Thematic Studies In Bible Basics
Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… 2 Cor 3:2-14 Notice the “terms of identification” - “Letter” - “Ministry of Death” - “Ministry of Condemnation” 1st Covenant2nd Covenant - “Spirit” - “Ministry of the Spirit” - “Ministry of Righteousness”
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… 2 Cor 3:2-14 The 2 covenants are compared on various criteria: Ê Upon what they were written v. 3 1st Covenant on tablets of stone; 2nd Covenant on human hearts Ë Their purpose v. 6 1st Covenant “kills”; 2 nd Covenant “gives life”
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… 2 Cor 3:2-14 The 2 covenants are compared on various criteria: Ì Their shades of glory vv. 7-11, 13 1st Covenant had “glory” seen in Moses’ face after he communed with God…it eventually faded; 2nd Covenant has “more glory”…a “surpassing glory” found only in Christ
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Gal 3:1-2, “Receiving the Spirit” will not come through works of the Law, but only through the “hearing of faith” v. 2 Attempting to gain salvation, justification through a Law system only brings a “curse”…the curse of “perfection” vv
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Gal 3:1-2, The promise of salvation actually precedes the Law given through Moses vv This “promise” was eventually realized “when the Seed” came, or “when faith came” vv a Until such a time, the Law was a “tutor” to lead us to Christ vv. 23b-29
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Gal 4:21-31 Paul uses an “inspired allegory” to illustrate the danger of the Galatians heeding Judaizing teachers Centers around the 2 sons of Abraham Gen 16, 21 One “according to the flesh” v. 23a The other “through the promise” v. 23b
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Gal 4:21-31 Hagar = “bondwoman”…Mt. Sinai…“present Jerusalem” Ù The Law (1st Covenant) vv. 22, 25 Sarah = “freewoman”…“Jerusalem above” Ù The Gospel (2 nd Covenant) vv. 22, 26 Christians are like Isaac…“children of promise” v. 28
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Gal 4:21-31 Sarah gave instructions re: Ishmael when he began to persecute Isaac vv cp. Gen 21:9-13 Paul then applies this statement “Cast out the bondwoman” to the Galatians re: the doctrine the Judaizing teachers were presenting v. 31
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Eph 2:14-16 Paul discusses “peace” re: Gentiles & Jews Gentiles were once “outsiders” & “strangers” to the covenants of the promise v. 12 Yet, all who are “afar off” (Gentiles) were brought near by the blood of Christ v. 13
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Eph 2:14-16 In His death, Jesus broke down the dividing wall between Jews & Gentiles…a “wall” of “enmity …the “Law of commandments & ordinances” vv Two groups of people previously separated by the 1st Covenant are now “reconciled in one body to God” v. 16
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Eph 2:14-16 Notice both Jews & Gentiles were adversely affected by the Law (1st Covenant) Jews were “locked up in sin” Gal 3:23 Gentiles were “locked out in sin” Eph 2:12
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Col 2:14-17 A parallel passage to Eph 2:14-16 Dead ones are “made alive” through God’s forgiveness because of Christ’s D/B/R vv Christ cancelled out the “certificate of debt” (Law) that was “hostile” & “contrary” to man (both Jew & Gentile) v. 14
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Col 2:14-17 This “certificate of debt” was “taken out of the way” by being “nailed to His cross” v. 14 Imagery of something being paid As a result, the Law should no longer be used as a basis for judgment vv
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Passages That Address The 2 Covenants… Col 2:14-17 The things mandated and spoken of in the Law were only “a shadow of the things to come” under the 2nd Covenant v. 17 cp. Heb 8:5 10:1
Thematic Studies In Bible Basics