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Covenants of the old testament
Meaning of a covenant in the old testament context
Essay on relationship of old and new testament
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The Covenants As one studies the Bible, he will quickly recognize a direct correlation of the Old Testament and New Testament. Although the books contained therein were written with a division of hundreds of years between them, there is a beautiful connection between them. One cannot deny the relationship between the Old Testament and New Testament, and it is impossible for him to comprehend fully the teachings of either Testament without a proper understanding of the other. Each aspect of the Old Testament must be viewed in light of the teachings of the New Testament, and the New Testament must be studied with the teachings of the Old Testament in mind. Likewise, the various covenants that are contained within the Scriptures must be studied simultaneously. The material of the Abrahamic Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and the New Covenant must be learned in relation to each other in order for one to gain a proper appreciation for the basis and fulfillment of each. “The covenants contained in the Scriptures are of primary importance to the interpreter of the Word and to the student of Eschatology. God’s eschatological program is determined and prescribed by these covenants and one’s eschatological system is determined and limited by the interpretation of them.” Not only did the covenants affect the events of the New Testament, but they also affect much of what takes place today. “In its essence, this New Covenant is the fulfillment of two Old Testament covenants, that with Abraham and that with David. In the Abrahamic Covenant lay the breadth, the blessing for all peoples (Genesis 12:3); in the Davidic Covenant was the height, the royal throne of Messiah (I Chronicles 17:11-14).” The three covenants are linked, and on... ... middle of paper ... ...Judah.” It also states that God is “the mediator of the new testament.” The New Covenant is mentioned throughout the New Testament, and one can clearly see God’s intention of making a New Covenant with His people. As one studies the various covenants of the Scriptures, he will soon realize that the correlation between the Old and New Testaments is undeniable. “Whether covenant is a sufficiently broad concept to encompass all the Old Testament is doubtful, but its importance, reaching as it does into the New Testament, cannot be questioned.” No argument can prevail over the proof that there is a direct relationship between the Old Testament and New Testament. By gaining a deeper understanding of the Abrahamic Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and the New Covenant, one can learn to appreciate fully the connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Covenant according in bible's point of view is a promise made by God to man. According to the book of Genesis, Chapter 6 Verse 13, as a result of human's disobedient and evil ways on earth, God had planned to put an end to humanity with flood. The covenants between God and Noah was established in Genesis Chapter 9 Verse 11. God promised Noah and his descendants, never again would he destroy the earth by flood of water because of the pleasant sacrifice offered to God by Noah. God also confirmed his covenant by putting up signs in the sky in the form of a rainbow. The reason Noah and his family weren’t destroyed in the flood was because Noah found grace in God's sight. What this means is that God do not establish any kind of covenant with just anyone. Clearly Abel, Noah and Abraham were unshakable, upright and obedient towards God’s command.
"Expositor's Bible Commentary---Revised: 8-Volume Old Testament Set." Expositor's Bible Commentary---Revised: 8-Volume Old Testament Set. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2014.
An everlasting covenant is a promise from God that is characterized as eternal. Charles Spurgeon describes the significance of a covenant as, “the only ladder, which reaches from earth to heaven.” Covenants have historically connected to many passages all throughout the Old Testament; however, eternal covenant is mentioned in the New Testament as well (NIV, Hebrews 13:20). The reason eternal covenant is only mentioned once in the New Testament is because the Blood of the Lamb is the only needed element, as the work of the cross covers all sins for all people. An example of an Old Testament covenant is the Noahic Covenant , which is still significant today, is God’s promise to never flood the earth again (NIV, Genesi...
The Mosaic Covenant from exodus is a promise made between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. To begin with, the pattern of the covenant is very similar to other ancient covenants of that time because it is between God and his people. In the textbook, it explains how the Hebrews have struggled with the pharaoh around 1250 B.C.E. Moses, who was a prince that grew up in the household of the pharaoh, ran away. After returning he led the Hebrew slaves at the bottom of Mount Sinai. God spoke to the Hebrews who he freed them and explained the Ten Commandments. In addition, a quote form the readings “ I am the lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” (Judaism, pg. 397) This quote is the first commandment stating that he,
This is also an important Abrahamic covenant moment, as we see that not just Israelites are children of God, but now all people, through belief in Jesus, have the power to become children of God. Through Matthew, we were able to gain an understanding of Jesus’s role as teacher to the people, bringing blessings to all of the nations through his miracles, and interactions with people. Through John, we will be able to explore the importance of what belief in God and his son can do, and how they impact the blessing of all nations, leading to the global restoration plan God had in mind and promised through the Abrahamic and Davidic covenant.
In the days of Christ’s life on this earth, believers did not have access to the Bible in its entirety as we know and are familiar with today. Believers in this ancient time period only had access to the Old Testament. However, through their access to the Old Testament, believers were provided a foundation for New Testament times. This foundation provided New Testament believers with the Lord’s established principles of right and wrong they were expected to follow. In addition, the Old Testament is overflowing with accounts of people whose lives exemplified the future life of Christ on this earth. These pictures allowed the Israelite nation to begin to have an understanding of why Christ needed to come as their Messiah and the work He needed to do on earth. Finally, there are common themes that are interwoven throughout the entire Old Testament. Three of these themes: transgression, redemption, and consummation point to the purpose of Christ’s atoning death on the cross. These themes portray God’s work both in the lives of Old Testament believers, but they also foreshadow God’s desire and plan for believers in New Testament times and beyond.
Surveying the Old Testament reveals the theme of God’s faithfulness to his people. In light of this understanding, the restoration of the Israelites prophesized in the Old Testament is essentially the fulfillment of every covenant with God. This perspective relates to the work of Christ and encourages any follower of God to trust in his faithfulness.
New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1997. Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.
Charlesworth, Matthew. "The Covenants in the Old Testament." Academia.edu. N.p., 28 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
Therefore, a person is saved by the grace of God and faith in Him alone in both testaments of the Bible. Thus, performing the works of the law was an outpouring of a person’s faith in God. Furthermore, God intended that Israel be a holy nation, and the Mosaic Covenant and Israel, as a Holy nation, were the ways in which salvation could be appreciated by the Gentiles.
If Moses as a servant over the people of old covenant, Christ is the builder of the people of both old and new covenants. In this regard, Lane’s words aptly fits, “the writer contrasts the Mosaic era, the Mosaic covenant, and the Mosaic cult with the new situation introduced by God through Christ.” Thus, by this creative reference to Moses and the exodus community, the author presents Christ as the mediator of new covenant and clarifies the dynamic character of Christian experience (3:1,
LaSor, W., Hubbard, D., Bush, F., & Allen, L. (1996). Old Testament survey: The message, form, and background of the Old Testament (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
(3) The new law is a contrast presented in Romans 8, as it is called “the law of the Spirit of life.” This is the covenant of grace that Christ extended to all who believe by his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. With each of these three definitions covered, the groundwork has been laid for the investigation of the two laws/covenants within the life of a
There are five aspects of covenant. For the purposes of this paper I am going to be referring to primarily the new covenant that is offered us through Jesus. The first aspect is the parties involved. There are two parties: God and the elect. Unlike the old covenant, the elect goes beyond the Jews. It also includes the gentile, or non-Jew in all the nations. This is one aspect of covenant that has helped shape my worldview. I have spoken to people who believe that God only selects a few privileged people to be saved, and condemns the rest to eternal punishment in hell. I now wholeheartedly believe this to be completely false, and even a heresy. In John 3:16 God uses the phrase “panta ta ethne” which means “all the nations.” There are other places in scripture, for example, when Paul says in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” He clearly says ‘everyone who believes’ not leaving anyone out. There are places in scripture, such as Ephesians 1:11 that talk about things which are predestined for believers. This verse is commonly taken out of context by those who believe in predestination. He has indeed planned out things He wants those in covenant relationship to accomplish for His kingdom once we accept Jesus and make Him Lord of our life. He does not, however, make the choice beforehand to save some, and damn some to hell! God created us in His image, therefore we have also been given the gift of free will to choose to love Him or love the world. This is the depraved condition of mankind in our fallen state.
Back in Abraham’s day, God promised him that he would make a great nation for him. From that promise, two beginnings of messianic prophecy would take shape. One would emphasize the glorious future of the Kingdom of Israel, and the other would speak to the coming work of the Messiah, portraying him not as a reigning king but as a suffering servant who would be slain on behalf of his people.