Posts Tagged ‘covenants’
Which baptism was in effect between Jesus’ death and Pentecost?
Question: Good evening, After reading Exodus 19-24, it appears the Patriarchal Age ended in Exodus 19 but was not ratified by blood until Exodus 24:7-8, which relates to Hebrews 9:22. With this in mind, if I’m correct in my earlier assessment, which baptism (John’s or Jesus’) would have been authorized after Jesus’ death but before…
Read MoreCan you break a covenant with Satan and turn back to God?
Question: Hello sir, I have quite a few questions if that’s alright. Is it possible to make a covenant with Satan and break a covenant with God? Can you break the covenant with Satan and turn back to God? Does God ever lose hope in someone and cut them off completely? Does God love all…
Read MoreAre promises the same as marriage covenant?
Question: Dear minister, I have been feeling torn, confused, really unsure of what to do at times, I have prayed, trying to trust God to help. In the context of understanding marriage, I have searched about promises compared to covenants, including some answers on your site, and from other sources. Before I became a Christian…
Read MoreCan 6-year-olds form a marriage covenant?
Question: If God takes every word I say into judgment … This is going to seem silly but when I was around 6 years old I got “married” to a boy on the playground. As a kid I took it as seriously as a 6-year-old could, I suppose. I know it shouldn’t make a marriage…
Read MoreAm I not allowed to get married because I committed fornication?
Question: Sorry about this being a tough one. As a believer, I am in a really tough spot. I firmly believe the Bible teaches that sex is a biblical marriage. Although this is not what the church or mainstream media teaches. In Scripture, any time virgins had sex it was understood to be marriage. “He…
Read MoreIs my marriage invalid because I broke up with my earlier girlfriend despite promising not to?
Question: I read a response from somebody where they were married for over 50 years, but the marriage was not valid. I am wondering if my current marriage is valid or not. Here is my situation: Before I met my wife, I made a promise to God that I would never break up with anybody,…
Read MoreAre all marriages spiritually binding?
Question: Hello, I attend a church of Christ, and my boyfriend of several years was baptized about a few years ago. We broke up last year for several months due to some differences but have since decided to be back together. My boyfriend is in the military and during the time we were broken up,…
Read MoreWhen is a couple married?
Question: Hello, I found your website full of helpful questions. My question is when does God consider a couple married? Can a couple just promise to be faithful to each other before God and consider themselves to be husband and wife? My fear is that when I was with my ex-girlfriend, I got carried away…
Read MoreYour exposé on the law, commandments, and the covenant is indeed superb
Question: Wow, your exposé on the law, commandments, and covenants is indeed superb. I am blessed and would study it in much depth. Answer: I’m glad you found the information useful for your studies.
Read MoreSince only males were circumcised, how did females enter the Old Covenant?
Question: Brother, This question came up in a recent Bible study. We were covering the book of Romans, the last few verses of chapter 2. Circumcision came up. After a little discussion, a sister in Christ asked how women made a covenant with God under Mosaic Law, since circumcision was the sign of the covenant.…
Read MoreThe law is perfect, but the covenant was faulty, so they cannot be the same
Question: A quick question on your article Is the covenant different from the Law? If, as Psalm 19 says, “the law of the Lord is perfect,” and the law mentioned there is the same as the covenant mentioned in Hebrews, then why wouldn’t the covenant be faultless (i.e. “perfect”) as opposed to Hebrews 8:7? I believe…
Read MoreIs my marriage vow valid since I did not marry out of love but out of fear?
Question: I married my brother’s widow after God spoke to several pastors and the widow herself that I must marry her. She has four children. The problem with this marriage is that my wife has a lot of feelings and I don’t have any. When we want to have sex, I must think of anything that…
Read MoreIf a guy is drunk at his wedding, is he really married?
Question: My “soulmate” had gotten himself in a messy situation about ten years ago. We had been dating but had split due to distance. While I was gone he started seeing another girl (at the time he was 18) whom he slept with. When I returned, however, he told me that it was me he…
Read MoreYour article on circumcision helped me understand the importance of baptism as a sign of the covenant
Question: Our Sunday School group is studying the book of Romans. In searching for a deeper understanding of why God told Abraham to circumcise his household, I came across your article on circumcision. I feel the article was very helpful to me to understand this sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham. And I…
Read MoreWhy Blood?
Introduction: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus I. Our first question is based on Hebrews 9:22, “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” 1. The question is, “Why blood?” 2. If I wanted to clean something, blood is not the first thing that…
Read MoreIs a marriage only bound after sex?
Question: I had a question I was hoping you could help me with. Often the debate is focused on the major problem area when it comes to the marriage, divorce, and remarriage debate, which is the divorce and remarriage. But there doesn’t seem to be a large pool of information on the marriage side. What…
Read MoreHow did David get forgiveness and why is it different after Christ’s death?
Question: How did King David get forgiveness and why is it different after Christ’s death? Answer: First, let’s make it clear that David lived under a different covenant with God than we do today. See “Why We Don’t Follow the Old Testament” for details. Still, there are similarities, which should be expected since both the…
Read MoreThe Importance of Covenants – Part II
The Importance of Covenants – Part 3The Importance of Covenants – Part 4 Text: Jeremiah 31:31-34 I. Covenants play a major role throughout the Scriptures. A. These are not promises, such as to be somewhere next week. Nor are they just solemn oaths. B. Covenants create a binding relationship between people, much like a treaty. II. Parts of…
Read MoreThe Importance of Covenants – Part I
The Importance of Covenants – Part 1The Importance of Covenants – Part 2 Text: Genesis 9:9-17 I. People have lost their understanding of covenants. People really don’t understand them or their importance. A. In part, it is because we don’t honor our word as we once did as a people. 1. Like New Year resolutions, they only…
Read MoreAm I married?
Question: OK. Well, let me provide some background information. I am a believer. I met a girl who is also a believer. We became boyfriend and girlfriend. During the relationship, we would talk about marriage and getting married and the intent of the relationship was to one day get married. We would say things like…
Read MoreBack To Basics: Covenants
by Frank Jamerson When brethren make such statements as: “Jesus did not come to establish a covenant which was different from any previous arrangements,” and “Jesus is the covenant victim, not a covenant maker or law-maker,” it indicates a dire need to get back to basics. When men are confused about the difference between the…
Read MoreThe Law and the Gospel
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/LawAndTheGospel.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 1:1-11 I. I have frequent encounters with people who do not distinguish between the Old Testament and the New Testament A. None want to fully return to the Mosaical covenant, but each wants some feature found in the Old Testament to be binding on Christians B. Popular features seem…
Read MoreThe Ten Commandments and the Old and New Testaments shall stand forever!
Question: Do not mislead the people with your manipulation of the Word of God and your omissions about the “Ten Commandments.” His Word and Commandments were, are and forever shall remain true! He alone is the Creator and the destroyer! No mortal with limited knowledge can change what He tells through the only Living Book, the…
Read MoreMy boyfriend and I made a commitment to each other before a friend. Are we really married?
Question: I am in college, and so is my boyfriend. We have been dating for about two years and have known each other for about six. I am in love with him and know he is the one for me. A few months after we started dating, we fell into temptation and had sex with…
Read MoreCan a couple get married by simply taking a personal vow between them and God?
Question: I have a question about marriage: Is it biblical for a man and woman to get married simply by taking a personal vow between them and God, or must it be done legally? Answer: What creates a marriage is a covenant. “Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant” (Malachi 2:14). A…
Read MoreIs “be fruitful and multiply” a part of the Old Covenant and thus no longer applicable?
Question: I have a question about God saying be fruitful and multiply: Is it a command or a genetic code or a part of us that is put into us that is not a choice? Or is it both? The reason I ask is that all the old covenants are gone. Paul says it’s ok…
Read MoreWe’ve been living together for five years and don’t need a paper to prove our love, but I want to make it right with God. What should I do?
Question: My boyfriend and I have been together for almost 7 years. We have lived together for 5. We are not ready for marriage. He and I think we don’t need a piece of paper to prove our love, but I want to make it right with God. Is there a prayer that a pastor…
Read MoreThe Gospels and the Covenants
by Roger Blackwelder It has been observed that the traditional divisions we use to describe the Bible are inaccurate. Genesis through Malachi are called the Old Testament or Old Covenant. Matthew through Revelation are called the New Testament or New Covenant. The titles are problematic for at least two reasons: 1) The covenant between God…
Read MoreWhat is the eternal covenant?
Question: What is the eternal covenant? What is the difference from other covenants? Answer: “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in…
Read MoreDoes the New Covenant require confirmation?
Question: Does the New Covenant require confirmation, the same thing the Israelites did when Moses with the twelve tribes of Israel confirmed the Covenant by acknowledgment and sprinkling of the blood? Answer: The Old Covenant was dedicated by the shedding of animal blood and that blood being sprinkled on the people. This acceptance was only…
Read MoreCovenants
I. Covenants play a major role throughout the Scriptures. A. We see covenants between people 1. Jacob and Laban (enemies) – Gen 31:44-54 2. David and Jonathan (friends) – I Sam 18:1-4 B. We see covenants between nations, such as between Israel and Gibeon – Josh 9:3-27 C. We see covenants between God and various people of the world II. What are…
Read MoreWhat constitutes a marriage?
Question: What is marriage to start with? It cannot be what it is today — a man-made ceremony. Answer: “Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant.…
Read MoreHow did David and Jonathan show their love for each other?
Question: How did David and Jonathan show their concern (love) for one another? Can we act like them too? Answer: “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (I Samuel 18:1). They made a covenant with each other “Then Jonathan and David made a…
Read MoreWhat are covenants?
Question: What is the definition of a covenant? Answer: In the Old Testament, the word translated “covenant” comes from the Hebrew word berith which means “a bond or treaty that joins two parties.” Making a covenant comes from a Hebrew idiom that literally means “cutting a covenant.” It is a reference to the sacrificial offerings made while…
Read MoreWere the covenants for the Israelites only?
Question: The New Covenant is made with the House of Judah and the House of Israel only (Hebrews 8:8). Indeed, the New Covenant could not be made with any people who did not first have an Old Covenant. Answer: The reference to Hebrews 8:8 is a part of a quote from Jeremiah 31:31-32 which reads, “Behold, the days are…
Read MoreIs the covenant different from the Law?
Question: I have just read your article on the Old Testament versus the New Testament. I find two major difficulties in your argument: You confuse a covenant with the Law. This is a major mistake. The Law is God’s legislation for all of creation. It was given to the children of Israel for their instruction.…
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