Overview of Hebrews 8

THE NEW COVENANT

Hebrews 8:6-13

Introduction: It is evident upon opening the Bible that there are two main divisions: the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Although the "first covenant" referred to in Hebrews 8:7 is not quite co-extensive with the "Old Testament", that designation does serve to show that the New is better!  This text in Hebrews teaches us four outstanding differences between the "old" covenant and the "new" covenant.

    I. The Old Covenant Was "Corporate;" The New Covenant Is             Individual

            A. See Exodus 20:1,2; 24:1-8; 35:27; Deut. 5:1-5;              Heb. 12:18-21.

            B. Now, read Acts 2:37-41.  How many people entered                 into a covenant with God that day?

            C. Was there a book called "the New Testament" at            Pentecost?

            D. Can anyone today enter into a covenant with God                    without "the New Testament?"

            E. Where is the "new covenant" supposed to be                           written? (See 2 Cor. 3:3).

   II. The New Covenant Was Given To Provide Companionship                       Between God and Man

            A. From the beginning, God desired companionship with               man (see Gen. 3:8).

            B. The "old covenant" failed to bring about the                    companionship God desired (Romans 1:18-3:9).

            C. The new covenant provides for "reconciliation" (2            Cor. 5:18-21; Col. 1:19-29; Eph. 2:11-17; 1 Pet.                    3:18).

  III. Entrance Into The New Covenant Is Predicated Upon                      Knowledge of the Lord

            A. Illustration: Samuel (see 1 Sam. 3:7).  Typical of            any male Israelite, he would have been circumcised                  eight days after he was born, and would thus carry                   in his body the "sign" of the old covenant.  How                     much did he know about the Lord at that age?

            B. Before one can become a member of the new                          covenant, there must be knowledge of the Lord!               (see Acts 8:26-39).

            C. There is thus no room for infant membership in the                  new covenant!

   IV. The New Covenant Provides For The Remission Of Sins

            A. The complete remission of sins was not possible            under the old covenant (see Acts 38,39; Heb. 9:15;               10:4).

            B. The new covenant provides for the complete                            remission of sins (Heb. 8:12; 10:10; 12:22-24).