Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1352 covenant, the new

1352 covenant, the new

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1300 God, work of » 1345 covenant » 1352 covenant, the new

The fulfilment of God's purposes of salvation expressed in the covenants of the OT, mediated by Jesus Christ and sealed in his blood. It is a covenant of grace, the benefits of which include forgiveness, a renewed relationship with God and, through the Holy Spirit, an inward transformation that enables obedience to its demands and so ensures that it will not again be broken.

Jeremiah 31:31 The “new” covenant is contrasted with the covenant made at Sinai which is sometimes referred to as the “old” or “first” covenant. See also Hebrews 8:8

The new covenant fulfils the OT covenants

God's covenant with Noah

Isaiah 54:9-10; Hosea 2:18

God's covenant with Abraham

Luke 1:72-73; Acts 3:25-26; Galatians 3:14-16

God's covenant at Sinai

Ezekiel 16:60,62; Ezekiel 20:37

God's covenant with David

Isaiah 55:3; Ezekiel 34:24-26; Ezekiel 37:25-26; Luke 1:69

Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant

The new covenant fulfilled in the Messiah

Malachi 3:1 See also Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:8

The new covenant effected through Jesus Christ's death

Hebrews 9:15 See also Hebrews 9:16-17

The new covenant sealed in Jesus Christ's blood

Luke 22:20 pp Matthew 26:28 pp Mark 14:24 See also Exodus 24:8 Blood was an important element in sealing the Sinaitic covenant; John 6:54; 1 Corinthians 10:16; Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 10:29

The ministry of the Holy Spirit

2 Corinthians 3:6,18 See also Isaiah 59:21; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Romans 8:2-4; 2 Corinthians 3:8

The superior blessings of the new covenant

God's grace and mercy

Hebrews 12:24 The blood of Abel cried out to God for justice and retribution; the blood of Jesus Christ, shed to seal the new covenant, cries out for mercy and forgiveness.

A complete forgiveness

Hebrews 8:12 See also Jeremiah 31:34; Romans 11:27; Hebrews 10:17

Release from the law's condemnation

2 Corinthians 3:9; Galatians 3:13-14

An inward enabling to obey God's laws

Jeremiah 31:32-33 The old covenant was broken because its demands were not met. Under the new covenant the requirements of obedience are not abolished, but in writing his laws on human hearts, God gives the ability to meet the covenant demands. See also Jeremiah 32:38-40; Ezekiel 11:19-20; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 8:9-10; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:16

A new knowledge of God

Hebrews 8:11 See also Jeremiah 31:34; 2 Corinthians 3:15-16

A renewed relationship with God

Ezekiel 37:26-27 “peace” refers to spiritual and material well-being; real peace is possible only for those in a right relationship with God. The formula “I will be their God, and they will be my people” is associated also with the Abrahamic and especially the Sinaitic covenants. See also Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 31:1; Ezekiel 34:30-31; Hosea 2:19-23

A superior priesthood

Hebrews 8:6 See also Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 9:24-25

A superior sacrifice

Hebrews 9:14 See also Hebrews 9:20-23,26-28; Hebrews 10:4,8-14

A lasting covenant

Isaiah 61:8; 2 Corinthians 3:11 See also Jeremiah 50:5; Hebrews 8:7,13; Hebrews 13:20