The Economy of the Holy Spirit

1. The Economy of the Holy Spirit The New Covenant in Jesus ChristMoe Bergeron ESSENTIALS 1 Sovereign Grace Fellowship

2. The Economy of the Holy Spirit – Session 2 INTRO from our previous session continued Last week we began this study by undertaking the task of addressing the new covenant economy of the Holy Spirit by laying for you a foundation that will serve to undergird the “why” as to its necessity. We looked at several passages but ultimately focused on the key passage from 2 Corinthians 3:4-18 and specifically: And we have such trust through Christ toward God, (5) not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God; (6) who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive. (7) But if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters in stone was with glory (so that the sons of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses because of the glory of his face), which was being done away; (8) shall not the ministry of the Spirit be with more glory? Properly understood the New Covenant is radically different in nature: not of the letter / but of the Spirit the letter kills / the Spirit gives life So then, there we have it. The Spirit of God has set forth in this Word the formulation for understanding much more than just how the two covenants relate to one another as written word. The Spirit of God has accurately defined the substance of the two covenants as they are to be understood. This understanding of the covenant is not derived from a system of theology devised by men. 2

3. The Economy of the Holy Spirit – Session 2 INTRO from our previous session continued We have looked at 2Cor 3 to gather an accurate biblical and foundational understanding of the former and present covenants. It’s God’s definition. We can summarize it in this manner: Old Covenant = A Ministry of Death (no indwelling of the Holy Spirit) Old Covenant = It was the Legislation that established the tribes of Israel as a nation (body politic) Old Covenant = Moses is considered the mediator between God and the tribes of Israel Old Covenant = engraved letters (laws) upon tablets of stone Old Covenant = Unable to give life (spiritual life) - ministry of death Old Covenant = Obedience promised continued prosperity within the land and God's favor New Covenant = A Ministry of Life (the indwelling of His Spirit) New Covenant = It was established by the Father with the Son (the true Israel of God) New Covenant = Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and His new nation New Covenant = Spirit engraved upon human hearts New Covenant = Spirit brings life and obedience - ministry of life New Covenant = faithfulness is guaranteed with an assured heavenly country as reward 3

4. The Economy of the Holy Spirit – Session 2 • Why the need for a New Covenant? The Mosaic Covenant between the Lord-God and the people of Israel was established by means of the theophany of Sinai. It was based on external Law. At its centre we find the Decalogue. At that time the Lord exhorted his people to observe the commandments: • Exodus 9:5-6 • “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (6) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel." • Since the Mosaic covenant had not been faithfully kept, God in mercy announces through the prophets of old that he would establish a new covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31-34): • “Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will cut a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah, (32) not according to the covenant that I cut with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which covenant of Mine they broke, although I was a husband to them, says Jehovah; (33) but this shall be the covenant that I will cut with the house of Israel: After those days, says Jehovah, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (34) And they shall no more teach each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Jehovah. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.” [see also Ezk 44:7] 4

5. The Economy of the Holy Spirit • When Jesus Christ said at the Supper and said; “Mark 14:24b …This is my blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many.” He was in his own person fulfilling the words spoken by the prophets. • With His death he would bring an end to the Mosaic Law Covenant and through His resurrected life and His own person. It is he who inaugurated the present era of the New Covenant and the administration of the Holy Spirit. • Eph 2:13-18 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (15) by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, (16) and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. (17) And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. (18) For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. • While he was in the flesh the law condemned him and nailed him to the cross. In so doing it destroyed itself. The old covenant ended at the cross, when the new covenant was dedicated by the blood of Christ. Hence, the law, the wall between Jew and Gentile, "the enmity," was taken away. (PNT) 5