Editorial on the Blood Covenant A large part of our covenant walk with the Lord Jesus Christ is God’s ancient ways and the panorama of covenants He made in the Old Testament. These led to the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus and his shed blood upon the cross. In scripture we see that the Judeo-Christian faith is a religion that is bloody: “For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin.” Such tradition and reality were continued in the death of the martyrs. According to the Book of Revelation, the fulfillment of the number of Martyrs collected under God’s throne has not been made complete. To quote Frances Schaeffer “How then should we live?” Jesus understood from before the foundation of the world His purpose on earth. He made peace with and embraced his call to martyrdom. Paul states in Galatians 2:20 (NASB1995)“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”In Acts 1:8 we are told to be his witnesses (marturia-martyrs). To be a witness for Jesus requires us to lay down our lives in order to live for Him. It is appropriate that we consider the covenant we have entered with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Power of the Blood Covenant COVER STORYMagazine article by Rona Spiropoulos The Bible is a book of Covenants. The Old Testament is really a book of several Old Covenants. The New Testament is the New Covenant in the Blood of Jesus Christ. Whether the covenant is old or a new living covenant there is one most vital thread, there has to be the shedding of blood. A covenant is cut; it is the exchange of the covenant partners’ blood, the exchange of life. When a blood covenant is cut between two people, every part of one’s life is involved in the exchange, there is not one area that is not sealed by the oath of the covenant. Blood is precious and covenants need to be honored.
The Blood Covenant FEATURE ARTICLE by E. W. Kenyon For years, I was convinced that there was something in the Lord’s Table that I did not understand. The silence of the disciples when Jesus introduced it, saying, “This is my blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many unto the remission of sins”; and then told them to eat the bread which was His body and to drink the wine which He declared was His blood. I say, the very silence of the disciples indicates they understood what He meant. I did not, and it confused me.
Behold the Lamb - Slain FEATURE ARTICLE by Ras Robinson Can you imagine the intense drama as the God of history, in human form, walked to the top of a hill, and the prophet of God proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb!” It was those words by John the Baptist which introduced Jesus Christ, who had not yet begun His ministry, as the Lamb of God who would be slain for the sins of mankind.
David and Jonathan: More than Friends FEATURE ARTICLE by Dr. Thomas Reedy The idea of Covenant is one of the main concepts in scripture. The word covenant is synonymous with the word testament. Thus, the Old Testament and the New Testament are, in fact, the Old and New Covenants. Covenants are based on relationships and not just laws.
Father Knows Best FEATURE COLUMNby Budd Rodgers As a pastor, there are some particularly vital facts that I want those in my congregation to know. Their future depends on the truths that are described to us in the Word of God. These truths not only determine their future, but also the future of those who follow behind them and the future of those around them.
My Remnants are Arising FEATURE COLUMNby Jennifer Peikert I hear the Lord saying, “My Remnants are arising.” What does this mean? It means that God’s remnants are awakening and rising up. The remnant voices are getting louder. The remnant will refuse to back down to principalities, powers or rulers of darkness, but will rise and take a stand and go into the enemy’s camp and storm the gates of hell. God’s remnant will no longer sit but they will rise up. The remnant leans on God and God alone.