The question of whether Christians are under the covenant God gave to Israel involves understanding the nature of the covenants in the Bible and their application in the New Testament. Here’s a breakdown of this theological topic:
1. The Covenant with Israel
- What It Includes: The covenant God gave to Israel, primarily through Moses, included the Law (Torah), the Ten Commandments, and detailed instructions for worship, sacrifices, and societal living (Exodus 19-24).
- Purpose: This covenant was designed to set Israel apart as God’s chosen people, revealing His holiness and their need for redemption (Deuteronomy 7:6-9).
2. The Fulfillment in Christ
- The New Covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-34 foretells a “new covenant” where God’s law would be written on people’s hearts, and their sins forgiven. Jesus declared that He fulfilled this prophecy through His death and resurrection (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:6-13).
- Law Fulfilled, Not Abolished: Jesus stated that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Through His life and sacrifice, the ceremonial and sacrificial aspects of the Law were completed.
3. Christians and the Covenant
- Not Under the Mosaic Covenant: Christians are not bound by the Mosaic Covenant’s ceremonial and civil laws. Paul emphasizes this in Romans 6:14, Galatians 3:23-25, and Colossians 2:16-17, teaching that believers are under grace and not the Law.
- Under the New Covenant: Christians are part of the New Covenant, which includes salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This covenant extends beyond Israel to include all who believe in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:28-29).
4. Connection Between the Covenants
- Continuity and Discontinuity: The Old Covenant reveals God’s holiness, justice, and the need for a Savior, while the New Covenant fulfills these promises in Christ. The moral principles of the Old Covenant, such as loving God and neighbor, remain relevant (Matthew 22:37-40).
- Unity in Christ: Through Christ, Gentiles (non-Jews) are grafted into God’s covenantal promises made to Abraham (Romans 11:17-24).
Key Passages
- Hebrews 8:13: “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.”
- Galatians 3:29: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
- Ephesians 2:15: “By setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.”
Conclusion
Christians are not under the Old Covenant given to Israel but are under the New Covenant established by Christ. The Old Covenant points to the need for Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled its requirements and opened the way for all believers to be reconciled with God. The moral teachings of the Old Covenant remain as guiding principles, but the ceremonial and legal aspects are no longer binding.