By Alba Durham
To completely understand the fundamentals of the old covenant vs new covenant, one must start by familiarizing himself or herself with the New Testament and the Old Testament, which are the 2 distinctly different portions of the Bible. Thirty-nine individual books, from Genesis to Malachi, make up the Old Testament. The New is comprised of a total of twenty-seven books, beginning with Matthew and finishing with the Revelation.
Many people believe that everything in both sections of the Bible applies to Christians today, and subsequently become confused, as the scriptures seem to contradict themselves. However, two distinct sets of rules are associated with each of the two sections of the Bible: one for those living before the crucifixion, and one set for those who were alive after Christ was crucified.
The Old Testament was written prior to the crucifixion. Many people have heard Christians refer to something called "grace". However, the latter did not exist before Christ died on the cross. Instead, a living sacrifice had to be offered in atonement for one's sins. Following the birth of Jesus and his life on Earth, which was when the New Testament began, the aforementioned sacrifice was no longer needed, as Jesus' death on the cross atoned for all the sins of the world.
Hebrews, a New Testament Bible book, distinctly and clearly explains that the Christ established another covenant following his crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascent to heaven. In Hebrews chapter 7, God tells believers that the "old agreement", referring to the regulations adhered to by Christians prior to Jesus' death, had been nullified and the new covenant established. The latter is still in effect today, and it began with the resurrection of Christ.
The laws and rules described in the Old Testament are quite different from those contained in the New Testament. For instance, as mentioned above, an animal was killed and offered to God in order for individuals to atone for their sins. This animal was almost always a lamb, to symbolize the "lamb of God", who is obviously Jesus Christ.
Galatians, a New Testament book, is entirely devoted to urging individuals to not return to the rules and regulations outlined in the Old Testament section. Rather, they are to embrace the gift of forgiveness and grace.
In the seventh chapter of Romans, there is also extensive mention of the former contract versus the new contact. In modern-day English it would likely be paraphrased in the following way: "We have been delivered from the law and all the penalties with which it is associated, meaning no atonement or sacrifices are necessary for our sins, rather we can simply enjoy God's grace."
Numerous religious groups today fail to differentiate between the two main sections of the Bible: the Old Testament given by God to Moses and the Jews, as stated in Deuteronomy's 5th chapter, versus the New Testament contract, given to all of mankind directly from Christ, as outlined in Matthew, chapter eleven. Only when one understand that the gift of salvation negates the written law can he or she gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the old covenant vs new covenant (http://www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com/what-iswas-the-old-covenant.html) .
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.columbianarestorationchurchofgod.com (http://www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com/what-iswas-the-old-covenant.html) for more helpful information about The Old Covenant Vs New Covenant Made Simple
To completely understand the fundamentals of the old covenant vs new covenant, one must start by familiarizing himself or herself with the New Testament and the Old Testament, which are the 2 distinctly different portions of the Bible. Thirty-nine individual books, from Genesis to Malachi, make up the Old Testament. The New is comprised of a total of twenty-seven books, beginning with Matthew and finishing with the Revelation.
Many people believe that everything in both sections of the Bible applies to Christians today, and subsequently become confused, as the scriptures seem to contradict themselves. However, two distinct sets of rules are associated with each of the two sections of the Bible: one for those living before the crucifixion, and one set for those who were alive after Christ was crucified.
The Old Testament was written prior to the crucifixion. Many people have heard Christians refer to something called "grace". However, the latter did not exist before Christ died on the cross. Instead, a living sacrifice had to be offered in atonement for one's sins. Following the birth of Jesus and his life on Earth, which was when the New Testament began, the aforementioned sacrifice was no longer needed, as Jesus' death on the cross atoned for all the sins of the world.
Hebrews, a New Testament Bible book, distinctly and clearly explains that the Christ established another covenant following his crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascent to heaven. In Hebrews chapter 7, God tells believers that the "old agreement", referring to the regulations adhered to by Christians prior to Jesus' death, had been nullified and the new covenant established. The latter is still in effect today, and it began with the resurrection of Christ.
The laws and rules described in the Old Testament are quite different from those contained in the New Testament. For instance, as mentioned above, an animal was killed and offered to God in order for individuals to atone for their sins. This animal was almost always a lamb, to symbolize the "lamb of God", who is obviously Jesus Christ.
Galatians, a New Testament book, is entirely devoted to urging individuals to not return to the rules and regulations outlined in the Old Testament section. Rather, they are to embrace the gift of forgiveness and grace.
In the seventh chapter of Romans, there is also extensive mention of the former contract versus the new contact. In modern-day English it would likely be paraphrased in the following way: "We have been delivered from the law and all the penalties with which it is associated, meaning no atonement or sacrifices are necessary for our sins, rather we can simply enjoy God's grace."
Numerous religious groups today fail to differentiate between the two main sections of the Bible: the Old Testament given by God to Moses and the Jews, as stated in Deuteronomy's 5th chapter, versus the New Testament contract, given to all of mankind directly from Christ, as outlined in Matthew, chapter eleven. Only when one understand that the gift of salvation negates the written law can he or she gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the old covenant vs new covenant (http://www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com/what-iswas-the-old-covenant.html) .
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.columbianarestorationchurchofgod.com (http://www.churchofgodcolumbiana.com/what-iswas-the-old-covenant.html) for more helpful information about The Old Covenant Vs New Covenant Made Simple