The Church is not a continuation of the Old Covenant Law and Temple system but from a Christian perspective; rather it is the culmination of God’s meticulously planned workings beginning with Adam man from creation, to the promises to faithful Abraham and the patriarchs, to Moses and the Law concerning the nation of Israel, and now it is His highest work through Christ and the Church. This is the progressive unfolding of the manifold wisdom of God down through the ages now being made known by the Church. Each age is a dispensation in which God interacts with His people in a different way, progressive working towards the fulfillment of His master plan. His work is different within each succeeding age, but all work towards a single purpose of bringing a people into intimate fellowship with Himself.
Mt. 16.6 “Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Continued.
Eph. 3.8-12 “8To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”
The Church is not a continuation of the Old Covenant Law and Temple system. Rather it is the culmination of God’s meticulously planned workings beginning with Adam, man from creation, to the promises to faithful Abraham and the patriarchs, to Moses and the Law concerning the nation of Israel, and now it is His highest work through Christ and the Church. This is the progressive unfolding of the manifold wisdom of God down through the ages now being made known by the Church. Each age is a dispensation in which God interacts with His people in a different way, progressive working towards the fulfillment of His master plan. His work is different within each succeeding age, but all work towards a single purpose of bringing a people into intimate fellowship with Himself.
The dealings of God in the Church through Christ are God’s final work before bringing to conclusion His plan since the beginning of time. Eph. 1.10 “that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.” Thus, at the close of this age, the age of the Church, at the return of Christ for His Church, will come the resurrection of the dead, judgment, the new heaven and new earth, and the marriage of Christ to His Church, which now has become the eternal Bride of Christ.
This plan of God remained a mystery to prior generations, and even to the angelic beings surrounding the throne of God—who are described (1 Pet. 1.12) as “desiring to look into” the consummation of the gospel mystery just described. This Gospel reveals God’s present management of the Church, through Christ, as in preparation for what it is to become in the eternal age to come at the return of Christ, which is its Divine destiny of all creation.
Each subsequent dispensation does not duplicate the preceding dispensation or attempts to perfect it but builds upon it as one would build a house, first laying the foundation, then the floor and walls, then the roof, and finally bringing to fruition the interior of the house with detailed finished work of floor and wall covering, cabinets, doors, and so on. The finished work is the most exacting, for it is the most intimate of our dwelling place. This is in similitude to the present work of the Holy Spirit within the church. The Spirit carefully and meticulously prepares, arranges, and sets into place each member in the Body of Christ {the Church) to achieve His purposes. 1 Cor. 12.18-19 “ 18But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19And if they were all one member, where would the body be?” As each article in the finished interior of the house is carefully chosen for a particular appeal and purpose, so too each member is carefully selected and set into place by God in the Church for a particular purpose.
So now it must become evident that we do not carry over into the Church the elements of the Old Covenant of the Law and its religious commandments, rituals, manner of worship, and so on, but instead something new and distinctly different is being built. The Spirit of Christ is working with us and in us in preparation for the finished work of the Gospel in the lives of those in the Church. The most distinct difference between this dispensation and all that has preceded in the dispensations of past ages, is that in past ages God dealt with the “natural man,” with visible and tangible things like promises of a prosperous land, of kings and nations, cities and temples, of circumcisions and sacrifices. But now, as prophesied by Isaiah, Is. 43.19 “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
This He spoke of Christ and His Gospel, and the ushering in of a “spiritual” realm. The new thing Isaiah writes are of “spiritual things,” not earthly but things invisible to the eye and intangible to the touch which pertain to the heavenly environment. One does not require faith for what he sees but for what he does not see. (Heb. 11.1) These heavenly things are as being born again of the Spirit of God; of the Spirit of Christ abiding “in” you; of being circumcised of the heart and not the flesh; of being baptized into Christ and identifying with His crucifixion, burial and resurrection into newness of life; of the gifts of the Spirit manifested in believers for the building up of the Church; of being made alive together with Christ, and raised with Him and made to sit with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2.5-6); and of our final resurrection in Him.
This Gospel speaks of the salvation of the whole man: spirit, soul and body. This is why it is written in Heb. 8.13 “13By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” This is no longer an Old Covenant of temporal and fading earthly things, but God is making us competent ministers of the New Covenant, 2 Cor. 3.6 “of the new covenant, not of the letter (O.T. Law) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” The Old Covenant was outwardly imposed upon you, this New Covenant is life rising up from within.
Purpose
There was/is a Divine unique purpose for each age or dispensation. As with the previous example of building a house, the purpose in laying a foundation is not the same as the purpose for the first floor, which is different than the purpose for the roof or the highest purpose of finishing the house interior. With this similitude in mind, we can say the purpose for creation was one thing and the purpose of the age of the patriarchs quite different. The purpose for Israel and the Mosaic old covenant was very specific, and two-fold. Firstly, its purpose was to reveal God’s character through Israel to the world and to make known of their need for a savior. Secondly, all aspects, every detail, of the Old Covenant, regarding the nation of Israel and the Law, (including the commandments, feast days, sacrifices, the tabernacle, and the priesthood) would be prophetic in nature, it being a natural or physical “pattern,” or type, for the following spiritual age of Christ and the Church. It was a “prototype” for the Church, meaning it was a physical model from which the spiritual Church is formed. For example, it is written,
Ex. 25.9 “According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.”
1 Cor. 10.11 “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
Lk. 24.44 “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
And so, do you see one cannot carry over the purpose from the Old Covenant into the New Covenant because it was formed for a different reason; it was an attempt to make something Godly work in man who was still fleshly and spiritually dead in sin, that is, he was yet in his fallen nature, but to lay the vision for a spiritual church of those who would become redeemed from that nature. It would be like trying to incorporate a physical nut and bolt into an idea of a machine, it cannot be done—the nut and bolt are material but the idea is immaterial. Only the immaterial thought or principle of the nut and bolt can be embodied into the mental design for a machine in which both the principle and the thought are immaterial. The Old Covenant Law was material and fleshly; the New Covenant is spiritual. There is a great distinction between what can be done and accomplished in the flesh with what can be done and accomplished in the spirit. The two are contrary to one another. It is written, Gal. 5.17-18,
“For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the (Old Covenant) law.” BSB
The idea of the physical priesthood was emphasized in the Old Covenant because it was the only way that the covenant could work with man yet in his fallen state. And that was for the priests to be intermediaries between God and man, for them to be representative of the people. They were to stand in proxy before God on behalf of the people. In doing so the tribes of Israel were divided; the Levites were the priests and the remaining tribes were the congregation. This enabled the functioning of the temple worship and a people set apart to make God’s name known to the nations. However, God’s purpose for the spiritual Church is to have a higher design for the Church as a Kingdom of Priests? When Jesus proclaimed, “I will build My Church” (Mt. 16.18) He certainly had this higher purpose design in mind.
For the Church to be divided into priests and congregations, or any kind of clergy and lay people is contrary to the original intent of God for the Church and stands in need of rectification, because the purpose for the Church is spiritual and altogether higher. A glimpse of this higher status is seen in Eph. 1.17-23, where Paul prayed that God,
“may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Do you see that in this passage the spiritual nature of the Church is being revealed? Of emphasis is Christ, our high priest, Who is now ascended and is seated at the right hand of God, having been given all power and authority, and that God has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. No longer should the Church act as an organized religion, like those under the Old Covenant, but now must view itself as through the eyes of God: as a living expression of Christ, as an organism with Christ as its Head and every member of the Church a functioning member of His body.
The Old Covenant had a pyramid of authority, with God as head, then Aaron as the high priest, the sons of Aaron as tabernacle priests, the tribe of Levite as priests to the people, and then the congregation of Israel at the base of the pyramid. The denominational church today has just substituted another pyramid of authority, for instance a pope, prophet, or president as the head (supposedly under Christ), then perhaps bishops, then pastors, then elders, then deacons, who are over and intermediaries for the congregation at the base of the pyramid. Clearly, this is not according to the purpose for the New Covenant Church and a Kingdom of priests and Christ as Head of His body of believers. The Word of God is quite clear regarding this.
In terms of Christ being the Head of the Church and we His body, to function not as a well-oiled organization but as a living organism, there needs to be two main functions within the Church: its government and its service—the government to oversee, nurture, protect and guide the Church, and ministries to serve and build the Church to maturity. Here too, another critical distinction must be made in the concept of the “elder.” An elder (as describe in the Bible) is a part of the Body that oversees and manages the Church, sets it in order, protects and feeds it. This is a part of the Church Government. Whereas ministries, like pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, etc. serve the Church in a particular function, as shepherds caring for their flock. A pastor is usually also an elder, but an elder may also be a teacher, evangelist, prophet, and so on. Elders and their associated service ministries are given the functioning oversight and authority of the Church.
The Church Elders
By further explanation, the term “government” literally means “to steer a ship;” thus elders are men who are responsible for leading and overseeing a local church and are held in high regard for their spiritual nature and maturity. They are the government of the Church. They care for the church shepherding, instructing, protecting, strengthening, and even rebuking the obstinate. There are generally several elders overseeing the local church.
When Paul was in Miletus it is written in Acts 20.17 that he, “17sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.” He did not ask for the pastors, teachers, prophets, etc., he simply asked for the elders—of which I am sure included local pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. I hope you are beginning to see the picture of the role of elders. Here, Paul wanted to deal with governmental issues of the Church and not the specifics of ministries of service and worship services. His formidable charge to the elders is found in Acts 20.28-31,
“28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. 29I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
This charge, to “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood,” must echo in the chambers of every heart of every elder yet today in the Church. It is a solemn and sober charge. Unwritten, yet understood, is the expectation of our Lord speaking into the hearts of the elders.
It is important to note that Paul considered himself an elder even though functioning as an apostle in ministry. He writes in 1 Peter 5.1-4,
“1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
And so, do you see that according to the principles of the first century Church, that first of all there are no intermediary priest or other “men of God” functioning between the believer and God. There is no go-between of the believer and God, but that we are all a Kingdom of Priests unto our God and may all approach God directly and humbly with thanksgiving. The principle of the Old Covenant priesthood is extinct in the New Covenant Church. It has been perfected in Christ, as elders and ministries of service. This is what oversees and directs the Church today.
So, do you see, the leaven of the Old Testament priesthood may yet infiltrate the Church dividing it in clergy and congregation, intermediaries and church members, ministries and “pew sitters”—who are people who regularly attend church services, often sitting in the same place, who are very cordial, donate to the church, and participate with designated responses, especially responding with an “Amen.” Most often they contribute little spiritually to the fellowship of believers because they don’t feel their involvement is important, or because they simply are not interested in doing anything else. This should not be the case, but each believer nurtured to discover their unique contribution to the functioning of the Body of Christ. It is a formidable task and longer journey to form the Church in this manner. There is always much opposition and reluctance to “change” what has been for so many years the practice and routine of the Church. We become overly comfortable with our setting and have settled for the status quo. But then one may hear an upward call and sense unsettledness with the past routines and desire to pursue the lead and tug of the Holy Spirit upon his heart. It may all begin with two or three, Mt. 18.20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” The Spirit of Christ will always be present as the Head of His body, whether two or three or a hundred. It is within His presence we learn to function according to His will and purpose. I must add that to “fear the Lord” or “fear God” has nothing to do with being afraid of His presence, but it does have the meaning of being sober, respectful, acknowledging the power, the glory, and the supreme authority of His presence, and to approach Him humbly with overflowing thanksgiving.
S2.E5. Questions for Discussions
- Considering the idea of having “purpose,” explain how you might have purpose for your life; for your spiritual life. What should be the purpose for your church?
- What are the primary biblical dispensations, or ages, and explain how the purpose for each is different?
- Explain how the purpose of the Old Covenant under Moses specifically relates to the New Covenant under Christ; and why the Law and temples practices under the Old Covenant cannot be carried into the New Covenant.
- Explain the principle of “religion” versus “life” and how they relate to the two covenants.
- Explain the manner of church oversight or government in the New Covenant under Christ? Ow does it compare to the Old Covenant?
