What are the essentials of the Christian Faith?

Surprisingly, if you ask most Christians what the essentials of the Christian Faith are, they have to pause, stop, and think a bit. Even then, many cannot give an answer. In our earthly existence, we find that men and women gather today under mini kingdoms that identify the tenants of their denominational doctrines.  But doctrines of men are subject to error. Only the doctrines contained in the Word of God itself matter.

We’ve heard it said many times and will soon enough find it to be true … when we get to glory, we will likely be very surprised by those we see there and those we don’t.  There won’t be any church wars, just one kingdom, the Kingdom of God. And bless His precious name … we will be able to see clearly and understand every mystery!!

I want to begin by saying, it is not enough to simply believe.  And we cannot find favor with God by doing all kinds of good deeds or giving away our resources. James tells us in Chapter 2, But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

Relationship with God begins with the undeniable reality that He is, and we need Him. Yeshua/Jesus was the Son of God; indeed, He was God. He came as a “man” casting aside his deity to meet the requirements of the mission before Him. Only His sacrificial blood on Calvary’s cross as a sinless man could redeem us from our just end.  He was the gift of all gifts that made a way for us to be reconciled with God. 

But as with any gift, we need to receive Him. And when we receive Him, we need to begin to understand 1) Who God is and 2) Who we are in Him. We do that by studying His Word. And that is the place that defines the essential doctrines of Christianity – the only place where truth is not marred by man’s best intentions – the Bible itself.

For hundreds of years, countless multitudes have gone through catechism or confirmation classes and learned the Apostle’s Creed.  It wasn’t written by the Apostles, and we’re not sure when it was written, but dates back to at least the 4^th Century.  It is a very simple statement that summarizes what the New Testament teaches.  I’m going to use it here as my pattern but add some critical Biblical doctrine that the creed left out.

The scriptures within will support the statements but by no means are they complete. Glean from the Word and study! That is a journey in faith that I pray continues for all of us as we grow in the Lord. Ready? Let’s go!

You must believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. Isaiah 43:10

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), ⁶ yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 1 Cor. 8:5-6

You must believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

In these lines, we see the holy Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  While there is no one scripture passage that uses the word “Trinity”, the Bible frequently describes the triune nature of God. And these scriptures are prime examples:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Central and core to our faith is Christ and the Cross.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-7

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

Believers Baptism

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Salvation comes by Grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  (Not in the Apostle’s Creed but Critical to the Gospel!)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-21

Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the lower parts of the earth.

So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. 2 And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. 3 Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. John 19:1-3     

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore, the soldiers did these things. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:23-30

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. John 19:38-42

(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:9-10

On the third day, Jesus rose again from the dead.

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Jesus ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Acts 7:55-56 

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34  

¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:15-21

From there he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Therefore, since Christ suffered us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. ³ For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. ⁴ In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. ⁵ They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit. 1 Peter 1:4-8

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Timothy 4:1

We will be raised with Christ

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

I pray that you know Jesus, but there is one way to be sure. It’s a very personal thing but as simple as ABC.  Admit you’re a sinner. Believe Jesus is Lord. Call upon His name. God bless you!!

The New Covenant

STATEMENT OF USE: This blog contains condensed material from manuscripts owned and copyrighted by Ariel Ministries USA and is used with permission. The material referenced within is from Ariel’s Come and See series, and is available, along with fifty other texts, free of charge to anyone who desires to use them. If you haven’t already, please check them out here: https://www.ariel.org/resources/come-and-see/studies?navid=2390956

It is my fervent hope that you will not stop with my blog but that you will take full advantage of the wealth of wisdom offered through the faithfulness of Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, who is a teacher to the best of Biblical teachers! Please go to ariel.org for the complete and full teaching on the 8 Covenants of God. 

Oh, how grateful I am for the New Covenant!  You see, even in the beginning, God designed a way for me, a Gentile woman, to be reconciled to Himself…to be made His adopted child!  While the covenant was made between God and Israel, there was an “adoption” clause in there for me and for you!! 

Why do I repeat that word “adoption”?  Let’s go to Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to bring you back again into fear; on the contrary, you received the Spirit, who makes us sons and by whose power we cry out, "Abba!" (that is, "Dear Father!").  Complete Jewish Bible

There is no process for adoption set forth in the ancient Jewish culture. There were Kinsman Redeemers. For example, if a man died, his brother automatically became the head of his household as well, so there was no need for a legal adoption process.

Paul, in the New Testament speaks of the Roman concept of adoption. It was a very significant process with a powerful back story.Why a Roman concept? Rome at the time of Yeshua/Jesus ruled Israel. The Jews were under Roman law. Let's continue...

If a child was born biologically, the parents could actually disown or do away with the child for a variety of reasons. It put the relationship between parent and child on pretty shaky ground.  But such was not the case for an adopted child.

Under Roman law, when a child was adopted, it meant that the child was chosen and desired by the parents. Adoption could not be dissolved. The child became a permanent member of the family. The child had a new identity and any prior encumbrances were totally erased. Every right of inheritance transferred to the child.

Hmmmm…inheritance??? In ancient Rome, the concept of inheritance was a natural part of daily living and not just something that transferred through death. Adoption granted every right in the inheritance of the father, and full share of his possessions.

What a glorious reality is that for us who have been adopted into the family of our God!  Think on that!  We were fully desired, fully loved!  We have a new identify in Christ!  Not only are we heaven-bound but Romans 8:17 tells us, “...and if we are children, then we are also heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus—provided we are suffering with him in order also to be glorified with him. 

Our family tie as adopted sons and daughters of God is intimately centered in the salvation Jesus alone provided for us. It is through Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, the Son of God, that we can now be called sons and daughters of God. Remember that as we study the last of the eight Biblical Covenants.

THE NEW COVENANT

Scripture

A number of passages speak of or relate to the New Covenant and many  of  these  will  be  referenced  below, but the foundational passage is Jeremiah 31:31-34: “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart. I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

The Participants in the Covenant

This covenant is made between God and Israel, and it receives further confirmation in other passages including: Isaiah 55:3; 59:21; 61:8-9; Jeremiah 32:40; Ezekiel 16:60; 34:25-31; 37:26-28; and Romans 11:26-27.

The Provisions of the Covenant

From the original covenant, its various confirmations, and its inauguration in the New Testament, a total of nine provisions can be listed.

1. It is an unconditional covenant involving God and both Houses of Israel (Jer. 31:31). It is not made merely between Judah and God or between Israel and God and included both Houses of Israel; or the entire Jewish nation.
2. It is clearly distinct from the Mosaic Covenant (Jer. 31:32). It is not merely an elaboration of the Mosaic Covenant, but it is distinct from it. It ultimately replaces the broken Mosaic Covenant.
3. It promises the restoration of Israel (Jer. 31:33; Is. 59:21). The key aspect of this entire covenant is the blessing of salvation, which includes Israel's nation when she is saved.
4. The regeneration of Israel is to be universal among all Jews (Jer. 31:34a; Is.61:9). The national salvation will extend to every Jew and their generations from the time that the initial regeneration of Israel occurs. This confirming Rom. 11 and stated in Matthew 23:38-39 says, “…See! Your house is left to you desolate;39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”, During the Millennial Kingdom, the unregenerate people will all be Gentiles; in the entire period of the Kingdom, there will be no unsaved Jews. That is the reason there will be no need for one Jew to say to another “know the Lord”, for they shall all know Him.
5. There is provision for the forgiveness of sin (Jer. 31:34b). The New Covenant does the very thing that the Mosaic Covenant couldn’t do. The Mosaic Covenant was able to cover the sins of Israel, but the New Covenant will take them away. This is a corollary blessing to the blessing of salvation.
6. There is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:27). The reason Israel failed to keep the Law under the Mosaic Covenant was that the people lacked the power to comply with the righteous standards of God. The Mosaic Law did not provide the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; that was not its purpose. But the New Covenant does, and every Jew will be enabled to do the righteous work of God. This is a blessing resulting from the blessing of salvation.
7. Israel will be showered with material blessings (Is. 61:8; Jer. 32:41; Ezek. 34:25-27). The Mosaic Law did provide material blessings for obedience, but generally, Israel was in disobedience because of her failure to keep the Law. Such failure will not exist under the New Covenant. Along with Israel's regeneration and empowerment to keep the Law, material blessings will be given by the Lord.
8. The Temple will be rebuilt (Ezek. 37:26-28). The Mosaic Covenant provided for the building of the Tabernacle. The Davidic Covenant provided for the building of the First Temple by Solomon. The New Covenant will provide for the building of the Messianic or Millennial Temple. This Temple will be a continual reminder to Israel of all that God has done.
9. Just as the Mosaic Covenant contained the Law of Moses, the New Covenant contains the Law of Messiah (Rom. 8:2; Gal. 6:2). Like the Law of Moses, the Law of the Messiah contains many individual commandments that are applicable to the New Testament believer. These commandments were given either by Yeshua directly or by the apostles. A simple comparison of the details will show that it is not and cannot be the same as the Law of Moses.

Four observations are worth noting. First, many commandments are the same as those of the Law of Moses.

• For example, nine of the Ten Commandments are also in the Law of the Messiah.

• But, (many are different from the Law of Moses. For example, there is no Sabbath law now (Rom. 14:5; Col. 2:16) and no dietary code (Mk. 7:19; Rom.  14:20).

• Some commandments in the Law of Moses are intensified by the Law of the Messiah. For example, the Law of Moses said love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18); this made man the standard. The Law of the Messiah said: love one another, even as I have loved you (Jn. 15:12); this makes Yeshua/Jesus the standard and He loved man enough to die for him.

• The Law of the Messiah provides a new motivation. For example, the Law of Moses was based on the conditional Mosaic Covenant and so the motivation was: Do, in order to be blessed. The Law of the Messiah is based on the unconditional New Covenant and so the motivation is: You have been and are blessed, therefore, do. The reason there is so much confusion over the relationship of the Law of Moses and the Law of the Messiah is that many commandments are similar to those found in the Mosaic Law; and many have concluded that certain sections of the Law have therefore been retained. It has already been shown that this cannot be the case, and the explanation for the sameness of the commandments is to be found elsewhere.

This explanation can best be understood if it is realized that there are a number of codes in the Bible, such as the Edenic Code, Adamic Code, Noahic Code, Mosaic Code, New Code, and Kingdom Code. A new code may contain some of the same commandments of the previous code, but this does not mean that the previous code is still in effect. While certain of the commandments of the Adamic Code were also found in the Edenic Code, it did not mean that the Edenic Code was still partially in force; it ceased to function with the Fall of Man.

The same is true when we compare the Law of Messiah with the Law of Moses. There are many similar commandments. For example, nine of the Ten Commandments are to be found in the Law of the Messiah, but this does not mean that the Law of Moses is still in force. The Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative and we are now under the Law of the Messiah. There are many different commandments. For example, under the Law of Moses, we would not be permitted to eat pork, but under the Law of the Messiah, we may. There are many similar commandments, but they are nonetheless in two separate systems. If we do not kill or steal today, it is not because of the Law of Moses but because of the Law of the Messiah. On the other hand, if someone steals, he is not guilty of breaking the Law of Moses, but of breaking the Law of the Messiah. The present obligation to obey the Law of the Messiah is due to the present outworking of the New Covenant.

The Importance of the Covenant

The importance of the New Covenant is that it amplifies the Blessing aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant, especially in relationship to salvation. It shows how the spiritual blessings of the Jewish covenants extend to the Gentiles.

The Relationship of the Church to the New Covenant

It is at this point that confusion has arisen among believers as to the relationship of the Church to the New Covenant. According to Jeremiah, the covenant is made, not with the Church, but with Israel. Nevertheless, a number of Scriptures connect the New Covenant with the Church (Mat. 26:28; Mk. 14:24; Lk. 22: 14-20; I Cor. 11:25; II Cor. 3:6; Heb. 7:22; 8:6-13; 9:15; 10:16, 29; 12:24; 13:20).

Sadly, the most popular solution in church history has been to generate replacement theology or transference, which is a false doctrine that teaches that the Church has replaced Israel in its covenant standing. Thus, the covenant promises are now being fulfilled in, by, and through the Church. Anyone with eyes to see, however, knows that they are not being fulfilled literally and so they teach that the intent was for them to be fulfilled spiritually. But this solution requires an allegorical interpretation of the covenants and requires the ignoring of all the details such as the Land promises.

This view has rightly been rejected by those who accept a literal approach to the covenants, and these have offered two other solutions. First: some writers teach that there are two new covenants, one made with the Church and one made with Israel. This view is not supported by the teachings of Scripture. Second: others have said that there is only one covenant but that it has two aspects, one related to Israel and one related to the Church. Yet nothing in the covenant seems to teach that there are two completely different aspects. Furthermore, even those who hold this view are unable to say which aspect relates to the Church and which relates to Israel.

Actually, the solution is not so difficult, for it is clearly explained in two passages.  The first is Ephesians   2: 11-16:  Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

The second passages is Ephesians 3:5-6: “which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”

This could be called the "partaker view." The point of these passages is in four of the unconditional covenants with Israel: the Abrahamic Covenant, the Land Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and the New Covenant. All of God's blessings, both physical and spiritual, are mediated by means of these four covenants. However, there is also a fifth covenant, the conditional Mosaic Covenant. This was the middle wall of separation. Essentially, it kept the Gentiles from enjoying the spiritual blessings of the four unconditional covenants.

They did not receive any of the spiritual benefits contained in the covenants. However, when Messiah died, the Mosaic Law, the middle wall of separation, was broken down. Now by faith Gentiles, as Gentiles, can enjoy every spiritual blessing of the four unconditional covenants. That is why Gentiles today are partakers of Jewish spiritual blessings, not "takers over."

The concept of partaking is also found in Romans 11: I7: “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree.” The Olive Tree represents the place of spiritual blessings of the Jewish Covenants. The types of branches partaking of the blessings: natural branches, which are the Jewish believers and wild olive branches, which are the Gentile believers. However, the   Olive Tree itself   still belongs   to Israel according to verse 24: For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

The relationship of the Church to the New Covenant is the same as the Church's relationship to the Abrahamic Covenant, the Land Covenant, and the Davidic Covenant. The physical promises of the Abrahamic Covenant, as amplified by the Land and Davidic Covenants, were promised exclusively to Israel. However, the Blessing aspect, as amplified by the New Covenant, was to include the Gentiles. The Church is enjoying the spiritual blessings of these covenants, not the material and physical benefits.  The physical promises still belong to Israel and will be fulfilled exclusively with Israel, especially those involving the Land. However, all spiritual benefits are now being shared by the Church. This is the Church's relationship to these four unconditional covenants between God and Israel.

The blood of Christ is the basis of salvation in the New Covenant and this was shed at the cross. The blood of the Jewish Messiah and our Lord and Savior ratified, signed, and sealed the New Covenant (Heb. 8:1-10:18). The provisions of the New Covenant cannot be fulfilled in, by, or through the Church, but have to be filled in, by, and through Israel.

While it is true that the Covenant is not now fully fulfilled with Israel, it does not mean it is therefore being fulfilled with the Church. Again, not all provisions go immediately into effect. The Church is related to the New covenant only insofar as receiving the spiritual benefits of the Covenant, such as the salvation benefit, but the Church is not fulfilling it. The Church has become a partaker of Jewish spiritual blessings, but the Church is not a replacer for the Jewish covenants. The Church partakes of the spiritual blessings and promises, but not the material or physical blessings.

The Gentile Obligation

The fact that Gentile believers have become partakers of Jewish spiritual blessings places an obligation on them according to Romans 15:25-27: but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

As Paul came close to ending his letter to the Romans, he spelled out his immediate plans. In verse 25, he explained why he could not come to them immediately. While he had expressed a long-term desire to go to Rome in chapter l, his desire was subject to his duty, which was to collect an offering and take it to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. This special offering is spoken of elsewhere in I Corinthians 16:14 and II Corinthians 8-9.

In verse 26, Paul named the contributors and the recipients of the offering. The Gentile believers of Macedonia and Achaia had given the money, which was specifically for the poor Jewish believers of the City of Jerusalem in the Land of Israel. In verse 27, Paul taught Gentile indebtedness to the Jews.  He clearly stated that Gentiles are debtors to the Jews and then gave the reason for this:  Gentiles have become fellow partakers of Jewish spiritual blessings.  Earlier, in Romans 11, Paul taught that the Gentiles have become partakers of spiritual blessings, but these are Jewish spiritual blessings that are mediated through the Jewish covenants.  The very fact that Gentiles have been made partakers   of Jewish   spiritual blessings has put them into debt to the Jews. According to this verse, the way they pay their indebtedness to Jewish believers is to minister to them in material things.

The Status of the Covenant

In relationship to the Church, then, the New Covenant is the basis of the Dispensation of Grace. In relationship to Israel, the New Covenant is the basis for the Dispensation of the Kingdom. The New Covenant itself is an unconditional covenant and therefore eternally in effect.

Conclusion

All spiritual blessings are for believers in the Messiah, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. And through His death on the cross for their sins, believers reap spiritual benefits that would never be theirs otherwise. The eight covenants of the Bible are very explicit in their provisions and are critically important to rightly dividing the Word of God.

My Last thoughts

I am so incredibly grateful for anointed teachers like Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, who diligently embrace the full counsel of God and who have the dedication and devotion to share it.  How blessed I am that somehow his teaching reached my hands.

The sad fact is that if we are not worshiping the God of the Bible, if we cut and paste the scriptures that are acceptable to us and dismiss the rest, we aren’t serving God at all, but just one more idol.  I had a young woman I’m discipling say to me the other day, “I’ve never heard any of this in church, and I’ve been to many churches. Why is it not being taught?”  It was a very good question.

Here is the truth, we have become a church that is far from God.  It is a sign of the apostasy that must come before the Lord returns. The focus of the church today is a very secular based focus. John the revelator says it best in Revelation Chapter 3 as he presents the letter to the Church of Laodicea. It reads, “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore, be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ²¹ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. ²² “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

It would be nice if we could place all the responsibility for all that is wrong in the American Church today on the pastors…but friends, we are the Church!  We are personally accountable to God to seek Him first, to know Him, to be in communication with Him, to obey the tenants of the Great Commission.

It is not enough to say, “I am a Christian.” We must know what that designation truly means.  Who is God? Who am I in God?  Only the revelation contained within His glorious Word can bring life and answers to those questions.

Soon and very soon, a new age will begin, the Millennial Kingdom.  It will occur only by God’s hand and only in His perfect timing. Until then, I encourage you to remember that Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.  I heard someone say recently (I think it may have been JD Farag) that on God’s time clock, Israel is the hour hand and Jerusalem is the second hand. The clock is about to strike 12, and a new day is about to begin!  We are so close!  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Run from false doctrines like replacement theology and dominion theology. Don’t fall into the enemy’s lies with things like Christ at the Checkpoint or the new move to BDS; Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel.  Remember God’s encouragement, albeit a warning from…Gen. 12:3I will bless those who bless you,And I will curse him who curses you;And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

I pray that these teachings have been a blessing to you. I am well aware that they will be also be an irritant to some.

Nonetheless, my constant prayer is, “Lord, help me to be faithful as a Disciple who is equipped and prepared for true disciple making!

God bless you! K