New Covenant Theology Series Steve Atkerson ~ Atlanta, Georgia New Testament Reformation Fellowship 1

2 What is New Covenant Theology?

3 It is a way of interpreting the Bible

4 What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” — NIV Revelation 21:5 5

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” — NIV Revelation 21:5 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. — John 1:17 (ESV) 6

new wine 7

new wineskins 8

new wine new wineskins new teaching 9

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant 10

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant new commandment 11

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant new commandment new creation 12

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant new commandment new creation new way 13

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant new commandment new creation new way new man 14

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant new commandment new creation new way new man new name 15

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant new commandment new creation new way new man new name new song 16

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant new commandment new creation new way new man new name new song new Jerusalem 17

new wine new wineskins new teaching new covenant new commandment new creation new way new man new name new song new Jerusalem all things new 18

What is New Covenant Theology? 19

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible 20

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant 21

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses 22

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses 23

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses The way Christ & His apostles interpreted the OT should be normative 24

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses The way Christ & His apostles interpreted the OT should be normative NT interpret the OT 25

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses The way Christ & His apostles interpreted the OT should be normative NT interpret the OT The Bible should be read not only literally, but more importantly, literarily 26

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses The way Christ & His apostles interpreted the OT should be normative NT interpret the OT The Bible should be read not only literally, but more importantly, literarily OT is type and shadow, the NT is fulfillment and reality 27

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses The way Christ & His apostles interpreted the OT should be normative NT interpret the OT The Bible should be read not only literally, but more importantly, literarily OT is type and shadow, the NT is fulfillment and reality The church started at Pentecost and did not exist in the OT 28

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses The way Christ & His apostles interpreted the OT should be normative NT interpret the OT The Bible should be read not only literally, but more importantly, literarily OT is type and shadow, the NT is fulfillment and reality The church started at Pentecost and did not exist in the OT OT Israel was not the church, only a type of the church 29

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses The way Christ & His apostles interpreted the OT should be normative NT interpret the OT The Bible should be read not only literally, but more importantly, literarily OT is type and shadow, the NT is fulfillment and reality The church started at Pentecost and did not exist in the OT OT Israel was not the church, only a type of the church God only has one people (the church ), not two (the church & Israel) 30

What is New Covenant Theology? It is a way of interpreting the Bible Emphasis on the New Covenant rather than the Old Covenant Starting point for ethics should be Christ, not Moses Believers are under the law of Christ, not the law of Moses The way Christ & His apostles interpreted the OT should be normative NT interpret the OT The Bible should be read not only literally, but more importantly, literarily OT is type and shadow, the NT is fulfillment and reality The church started at Pentecost and did not exist in the OT OT Israel was not the church, only a type of the church God only has one people (the church ), not two (the church & Israel) The church is the true Israel 31

32 How does NCT effect church practice?

Tithing 33

Tithing Priests 34

Tithing Priests Sanctuaries 35

Tithing Priests Sanctuaries Infant baptism 36

Tithing Priests Sanctuaries Infant baptism Keeping the Lord’s Day as a Sabbath day 37

Tithing Priests Sanctuaries Infant baptism Keeping the Lord’s Day as a Sabbath day The believer’s obligation to the Law of Moses 38

Tithing Priests Sanctuaries Infant baptism Keeping the Lord’s Day as a Sabbath day The believer’s obligation to the Law of Moses The proper use of the ten commandments today 39

Tithing Priests Sanctuaries Infant baptism Keeping the Lord’s Day as a Sabbath day The believer’s obligation to the Law of Moses The proper use of the ten commandments today Separation of church and state 40

Tithing Priests Sanctuaries Infant baptism Keeping the Lord’s Day as a Sabbath day The believer’s obligation to the Law of Moses The proper use of the ten commandments today Separation of church and state The church’s attitude toward modern geopolitical Israel 41

“The central questions of the apostolic age turned on the continuity or discontinuity of the church with Israel." — Henry Chadwick, The Early Church 42

The church and Israel? 43

The church and Israel? The church is Israel? 44

Covenant Theology (CT) 45

Covenant Theology (CT) Dispensational Theology (DT) 46

Covenant Theology (CT) Dispensational Theology (DT) New Covenant Theology (NCT) 47

Covenant Theology (CT) 48

Covenant Theology (CT) Covenant of Redemption 49

Covenant Theology (CT) Covenant of Redemption Covenant of Works 50

Covenant Theology (CT) Covenant of Redemption Covenant of Works Covenant of Grace 51

52 Implicit theological covenants

53 Implicit theological covenants

54 Implicit theological covenants Explicit Biblical covenants

55 Implicit theological covenants Explicit Biblical covenants

“There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations.” — Westminster Confession, chapter 7, sec. 6 56

“There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations.” — Westminster Confession, chapter 7, sec. 6 There is continuity between the law of Moses and the law of Christ. 57

“There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations.” — Westminster Confession, chapter 7, sec. 6 There is continuity between the law of Moses and the law of Christ. The key in CT thinking is continuity, continuity, continuity. 58

CT 59

DT 60

CT: The Church is Israel and Israel was the church. (continuity) 61

CT: The Church is Israel and Israel was the church. (continuity) DT: God has two separate peoples: the church and Israel. (discontinuity) 62

CT: OT Israel was the church and the church is the true Israel (continuity) 63

CT: OT Israel was the church and the church is the true Israel (continuity) DT: OT Israel was not the church and the church is not Israel. God has two separate peoples: the church and Israel. (discontinuity) 64

CT: OT Israel was the church and the church is the true Israel (continuity) DT: OT Israel was not the church and the church is not Israel. God has two separate peoples: the church and Israel. (discontinuity) NCT: OT Israel was not the church, but the church is the true Israel. OT Israel was only a type of the church. The church started at Pentecost. (redemptive continuity but covenantal discontinuity) 65

Session 1 ~ Introduction to NCT: The Old & New Covenants Examined 66

Session 1 ~ Introduction to NCT: The Old & New Covenants Examined Session 2 ~ Introduction to NCT: Impact of the NT on the OT 67

Session 1 ~ Introduction to NCT: The Old & New Covenants Examined Session 2 ~ Introduction to NCT: Impact of the NT on the OT Session 3 ~ The Heart of the Matter: The Abrahamic Covenant & Impact of the NT on the Abrahamic Covenant 68

Session 1 ~ Introduction to NCT: The Old & New Covenants Examined Session 2 ~ Introduction to NCT: Impact of the NT on the OT Session 3 ~ The Heart of the Matter: The Abrahamic Covenant & Impact of the NT on the Abrahamic Covenant Session 4 ~ Comparison of CT & DT to NCT 69

Session 1 ~ Introduction to NCT: The Old & New Covenants Examined Session 2 ~ Introduction to NCT: Impact of the NT on the OT Session 3 ~ The Heart of the Matter: The Abrahamic Covenant & Impact of the NT on the Abrahamic Covenant Session 4 ~ Comparison of CT & DT to NCT Session 5 ~ Selected Texts & Applications 70

New Covenant Theology Steve Atkerson ~ Atlanta, Georgia New Testament Reformation Fellowship 71

Sinai Covenant Mosaic Covenant Old Covenant 72

“If... then” 73

1. Moral (Ethical) Law 74

1.Moral (Ethical) Law 2.Ceremonial Law 75

1.Moral (Ethical) Law 2.Ceremonial Law 3.Civil Law (Penal Code) 76

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. — James 2:10 (NIV) 77

Thomas Aquinas, 13 th century John Calvin, 16 th century 78

79

80

The Hebrew word for “everlasting” or “lasting” (Ex 31:16) is olam (#5769). It literally means “a long time” (Holladay, p 267). Olam is used 300 times to denote indefinite continuance into the very distant future. It does not necessarily contain the idea of endlessness, but rather of a long duration or period (TWOT, II, p672). 81

Are you a physical descendant of Abraham? 82

Are you a physical descendant of Abraham? Are you party to this covenant? 83

Are you a physical descendant of Abraham? Are you party to this covenant? Do you intend to move to the Middle East to occupy Palestine, settling perhaps on the West Bank? 84

Are you a physical descendant of Abraham? Are you party to this covenant? Do you intend to move to the Middle East to occupy Palestine, settling perhaps on the West Bank? What impact did the New Covenant have on the Sinai Covenant? 85

Are you a physical descendant of Abraham? Are you party to this covenant? Do you intend to move to the Middle East to occupy Palestine, settling perhaps on the West Bank? What impact did the New Covenant have on the Sinai Covenant? What does the New Testament have to say about Sabbath observance? 86

87 Possession

88 Possession Protection

89 Possession Protection Prosperity

90 Possession Protection Prosperity Populous Posterity

IF 91

IF conditional 92

Possession 93

Possession Prosperity 94

Possession Prosperity Protection 95

Possession Prosperity Protection Posterity 96

Possession Prosperity Protection Posterity Peculiar People 97

98... you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. — Exodus 19:6 (ESV)

New Covenant Theology Steve Atkerson ~ Atlanta, Georgia New Testament Reformation Fellowship 99

“NEW” COVENANT 100

“NEW” COVENANT ISRAEL 101

“NEW” COVENANT ISRAEL JUDAH 102

“NEW” COVENANT ISRAEL JUDAH HEBREW THING (NO GENTILES) 103

On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai... There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:... if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation...” — Exodus 19:1-6 (ESV) 104

MOSAIC COVENANT 105

MOSAIC COVENANT SIANI COVENANT 106

MOSAIC COVENANT SIANI COVENANT OLD TESTAMENT 107

MOSAIC COVENANT SIANI COVENANT OLD TESTAMENT BROKEN TESTAMENT 108

And the Lord said to Moses, “... this people will rise and whore after the foreign gods among them in the land that they are entering, and they will forsake me and break my covenant that I have made with them... they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant... For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give... ” — Deuteronomy 31:

The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” — Exodus 24:12 110

Made with Israel and Judah (literal descendants of Abraham?) 111

Made with Israel and Judah (literal descendants of Abraham?) “Not like” the broken covenant (“New” ~ Discontinuity) 112

Made with Israel and Judah (literal descendants of Abraham?) “Not like” the broken covenant (“New” ~ Discontinuity) Law of New Covenant written on hearts, not stone 113

Made with Israel and Judah (literal descendants of Abraham?) “Not like” the broken covenant (“New” ~ Discontinuity) Law of New Covenant written on hearts, not stone Everyone in covenant will know the LORD (individualistic, not national) 114

Made with Israel and Judah (literal descendants of Abraham?) “Not like” the broken covenant (“New” ~ Discontinuity) Law of New Covenant written on hearts, not stone Everyone in covenant will know the LORD (individualistic, not national) Forgiveness of sins is promised 115

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. ” — Luke 22:19-20 (ESV) 116

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. ” — Luke 22:19-20 (ESV) 117

“... this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” — Matthew 26:28 (ESV) 118

Therefore he (Christ) is the mediator of a new covenant (diathéké), so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant (diathéké). For where a will (diathéké) is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will (diathéké) takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. — Hebrews 9:15-17 (ESV) 119

Law 120

Law Promise 121

“Covenant” diathéké (1242) The Greek carries the idea of “last will and testament.” 122

“Covenant” diathéké (1242) The Greek carries the idea of “last will and testament.” Any will requires the death of the testator to make it operative. An essential characteristic of a testament is that it is the declaration of one person’s will, not the result of an agreement between two parties (as with a contract) (BAG p. 183). 123

“Covenant” diathéké (1242) The Greek carries the idea of “last will and testament.” Any will requires the death of the testator to make it operative. An essential characteristic of a testament is that it is the declaration of one person’s will, not the result of an agreement between two parties (as with a contract) (BAG p. 183). Thus, the promise of the new covenant is unconditionally bestowed upon Christ’s chosen beneficiaries. It is really more of a testament than a covenant. 124

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant (diathéké), so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant (diathéké). — Hebrews 9:15 (ESV) 125

Is there continuity or discontinuity between the Old Covenant and the New Testament? 126

Is there continuity or discontinuity between the Old Covenant and the New Testament? Are Israel and the church the same? 127

Is there continuity or discontinuity between the Old Covenant and the New Testament? Are Israel and the church the same? What effect did the start of the new covenant have on the old covenant? 128

Is there continuity or discontinuity between the Old Covenant and the New Testament? Are Israel and the church the same? What effect did the start of the new covenant have on the old covenant? Is the new covenant believer under the law of Moses? 129 Revised 12/04/09