“And [He took] the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood, even that which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:20, R. V.
24. What power is there in the blood of this covenant?
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will.” Heb. 13:20, 21.
25. Through which covenant only is there remission of sins?
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Heb. 9:14, 15, R. V.
Note.—The fact that Christ, as mediator of the second covenant, died for the remission of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, shows that there was no forgiveness by virtue of the first covenant.
26. Under the old covenant, what did the people promise?
To keep the law of God in their own strength.
Note.—Under this covenant the people promised to keep all the commandments of God in order to be His peculiar people, and this without help from any one. This was virtually a promise to make themselves righteous. But Christ says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5. And the prophet Isaiah says, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:6. The only perfect righteousness is God's righteousness, and this can be obtained only through faith in Christ. Rom. 3:20-26. The only righteousness that will insure an entrance into the kingdom of God is “the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Phil. 3:9. Of those who inherit the kingdom of God, the Lord says, “Their righteousness is of Me” (Isa. 54:17); and the prophet Jeremiah says of Christ, “This is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.” Jer. 23:6.
27. Under the new covenant, what does God promise to do?