New Covenant

The New Covenant.

Jeremiah prophesied that God would make a “New Covenant” with the House of Israel, and with the House of Judah” While this is a reference to the nation of Israel, This New Covenant would apply to the Nation of Israel, but also elements of it would apply to the age of the Church.

Turn to Jeremiah 31:31.

In verse 32 The Lord points out that this “New Covenant” will not be like the “Mosaic Covenant” which was conditional.

Jeremiah 31:33 Is a part of the New Covenant that applies to Church Age Believers as well. Turn to 2 Cor 3.

In 2 Cor 3:1 Paul deals with a problem that was going on in that day. Apparently Self-promotion of teachers was big in that day. And Teachers would show up to different Churches with letters of commendation.

2 Cor 3:1 “Are we (Himself and other teachers) beginning to Commend ourselves, compliment ourselves, glorify ourselves again ? (Answer NO!!!), or like some do we need letters of recommendation to you (to give to you) or from you? (Answer NO!!!)

2 Cor 3:2 You are our Letter written on our Hearts, recognized and read by everyone. (For Paul the transformation of their lives was the strongest proof of Paul’s Apostleship, he didn't need letters written by people to validate his ministry)

2 Cor 3:3 3 Since it is plain that you are Christ’s letter, b produced c by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; d not on stone tablets e but on tablets that are hearts of flesh. f

Now Remember what was said in Jeremiah 31:33. “Written on their Hearts”

The old and new covenants 2Cor 3:4–11

4 We have this kind of confidence toward God through Christ: 5 not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God.h 6 He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant,i not of the letter, j but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life.

This “New Covenant is Greater than the Mosaic Covenant because the Medium God used with this Covenant wasn't stone tablets but God the Holy Spirit.” This is exactly what is refereed to in Acts 2 38. “The Gift of the Holy Spirit”. Refers to first the permanent indwelling of God the Holy Spirit, and secondly the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. Which is promised in Ezekiel.36:27 and also in Joel 2:28-32

which Peter quotes in Acts 2:17. (Turn to Acts 2:17) and states with certainty that the Out pouring of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32, and Ezekiel 36:27. Peter is saying these are signs of the New Covenant.

7 Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, k so that the sons of Israel were not able to look directly at Moses’ face because of the glory from his face—a fading ?glory?— 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory. 10 In fact, what had been glorious is not glorious in this case because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was fading away l was glorious, what endures will be even more glorious.

Here Paul began to think about the glory that appeared on Moses’ face when he descended from Mt. Sinai after he had communed with God for 40 days and nights (Exod. 34:29–35). The glory (i.e., the manifest evidence of God’s presence) was so strong when Moses reentered the camp that the Israelites could not look at him for very long. The evidence of God’s presence was very strong during the economy when a covenant leading to death governed God’s people. How much stronger, Paul argued, will be the manifestation of God’s glory in an age when God the Holy Spirit inhabits His people? Acts 2:38.

Tom Constable. (2003; 2003). Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible (2 Co 3:7). Galaxie Software.

12 Therefore having such a hope, m we use great boldness— 13 not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face n so that the sons of Israel could not look at the end of what was fading away. 14 But their minds were closed. o p For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, q the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside ?only? in Christ. r 15 However, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, 16 but whenever a person turns s to the Lord, the veil is removed. t 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting u v the glory of the Lord w and are being transformed x into the same image y from glory to glory; z this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. A (“who is the Spirit, is Paul confirming the Holy Spirit's deity”

Turn to Jeremiah 31:31 again.

Parts of the New Covenant Yet to be fulfilled.

Ezekiel 37:10 (Fulfillment Kingdom)

The New Covenant was inaugurated at the cross.

Hebrews 9:15)