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Monday, December 17, 2007

What is the New Covenant? Part 2

Here are the verses that appear to lend more understanding to exactly what the "New Covenant" is and is not.

Luke 22:20
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

1 Corinthians 11:25
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

These passages provide a direct reference to communion. As such the reader could presume that the "New Covenant" is the same as partaking in communion. However the next two verses appear to lead the reader in an entirely different direction.


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2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

This verse combines the "New Covenant" with a contrast of the letter verse the spirit of the law. Which brings up to new questions that we will deal with in another article.

1. What is the meaning of the letter of the law verse the spirit of the law?
2. Since there are two parts to the law the other part of a "New Covenant" would be an "Old Covenant. With that as a given what is the "Old Covenant"?

Whatever the case it seems appropriate to conclude that Christ is the mediator of this new covenant, especially given the next verse.

Hebrews 9:15
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Yet, this verse challenges us to find out the answer to the first three words in this verse.

"For this reason" - If we read the previous verse that question is answered (Read Hebrews 9:11-14 for even more clarity on this point.)

Hebrews 9:14
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Again we return to the topic of the blood of Christ as in communion. Yet, this time we are certainly not partaking in communion; but rather dealing with the sacrificial system of that day culminating in the ultimate sacrifice of Christ being crucified on the cross of Calvary.

On that we conclude this discussion of what the "New Covenant" is. Yes, at this point the question does remain unanswered which is why your feedback would be greatly appreciated on http://JesusWalksInWords.com.

Whatever the case one thing is clear...

Hebrews 8:13
By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

The "New Covenant" has replaced the "first" or "old" covenant and apparently will not itself be replaced until perhaps the coming of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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