The Covenant Confusion

By Dick Evans, www.dickevans.org

There seems to be some confusion among believers as to the old and new covenants. Old Testament is not the same as old covenant. New Testament is not the same as new covenant

The Old Testament is filled with books that take mankind from creation and the first Adam's birth through the period just before Jesus' birth, the second Adam.

The Old Covenant was between the Israelites and Father God. He made it with Moses and chiseled Ten Commandments into stone tablets. It was only between the Israelites and God. It was not a covenant with the rest of mankind.

This was the beginning of the age of law. A time when the law exposed sin to the Jews. The law was their teacher. (Galatians 3:24-26) If they broke a law they knew they had sinned.

Jesus came to fulfill the law and He brought a new covenant to replace the old. And this new covenant was for all mankind not just the Jews.

Luke 22:20 NKJV 
Likewise [Jesus] also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." 

Jesus spoke to his disciples about a new covenant in his blood. He was declaring his last will and testament, a new covenant that would come into effect when he died.

Hebrews 9:15 NKJV 
And for this reason [Jesus] is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 

All but the last couple of chapters in the four gospels were set under the old covenant. Jesus walked the earth in the age of law. It was after Jesus' death, burial, and resection that the new covenant replaced the old.

From that point forward we have walked in the age of grace. Each believer is given the Holy Spirit at the time of their belief in Jesus. Their spirit is born again in heaven. They become a citizen of heaven. They are an alien to this evil world. Who they once were Is dead and they are alive in Christ. (Romans 8:10)

Although Jesus tells us the only work is to believe in Him (John 6:28-29), our commission is clear.

Mark 16:15-18 
And [Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 

The Holy Spirit, the spirit of Christ is in us. Jesus resides us. (1 John 4:19) We have all his authority and all his power and all his anointing. As we allow him to use us, he comes upon us and performs signs and wonders and we see miraculous events transpire in front of our eyes. Even though our words and our hands.

Know who you are in Christ. Practice His presence and watch Him move in mighty ways through you. Just Believe.