How New is the New Covenant?

[David Koberstein]

The idea of the New Covenant as presented in the Gospels and the Pauline letters may sound like something
completely new or innovative to modern Christ-like followers. But is it really?

The ancient Hebrew prophet Jeremiah had declared that in the future the LORD would establish a New Covenant
with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. The covenant, unlike the previous one, would be characterized by
God's instruction (Torah) being written on the very hearts of the ancient people of God (Jer. 31:31-34)

So were there Jews in the first century who believed that they lived in the days of the New Covenant, even if they did
not follow Jesus (Yeshua) as the Messiah? The answer to this interesting question is yes.

Thanks to several important archaeological discoveries, it has become clear that first-century followers of Jesus were not
alone in laying claim to the idea of the New Covenant. For example, we read that some Jews called the members of their
community "to observe the Sabbath according to its true meaning and the feasts and the day of fast according to the utterances
of them who entered into the New Covenant in the land of Damascus...To love each his brother as himself, and to strengthen
the hand of the poor and the needy and the stranger" (Qumran Scrolls, Cairo Damascus Document 8:15-17).

The Jewish followers of Christ Jesus differed from this other Jewish group in that they were persuaded that the New Covenant
had been inaugurated not near Damascus, but in the area of Jerusalem though the blood of Jesus (Matt. 26:26-29).
How New was this New Covenant? The idea itself was a very old Jewish one.

Shalom

 

[jeremiah1five]

The idea of the New Covenant as presented in the Gospels and the Pauline letters may sound like something
completely new or innovative to modern Christ-like followers. But is it really?

The ancient Hebrew prophet Jeremiah had declared that in the future the LORD would establish a New Covenant
with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. The covenant, unlike the previous one, would be characterized by
God's instruction (Torah) being written on the very hearts of the ancient people of God (Jer. 31:31-34)

So were there Jews in the first century who believed that they lived in the days of the New Covenant, even if they did
not follow Jesus (Yeshua) as the Messiah? The answer to this interesting question is yes.

Thanks to several important archaeological discoveries, it has become clear that first-century followers of Jesus were not
alone in laying claim to the idea of the New Covenant. For example, we read that some Jews called the members of their
community "to observe the Sabbath according to its true meaning and the feasts and the day of fast according to the utterances
of them who entered into the New Covenant in the land of Damascus...To love each his brother as himself, and to strengthen
the hand of the poor and the needy and the stranger" (Qumran Scrolls, Cairo Damascus Document 8:15-17).

The Jewish followers of Christ Jesus differed from this other Jewish group in that they were persuaded that the New Covenant
had been inaugurated not near Damascus, but in the area of Jerusalem though the blood of Jesus (Matt. 26:26-29).
How New was this New Covenant? The idea itself was a very old Jewish one.

Shalom

The New Covenant was completed by Jesus on the day of His last Passover (Last Supper.)

From the Synoptics
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mt 26:26–28.

22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mk 14:22–24.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Lk 22:19–20.

From John
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
John 16:7–11.

There are only two things here not three. Sin and righteousness, and both are judged.

Jesus may have performed the requirements of the Law and fulfilled it, especially the Ceremonial Law, but it is when the Holy Spirit of Promise came/comes that the New Covenant began. Jesus says "it is expedient..." or "profitable" "better" or "good" that He goes away [so the work He's performed could be applied to the elect when they are born again from above.] This event performed upon the elect person is the beginning of their new life, the evidence of the start of the New Covenant era and is at this point when they are justified [declared "Not Guilty!"] a one-time event, and the beginning of their sanctification which is an on-going process. This happened on the Jewish Feast of Harvest aka the Pentecost when three thousand Jews were born-again inaugurating the start of the New Covenant era Jesus prophesied above in John's gospel.

The writings of the four gospels, the Acts, the letters from the various apostles (not Revelation), are only discussion and dissemination and exchange of knowledge taken from the Hebrew Scripture or the Old Testament which contains everything a Jew would need to navigate, learn, know, understand and experience the New Covenant era Israel found itself in. Apollos, Priscilla, Aquila, Saul, James, Peter, John, Luke, Mark, Barnabas, and others referred to the Scripture Old Testament for all their clues and knowledge to understand the things taking place among Jewry in Israel, Asia Minor, and other Gentile lands where Jews/Hebrews lived in majority as the Holy Spirit illuminated the minds and discussions of everything taking place from the Day of Pentecost going forward. They were Jews and they all had a testimony of their experience with God's Spirit that invaded their lives and to understand these things they all went to the Hebrew Scripture for their understanding.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 16:12–14.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal. 1:11–12.

We all, when under the anointing study the Scripture are given the same revelation of the New Covenant.
All revelation is found in study. FOR:

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16–17.

This is the sign of true, biblical Christianity practiced by Jewish Christians. It was moored to the Hebrew Scripture.