Old Testament vs New Testament- Part 5
OR
Old Covenant vs New Covenant- Part 5

A study by Danny Bunn

         In this I will be breaking down Hebrews 8 since the book of Hebrews deals with a lot of the differences in the old and new covenants. The new covenant is not a renewed covenant since many things are different in it so it is just as God said it is, a new covenant
         The book of Hebrews shows how much higher and better the new covenant is than the old covenant which was given for a time till the Saviour, Messiah, Lord should come and establish a new and better way to follow than the types and figures in the old covenant. Many things passed away under the old covenant and things that are taught in the new covenant that are still in force are explained as to why they are still in force and others things are gone for good. Some of the new covenant (testament) books shows us these truths and tells us what they are and why they are still here or not still here especially in the book of Hebrews. Also the book of Acts is a good book to see the differences since the church as getting started in the book of Acts and we also see this truth in some of the epistles too. The new believers in the Lord Jesus Christ had a lot of questions regarding the old covenant demands and the new covenant bringing the meanings of a lot of the types and figures to light in the old covenant and why they passed away.

Hebrews 8
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
         In these verses we see that Moses had to do it the way that God showed him to do it on the mount. God does things for a purpose and they were to show the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said it this way in...
 John 5:39,40
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
         There wasn't a new testament (covenant) written when Jesus said those words. He was saying all the old testament was written about him. He is the consummation of what it is really about. All the types and figures under the old covenant were pictures of him. When they were obeying God in the old covenant, they were "worshipping Jesus in types and he was the mystery that will be revealed in the latter days.

Romans 15:4 puts it a little differently.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
         Jesus is our peace, our hope, our life, our Saviour, God in human flesh.

Heb 8 (Cont)
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
         Keep in mind here that God is saying that he will make a better covenant based on better promises with man, a new one. He goes on to say that if the first covenant had been faultless there would be no reason for a second one. Then in verses 8,9 he goes on to say that this new covenant with man is not like or according to the old covenant he made with their forefathers when he led them out of Egypt. Watch how many times he repeats in the 4 verses going from the words, first, second, new and not according to the old covenant. He is showing clearly that he is instituting a new covenant with mankind.

Heb 8 (Cont)
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
         So we see in the closing verse that the old covenant which God made with Israel decays and waxs old and is vanishing away. Jesus came and fulfilled the law and established a much better covenant even though it was the same covenant that he had with Abraham, a covenant by faith in him and Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.

         I will be adding to these pages as time goes on. The word of God is a deep book and an incredible book. There is much to be said on these issues but always remember that God is a faith God and faith pleases him.
So just walk in Prov. 3:5,6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

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