Bible Questions and Answers

Why does Hebrews 8  say  the Old Covenant  is waxing old and decaying but not eliminated?

The Law was waxing old and decaying in that Jewish believers who were baptised into Christ could still keep the Law given through Moses whilst the Temple was still standing, because there is nothing wrong with the Law. But when the Temple was destroyed by the Romans the Law could no longer be kept.

The Law is not just commandments, it contains rituals to be observed – for example: all males were to present themselves three times in the year at the place where God had chosen to place his name i.e. the Temple in Jerusalem. Animal sacrifices were required. These parts of the Law can no longer be kept.

The Law contains judicial punishments – certain transgressions of the Law are to be punished by stoning to death. These punishments can no longer be implemented.

We cannot pick and choose which parts of the Law we obey and which we don’t – the Law as given through Moses cannot be implemented today – it has vanished away. Matthew 5:17,18

Jesus fulfilled the Law – he kept it perfectly, something that no one else could do. In his death, he took it out of the way. Colossians 2:14

The Old Covenant cannot save us – it serves only to condemn us to eternal death. Romans 3:20,21

The New Covenant cannot be tacked onto the Old. Jesus pointed out that new wine must be put into new bottles. The New Covenant is different to the Old in that the commandments to be kept are those of Jesus Christ. John 15:14; Luke 6:46

Jesus’ commandments are different to the Law. Matthew 5:21-48

Also, why do I still need to teach my brother and my neighbor about the LORD Yehovah? One of the markers of the new covenant is that we will have a new heart with all His eternal laws written on it so we would then be incorruptible.

The Gospel needs to be preached.

The constituent parts are ‘The things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ’.

Those who believe are required to be baptised by immersion in water for the remission of their past sins. Following which they are to walk in ‘newness of life’ – that is – to live by Jesus’ commandments Romans 6:4

To be baptised is to be born of water; following this we must be born of the spirit.

To be born of the spirit is to change the way that we think to the way that God and Jesus think. This is done by reading the scriptures and putting the commandments of Christ into practice – it is the scriptures which make us wise unto salvation. It doesn’t happen overnight, we have to work at it. 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Once we understand the Gospel we are to preach it to others, both by word and behaviour.

Also, Yeshua is called the firstfruits of the covenant, we have to die and be resurrected to join him in having a spiritual body with the new heart do we not??

Correct, but this will not happen until Jesus returns to raise the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn