Question: .

When Jesus came and died for us, did he do away with the old covenant? Are we still under the Old Testament covenant? Like the ten commandments? Or were the ten commandments like a tutor until Jesus came and replaced it with a better one? I know we are not supposed to kill, commit adultery, and so forth - so in a way I think we are still under the old covenant. This confuses me tremendously. I would appreciate any input on this.

Thanks in Advance.

Marie

Answer:

First, I recommend that you read the book of Hebrews, then Romans, then Galatians. This will take some time, but you will need some background to apply to this topic.

Second, you should see by these books, as well as many others (the whole counsel of Scripture, including the Old Testament itself) that Christians who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are no longer under the terms of the old covenant.

The ten commandments are part of the old covenant. Interestingly, all of the ten commandments are reiterated under the new covenant, but made more profound and meaningful. Jesus does some of this in what we call the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). For example, he states that the commandment not to kill includes not being angry with and hating your brother or sister.

Some have difficulty with the "Sabbath commandment" - not realizing that Jesus does not "do away" with the need to worship him - instead he becomes Lord of the Sabbath. By doing so, he declares himself to be the rest that the Hebrew Sabbath pointed toward, and that we worship him every day - not just one. The "Sabbath commandment" is therefore not a matter of "which day" but a matter of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord - and the day is irrelevant. Worshipping and honoring the day over and above Jesus Christ has been a pitfall for both Saturday and Sunday keepers for many years.

The New Testament has many lists of sins and virtues - Colossians 3 is one example, Galatians 5 is yet another. But under the new covenant the emphasis is on what Christ has done for us, that we could never do for ourselves. By his perfect work on the cross he has rescued and saved us from sin. We are sinners, and all need salvation. Salvation can come only one way - by grace - and only through Jesus. Grace only and Jesus only.

We cannot earn salvation - but having been saved and rescued by the blood of Jesus Christ, we can do only one thing - obey Jesus and follow him. Jesus made it clear that Christians no longer follow Moses and Abraham, but we follow the living Lord - who is not dead and buried, but who lives, as our advocate and high priest. He is Savior and Lord.

Hope this helps.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht