The Bible mentions several covenants, but by far, the two most important are the ones we know as the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. How well do you understand the differences and similarities between these two? Take the 14-question quiz below, and see what I think are the correct answers thereafter.
- In which covenant, Old or New, were curses promised for the disobedient?
- In which covenant is God depicted as a loving God?
- In which covenant were they required to “circumcise” their hearts?
- In which covenant is God depicted as a stern God?
- In which covenant were they required to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength?
- In which covenant were they required to correct/rebuke their fellow believers?
- In which covenant were they required to obey God’s commands?
- In which covenant were they required to judge without partiality?
- In which covenant were they required to be holy?
- In which covenant were they required to seek God wholeheartedly?
- In which covenant were they required to stop sinning?
- In which covenant were they required to love their neighbors as themselves?
- In which covenant were they required to learn the scriptures?
- In which covenant were blessings promised for the obedient?
The Answers
Contrary to how so many view the covenants, I believe that the same answer applies to each of the 14 questions above. It is “both“.
Let me demonstrate. Here’s the list above, each with two passages of scripture in support, one from the Old Testament, and one from the New:
- Q: In which covenant, Old or New, were curses promised for the disobedient?
A: Both.
OT: Deuteronomy 28:15 However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you:
NT: 1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord! - Q: In which covenant is God depicted as a loving God?
A: Both.
OT: Exodus 15:13 In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
NT: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - Q: In which covenant were they required to “circumcise” their hearts?
A: Both.
OT: Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
NT: Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! - Q: In which covenant is God depicted as a stern God?
A: Both.
OT: Proverbs 15:10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.
NT: Romans 11:22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. - Q: In which covenant were they required to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength?
A: Both.
OT: Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
NT: Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ - Q: In which covenant were they required to correct/rebuke their fellow believers?
A: Both.
OT: Leviticus 19:17 Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
NT: Matthew 18:15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. - Q: In which covenant were they required to obey God’s commands?
A: Both.
OT: Exodus 12:24 “Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants.
NT: Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you... - Q: In which covenant were they required to judge without partiality?
A: Both.
OT: Leviticus 19:Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
NT: James 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. - Q: In which covenant were they required to be holy?
A: Both.
OT: Leviticus 11:44 I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy….
NT: Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. - Q: In which covenant were they required to seek God wholeheartedly?
A: Both.
OT: Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
NT: Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness… - Q: In which covenant were they required to stop sinning?
A: Both.
OT: Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
NT: 1 Corinthians 15:34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; - Q: In which covenant were they required to love their neighbors as themselves?
A: Both.
OT: Leviticus 19:18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
NT: Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Q: In which covenant were they required to learn the scriptures?
A: Both.
OT: Deuteronomy 6:6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
NT: Romans 15:14 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. - Q: In which covenant were blessings promised for the obedient?
A: Both.
OT: Deuteronomy 11:26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse — 27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; 28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God
NT: Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Some Parting Thoughts about the Covenants
So much more could be pointed out about the covenants and how they are similar. Also, much could be pointed out about how they differ. My main reason for wanting to highlight these similarities is that there seems to be a vast misconception today about the two covenants ― something along these lines: “The Old Covenant is harsh and stern, while the New Covenant is loving and gentle.” To maintain this view, however, one has to disregard a lot of scripture! That’s why I want people to see the passages above, regarding what these two covenants have in common.
If these things were widely understood, it would surely have a profound effect on the churches!
