Thematic Studies In Bible Basics

Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Bible…“God’s only Book”…has two different covenants showing how God has dealt with man through the ages Defined, “covenant” = An agreement between persons or parties They can be social, political, economic, or religious

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants There may not be a greater contributor to religious confusion than in the failure to recognize the difference between covenants Many erroneous religious practices exist because of this failure Tithing, a priesthood, instrumental music, observing the Ten Commandments, etc.

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants Some teach the 1st covenant never ended… the 2nd covenant is simply a “continuation” This clearly is not Biblical Heb 8:7, 13 Neither is it correct to just “dismiss” the 1st covenant because there is a 2nd one cp. Rom 7: :4 1 Cor 10:1-11 Heb 2:1-3

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The 2nd covenant “makes more sure” (strengthens) the prophetic writings of the 1st covenant 2 Pet 1:16-21 Peter offers apostolic “eye witness” testimony re: Jesus vv He also points back to the prophets v. 19 Writings we would “do well to heed”

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Old Covenant Its Origin, Confirmation, & Violation God desired a covenant with a people He considered His own Ex 3:7, 10 cp. Gen 17:2, 6-7 A covenant that had conditions Ex 19:4-6 Application for 2nd covenant people 1 Pet 2:4-10 The parties of this covenant were clearly identified Deut 5:2-4

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Old Covenant Its Origin, Confirmation, & Violation God had this covenant recorded in a “book” and ratified or confirmed Ex 24:3-7 Heb 9:18-21 Eventually, Israel “broke” this covenant Jer 31:32 She “broke” the covenant by not continuing in it… she was disobedient Heb 8:9

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Old Covenant Its Purpose To be a national & religious law for Israel It mandated proper civil & moral treatment of their fellow man Ex It regulated proper & acceptable worship of Jehovah Ex cp. 25:10 – 31:11

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Old Covenant Its Purpose To make transgressions, sin evident Rom 7:5-11 Gal 3:19 Sin was aroused, made known Rom 7:5, 7 Sin took opportunity through the commandment… produced evil desire, deceived, and killed Rom 7:8, 11 Law therefore “added” because of transgressions

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Old Covenant Its Purpose To bring man to Christ so that he might be justified by his faith in Jesus Gal 3:24

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Old Covenant Its Forecast Of The New Covenant 1st covenant given around 1445 B.C. Some 900 years later, it stated God would make a “new covenant” unlike the old one Jer 31:31-34 The old covenant would serve as a “tutor” or “schoolmaster” in pointing toward the new one Gal 3:19-25

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Old Covenant Its Forecast Of The New Covenant The Old Covenant as a “tutor” Gal 3:24 Word is “paidagogos” A common feature in ancient Greco-Roman well-to-do families with minor children A slave given charge of the minor children

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics Lesson 5 Ù The Old & New Covenants The Old Covenant Its Forecast Of The New Covenant Until the minor child reached the age of maturity, he was under the supervision (care) of this slave He enforced moral behavior, etc. When the child reached maturity, he no longer needed the “paidagogos”…he became free

Thematic Studies In Bible Basics