The Beginning Of The New Covenant

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When did the new covenant start?

The books of the Bible called the “Old Testament” have the record of both the old covenant and also the history leading up to the establishment of the old covenant. The books of the Bible called the “New Testament” have the record of both the new covenant and the establishment of the new covenant. Therefore, much of the content of the Gospels in the New Testament precedes the beginning of the new covenant and is thus still happening during the time frame of the old covenant. In other words, Genesis 1 is not the beginning of the old covenant, and Matthew 1 is not the beginning of the new covenant.

This distinction is important because we are now in the new covenant and we need to discern from Scripture which requirements were in place for old covenant believers, but are no longer binding on us.

Hebrews 8:6-7
6 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.
7 For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Much of what Jesus said regarding the behaviour of the Jews, the scribes and Pharisees, etc., was based on old covenant principles. Jesus would not hold anyone to a standard that had not yet been established. Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right?

Based on the following scriptures, and several others, I think it is possible to biblically specify the moment when the new covenant started. This article starts with the question, “When did the new covenant start?” However, the point of this article is not to dogmatically answer this question. If I told you my conclusion, it could even be a distraction from the point. Rather, the point is to provide encouragement to consider the question and the implications of this clarification of the context of the teachings of Christ.

Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Matthew 27:50-51
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us.]

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 10:19-22
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And [having] an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

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