LESSON 5 COVENANT AND NEW COVENANT SYSTEMS
LESSON 5 COVENANT AND NEW COVENANT SYSTEMS
THE STUDY OF “LAST THINGS”
LESSON 5 – COVENANT AND NEW COVENANT SYSTEMS
Let’s start with “COVENANT THEOLOGY” (CT)
Generally, CT (Covenant Theology) positions themselves in the AMILLENIUM CAMP.
CT is a system of theology that views God’s eternal plan of salvation through the framework of three covenants—
The Covenant of Works,
The Covenant of Grace, and
The Covenant of Redemption.
None of these “Covenants” are “biblical” in that they do not refer to any biblical covenants that God made with any people, but they are “Theological” and derived from the “Implicit” (implied) meaning of Scripture. None are “explicit” (explained or listed) in Scripture from which they derive their theology. It is more systematic, not necessarily wrong and gives decent reasoning as to how the OT Law transitions into the NT.
1. Covenant of WORKS:
According to the Westminster Confession: “The first covenant made with man was a Covenant of Works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.”
Thus, the Covenant of Works was made with Adam before the Fall.
The Covenant of Works consisted of three things:
(1) a promise of eternal life upon the condition of perfect obedience throughout a probationary period;
(2) the threat of death upon disobedience; and
(3) the sacrament of the tree of life.
Adam, the federal head of the human race, failed the Covenant of Works. As a result, God then instituted another covenant—
2. The Covenant of GRACE.
This allegedly is a covenant made “between” God and the elect after the Fall in which salvation is given to those who trust in Christ by faith.
The Westminster Confession of Faith states,
Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein he freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.
3. Covenant of REDEMPTION:
The Covenant of Redemption is a covenant supposedly established in eternity past between the members of the Trinity.
“The covenant of redemption may be defined as the agreement between the Father, giving the Son as Head and Redeemer of the elect, and the Son, voluntarily taking the place of those whom the Father had given Him.” Louis Berkof
Other important beliefs of CT:
An important hermeneutical belief of CT is its view of NT priority over the OT, in which the NT has logical priority over the OT.
This means that the NT becomes the interpreter and even re-interpreter of the OT. Covenant Theology often describes the OT-NT relationship as one of “type-antitype” and “shadow-reality” in which the new supersedes the old.
Type – Antitype:
The Lamb and Christ
Jonah in the fish for three days and Jesus in the grave for three days
Moses held up the bronze snake and saved those snake bitten – Jesus on the cross saves those from their sins.
Covenant Theologians LOVE CONTINUITY between the OT and the NT.
There is a progression of redemption that unfolds throughout the OT and finds its fulfillment in the NT.CONTINUITY.
Everything in the OT points to the NT. CONTINUITY
Everything in the NT was embedded or shadowed in the OT. CONTINUITY
For the sake of CONTINUITY, CT CONTINUES some of the OT practices into the NT:
Infant baptism - Since Israel of the OT used circumcision on its children, and since Israel is a “Type” of the church, then the new Israel—the church—should use baptism (rather than circumcision) on its Infants as well.
The Sabbath – Since Israel had a Saturday Sabbath, the church should have a Sunday Sabbath.
Tithing – Tithing continues right along as a mandatory element into the church since it was part of Israel's law.
Also, many Covenant theologians hold that the Mosaic Law, particularly the Ten Commandments, is still in force.
Though the Ceremonial and Civil aspects of the Mosaic Law are no longer binding, the Moral law as found in the Decalogue is still operative. Thus, the Mosaic Law has a continuing aspect today. (CONTINUITY)
Also, many Covenant theologians hold that the Mosaic Law, particularly the Ten Commandments, is still in force. (The Moral Law)
Though the Ceremonial and Civil aspects of the Mosaic Law are no longer binding, the Moral law as found in the Decalogue is still operative. Thus, the Mosaic Law has a continuing aspect today. (CONTINUITY)
Covenant Theology does not see a sharp distinction between Israel and the Church. Israel constituted the people of God in the OT, and the Church (which is made up of Jew and Gentile) constitutes the people of God in the NT; both just make up one people of God (Ephesians 2:11-20). There is no longer an “Old Testament Israel”.
CT’s believe that the Israel in the OT was the church and the Church in the NT is the True Israel.
Non-CT’s have labeled CTs as REPLACEMENT THEOLOGIANS or lessor, SUPERSESSIONISTS.
CTs disagree with this assessment of their position. They say that the Church cannot REPLACE Israel if Israel has always been the church in “hiding” or in the shadows of the Old Testament.
The Church doesn’t replace Israel; the Church IS Israel and Israel IS the Church (Galatians 6:16).
Even in the OT, Israel was the forthcoming Church.
All people who exercise the same faith as Abraham are part of the covenant people of God (Galatians 3:25-29).
BUT, IF the Church is hidden in Israel and God rejects Israel, then… What happens to the Church?
New Covenant Theology (hereafter NCT) is a biblical-theological system that strives to use biblical language, when possible, takes the progressive nature of revelation seriously, and sees the new covenant as the goal and climax of the previous biblical covenants.
Let’s look at Seven critical points of NCT:
1. One Plan of God Centered in Jesus Christ
2. The Old Testament Should Be Interpreted in Light of the New Testament
3. The Old Covenant Was Temporary by Divine Design
4. The Law Is ONE Unit (As opposed to CT’s 3 parts – moral, ceremonial and civil)
5. Christians Are Not Under the Law of Moses, but the ‘Law’ of Christ
Definition of the Law of Christ:
The law of Christ may be defined as those prescriptive principles drawn from the example and teaching of Jesus and His apostles (the central demand being love), which are meant to be worked out in specific situations by the guiding influence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 9.20-21, Gal 6.2, Rom 7.4)
ADDTIONALLY (Law of Christ)…
As per Gal 5.16 the basic imperative of the NCT is “walk by the Spirit”.
There is no sanctification by law, rather Rom 12.1-2; Phil 1.9-11; Col 1.9-10 - the renewal of the mind. However, there are external commands needed (1 Cor 7.19) but they act as “train tracks”, but the engine is the gospel of grace and the power of the spirit and the life of Jesus.
From the law of Moses to the law of Christ.
Ex 20.8 to Rom 14.5, Col 2.16-17, Gal 4.8-11, Heb 3-4 (rest)
And, in some ways stricter, from murder to anger, from adultery to lust (Matt 5.21-28)
Still under God’s law, but what law?
1 Cor 9.20-22
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
We are bound to Christ, not to the law. (Rom 7.4)
Gal 6.2 – “…fulfill the law of Christ”
Phil 2.5 (The Jesus mind-set…not about law but of love)
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Gal 5.14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’’
Matt 7.12 ‘‘So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matt 22.38-40 This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’’
Rom 13.10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Eph 5.2; 2 Cor 8.9; Jn 13.14-15; Jn 13.34; Rom 15.2-3a; 1 Cor 10.32-11.1
6. All Members of the New Covenant Community Have the Holy Spirit
7. The Church Is the Eschatological Israel
“Jesus” is the big deal in NCT!!!
To NCT, “Jesus” is the Nuclear Bomb…"THE J-BOMB"
Who can argue with “Jesus”?
Col 1.16
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.
He is the center of the universe, the center of the Bible, and the pinnacle of Revelation. The King.
2 Cor 1.20
For all the promises of God find their YES in Him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
He is the center of redemptive history – all persons, events, and institutions of the OT find their culmination in Christ.
Jesus =
The last Adam (Rom 5.12-21; 1 Cor 15.45)
The second man (1 Cor 15.47)
The true image of God (2 Cor 4.4)
The seed of Abraham (Gal 3.16)
The Final Sacrifice (Rom 3.25; Jn 1.29)
The authoritative prophet like Moses (Deut 18.15; Acts
3.22)
The Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5.7)
The one who brings about the new exodus (Lk 9.31)
The Inaugurator of a new and better covenant (Lk 22.20)
The True Tabernacle (Jn 1.14)
The Eternal Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 7)
He is…
The End-Time Temple (Jn 2.19)
The faithful Son of David (Matt 1.1)
The King anointed with the Spirit (Matt 3.16-17)
The Suffering servant (1 Pet 2.24)
God has one plan, and it is centered around Jesus the Messiah.
NCT states that Paul sees EVERYTHING in the OT as prophetically pointing to Jesus.
Original creation points toward the new creation.
Eden points forward to what God would eventually do.
Jerusalem points toward the New Jerusalem.
Even The PROMISED LAND is a “type” that pointed forward to the new creation, the whole world.
Eph 1.8-10
…in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
NCT says that the story of the Bible is not a story of the covenant of grace, nor of Israel; rather, the story of God’s work in history to sum up all things in Christ. NCT strives to keep the one plan of God – centered in Christ – primary.
Heb 11.10 For he (ABE) was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
Heb 12.22 - But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
They say that God will keep His promise, in that He elevates it – Abraham and his children will have land – they will ultimately inherit the whole world and reign with Christ forever.
(No actual land with promised borders to ethnic Israel, but to the children of faith and a land where Jesus reigns in the future.)
Who can argue with “Jesus”?
NOTE Ex 24.3
Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘‘All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.’’
Ex 24.7
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, ‘‘All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.’’
Moses considered all that God spoke to be ONE Covenant – ONE UNIT – then we cannot divide the OT into parts, i.e., Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil. All Law is moral since it comes from God.
All the Scriptures bear witness to Christ. Moses wrote about Christ.
John 5.39,46 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me. . .. If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.”
All the promises of God in the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. That is, when you have Christ, sooner or later you will have both Christ himself and all else that God promised through Christ.
2 Cor 1.20:
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
Since all promises are “YES” in Jesus, since the whole OT is one unit of law and since, Jesus fulfilled the Law…all promises of the OT are channeled into the church.
It appears the NCT wants to delete everything that has to do with the OT Covenant(s) because they consider it as one total unit/package…and it includes every covenant/promise that was made to ethnic Israel to be included in the package, even Israel itself.
NCT argue in the realm of hermeneutics that:
1. The NT has interpretive priority over the OT.
2. The NT indicates that OT prophecies regarding national Israel are being fulfilled with the church.
3. All OT promises to Israel regarding land are now obsolete and are now fulfilled “spiritually” to the church which is the greater.
4. “DWELLING IN THE LAND = DWELLING IN CHRIST”
Thus, the conclusion is that the Jews have been “DISINHERITED”.
The Entire Old Covenant:
Creation, Fall, Eden, Earth
Abraham, The Land Promise of Stars, Sand, Seed and land
Moses and The Law
A King, The Kingdom under Justice and Peace
The Prophecies of the Prophets
All of these are fulfilled in Christ and GO AWAY! The NEW COVENANT has come and superseded the Old Testament.
Who can argue with “Jesus”?
BUT…does that really mean that EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY WORD that Moses wrote down was specifically, directly, or even indirectly, about Jesus?
Does that mean that every single thing I read in the OT I can say is about Jesus?
Does every single narrative in the OT reference Jesus either as a type, shadow or allusion?
Does it mean that no matter what I read in the OT, I’m going to make Jesus the main point of this text?
Be careful that in doing so we don’t annihilate any part of the whole counsel of God.
We certainly don’t want to make every character and narrative in the OT a type or shadow of Christ.
Be careful not to torture Scripture by allegorizing, mystifying, and spiritualizing every single text for a “Good Gospel Sermon”.
I would hold to a principle of interpretation that if the NT states that an OT narrative or text refers to Jesus, THEN IT IS ABOUT JESUS!
If the NT does NOT state that an OT text or narrative is about JESUS, then one is not Interpreting Scripture on solid ground – be very careful that one does not rise above the authority of Scripture itself.
God the Holy Spirit inspired OT Prophets. God inspired NT Apostles. God did not inspire contemporary scholars and Bible exegetes.
DISPENSATIONAL THEOLOGY
A dispensation is a way of ordering things—an administration, a system, or a management.
Dispensation simply means that God manages things in a certain way at a certain time.
Dispensationalism is simply a title for theology that recognizes a literal nation Israel to be restored in the future and recognizes a literal kingdom and a literal tribulation and a literal return and a literal raptureand that is dispensational.
The whole of my personal dispensationalism can be stated in one sentence.
“It is a distinction between the church and Israel period”. That is, it.
The implication of this view means there are other ensuing events… rapture, tribulation, literal millennium, literal Second Coming of Christ to the earth as viewed through a more literal interpretation.
FYI
The old popular dispensationalism is as follows…
An approach to biblical interpretation which states that God uses different means of working with people (Israel and the Church) during different periods of history, usually seven chronologically successive periods. However, they may differ from three periods, to four, seven, and eight dispensations. Seven is the most common.
Seven is the most common…
1. Innocence (Genesis 1 -3) - Adam and Eve before they sinned
2. Conscience (Genesis 3-8) - First sin to the flood
3. Civil Government (Genesis 9-11) - After the flood, government
4. Promise (Genesis 12-Ex. 19) - Abraham to Moses, the Law is given
5. Law (Exodus 20 – Acts 2.4) - Moses to the cross
6. Grace (Acts 2.4 – Revelation 20.3) - Cross to the millennial kingdom
7. Millennial Kingdom (Rev 20.4-6) – The rule of Christ on earth in the millennial kingdom
Since it is perceived, that God orders His interaction with mankind in different ways at different times, the “CONTINUITY” people see Dispensationalist holding to a system of “DISCONTINUITY”.
YUCK! NO GOOD! GROSS!!
Some earlier Dispensationalist may “deserve” a bad rap. They hacked the Bible to pieces.
And here is why…
Some assumed that maybe God saved people different ways in different times.
There were people who believed that there was no grace in the Old Testament and there's no law in the New Testament and they drew these hard and fast lines.
That kind of dispensationalism has really been refined and there are only vestiges of it hanging on today.
It's not that it's wrong to see those ways in which God operated, it's just wrong to put too much into them to come up with different means of salvation and all kinds of different covenants by which God saves. It gets too complex, and you can't support it scripturally.
In fact, dispensationalist endear a great CONTINUITY between the OT and NT…
Everything in the OT and NT is all a smooth flow of grace. There's grace in the Old, there's law in the New.
In the Old they were saved by grace, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, did he not?
And that's how he was redeemed.
Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.
Salvation was always by grace through faith even in the dispensation of law, the age of law.
And today, we're under grace, we're not under law as a means of salvation but we're obligated to keep the law out of obedience to God.
The overlap is pretty clear. There is more CONTINUITY there than is recognized.
Rom 3.25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
REVIEW:
Pre-tribulation rapture held by almost all dispensationalists.
Literal interpretation of the Bible
God works via different arrangements in distinct periods of history.
Israel is the literal descendants of Abraham, not spiritual ones.
Israel is the heir to the promises made to Abraham about the seed being blessed.
Participation in the Abrahamic Covenant is “mainly” by physical birth in Jewish lineage.
Two distinct people groups “of God”: Israel and the Church.
Church began at Pentecost.
Wrongly stated and misunderstood: Salvation is by faith in accordance to the revelation given in a particular dispensation.
The Holy Spirit did not indwell people in all dispensations, only during the dispensation of the Church age.
Christ will reign in the future 1000-year period which occurs after the rapture.
Review of what “Literal “means:
Dispensationalism advocates a “grammatical-historical” interpretation. To simplify, this means that numerous passages of prophecy should be understood literally, or better, they should be understood in a normal fashion. Of course, dispensationalists recognize that the Bible has various kinds of figures of speech, such as symbols, parables, and other obvious literary genres.
There are at least two reasons why literalism is the best way to view Scripture.
First, philosophically, the purpose of language itself requires that we interpret words literally. Language was given by God for the purpose of being able to communicate. Words are vessels of meaning.
The second reason is biblical. Every prophecy about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament was fulfilled literally.
Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection all occurred exactly as the Old Testament predicted. The prophecies were literal. There is no non-literal fulfillment of messianic prophecies in the New Testament. This argues strongly for the literal method.
If a literal interpretation is not used in studying the Scriptures, there is no objective standard by which to understand the Bible. Each person would be able to interpret the Bible as he saw fit. Biblical interpretation would devolve into “what this passage says to me” instead of “the Bible says.” Sadly, this is already the case in much of what is called Bible study today.
This is sometimes called the principle of grammatical-historical interpretation since the meaning of each word is determined by grammatical and historical considerations. The principle might also be called normal interpretation since the literal meaning of words is the normal approach to their understanding in all languages.
It might also be designated plain interpretation so that no one receives the mistaken notion that the literal principle rules out figures of speech. Symbols, figures of speech and types are all interpreted plainly in this method, and they are in no way contrary to literal interpretation.
After all, the very existence of any meaning for a figure of speech depends on the reality of the literal meaning of the terms involved. Figures often make the meaning plainer, but it is the literal, normal, or plain meaning that they convey to the reader. (Bernard Ramm)
The literalist (so called) is not one who denies that figurative language, that symbols, are used in prophecy, nor does he deny that great spiritual truths are set forth therein; his position is, simply, that the prophecies are to be normally interpreted (i.e., according to received laws of language) as any other utterances are interpreted—that which is manifestly figurative being so regarded. (E.R. Craven)
Combining Systems and Positions…
Who believes what?
How do you fit together Pre, Post, A-mills Together (Systems) with Covenant, New Covenant, and Dispensationalists (Positions)
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