In this issue:
Why the Old Covenant?
David Clayton
What was the Old Covenant?
Before we begin to look at the reasons why the old covenant was given let us just pause for a moment to remind ourselves of what the old covenant really was. The old covenant was established at Mount Sinai when God came down and spoke to Israel proclaiming his laws and his requirements. The terms of this covenant are expressed by God himself in Exodus chapter 19:
And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exod 19:3-6)
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. (Deut 28:1-2)
The conditions of this covenant are very clear; God made a proposition to the Israelites where he offered to be their God, to make them into a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. But this was on condition that they would obey his voice and keep his covenant. By keeping his covenant he meant that they were to obey the laws which he gave them, especially the 10 Commandments.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (Exod 34:27-28)
Of course the record of the history of the Israelite nation teaches us that they never kept that covenant, they never obeyed those laws that God gave them and in fact they never could keep them! There was a fundamental problem in that covenant, something that made it impossible for it to work and it was the fact that the people who were under that covenant were carnal, they were not born again. The apostle Paul expresses the problem in Hebrews chapter 8:
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (Heb 8:7-9)
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Rom 7:12-14)
Paul says, “I am carnal, sold under sin. What he meant was that he was a slave under the control of sin. The only people who are sold, are slaves. Of course Paul was referring to his experience before he became a Christian. Christians are not slaves under the control of sin, but Paul speaks of his experience before he came to Christ and was born again and he says, I was “sold under sin.” This was the condition of the Israelites and it is a condition of all who are not born again!
Reasons for the Old Covenant?
Since the Israelites were a carnal people and as such, were unable to fulfill the conditions of the covenant, why did God establish the old covenant with them? There are several answers which are proposed in response to this question. Some believe that God never initiated this system, that God really came to the Israelites at Mount Sinai and offered them the new covenant but that they, the people, chose the old covenant! This is a very strange explanation because as we read the Bible we can find no record of any such thing. The Bible is very clear, God told Moses what he should say to the people and the offer he proposed was unmistakable: if they obeyed his word and kept the covenant they would become his special people. It was God who made the proposal, all that the people did was that they agreed to the offer that God had made.
Those who suggest that the old covenant was the people’s idea, suggest that God was expecting the people to say, “we cannot do this, we want you to do it for us.” This is a ridiculous suggestion! God made an offer to the people, all that was left was for them to say either yes, or no. It is unreasonable to suggest that they should have known enough about themselves to say, we are unable to do this.”
Some also suggest that in making this proposal God really intended to develop a relationship with these people on the basis of their obedience. They propose that this was God’s way of saving people during that period of time, but that later on he switched to a different system where they were saved by faith in Christ. These suggestions are unreasonable and confusing, and they are not in harmony with the Scripture.
So the question is, why did God really give the old covenant? Clearly, God knew that this covenant would fail, this was not God’s perfect plan to save people. That perfect plan was the future new covenant when through his son Jesus Christ he would provide salvation as a free gift to all who would believe. Even during this time of the Old Covenant, it was only by faith that anybody could receive the hope of salvation by having faith in God. So why was the old covenant given?
As we can clearly see, salvation could never be achieved through this covenant. Why? Because it required obedience to the laws that God gave and it was impossible for carnal people to keep those laws. The record is that they broke those laws over and over, unfailingly. It was an impossible covenant because of the condition of the people, and the only thing which could have made those conditions work, is the very thing which was not yet given which was, the new covenant! The experience of being born again! Only born again people could have fulfilled the conditions of that old covenant.
But this covenant of Mount Sinai was not something which had no purpose, there was something which God in his wisdom designed to accomplish even through that failing covenant. First of all we need to realize that, that covenant was a stop-gap. By this I mean that it was not intended to be something permanent, but from the very beginning in God’s purposes and intent, God’s plan was that it should last only for a time. There was an expiry date attached to it.
Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (Gal 3:19)
Here, this old covenant is referred to as, “the law.” Paul says that it was, “added.” It was not a part of God’s original plan for saving mankind, that original plan was always that men would be saved through the seed, God’s son, the Messiah. But the law was added to the plan although it was only for a time. The verse clearly states that it was added, “till the seed should come.” When the seed arrived this would mark the end of the law, or the old covenant.
To restrain carnality
So why did God give this temporary covenant which, as we have seen, was not able to make people righteous nor to provide salvation? Take note again of what the verse says; it was “added because of transgressions.” In other words, God gave the law because of the carnal behavior of these people who were not born again, their carnal condition needed to be restrained in some way and the law was given to provide that restraint. The law carried strict penalties for disobedience, these penalties were a constant threat to those who broke the laws and so they were an incentive to try to behave right, even though the hearts were carnal and obedience was very imperfect. At least it prevented the Israelite society from breaking out into complete anarchy. This is also the reason why laws are established in all human society; it is because human, carnal nature is naturally evil and needs to be forcefully restrained. In the following passage the apostle Paul makes it very clear that the law was only given by God for this purpose of controlling those who were naturally inclined to do evil because of their carnal condition.
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1Tim 1:8-10)
It is very clear that this is the purpose why the law was given by God, it was simply a method to control carnal people.
To expose legality’s futility
But God used this system of the old covenant to teach additional lessons as well. One of the lessons which was clearly taught by that system, is that rules and regulations can never produce righteousness! For 1500 years the Hebrews lived under the system of the old covenant, the system of rules and laws. Furthermore it is clear that these were the best laws that were ever given to the human race. As far as a legal system was concerned, it was the best system that could have been designed as it was designed by God himself. This is one of the reasons why so many people think that system is the best form of government; they conclude that since God designed and gave the system it must be perfect. In a sense they are correct, as a form of legal government it is the best that has ever existed.
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (Deut 4:8)
The very fact that the system was so perfectly designed by the Lord God himself, teaches us an extremely important lesson. It is the great lesson that it is impossible for any system of external law to produce righteousness, or even to produce good behavior. For 1500 years God tried, and tried again to get the Israelites to obey those laws, but carnality cannot be changed by even the best legal system and so God’s purposes failed over and over again. This is the great lesson which was taught by that old covenant system; rules on the outside are helpless in the battle against sin, something better has to be put in place. This was one of the lessons which God intended to teach by that old covenant system. A better system had to come, and it did come when the son of God arrived on earth, the promised Seed bringing the new covenant, God’s laws written in the hearts and the minds of his people. This was a system that could really work in producing true righteousness!
To strengthen sin
Another surprising reason for the giving of the old covenant was that it was intended to bring a greater awareness of the power of sin. God did not give the law with the expectation that men would keep it even though he commanded the Israelites to do so. God’s intention was that they would try to keep it and they would fail, again and again. This would bring them to a recognition of the fact that they were incapable of doing good, it would make them recognize that they needed an ability outside of themselves. By this means there would come to recognize their need of Christ.
For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. (Rom 7:9-11)
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. (Rom 7:13)
Human beings are naturally inclined to believe that they are quite capable of doing what is good if they choose to. They feel that righteousness is something that they can produce if they only make the effort. This is the great reason why the concept of righteousness by works is so deeply rooted in all the religious systems in the world.
The great majority of the Israelite nation never really learned the lesson taught by the law. Even until today the Jews on the whole, still believe that their acceptance with God depends upon how well they keep those very laws given at Mount Sinai. They blind themselves to the fact that they have never really kept those laws, that all their efforts have only produced frustration and futility. They maintain an outward show of obedience to the law, but it is only on the outside; they are just as wicked and perverse as everybody else on the planet who is not born again through Jesus Christ.
But as I said before, the law was never intended to produce righteousness, it was given with a full understanding that people would fail again and again. The apostle Paul makes it clear that the law was a device which made the effect of sin increase and multiply.
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1Cor 15:56)
But of course God’s great purpose was that this increased awareness of sinfulness, this recognition of his own helpless state, would lead a person to turn to God for help and in this way he would find Christ.
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 5:20-21)
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Heb 7:19)
To illustrate the kingdom
One other reason why God gave the old covenant was that he intended that it should be a lesson book, a teaching tool to instruct them concerning the true kingdom of God which was to come in the future. The old covenant was basically a system that was made up of practices, ceremonies and rituals which had no meaning in themselves, but which were illustrations or shadows, pointing to some great reality which would take place in the future. The apostle Paul uses the word, “shadow,” several times when referring to the practices involved with the worship of the old covenant.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (Heb 10:1)
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Col 2:16-17)
A shadow is something which looks like the real thing to some extent. We can look at a shadow and get a fair idea of what the real thing looks like, but it is far from the reality. In actual fact it has no substance in itself, though it may serve as a tool to help us to understand the real thing. This was one of the purposes which God intended when he gave the old covenant, it was to teach them lessons concerning the coming kingdom of God.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Gal 3:24-25)
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Miscellaneous Thoughts
What was the Old Covenant?
Before we begin to look at the reasons why the old covenant was given let us just pause for a moment to remind ourselves of what the old covenant really was. The old covenant was established at Mount Sinai when God came down and spoke to Israel proclaiming his laws and his requirements. The terms of this covenant are expressed by God himself in Exodus chapter 19:
And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exod 19:3-6)
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. (Deut 28:1-2)
The conditions of this covenant are very clear; God made a proposition to the Israelites where he offered to be their God, to make them into a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. But this was on condition that they would obey his voice and keep his covenant. By keeping his covenant he meant that they were to obey the laws which he gave them, especially the 10 Commandments.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (Exod 34:27-28)
Of course the record of the history of the Israelite nation teaches us that they never kept that covenant, they never obeyed those laws that God gave them and in fact they never could keep them! There was a fundamental problem in that covenant, something that made it impossible for it to work and it was the fact that the people who were under that covenant were carnal, they were not born again. The apostle Paul expresses the problem in Hebrews chapter 8:
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (Heb 8:7-9)
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Rom 7:12-14)
Paul says, “I am carnal, sold under sin. What he meant was that he was a slave under the control of sin. The only people who are sold, are slaves. Of course Paul was referring to his experience before he became a Christian. Christians are not slaves under the control of sin, but Paul speaks of his experience before he came to Christ and was born again and he says, I was “sold under sin.” This was the condition of the Israelites and it is a condition of all who are not born again!
Reasons for the Old Covenant?
Since the Israelites were a carnal people and as such, were unable to fulfill the conditions of the covenant, why did God establish the old covenant with them? There are several answers which are proposed in response to this question. Some believe that God never initiated this system, that God really came to the Israelites at Mount Sinai and offered them the new covenant but that they, the people, chose the old covenant! This is a very strange explanation because as we read the Bible we can find no record of any such thing. The Bible is very clear, God told Moses what he should say to the people and the offer he proposed was unmistakable: if they obeyed his word and kept the covenant they would become his special people. It was God who made the proposal, all that the people did was that they agreed to the offer that God had made.
Those who suggest that the old covenant was the people’s idea, suggest that God was expecting the people to say, “we cannot do this, we want you to do it for us.” This is a ridiculous suggestion! God made an offer to the people, all that was left was for them to say either yes, or no. It is unreasonable to suggest that they should have known enough about themselves to say, we are unable to do this.”
Some also suggest that in making this proposal God really intended to develop a relationship with these people on the basis of their obedience. They propose that this was God’s way of saving people during that period of time, but that later on he switched to a different system where they were saved by faith in Christ. These suggestions are unreasonable and confusing, and they are not in harmony with the Scripture.
So the question is, why did God really give the old covenant? Clearly, God knew that this covenant would fail, this was not God’s perfect plan to save people. That perfect plan was the future new covenant when through his son Jesus Christ he would provide salvation as a free gift to all who would believe. Even during this time of the Old Covenant, it was only by faith that anybody could receive the hope of salvation by having faith in God. So why was the old covenant given?
As we can clearly see, salvation could never be achieved through this covenant. Why? Because it required obedience to the laws that God gave and it was impossible for carnal people to keep those laws. The record is that they broke those laws over and over, unfailingly. It was an impossible covenant because of the condition of the people, and the only thing which could have made those conditions work, is the very thing which was not yet given which was, the new covenant! The experience of being born again! Only born again people could have fulfilled the conditions of that old covenant.
But this covenant of Mount Sinai was not something which had no purpose, there was something which God in his wisdom designed to accomplish even through that failing covenant. First of all we need to realize that, that covenant was a stop-gap. By this I mean that it was not intended to be something permanent, but from the very beginning in God’s purposes and intent, God’s plan was that it should last only for a time. There was an expiry date attached to it.
Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (Gal 3:19)
Here, this old covenant is referred to as, “the law.” Paul says that it was, “added.” It was not a part of God’s original plan for saving mankind, that original plan was always that men would be saved through the seed, God’s son, the Messiah. But the law was added to the plan although it was only for a time. The verse clearly states that it was added, “till the seed should come.” When the seed arrived this would mark the end of the law, or the old covenant.
To restrain carnality
So why did God give this temporary covenant which, as we have seen, was not able to make people righteous nor to provide salvation? Take note again of what the verse says; it was “added because of transgressions.” In other words, God gave the law because of the carnal behavior of these people who were not born again, their carnal condition needed to be restrained in some way and the law was given to provide that restraint. The law carried strict penalties for disobedience, these penalties were a constant threat to those who broke the laws and so they were an incentive to try to behave right, even though the hearts were carnal and obedience was very imperfect. At least it prevented the Israelite society from breaking out into complete anarchy. This is also the reason why laws are established in all human society; it is because human, carnal nature is naturally evil and needs to be forcefully restrained. In the following passage the apostle Paul makes it very clear that the law was only given by God for this purpose of controlling those who were naturally inclined to do evil because of their carnal condition.
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1Tim 1:8-10)
It is very clear that this is the purpose why the law was given by God, it was simply a method to control carnal people.
To expose legality’s futility
But God used this system of the old covenant to teach additional lessons as well. One of the lessons which was clearly taught by that system, is that rules and regulations can never produce righteousness! For 1500 years the Hebrews lived under the system of the old covenant, the system of rules and laws. Furthermore it is clear that these were the best laws that were ever given to the human race. As far as a legal system was concerned, it was the best system that could have been designed as it was designed by God himself. This is one of the reasons why so many people think that system is the best form of government; they conclude that since God designed and gave the system it must be perfect. In a sense they are correct, as a form of legal government it is the best that has ever existed.
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (Deut 4:8)
The very fact that the system was so perfectly designed by the Lord God himself, teaches us an extremely important lesson. It is the great lesson that it is impossible for any system of external law to produce righteousness, or even to produce good behavior. For 1500 years God tried, and tried again to get the Israelites to obey those laws, but carnality cannot be changed by even the best legal system and so God’s purposes failed over and over again. This is the great lesson which was taught by that old covenant system; rules on the outside are helpless in the battle against sin, something better has to be put in place. This was one of the lessons which God intended to teach by that old covenant system. A better system had to come, and it did come when the son of God arrived on earth, the promised Seed bringing the new covenant, God’s laws written in the hearts and the minds of his people. This was a system that could really work in producing true righteousness!
To strengthen sin
Another surprising reason for the giving of the old covenant was that it was intended to bring a greater awareness of the power of sin. God did not give the law with the expectation that men would keep it even though he commanded the Israelites to do so. God’s intention was that they would try to keep it and they would fail, again and again. This would bring them to a recognition of the fact that they were incapable of doing good, it would make them recognize that they needed an ability outside of themselves. By this means there would come to recognize their need of Christ.
For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. (Rom 7:9-11)
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. (Rom 7:13)
Human beings are naturally inclined to believe that they are quite capable of doing what is good if they choose to. They feel that righteousness is something that they can produce if they only make the effort. This is the great reason why the concept of righteousness by works is so deeply rooted in all the religious systems in the world.
The great majority of the Israelite nation never really learned the lesson taught by the law. Even until today the Jews on the whole, still believe that their acceptance with God depends upon how well they keep those very laws given at Mount Sinai. They blind themselves to the fact that they have never really kept those laws, that all their efforts have only produced frustration and futility. They maintain an outward show of obedience to the law, but it is only on the outside; they are just as wicked and perverse as everybody else on the planet who is not born again through Jesus Christ.
But as I said before, the law was never intended to produce righteousness, it was given with a full understanding that people would fail again and again. The apostle Paul makes it clear that the law was a device which made the effect of sin increase and multiply.
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1Cor 15:56)
But of course God’s great purpose was that this increased awareness of sinfulness, this recognition of his own helpless state, would lead a person to turn to God for help and in this way he would find Christ.
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 5:20-21)
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Heb 7:19)
To illustrate the kingdom
One other reason why God gave the old covenant was that he intended that it should be a lesson book, a teaching tool to instruct them concerning the true kingdom of God which was to come in the future. The old covenant was basically a system that was made up of practices, ceremonies and rituals which had no meaning in themselves, but which were illustrations or shadows, pointing to some great reality which would take place in the future. The apostle Paul uses the word, “shadow,” several times when referring to the practices involved with the worship of the old covenant.
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (Heb 10:1)
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Col 2:16-17)
A shadow is something which looks like the real thing to some extent. We can look at a shadow and get a fair idea of what the real thing looks like, but it is far from the reality. In actual fact it has no substance in itself, though it may serve as a tool to help us to understand the real thing. This was one of the purposes which God intended when he gave the old covenant, it was to teach them lessons concerning the coming kingdom of God.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Gal 3:24-25)
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Faith in the Fire
Zdravko Vucinic
Everyone lives according to what they are (a human, a dog, a cat, etc.), and in the same way, we Christians should live according to who we are – God’s children. Our Father, or Daddy, is God Himself. He proved, through Jesus on Golgotha, that He loves us unconditionally, that He is willing to die for us – not just for three days, but forever – just so that we could live and be well. In that sense, our Father has proven that we can trust Him completely and that He always wants what’s best for us.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
One of the first things I learned in practice, when I received this gospel, was to “cast my cares” onto the Father, and I still practice this today. It wasn’t easy at all in the beginning – it had to be learned through real-life experiences.
I’m not talking here about believing in certain biblical truths. I’m talking about practical faith when you’re in the fire of life. That’s a completely different kind of faith than faith in doctrine.
When darkness comes, when you’re in a situation you don’t like, when you feel bad, when things are uncertain, when loss or damage or unpleasant consequences are threatening, it’s our role to simply say in faith: “It is what it is – I’m giving this over to my Daddy.”
Our sacrifice as God’s children is precisely to leap over our emotions, fears, and life pressures by faith, and to find ourselves – by faith – in the Father’s presence, in the Spirit, where we are loved and accepted, and where we know He will do what is best for us.
That is the sacrifice – to give up your own path, your worries, to place your ways and concerns on the altar before the Father. It’s a sacrifice because it’s something that preoccupies you, something that weighs on you, something that causes pressure and stress – and so it’s not easy to let go.
But now we can make that sacrifice, because through new birth we have a new spirit (if you don’t have a new spirit, you are limited).
Now we can say in faith – “My Father is more important than everything that is happening, my relationship with Him is more important than these worries and stresses.”
“What I am and what I have in Christ is more important than this uncertainty, and I will surrender all of it to the Father.”
“By faith, I lay down this burden of life, testifying that my Father is more important than these burdens.”
That is a blessed life. Over time, God breaks you and sets you free so that you belong to Him and are under His influence – not the influence of worries, not under the influence of pressures and stresses you’ve either fallen into yourself or ended up in due to various circumstances.
This is learned through practice – by exercising faith, by cultivating an invisible relationship with God, by trusting a Person you cannot see or hear and you will be blessed.
If you surrender your life, your ways, and your concerns then you can witness miracles.
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Sin by One Man
There is a passage in the book of Romans which is often badly misunderstood. It is a challenging passage, yes, and it needs to be studied closely if we are to understand what it is saying. The biggest obstacle to understanding it is the fact that we bring our own preconceived ideas to the passage and try to manipulate it to make it say what we think it should say. This is often the challenge we face as we read the Bible, but in this particular instance, this wrong approach causes more confusion than normal. The passage in question is Romans 5:12-14.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (Romans 5:12-14)
We all believe that God’s law, the Ten Commandments are good, but some also believe that they are eternal rules which were given to humanity from the very beginning in the garden of Eden. Those who hold to this belief try to make the passage support this idea, but in fact, it is saying the very opposite thing.
They will reason that Adam and Eve sinned and in this way introduced death into the world. Men continued to suffer the effects of sin (death) from the time of Adam to Moses. Why is Moses mentioned? Moses represents the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, so the apostle Paul is really using Moses as a marker to indicate the time when the law was given.
Now we are told that sin is not imputed when there is no law, so the obvious conclusion is that sin was not imputed to men during that period before the law was given, this is the point Paul is making. But those who misinterpret the passage will contradict Paul and insist that sin must have been imputed to men during that period between Adam and Moses. Their reasoning is that since men were dying, and death is caused by sin, the law must have been already given, because (they believe) there can be no sin unless the law is in place.
I am aware that most Sabbath-keepers interpret it this way, and I also did at one time. But after studying the entire passage carefully over and over again, I finally got the point Paul was making and it is the exact opposite of what I once believed. Here is the passage again:
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (Romans 5:12-14)
We have to understand the point Paul is trying to make. He is trying to prove that just as one man brought disaster upon all men, one Man (Jesus Christ) brought salvation to all men. The question is, was it really one man who caused our sin-problem, or do we each personally bring sin upon ourselves? This is the question that Paul is answering in this passage, and the verses quoted above contain his answer to the question.
1. First of all, he makes it clear that we all sinned when Adam sinned. Adam brought sin and sin brought death, so death is the result of sin. We all die, because we all sinned, but when did we sin? Paul’s point is that we all sinned when Adam sinned; we all sinned in Adam, that is why we all die. Even babies die, although they cannot commit personal sin. So why do they come under the power of death? It is because Adam’s sin is affecting them and in this sense, they too sinned when Adam sinned. This is Paul’s point.
2. Secondly, Paul proves his point that it is Adam’s sin (and not our own sin) which is killing all men. He makes the point that sin is not imputed when there is no law. Therefore, sin cannot be imputed to people before the law was given. Notice he mentions the time period from Adam to Moses – the time before the law was given and he makes the point that these people came under the power of death even though they were not guilty. They could not be guilty, sin could not be IMPUTED to them, because there was no law given!! “Sin is not imputed when there is no law.” This is his point. But although sin was not imputed to them, yet they were still dying, so whose sin was killing them (because remember, sin is the cause of death)? Obviously, it was Adam’s sin which was killing them, not their own sin. This is what Paul is proving, because you see, he is about to make the great point that in Jesus Christ we have all been justified, so he proves that this makes perfect sense, because in Adam we were all condemned. This is his point. See how he says it very plainly in the following verses:
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:18-19)
There it is, as plain as day. All men were made sinners by the offence of one, not by their personal transgression of the law. In Paul’s teaching, we are born sinners because we were all infected by adam’s sin, not because of our own transgressions. The idea that sin is only defined by the transgression of the law is a popular teaching, but sin is defined in other ways in the Bible. 1 John 3:4 does not tell the complete story.
So Paul is saying that the law was not given before Mount Sinai. See where he again emphasizes this point in the same chapter:
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20)
Where did the law enter? It entered the world, it entered God’s interaction with humanity at Mount Sinai and Paul tells us why it entered. It entered that the offence might abound, or that it might become greater.
You see, God’s answer to man’s sin problem is the grace of God which is in Christ Jesus. But man will not turn to Christ unless he feels a sense of his sinful state. We are all sinners because of Adam’s offence, but most of us don’t realize this, so Paul says that the law entered, God gave the law so that the “offence might abound,” or in other words, so that the condemnation which came upon us by Adam’s offence may become even greater because of our own personal offences. So the law really causes us to add to the condemnation which is already upon us. This is so that our sense of sin may become greater, so that we may recognize our great need of Christ and turn to Him for an answer to the problem created by the law.
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. (Romans 7:13)
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1Cor 15:56)
Abraham, Joseph and other men kept God’s laws as far as they understood the will of God. It is clear that Abraham kept a concubine, it is clear that he was not reluctant to kill his enemies and even to tell lies about Sarah’s identity. He did not sin in those things because he did not have the Ten Commandments law, although he understood bits and pieces.
It is not about the law, it is about Christ. The law was only a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. The goal is righteousness, to be like God. We do not become like God by looking to a moral code, no, we become like God by receiving the spirit of God, imparted to us in His Son. In Him we become like God, we possess the nature of God and righteousness comes out of us naturally like it comes from Christ naturally. This is why Paul says that the letter (the written law) kills, but the spirit (Christ the living law) gives life.
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? (2 Corinthians 3:6-8)
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Jamaica Campmeeting 2025
The Jamaican camp meeting began on April 17, and ended on April 25. The attendance was a little smaller this year than usual and several factors contributed to this. However there was still a good turnout and on the Sabbath there was close to 100 people in attendance.
Our camp meeting is always held during the Easter weekend because here in Jamaica we have two holidays which overlap on this weekend. Friday (Good Friday) is a holiday and so is the Monday following (Easter Monday). This makes it a very convenient time for the brethren who would normally have to ask for time off from work. The downside to this benefit is that this time of the year is usually the rainy season here in Jamaica. Very often we are hit with torrential rain during our camp meetings and this has contributed to some very interesting times in the past, with people having difficulty navigating the bad road to get to the campsite, or being soaked when their tents became waterlogged by the continuous downpour.
This year however the Lord spared us wonderfully! To be honest, at first it looked like we were going to have a hard time. On the Thursday evening as we traveled to the campsite we were met by a tremendous downpour. I found myself with a gloomy thoughts as I contemplated a very wet weekend. But the next morning there was beautiful sunshine and it never rained again for the entire duration of the camp meeting! We truly were grateful for the wisdom and goodness of the Lord who restrained the rain so that we ended up having a beautiful camp meeting.
This year the only speaker we had from overseas was brother Ken Corklin who has continued to support us faithfully for many years. Nevertheless we had a blessed time as we had more interactive sessions where the emphasis was more on teaching than on preaching, as we focused on the theme, “The Present Truth.” We also had a greater input from the young people who blessed us with several lovely musical items and also shared their views in a panel discussion. Among those who led out in these sessions were brother Daniel Clayton, Sister Tracy Wilson and I, David Clayton. Sister Sanya Jones led out in the children’s sessions assisted by mostly, the younger adults.
I have to make special mention of sister Jenelyn Green who came to Jamaica from all the way in New Zealand. Even though there were other reasons why she was in Jamaica, it was a great pleasure to have her with us for the duration of the camp meeting.
On the Sunday evening there was a special event which has to be mentioned. Sister Karsheena Howard (Kay Kay), the daughter of brother Howard and sister Carlene, recently surprised us all with the news that she would be getting married to brother Donovan Mercer from the USA! It hardly seemed possible as it is difficult to believe that Kay Kay grew up so quickly! It seems like just yesterday when she was a little girl playing around our feet. But time flies and so, on the Sunday evening there was a special occasion where we were able to share with her in celebrating her upcoming wedding, scheduled to take place in the USA on May 11, 2025.
By the time Monday morning came most of the attendees had left, however there was still about 20 of us remaining. As we came together for the last time it was with a sense of satisfaction, a feeling that we had enjoyed a blessed time. It is possible that the world may experience very great changes in the near future, but if the Lord continues to restrain the winds of strife, we look forward to even more wonderful times at camp meeting next year!
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Recent Baptisms
The influence of the spirit of God at work was manifested recently with the baptism of four young people into the family of Christ. Three of these were conducted at our campsite, during a recent convention which took place in February, while the other took place during the month of May at Alligator Pond.
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Trinitarian Conundrum
The conflicting ideas which exist today among those who subscribe to the Trinity doctrine and those who do not, can be simmered down to one question, is God one or is He three in one. The controversy exists because, while the Bible teaches that He is one, the Church’s creed teaches that He is three in one. In this short study we will take a closer look at the arguments promulgated in support of the idea that God is three in one.
Now I can already hear someone objecting and saying we don’t believe in three gods, but in one God who is three persons. So, before we begin, it’s important to note that most everyone agrees that the Bible and Christianity is Monotheistic, and unlike the pagans who have a plurality of gods, Christianity hold to the belief that God is one. So, what’s issue and why the conflict? Those who subscribe to the trinity teaching, hold that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all comprise the one God of the Bible, hence their belief in a 3 in 1 God, better known as the triune God. This short study seeks to reveal whether this claim is based on scripture or tradition.
Both proponents for and against the doctrine agree that the Bible must be the foundation upon which all doctrines are build. Consequently, trinitarians have used the scriptures in support of their belief, and it is for this reason that we need to carefully examine their claims to see whether it stands the biblical test.
While most trinitarians agree that the doctrine is not explicitly taught in the bible, they hold that it is assumed and suggested. Their assumptions primarily flow from two Hebrew words, ‘elohim’ and ‘echad.’
ELOHIM: Trinitarians argue that ‘elohim’ is a plural word and therefor God is comprised of more than one, and conversely if the scriptures wanted to convey the idea that God is a solitary being it would’ve employed the words ‘el or eloah.’ Now while ‘elohim’ is in the plural form, the sense in which it must be interpreted is depended on the surrounding words. Notice the examples below.
Ex 20:1 And God (Elohim) spake all these words, saying, 2 I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of 1 bondage.
Ex 18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods (elohim): for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
1Sam 5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God (Elohim) of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god (elohim).
In the Hebrew Bible when referring to the only True God, “Elohim” is frequently used with singular verbs and pronouns, indicating that it refers to the singular God of Israel. It “elohim’ is also used to refer to pagan gods, in some instances referring to many and in others referring to one. The verses above should at least be proof of the wide variety in which the word can be used. At the very least the verses above should have you reconsider the strict way in which some people would like to use the word.
The English language for instance has many examples where the form of the word is not what determines how it is interpreted, but rather that the interpretation is based on the sense in which the word is used. For example, the word ‘sheep’ can be interpreted in two ways. The word ‘sheep’ could either be translated as a plural word or a single word, here it is not the form that determines the interpretation but rather the sense. Consider the illustration below.
“The sheep is lost”
We know that only one sheep is meant since the verb requires a singular subject.
“The sheep are lost”
Informs us that the status of more than one sheep is being discussed.
Similarly with ‘elohim,’ the grammar guides our interpretations. Therefore ‘elohim’ can be interpreted as both a singular or a plural word. To insist that because ‘elohim’ is a plural word it must be translated as such is nonsense, since the sense of the word is ignored. Please study how Hebrew sentences are constructed for more information, and while you at it consider the concept of the ‘plurality of majesty, or plural intensive.’
ECHAD: Everyone accepts that ‘echad’ is the first numeral in the Hebrew number system; the contention however is whether it always has this function or whether another use of the word, viz. a composite unit or a plural oneness could be employed. Consider the verses below in which ‘echad’ is used.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one (echad) flesh.
Ex 24:3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one (echad) voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.
Num 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one (echad) cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
Deut 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one (echad) witness he shall not be put to death.
1. ONE FLESH: Flesh meaning family, therefor the become one family as opposed to two. see Gen 37:27 to better understand the concept of being ‘one flesh’
2. ONE VOICE: Here the Israelites all answer with one voice, meaning they all said the same thing as opposed to two different things
3. ONE CLUSTER: One cluster of grapes as opposed to two or three clusters.
4. ONE WITNESS: One witness as opposed to two or three
The Hebrew word ‘echad’ is always one and has a singular sense in every appearance in the Bible. Therefore, to use ‘elohim’ and ‘echad’ to prove that God is more than one is erroneous violates and ignores all grammatical considerations.
RETHINK: Consider studying the subject objectively, coming to the scriptures without your preconceived ideas.
RECALCULATE: Forget the lie that 1+1+1=1 and think about what the equation is saying. (God the Father) + (God the Son) + (God the Holy Spirit) = 3 Gods. If all three persons of the Trintiy are God, then you are not left with one but three.
RE-EVALUATE: See whether your current position is based on scripture or tradition. If your belief is contrary to the Bible have the courage and humility to submit to God’s word. Don’t worry about the consequences, God will deal with that on your behalf, the blessings that a wait you far outweighs the light affliction you will have to endure.
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Health Benefits of Legumes
Lenworth Frankson
Legumes belong to the plant family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), which is the third-largest family of flowering plants, boasting over 16,000 species worldwide. Only the orchid and aster families are larger. A defining characteristic of legumes is their ability to form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil. These bacteria reside in root nodules and convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the plant can use, enriching the soil naturally.From hearty stews to vibrant salads, legumes are a nutritional powerhouse often overlooked in our diets. These humble pulses, a family that includes beans, lentils, peas, and chickpeas, are packed with goodness that can significantly boost your health and well-being. Let us take a look at the many reasons why incorporating more legumes into your meals is a fantastic idea.
Plant Based Protein
For vegetarians and vegans, legumes are a cornerstone of their diets, providing a substantial amount of plant-based protein. But even for meat-eaters, legumes offer a lean and affordable protein source that contributes to muscle building and repair, satiety, and overall body function.
Fiber for a Happy Gut:
Legumes are brimming with dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. This fiber works wonders for your digestive system. Soluble fiber helps regulate blood sugar and lower cholesterol levels, while insoluble fiber promotes healthy bowel movements and prevents constipation. A diet rich in fiber also supports a thriving gut microbiome, ( the microorganisms in a particular environment including the body or a part of the body) which plays a crucial role in immunity and overall health.
Nutrient-Dense
Beyond protein and fiber, legumes are loaded with significant amount of essential vitamins and minerals. :
· Iron: Crucial for oxygen transport and preventing anemia.
· Folate (Vitamin B9): Important for cell growth and development, especially vital during pregnancy.
· Magnesium: Involved in muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, and blood pressure regulation.
· Potassium: Helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
· Zinc: Supports immune function and wound healing.
Nutritional Powerhouses:
· Legumes are nutritional powerhouses, packed with plant-based protein, dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, B vitamins (especially folate), iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
· They are generally low in fat, virtually free of saturated fats, and contain no cholesterol.
· Compared to cereal grains, legumes generally contain about twice the amount of protein.
· Some legumes, like soybeans and peanuts, contain significant amounts of healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
· The combination of legumes and whole grains creates a complete protein, as legumes are rich in lysine (an amino acid often lacking in grains), while grains are richer in methionine (an amino acid often lower in legumes). Many traditional diets naturally pair these food groups.
Prevent Chronic Diseases:
The impressive nutritional profile of legumes translates to significant protection against chronic diseases:
· Heart Health: The soluble fiber in legumes helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease. Their high potassium content also contributes to healthy blood pressure.
· Blood Sugar Control: The combination of fiber and protein in legumes helps slow down the absorption of sugar, leading to more stable blood glucose levels. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with or at risk of type 2 diabetes.
· Weight Management: The high fiber and protein content of legumes promotes feelings of fullness, which can help reduce overall calorie intake and support healthy weight management.
· Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest that the antioxidants and phytochemicals found in legumes may play a role in protecting against certain types of cancer.
Affordable Food Source:
Legumes are an incredibly affordable food source. A bag of dried beans or lentils can go a long way, making them a budget-friendly way to boost your nutritional intake. Furthermore, their versatility in the kitchen is remarkable. From chili and soups to salads, dips, and even desserts, legumes can be incorporated into a wide array of dishes.
Incorporate More Legumes:
· Add lentils to your soups and stews.
· Make a hearty bean chili.
· Toss chickpeas into your salads.
· Enjoy hummus as a snack with vegetables or whole-wheat pita bread.
· Use black beans in tacos or burritos.
· Try lentil loaf as a plant-based alternative to meatloaf.
Digestion caution:
Some people may experience gas and bloating when increasing their legume intake due to their high fiber content. Introducing legumes gradually and drinking plenty of water can help minimize these effects. Soaking dried beans before cooking and rinsing canned beans thoroughly can also aid gas reduction and digestion.
Legumes are nutritional powerhouses that offer a wealth of health benefits. Their impressive protein and fiber content, along with a rich array of vitamins and minerals, make them a valuable addition to any diet. By incorporating more beans, lentils, peas, and chickpeas into your meals, you can take a delicious and affordable step towards a healthier and more vibrant you. So, power up your plate and reap the incredible rewards of these amazing plant-based gems!
interesting legume facts
· Peanuts, often mistaken for nuts, are actually legumes because their pods develop underground.
· Dried legumes have a long shelf life, making them an economical and sustainable food source.
· The ancient Greeks and Romans used broad beans for balloting; black beans signified opposition, and white beans signified agreement. This tradition even traveled to the New World.
· Christopher Columbus observed Native Americans using a “three sisters” companion planting method, where corn stalks provided trellises for beans, and the beans, in turn, fertilized the soil, while squash grew in between.
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They Became Fools
The following article has been reprinted from the Sunday Gleaner, a Jamaican newspaper. We have reprinted it because in our opinion it is a classic illustration of the truth of the Bible text which says, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Rom 1:22).” Please note that this was intended to be a serious article and was not intended by the author to provide humor.
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CREATING A WORLD
By H. Lowe
Of all the areas of science the one I least understand and have more than passing curiosity about, is cosmology. I would not be surprised if this is the position, not only with other persons of science, but also the intellectuals who are fascinated by science.
Perhaps my view is Influenced significantly by my frustrating search to get answers to some of the basic questions about life in general and the universe, in particular.
For example, as a scientist, I have always accepted the “Big Bang Theory” of how the universe was formed, because the theory has good and compelling, scientific and mathematical logic. However, the question which still remains is, what was there before the big bang?
Well in recent times, I have become a little more comfortable about the formation of the universe when I read a report that Professor Stephen Hawking, a mathematics professor at Cambridge University seems to be developing the answer. Many of his colleagues have stated that Hawking may have solved the greatest mystery ever, that of the universe, with his theory of how time began.
Hawking now regarded as one of the greatest scientific thinkers since Albert Einstein, published a book, A Brief History of Time which attempted to explain the cause of the Big Bang, which created the universe.
Mr. Hawking believes that just immediately prior to the Big Bang, the universe was about the size of a pea suspended in a timeless void, which then exploded to form the planets, solar systems, etc. and keeps on and will forever be expanding to infinity.
Faith vs. science
The big question which Mr. Hawking and his colleagues cannot answer is how did this pea-like universe come about. ‘They believe it must have been due to a creator. This, is the biggest challenge to man’s intellect in demanding that there must either be a denial of a creator due to ignorance, or the acceptance of a creator, based on the facts available.
I believe this has to be where science and faith meet, and I am prepared to accept this explanation which now makes me more comfortable in my search for truth in this matter.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Heb 11:3)
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May 2025
Open Face is dedicated to the promotion and the restoration of apostolic Christianity. In particular to the restoration of those truths which have been cast down to the ground and trampled underfoot by the papacy, and adopted by her daughters.
Our purpose is to motivate our readers to commit themselves wholly to the task of personal preparation for the coming of the Lord, and to the taking of the final warning message to every nation, kindred, tongue and people.
Open Face is published bi-monthly, and is sent free of cost to all who desire to receive it.
Editor: David Clayton
P.O. Box 23,
Knockpatrick, Manchester,
Jamaica, West Indies
+1 (876) 361-8555
email: vidclay@gmail.com
Website: http://www.restorationministry.com
