The New Covenant

Does It Abolish God's Law?

Does the New Covenant negate God's law and do away with any need to obey the Ten Commandments and other laws of God? The belief that it does has long been a popular teaching in traditional Christianity. We'll thoroughly examine this question in this booklet. Even more important, we'll address the real purpose of God's biblical covenants—more than one—and their vital role in the Creator's overall plan for mankind. It's highly important that we understand their true meaning.

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Introduction: The New Covenant

To benefit from God's wonderful plan of salvation, it is essential that we correctly understand the meaning and purpose of the New Covenant that Jesus Christ implemented.

God's Magnificent Series of Covenants

Through special covenants made with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David, God long ago began to reveal important details of His plan to produce for Himself an enduring holy people. The promised New Covenant—the basis of Christ’s gospel—is the capstone of that revelation process.

Did Abraham Keep the Same Commandments God Gave to Moses?

Most religious teachers say that God's commands given through Moses applied only to ancient Israel and are not for us today.

How Can We Obey God's Commandments?

What is the nature and purpose of God's Ten Commandments?

The Sinai Covenant and the 'Voice of the Lord'

The covenant that God made with the ancient Israelites at Mt. Sinai—to give them His special blessings and protection—was conditional on their obedience to His instruction.

God's 'Laws, Statutes and Judgments'

God's instructions to His people and their officials are usually summarized under the three broad categories of statutes, judgments and laws.

Key Elements of the Sinai Covenant

The Sinai Covenant's total package of law, the entire five books written by Moses, was designed to cover in principle every major aspect of national life in ancient Israel.

Rightly Understanding 'Justification' and 'Righteousness'

The words righteous or righteousness in English translations of the Scriptures describe primarily personal character as demonstrated in appropriate behavior.

Did the Ten Commandments Exist Before Moses?

Many people assume that the Ten Commandments and the covenant God established with ancient Israel are identical—and that both were abolished by Jesus Christ's death.

God's Law: Is It a Burden or a Blessing?

Why did God give His law?

A New Covenant for Transforming the Heart

God planned from the beginning to transform the limited and temporary covenant He made with ancient Israel—with its abundance of symbolic sacrifices—into a far superior covenant commitment with a permanent sacrifice for sin open to all of mankind.

What Was the Main Weakness of the Sinai Covenant?

What was the problem with the Sinai Covenant?

How God Balances Justice With Mercy

God balances justice with mercy by considering what is in the heart—whether there remains any possibility of repentance.

How Is the New Covenant 'New'?

The New Covenant unquestionably provides a better relationship with God than the relationship portrayed only symbolically in the former covenant.

The Ten Commandments: Keys in a Law of Love

The love most often spoken of in the bible is an outgoing concern for others as demonstrated by our actions and more meaningful than mere feelings.

The High Priest Essential to Salvation

Only by having constant access to a living, permanent High Priest is it possible for us to obey God in a manner that pleases Him.

Grace and Law: Why Are They Inseparable?

The word grace is regularly used by some religious people as if it replaces all need to obey God's law. That conclusion is not only inaccurate, it is also diabolical!

A High Priest Eager to Help Us

The key to solving the problem of sin is the help we receive through Jesus Christ.

Circumcision vs. a 'New Creation' in Christ

"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation" (Galatians 6:15, NIV).

Current Confusion Over Christian Freedom

In countering the Galatian heresy, Paul sometimes refers to Christian freedom. But the freedom he describes is very different from the way his words are commonly interpreted today.

The 'Curse of the Law'

Galatians 3:10-13 is one of the most frequently misused passages in the Bible.

Galatians 4 verses 9-10: Are God's Laws Bondage?

Some view Galatians 4:9-10 as condemning Old Testament laws.

What's Wrong With Our Human Nature?

The Bible represents Satan as the master manipulator of human nature.

Why Paul Used the Term 'the Whole Law' in Galatians 5 verse 3

Was Paul implying that the gentiles' exemption from physical circumcision also exempted them from having to obey any of the laws of God?

Did Paul's Words to the Galatians Contradict His Actions?

One common interpretation of the book of Galatians is that Paul criticized the Galatians for keeping the biblical Sabbath and Holy Days.

The Holy Spirit: God's Promise of His Divine Help

We need God's help, through His Spirit, to obey Him from the heart and bring our thoughts, attitudes and actions in line with His.

The Justice and Judgment of God

God is a judge who holds every human being accountable to His law is a theme repeated again and again in the Scriptures.

How Faith Puts the Law on “Firmer Footing”

A comment by Paul that many lift out of context and misinterpret in Romans.

Biblical Writers Applied Prophecies of “the LORD” to Jesus Christ

The apostle Paul applies several Old Testament passages about the Lord to Jesus Christ.

Grace and Law: What Does the Bible Say?

Grace is one of the most wonderful things God wants to give to us. It is far beyond just forgiveness of sin, which is extremely important and is also a gift that comes from God. Forgiveness is not something we can earn or buy or pay for in some way. It is a gift freely given by God.

Grace, Faith and Law

Paul taught that salvation is a gift from God by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).

How God’s Law Reflects His Mind and Character

God’s law is a reflection of God’s mind, nature and character.

Jesus and God’s Law: The Missing Dimension

The question of Jesus Christ’s relationship with and teaching on biblical law has an added dimension that’s seldom addressed or discussed—especially by those who argue that Jesus abolished, fulfilled or otherwise did away with the law. Yet this dimension is likely the most important of all, and key to understanding the importance and permanent validity of God’s law.

Jesus Christ—“the Rock” of the Old Testament

The apostle Paul affirms that the God the Israelites of the Old Testament knew - the One they looked to as their "Rock" of strength (see Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 18:2) - was the One we know as Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ’s Apostles Understood Him to Be the Creator

Jesus claimed to be all that God is, and the disciples believed and taught it.

How Does Justification Relate to Salvation?

In understanding the relationship between justification and salvation, we need to realize the different senses in which these terms are used.

What Did “Grace” Mean in the First-Century World?

Words can be difficult to understand when they have been far removed from their original context. One such word is grace.

What Does “Not Under Law, but Under Grace” Mean?

Many people point to Romans 6:14, which says, “You are not under law, but under grace,” to argue that Christians, being under grace, no longer need to obey God’s law. But is that what the verse means?

“The Law Was Given Through Moses, but Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ”

God’s law was given to mankind for humanity’s own good and benefit.

Does Romans 14 Abolish Laws Concerning Unclean Meats?

Many believe Romans 14 says that Christians are free from all former biblical restrictions regarding the meats they may eat.

Did Paul Teach That All Days of Worship Are Alike?

Did Paul teach that the Sabbath is no different from any other day or that we are free to choose for ourselves whatever day we wish to observe?

Did Paul Tell the Romans One Thing and the Corinthians the Opposite?

Many people assume that Paul was dismissing any need to keep the Sabbath and other biblical Holy Days.

Peace and Unity in Christ

Paul's letter to the Ephesians is about God's marvelous plan to bring peace, unity and salvation to all peoples—Jews and gentiles alike.

Paul Imprisoned Over a Man-Made Taboo

Both internal and historical evidence indicates that Paul was in prison when he wrote his epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians.

The Corruption of Apostolic Christianity

Almost immediately after the Roman armies destroyed the city of Jerusalem and its temple in A.D. 70, intense prejudice against Jewish beliefs and customs spread like wildfire throughout the Roman Empire.

What Was 'Wiped Out' by Jesus Christ's Death?

The inadequate and misleading translation of a passage in Colossians 2 in some Bible versions is often used to support the flawed belief that God's law was "wiped out" by Jesus Christ.

What Does 'Shadow of Things to Come' Mean?

Paul explains in Colossians that God's weekly Sabbath day and sacred festivals are a shadow of things to come.

What Calendar Was Used by the Earliest Christians?

The following quote from a book by Dr. Troy Martin, professor of Religious Studies at Chicago's Saint Xavier University, on Paul's letter to the Colossians provides an effective rebuttal to the common but false argument that Paul taught Christian gentiles not to observe the sacred days that were used by the Jews.

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The New Covenant: Does It Abolish God's Law?

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