Also, notes on Jeremiah 31:33 and the Holy Spirit.
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Many people become frustrated when they try to figure out what the "rules" of the
New Covenant really are. They look for a set of rules written on paper. It is easy
to find a set of written rules for the Old Covenant – but, where can one find New
Covenant's law or rules, in written form? Indeed, that is a good question. Then,
when those people have read all of the New Testament and realised that it simply
does not contain any such "set of rules", they turn to the Old Covenant and take
its rules to be the rules for the New Covenant as well. Only, they make some
(arbitrary) "modifications" to them, or then they listen to preachers who do that.
It is important to understand the matter of the "rules" of the New Covenant, and where it really can be found in "written" form. The Bible is actually quite clear regarding that matter. What causes problems is that people have been taught all kinds of things that are not biblical. This essay contains notes on what the Bible really says about these things, and also, notes on Jeremiah 31:33 and the Holy Spirit. That passage in the book of Jeremiah has, of course, a clear connection with the New Covenant.
A note: This treatise will not sort out the basics regarding the old and new covenants. You can find links to some of the other parts in this series on the two covenants, in the "Additional reading" section towards the end of this present essay. Look also under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm.
The essay eg08b.htm has more on the subject of righteousness. The essays ec01c.htm and ec02d.htm have more on the old and new covenants in general. The essay ec11c.htm studies the question, is the New Covenant "a renewal of the Old Covenant", as some have claimed? The essay ec12c.htm considers what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote to the saints in Rome that they were not under law but under grace. The essay ec06f.htm has more on the matter of the Decalogue, the Old Covenant's eser dabarim, "ten words".
The question was, where can one find New Covenant's law or rules, in written form?
The Old Covenant had its writing – its ten main points were written (engraved) on two tables of stone, and the remainder of its rules were written down by Moses, perhaps on parchment.
Then, it is interesting to see what the Old Testament says about the "writing" of the New Covenant:
Jeremiah 31:31 "The day is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the LORD. 33 "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions [A] deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins." (NLT-04)
[A] Verse 33: The 2004 NL translation correctly renders the Hebrew noun torah as "instructions". There is more on this, below.
Please read and consider that passage with care. Does it say, "the Old Covenant will be ratified and confirmed"? No. The Lord said that he would make a new covenant with Israel, a covenant that was not like the old one.
Also: The Old Covenant was written on stone (the part which the Lord spoke aloud) and on some other material, perhaps skins (most of its rules) – but the New Covenant's "writing" is not done on stone or skins or paper, but in the "hearts of men", through the Holy Spirit coming to dwell in them. The New Covenant is written, "not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart".
2 Corinthians 3:3 All can see that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, a letter written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on 'tablets of stone,' but on 'tablets of human hearts.' (20CNT)
Again: The New Covenant's "writing" is the Holy Spirit which is poured out and placed in men's inner being. There is more on this, below.
A note: Many bible-versions have put in the word "law", in Jeremiah 31:33. That has caused many misunderstandings. The Lord was not talking about writing the Old Covenant or its law-code in men's inner being. No, he was talking about the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word in question (verse 33) is torah (towrah). It is important to understand that the literal meaning of the noun torah was "instruction" or "guidance". It was related to the verb yarah which meant "to teach", "to instruct". The Theological Workbook of the Old Testament (by Harris, Archer and Waltke) states,
"The word tora means basically 'teaching' whether it is the wise man instructing his son or God instructing Israel".
Point: The Old Covenant had a guidance and instruction that was written on physical things, but the New Covenant's "writing", guidance and instruction is the Holy Spirit. Again, the New Covenant is written, "not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on ‘tablets of stone,’ but on ‘tablets of human hearts.’" (2 Corinthians 3:3, 20CNT). Read on, for more.
Back to Jeremiah 31:33 and the Holy Spirit. Let us consider what that verse really says.
In short, it says that in the future, all of Israel will have the Holy Spirit "written" in their inner being. In other words: The New Covenant will be "written", by placing the Holy Spirit in men's inner being.
The saints (people who in the first century received the Holy Spirit), were a "first-fruits" group – but the main fulfilment of Jeremiah 31:33 is yet to come. Let us read that passage one more time:
Jeremiah 31:31 "The day is coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the LORD. 33 "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins." (NLT-04)
In the future, when the main fulfilment of that promise comes, the people of Israel will all know the Lord and his ways, without anyone having to teach them. They will not need any handbook or written instructions. Because, the New Covenant's "instruction" or "guidance" – the Holy Spirit – will be "written" in them, in their inner being.
Again: The Old Covenant was written on stones, and partially on parchment or something similar, but the New Covenant is not written on physical things; it is "written" by placing the Holy Spirit in men's inner being.
But again, things are not that way yet, at this present time. Actually, it seems that no mortal man who lives here on Earth in our day, is that way yet. In the apostles' day, the saints received the Holy Spirit. They were the "first-fruits" is God's "harvest work". The main harvest has not begun yet.
Today, this planet is still in the hands of wicked rebel spirits. But, Jesus will return and he will destroy Satan and his cronies. At that time, Jesus will place even this planet within the awesome Reign of the true God who is in Heaven. In those coming days, mankind will receive the Holy Spirit. The nation of Israel will apparently be first. (This is talking about future things; the story of the saints who were the first-fruits, was slightly different.)
Many churches and preachers have caused people to think that they have received the Holy Spirit, because the church or preacher baptised them.
But, the tough question is, is that true? The essay eb01c.htm takes a closer look at that very important matter.
The essay eb02c.htm has more on calling" and "election". The essay et03c.htm considers who the "first-fruits" really are.
There is a wide-spread misunderstanding regarding what the apostle Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth (2 Corinthians 3). Around that misunderstanding, a totally unbiblical concept of "the letter of the law" and "the spirit of the law" has been created.
Here, it is important to note that there are no such phrases as "the letter of the law" or "the spirit of the law", neither in 2 Corinthians 3 nor anywhere in the Bible. Let us see what the apostle was talking about.
He wrote to the saints in Corinth:
2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (NASB-77)
Again, please note that there are no such phrases as "the letter of the law" or "the spirit of the law" in this passage (or anywhere in the Bible). It was "the letter" versus "the Spirit" – what that meant and referred to, will be explained below.
The context shows what Paul really was talking about:
2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8 how shall the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? (NASB-77)
2 Corinthians 3:6 Who has made us able to be servants of a new agreement; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter gives death, but the Spirit gives life. 7 For if the operation of the law, giving death, recorded in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the eyes of the children of Israel had to be turned away from the face of Moses because of its glory, a glory which was only for a time: 8 Will not the operation of the Spirit have a much greater glory? (BBE)
"The Spirit" mentioned in verse 6 is the Holy Spirit which is the New Covenant's "writing". If and when one has it, then one has everlasting life. And, only then. Again, the New Covenant is written, "not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on ‘tablets of stone,’ but on ‘tablets of human hearts.’" (2 Corinthians 3:3, 20CNT).
Further: The phrase "the letter" in 2 Corinthians 3:6 refers to the Old Covenant. The apostle wrote, "the letter gives death". That is repeated in 2 Corinthians 3:7: "The operation of the law, giving death, recorded in letters on stone". And indeed, the Old Covenant did not provide everlasting life for anyone.
A note: There are a number of translations which make some of the passages which are related to these things, very misleading. But the clear fact is that the Old Covenant could not give anyone everlasting life, and that it was never meant to do that, either.
Another note: There was nothing bad about "the words of the covenant, the ten words". The thing is that they were not separate or alone; they were an integral and inseparable part of the covenant that was made at Sinai – the Old Covenant. The apostle used the phrase "the letter", 2 Corinthians 3:6, as a symbol for the Old Covenant is its entirety. That covenant did not provide a way to everlasting life; that is why Paul wrote, "the letter kills" (2 Corinthians 3:6). And again, the phrase "the Spirit give life", 2 Corinthians 3:6, refers to the Holy Spirit which is the New Covenant's "writing".
The essay ec13c.htm has more on the matter of "the letter" versus "the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3 and Romans 7).
This is the 1769 KJ version's archaic rendering of the passage in question:
2 Corinthians 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (KJV-1769)
Paul who was a learned man, was completely correct when he called the Old Covenant, as the 1769 KJ version has it, "the ministration of death, written and engraven on stone". (Again, he used the tables of stone as a symbol for the Old Covenant as a whole.)
The words "the ministration of the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:9) in their turn referred to the New Covenant, which does not have any on physical things written "rules" but is instead "written" by placing the Holy Spirit in men's inner being.
And again, since the Holy Spirit is not being distributed here on Earth right now (which means that people cannot observe the nature and fruit of the Holy Spirit on the practical level), it may for some people be hard to understand the full and true nature of the New Covenant's "writing".
Consequently, many are confused and frustrated, and look for an on paper recorded "law" or set of rules (for the New Covenant). But, there is no such thing. That leads to that some people, either in their frustration or because of deception spread by churches and preachers, turn to the Old Covenant and to its rules, either in full or in part, often arbitrarily picking and choosing parts of the Old Covenant, according to their own wish and whim, or according to what some preacher says.
All translations of the Bible are a work of men. There are many errors and misleading things, in the translations which this world's churches and churchmen have produced. That is so, especially in regard to the matter of the two covenants, old and new.
Many bible-versions make it seem that there would have been "changes to an existing law", so that the Old Covenant (supposedly) is still in force but now in an "enhanced form". But, that is not true. What the apostle Paul said was that there was, of necessity, a change of law – a change from one thing to something totally different.
Hebrews 7:12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. (NASB-77)
Please note that that was not "a change in the law" as some have claimed, but, as the Greek text says, "a change of law". That is, the Old Covenant and its rules were set aside and came to their end. The New Covenant is indeed new and different covenant.
One unfortunate thing in most bible-versions is the way they translate the Greek word nomos. Some versions render all of the around 197 occurrences of the noun nomos as "law".
The "Greek-English Lexicon" by Liddell and Scott shows that the word nomos had many different meanings, such as "that which is in habitual practice, use or possession", "usage", "custom", and through that also "law", "ordinance". And also "established", "conventional" and "form", and even "melody", "strain", "course", and more.
Again, many bible-versions always render the word nomos as "law". That has led to many misunderstandings.
Many people have been caused to think that in the Greek text of the New Testament, the phrase ho nomos always refers to the Old Covenant. But no, very often the phrase ho nomos (also in other forms, such as tou nomou), instead refers to the book which we call "Old Testament". Sometimes it refers to the entire Old Testament, sometimes to its first five books only.
Here, it is important to note and understand the difference between the Old Covenant, and the book that we call the Old Testament.
Take Matthew 5:17-18 where the Greek text contains the phrase ton nomon hê tous prophêtas, "the Law and the Prophets". That does not refer to the Old Covenant; that refers to the Old Testament sections that are called "the Law" (the five books of Moses) and "the Prophets".
Point: Jesus did not say that he had come to "fulfil the Old Covenant" – he said that he had come to fulfil the prophecies and promises contained in "the Law" (in the five books of Moses) and in "the Prophets" (another section of the Old Testament). There is more on Matthew 5:17, below.
A note: The word or name Tanakh which the Jews use of the book that we call "the Old Testament", comes from the acronym "TNK" where the letters T, N and K point to the different parts of the Old Testament: T for the section called Torah (the five books of Moses); N for Neviim ("the Prophets") and K for Kethuvim, ("the Writings"). (In English usage, the section-name Torah has often been translated as "the Law".)
Here is an example of the use of that division:
Acts 28:23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. (NASB-95, highlighting added)
Regarding the use of the terms "the Law", "the Prophets" and "the Writings", see also Mark 1:2, Luke 16:16, 24:27 and 24:44, John 1:45 and 6:45, Acts 7:42 and 13:15, Romans 3:21, 1 Corinthians 14:21, Hebrews 10:1, and so on.
So, what does Acts 28:23 mean? When it is said that Paul used "the Law of Moses" to teach those people about Jesus, does that mean that Paul taught them the Old Covenant and its rules? Of course not. That merely means that he used the books that are called "the Law", for teaching people about Jesus and the New Covenant. Similarly, the phrase "the Prophets" in Acts 28:23 does not mean that Paul exhumed the prophets of old. No, that simply means that he used the books that are called "the Prophets", in order to teach people about Jesus.
Some preachers have claimed that Matthew 5:17 supposedly means that Jesus "expanded" the rules of the Old Covenant's, adding to them and giving "more meaning" to them. But no, that is not what Jesus was saying.
It is important to understand what that passage in the book of Matthew really means. Let us take a closer look at it.
As you read that passage, keep in mind that the phrases "the Law" and "the Prophets" refer, not to the Old Covenant but to specific sections of the Old Testament.
Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled. (VW-2006, highlighting added)
This passage explains what Jesus meant:
Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me. (VW-2006, highlighting added)
The phrases "the Law" and "the Prophets" and "the Psalms" were names of certain sections of the Old Testament. What Jesus meant was that he had not come to "do away" with what that book was all about. No, he had come to fulfil what that book had promised and prophesied. In the first century, he fulfilled much of that. In the future, he will fulfil whatever still remains to be fulfilled.
The essay ec01c.htm has more on Matthew 5:17-18; the essay ec02d.htm analyses Matthew 5:19.
Paul said that love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). His point may have been that a lot of other things do "fail", that is, come to their end. Among the things that will "come to their end", are prophecies (when prophecies are fulfilled, that's their end), and tongues or languages (in the future, when all know the Lord's ways and all speak the same language, no more special language gifts will be needed).
Even "prophecies" in the meaning "instruction" will "come to their end" and become of no use, for when all know the Lord and his ways, no one will need to explain those things to others.
But faithfulness, hope and love will remain and prevail. Paul noted that among those three things that will "prevail" (remain), love is the greatest.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now faithfulness, hope, love, these three remain; and the greatest of these is love. (Author's tr.)
Then there is Romans 13:9-10. Many people have misunderstood that passage, mostly because of misleading bible-translations. Let us first take a look at verse 9:
Romans 13:9 And this, Do not be untrue in married life, Do not put to death, Do not take what is another's, Do not have desire for what is another's, and if there is any other order, it is covered by this word, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. (BBE)
It is easy to understand that (the way of) love covers even those things. If one loves one's fellow humans, one will not do the things that are mentioned in the first part of Romans 13:9.
But, most bible-translations twist the following verse – Romans 13:10 – and make it seem that love is "the fulfilment of the law of the Old Covenant", or that love supposedly means that "one will keep the law of Moses perfectly", or whatever. But that is not true, of course.
The apostle was simply explaining that (the way of) love covers even the things that he mentioned (Romans 13:9). That is: If one has true love towards one's fellow humans, then one will not do any of the things mentioned in the first part of Romans 13:9.
Again, most bible-translations make a mess of Romans 13:10, but here is one that comes closer to what Paul obviously meant and was saying:
Romans 13:10 Love works no ill to its neighbour; love therefore is the whole law. (DBY)
But, even that can be a bit misleading. The Greek wording is plêrôma oun nomou hê agapê. The adjective plêrôma referred to completeness (or perfection, if you please); the noun agapê meant "love" – but what about nomou (nomos)? Many have rendered it here as "law" ("love is the fulfilling of the law", or similar), but was that what the apostle Paul meant? Here, it is important to know that Paul often played on words, using in the same sentence or context a word in two different meanings. (The word nomos had many uses and meanings, among them "pasture", "district", "custom", "usage", "practice", "melody" and "way".) Thus, taking it that the words plêrôma oun nomou are in this case to be interpreted something like "perfectness of manner of life", here is a suggested translation of that verse:
Romans 13:10 Love works no evil to neighbour; love therefore is the perfect way. (Author's tr.)
Whatever it exactly was that Paul meant by each word in Romans 13:10 and its context, it is clear that he was talking about the way of righteousness – living a life of love, loving one's neighbours as oneself. Incidentally, the English word "righteousness", older form rihtwisnes, actually means "right-way-ness", "right-ways-ness". Love – including good works – towards one's fellow humans, is a central part of righteousness – the right way of living. The essay eg08b.htm has more on this and explains in more detail what righteousness actually is.
We know what Jesus taught: "Have love for the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest rule. And a second like it is this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39, BBE.) If one follows those principles, then one will not have idols or use the Lord's name in vain, and one will take care of one's ageing parents (that is what the "honouring" really meant). If one follows those principles, then one will not murder, steal, lust for someone else's property, and one will not be unfaithful in marriage.
The essay ec12c.htm takes a closer look at what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote to the saints in Rome that they were not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14). The essay ec06f.htm has more on the matter of the Decalogue, the Old Covenant's eser dabarim, "ten words". The essay ec07d.htm has more on the word and concept commandments in the New Testament. And again, the essay eg08b.htm explains in more detail what righteousness really is.
The Old Covenant was an agreement that was adapted to the Israelites' carnality. The Bible tells us that it was "added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made", and that it was "appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator" (Galatians 3:19, NKJV).
So, the Old Covenant was only a temporary addition, to last only "until the Offspring should come to whom the promise was made" – that is, only until Jesus came.
The Old Covenant was only a picture, a type, a shadow of the Real Thing that was to come (Hebrews 10:1, et cetera).
(The essay ec10c.htm has more on Galatians 3:17-19-21.)
A note: The word Decalogue comes from the Greek phrase tous deka logous which meant "the ten words".
This might surprise or even shock some, but the phrase "the Ten Commandments" was coined in the Middle Ages and is a mistranslation.
The New Testament does not contains any such phrase, and in the three Old Testament passages where many bible translations have squeezed in the words "ten commandments", the Hebrew text actually says something different. Here are the three relevant scriptures:
Exodus 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten words. (JPS-1917, highlighting added)
Deuteronomy 4:13 And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded [B] you to perform, even the ten words; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone. (JPS-1917, highlighting and note sign added)
Deuteronomy 10:4 And He wrote on the tables according to the first writing, the ten words, which the LORD spoke unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly; and the LORD gave them unto me. (JPS-1917, highlighting added)
The phrase "the Ten Commandments" has no support in the Hebrew and Greek texts. That phrase was invented by men, apparently in the 1500s because it was in 1560 that it suddenly popped up in the Geneva bible.
The relevant passages are those that were quoted above. There, the Hebrew text talks about "the words of the covenant, the ten words". Consider this: Words – of which covenant? Why, the one that was made at Sinai, the Old Covenant.
A note: Again, there was nothing bad about "the words of the covenant, the ten words". The thing is that they were not separate or alone; they were an inseparable part of the covenant that was made at Sinai – the Old Covenant. That covenant did not provide a way to everlasting life; that is why Paul wrote, "the letter kills" (2 Corinthians 3:6). And again, when he wrote, "the Spirit give life" (same verse), he referred to the Holy Spirit which is the New Covenant's "writing".
The essay ec06f.htm contains a deeper study on the matter of the Decalogue.
The New Covenant is totally separate from the old one. It is not based on the old. No, it is actually the Old Covenant that is "based" on the New. As was explained earlier in this essay, the Old Covenant was never meant to be anything else except a temporary thing.
But, the Old Covenant was a prophetic picture and type which foreshadowed the Real Thing that was to come. Claiming that the New Covenant would be based on the old one would be like putting the cart before the horse, and worse than that, for the Real Thing is not based on its own shadow. (The dark shadow is not the real thing. To understand what a shadow is all about, one must instead study the object which produced the shadow, instead of staring at the shadow. To study the Real Thing properly, one must pour light on it from all angles. And, when light is from all directions poured on the Real Thing, the shadow vanishes out of sight.)
The essay ec11c.htm shows from the Bible that the New Covenant is not "a renewal of the Old Covenant" as some have claimed.
[B] Regarding Deuteronomy 4:13 which was quoted above – some might wonder about the word "commanded" which the 1917 JPS version has in that verse. But, anyone who checks what really happened at Sinai, will find that the Lord was not forcing anything on the Israelites. One does not "command" anyone into a covenant. Three times, the Israelites were asked whether they wanted to make such a covenant with the Lord. It was only after they had, three times, given their consent to the covenant which the Lord was proposing, that they became bound by that covenant and its rules. Concerning the translation of that part of Deuteronomy 4:13 – the meaning probably was something like "and he showed you the covenant which he asked you to make [with him], the ten words, and he wrote them on two tablets of stone". Again, the essay ec06f.htm has more on Exodus 34:28 and the matter of the "Decalogue", including Deuteronomy 4:13.
The Old Covenant was an added, temporary agreement that was adapted to the ancient Israelites' carnality. It was to be there only "until the Offspring should come to whom the promise was made" (Galatians 3:19) – that is, only until Jesus came. Also: That covenant was only with ancient Israel, not with any other nation. Later, the Lord divorced the northern tribes of Israel because of their unfaithfulness, and so only the southern tribes (who were called "Jews") had a covenant with the Lord. When Jesus was killed, that covenant came to its end even on their part. Since then, no one has been under the Old Covenant.
Regarding the "writing" of the Old Covenant and that of the New Covenant:
The Old Covenant's writing was done on physical things, a part on stone and the remainder perhaps on parchment.
The New Covenant, however, is not written by using letters or by any physical means. As the Bible shows, the New Covenant is "written" through placing the Holy Spirit in men's inner being, to guide them. Once again, the New Covenant is written, "not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on ‘tablets of stone,’ but on ‘tablets of human hearts.’" (2 Corinthians 3:3, 20CNT).
Many people may find that hard to understand. In other words: Because people of our day do not yet have the Holy Spirit in that way, it may be hard for many of them to understand the full nature and scope of the New Covenant and its Writing.
The essay eb01c.htm has more on the distribution of the Holy Spirit. The essay eg08b.htm explains what righteousness really is and consists of. The essay eb02c.htm considers the matter of calling" and "election". The essay eg03c.htm studies the matter of saints and sainthood. The essay et03c.htm shows who the 144,000 "first-fruits" really are.
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If this page did not contain what you were looking for, see the links below, and the key-word index and the table of contents, or use the search function.
Additional reading at the Bible Pages, on related as well as other issues:
A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
What does the word "righteous" really mean? What does the Bible say about righteousness? → eg08b.htm
The New Covenant versus the Old Covenant, or the Old Covenant versus the New Covenant. Also, some notes on Matthew 5:17 and 18. → ec01c.htm
Several important points regarding the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. This essay ties in with its companion ec01c.htm (look above) which is about those two covenants and the difference between them. → ec02d.htm
Is the New Covenant a "renewal" or "modification" of the Old Covenant? → ec11c.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
Romans 6:14-15, "For you are not under law but under grace", and Romans 7:6, "We are delivered from the law". What did the apostle mean? → ec12c.htm
The Ten Commandments – that phrase was coined in the Middle Ages and is a mistranslation. The Hebrew text talks about "the words of the covenant, the ten words". On the Decalogue, the "ten words" or eser dabarim as the Hebrew text has it, or tous deka logous as the Greek Septuagint or LXX translated it. → ec06f.htm
On the word and concept "commandments" in the New Testament. This essay is a complement to the essay ec06f.htm which is about the Decalogue, and is a part of a series on the matter of the covenants. → ec07d.htm
For more on the two covenants, old and new, look under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm.
A clarification of the actual nature of the sabbatismos or Rest of Hebrews 4:9. → ex11b.htm
What does the Bible say about calling, election, sanctification and justification? → eb02c.htm
The Holy Spirit – an outline and a no-nonsense synopsis of the matter of the distribution of God's Spirit, in the past, today, and in the coming days of the future. Also: Whose baptism is valid? Churches and preachers baptise people, but they are not notably changed and no obvious signs or fruit of the Spirit are seen in their lives. Why is that? Is the Spirit of God at all given to humans, at this present time? → eb01c.htm
The identity and timing of the 144,000 and the great multitude of Revelation 7, and the first-fruits or virgins of Revelation 14:1-4 – who those groups really are, and when they came or come into existence. → et03c.htm
Many talk about "the letter of the law" versus "the spirit of the law" – but those expressions are not found in the Bible. A detailed, down to the core study on 2 Corinthians 3:6-8 and Romans 7:6 and what the apostle Paul really meant and referred to when he wrote about the letter as opposed to the Spirit. → ec13c.htm
What does the word "faith" mean? What is true faith? On the words and concepts "faith", "faithfulness", "believe" and "believing", in the Bible and especially in the New Testament, and what those things meant in the saints' lives. → eb10b.htm
Acts 15 and the matter of the covenants. → eo04d.htm
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
Galatians 3:17-19 – what did Paul mean by the term "added law"? What was the original thing? And, the addition that came 430 years later, was it some "extra rituals", or something else? Further: What did the apostle Paul mean when he in that same epistle wrote, "This is the only thing I want to find out from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" (3:2) and, "Tell me, you who want to be under the Law, do you not understand the Law?" (4:21). Those things in the letter to the saints in Galatia might seem confusing, but this essay makes them clearer and more easily understood, and shows what the apostle was talking about. → ec10c.htm
On 1 John 3:4 and the translation "whoever commits sin transgresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law". What was the apostle John really talking about, and what is the correct translation of the Greek word anomia in that verse? → ec14b.htm
The meaning of the words Christ, Christian, Messiah and Messias. Also: Did the saints call themselves "Christians" – christianos or christianoi? → eg07b.htm
Does the New Covenant have dietary rules – instructions or commandments regarding foods? What kinds of food did the saints eat? Should believers observe some kind of dietary laws or eat "kosher food"? → ef01b.htm – ef03b.htm
What does the English language word and concept "doctrine" literally mean? Likewise, the terms "dogma", "creed" and "tenet", what do they signify? Countless preachers and doctors of theology compile dogmas, creeds, tenets and doctrinal statements of beliefs, and claim them to be "the Truth". But, they do not agree with each other. Their opinions and teachings differ, depending on their denomination and its viewpoints, and there is much confusion. So, the pertinent question is, who has the "true doctrines" or "correct dogmas"? What should one think – do the Scriptures give any guidance regarding this matter? What does the Bible say about "doctrine"? → es08c.htm
Info on the goal and purpose of this site, and a contact address.
→
purpose.htm
Table of contents for this site, including a synopsis or a short, summary description
of each essay or article. →
filename.htm
Search for specific words, phrases or bible passages at this site. →
search.htm
An alphabetical bible topic keyword index of the essays and articles at this site:
1-9
– A
– B
– C
– D
– E
– F
– G
– H
– I
– J
– K
– L
– M
– N
– O
– P
– Q
– R
– S
– T
– U
– V
– W
– X
– Y – Z –
Detailed index overview
If you find any of the essays or treatises at this site interesting and helpful, please provide a copy to other people as well. But before printing or distributing anything, make sure to get the very latest version, exactly as it is, directly from this web site. In regard to printable copies of these pages, for example as PDF-format papers, booklets or brochures or so – there are no specially printer friendly variants (except some bible puzzles), nor is there a need for that – simply, when you print an essay, set the margins and the text size to fit your needs and the paper you use, in the program you use for viewing these pages, and then send it to your printer. (This varies in different browsers and word processing programs. In web browsers, for setting the margin size and headers and footers, look for "Print Format" in the File menu; to set the text size for print-out, look under "Preview" or "View" in the same menu.)
Important: You are welcome to quote the documents at this site – the Bible Pages – provided that you mention the source, by giving the full web address to the page in question. Please link to these essays and give copies to friends. However, you may not re-publish any part of the contents of this site, as a booklet, brochure or on the Internet or in other ways, without a permission from the author; he retains the copyright. For more on copying and quoting, and a few words about the author and his religious education and credentials, see the page purpose.htm.
The essays at this site are not in "bible lesson" or "bible study course" format, nor are they meant as on-line "bible study classes" of some kind. Even though this site gives ready answers to biblical questions of many kinds, its main goal is providing food for thought on a variety of biblical subjects, and challenging and encouraging people to get started with deep personal bible study and then continue with that. (Many religious organisations and denominations have their bible lessons and correspondence courses; they are ready-made "studies" which are shrewdly constructed and written in such a manner that they lead the reader to conclusions that fit the dogmas of the group in question.) A careful, closer study of the books of the Bible with proper tools will help a believer to gain better and deeper biblical understanding. In that way, one will find out more about what the Bible really says, means and teaches. One can then, with wisdom, use that knowledge as a guide for one's life, instead of accepting as "biblical truths" whatever commercial religion – churches and their ministers (preachers) – have taught and want people to believe.
A more thorough, bible-based study with care and with thought will, not only help one to learn more, but also show one how many a popular belief has no scriptural basis or support but is altogether false and not biblical at all. This applies, not only to prophecy and "end time" related things, but also to many other subjects where prevailing dogmas are often taken "for granted". For this reason, it is extremely important for believers to personally study the Writings, and to thoroughly analyse them down to the smaller details, in order to find out the real facts. For doing that, it is not necessary to know the Hebrew, Greek or Latin languages (even though learning their letters and alphabet can be a good idea); there are modern, advanced tools which can help one to study in an effective way – see the pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm for more on this. The essay eg02c.htm supplies a number of easy, elementary keys to acquiring a better and deeper understanding of the Bible, simply by consciously and methodically avoiding certain usual errors and pitfalls.
This site is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is not connected to any church, sect or religious organisation or movement. This site looks at things from a biblical perspective, and not from a dogmatic one. It does not claim to be without error or to "know it all" or to have a perfect or complete explanation to all things – it consists of an ongoing bible study that has been made public, and as the study goes on, the contents of these pages are revised and also expanded, with new topics and themes being addressed. Readers are invited and welcome to write to the author with thoughts and comments, or to ask questions or to point out a mistake if they feel that they have found one. For more on this, see the page purpose.htm.
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This page was created or modified 2010-03-11.