This series is bound to annoy covenant theologians who stop by to read it. To them I want to say that my purpose here is certainly not to irritate anyone. If a CT has any problem with what is asserted in these posts he is very welcome to challenge it (giving proof where necessary). For those readers who want a quick historical intro to CT perhaps my “A Very Brief History of Covenant Theology” will help. First Things First I …
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Part Four Paul, the Law, and the New Covenant It all comes down to this: the saint who is under the New covenant in Christ is not under the old covenant. The reason is twofold. Firstly, Paul, in agreement with Jesus’ earlier statement in Matthew 5:17-20, declares that faith in Christ does not void the law but rather establishes it in the act of keeping it for us (Rom. 3:31).[1] My second reason comes as a logical consequence of …
Part Three Assessing the Argument for Restricting the New Covenant to Israel J. Dwight Pentecost is a respected Dispensational scholar who wrote a fine book entitled Thy Kingdom Come.[1] In this work he covers the New covenant in on pages 164 to 177. The main passages Pentecost cites as referring to the New covenant are Isa. 61:8; Jer. 31:31-34; 32:37-42; Ezek. 16:60-62; 36:24-32; and 37:26. He believes that the New covenant was made with Israel alone.[2] He gives …
This series is from the first draft of my book ‘The Words of the Covenant: New Testament Continuation.‘ Volume One on Old Testament Expectation is already available. Part Two Another Pauline New Covenant Text We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you,And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. – 2 Corinthians 6:1-2. …
Part One Paul’s Understanding of God’s Covenants Let me begin by again stating that the Apostle Paul saw himself as an ambassador of the New covenant. (2 Cor. 3:5). Even though he rarely refers to it by name, it has become clear to many scholars that Paul’s theology is steeped in the New covenant.[1] In the passages I cited above we can see this. And it is true to say that without this comprehension of his mission Paul’s theology …
From the time of Paul’s dramatic conversion in Acts 9 he was called to represent Yahweh to the Gentiles. Yet he never forgot his people. He would often begin a stint in a city by going into the synagogues and expounding Christ to the Jews (e.g., Acts 13:14; 14:1; 17:1-3). Although he did not write systematic expositions, Paul’s occasional letters He is the qualify him as the greatest theologian of the Christian Church. His thought is profound and multilayered, and …
Happy New Year to all! Here is a little challenge to start 2022. Try to refute the logic: God works through His covenants. Neither the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Priestly, or Davidic covenants contain any word or provision for the salvation of sinners. According to the Servant Songs in Isaiah 42:6 and 49:8 the Servant (Messiah) will be made “as a covenant” to redeem both Israel and the nations. Jeremiah 31:31-34 promises a “New covenant” which will replace the Mosaic covenant …
Previous Post The Apostle Paul is the first theologian of the Church. He was not a disciple of Jesus, and he never had the advantage of living and working with the Lord in his earthly sojourn. But Paul did have first-hand training from the risen Christ according to Galatians 1:11-12, 15-18, and 2:2. With an excellent background in the Law and traditions (Acts 22:3), personal instruction from Jesus and a special commissioning from the Holy Spirit (Rom. 1:5; Gal. …
Explaining Acts 2 with Acts 3 Further Instances of Kingdom and Covenant The preaching of the deacon Philip in Acts 8 is described as relating to “the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,” (Acts 8:12), which resulted in many baptisms. There is no reason to deny that Philip preached about the coming eschatological kingdom. Christ has come and the kingdom of Christ will come. The mix of telos and eschatos furnishes a strong worldview …
The Kingdom in the Opening of Acts Peter’s First Sermon and an Interpretive Challenge The commotion caused by this miracle of languages made some present utter disdainful remarks about the disciples being drunk (Acts 2:13). This gave Peter the pretext he needed to speak to the crowd. After dismissing the accusation Peter announced that what was happening was “what was spoken by the prophet Joel.” (Acts 2:16). He then quoted Joel 2:28-32 (Acts 2:17-21). But what was this? Joel …
