THE NEW COVENANT
BILL HOFKINS ©
As a Christian, I wasn’t sure if there was a significant difference between a Bible-based Blood Covenant and the contract I signed when I bought my car or when I buy a home. After a little research, I discovered plenty about covenants, both Biblical and secular. Covenant is the Hebrew word ‘Berith’, meaning to cut, and connotes blood flowing where there is an intentional cut or wounding. Covenants are used to blend, fuse or mingle the purposes, intents, and loyalties of two parties into one party. For instance, a man and woman get married and join each other through the covenant of marriage. According to Ephesians chapter five, they are no longer two individuals but have become one flesh. They become partners and share the same purpose, intentions, and agenda. They are then free to have children with God’s blessings. With a secular legal contract, involving a financial loan, as long as you make the payments as per the contract signed, the house or car is yours to do with as you like. Sometimes, for whatever reason, we will break a contract. The penalty for breaking a contract usually amounts to a serious monetary fee or penalty.
However, breaking a blood covenant could hold woeful consequences. While we make agreements with financial institutions, they won’t shed your blood or kill you as a penalty for breaking the contract.
REDEMPTION
BILL HOFKINS ©
We define redemption as — To Buy Back, or, To regain possession of any item deemed valuable in exchange for payment. Pawnshops operate this way: A customer exchanges a valuable personal item for a cash loan. In time, the individual goes back to the shop and pays off his loan with interest. Hence, he bought back or redeemed his valuables.
The need for Redemption
We were born into a fallen world. Sorry if this disappoints you but, you are not a monkey nor a descendant of monkeys. A loving Father-God created You. He created Adam and Eve first, who birthed the entire human race. Every single person throughout history originated with these two, our original parents.
RESURRECTION
BILL HOFKINS ©
THE Bible defines the word resurrection from the Greek word anastasa — a raising or rising; to cause to stand. Thus, a corpse reanimated and caused to stand up. Or, that which was alive, died, then brought back to life.
After crucifixion, the body of Jesus lay in the tomb for three days and three nights. It had no brain function, no heartbeat, or blood circulating. It was a corpse.
While dead, Jesus spent three days and three nights in hell suffering for the sins of all-mankind. “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Psalm 16:10
Before the crucifixion, when Jesus lived on earth, he lived in a physical body just like you and me. He ate and drank, walked, and talked. When tired, he had to rest and sleep. His body was like ours, fashioned from regular earthly materials.
BUT…
REMISSION / REMIT
BILL HOFKINS ©
The Greek word for remission is aphesis, and it means: A dismissal, a release. We translate the same Greek word as forgiveness, depending on context.
Believers often use the words ‘remission’ and ‘forgiveness’ as synonymous terms. But there is a difference between the two. In our key text, the KJV words it, “for the remission of sins.” The NLT has it saying, “to forgive the sins of many.”
The difference is…
REPENTANCE / RETURN
BILL HOFKINS ©
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 3:19.
The Greek word Repent in the New Testament is metanoeō, and is defined as,
“to change one’s mind or purpose. To amend one’s thinking. Always for the better, and always from sin.” It is also associated with the term convert, ‘to return’.
We often misinterpret the word conversion to mean a transformation or an exchange from one ideology to another. i.e., John has converted from Judaism to Christianity. But the true meaning in Greek is: To turn around and go the other way. A one hundred eighty-degree turn.
The correct meaning of Repent and ‘be Converted’ is to change our mind with action and behavior. If you repent of lying, then you stop lying. If you repent of fornication, then you stop doing it. It demands a turnaround. You were going in one direction, but you turn and head in the opposite direction.
How seriously should we be as we tackle this subject of repentance?
RIGHTEOUSNESS
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For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
The word Righteousness, from the Greek word dikaiosynē, is defined as—the character or quality of being right or just. To be right. To have right standing with God.
It is the combination of remission of sins, and repentance, that brings us to a state of righteousness.
You do not earn or evolve into righteousness. He makes you righteous instantaneously.
RECONCILIATION
BILL HOFKINS ©
Reconciliation is the act of reestablishing friendly relations and:
Ending hostilities between warring countries.
Ending estrangement between relatives.
Paying a bill to avoid consequences.
To restore the right relationship and fellowship with God is the proper definition of reconciliation.
Remission of sin and Reconciliation work hand in hand. Remission is first, however, because reconciliation results from remission. It is the last step in the forgiveness process.
God then receives you like an innocent baby in its mother’s arms.
RESTORATION
BILL HOFKINS ©
The Greek dictionary and any English dictionary we look at defines the word restore:
Return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position.
Reinstate, put back, replace, bring back to origin.
Let me ask you a question. Have you ever created any heavens or earth? Have you formed any seas, mountains, jungles, or fish and animals? If you have, congratulations! I would really like to see it!
If you haven’t, please consider this—someone smarter than us created the earth!
Someone, other than you, created the birds of the air and the fish in the sea, and all the vegetables and fruit we eat.
We call Him God!
RULE/REIGN
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And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
The Greek word ‘bas-il-yoo’-o’, is translated Reign in English and defined as: To Rule as a king or sovereign, have authority or power over a nation. To have control as the governor of a province.
In this article we will briefly cover the New Testament narrative regarding:
The rule and reign of Jesus on earth.
The reign of Christians in the millennium and beyond.
The authority believers have over sin, the flesh, and the devil.
The Big Picture
Before we begin, I need to clarify that if you don’t know who you are in Christ, or if you don’t understand that you have authority to reign in life as a king, then your Christian life is limited to what you actually know.
Some Bible subjects that are widely UN-known are Heaven, the coming of Jesus, the transformation of our eternal, glorified bodies, and the Millennial reign of Christ.
Adding to this, how many believers understand their role, or duties in the Millennium? WE will rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years, and then into eternity. Whom will we rule over? Do you know?