Issue 18 BBIBLICALIBLICAL INSTRUCTION INSTRUCTION AND AND ENCOURAGEMENT ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FOR THE THE MISSIONMISSION FIELD FIELD WORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE. ALLEGORY OF THE TWO COVENANTS (The following account is from system, was after the flesh just as represented the new covenant that Galatians 4:21-31 KJV). Ishmael was born after the flesh. God made with mankind through His Abraham, a patriarch of the Old Hagar was not free and could only Son Jesus Christ. Isaac’s position Testament, had two sons. God had deliver her children into conditions of superseded that of his brother promised Abraham and his barren wife slavery. Likewise, those born under Ishmael. Isaac was a type of Christ, Sarah that He would bless them with a who was offered on the altar of son in their old age. Due to a lack of sacrifice in obedience to the will of the faith, Sarah gave Abraham her Father. God’s covenant with Abraham maidservant, Hagar, to whom Ishmael was fulfilled through Isaac from which was born. The son, promised by God, came a mighty nation, God’s chosen was later born to Sarah when she was people. ninety years old and Abraham was one A parallel is drawn between Sinai and hundred. Ishmael was born after the Jerusalem. Jerusalem, while under the flesh to a bondswoman who was not bondage of the Mosaic law and the free while Isaac was born to a free political governance of the Roman woman by the promise of God. Empire, was also the location of the This is a beautiful allegory of the two temple where God was worshiped. It covenants by which God has governed was the center of the new Christian His people throughout the faith. Spiritual Jerusalem, in contrast to dispensation of time—the law system Sinai, represents a place where all her and the gospel. Hagar and Ishmael citizens are born under the new were as Mount Sinai where God covenant and are free. the Mosaic law were in bondage to a instituted the first covenant and gave “Jerusalem which is above is free, system in which they were never able the law to Moses. The children of which is the mother of us all” (26). to fully measure to its obligations. Israel were slaves to the rites, True Christians, living under the ceremonies, and commandments of Isaac, born of faith, a child of promise covenant of the gospel, are free from the law. This first covenant, the law by the divine intervention of God, (Continued on page 2) Editorial Bible Study: Companion Article: Old vs. New Did You Know? The Two Covenants The Two Covenants A Word in Season 3 4 5-6 7 8 (Continued from page 1) the bondage of the law with all its rites and customs. They are free from sin and condemnation. They are born not of the slave but of the free BIBLE woman. As Hagar and her son were cast out, so the apostle Paul instructed the Teaches About... church to cast out the old covenant. “The son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman” (30). Isaac was the son of promise, he was of faith, he was the fulfillment of God’s plan for the Word of God Jewish nation, and he was the heir. The Mosaic law is to be cast out in 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matt. 24:35 Relationship of Love favor of the new covenant. Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, are the Matt. 22:37-40; John 14:21-23; 1 John 4:7-11 children of promise. Repentance Some people cleave to the letter of the Mosaic law or possess an old Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; 2 Cor. 7:10 covenant mentality while living under the gospel. This yields itself to New Birth bondage. Cast out the old covenant and enjoy the liberty and freedom of John 3:3-7; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:1-4; Eph. 2:1, 5-6 the gospel covenant, for “we are not children of the bondwoman, but of Freedom From Sin the free” (31). —mws 1 John 5:18; Matt. 1:21; John 8:11 Infilling of the Holy Spirit Acts 19:2; Acts 15:8-9; Acts 1:8 Visit our new website! Blog featured with all past issues. Holiness Luke 1:73-75; Heb. 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; www.thegospeltruth.org Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 6:22 Kingdom of God Luke 17:20-21; Romans 14:17; John 18:36 The Church THE GOSPEL TRUTH Acts 2:47; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Col 1:18 Unity The Gospel Truth periodical is published in the name of the Lord for all people of all lands in the John 17:20-23; Gal 3:28; Rev. 18:2-4 interest of establishing and encouraging them in the truth of God’s Word. This publication teach- Ordinances es and promotes the truths of the Bible that have been established since the time of Christ and the apostles. Matt. 28:19-20; Matt. 26:26-30; 1 Cor. 11:23-27; John 13:14-17 The Word of God is the singular, acceptable rule of faith. It teaches salvation and deliverance Divine Healing from sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ; a subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit to lead, Luke 4:18; Isaiah 53:4-5; James 5:13-16 direct and empower; practical holiness in every area of life; and the unity and oneness of God’s Sanctity of Marriage people. Acceptable service to God is through a personal relationship of love founded in truth. Matt. 19:5-6; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:2-3; Editors: Michael & René Smith 1 Cor. 7:10-11 Outward Appearance SUBSCRIPTION 1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Cor. 11:14-15; Deut. 22:5 End of Time The Gospel Truth is an electronic publication that is published quarterly as the Lord leads. Visit us online at www.thegospeltruth.org to subscribe to the email notification list and receive current 2 Peter 3:7-12; John 5:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:10; publications. Feel free to send lists of names and email addresses of others who might be Matt 25:31-46 interested in receiving this publication to the editor. Pacifism Luke 6:27-29; Luke 18:20 CONTACT Worship John 4:23-24; Eph. 5:19; 2 Cor. 3:17 Great Commission The Gospel Truth is printed in various countries for local distribution. This and other missionary efforts from this office are supported by free-will offerings in the name of the Church of God. Mark 16:15 ————————— The Gospel Truth, P.O. Box 2042, Nixa, MO 65714 USA [email protected] 2 Editorial But now hath he [Christ] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. —Hebrews 8:6 It is a wonderful privilege to live in this dispensation of grace and truth. Jesus Christ, the mediator of the New Testament, established with mankind a better covenant with better promises. The old covenant had promises of secular good and earthly, national security. The new covenant promised both spiritual and eternal blessings. My burden this quarter is on the two covenants that God established with mankind. It is an important subject and lays a foundation upon which we will build in future issues dealing more with the subjects of tithing vs. giving, Sabbath-keeping, and fleshly worship vs. spiritual online worship. People often wonder if there is relevancy to the Old Testament since we live under a new covenant. The answer is a resounding yes. The Old Testament is the story of God and His Visit us at relationship with man. We learn in the Old Testament about the holy nature of God and the sinful nature of man. It is a book rich in spiritual lessons, encouragement, history, and www.thegospeltruth.org prophecy of the coming Messiah. The apostles and Christ Himself quoted from the Old Testament. to subscribe and access The old covenant is now passed away and we do not follow the Law of Moses nor are we bound to it. We do observe that many of the truths contained therein as the moral code from newsletter archives. God did not change and were restated in the New Testament. While Old Testament scriptures are still very relevant for our understanding, one must not use the Old Testament in a standalone capacity upon which to build a doctrine in this day of grace. Some people pick and choose what they will practice from the Old Testament. They keep the Sabbath and use musical instruments, and yet they do not burn incense during prayer nor do they offer sacrifices. It is imperative that people understand the entire old covenant was replaced with another, better covenant. Many of the patriarchs were examples of courage, faith, and devotion. We must keep perspective that they were under the law without the grace of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Hence, it is improper to model everything they did in worship or behavior as an example today. Outward observances of righteousness do not justify the heart. It is never compromise to enjoy the freedom from the law; but, living under grace truly brings us into a closer relationship with God. The standard of holiness now starts with the inward man. Michael W. Smith October 2016 3 BIBLE STUDY GUIDE SUBJECT: THE TWO COVENANTS Scripture Reading: 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.