It`s like the 2 gospel vs 1 gospel argument. It`s splitting hairs. Along with another guy who helped, we put up some things about what Jesus taught last night in the Galatians Conundrums thread if you`re interested. I don`t feel like putting it up again today
I`ll mention this though because it hasn`t come up yet.
Hebrews 8
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.
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.
According to Hebrews 8, which is quoting Old Testament prophecy here, The New Covenant is a covenant with the nation of Israel and it won`t be implemented until Christ returns (see verse 11) so the New Covenant isn`t implemented yet. The Bible does declare believers to be ministers of the New Testament which is the gospel.
My apologies to whosoever has doctrine that this Bible truth destroys.
Hey Rick.
Actually it is a work in progress, that's progress is solely dependent upon the receiver's reception.
Here check this out.
But now He has gotten a more excellent ministry, also by so much as He
is a Mediator of a better covenant,
which has been enacted on better promises.
(Heb 8:6 LITV)
But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he
is also the mediator of a better covenant,
which hath been enacted upon better promises.
(Heb 8:6 ASV)
However, Jesus has now obtained a more superior ministry,
since the covenant he mediates is founded on better promises.
(Heb 8:6 ISV)
But now He has gotten a more excellent ministry, also by so much as
He is a Mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
(Heb 8:6 LITV)
But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by how much also
he is the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
(Heb 8:6 RV)
(Heb 8:6 MLV)But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry*, by so much as
he is also the mediator of a better covenant,
which has been instituted upon better promises.
(Heb 8:6 GUV) But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry by so much as also
He is Mediator of a better covenant which has been established (upon) better promises.
He is Mediator of a better covenant which has been established (upon) better promises.
A work in progress, that's progress is solely dependent upon the receiver's reception.
Here in verse 8:10 in the repeating of the covenant the writer does something interesting. The giving of the laws into the mind is in present tense and the writing of the Laws on the heart is future.
Because this is the covenant which I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, giving My Laws into their mind, and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
(Heb 8:10 LITV)
Then when the writer repeats the covenant again he places the entire Covenant in the presence tense through the surrounding context.
For by one offering He has perfected in perpetuity the ones being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit witnesses to us also. For after having said before, "This is the covenant which I will covenant to them after those days, says the Lord: Giving My Laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds;"
(Heb 10:14-16 LITV)
The ones being sanctified. In that respect the grammar of the text dictates the Holy Ghost is a witness us also.
How? Having said before, "Giving My Laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds;"
In this instance however it should also be noted the writer of Hebrews through the Holy Spirit switched things around a little compared to how he cited the covenant in 8:10. This time the Giving of the Laws in the hearts is present tense and the writing of the Laws on the minds is in the future.
Here is something else. The New Covenant was spoken to the children of Israel from the beginning in Deut. 30:14. Just worded differently. It was actually suppose to be part of the Old but due to our stiff necks and hard hearts it was not received by the majority hence Jeremiah giving it as a New.
Please take a look.
If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this day, ( hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.) it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word ( hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.)
is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
(Deu 30:10-14)