Scriptural reference in the OT of the LAW being...

For LUKe. WhO mAy or MaY nOt aPPrecIAte ThIS:

Covenant Theology

Which brings us to this word as used in the context of the issue before us. Covenant theology (as understood for example in the Westminster Confession of Faith) is the promise which supports a great degree of continuity between the old covenant (represented by works) and the new, to establish his eternal kingdom through the plan of redemption. The 'covenant of redemption' (Ephesians 1:4-7,11; 1st Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8) is what undergirds the covenant of grace in covenant theology.

Those who hold to this system also believes that scripture teaches that the promise or covenant of God in an external sense applies not only to those adults who come to believe, but also to their children. Baptism is a 'sign' of incorporation into the external family of God. This view teaches that scripture shows a certain unity in God's Covenants. i.e., there is a covenant of works and the covenant of grace, and they are intimately related.

In covenant theology scripture looks upon all history as a progressive revealing of this covenant of grace. It carries over the old order into the new in the sense that it is understood that the old covenant law is not done away with, rather it is completed for the believer in Christ. In this way, the old has become new. The true Israel of God was always been the select congregation (i.e., individuals rather than a nation), and the old covenant saints always depended on Christ, rather than their own works. Not one old covenant Israelite was Saved by works, except it was by the work of Christ. The scriptures teach that the old covenant law is still binding, but we can only keep it in Christ Jesus. In Him alone we keep it perfectly. Jesus taught that what He came to do in His life, and the work that He accomplished, was the fulfillment and the substance of all the old covenant 'shadows or types.' Those laws are all kept in Him. No one was ever Saved by the blood of a literal lamb being slaughtered. The old was merely a picture of the new (or true) that was coming.

Hebrews 8:4-5

* "For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
* Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount."

God set those old covenant laws to look forward to Christ in whom we could keep them perfectly (as required). Thus Covenant theology is the belief that the law is not destroyed or abrogated, but fulfilled in Christ. In this way only are we dead to the law. In that it cannot 'condemn' us.

When Our Lord established the new covenant, it was proof that there is nothing of merit in the dispensational system or view of the covenant. For Christ Himself was not establishing something radically different, rather, 'by Himself,' He was establishing the true or real fulfillment of the old covenant shadows.

Hebrews 10:1

* "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect."

The law was our schoolteacher (Galatians 3:24), showing us that we fall short of the glory of God and couldn't get to heaven by our works. The old testament saints couldn't keep the law by their blood sacrifices, nor did these acts commanded by God make them perfect (keeping perfectly God's laws). The real work of keeping the law falls on Christ's shoulders. In covenant theology it is understood that the law is not ended, we are still obligated to it, but it is made complete (fulfilled) in Christ. We can only keep the law perfectly (which is required) in Christ. We obey God and keep the law only because God is working within us to both will and to do.

Hebrews 13:21

* "Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

The keeping the law is by the work of Christ, and the good that we see is the evidence of Salvation, not the reason (lest any man should boast) for it. Keeping the law is a product of Christ working within us, and God has an external federal family relationship with the visible Church. The same external Covenant relationship God had with the old testament saints. These truths of a 'certain' continuity of old and New Covenants constitute true essence of 'Covenant Theology.'

http://members.aol.com/twarren14/covenant_theol.html

[LUKE2447]

Originally Posted by Quixotic

FoR the DIspEnsAtionALists:



http://members.aol.com/twarren14/covenant_theol.html

The promise of Abraham though was obtained by doing what God told him. The result of such promises have to be obtained in the same way. As he did what God said so should we... Which is exactly what faith is.... the proper response to God's Word revealed to you.

As Abraham kept God's Word so are we also to keep God's Word and DO IT!

Gen 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,
Gen 17:2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly."
Gen 17:3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him,


Gen 26:5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."

The man of Faith's covenant was dependant on HIS response to God's will/laws so is ours. The leading of the Spirit to fullfill the requirments of the law which are written on our heart.

Rom 8:4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

and

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another

You are still judged by law.

Bearing Witness

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

ThEY aLsO ArE Not CiRcUmCiSed On the BASIs OF the LaW but On the PrOmiSe mAde to THEir FaTHer AbRaham ThaT All NAtIonS WOulD bE blEssEd ThRoUgh His SeEd. IT iS SiGn of ReMEmBErIng THIs ProMIse. PaUl SAys it iS The GOspEl PReaChed BEForEHaND:

16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

____________________________________________

ThIS CovEnanT wAs CONFirmed In the ScHool TeAcHer: the LaW:

17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

_______________________________________

ThRoUGh thE PrOMiSe oF the SpiRit. OuR BAptISm inTO CHriSt WhICH HaPPenS At FAiTh WE ArE ClOtHed wIth HE whO MaKES the LAw PerFeCt In Us:

11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

NoW ThAT FAiTh (oR the FuLFiLLMeNt Is Come) anD We ArE BApTIzed BY HiS SpIrit:

25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

[LUKE2447]

"In covenant theology scripture looks upon all history as a progressive revealing of this covenant of grace. It carries over the old order into the new in the sense that it is understood that the old covenant law is not done away with, rather it is completed for the believer in Christ. In this way, the old has become new. The true Israel of God was always been the select congregation (i.e., individuals rather than a nation), and the old covenant saints always depended on Christ, rather than their own works. Not one old covenant Israelite was Saved by works, except it was by the work of Christ. The scriptures teach that the old covenant law is still binding, but we can only keep it in Christ Jesus. In Him alone we keep it perfectly. Jesus taught that what He came to do in His life, and the work that He accomplished, was the fulfillment and the substance of all the old covenant 'shadows or types.' Those laws are all kept in Him. No one was ever Saved by the blood of a literal lamb being slaughtered. The old was merely a picture of the new (or true) that was coming."

I would very much agree with this for the most part.

[LUKE2447]

Originally Posted by Quixotic

ThEY aLsO ArE Not CiRcUmCiSed On the BASIs OF the LaW but On the PrOmiSe mAde to THEir FaTHer AbRaham ThaT All NAtIonS WOulD bE blEssEd ThRoUgh His SeEd. IT iS SiGn of ReMEmBErIng THIs ProMIse. PaUl SAys it iS The GOspEl PReaChed BEForEHaND:



____________________________________________

ThIS CovEnanT wAs CONFirmed In the ScHool TeAcHer: the LaW:

_______________________________________

ThRoUGh thE PrOMiSe oF the SpiRit. OuR BAptISm inTO CHriSt WhICH HaPPenS At FAiTh WE ArE ClOtHed wIth HE whO MaKES the LAw PerFeCt In Us:



NoW ThAT FAiTh (oR the FuLFiLLMeNt Is Come) anD We ArE BApTIzed BY HiS SpIrit:

I would agree but the FAITH is the continual response to the Word or Spirit in our lives. It is one who continues to abide in him and his Word. One who continues after the leading of the Spirit. The Spirit wil not bring you into Sin nor will the Spirit contradict himself or break his covenants etc... If we follow the leading of the Spirit we are in liberty as our heart is at one with HIS heart and will in our lives.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Repentance is the proper response to God's Word as it is our turning away from flesh to Christ in baptism which unites us to Christ and his work and atoning sacrifice/blood/death. Thus we see the realization of promises through the symbolic of baptism by proper response(faith) to God's leading and message and good news.

Originally Posted by LUKE2447

I would agree but the FAITH is the continual response to the Word or Spirit in our lives. It is one who continues to abide in him and his Word. One who continues after the leading of the Spirit. The Spirit wil not bring you into Sin nor will the Spirit contradict himself or break his covenants etc... If we follow the leading of the Spirit we are in liberty as our heart is at one with HIS heart and will in our lives.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Repentance is the response to God's Word as it is our turnin away from flesh to Christ in which unites us to Christ and his work and atoning sacrifice/blood/death.

AGrEED. YeT We CaN OnlY Be MadE AlIve bY His SpiRit. ALl GooD thIng anD PeRfecT gIFt COmE From AbOVe. JeSus iS thAt WORd. I No LonGer LiVE BuT ChRiST in Me.

[LUKE2447]

I edited the above so You might want to adjust it. I accidently pushed the respond or something. I also agree we are only made alive by the Spirit as One must be born of Water and Spirit.

[LUKE2447]

Originally Posted by Quixotic

AGrEED. YeT We CaN OnlY Be MadE AlIve bY His SpiRit. ALl GooD thIng anD PeRfecT gIFt COmE From AbOVe. JeSus iS thAt WORd. I No LonGer LiVE BuT ChRiST in Me.

Which would be the living Torah in our hearts! Thus will obey God's law and his commandments! As the leading of the Spirit is the LAW of God. Thus we fullfill the requirements of the law. As JEsus promised and at that more perfectly or full than the 613 commandments could ever have done as leading of God is there for every situation in reference to his written Word..

Originally Posted by LUKE2447

I edited the above so You might want to adjust it. I accidently pushed the respond or something. I also agree we are only made alive by the Spirit as One must be born of Water and Spirit.

WE wOuld DiSagreE on YoUR inTerpreTatioN of JoHn 3.

BUt wE AgRee in PRincIPle.

YOu aRe nOt fAr fRom UnDersTandiNg thE GOspel, youNg JeDi LuKe.

WE mAy AlSo disAgrEe on YouR vieW of The TOrah AnD ChRist's ViEw AS to WhAt thE FOcus ShoUld bE. SeE gReaT cOmmAndmEnt.

[LUKE2447]

One must understand the Jesus is the very expression of God. His Word! All things that proceed forth from God is truth thus law! The law was a type of Christ. Who can fullfill the law perfectly than that which is the Word/mind of God expressed. Torah is the teaching of God not just limited to the meaning of LAW! There is only ONE teacher and that is Christ! Thus he is TORAH! He teaches and leads us in truth/law! Thy Word is truth...

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.