#04a (Acts 2:1-13) The New Covenant Comes Into Place
While we are waiting for others to chime in on our 4th study in Acts, I
want to share a bit on how the new covenant differs from the covenant
of Moses, or what is commonly called 'the Law of Moses.' I'll assume
that you understand the spiritual dynamics of the new covenant, such
as being born again, being in Christ, and such like. So I'll simply share
on areas that are sometimes confusing to believers.
The question that often concerns Christians is, 'What place does the
Law of Moses have in our life?' The answer is simply, as an instrument
of covenant, the Law of Moses has no place at all. For one thing the
Gentiles were never been under the Law of Moses at any time. But not
even Jews are under the Law of Moses. (I'll explain as we go along.)
The second question would be, "If we are not under the Law of
Moses,
then what place to the laws of God have in our life?" They have a
great
place if you understand the difference between the Law of Moses and
the eternal Laws of God. (Also explain as we go along.)
The third question might be, "If the Law of Moses is abrogated,
where
does that leave the Jew? Does not the Law of Moses make a Jew a
Jew?" No. The Law of Moses does not make a Jew a Jew. A Jew is a
natural descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But is is important
to distinguish between the Jews and the Law of Moses. The Jews
have yet an important part on the story of redemption. The Law of
Moses is not in effect. It was replaced by the new covenant. (More on
this if the question is pursued.)
The Eternal Law of God
First to distinguish between the Law of Moses and the eternal Laws of
God. The eternal laws of God have always been in place. They govern
all created things. These laws are both moral and spiritual. But while
the Law of Moses incorporated the eternal Laws of God, the Law of
Moses also had laws that were not eternal. This is because the Law of
Moses served a particular function that was completed in the coming
of Messiah.
The Law of Moses (Torah) was a ketubah, or a marriage contract
between Israel and God Himself. The marriage contract did not
change who the people were. They were descendants of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, regardless of the Law of Moses. What the Law of
Moses did was give the people of Israel a special status before the
nations. Not only did they become a 'nation,' but they also became
God's bride.
Being married to Yhwh was the way the ancient Hebrews understood
the covenant of Moses. The Sabbath was considered Israel's wedding
ring. It was to be a special sign of the covenant of Moses. And Sinai
was the wedding ceremony. At Sinai God gave the laws for the
marriage, and Israel had a choice of saying, "I do." But in the
law of the
Lord's marriage to Israel, God placed a curse. The curse had to do with fidelity
to the marriage Laws.
The prophets understood this relationship. This is why you hear them
use marriage language when they spoke of Israel and Her God. And
this is also why you hear wedding language so much in the gospels.
The first miracle of Jesus was at a wedding. Then when He gathered
the disciples together in the upper room, the Lord again uses the
language of the Jewish wedding, when He says, "In My Father's house
are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I
go to prepare a place for you." (John
14:2)
Now comes the interesting part. It begins to come together when we
understand who Jesus really is. Jesus is God, the marriage partner of
Israel, manifest in the flesh. Jesus is the one who appeared at various
times in the former testament. He fully represented the Father in
everything. Paul later explains that the fullness of God dwells bodily in
Jesus Christ. (Set aside questions about deity for now. Just follow how
the covenants differ.)
Now let me paint a picture that will help bring this home. My wife and
I
have been married 39 years. If I were to pass on to be with the Lord,
our marriage contract is no longer in force. She is now a widow, and
she is free to marry whomever she wishes. (Course I'll be haunting her
on a regular basis. : ) )
My point is this - If Betty were to marry again, it would not change
who
she was. But neither could she say to her new marriage partner,
"Let's
just use my old marriage license with Buddy. We don't need to get a
new one." Sounds ridiculous does it not? Well that is exactly what
happened at the cross. The marriage partner of Israel died. And the
law of marriage between God and Israel was nailed to the cross.
The Need for a New Covenant
Is there Scripture for this? Most certainly. Paul had to spend time
explaining this to the Jewish Christians. The new covenant did not
change who they were. Nor did it change any of the promises made to
Abraham concerning his descendants. What changed was the need
for a new covenant (marriage contract) between the 'risen' Lord, and
His new bride.
The explanation for all this is found in Romans
7:1-4. Listen carefully
and you'll see the picture: (By the way this portion of Scripture is
sometimes used to beat people over the head who have been through
a divorce. That is not the issue. It as never designed to be a whipping
post. God Himself was a divorcee.)
"Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know
the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he
lives? For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he
is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law
concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is
joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her
husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress
though she is joined to another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also
were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you
might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in
order that we might bear fruit for God." (Rom7:1-4)
Did you see it? The new covenant is entirely new. It is designed for a
new people, made up of both Jew and Gentile.
I realize I am taking considerable time in explaining this, but failure
to
understand what the new covenant is about, can be the cause of
confusion. So the answer to the question about what place the Law of Moses has
in our life is simply, none whatsoever.
No Laws?!?!
Now we have a problem. Oh boy --- No laws! No laws! Quite the
contrary. The new covenant has its own laws of marriage. And this
brings us back to the eternal laws of God. In the new covenant we are
under the 'law of Christ', and not the 'law of Moses.' Is there Scripture
for this? Yes. (Glad you asked.)
When Paul spoke of his burden to reach all peoples with the gospel of
Jesus Christ, he very carefully spelled out which law he was under.
Listen:
"For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to
all,
so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I
might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law
THOUGH NOT BEING UNDER THE LAW MYSELF, so that I might
win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as
without law, though NOT BEING WITHOUT THE LAW OF GOD BUT
UNDER THE LAW OF CHRIST, so that I might win those who are
without law." (1Co9:19-21.
Caps for emphasis only.)
Did you catch it? The moral and spiritual laws of God are found in both
the Law of Moses and in the Law of Christ, but the law of Moses and
the Law of Christ are not one and the same. The Law of Moses was
designed for a different people; those before the cross. The Law of
Christ is designed for those who come to the cross and take to
themselves Jesus as their Lord.
Rather than carry this any further, if you have questions let's
consider
them. I wanted to share on this before we get into our next study of
Acts. Pentecost was when the Church received her wedding garments.
(We aren't in a hurry. This is too important to simply skim over.)
Think about it.
Previous: #04 (Acts 2:1-13)
The New Covenant Comes Into Place
Next: #04b: Comments on Acts
This study on
Acts was originally part of a
series on the book of Acts given to members of
Hebraic Foundations from July 10, 2002 through January 19, 2003.
They were written by Pastor Buddy Martin, Founder and Senior Pastor of
Christian Challenge International.
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