When comparing the old covenant vs new covenant the difference between them becomes clear. From Mount Sinai came the first agreement God made with Israel. This was in the form of a system of laws and statutes and applied only to the nation of Israel. The second binding agreement was between God and all of mankind and was a spiritual fulfillment of promises.
Moses was given the ten commandments and these were written in stone. They had to be obeyed and disobedience was punishable. In the New Testament we read in the book of Hebrews that Christ came to establish a new agreement. This one was written on the heart instead of in stone. Obedience was to come from the heart instead of through keeping of laws.
The laws gave people a general idea of what standards God required and set out boundaries for their behavior. Keeping these laws was difficult and the people always fell short. Once a year the high priest would have to enter the holy of holies to make atonement for their sins. Animal blood was required for forgiveness and it was temporary. When Jesus Christ shed His own blood for the eternal forgiveness of mankind, the relationship between God and man changed completely as sin no longer separated them.
Circumcision, whereby the flesh of the foreskin was removed from male babies, was required as an act of the obedience. The circumcision spoken about by Jesus Christ was of a different kind. Through acceptance of His death by faith, a spiritual circumcision takes place, removing the body of flesh.
Intermediaries were required under the old agreement. This function was fulfilled by prophets who were the mouthpieces of God and priests who served in the temple. After Christ died, this was no longer necessary. People now have direct access to God and can approach Him with confidence.
The Israelites were required to keep a weekly seventh day Sabbath rest. They were punished for breaking the Sabbath and promised blessing for keeping it. However, the new agreement specifies neither day nor frequency nor length of time. Believers enter the rest of God, the true Sabbath, by faith in Jesus Christ.
As part of the first agreement, things and places were considered holy. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies. When Jesus Christ died, the veil of the temple was torn into two, opening the way for all people into the presence of God through His blood. Worship is not longer a matter of place or time but a state of heart. The emphasis has shifted to the inner man, and attitudes and motives have become more important than external actions.
When considering the Old Covenant vs New Covenant, it becomes evident that the second agreement fulfills the first. The physical requirements of the first helped keep the people aware of God, constantly reminding them of their need for reconciliation and fellowship with him. The second agreement is based on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and it presents a new basis of relationship between God and humans. This is a relationship based on faith and grace rather than on works of the law.
Moses was given the ten commandments and these were written in stone. They had to be obeyed and disobedience was punishable. In the New Testament we read in the book of Hebrews that Christ came to establish a new agreement. This one was written on the heart instead of in stone. Obedience was to come from the heart instead of through keeping of laws.
The laws gave people a general idea of what standards God required and set out boundaries for their behavior. Keeping these laws was difficult and the people always fell short. Once a year the high priest would have to enter the holy of holies to make atonement for their sins. Animal blood was required for forgiveness and it was temporary. When Jesus Christ shed His own blood for the eternal forgiveness of mankind, the relationship between God and man changed completely as sin no longer separated them.
Circumcision, whereby the flesh of the foreskin was removed from male babies, was required as an act of the obedience. The circumcision spoken about by Jesus Christ was of a different kind. Through acceptance of His death by faith, a spiritual circumcision takes place, removing the body of flesh.
Intermediaries were required under the old agreement. This function was fulfilled by prophets who were the mouthpieces of God and priests who served in the temple. After Christ died, this was no longer necessary. People now have direct access to God and can approach Him with confidence.
The Israelites were required to keep a weekly seventh day Sabbath rest. They were punished for breaking the Sabbath and promised blessing for keeping it. However, the new agreement specifies neither day nor frequency nor length of time. Believers enter the rest of God, the true Sabbath, by faith in Jesus Christ.
As part of the first agreement, things and places were considered holy. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies. When Jesus Christ died, the veil of the temple was torn into two, opening the way for all people into the presence of God through His blood. Worship is not longer a matter of place or time but a state of heart. The emphasis has shifted to the inner man, and attitudes and motives have become more important than external actions.
When considering the Old Covenant vs New Covenant, it becomes evident that the second agreement fulfills the first. The physical requirements of the first helped keep the people aware of God, constantly reminding them of their need for reconciliation and fellowship with him. The second agreement is based on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and it presents a new basis of relationship between God and humans. This is a relationship based on faith and grace rather than on works of the law.
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