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word I am born again and I am now a child of God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is in me now. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
I surrender my life to You. Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
If you have just put your trust in Jesus Christ, you have been born into God’s family.
As a spiritual baby, you need to grow by feeding on God’s Word – the Bible (1 Peter 2:2).
You must have a good modern translation Bible and begin prayerfully reading it. Start in the New Testament, such as the Gospel of John or Paul’s letters to the Ephesians.
As you read, ask two questions: “What are You, Lord?” “What do You want me to do?”
Also, you need to join a Christian fellowship where the Bible is taught and where God is truly worshiped.
God bless you as you begin your new life with Him!
http://gewatkins.net/the-two-covenants-compared/
Be Exalted, O God
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