Old Covenant.
Made when Israel came from Egypt, Heb. 8:9; Jer. 31:32. First promise to obey, Ex. 19:5-8. Second promise, Ex. 24:3. Third promise, Ex. 24:4-7. Covenant then ratified by blood, Ex. 24:8; Heb. 9:17-21. This is called the first covenant, not because it was the first one made, but because it was the first one ratified by blood. P.P. 371. This covenant was broken. Jer. 31:32. They promised to obey in their own strength and failed. Only in Christ’s strength can any keep their covenant with God. P.P. 372.
New Covenant.
Law of God the basis, Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10. Forgiveness of sins in covenant, Jer. 31:34. Christ’s blood only cleanses from sin, 1 John 1:7. Christ, a lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Rev. 13:8; therefore, the new covenant began in the beginning and extends until sin is destroyed forever, P.P. 370. Obedience to the law of God through the blood of Christ is the object of the everlasting, or new covenant, Heb. 13:20, 21. First promise of a Saviour, Gen. 3:15. The Lord pledged the new, or everlasting covenant, to Noah and his posterity, Gen. 9:9-17. The rainbow given as a pledge of the covenant, Gen. 9:13-16. Covenant pledged to Abraham and his children, Gen. 17:2-7, 21; P.P. 371. Abraham’s seed, Ga. 3:16, 19. Covenant same as will, or last testament, Gal. 3:15, margin; Heb. 9:16, 17. Death of testator seals the will, or testament, Heb. 9:16. Christ’s death sealed or ratified the new covenant, John 19:28-30.
Even a man’s will cannot be broken after the death of the testator, Gal.3:15. Nothing can be added to Christ’s covenant after His death; for that reason, He instituted baptism and the Lord’s supper, -memorial of His death and resurrection, before the events had taken place, that the memorials might become a part of the new covenant, John 4:1; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 26:26-28. Christ renewed the Sabbath commandment before His death, Matt. 24:20. The strongest advocates for Sunday observance give nothing earlier than the first day of the week upon which Christ arose from the dead as evidence for Sunday observance; but it is on the wrong side of the cross to be included in the everlasting, or new covenant. Nothing can be added after Christ’s death. Illustration of living under the new covenant, Ex. 33:12-15. Moses depended on God continually. Christ exemplified it fully in His life, John 8:28, 5:30. The one who walks by faith, trusting in God for help continually, lives under the new covenant, P.P. 431. The individual who walks by sight, trusting in his own strength, lives under the old covenant. Under which covenant are you living?