Are we ministers of the new testament
Simple answers to a difficult question.
Are we ministers of the new testament
By: Dov Avnon
:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 2_CORINTHIANS Chapter 3
Are we ministers of the new testament?
The answer is very simple, YES! Why because Paul through the authority of Christ write this to the CHURCH, members of the body of Christ.
The letter to the Corinthians is part of the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery. All the things that Paul was teaching the Corinthians, he teaches also the other churches. 17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 1 cor. 4:17
Why is Paul using especially in his letters to the ROMANS, CORINTHIANS, GALATION, Expressions from the so-called Old Testament?
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans chapter 15
So the answer is simple. Paul is using those expressions NOT because that at that time he had special Jewish ministry. Not because he went first to the Jewish synagogue. But for our learning.
Those who mention often that we should rightly divide the word of truth and talk about Paul's distinctive ministry. Forget some time even to listen to Paul himself when he writes to the Churches.
Yes if we understand why Christ saved Paul and for which purpose, we will understand that members of the body of Christ under the dispensation of Grace are also ministers of the New Testament.
Before we going to compare between the new testament as Paul was preaching and this of what the Prophet Jeremiah was writing. It is important to know that what Paul writes in his letters is part of a new gospel/revelation that he received from the Lord. There is nothing in his letters that was written especially for Jewish people or to the nation of Israel and not to the member of Christ's body.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans chapter 15
I mention the above verse because I came to the understanding, that whenever Paul uses verses from the Old Testament it is not because he had a special ministry for the Jews or that he write specially to them because he first went to the synagogue. Paul uses verses from the WORD OF GOD for our learning.
So the first question is, do we accept that what Paul is writing is part of a new Gospel that Christ gave him? Or are we going to question his authority whenever he mentions something from the Old Testament for our learning?
I will make a new covenant
Let's examine first what Jeremiah the Prophet says to the nation of Israel. Jeremiah chapter 31
31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
So we learn clearly with whom God going to make this covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
From This verse, we understand that it is a different covenant, not the same as it was in the days of Moses
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD,
After those days, - We know now that the days of the first covenant were over when Christ was on the cross. We know that on the day of Pentecost God was fulfilling to Israel the prophecy of Joel. But al that was a temporary stop with the coming of the dispensation of God's grace.
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrew 2
The writer to the Hebrews under the gospel to the circumcision (Hebrew – revelation) shows us that what already began will continue in the future after the dispensation of Grace will come to the end.
I will put my law in their inward parts
1- I will put my law in their inward parts,
2- and write it in their hearts;
3- and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
4- And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying,
5 -Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:
6 -for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
The main purpose of that testament with Israel in the future is like he says:
1- I will put my law in their inward parts,
2- and write it in their hearts;
This means that the first covenant was just a letter – through the law there is the knowledge of sin and not more. Another important point is that the new covenant with Israel is based on the blood of Christ and not the blood of animals.
So we must understand that God intend in the future to continue his covenant with Israel on a different base that it was with MOSES.
11:18 And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.
11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: 11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 11:21 But [as for them] whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD. EZEKIEL Chapter 11
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament;
Let’s go now back to what Paul is writing to members of the body of Christ as part of the revelation of the mystery. His letter to the Corinthians is long. This letter is addressed to members of the body of Christ in all times.
3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
made us - US - members of the Body of Christ. The purpose to which Christ saved Paul was:
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Act 9:15-16
Gentiles = Nations
Children of Israel – in Paul’s days till the distraction of the temple they could prove that they were from the nation ISRAEL from which tribe. Today there are only NATIONS no one can really say to which tribe he belongs.
There is now New Testament with a new group of believers – the body of Christ. This testament is of the spirit it called also the ministration of righteousness. We find in Paul's letters many verses that deal with the work of the indwelling spirit in the believers.
So again we see how things were written aforetime were written for our learning.
We speak only on the same principle but not the same group of people.
What God is doing today is Giving His spirit to members of Christ's body based on GRACE and FAITH. You need God's spirit not only to be saved. Remember Paul writes to the Corinthians to believers that need to know and learn about the working of God's spirit in their lives to know how to overcome sin.
for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
The letter is the LAW of Moses the spirit is the new testament according to the revelation of the mystery. (See Romans chapter 8)
BUT I am from the nation, GENTILS. What should I do with the LAW of MOSES
Of course, this is the point. When Paul came to those Churches were Gentiles and Jews from the synagogue (who believed the gospel.) were together. He presents them the truth for LEARNING. things were written aforetime were written for our learning.
Dear Brother do you believe and teach the ministration of the spirit according to the revelation of the mystery? If your answer is YES then you are also
Able ministers of the new testament;
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians Chapter 2:8-9
to testify the gospel of the grace of God acts 20:24



