Tag Archives: New Covenant

Matthew 4- The New Covenant

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And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. Matthew 4:23-25

The beginning of the New Covenant has now arrived through Jesus Christ. It’s important to note that before Christ, there was never an exorcism performed. Why? Because Jesus Christ has all power and authority over Satan and the demons. Remember in the Wilderness, Jesus already defeated Satan by staying obedient to the will of The Father. And at the cross, Satan will be crushed forever (Genesis 3:15) This is a display of the New Covenant, a more better and powerful covenant (Hebrews 8:6)

Jesus is preaching the gospel in all the synagogues, Christ wasn’t just sitting around waiting for The Kingdom to come, Jesus was bringing the Kingdom to the people. Christ demonstrated the power of God’s Kingdom by healing people and casting out demons. It was apparent that this was a New and Better Covenant, and the fame of Christ spread rapidly like wildfire. Remember Jesus told his disciples “I will make you Fishers of Men” and that’s what they were doing, leading multitudes of people to salvation through Jesus Christ

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. Hebrews 8:6-7

As the author of Hebrews tell us “Christ is the mediator of a new and better covenant” How do we know this? Well because the Word of God tells us but also Christ has demonstrated this in his ministry. Jesus didn’t heal people or cast out demons to give himself praise, Christ performed these miracles to announce the Kingdom of God is here, the New Covenant has arrived!

Are you in the New Covenant with Christ? This is truly the only way to salvation and God, The hour has come for Christ to fulfill all the words of the prophets and fulfill The Law , so we can be declared righteous before God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), Amen!

Acts 21- The Gospel Rejected

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And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. Acts 21:27-30

As was prophesied earlier in the book of Acts by the Holy Spirit, Paul was going to be persecuted when he came to Jerusalem. Now as we see , over and over again, the Jews are persecuting Paul and rejecting Christ, because they don’t understand the gospel. They keep accusing Paul of blaspheming The Torah, but they don’t understand it was Moses himself who prophesied about Jesus coming

The orthodox Jews clearly didn’t understand the prophecies of the New Covenant foretold by Moses, Jeremiah, and Isaiah. So because of their lack of understanding , they rejected Christ and tried to kill off the Christians including Paul. If only they allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal who Jesus truly is, but they hardened their hearts!

And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. Acts 21:31-33

Jerusalem was in total chaos because of the gospel of Christ, this is the reaction you will get when the light is shed into the darkness. The Jews were about to kill Paul, but once Rome heard of the chaos, they came to restore order. Paul was now bound in chains, just as prophesied by the Holy Spirit in the earlier chapter

And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. Acts 21:34-36

This scene reminds you of when Jesus was on trial, the Jews were crying out to have Paul killed off, because they rejected the gospel. But Paul knew this going to Jerusalem , he was prepared to lay down his life for Christ, in fact he considered a great honor to die for The Lord

It’s interesting to think about , the Orthodox Jews were zealous for God, yet their actions were in opposition to God. Are you like Paul, ready to be in Chains for The Lord? Are you ready to lay down your life for Christ, if its your time? Press on to our higher calling Amen!

Acts 21- The Gentiles Grafted In

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And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: Acts 21:17-20

Paul finally reached Jerusalem and the Christians received him with open arms. Its interesting to note that the Apostle James oversaw the Church in Jerusalem. So when Paul came to Jerusalem , of course he came to speak to James and the other Christians. Paul shared with James how the Gentiles have been grafted into the family of God through Jesus Christ

Of course the orthodox Jews were not happy with the new Gentile believers, because they wanted them under The Law instead of under Grace. If you remember the Council of Jerusalem , back in Acts 15, the Apostles already established that Gentiles did not have to live under the Torah. But again we are going to see this debate again, as we still see this  debate today

And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. Acts 21:21-24

The orthodox Jews were accusing Paul of teaching the Gentiles to forsake the teachings of Moses. These Jews didn’t understand that Moses taught about the coming of Jesus, and they God would raise up someone greater than Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) The Jews were trying to keep the Gentiles bound to The Law, the same yoke that they were unable to bear themselves

As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.  Acts 21:25-26

Paul taught that the Gentiles are not under The Torah, the Christian Gentiles are to just avoid sexual immorality and not eat any sacrifices to idols. Why? Because Christians live under Grace and are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Law of God is written in our hearts not of stone anymore

Many still today don’t understand that Jesus paid it all, that Jesus fulfilled The Law (Matthew 5:17) so that we can be set free from the penalty of the Law , which is death Amen!

Acts 13- Light of The Gentiles

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And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Acts 13:44-46

Paul and Barnabas began preaching in the synagogues for the next couple of weeks. It says the Jews began to be jealous of the multitude converting to Christ and began to speak blasphemy against the gospel. This event made Paul realize his ministry was directed to the Gentiles, not just Israel. 

As Paul said “Since you reject the Word of God and don’t consider yourselves worthy of salvation, they are turning to the Gentiles” Paul is now understanding the fulfillment of the New Covenant. Israel’s Messiah bring salvation to those who become Born Again, Jew and Gentile

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. Acts 13:47-49

 Paul quotes Isaiah “I have made you a light of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 49:6) The New Covenant is not a modern day invention, this was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. God would not only save the Jewish people, but He will also graft in the Gentiles through Jesus Christ! As it says the gospel was spread throughout the entire region

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. Acts 13:50-52

Obviously persecution was coming for Paul, Barnabas , and all the Christians for preaching boldly about Jesus. However, notice what they did “They shook the dust off their feet” , sound familiar? Yes the same words Christ used (Matthew 10:14) If anyone willingly rejects the gospel , move on as Christ said

Notice even during the persecution is says “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” There was no pity party for the early Church, they enjoyed serving Christ the Lord and fulfilling the great commission Amen!

Acts 10- New Covenant

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Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; Acts 10:34-37

As we remember , Peter had a vision from God and  declared “Don’t call anything impure that God has made clean” As Peter pondered this vision , a centurion by the name of Cornelius was looking for Peter. Why was this man looking for Peter? Because if we remember previously, God sent an angel and told him to go find Peter

Now we need to understand who Cornelius is, a centurion is an office in the Roman army. From an outside perspective, this man should have no association with Jews or Christians. However Cornelius was a God-fearing man, and God was going to use him to spread the gospel of Christ even further!

Cornelius told Peter an angel came and told him to find him, once Peter understood this he started to realize what his vision meant by God. Peter understood that God no longer shows favoritism based on our nationality, that we become Children of God through Jesus Christ! This is the New Covenant

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. Acts 10:38-41

Peter then went on to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He preached how Christ was crucified on the cross and was raised from the dead on the 3rd day. Peter also noted that they were eyewitnesses to the risen Lord. It’s a common theme throughout the book of Acts, that the resurrection of Christ , was the central theme of Christianity

God works in mysterious ways, at first Cornelius didn’t understand his visit by the Angel, at first Peter didn’t understand his vision, but eventually they all understood that Jesus brought the New Covenant Amen!

Acts 10- Peter’s Vision

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On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. Acts 10:9-13

One of the great controversies in Christianity was the vision Peter received on the rooftop. There are many who debate what the correct interpretation of Peter’s vision is, was it just a sign of the New Covenant, or was it a direct message that we are no longer under the dietary laws of the Mosaic Covenant, or both?

Peter saw a vision from Heaven of many different kinds of animals, including reptiles and birds. Now knowing the Mosaic Law, reptiles and many of these animals were considered unclean and not appropriate to eat or you would be breaking the Torah. But God commanded Peter to kill and eat! What was God trying to tell Peter?

But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Acts 10:14-16

 Peter’s initial response was “No , Lord I have never eaten anything unclean” Even though God commanded Peter to eat the unclean animals, Peter was still afraid of breaking the Torah. This was, in my opinion, the purpose for this vision from God. Many today are still trying to live “Under The Law” instead of living under the grace of Jesus Christ. God was trying to reveal to Peter he is now in the New Covenant instead of the Mosaic Covenant

God also revealed to Peter “Don’t call anything impure what God has made clean” Peter still related these animals to being impure, however God is the creator of all things and can cleanse all things

I believe this is also a revelation of the Gentiles being grafted into the New Covenant. In the Mosaic Covenant, Gentiles (Non-Jewish) were considered unclean and should not be associated with. However Christ came to bring, Jew and Gentile, as children of God by the blood of Jesus! Amen!

Mark 1- A Better Covenant

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And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. Mark 1:21-24

The New Covenant is now coming, Jesus is about to demonstrate the power and authority of the New Covenant, as it is a Better Covenant made with Better Promises (Hebrews 8:6) When Jesus began preaching in the synagogue, they were amazed at his teachings, why? Because Jesus is the Living Word of God (John 1:1) What they are hearing is not mans interpretation but directly from God

Second notice the demon addressed Jesus as the Holy One of God, this is a Messianic title, (Psalm 16:10) the demon was actually affirming that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and he affirmed Jesus power and authority by saying “Have you come to destroy us”? The demon knew Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Christ, the Son of God!

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.  And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. Mark 1:25-27

Jesus rebuked the demon and commanded it to come out of the man, everyone was astonished, why? Because up until this point nobody has exercised a demon before, think about all the prophets of the Old Testament, nobody has ever had power and authority over demons except Jesus, why? Because he is the Lord of Lords, the Christ , the Son of God

I believe this is also a demonstration of the New Covenant, a Better and more powerful covenant , an eternal covenant with better promises! What new doctrine is this? The people asked, its the New Covenant, its the Word became Flesh and living among us (John 1:14)

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. Mark 1:28

The gospel of Jesus Christ spread like wild fire, why? Because Christ demonstrated his power over sin, death, and hell. The New Covenant has come, and Jesus has come to set the captives Free Amen!

Exodus 34- The New Covenant

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And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. Exodus 34:1-2

If we remember previously, God wrote the Ten Commandments on the stone tablets, and when Moses saw his people already committing idolatry, in his anger he slammed the stone tablets to the ground and broke them. 

Now as we analyze this, we know nothing is a coincidence with God. I believe God now wanting to write the stone tablets again is a foreshadow of the New Covenant to come! The breaking of the old tablets, is us breaking Gods moral laws. Because we are unable to fulfill Gods Law, He had to make a better covenant, the New Covenant of Christ!

And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. Exodus 34:3-4

Notice Gods command, nobody can come up to the mountain except Moses, why? Because remember as sinners we cant come into the presence of our Holy God. We need a Mediator, the Israelites had Moses as their Mediator between God and Man. Our Mediator is Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law in our place

And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Exodus 34:5-7

God stood with Moses and proclaimed the name of Yahweh, now think about this, would why would God proclaim his own name when He was right in front of Moses? Because I believe this is Jesus Christ, God incarnate proclaiming the name of The Father Yahweh

Even after all the rebellion and sin of the Israelites, God reminded Moses, He is  merciful, gracious, patient, full of love and truth! And also he is forgiving of our sin! This is our loving God we serve! Christ through the New Covenant has written these laws on our hearts and mind, and the Holy Spirit lives inside of us forever! Amen!

New Covenant Part 2

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Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. Hebrews 9:1-2

The First Covenant or more known as the Old Covenant, was full of foreshadows of Christ. There were requirements and ordinances in the Old Covenant, things that seem foreign to us Gentiles, but when you take a deeper look you understand, they are all about Jesus

The Word (Jesus) became Flesh and made his dwelling or Tabernacle among us (John 1:14) As we see throughout the Old Covenant , there was a Tabernacle, a Temple, this symbolized Christ body. And when Jesus came down from Heaven, God’s Tabernacle lived among us in the Flesh

As Jesus said “Destroy this Temple in 3 days and then I will raise it up “ (John 2:19) Christ was talking about his physical body, He was prophesying about His Resurrection. The Jews believed He was referring to the physical Temple, however they misunderstood this was just a foreshadow of the Christ to come

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; Hebrews 9:3-4

When Jesus said on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) The Veil was torn, humanity was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies because Christ has paid the price for our sins. The ark of the covenant, is The Law, which Jesus fulfilled and the Holy Spirit writes on our hearts

The manna, the shewbread, its Christ body, that was the atoning sacrifice to be the ransom for our sins. When you see this, and understand all this, the beauty of the Old Covenant comes into mind, but it can never satisfy as the New Covenant does

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Hebrews 9:5-6

All of these have now been fulfilled by Jesus, everything that was required by God has been fulfilled by Christ. The whole purpose of the Old Covenant was to prepare us for the New Covenant in Jesus Christ Amen!

The New Covenant

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But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Hebrews 8:6

There are many people who want to argue that this is no New Covenant, that we are still in the same Covenant as Moses. However The Bible tells us differently, just as Jesus declared as the Lords Supper “This cup is the New Covenant in My Blood” (Luke 22:20) the author of Hebrews declares that Jesus has provided a better Covenant!

Notice Jesus is the Mediator, as we talked about previously, Jesus is our High Priest, the mediator between us and God. By the shedding of his blood for our sins, He has provided a New and Better Covenant , that we may inherit eternal life and be reconciled back to the Father

For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Hebrews 8:7-8

A new Covenant is not a new concept, as God foretold about his in the Old Testament. The prophet Jeremiah foretold about this including other prophets, notice if the first covenant had been faultless, then a New Covenant would not have been needed, so what happened? 

Mankind is what happened, God made a Covenant with Israel, and we have all fallen short. However Christ being God in the flesh, can never fail. The sinless Lamb of God, is what the world needed to be atoned for their sin. 

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people Hebrews 8:9-10

This New Covenant will not be the same as the Old Covenant, why? Because God is going to write his Law on our hearts, how? The Holy Spirit baptizes and seals us when we become Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) The Old Covenant didnt have the Spirit of God living inside of us. The Old Covenant didnt have the blood of Jesus Christ to purify us from all our sins Amen!