What is the New Covenant?"
Answer: The New Covenant (or New Testament) is the promise that God makes with humanity that He will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant was predicted while the Old Covenant was still in effect—the prophets Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all allude to the New Covenant.
The Old Covenant that God had established with His people required strict obedience to the Mosaic Law. Because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), the Law required that Israel perform daily sacrifices in order to atone for sin. But Moses, through whom God established the Old Covenant, also anticipated the New Covenant. In one of his final addresses to the nation of Israel, Moses looks forward to a time when Israel would be given “a heart to understand” (Deuteronomy 29:4, ESV). Moses predicts that Israel would fail in keeping the Old Covenant (verses 22–28), but he then sees a time of restoration (30:1–5). At that time, Moses says, “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (verse 6). The New Covenant involves a total change of heart so that God’s people are naturally pleasing to Him.
The prophet Jeremiah also predicted the New Covenant. “‘The day will come,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. . . . But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,’ says the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people’” (Jeremiah 31:31, 33). Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) and to establish the New Covenant between God and His people. The Old Covenant was written in stone, but the New Covenant is written on our hearts. Entering the New Covenant is made possible only by faith in Christ, who shed His blood to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Luke 22:20 relates how Jesus, at the Last Supper, takes the cup and says, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (ESV).
The New Covenant is also mentioned in Ezekiel 36:26–27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel lists several aspects of the New Covenant here: a new heart, a new spirit, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and true holiness. The Mosaic Law could provide none of these things (see Romans 3:20).
The New Covenant was originally given to Israel and includes a promise of fruitfulness, blessing, and a peaceful existence in the Promised Land. In Ezekiel 36:28–30 God says, “Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. . . . I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.” Deuteronomy 30:1–5 contains similar promises related to Israel under the New Covenant. After the resurrection of Christ, Gentiles were brought into the blessing of the New Covenant, too (Acts 10; Ephesians 2:13–14). The fulfillment of the New Covenant will be seen in two places: on earth, during the Millennial Kingdom; and in heaven, for all eternity.
We are no longer under the Law but under grace (Romans 6:14–15). The Old Covenant has served its purpose, and it has been replaced by “a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22). “In fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).
Under the New Covenant, we are given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9). Our responsibility is to exercise faith in Christ, the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf and brought an end to the Law’s sacrifices through His own sacrificial death. Through the life-giving Holy Spirit who lives in all believers (Romans 8:9–11), we share in the inheritance of Christ and enjoy a permanent, unbroken relationship with God (Hebrews 9:15).
Answer: The New Covenant (or New Testament) is the promise that God makes with humanity that He will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, and His death on the cross is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant was predicted while the Old Covenant was still in effect—the prophets Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all allude to the New Covenant.
The Old Covenant that God had established with His people required strict obedience to the Mosaic Law. Because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), the Law required that Israel perform daily sacrifices in order to atone for sin. But Moses, through whom God established the Old Covenant, also anticipated the New Covenant. In one of his final addresses to the nation of Israel, Moses looks forward to a time when Israel would be given “a heart to understand” (Deuteronomy 29:4, ESV). Moses predicts that Israel would fail in keeping the Old Covenant (verses 22–28), but he then sees a time of restoration (30:1–5). At that time, Moses says, “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (verse 6). The New Covenant involves a total change of heart so that God’s people are naturally pleasing to Him.
The prophet Jeremiah also predicted the New Covenant. “‘The day will come,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. . . . But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,’ says the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people’” (Jeremiah 31:31, 33). Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) and to establish the New Covenant between God and His people. The Old Covenant was written in stone, but the New Covenant is written on our hearts. Entering the New Covenant is made possible only by faith in Christ, who shed His blood to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Luke 22:20 relates how Jesus, at the Last Supper, takes the cup and says, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (ESV).
The New Covenant is also mentioned in Ezekiel 36:26–27, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel lists several aspects of the New Covenant here: a new heart, a new spirit, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and true holiness. The Mosaic Law could provide none of these things (see Romans 3:20).
The New Covenant was originally given to Israel and includes a promise of fruitfulness, blessing, and a peaceful existence in the Promised Land. In Ezekiel 36:28–30 God says, “Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. . . . I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine.” Deuteronomy 30:1–5 contains similar promises related to Israel under the New Covenant. After the resurrection of Christ, Gentiles were brought into the blessing of the New Covenant, too (Acts 10; Ephesians 2:13–14). The fulfillment of the New Covenant will be seen in two places: on earth, during the Millennial Kingdom; and in heaven, for all eternity.
We are no longer under the Law but under grace (Romans 6:14–15). The Old Covenant has served its purpose, and it has been replaced by “a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22). “In fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).
Under the New Covenant, we are given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9). Our responsibility is to exercise faith in Christ, the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf and brought an end to the Law’s sacrifices through His own sacrificial death. Through the life-giving Holy Spirit who lives in all believers (Romans 8:9–11), we share in the inheritance of Christ and enjoy a permanent, unbroken relationship with God (Hebrews 9:15).
The New Covenant
31 o“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make pa new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when qI took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, rthough I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 sFor this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: sI will put my law within them, and I will write it ton their hearts. uAnd I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each oneteach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ vfor they shall all know me, wfrom the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For xI will forgive their iniquity, and yI will remember their sin no more.”
35 Thus says the Lord,
who zgives the sun for light by day
and athe fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
bthe Lord of hosts is his name:
36 c“If this fixed order departs
from before me, declares the Lord,
then shall the offspring of Israel cease
from being a nation before me forever.”
37 Thus says the Lord:
“If the heavens above can be measured,
and the foundations of the earth below can be explored,
dthen I will cast off all the offspring of Israel
for all that they have done,
declares the Lord.”
38 e“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when the city shall be rebuilt for the Lord ffrom the Tower of Hananel to gthe Corner Gate. 39 hAnd the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah. 40 iThe whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the fields as far as the jbrook Kidron, to the corner of kthe Horse Gate toward the east, lshall be sacred to the Lord. mIt shall not be plucked up or overthrown anymore forever.”
"What does it mean to have faith in Jesus?"
Answer: Many people speak about �having faith in Jesus,� but what exactly does this mean?
The Bible uses the phrase �faith in Jesus� synonymously with belief in Jesus as Savior. Romans 3:22�23 says that �righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.� When we place our faith in Jesus, we believe in Him, and God grants His righteousness to us.
To have faith in Jesus means to trust Him. Simply. Fully. Without reservation. On one occasion, before Jesus healed two blind men, He asked them, �Do you believe that I am able to do this?� They answered, �Yes, Lord,� and He healed them �according to [their] faith� (Matthew 9:28�29). The men simply trusted the power and goodness of the Lord, and they received their sight.
When a person has faith in Jesus, it means that he or she believes who Jesus is (God in human form) and trusts what Jesus has done (died and resurrected). This faith in the person and work of Christ is what saves (see Romans 10:9�10; 1 Corinthians 15:3�4). �Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God� (1 John 5:1).
John 3:16 says, �God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.� The key is belief, in response to God�s love. Anyone who places his or her faith in Jesus has the promise of eternal life.
Without faith in Jesus, we remain in sin and cannot be accepted into God�s presence in His perfect heaven. With faith in Jesus, we are given access to the Father as God�s own children (John 1:12).
To have faith in Jesus is to reject all other ways of salvation. We cannot trust in Jesus and anything else. We trust in Jesus alone. �Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved� (Acts 4:12). Salvation is exclusive. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6).
Are you ready to place your faith in Jesus? Do you trust Him to save you? There is no special prayer you must pray. However, you can respond right now with a prayer similar to this:
�Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God�s Son who died and rose again to give me eternal life. I trust in Jesus alone. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life.�
Answer: Many people speak about �having faith in Jesus,� but what exactly does this mean?
The Bible uses the phrase �faith in Jesus� synonymously with belief in Jesus as Savior. Romans 3:22�23 says that �righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.� When we place our faith in Jesus, we believe in Him, and God grants His righteousness to us.
To have faith in Jesus means to trust Him. Simply. Fully. Without reservation. On one occasion, before Jesus healed two blind men, He asked them, �Do you believe that I am able to do this?� They answered, �Yes, Lord,� and He healed them �according to [their] faith� (Matthew 9:28�29). The men simply trusted the power and goodness of the Lord, and they received their sight.
When a person has faith in Jesus, it means that he or she believes who Jesus is (God in human form) and trusts what Jesus has done (died and resurrected). This faith in the person and work of Christ is what saves (see Romans 10:9�10; 1 Corinthians 15:3�4). �Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God� (1 John 5:1).
John 3:16 says, �God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.� The key is belief, in response to God�s love. Anyone who places his or her faith in Jesus has the promise of eternal life.
Without faith in Jesus, we remain in sin and cannot be accepted into God�s presence in His perfect heaven. With faith in Jesus, we are given access to the Father as God�s own children (John 1:12).
To have faith in Jesus is to reject all other ways of salvation. We cannot trust in Jesus and anything else. We trust in Jesus alone. �Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved� (Acts 4:12). Salvation is exclusive. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6).
Are you ready to place your faith in Jesus? Do you trust Him to save you? There is no special prayer you must pray. However, you can respond right now with a prayer similar to this:
�Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God�s Son who died and rose again to give me eternal life. I trust in Jesus alone. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life.�
Sent from my Galaxy Tab® A
Ready or Not? - By Greg Laurie -www.harvest.org
Half of all Americans today claim to be born again. Even more claim to believe in God. If you want to apply a real litmus test to your relationship with
God, or lack thereof, then let's say, for the sake of a point, that we knew Jesus Christ was coming back exactly 15 minutes from now. How would that grab you?
If your heart jumps and you say, as the apostle John did, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" then I would say your life is right with God.
But if your heart sinks and you say, "Fifteen minutes? I have some big-time repenting to do," then I would say your life is not right with Him.
A person who is walking with God as he or she ought to should always be looking forward to the Lord's return. A person who really knows God should always
be a little homesick for Heaven. Are you?
If Jesus Christ were to return today (and He could), would you be ready? Jesus said, "One will be taken and the other left" (Matthew 24:40). Some people
will be left when the Lord comes for His church. What would happen to you?
And there is always the possibility that death could come. You don't know for sure. No one does. What if this were your last opportunity to get right
with God, and you let it slip by because you thought there would be a tomorrow, there would always be another opportunity? You don't know that.
The Bible tells us that the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and said, "Thus says the Lord: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live'" (2
Kings 20:1). Are you prepared to meet God? Don't wait. Get your life right with Him now.
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
-Revelation 22:20
-Revelation 22:20
Half of all Americans today claim to be born again. Even more claim to believe in God. If you want to apply a real litmus test to your relationship with
God, or lack thereof, then let's say, for the sake of a point, that we knew Jesus Christ was coming back exactly 15 minutes from now. How would that grab you?
If your heart jumps and you say, as the apostle John did, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" then I would say your life is right with God.
But if your heart sinks and you say, "Fifteen minutes? I have some big-time repenting to do," then I would say your life is not right with Him.
A person who is walking with God as he or she ought to should always be looking forward to the Lord's return. A person who really knows God should always
be a little homesick for Heaven. Are you?
If Jesus Christ were to return today (and He could), would you be ready? Jesus said, "One will be taken and the other left" (Matthew 24:40). Some people
will be left when the Lord comes for His church. What would happen to you?
And there is always the possibility that death could come. You don't know for sure. No one does. What if this were your last opportunity to get right
with God, and you let it slip by because you thought there would be a tomorrow, there would always be another opportunity? You don't know that.
The Bible tells us that the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and said, "Thus says the Lord: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live'" (2
Kings 20:1). Are you prepared to meet God? Don't wait. Get your life right with Him now.
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PLEASE VISIT MY WIFES WEBSITE. SHE RUNS "YOUNG LIVING" WHICH PROVIDES ALL NATURAL OILS THAT CAN BE USED INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY INCLUDING A DEFUSER WHICH PUTS AN AMAZING ODOR IN THE AIR. THIS PRODUCT IS SO AMAZING AND KNOW THAT YOU WILL GET YEARS OF ENJOYMENT FROM IT. GOTO HTTP://WWW.YOUNGLIVING.ORG/CDROSES
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