Bible Study New Covenant

[ddubsolo85]

Who believes we're under the New Covenant?

I know it sounds like a crazy question, but hear me out. Where in the Bible does it say that the New Covenant is for Gentiles?

And where in the Bible does it say that ANYONE is currently under the New Covenant?

I challenge any and all to prove you're under the New Covenant.

God Bless!

 

[evanman]

Those Jews that believe come under the New Covenant. Gentiles have no covenant relationship with God, however when a gentile comes to faith in christ they are counted as children of God and, as such, participate in this covenant !

Eph 2:11 ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

 

[ddubsolo85]

@ evanman

I couldn't agree with you more. Gentiles join Jews in the covenant. But...
would that be the Old Covenant or the New Covenant?

I don't see anywhere in the Bible where it says ANYONE is under the New Covenant. And I don't see anywhere in the Bible where it says that Gentiles will ever be under a New Covenant.

I am contending that Gentiles join Jews in the Old Covenant.

God Bless!

 

[evanman]

Jeremiah prophecied that God was going to make a new covenant with His people. This is the Covenant that was brought in by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus:

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Heb 8:8 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:
Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

 

[ddubsolo85]

You said this was the covenant that was BROUGHT. Where does the bible say this covenant was BROUGHT (past tense).

I should have responded directly to Hbr 8:13. If you notice, it says *READY* to vanish away. However, many take this to mean that it has already VANISHED (past tense) away. That is not what the verse says. It says *READY* to vanish, meaning that it wasn't gone.

God Bless!

 

[evanman]

2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

Lu 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
2Co 3:6 ¶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

The word translated "Testament" also can be translated as "Covenant", it is the word "diatheke".

 

[ddubsolo85]

evan: 2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

ddub: And what is the vail? It COVERED the old testament, so therefore it was not the old testament. The vail prevented the purpose of the old testament. With it's removal, the old testament was viable.

evan: Lu 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

ddub: Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

evan: 2Co 3:6 ¶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

ddub: MINISTERS (attendants, waiters) of the new testament, NOT under the new testament. The meal isn't made for the waiter, the waiter is to serve it to whom the chef prepared it for.

evan: The word translated "Testament" also can be translated as "Covenant", it is the word "diatheke".

ddub: Agreed.

 

[evanman]

You asked for New Testament references to the New Covenant--you got them.

You wanted to see where we, as gentile believers, are under the New Covenant--you got that too.

We as Gentiles that believe in Jesus Christ are INCLUDED!

 

[Restin]

The One who Serves

evan: 2Co 3:6 ¶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

ddub: MINISTERS (attendants, waiters) of the new testament, NOT under the new testament. The meal isn't made for the waiter, the waiter is to serve it to whom the chef prepared it for.

• Luke 22:27 At the last supper Jesus said to his disciples "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves."
  
  Acts 3:13 " The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.
  
  John 6:53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 "For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.

-- God the Father is the chef
-- Jesus is the 'one who serves'
-- the followers (disciples) are the ones for whom the meal is prepared
-- the meal is the flesh and blood of Christ -- the new covenant!

• Rev 19:9 Then he said to me, " Write, ' Blessed are those who are invited to the
  marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, " These are true words of God."

NASU, emphasis supplied

......Restin

 

[ddubsolo85]

evan: You asked for New Testament references to the New Covenant--you got them.

You wanted to see where we, as gentile believers, are under the New Covenant--you got that too.

ddub: With all due respect, no I didn't.

2cor 3:14- doesn't mention the new covenant.

luk 22:20- Jesus isn't speaking to Gentiles, and he won't drink it new UNTIL that day in his Father's kingdom (Mat 26:29). That day isn't today.

2cor 3:6- It says Gentiles are MINISTERS OF, not under the new covenant as you have stated.

evan: We as Gentiles that believe in Jesus Christ are INCLUDED!

ddub: Again, with all due respect, that is your opinion as you've listed no scripture that says so, or even supports that position.

How important is this issue? Isn't it an essential part of Christian belief? Why isn't it clearly stated that Gentiles are under the new covenant, or even that the new covenant is in place? Notice that in all that you listed, NONE of these verses say what you are saying.

Please consider that.

God Bless!

 

[ddubsolo85]

@ Restin

Thank you for your well thought out response.

However, I think you're neglecting something. Jesus isn't only the one who serves, he is also the meal, and is also the chef!

Also, the followers, the ones the meal (new covenant) is prepared for, does not include Gentiles. As a matter of fact, Gentiles are EXCLUDED from the new covenant (Jer 31, Hbr 8).

Notice I said Gentiles are excluded from the new covenant, NOT excluded from salvation. That's very important. Furthermore, salvation came under the old covenant, not the new covenant;

Hbr 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, ***for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament***, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

God Bless!

 

[Restin]

Gentiles.....

@ Restin

.....I think you're neglecting something. Jesus isn't only the one who serves, he is also the meal, and is also the chef!

dd, that is very true, however, we start the christian journey by eating at the table first, before we understand that Christ is everything.

Also, the followers, the ones the meal (new covenant) is prepared for, does not include Gentiles. As a matter of fact, Gentiles are EXCLUDED from the new covenant (Jer 31, Hbr 8).

So, how do you explain these verses from Ephesians --

• Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called " Uncircumcision" by the so-called " Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands--
  12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [both old and new covenants], having no hope and without God in the world.
  13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
  14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
  15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
  16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

Notice I said Gentiles are excluded from the new covenant, NOT excluded from salvation. That's very important. Furthermore, salvation came under the old covenant, not the new covenant;

What do you consider the old covenant?

Hbr 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, ***for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament***, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

• Rom 11:25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved;

The understanding that comes to me from these scriptures is that the Gentiles and Israel are "all Israel". Beyond this the scriptures states --

• Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
  29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise

Jew, Gentile, Greek, slave, free -- all -- if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to the promise -- the new covenant, which is expressed in Jeremiah 31, Heb 8.

Peace & Blessings......

 

[ddubsolo85]

@ Restin

ddubsolo85 wrote:

.....I think you're neglecting something. Jesus isn't only the one who serves, he is also the meal, and is also the chef!

Restin: dd, that is very true, however, we start the christian journey by eating at the table first, before we understand that Christ is everything.

ddub: I agree. Surely we begin eating at the table first. But the meal isn't the New Covenant. The meal is salvation, which is the OLD Covenant (Hbr 9:15). Christ is everything, but everything isn't meant for everybody.

ddubsolo85 wrote:
Also, the followers, the ones the meal (new covenant) is prepared for, does not include Gentiles. As a matter of fact, Gentiles are EXCLUDED from the new covenant (Jer 31, Hbr 8).

Restin: So, how do you explain these verses from Ephesians --
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called " Uncircumcision" by the so-called " Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands--
12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [both old and new covenants],...

ddub: No, this is speaking of one covenant, as it says one "promise". There is more than one thing involved in that promise, but this is speaking of only one covenant, not both.

Restin: ...having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

ddub: Christ brought both Jews and Gentiles together in salvation. As Hbr 9:15 states, salvation came under the first testament (old covenant). This has nothing to do with the new covenant.

ddubsolo85 wrote:
Notice I said Gentiles are excluded from the new covenant, NOT excluded from salvation. That's very important. Furthermore, salvation came under the old covenant, not the new covenant;

Restin: What do you consider the old covenant?

ddub: Grace and salvation brought by Jesus Christ. The law being taken out of the way, so that grace can abound.

ddubsolo85 wrote:
Hbr 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, ***for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament***, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.


Rom 11:25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved;

The understanding that comes to me from these scriptures is that the Gentiles and Israel are "all Israel".

ddub: But there is NOTHING in the bible that says Gentiles become Israel. If you look closely at this verse, hardening has happened to ISRAEL until the fullness of the GENTILES has come in. You have two groups that are spoken of in the same sentence separately. One group will be saved by jealousy of ANOTHER GROUP having what they have. The groups are never mixed by the bible.

Restin: Beyond this the scriptures states --

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise...

ddub: According to the PROMISE.. one promise! The promise of salvation.

Restin: ...Jew, Gentile, Greek, slave, free -- all -- if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to the promise --

ddub: According to the PROMISE.. one promise! The promise of salvation.

Restin: --the new covenant, which is expressed in Jeremiah 31, Heb 8.

ddub: Again, what is expressed in Jer 31 and Hbr 8 never mentions Gentiles. It is an EXCLUSIVE promise to Israel.

God Bless!

 

[Providence Chapel]

Who believes we're under the New Covenant?

I know it sounds like a crazy question, but hear me out. Where in the Bible does it say that the New Covenant is for Gentiles?

And where in the Bible does it say that ANYONE is currently under the New Covenant?

I challenge any and all to prove you're under the New Covenant.

God Bless!

I know that JN Darby taught that we are not and I agree however we must be careful. Read this: http://www.bijbel.nl/things_that_differ-chp15.htm

 

[ddubsolo85]

Saved,

Thanks for the informative site. Here are my responses to the writer-

HOW THE NEW COVENANT
CONCERNS US
Since the New Testament, or Covenant, was specifically made with "the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" (Jer. 31:31), some have concluded that it can have no relation to the Gentiles and that therefore the Lord's supper should not be practiced today.

But this is an error. The Old Covenant, like the New, was made with Israel, but it vitally affects the Gentiles. See Paul's words in Rom. 3:19,20:

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that EVERY MOUTH may be stopped, and ALL THE WORLD may become guilty before God.

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall NO FLESH be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

ddub: Again, we have the classic mistake being made regarding the New Covenant. It is often confused with the law, and it is not the law. They are two different things. Therefore, what is written in Rom 3:19,20 pertains to the law, NOT to the New Covenant.

What is often neglected is the fact that the law is the main component in the New Covenant. It is what will be placed in the hearts and minds of the people. So it really doesn't make any sense that the law would be the New Covenant. Yet, this classic mistake is continually made.

The Gentiles never were, and are not today, under the covenant of the law, but it would be a mistake to argue that the law does not affect the Gentiles, for it was given that the whole world might be brought in guilty before God.

Israel represented the world before God. Israel was the only nation with which God still had dealings after He gave up the Gentiles. When she finally fell, it meant that the whole world had fallen. If God should demand from any group of people the righteous standards of the Old Covenant (Ex. 19:5,6), that group would surely be condemned. That is why the New Covenant was necessary.

Again, this would fall under the category of the classic mistake.

After Israel's failure under the Old Covenant had become increasingly apparent, God promised to make a new covenant with them. This New Covenant was to be made with the favored nation alone. Jeremiah distinctly states this, as we have seen above.

And God did make this new covenant with Israel and Judah -- at Calvary (Matt. 26:28). It was there that Christ procured for His covenant people what they could not attain to under the law. It was there that Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled:

"For the transgression of my people was He stricken" (Isa. 53:8).

It was on the basis of Calvary and the blood of the New Covenant that the kingdom blessing was offered to Israel at Pentecost, but that generation in Israel refused the blessing and the New Covenant awaits a future fulfillment.

ddub: Interesting take. I contend that the blood of Christ wasn't only for the New Covenant, but was for the Old Covenant also. Also, I agree that the covenant was for Israel alone. It is never said to be for the Gentiles in the Bible.

But it does not follow from this that the New Covenant does not affect the Gentiles.

If the Gentiles come under the curse of the Old Covenant, they may also partake of the blessings of the New, for why was the blood of the New Covenant shed if not to remove the curse of the Old?

First, the Gentiles are included in the Old Covenant. The Gentiles have always been included in that promise. The Bible states as much. However, Gentiles have never been included in the New Covenant as recipients. This has always been an assumed thing.

If by the Old Covenant with Israel God showed how the whole world stands condemned in His sight, then, by the New Covenant with Israel God shows how all may be justified in His sight.1 Heb. 2:9-16 says that Christ "took on Him the seed of Abraham." But why? "That He by the grace of God might taste death for EVERY MAN."

At Calvary God vouchsafed to Israel by solemn covenant: "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jer. 31:34, cf. Matt. 26:28). God did not make such a covenants with the Gentiles, but what He promised by covenant to Israel, we receive by grace.

The problem here is that the Bible never says we are to receive the New Covenant by grace. Also, it says that grace was under the Old Covenant. You can add to that the fact that the Bible says we're under the same covenant that Isaac is under.

For some reason, we want to put grace and redemption under the New Covenant, but the Bible doesn't support this. Redemption and grace came under the Old Covenant.

The reader should carefully examine Jer. 31:31-34 and note that the blessings of the New Covenant are all spiritual.2 There is nothing about the land, the kingdom or the throne. Do members of the body of Christ today receive the blessings outlined there? Yes, all of them.

I agree that Jeremiah isn't speaking about the land, kingdom or throne. But I disagree that anyone is receiving the blessings he spoke of today-

Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:

What people don't teach their neighbor? What people know the Lord, from the least to the greatest, not needing teaching? I don't know of any.

Has He not written His law upon our hearts? Is it not our desire to obey Him? Do we not "know the Lord"? Is He not our God? Are we not His people? Has He not forgiven our iniquities? Does He remember our sins against us?

This statement just doesn't take into account what Jeremiah is saying. Jeremiah tells us there will be a "change" in the hearts and minds of these people. They will have the written word within them, and therefore won't require any teaching from reading or hearing the Word of God.

We must not forget that "we have redemption through His blood" -- that same "blood of the New Covenant." That blood saves us even while Israel gropes in blindness and staggers in unbelief.

But the Bible says that this redemption came under the Old Covenant, not the New Covenant (Hbr 9:15). Therefore, this statement just isn't true.

God Bless!

 

[Raphe]

Hebrews 8:6 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. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 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:
10 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:

Paul shows that the natural branches and the grafted in all can partake in the promise given to Abraham - the Covenant. Many forget that the lost sheep of the house of Israel were swallowed up into the Gentile nations and Jesus said that He had come back for them and they would hear His voice. They would partake in the double portion given to Ephraim who received the "firstborn" blessing from Jacob. Hosea spoke of Ephraim, as the whole prophecy was to Him, as his name was interchanged with Israel many times in scripture. Observe:

Jeremiah 31:9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hosea 8:8 Israel is swallowed up; Now they are among the Gentiles Like a vessel in which is no pleasure.

Amos 9:9 "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.

Hosea 5:3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

Hosea 1:9 Then God said: "Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.
10 "Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’

Romans 9:25 ¶ As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." 26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God."

See who Jesus came for, and that they would hear and respond to His voice?

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

 

[ddubsolo85]

@ Raphe

Hebrews 8:6 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. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 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:
10 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:

Paul shows that the natural branches and the grafted in all can partake in the promise given to Abraham - the Covenant.

Which covenant? Where does the Bible say that Gentiles are included in the New Covenant? I can see where Gentiles are included in the Old Covenant, but I can't find any scriptures where Gentiles are included in the New Covenant.

Many forget that the lost sheep of the house of Israel were swallowed up into the Gentile nations and Jesus said that He had come back for them and they would hear His voice. They would partake in the double portion given to Ephraim who received the "firstborn" blessing from Jacob. Hosea spoke of Ephraim, as the whole prophecy was to Him, as his name was interchanged with Israel many times in scripture.

Ephraim was Jewish, not a Gentile.

Observe:

Jeremiah 31:9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hosea 8:8 Israel is swallowed up; Now they are among the Gentiles Like a vessel in which is no pleasure.

Amos 9:9 "For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.

Hosea 5:3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

Hosea 1:9 Then God said: "Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.
10 "Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’

Yes, but all of this is to Jews, NOT Gentiles! Gentiles are not included in any of these scriptures you list.

Romans 9:25 ¶ As He says also in Hosea: "I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved." 26 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God."

See who Jesus came for, and that they would hear and respond to His voice?

Jesus came for the Jews, to give them the New Covenant. They rejected their Messiah, and the Gentiles were then grafted into what the Jews already had... the Old Covenant.

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Jesus was sent for those who were not ready to receive Him. The Gentiles were then grafted into what was already there, the Old Covenant.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

There is only one fold, and one shepherd. But Gentiles were given the promise of salvation. The Jews were given promises (plural). They were given the promise of salvation as well as a day of rest. They were given the promise of being a nation of kings and priests here on earth.

One is not better than the other, they are just different. Jews will have the New Covenant, Gentiles will reap the benefits of this New Covenant.

God Bless!

 

[Bob10]

Strange as it may seem, the New Covenant is not yet fully implemented. We know this from the fact that believers - young and old - still need instruction. But when the New Covenant is fully operational then "they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sbs777/sno ... e1105.html

 

[ddubsolo85]

@ Bob

Strange as it may seem, the New Covenant is not yet fully implemented. We know this from the fact that believers - young and old - still need instruction. But when the New Covenant is fully operational then "they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."


I agree with you Bob. As a matter of fact, I say the New Covenant hasn't been implemented at all. I say we're still under the Old Covenant.

God Bless!

 

[Bob10]

so what are the theological implications of that ?