With Bible Verses
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. Proverbs 18:13
One of the problems when studying the Bible is that we do not take the Word of God as it reads. If we come to the scriptures with preconceived opinions and ideas that are not correct we then tend to read doctrines into the Bible that are not there. In other words everything we read that is not in harmony with what we believe will be misunderstood, so taking the Bible as it reads is very important otherwise the Word is like a violin on which anyone can play any tune to satisfy anyone’s desires.
It is very important to understand the place for the law and the place for works. If we consider works they are simply actions that reflect our faith or lack thereof. So then works (our works) have nothing to do with salvation, however the result of salvation is a change of our faith and life. Christs works are accounted to us, (placed in our account) for us to dispose of at our own choice.
1. Where did all the Holy Scriptures come from?
2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God.
2. How was it given to man?
2Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
3. Can we interpret the Word of God by our own thoughts, or must we have a Biblical answer to every question?
2Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
4. Why did God give us the Holy Scriptures?
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
5. What will happen to those who add to the Word of God?
Proverbs 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
6. What will happen to those who take away from the word of God?
Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
7. How does God explain the scriptures to His people?
And can we understand the Scriptures on our own?
Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
8. What will Jesus do with those who hear His voice?
And what can no man do?
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 27 My sheep hear my voice,and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
9. What is the relationship between a covenant and a testament?
The name testament is equivalent to covenant. Webster’s Dictionary 1828
10. What does the Bible say a Covenant is?
Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
NOTE: This means that a covenant is not an agreement but rather it is the same as the last will and testament of a man.
NOTE: The new covenant is called new because of the fact that the blood of the old was shed first. A covenant is made valid, or of force only after men are dead. So the new covenant was valid, or of force only after Jesus died on the cross. Some then ask if this is true then how can anyone be saved before the cross? The answer to this question will be answered more fully in this study, however in short, they were only saved as they believed in the PROMISED Savior.
11. How many covenants are recorded in the Bible? (In the context that we are talking about in this study)
Heb 8:13 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.
12. When? and with who? did God establish the old (first covenant)?
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Deut 5:2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
1Kgs 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
13. Who were the father’s of the Israelite’s that God did not make this covenant with?
Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. 16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
NOTE: There are far too many verses that say that the father’s of the children of Israel were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to even consider listing them all here.
14. When did the new (second covenant) begin?
Heb 8:6 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.
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
15. What does the word mediator mean?
One that interposes between parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them. “Webster’s Dictionary 1828”
16. Who was the mediator of the old (first covenant)?
God chooses Moses
Exodus 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. 2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
Israel chooses Moses
Exodus 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
17. Who was the mediator of the new (second covenant)?
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he (Jesus) is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
NOTE: The word (now) refers to time, and it says that it did not happen before the time referred to in the context which is the human life, death and resurrection of Christ, and Him now ministering salvation in His life to us.
18. Where was the first (old Covenant)?
NOTE: Ark means chest or vessel. “Websters Dictionary”
Deut 10:8 ark of the covenant of the LORD,
Deut 31:26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Josh 3:3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
Judg 20:27 And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
1Sam 4:4 ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, ark of the covenant of God.
19. What was inside the ark of the covenant?
Exod 34:28 And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Deut 9:9 tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you,
1Kgs 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
2Chr 6:11 And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.
NOTE: When God gave them the old (first covenant), He gave them a government to govern them. So we will see that the old covenant is an outward government, but the new (second covenant) is an inward government.
The old (first covenant) was the law written on stones to govern the outward actions. This condemns the transgressors. The written law is the written explanation of God’s character.
The new (second covenant) is the spiritual law, yes the same law of ten commandments. The life of Christ is the spiritual law in our hearts, giving to us the presence, power and character of God to govern us from the inside which controls the actions by giving us His life instead of some words carved in stone by His finger as if we would be able to perform the ways of the Almighty God! We are not little creators. Notice the power of His faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
20. Was the first (old covenant) faultless or perfect?
Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
NOTE: The second or new covenant took the place of the first or the old covenant. It is not renewed as some say, but the new replaced the old so that the old is abolished and done away.
2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
21. What was the fault of the first (old covenant)? Also pay attention to the reason why and what God did because of this weakness or fault.
Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Romans 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
22. Were the Passover and the Law of Moses part of the old (first covenant)?
2Kgs 23:21 And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant. 25 And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
23. When did the Passover begin?
Exod 12:25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
NOTE: This question is because the rest of the dates for all the feast days are based on the Passover and therefore cannot be kept before the Passover existed. People are teaching that the time was appointed before.
24. When was the sacrifice made for the old (first Covenant)?
Exod 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
25. When was the sacrifice made for the new (second covenant)?
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
26. Who made the first (old Covenant)?
Deut. 5:2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
27. Does the Old (first Covenant) make you a slave or set you free?
Gal 4:22-25 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
28. Does the New (second Covenant) make you a slave or set you free?
Or, is Salvation found in the Old or New?
Gal 4:26-31 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
29. Did the first (Old Covenant) have any power to save? Or any promise for help?
Exodus 19:5-8 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. 7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
Exod 24:3-8 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. 6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
NOTE: There is no promise to highlight.
30. Does the second (New Covenant) have power to save? Or promise of help?
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
1Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:
31. What did Jesus come to save us from, or what is the goal of salvation?
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
32. What is sin?
1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
33. If we are saved from our sins shall we continue sinning, or living in sin?
Romans 6:1-3 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
34. What must happen to the old man (my human nature) before he (I) can be free from sin?
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin.
35. How many people have sinned, and therefore need salvation?
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
36. What does God say to those who say they have no sin?
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
37. Also if we consider that we are all children of Adam after he sinned, we must ask. Can Adam’s offspring be anything but sinners?
Matthew 7:17-20 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
38. How much sin and unrighteousness will He cleanse us from? (If we confess our sins)
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
NOTE: No one need look upon the sin against the Holy Spirit as something mysterious and indefinable. The sin against the Holy Spirit is the sin of persistent refusal to respond to the invitation to repent. If you refuse to believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you love darkness rather than light, you love the atmosphere that surrounded the first great apostate. You choose this atmosphere rather than the atmosphere that surrounds the Father and the Son, and God allows you to have your choice.
From the following verses it may be clearly seen that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to not come to Him when He calls us to Himself by His holy Spirit. If your concience is still convicting you of truth and sin (your own sins, and not the sins of others) is proof that you have not committed this sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit).
John 10:25-29 “Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
39. Did the first (Old Covenant) have a sanctuary on earth?
Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
40. When was the sanctuary of the first (old covenant) established? Because if the first Covenant had a sanctuary then it did not exist before it’s sanctuary.
Hebrews 8:5 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.
41. When did the service of the first-old covenant come to an end?
Matt 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Galacians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
42. Where did the High Priest minister in the first (old Covenant)?
Hebrews 9:6-8 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God 7 But into the second (tabernacle) went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
NOTE: Once again The Priest couldn’t minister in the sanctuary before it existed, or before there was a sacrifice of blood to offer.
43. Where does the High Priest minister in the New Covenant?
Heb 8:1-4 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:
44. What were the promises of the Old Covenant?
Exodus 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.
45. What were the promises of the New Covenant?
Heb 8:10 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:
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
46. Is the new covenant really new or is it renewed?
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
47. Then is it possible for the two covenants to be parallel from Adam?
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
48. Which Covenant had the best sacrifice?
Hebrews 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with bettersacrifices than these.
49. When was the High Priest (Aaron) anointed in the old Covenant? And who anointed him?
Leviticus 8:30 And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons’ garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
Exodus 28:35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.
Hebrews 9:24-25 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
50. When was the High Priest (Jesus) anointed in the New Covenant? And who anointed Him?
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Hebrew 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
51. Who built the temple in the Old Covenant?
Hebrews 8:5 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.
52. Who built the temple in the New Covenant?
Hebrews 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
53. Which Ministration is more glorious? the Letter (the ministration under Moses) or the Spirit (under the ministration of Christ)?
2Corinthians 3:3-11 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
54. What were the reasons for the Covenants?
Old Covenant
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
2Corinthians 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
New Covenant
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
55. What and where is the New Covenant?
1Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he (Jesus) took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
56. Why is the New Covenant in His blood?
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Note: When Jesus became a man, He created a new and perfect human life which if we do not receive we cannot be saved.
57. How are you sealed?
2Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
58. Where is the seal of the living God?
Revelation 7:2-3 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
59. Whose Name and presence do you have when the Spirit seals you?
Psalms 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
60. Do you have Jesus? Do you have the Prince of Peace?
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
61. Why should we not worship any false god?
Psalms 135:15-18 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; 17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
Habakkuk 2:18-20 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
NOTE: The word breath is the same Hebrew word (ruach) that is most commonly translated spirit. And the thing about the separating God from His spirit that makes it so dangerous, is that it removes the presence of the Father and Son from His people and sends someone else in Their place. But John says:
John 17:1-3 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, 3 this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
62. How do we receive His life?
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Job 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
John 20:22 And when he (Jesus) had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
63. How did He (Jesus) receive His life?
John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
64. How can you know you have the New Covenant?
1John 3:24 And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
65. Do you have the Spirit of Jesus?
Galacians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
66. How important is the fruit of the Spirit?
1Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
67. What is the real problem?
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
68. What is the real solution?
Isaiah 53:1-12 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Galatians 4:23-24 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Isa 1:16-20 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
2Corinthians 3:6-18
2Cor 3:6-18 Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 If then the ministration of death written with letters and engraved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance (which glory is done away.) 8 How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For even that which was glorified, was not glorified in this point, that is, as touching the exceeding glory. 11 For if that which should be abolished, was glorious, much more shall that which remains, be glorious. 12 Seeing then that we have such trust, we use great boldness of speech. 13 And we are not as Moses, which put a vail upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look unto the end of that which should be abolished. 14 Therefore their minds are hardened: for until this day remains the same covering not taken away in the reading of the old Testament, which vail is put away in Christ . 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is laid over their hearts. 16 Nevertheless when their heart shall be turned to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord with open face, and are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Explanation
The subject of this chapter is the contrast between the ministration of the old covenant under Moses, with the ministration of the new covenant under Christ.
If we could correctly understand the Apostle (Paul), we must first observe, that there is an essential difference between a covenant, or law, and the ministration of a law. The former is the constitution necessary for the government of the people; the latter is the ministry, or the ordained powers to carry its laws into execution.
After God had delivered His people from the tyranny and bondage of the Egyptians, He declared unto them His “Royal Law” which He engraved in the tables of stone. This is HIS COVENANT, which He commanded them to perform – Deuteronomy 4:13 This covenant was a primary constitution of righteous principles for all to strictly observe.
The ministration of this covenant, under Moses, was the ecclesiastical powers, with all their offices and services connected, and their statutes and judgments to enforce the execution of “His covenant,” and their penalties for disobedience, and also their justification and pardon through the atonements, called “the book of the covenant” – Deuteronomy 31:9-11, 24-26.
The law of God being first presented to the people written in tables of stone, and not in the mind and heart, therefore, they soon forgot and broke it; hence the new Covenant – Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-43 was promised and “established upon better promises.” Paul says, “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.” The fault is not in the covenant itself; but in the manner in which it was presented, viz. Upon tables of stone, and deposited in the ark, and not in the mind and heart. And because it was not written in the heart “they broke My covenant” verse 32, and “continued not in it.” But in “the time of reformation,” when “Christ being come an high priest of good things to come.” His covenant was established upon a better foundation, and better promises, viz. “I will PUT MY LAWS into their MINDS, and WRITE them in THEIR HEARTS.”
Thus the new covenant is the same laws as the old; the difference is only in the new, and better ministration of it, or the manner in which it is presented to the people, being written by the Spirit of God upon the mind, and the heart. The ministration of the ten commandments under Christ’s ministry is called “the ministration of the Spirit;” for the Spirit of Christ searches all things, and knows what is in the heart.
The dispensation under Moses was called the “ministration of death,” and the “ministration of condemnation;” for by the law (through its ministration) was the knowledge of sin, condemnation and the penalty, death. And they are all under the condemnation, or “curse” until “the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath ABOLISHED DEATH, and hath brought LIFE and IMMORTALITY to light through the gospel,” – Timothy 1:10.
Christ died for the transgressors under the first covenant, that the called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. – See Hebrews 4:15.
It is evident that no man was justified in the sight of God by the works of the law, (the ministration of Moses,) – See Galatians 2:16, 3:11, Acts 13:29 – “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Those sacrifices could never make “the comers thereto perfect.” See Hebrews 10:1-4.
Thus the ministration of the covenant under Moses could truly be called “the ministration of DEATH,” and of “CONDEMNATION;” for while it condemned, it could not take away sin; nether give the redemption – LIFE and IMMORTALITY. “But the Spirit giveth life; and the Lord is that Spirit.” Through the death and resurrection of Christ, and faith in the blood of the atonement, is this life given.
Verses 7-11 speak of the “ministration of death” and of “condemnation,” which “was passing away,” (Whiting’s translation,) and the ministration of the Spirit which was a far more glorious dispensation than that of Moses, and which followed and “remaineth.”
It was not the covenant “engraven in stones,” neither the “glory” that was “abolished;” but it was the ministration of Moses, that was passing away.
The “vail,” verses 13-16, is the ministration of Moses, for while the services of Moses were “read” and continued, “their minds were blinded,” and they could not see, nor understand, nor believe that Jesus Christ was the end of all the typical services. But when they look at the blood of Jesus for the atonement – “the Lamb of God taketh away sin,” then faith is revealed by the Spirit and the “vail” is Taken away.”
“Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” That is, if they have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them, they are free from the yoke of bondage – Galatians 5:1, and they are free from the condemnation which they were under, while under the law of Moses; and while they were beholding the glory of the Lord, they were changed from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord.
Thus the difference of the two ministrations. One is a “ministration of condemnation” and of “the letter,” that is, of the hand-writing of Moses; the other is the ministration of LIFE, or JUSTIFICATION by the Spirit of Christ.
The Bible Students' Library 