Why was the New Covenant Needed?
Y ou and I are thinking about the statement, "Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry, because he is the mediator of a better covenant, which is based on better promises" (Heb 8:6-8). In this lesson we consider the question: Why was the New Covenant Needed?
God's plan was in God's mind before creation (1Pe 1:20).
Christ's death as an atonement for sin was the crux of God's purpose (Act 2:23-24).
Reason dictates a change of covenants would occur at this event (Heb 7:22-27 cf v.12).
The old covenant was a preparation for the coming of Christ (Gal 3:24-25).
The old covenant (the law of Moses) did not have the means to take away sin (Heb 10:3-4).
There had to be a clearer revelation
What was a secret had to be made manifest (Rom 16:25-26).
What was a mystery had to be made known (Eph 1:9).
The ancient questions had to be answered (1Pe 1:10-12).
The shadows had to give way to the real (Heb 10:1).
There had to be a fuller freedom to live by faith
It's always been true that "The just shall live by faith" (Hab 2:4).
People were living by faith before the old covenant was in force (Heb 11:4-11).
The old covenant law did not do much to help people live by faith (Gal 3:10-14).
There was need of a covenant that could be written in the heart (Jer 31:31-33).
There had to be a way into the true tabernacle
It's always been possible to pray personally to God.
Hannah (Samuel's mother) did this (1Sm 1:1-18).
But earthly tabernacle kept God at a distance (Heb 9:2-3,11;10:19-20).
A new covenant was needed to provide a veil for entrance into the most holy place, instead of a veil that barred it (Heb10:19-20).
There had to equal rights for all nations to come to God
It's always been possible for Gentiles to be converted (Act 2:10;10:34-35).
But the "fullness of the Gentiles" had to come (Rom 11:25, Gal 3:14).
Believers had to be "all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:26-28).
There had to be "One flock with one Shepherd" (Jhn 10:16).
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