THE NEW COVENANT AND THE OLD LAW: A PASTORAL CLARIFICATION
Hebrews 8:7-13
Supporting Scripture
• Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34
• Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 40:4-8
• Epistle: Hebrews 8:7-13
• Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 9:14-16
Heb 8:7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.
Heb 8:8 But God found fault with the people and said: “The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
Heb 8:9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.
Heb 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Heb 8:11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me from the least of them to the greatest.
Heb 8:12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Heb 8:13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
INTRO:
It seems inevitable to me that anyone who speaks week after week will, at times, miscommunicate and be misunderstood. It is the nature of such a vocation.
As a pastor, I know this happens. I will, for example, say something I assume will be understood properly by everyone yet someone “hears” me to say something I did not intend.
It is my sincerest desire as a communicator of the Gospel and God’s Word to rightly discern and proclaim the Scriptures. When there is confusion, I am more than willing to stop and explain.
The last few sermons from Hebrews have produced some new ways of understanding our covenant relationship with God … and some confusion. I want very much to make the Scriptures clear to you because I am convinced their truth will set you free. That is never more true than in relation to God’s covenant relationship with us through Christ. I cannot, in any series of sermons, answer all your questions (however I would be glad to on a one-on-one basis throughout the week) but when I receive an unusual amount of queries regarding the same issue I am eager to call a “time out” and address the issue again. This seems to be the case with recent sermons on covenant and law … particularly when I have said things like “You do not have to keep the Ten Commandments to go to heaven.”
May I simply take today’s sermon time to explain what the New Testament teaches about the law, grace, and covenant? I think I can clear up some confusion and, in the process, give you reason to revel in the grace of God through Christ.
THE LAW OF MOSES
My conversation with you about covenant must begin with a clarification of the term “law” and / or “Law of Moses;” particularly their use in the New Testament.
I am persuaded that when the New Testament speaks of “law” that the writers are speaking of the entire Law of Moses (the Torah or the Pentateuch). Some assume that it is speaking of simply the Ten Commandments. Others assume it is speaking of the ceremonial and civic laws. But there is no evidence in the New Testament that Paul (or any other writer intended) to separate the law in this fashion. In fact, I think Hebrews suggests that they are inherently tied together. One “division” of the law requires the others to function properly.
There are seven places in the New Testament where the term “The Law of Moses” is mentioned. They are:
1. Luke 2:22: "When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took [Jesus] to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord." Here, the Law of Moses includes rituals regarding uncleanness after childbirth. They are known as “purification rituals” and are an intricate component of the law and were expected to be strictly enforced.
2. Luke 24:44: Jesus, after his resurrection, said to his disciples: "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Jesus states that the Law of Moses includes prophecies about the Messiah. They are found within the “Torah” also known as “the law” or “Law of Moses.”
3. John 7:22-23: While speaking to the Pharisees Jesus said, "Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath. Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath?" Here, the Law of Moses includes the ceremonial law of circumcision. This is one of many ceremonial laws found within the Torah and they were considered binding.
4. Acts 15:5 says, “Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the ‘Law of Moses.’” I will address this specifically in a few moments but here, again, we see that the ceremonial law of circumcision is inherent to the law of Moses and was thought by some to be binding to all believers – even gentiles.
5. Acts 28:23, we read: "They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets." Here again, the “Law of Moses” includes prophecies about Jesus Christ. “The Law of Moses” is considered one of the divisions / sections of the Old Testament; as is the Prophets, the Wisdom writings, and the Historical texts.
6. 1 Corinthians 9:9 says, "It is written in the Law of Moses: `Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.'" Here, we discover that “The Law of Moses” was understood to include the civic or civil laws – these are the portions of the Moses’ law that govern community and society.
7. Hebrews 10:28: "Anyone who rejected the Law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses." This passage may very well show the severity and the importance of civil law. In this text we see civil law and moral law merging in the administration of the death penalty in ancient Israel.
A reading of these passages shows that, taken together, they include every “segment” of the law, the civil, ceremonial, and moral laws found within the first five books of the Bible. Let me be clear, in the New Testament, “The Law of Moses” includes civil laws, religious ceremonies, prophecy and morality. It refers to everything that Moses wrote. “The La of Moses” is shown in these passages to be synonymous with “the law” or “Torah.”
As you are no doubt aware, the law expanded under the leadership of Moses. In the Old Testament, the covenant with God never … never … focused on solely the Ten Commandments. Even Exodus 20 (which is where we are first introduced to them) teaches us that the first covenant agreement was not only the ten but all the laws found in Exodus 20-24. These were all ratified as part of the binding covenant (in chapter 24); not just the first ten. They all made up covenant – not just the first ten.
Later, when the next generation renewed the covenant in Deuteronomy, it is made clear that “the law of Moses” now included all that had been written by him (most which was written after the first laws were declared) … specifically all of the Torah in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, etc.
Here is my point … at no time was “keeping the law” relegated to just the Ten Commandments. However, for many (even many Jews) the Ten Commandments stood as the summary and by speaking of them it was assumed they were speaking of all the law (sometimes specifically the moral law).
A reading of the law and covenant in Hebrews makes it clear that the writer is speaking of all the Torah – not simply as some have assumed – the ceremonial and civil law. There are times when certain portions are highlighted (i.e. priesthood) but the whole law is part of the covenant; not just the ceremonial law. Hebrews 10:28, for example, speaks of “the law of Moses” and declares a death penalty (under the old covenant) for those who violated it. So we know that the civic law and the moral law overlapped. This is true of all aspects of the law – they are inter-related and inter-connected. The Law of Moses cannot be divided. It cannot be separated – each aspect is intimately interwoven and together they make up the framework of the old covenant.
The writings of Paul (i.e.: Romans, Galatians, Ephesians 2, 2 Corinthians 6, etc.) make it clear that Christians are not under “the law.” This means we are neither accountable nor beholden to it. The council in Jerusalem specifically and emphatically agrees with Paul and settles this for the Christian church. We read about this in Acts 15.
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the “Law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. (Acts 15:5-11; 19-20)
Peter and the Apostles declare in Acts 15 that the law is not binding to any follower of Christ. It has not salvific (no necessary for salvation) and it had no sanctifying (spiritual growth) merit either.
Hear me; the law does not figure into the equation of Christianity.
Next to Paul, the clearest and most emphatic declarations that the law is not part of God’s plan for your salvation is in Hebrews 7-10.
Please, read it. Read it closely.
It is within these pages that we discover that the law is:
• “Obsolete”
• “Weak”
• “Useless”
• “Inferior”
• “Temporary”
• “Fulfilled”
• Replaced with a new and more effective relationship paradigm
Incidentally, these are all words used to describe the law in chapters 7-10. These are not my words of insult to describe the law – these are God’s words of description.
When I say things like “You do not have to obey the Ten Commandments to go to heaven” I am saying, that you are not under accountability or obligation to “The Law of Moses.” Paul and the Jerusalem council make this very clear.
The Old Covenant (which is based around the Law of Moses) was fulfilled in Christ. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). The word abolish is the same word translated later as “destroy” (i.e. “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” – John 2) the word “fulfill” means to satisfy, to complete, to finish. And in Hebrews 8 we read that the New Covenant has been been enacted – put in place or “established.” This wording is in the past tense (i.e. 8:6) indicating it has already been done (via redemption through Christ).
Jesus further said (Luke 16:16-17) “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter in the law to drop out.” {Holman Standard Bible}.
What Jesus and the writer of Hebrews are both saying is that Jesus has satisfied all the demands of the Old Covenant and they are no longer in effect.
Destroyed? No.
Satisfied and settled? Yes indeed.
We have new wine in new wineskins. The covenant of law was fully kept in Jesus Christ – we do not have to keep it to go to Heaven (we can’t anyways as we discover in Paul’s writings, Acts 15, and Hebrews).
Our righteousness comes from His work – not our own. As Hebrews 7:18-19 says, “The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.”
WRAP-UP
ETHICAL RESPONSES OF THE NEW COVENANT
My suspicion is that most of the questions that have been raised by statements like “You do not have to obey the Ten Commandments to go to heaven” center around the fear that I am somehow giving license – encouraging permissiveness – promoting lawlessness.
Nothing could be further from the truth. What I am saying is multi-layered but begins with this – your only means of salvation is the work of Jesus Christ. Only He could please God in his life, death and resurrection. You have no hope – no grounds for pleasing God – other than the finished work of Jesus. If you choose any other course (including keeping the Ten Commandments) to find God’s pleasure you will be sorely disappointed at the judgment.
Having said that – there are ethical responses that we, as Christ-followers, are to obey and they are made clear in the New Testament. You see, we still serve the same holy God. God is no less holy in the New Testament than the Old and He expects nothing short of holiness from His people. It is this book (Hebrews) which makes this clear. It also makes it clear that now we have the capacity (via the Holy Spirit) to actually live holy because it is a work of the Spirit from the inside-out!
Listen to a few verses from Hebrews:
• “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” (Hebrews 2:11)
• “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
• “Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14)
• “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
Just because I do not regard the Ten Commands (Law of Moses) as my guide to pleasing God does not mean I am free to blaspheme, murder, dishonor my parents, or steal. No – I now live by the law of Christ … the law of love which is an even higher standard (Jesus makes this clear in His Sermon on the Mount). Incidentally the New Testament (covenant) states explicitly that Christ’s followers will, in fact, obey nine of the ten original commandments. Why? Because they are based upon the character of God; the very character that the Spirit is forming within us as as we are made Christ-like.
However, please note: The New Covenant does not use the Torah as its standard of measurement. You are never told to obey the Ten Commandments; i.e., the “The Law of Moses.” The New Covenant is based upon grace through the work of Christ and, as far as ethical behavior goes, Jesus Himself is now the standard – not the law.
Let me give you an example: I am not trying to be a “shock jock” with this example but it fits very well.
Each September brings me and many other North Country hunters to an annual ritual. When we buy our hunting license we also get a current copy of the hunting regulations of New York State. We read them each year because there are often changes in the regulations. Now, if I wish, I could choose to dredge out the regulations from, let’s say, 1933 but they would be of very little benefit as far as ethical and behavioral expectations for today’s hunter. There may be some very good reasons to study laws of antiquity but for reasons of modern hunting behavior enforced by the DEC they are worthless.
Living as if the Law of Moses (Ten Commandments) were the standard by which I am judged is very similar. They are laws that have been satisfied and replaced by a covenant of grace through faith alone. They are laws of antiquity. On many occasions in my pastoral career I have led Bible studies on the Ten Commandments but I doubt I will ever do it again. Why? Because they are not the ethical behavior by which Christians are accountable to or beholden. They, along with the reminder of the Old Testament, have some benefit to the Christian (Hebrews 11 is a perfect example of how the Old Testament can enrich us) but, for ethical and Christian behavior under the new covenant I am better off studying the New Testament’s expectations for life and godliness.
Please understand. I am not giving license – encouraging permissiveness or promoting lawlessness. I am, however, offering the freedom of the Spirit and showing you that God has released you from the letter of the law (2 Corinthians 6). God has imparted Himself to you and now relates to you under an entirely new covenant of grace through faith. As you live and walk in the Spirit you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5).
When all the dust is settled I would say this:
Should we, as followers of Jesus, obey the Ten Commandment? Sure. But they will never get you to Heaven.
Then why obey them? Not so God will like me and let me go to heaven but, rather, because I am going to Heaven and God is fashioning His character (Christ-likeness) within me.
The Bible is clear – the new covenant is … “better.” Jesus is the Better Way. And next week we will return to looking at aspects throughout Hebrews of the “Better Promises” in this better covenant.
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea;
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's name,
Salvation through His blood.
+++++++++++++++++
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
