Covenant

God’s One Household

/ David R Maas / Leave a comment

The promises, types, and shadows of the Hebrew Bible are fulfilled by the Son of God and Messiah of Israel, Jesus of Nazareth.

An accusation commonly heard in popular preaching is ‘Replacement Theology.’ This seemingly dreaded label is hurled against anyone who claims a promise from the Hebrew Bible made to Ancient Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus and his Church, but this silly exercise in name-calling misses the point – The New Testament focuses on Fulfillment, not Separation or Replacement.

The New Testament teaches neither ‘Replacement Theology’ nor the idea that God has two distinct covenants and peoples, each with a separate eternal destiny and means of achieving it.

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Jews and Gentiles – Covenant Heirs

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With the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the blessings for all nations of the Abrahamic Covenant commenced.

The “Promise of the Father” is the Gift of the Spirit, which the Apostle Paul links to the Abrahamic Covenant. The promises made to the Patriarch are fulfilled in the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus Christ. The bestowal of the Spirit on his Assembly on the Day of Pentecost marked the commencement of the “Last Days,” the Age of the Spirit when the promises of God are achieved. Because of his Death and Resurrection, Gentile believers become full heirs of the Covenant along with believing Jews.

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One Spirit, One People

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By his Death and Resurrection, Jesus formed one covenant community – One New Man – based on faith in him – Ephesians 2:11-22.

The Apostle Paul is adamant. There no longer can be “Jew or Gentile” for disciples of Jesus. The old distinctions are inappropriate among the One People of God. By his shed blood, he “dismantled the middle wall of partition” that separated Jews and Gentiles so “he might reconcile them both in one body for God through the Cross.” God is building both into one building, one habitation of God in the Spirit founded on Jesus.

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One People of God

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The Apostle Paul was adamant. “In Christ Jesus,” no longer is there “Jew or Gentile.” By his shed blood, the Nazarene “dismantled the middle wall of partition” that separated Jews and Gentiles, “that he might reconcile them both in one body for God through the cross.” Having voided the “law of the commands in ordinances” that divided them, ever since he has been “creating in himself One New Man.”

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Son of Abraham

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The introduction to Matthew declares Jesus to be the “Son of Abraham,” a declaration of far more significance than another name on a genealogical chart. He is nothing less than the heir of the Covenant promises made by the God of Israel to the Patriarch. His identification as Abraham’s “son” and heir points to the theme of fulfillment that dominates the Gospel of Matthew. In this man from Nazareth, all the promises of God now find their “Yea, and Amen”!

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