New Covenant Names

The writer of Hebrews tells us that our High Priest (Jesus) is the Mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6). Continuing on to verse 7, we find that the first covenant was not without fault. For that reason, if no other, the New Covenant would be better. But, it is without fault because of the perfect sacrifice.

What are some names by which this New Covenant is known? One is the "New Testament." Hebrews 9:15 says He is the "mediator of the New Testament." It is clear the "New Covenant" and the "New Testament" are the same thing. In Romans 3:27, it is called "the law of faith." If it is a law, does that mean we must obey it? First John 3:4 says, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Romans 4:15b: "For where no law is, there is no transgression." This tells us man has always been under law, doesn't it? When Eve, then Adam, ate the forbidden fruit, they sinned. They were under a law, given by God to them, and they broke His law; therefore, they sinned. Since "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), all have been, and are, under law. All men today are subject to the law of God under which we live. This law came through Jesus, and was given to the apostles and prophets (teachers). God's grace gave us commandments in that law, by obedience to which we can be forgiven of our sins. For the person who wants to become a Christian, there are certain commands to be obeyed. For the Christian who sins, there are other commands to be obeyed. In a later article, we'll study more in depth these two types of commands.

There is another name by which the law, the "New Testament," goes by. It is the most used name today, as it was in the first century after Jesus' death. We will close with a verse that includes this name: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth - to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: As it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:16,17).