Is there a difference between the new and old covenant?

Christ is God and God is Christ. The law of Christ is the law of God. Same God. Same Law. The same law Jesus personally wrote and spoke Exo 32:16 Exo 31:18 taught and kept. Mat 15:17-30, Mat 15:3-14, Mark 7:7-13, Mat 19:17-19 John 14:15 Exodus 20:6,John 15:10 Luke 4:16 Isa 56:1-7 which blesses and reconciles us Rev 22:14

While Christ is God, God is not just Christ. Since your argument is based on a flawed premise, the entire argument is invalidated.

my understanding of things is far from perfect still quite a lot to learn...

cheers

We all do! We never stop learning. You”re on the right track. Keep reading and praying I know you will. God promises if we have an open heart He will teach us all Truth.
God bless friend!

In comparing the difference between an -ian and an -ist, "the difference is that -ian tends to communicate something more comprehensive, while -ist has a more narrow focus. E.g. musician but a violinist, pianist, flutist, cellist;"
As relating to Christians, there are Calvinists, methodists, and Adventists, and so on, which complicate "believism" to be anything but easy.

And indeed, it might appear difficult considering that the meaning of, "unless you be born of water and of blood you shall not see the kingdom of God," is elusive to our natural understanding.

That is, until the process of the purification of lepers in Leviticus is explained with regard to Jesus' healing of the 10 lepers where only one turned back to offer Him thanksgiving. The 9 where cleansed of their leprosy, naturally, but only one experienced an entire healing, both body and soul.

Luke 17
17“Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine? 18Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?”
19Then Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well!c” (c*footnote: Or has saved you)

In the old covenant temple system, the priest is rendered unclean in the process of cleansing a leper, but Jesus remained holy. Our uncleaness cannot defile Him. He is both the mikvah, the ritual cleansing water of the process of purification, and the korban sacrifice, the blood that sanctifies. (Thoughts on Holiness)

The Sabbath is no longer applicable to believers. The weekly Sabbath command was Old Covenant and it's not New Covenant. Colossians 2:14-17 is clear that we are not to let others judge us according to whether or not we keep the Sabbaths. The Old Covenant ended when Jesus died upon the cross. Hebrews 7:12 says the Law has changed. But most Sabbatarian Christians are unable to see such things in Scripture. There are no weekly Sabbath commands repeated in the New Testament, and there are no Sabbath day-breaking sins listed alongside other sins like murder, adultery, theft, etcetera.

The Greek word Χριστιανός (Christianos), meaning "follower of Christ", comes from Χριστός (Christos), meaning "anointed one", with an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin to denote adhering to, or even belonging to, as in slave ownership. {Source).

We see the word "Christian" in this passage and what that means.

1 Peter 4:12-19
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."

It says that a Christian will partake of the same sufferings of Christ.
It says that they are to suffer to the will of God and keep their souls to Him (God) in well doing (good works).

Now, pay attention to this next passage that is the context of the chapter.

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2).

Most Christians I have talked with speak against this passage and say you cannot cease from sin. Yet, this passage says you can. Granted, I am not saying it is easy to do so or anything, but the Bible does teach it, and we have to believe that by faith (Whether we like it or not). Most simply cannot believe it and they will either ignore this passage or try to explain it away somehow because they have a sin and still be saved mentality.

Being born again of the Spirit means you receive a new heart with new desires. You do not desire to be the old man and yet when I talk with most Christians today, they appear like they can still remain as their old man and God still accepts them, even in their sin. These types are not born again or a new man because they are still the old man still hanging on to their old sin, and old ways.

Being born again of water is referring to how they were renewed by receiving the revelation of the Scriptures. They do not think the Bible is some dead book while it was only God that saved them alone. They actually believe that His words are spirit, and they are life. They believe God's Word is powerful, and alive and it is like a hammer and like fire to change a person's life. They believe God's Word is perfect. They believe God's Word is truly holy and not a product given to us solely by the hand of man alone by man-made translation philosophies (that are rooted in unbelief).

Leviticus 13:28
“if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean.”

Like the proper washing involving one who had leprosy, they were to be washed a second time. I believe this is symbolic of how Christians are to wash themselves two times in the New Testament to be cleansed of their leprosy of sin.

Surely we need the washing or forgiveness of sin to be saved.

Believers are to first be washed of their sins by God’s grace through faith without works in their Initial Salvation.

Being saved by God’s grace includes being washed of one’s sins by seeking forgiveness of one’s sins with the Lord.

Acts 22:16
“wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Psalms 51:2
“Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”

Being saved by God’s grace includes being washed by believing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by being washed by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:11
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

John 1:12
“to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Believers are to be washed a second time in the Sanctification Process to live a holy life by the Spirit over the course of their whole life.

Ephesians 5:25-27
“even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

2 Corinthians 7:1
“let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Psalms 119:9-11
9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Also try reading Acts 15 in the King James Bible several times. The conclusion of the Christian council was that Gentile Christians did not have to be circumcised and keep the Laws of Moses. The council only was stressing to keep certain laws and the Sabbath was not one of them. Seeing that there is no clear Sabbath command given to us by either Jesus and His followers, and the council of leading Christians in Acts 15 says we do not have to keep the Laws of Moses, it is pretty clear that the Sabbath is no longer a binding command for us today. Again, I am not sure you will be able to see what I am talking about here right now, but you at least owe to yourself to seek the truth on such matters in prayer and seeking the Scriptures like a good Berean.

Will not everyone bow their knee to Jesus? Do not Christians call Jesus as Lord? The word “Christian" implies dedication to Christ, but there are other words that end in "-ian" which suggest dedication. Here are some examples:

1. Guardian: Suggests dedication to protecting or looking after someone or something.
2. Historian: Implies dedication to the study and documentation of history.
3. Librarian: Suggests dedication to managing and organizing books and other materials in a library.
4. Physician: Implies dedication to the practice of medicine.
5. Musician: Suggests dedication to the creation or performance of music.
6. Politician: Implies dedication to the field of politics and governance.
7. Electrician: Suggests dedication to working with electrical systems.
8. Technician: Implies dedication to a particular technical field or skill.
9. Optician: Suggests dedication to providing and fitting eyeglasses and contact lenses.
10. Mathematician: Implies dedication to the study and practice of mathematics.

Well it’s like being drunk vs acting drunk.
The law and the old covenant was like trying to act drunk with no alcohol.
Jesus and the new covenant was like being drunk and it (alcohol/Holy Spirit) producing all the actions to fulfill the law (drunk actions).

I have read it several times, thank you though.

Either the things in Acts 15 is an exhaustive list or its not. It's missing the greatest commandment to love God with all your heart soul and mind which is a summary of the first 4 commandments so very clearly its not an exhaustive list, The fact they were keeping every Sabbath in this very verse Acts 15:21 shows it never was abrogated and the apostles kept every Sabbath preaching to Jews and Gentiles Acts 13:42-44 Acts 18:4 as they were commissioned by Jesus to observe everything Christ commanded of them Mat 28:18-30 and Paul never taught something different than Jesus - Jesus in His own Words said not a jot or tittle can be removed from His law until all is fulfilled (when Jesus comes back) and if we break or teach others to break the least of these commandments quoting right from the Ten one would be least in heaven and in fear of judgement and sin Mat 5:19-30. Paul is hard to understand, which is why his teachings came with a warning 2 Peter 3:16 but sadly many take his out of context teachings over the plain teachings of Christ we are to live by every Word Mat 4:4

You might consider studying the context of Paul's writing as many people twist out of context and the result is not good. 2 Peter 3:16

Paul does not have the authority to undermined God and reverse something God spoke and wrote with His own finger and blessed. No man can reverse God's blessing Num 23:20 so obviously Paul is not referring to one of God's Ten Commandments that all man will be Judged by breaking one we break them all James 2:10-12


Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The Sabbath is a commandment of God Exo 20:8-11 Exo 20:6, finger written by God alone Exo 31:18 Exo 32:16 not handwritten by Moses. The Sabbath is holy and blessed by God which is not the definition of contrary or against and once God blesses something like He did the seventh day Sabbath man cannot reverse Num 23:20 and Col 2:17 show this shadow sabbath(s) as there are more than one Sabbath in the scripture and Paul makes clear we understand it's not the weekly Sabbath commandment that started at Creation so can't be a shadow of anything but the ceremonial sabbath(s) ordinances (yearly feast days also called sabbath(s) added after sin) which came after the fall of man that has to do with food and drink offerings which is the context of this passage as it points to Jesus who became our Sacrificial Lamb for sin offerings Heb 10:1-22. Sin is the same in the OC as it is the NC the transgression of the Ten Commandments Rom 7:7 Mat 5:19-30 and our salvation is from sin Mat 1:21 not in sin.

Plus obviously not referring to the weekly Sabbath as the apostles all kept every Sabbath Acts 18:4 Acts 13:42-22for decades after the Cross and will be kept for eternity for God's saints. Isa 66:22-23 thus saith the Lord.

Man teaches to forget the Sabbath.

God said to Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Exo 20:8-11

Man says the Sabbath is a curse and "bondage"

Christ in His own Words said it was made for man Mark 2:27 to bless and sanctify Eze 20:12 because man can't sanctify themselves we need God.

Christ Words we are to live by Mat 4:4

Isa 56:1 Thus says the Lord:

“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
For My salvation is about to come,
And My righteousness to be revealed.
2 Blessed is the man who does this,
And the son of man who lays hold on it;
Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

6“Also the sons of the foreigner
Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him,
And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—
Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And holds fast My covenant—

Christ in His own Words relates not keeping the Sabbath with doing evil. That if we keep the Sabbath we love His name and join ourselves to Him and serve Him. No wonder why the devil has so much attack on God's 4th commandment. It's also the one commandment that identifies God the Creator of all things Exo 20:11 which is the same God of Judgement Rev 14:7. For me I am a servant of God - God said Remember the Sabbath day and Jesus taught to live by His every Word- so that's where my faith lies but we are given free will.

I have a firm grasp of the meaning. Where we diverge, going by the first reply to me, is that your perspective of being a Christian means that you must suffer as Christ suffered, relative to your own person, and that is well part of it but not the entirety of suffering, A Christian is to suffer as relative to others as well, that is forgive as Christ forgave, that is, suffer that which causes your suffering. The former is common to everyone on earth, if you do not think so then you are deceived, but the holy indeed are enabled to do the latter.

It may not seem to reason out naturally but, that is truly that which is transformational.

Can you then define the new covenant in detail according to scripture?
thanks

I don’t argue back and forth with believers who are deeply convinced that we must keep the Saturday Sabbath. I gave you verses for you to further investigate and pray over. All I can do is encourage you to be honest with yourself about what the New Testament actually says. There are no Sabbath commands or no Sabbath day-breaking sins listed in the New Testament (after the cross). We are told in Colossians 2 not to let others judge us according to Sabbaths. This would naturally include the weekly Sabbath. The Sabbath is a big issue to you, but it was not a big issue in Acts 15 and Gentiles were told that they do not have to keep the Laws of Moses. Not once are we ever told by Jesus’ followers to keep the Sabbath and Hebrews 7:12 says the Law has changed. Again, my saying this again is not really going to help you. All I can do is encourage you to pray about it and be open and honest with yourself not to read something into the text that is not there.

We are not to strive over matters of the Law.

Peace and blessings be unto you.

Well, first, that would be a book length project that I do not have time for. Second, keep in mind I am not interested in having any kind of major Sabbath day debate with any Christian who is 100% convinced that we must keep the Sabbath. I am not here to argue with Christians over the Sabbath issue. I believe we are not to strive over matters of the Law (i.e., the Old Law) that no longer applies as a whole or package deal (even though the moral laws like, Do not murder, do not steal, etcetera) have carried over into the New Testament. This is not my first rodeo with Sabbath day Christians. I will not endlessly engage with you on this point because I believe it would be a violation of Scripture for me to do that. Only God and asking Him for the truth in His Word can truly convince you.

Anyway, what I can say is:

The New Covenant is a new contract or agreement. When Paul says we are not under the Law, we have to understand that is part of the New contract. The new contract began with Christ's death upon the cross. It is why the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. The Old way has ended and the New way has begun. Some folks like the Old way when it is no longer applicable anymore. They are mixing covenants inappropriately. The Law is good if one uses it lawfully. But if one believes we must be circumcised or we must keep the Sabbath, we are actually going against the New Covenant that our Lord Jesus Christ made. Jesus is our Sabbath rest. Granted, if you are convinced in keep the Sabbath, then go ahead. Just do not make it a requirement under the New Covenant when the New Testament does not teach such a thing.

The New Testament or New Covenant is all the teachings and commands that come from Jesus and His followers. But obviously there are exceptions to this. When Jesus told a person to reconcile with their brother first before offering their gift (animal to be sacrificed) that does not mean we are to still partake in offering animal sacrifices to a priest today, too. So you have to look at what the New Testament actually says. If you made a list of the New Testament commands, you will not find any Sabbath day command repeated. I know. I made several lists. But you can see something in Scripture that is not there if you like. Colossians 2 is also another great witness or testimony that we are not obligated to keep the Sabbaths. Again, I am not going to go back and forth with you on this. If you reply and want to talk Sabbath, just know it will go ignored. I am not interested. I already made my case.

I believe we are to follow the commands that the New Testament actually says.
I am not a follower Moses. I am a follower of Jesus Christ.
So I will go by the New Testament or New Covenant contract.

Actually, it is totally biblical.

It is written:

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" (1 Peter 2:21).

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16).

"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22).

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;" (1 Peter 4:1).

"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38).

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11).

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12).

Hi there,

Thanks for the verses. I have prayed over them and all of scripture and I would also like to suggest for you to do the same especially when God is speaking directly.

Friend, you're looking at the Sabbath from the wrong way. I would be more concerned where is the commandment by God, that abrogates the 4th commandment. Only God can reverse His blessing Num 23:20 and nowhere in all of God's Word says we can profane God's holy Sabbath thus saith the Lord. All of the thus saith the Lord's regarding the Sabbath (and there are many) are for us to keep and not profane. Please point out one scripture where God says we don't have to keep the Sabbath. You keep pointing to Paul's writings but forget he is not above God, he is a servant of God Rom 1:1 and is very hard to understand which is why his writings come with a warning that people twist to their own destruction 2 Peter 3:16 which is what people do when they take the words of Paul over the pain words of Christ.

In God's New Covenant- He writes His laws in our hearts. Heb 8:10

This is God's Covenant

Deut 4:13 So He (God) declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.

Exo 34:28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He (God) wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.


God wrote Ten Commandments, not nine, He numbered them by design and added the word "Remember" because He knew man would forget His Sabbath.

Did Jesus teach something different.

No, very clearly He said He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill- meaning live out, not end if reading this passage in context. Not one jot or tittle can be changed because NO ONE is above the Authority of God, not even Paul, which is why Paul kept every Sabbath after the Cross because Paul was a servant of Christ, who loved Him and wants to join himself to Christ, just like Christ calls to everyone which He blesses and sanctifies when we keep His Sabbath Isa 56:1-6 Isa 58:13-14 Eze 20:12 because it shows we are serving the One True God Eze 20:20 Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man and the world here means mankind Mark 2:27. Jesus taught not to break or teach others to break the least of these commandments quoting directly from the Ten and I do not believe the one commandment God said "Remember" that God blessed, sanctified and made holy is a "least" commandment, but even if so, Jesus said not to break and in doing so one would be least in heaven and if you read the next verse Mat 5:20 least does not mean one will be there. Jesus taught when we keep our rules over the commandments of God quoting right from the Ten (NT teaching you break one you break them all James 2:10-12) ones heart is far from Him, and one ends up in a ditch Mat 15:3-14 which is off the narrow path.

God's people keep God's commandments Rev 14:12 the Sabbath is a commandment of God and the one commandment that shows God's Authority over all heaven and earth Exo 20:11 and why the devil has been attacking it for centuries. We can follow man and profane His Sabbath or be part of the remnant who keep God's commandments Rev 12:17 through faith and love. John 14:15 Exo 20:6 1 John 5:3

It's why the Sabbath rest (commandment) remains for God's people. Heb 4:9

The word rest in the verse literally translates into Sabbath keeping

sabbatismos: a sabbath rest
Original Word: σαββατισμός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: sabbatismos
Phonetic Spelling: (sab-bat-is-mos')
Definition: a sabbath rest
Usage: a keeping of the Sabbath, a Sabbath rest.

Where in the Bible isn't God directly speaking?

There are scriptures where God is speaking directly which is why scripture will be in red, sometimes blue and will have "thus saith the Lord". The rest of scriptures is inspired by the Holy Spirit, but is still man speaking through the Holy Spirit.

God wrote and spoke the Ten Commandments personally. He did not leave it up to man to write His holy and perfect law that all man will be judged by Mat 5:19-30 James 2:10-12 Ecc 12:13-14 Rev 22:14-15. In order to have a fair judgement- one would have to have a law to judge by.

We are told in scripture to live by every Word the proceeds from the mouth of God. Mat 4:4