Is the Old Covenant still in effect?

[meltzerboy]

I’m sure that that is true for Jewish people now. But before the temple was destroyed, sins were atoned for by sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. And I think (???) that the Paschal Sacrifice also atoned for sin.

Collective sins of the community and unintentional sins of the individual were atoned for by the High Priest and blood sacrifice of animals. Intentional sins were, however, more of a private matter for each individual. And even sacrifice was regarded as inconsequential if not accompanied by prayer. As to the Paschal lamb, nowhere in the Hebrew Bible is the lamb regarded as an atonement for sins. While the Jews were slaves in Egypt, the lamb was deified by the Egyptians and not permitted to be killed. Thus the sacrifice of the lamb during Passover (the shankbone) is a symbol of the Jews’ liberation by G-d from the tyranny of slavery in Egypt, a land that worshiped false idols.

 

[Caanan]

The only covenant that leads to salvation is that made by God through the Blood of his Divine Son, Jesus Christ, the Crucified One.

God’s promise to Israel to lead them to salvation, remains forever, however it can not be fulfilled if one rejects the very means of salvation that the prophets fortold.

 

[babs57]

Collective sins of the community and unintentional sins of the individual were atoned for by the High Priest and blood sacrifice of animals. Intentional sins were, however, more of a private matter for each individual. And even sacrifice was regarded as inconsequential if not accompanied by prayer. As to the Paschal lamb, nowhere in the Hebrew Bible is the lamb regarded as an atonement for sins. While the Jews were slaves in Egypt, the lamb was deified by the Egyptians and not permitted to be killed. Thus the sacrifice of the lamb during Passover (the shankbone) is a symbol of the Jews’ liberation by G-d from the tyranny of slavery in Egypt, a land that worshiped false idols.

While I agree that all of this is true, there is the “blood for blood” or “life for life” aspect of a salvific event. It wasn’t just about the tyranny of being slaves and having to work hard. They were slaves, also, because they also were worshipping (serving) false gods… in effect, slaves to sin. So, G-d saved them.

 

[Charlemagne_III]

I think “amended” is perhaps the wrong term. Nothing has been added to the covenant. Rather, it has transcended the old through the perfect sacrifice of G-d Himself.

An Amendment is a change to the original agreement. In that sense an amendment transcends the Old Covenant. Christ’s sacrifice changed everything. We are still obliged by the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament, which are now amended or trancended by a new command:

“Love one another as I have loved you.”

We know how he has loved us, giving us everything, including his sacrifice on the Cross.

“No greater love has a man than this: that he lay down his life for a friend.”

 

[Gold_Star]

Yes, the Old Covenant is still in effect for the Jews. But it has been whittled down over the millennia to its essentials. There is no longer a priesthood or prophetic function - these were continued on in Christianity. This doesn’t mean that Jews have no mystical life or that their prayers are fruitless - only that the definitive nature of priest and prophet have been left behind. For Jews who find they are unable to participate in the promised material blessings from God of the Mosaic covenant, Christianity is the appropriate alternative.

The Mosaic covenant was of blood and everlasting, (as the 10 commandments were written on stone, not on perishable paper like the rest of the covenant). The Aaronic priesthood had its own covenant of salt, so it only lasted while the salt had its savor, that is, until the priests lost their righteousness. This happened with the slaughter of the innocents and the crucifixion of Christ. The Melchizedek priesthood replaced the Aaronic priesthood with a more perfect covenant based on the blood of Christ.

The Christian covenant (which is almost unknown since it is one of the mysteries) is more perfect in holiness and spirituality than the Mosaic covenant, as Christ’s blood is a more perfect sacrifice than that of animals. Christ came for those that needed a physician, not those who lived correctly according to the law of Moses and enjoyed its blessings. At the second coming of Christ the two religions will be joined together into a new unity of law and grace for the Kingdom of God on the physical earth.

 

[Charlemagne_III]

Yes, the Old Covenant is still in effect for the Jews. But it has been whittled down over the millennia to its essentials. There is no longer a priesthood or prophetic function - these were continued on in Christianity. This doesn’t mean that Jews have no mystical life or that their prayers are fruitless - only that the definitive nature of priest and prophet have been left behind. For Jews who find they are unable to participate in the promised material blessings from God of the Mosaic covenant, Christianity is the appropriate alternative.

The Mosaic covenant was of blood and everlasting, (as the 10 commandments were written on stone, not on perishable paper like the rest of the covenant). The Aaronic priesthood had its own covenant of salt, so it only lasted while the salt had its savor, that is, until the priests lost their righteousness. This happened with the slaughter of the innocents and the crucifixion of Christ. The Melchizedek priesthood replaced the Aaronic priesthood with a more perfect covenant based on the blood of Christ.

The Christian covenant (which is almost unknown since it is one of the mysteries) is more perfect in holiness and spirituality than the Mosaic covenant, as Christ’s blood is a more perfect sacrifice than that of animals. Christ came for those that needed a physician, not those who lived correctly according to the law of Moses and enjoyed its blessings. At the second coming of Christ the two religions will be joined together into a new unity of law and grace for the Kingdom of God on the physical earth.

Great summation of your case. And welcome to Catholic Answers.