It is important to understand the old covenant vs new covenant as the binding agreement between two parties spelling out the nature of their relationship. The first one in the Bible is found in the book of Exodus and was made by God with the nation of Israel. The second one was established when the blood of Christ was shed for forgiveness of sin and it is between God and all mankind.
The commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai were written on tablets of stone. Obedience to these laws was required and those who did not obey were punished. When Christ died, the second agreement came into force whereby laws were now written on the hearts of believers. Obedience was to come from love of God and not from fear of punishment.
The law was difficult to fulfill and the nation of Israel were constantly falling short and having to repent. Every year the High Priest had to sacrifice animals so that they could be forgiven for their sins. In the New Testament it states that Christ made a once and for all sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Continual sacrifices for sin were no longer required.
As a sign of the first binding agreement every Jewish boy had to have the flesh of their foreskin removed. This was called circumcision. The New Testament states that the circumcision believers undergo is one made without hands. It is a spiritual rather than a physical act where the body of flesh is removed by what Christ did on the cross.
Intermediaries were required under the old agreement. This function was fulfilled by prophets who were the mouthpieces of God and priests who served in the temple. After Christ died, this was no longer necessary. People now have direct access to God and can approach Him with confidence.
The nation of Israel had to keep the Sabbath. This was a holy day of rest. If they did not keep it they were punished. Keeping it brought them blessings. After the death of Christ for their sins, believers simply need to believe in what He did in order to enter His rest. Every minute of every day belongs to Him, not just one special day.
The temple of the Old Testament was built by human hands as a holy place where God could be worshiped. A physical high priest served in this earthly tabernacle. The New Testament states that the believers themselves are the temple of God. A spiritual high priest, Jesus Christ, serves in his heavenly tabernacle. His Holy Spirit dwells in His believers.
The relationship between God and His people expressed in the old covenant vs new covenant is very different. It is the death of Christ that opens the way for a new kind of relationship. The first way of relating, with its emphasis on the law, obedience and punishment, is superseded by a new way of relating based on love and faith.
The commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai were written on tablets of stone. Obedience to these laws was required and those who did not obey were punished. When Christ died, the second agreement came into force whereby laws were now written on the hearts of believers. Obedience was to come from love of God and not from fear of punishment.
The law was difficult to fulfill and the nation of Israel were constantly falling short and having to repent. Every year the High Priest had to sacrifice animals so that they could be forgiven for their sins. In the New Testament it states that Christ made a once and for all sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Continual sacrifices for sin were no longer required.
As a sign of the first binding agreement every Jewish boy had to have the flesh of their foreskin removed. This was called circumcision. The New Testament states that the circumcision believers undergo is one made without hands. It is a spiritual rather than a physical act where the body of flesh is removed by what Christ did on the cross.
Intermediaries were required under the old agreement. This function was fulfilled by prophets who were the mouthpieces of God and priests who served in the temple. After Christ died, this was no longer necessary. People now have direct access to God and can approach Him with confidence.
The nation of Israel had to keep the Sabbath. This was a holy day of rest. If they did not keep it they were punished. Keeping it brought them blessings. After the death of Christ for their sins, believers simply need to believe in what He did in order to enter His rest. Every minute of every day belongs to Him, not just one special day.
The temple of the Old Testament was built by human hands as a holy place where God could be worshiped. A physical high priest served in this earthly tabernacle. The New Testament states that the believers themselves are the temple of God. A spiritual high priest, Jesus Christ, serves in his heavenly tabernacle. His Holy Spirit dwells in His believers.
The relationship between God and His people expressed in the old covenant vs new covenant is very different. It is the death of Christ that opens the way for a new kind of relationship. The first way of relating, with its emphasis on the law, obedience and punishment, is superseded by a new way of relating based on love and faith.
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