A Publication of Churches Under Christ Ministry

Click here to go to the written lessons.
Click here to go to the 3 1/2 to 6 minute video lectures.

Click here to go to Dispensation Theology versus Covenant Theology and Their Importance to the Issue of Church and State Relationship in America

Jerald Finney
Copyright © February 9, 2018

Dispensationalism correctly explains the Covenants of Law and Grace. God made a covenant with the children of Israel called the Mosaic Covenant. The Mosaic Covenant of Law applied to an earthly people.

The Mosaic Covenant (1) given to Israel (2) in three divisions, each essential to the others, and together forming the Mosaic Covenant, viz.: the Commandments, expressing the righteous will of God (Ex. 20.1-26; the ‘judgments,’ governing the social life of Israel (Ex. 21.1-24.11); and the ‘ordinances,’ governing the religious life of Israel (Ex. 24.12-31.18). These three elements form ‘the law,’ as that phrase is generically used in the New Testament (e.g. Mt. 5.17, 18). The Commandments and the ordinances formed one religious system. The Commandments were a ‘ministry of condemnation’ and of ‘death’ (2 Co. 3.7-9); the ordinances gave, in the high priest, a representative of the people with Jehovah; and in the sacrifices a ‘cover’ for their sins in anticipation of the Cross (He. 5.1-3; 9.6-9; Ro. 3.25, 26). The Christian is not under the conditional Mosaic Covenant of works, the law, but under the unconditional New Covenant of grace (Ro. 3.21-27; 6.14, 15; Ga. 2.16, 3.10-14, 16-18, 24-26; 4.21-31; He. 10.11-17).

Christ was the mediator of a better covenant, called the New Covenant “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” (He. 8.6. He.8.1-5 speaks of the Mosaic Covenant of Law).

“The New Covenant, Summary:

• “‘Better’ than the Mosaic Covenant, not morally, but efficaciously [or ‘as of having the power to produce the desired effect’]. 7.19; Rom. 8.3;
• “Established on ‘better’ (i.e., unconditional) promises. In the Mosaic Covenant God said, ‘If ye will.’ 19.5-6a; in the New Covenant, He says, ‘I will’ (Heb. 8.10, 12-13.
• “Under the Mosaic Covenant obedience sprang from fear. 2.2; 12.25-27; under the New, from a willing heart and mind ([Heb. 8.]9-10;
• “The New Covenant secures the personal revelation of the Lord to every believer (He. 8.11; “the complete oblivion of sins. 8.12; He. 10.17; cf. He. 10.3; “rests upon an accomplished redemption. Mt. 26.27, 28; 1 Co. 11.25; He. 9.11, 12, 18-23; “and secures the perpetuity, future conversion, and blessing of Israel (Jer. 31.31-40 see also 2 Sa. 7.8-17).
• The New Covenant is the eighth, thus speaking of resurrection and of eternal completeness.”

“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (He. 8.12).