Notes on the Fulfillment of the Old Covenant
Christ and the Copy
The activities of the Aaronic and Levitical priests were only a copy and shadow of heavenly things (Heb 8:3-5). However, Jesus is the minister of the true tabernacle because He is the Mediator of a better covenant that has better promises (8:1-2, 6).
Passing of the Old
Israel broke the first covenant (Ex 19:5-6; Deut 7:12). However, God promised to not forsake them (Deut 4:31; Jer 30:11) but to make a New Covenant with them (Jer 31:31-34). Thus, He has given to them a new, better, and different covenant (Heb 8:7-9). The Old Covenant, including the priesthood, gifts, sacrifices, food, drinks, washings, ordinances, observances, and precepts, was in effect only until Jesus came and instituted the New Covenant (Gal 3:19, 23-25; 4:10; Heb 7:11-17, 18-19, 23-28; 8:1-6; 9:1-28; 10:11-22). As a result of the New Covenant being instituted, the Old Covenant has been made obsolete (Heb 8:13).
Replaced by the Real
It was a wonderful thing that God chose Israel to be His people and gave them His law (Deut 7:6-11). But it is much more marvelous that God gave the New Covenant.
The sacrifices in the law were only a shadow, not the real. Because the real came and fulfilled them, the shadows are not necessary; thus, they were taken away and replaced with the better Covenant (Heb 7:22; 10:9).
Through the blood of Jesus the Messiah (Lu 22:20), the Old Covenant was annulled (Heb 7:18), made obsolete (Heb 8:6-13), and replaced (Heb 10:9; 7:12) by the new and better Covenant (7:22; 8:6). This replacement was necessary because the Old Covenant could never justify a person (Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16; Col 3:11). It's purpose was to symbolize the righteousness of Jesus the Messiah and to demonstrate a person's sinfulness in order to bring the person to Jesus Christ for salvation (Heb 10:1; Rom 3:20; Gal 3:24; Rom 5:9).
Since the Old Covenant never could justify a person (Rom 3:20 ; Gal 2:16; 3:11; Heb 10:1-4), it was not necessary for it to be annulled as a means of justification. Therefore, the annulment had to do with the Old Covenant as a way in which to live. Having received the New Covenant, believers are to live for Christ according to the Law of Christ (Gal 6:2) through the empowering of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:13; 1 Pet 1:22).
Faith Establishes the Law
In Romans 3, Paul asks if faith nullifies the Law, then he answers that faith does not nullify the Law, but rather establishes it (verse 31). In other passages, Paul explains that the purpose of the Mosaic Law is to reveal sin, to show that everyone is a sinner, to show everyone is subject to wrath, and to bring sinners to Jesus Christ to be justified by faith (Rom 3:19-20; 4:5; 7:7, 13; Gal 3:1-9; 19-24). The Mosaic Law, then, retains its purpose of revealing sin and condemning sinners in order to bring them to Christ (Rom 3:20, 31).
Although the New Covenant replaces the Old Covenant, it does not replace Israel. Rather, Israel is fulfilled in the church. God's promises to Israel are made better according to the goodness and grace of God. All believing Jews and believing Gentiles are made members of the church and citizens of the glorious kingdom of God.
Current Conditions
The present obsolescence of the Old Covenant is evidenced in that it is currently impossible to correctly and completely observe the Sabbath(s) in accordance with Old Testament prescriptions. There is no temple in Jerusalem and the Aaronic and Levitical priesthoods have been replaced (Heb 7-9). The sacrifices and priestly responsibilities, which were an essential part of observance of the Sabbath(s), can no longer be properly observed.
Keeping the Sabbath
Keeping the Sabbath(s) involved much more than not working during the 7th day of each week. For example, observance of the Sabbath(s) required a temple in Jerusalem, sacrifices in the temple, and Aaronic and Levitical priests to offer the sacrifices. It also required allowing one's land in Israel to lie fallow every 7th year and every 49th year. Few persons are able to obey these commands about land in the geographic land of Israel.
The promises associated with keeping the Sabbath, along with observance of the Sabbath (Deut 6:1, 10-11, 24; 5:31, 33; 4:40; 6:2, 17-18; 7:13; 8:1; 11:8-15, 17; Lev 25), were integrally and inseparably linked to the land and nation of Israel. Another requirement was that those in the land of Israel who did not keep the Sabbath(s) were to be put to death. Along with Sabbath observances, this was to be done perpetually 'throughout the generations of Israel' (Ex 31:13-17). [Currently, Israel has a secular government that has not prescribed capital punishment for not keeping the Sabbath(s).]
The 10 Commandments
Each of the 10 Commandments of the Old Covenant are instituted, supported, and continued in the New Covenant with the exception of the 4th Commandment - observance of the Sabbath. But the New Covenant is not silent concerning observance of the Sabbath. Colossians 2:16-17 instructs us to not let someone be a judge over us concerning the Sabbath day, seeing it is only a shadow and not the substance. In addition, Romans 14:5-6 says that observing a day is not mandatory for a believer. The fact that Sabbath observance is not a requirement shows that it has been set aside and replaced along with the rest of the Old Covenant.
Fulfillment of the Sabbath
One reason for this is that observance of the Sabbath was a shadow and symbol of the salvific 'rest' (Sabbath) provided by Jesus Christ (Heb 3:18-19; 4:1-11). This eternal rest in the atonement and salvation provided by Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the statement in God's Word that the Sabbath is a perpetual covenant (Ex 31:13-17).
The fact that it is currently impossible to obey the Old Covenant, shows the Old Covenant was, indeed, not perpetual if broken and has ceased to be valid as a covenant to be followed. Therefore, there must be a replacement. Joyously, this replacement, the New Covenant, is better than the former covenant in many ways. It also fulfills the statement that the Sabbath is to be forever (Lev 24:8). This is explained in Hebrews 3 and 4, where it is stated that there is still a rest (Heb 4:3, 9-11). This rest corresponds to trusting in the work of God for salvation - resting in Him. This salvation includes eternal life - it is the eternal rest. In this way, Sabbath observance is perpetual and forever.
Jesus fulfilled all of the copies, shadows, and symbols of the Mosaic Law (Rom 10:4; Mt 5:17). He is also the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law. Thus, trusting the work of Jesus and ceasing efforts to attain or contribute to one's salvation is observing the eternal sabbath. Rest in Jesus is the fulfillment of the symbolic Old Testament Sabbath observance.
[The promise of salvation through faith proceeds the Mosaic Covenant (Gal 3:17), including the Sabbath which was not instituted until Moses' time (Deut 5:15).]
Instituting the New
Jesus came for the purpose of redeeming people, including those who were under the Mosaic Law so they could be adopted as sons of God (Gal 4:5). Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant and instituted the New Covenant (Lu 22:20). The New Covenant is for everyone from all nations who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 4:16-17; Gal 3:28; Eph 2:3-6; 4:4-6, 16).
Continued in the Church
In the Old Covenant, the Israelites were supposed to be a people unto God. The status of Jews as the people of God is continued in the church by Jews who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the New Covenant, Gentiles are included with the Jews as being the people of God (Rom 1:16; 9:24-26). The church, then, consists of all who believe in Jesus (2 Cor 6:16-18; Rom 3:21-28; 9:6-8; 10:11-13; Gal 3:7, 9, 22; Col 3:9-11).
The New Testament explains that those who are circumcised in the heart and spirit are Jews, not those who are circumcised only in the flesh (Rom 2:26-29). In addition, it says that those who "worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" are the true circumcision (Phil 3:3).
United in One Body
In the New Covenant, Jewish and Gentile believers are united as one body in the church (Eph 2:11-22; 3:6; 4:4-6; Rom 3:28-30; 9:24; 1 Cor 12:12-13; Gal 2:11-16; 3:28). Believers should not be separated because of race. Allowing one's race to cause a separation with other believers is not supported in the Word of God. It is contrary to God's Word.
If one's Jewishness causes separation from other believers, it may be evidence of fear (Gal 2:12), pride (Gal 5:26), disobedience (Gal 5:1), misunderstanding of the promises of God (Gal 3:8, 16-19, 29; 4:23, 28), lack of understanding of the role of the law (Gal 3:17-24; 5:14), lack of appreciation for the New Covenant (Gal 2:16; 3:13-14, 22, 25-29), or lack of faith in Christ and His work of salvation (Gal 4:4-7; 5:1, 18; 6:14). Gentile believers who are arrogant against Jews must repent from their pride. They must remember that God has not cast away His people (Rom 11:1-2) who are the remnant according to the election of grace (Rom 11:5). Those of Israel who will be saved consist only of the remnant (Rom 9:27; 11:26). The remnant are the ones who will believe in Jesus Christ (Rom 11:7, 23).
A Different Covenant
Unlike the Old Covenant, the New Covenant does not have curses. It is a covenant of mercy and forgiveness (Heb 8:12) that is secured by the righteousness and grace of God, not by the obedience of the people. It is written on the minds and hearts of believers instead of being written on stone tablets (Heb 8:10). It is based on the righteousness of Christ, not on the performance of the people.
The New Covenant
Hebrews 9:11-18 explains how Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant, while Hebrews 8:6-13 gives a definition of the New Covenant. Hebrews 8:6-13 explains that the New Covenant 1) is new, 2) has better promises, 3) is different than the Old Covenant, 4) is not susceptible to being broken, 5) is full of mercy toward people and provides forgiveness of sins, 6) and replaces the Old Covenant because Jesus, as the Mediator of the New Covenant, has taken away the Old Covenant and established its promises according to God's plan and will (Heb 10:5-8).
Trying to keep the Mosaic Law is Contrary to Grace
Trying to keep the Mosaic Law (Gal 5:6; 6:15) can separate one from Christ (Gal 5:2-4). Thus, believers are commanded to reject being placed under the Law (Gal 5:1). A desire to be under the law is misguided and contrary to grace and to the salvation provided by Messiah (Gal 4:21; 5:4).
Freedom from the Law
By fulfilling the Old Covenant and instituting the New Covenant, Jesus Christ redeemed people from the Mosaic Law (Gal 4:5). Those who believe in Him are freed from the Law of Moses (Gal 2:19, 3:10; 5:1, 18; Rom 7:6). They are delivered from the Law and are dead to the law (Rom 7:6; Gal 2:19). They are no longer under the Mosaic Law (Gal 3:24-25; 4:1-7; Rom 6:14-15), under the tutelage of the law (Gal 3:24-25), or in bondage as a slave to the law (Gal 4:3, 7, 9, 31-5:1). This includes the observance of days, months, seasons, and years (Gal 4:10). (See 1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 8:13; 31:3; Nehemiah 10:33; Ezekiel 45:17; Hosea 2:11.) Thus, being dead to the Law, a believer is married to another, who is Christ (Rom 7:4). A person who is saved is under grace and lives unto God by faith in Christ and His work of salvation (Rom 6:15; Gal 2:13-20).
Freed to Serve and Love
Those who are lead by the Spirit are not under the law (Gal 5:18). Instead, we are instructed to love others, which is the fulfillment of the law of Christ (Gal 6:2; 5:13-14). Having been made new creations through the cross of Jesus Christ (Gal 6:14-16), the rule we are now to follow is to live unto God by faith in His Son (Gal 2:19-20).
The requirement for righteousness is fulfilled in those who have received life in Jesus Christ (through faith). Because they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, they live according to the Spirit (Rom 8:13-14). Thus, they are not under the condemnation of the law (Rom 8:1-4). This applies to both justification and sanctification. A person who is saved is under grace and lives unto God by faith in Christ and His work of salvation (Rom 6:15; Gal 2:13-20).
[ In Romans 7 and 8, Paul uses different designations of law - the Law of Moses (Rom 7:2; 8:3-4), the Law of God (Rom 7:21-22, 25; 8:7), the Law of the mind (Rom 7:23), and the Law of sin and death (Rom 7:23, 25; 8:2) - to show that it is characteristic of believers to walk according to the Spirit, through the Spirit of life in Jesus (Rom 8:1-2), who frees them from sin and death. ]
Some Old Covenant Promises
Along with the three rules of context, context, context, another rule of understanding the meaning of the Bible is that the New Testament interprets the Old Testament. The apostles were given the ability and responsibility to teach the commandments of Jesus the Messiah. Their writings (the New Testament) are the teachings of Jesus (Mt 28:20; Jn 14:26). Thus, what the New Testament says concerning Israel and Old Testament passages is crucial and definitive in understanding the current role and meaning of Israel.
God's contractual promise to restore Israel from captivity and gather them from where they had been scattered (Deut 30:3-5) was fulfilled in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 1:10-11-2:1; 3:8; 6:21; Neh 1:7-9; 7:6; 9:27-31).
Some promises given in the Old Testament are explained in the New Testament.
For example, Hebrews 8:10-12 shows that in Jeremiah 31:31-34, the reference to the nation of Israel is actually talking about the New Covenant and those who believe in Jesus the Messiah:
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the LORD,
I will put my law in their inward parts,
and write it in their hearts;
and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour,
and every man his brother, saying,
Know the LORD: for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them,
saith the LORD:
For I will forgive their iniquity,
and I will remember their sin no more." Jer 31:33-34 KJV
- - - - - - -
"But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry,
by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant,
which was established upon better promises. ...
For this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the Lord;
I will put my laws into their mind,
and write them in their hearts:
and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour,
and every man his brother, saying,
Know the Lord: for all shall know me,
from the least to the greatest.
I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,
and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. ...
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.
Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready
to vanish away." Heb 8:6, 10-13 KJV
Another explanation of an Old Testament passage is given in Acts 15:14-17, which clarifies that the prophecy in Amos 9:11-12 about the tabernacle of David being raised was fulfilled when Gentiles were saved by God and included in the church along with the Jewish believers that were already in the church:
"In that day
will I raise up the tabernacle of David
that is fallen,
and close up the breaches thereof;
and I will raise up his ruins,
and I will build it as in the days of old:
That they may possess the remnant of Edom,
and of all the heathen, which are called by my name,
saith the LORD that doeth this." Amos 9:11-12 KJV
- - - - - - -
"Simeon hath declared how God at the first
did visit the Gentiles,
to take out of them a people for his name.
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
After this I will return,
and will build again the tabernacle of David,
which is fallen down;
and I will build again the ruins thereof,
and I will set it up:
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord,
and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
saith the Lord, who doeth all these things."
Acts 15:14-17 KJV
Still another example is 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1, which shows Ezekiel 37:26-27 was a promise fulfilled in the church:
"... will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
My tabernacle also shall be with them:
yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Ezek 37:26-27 KJV
- - - - - - -
"... for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ...
Having therefore these promises dearly beloved ..."
2 Cor 6:16; 7:1 KJV
These comparisons show that promises to Israel contained in the above quoted Old Testament passages are fulfilled in the church.
Conclusion
Taking the above into consideration, Gentiles do not replace Israelites as the people of God. Rather, both Jews and Gentiles together become the people of God when they believe in Jesus the Messiah. At that point, both are transferred, transformed, and integrated into the church as equal members of the one body and made recipients of the New Covenant and members of the kingdom of God.
Since believing Jews and Gentiles are both a part of the church, they have the same future. In the New Testament, true Israel is never described as being anything other than believers in Jesus the Messiah - the church. In Christ, identity is not based on genetic inheritance; rather it is based on spiritual inheritance (Gal 3:26-28).
On the other hand, the Old Covenant is replaced by the New Covenant, and the Law of Moses is replaced by the Law of Christ. These are wonderful changes made by Christ, and they are a reason to thank and praise God.
