Although the Old Testament is the inspired word of God, it is a lesser covenant under an entirely different dispensation. In fact, Scripture tells us it is a faulty covenant.
“ For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.” (Hebrews 8:7)
There are many segments and streams in the body of Christ who need a greater revelation and understanding of the vast differences between the two covenants.
Under the OC no one was born again and baptized with the Holy Spirit. No one had a prayer language and spoke in new tongues. No one could worship in spirit and in truth. No one had authority over Satan the way we do now under the banner and Blood of Jesus Christ. No one could use the Name of Jesus to cast out demons. Think of it!
Moreover, the two signature gifts of tongues and interpretation were the only gifts not operative under the OC. They were specifically given to those under the NC. It would make sense then that under the NC these two gifts should be the most frequently exercised among the nine gifts of the Spirit. Yet it seems like much of the Pentecostal/Charismatic no longer moves in these gifts.
Under the OC dispensation the Blood of Jesus had not yet been shed. The Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out. No one could be born again in the OC. God could not live inside of them, and make their bodies the temple of the Holy Spirit. Life in the Spirit could not be lived out. They could not be led by the Spirit. They could not pray and worship in the Spirit. They could not walk in the Spirit. They could not even laugh and dance in the Spirit. There was no joy unspeakable and full of glory under the OC. There was no peace that surpassed their understanding. The love of God could not be shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost. They could not extend mercy to their enemies. They could not be continually filled with the Spirit. There was not any 5-fold ministry gifts in the OC; only the prophet. Israel was directed and guided by their prophets. But every believer in the NC can be led by the Holy Spirit. We are not to be led by prophets like so many endeavoring to do today.
These are just a few of the reasons that the NC is called a far better covenant based upon better promises. There is really no comparison.
Now under the OC the Spirit of God would sometimes come upon the prophet, the priest, and the king to help them stand in their ministry offices and fulfill their ministries, and on occasion He would come upon others to perform certain tasks. But it was nothing like life under the NC. And if I had time I could list many other differences between the OC and the New, but these are the basics, and enough to enlighten us, so we can live in the New and maintain our focus there.
Why am I saying all this? An OC mentality in any church, or segment, or stream in the body of Christ affects the anointing and the presence of God. It puts a ceiling and an unnecessary limitation on our assemblies and times of corporate prayer and worship.
Here is a better way to understand this and grasp this:
1. The OC was written FOR us.
2. The NC was written TO us, especially the letters to the churches (the epistles).
3. The OC is based on the Law, certain prescribed rituals and ceremonies, and the blood sacrifices of animals.
4. The NC is based on grace, the Blood of Jesus, and being led and filled with the Spirit.
5. The OC is only a shadow of the light and reality we enjoy in the New.
So let’s get out of the shadow and come over into the light of NC living. Too many churches are still living in the shadow and thus their foundations are faulty.
What we call the Pauline revelation and specifically what the Lord revealed unto Paul about the glorious inheritance of those living under the NC dispensation should be the main emphasis and foundation of all NT churches.
I’ll say more about the Pauline revelation later.
I hope these things enlighten you, and teach and admonish you to be a stronger NC believer.
Please share this with the body of Christ as you are led.
Bert Farias' books are forerunners to personal holiness, the move of God and the return of the Lord. They also combat the departure from the faith and the turning away from the truth we are seeing in our day. His recent five-book bundle, written under a fresh anointing, is a forerunner of what the Lord is doing in His church today. His newest release, Turning Your Trials Into Gold, is a powerful testimony of how God raised up Bert and his wife Carolyn from a sick bed and near death.
Good word brother!