Is the New Covenant the same covenant as the
Old Covenant with no change in the Law/Torah?

PART ONE

Few people dispute the fact that the Old or First Covenant (also called the Law or Torah of Moses) with Israel was administered through Moses and the Levitical Priesthood. Also, few people dispute the fact that the New or Second Covenant is administered through YAHshua and the Melchisedec Priesthood.

Many people are teaching that the New or Second Covenant is not NEW, but it is only re-newed and they teach that it has exactly the same Law/Torah as the Old or First Covenant with its six hundred and thirteen laws. However, these scriptures relating to both the Old Covenant and the New Covenant teach otherwise.

Hebrews 7 (11) If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the Law [Torah],) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (12) For the [Levitical] priesthood being changed [to the Melchisedec Priesthood], there is made of necessity a CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW [Torah]. (13) For He [YAHshua] of Whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. (14) For it is evident that our Sovereign sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. (15) And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another Priest, (16) Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (17) For HE testifieth, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec [Psalm 110:4]. (18) For there is verily a disannulling [cancellation] of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness [of the temporary Levitical Priesthood with the Old Covenant] thereof. (19) For the Law [Torah of Moses] made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto YAHWEH. (20) And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made Priest: (21) (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by HIM that said unto Him, YAHWEH sware and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec: [Psa 110:4]) (22) By so much was YAHshua made a surety of a better [better, not same] Testament [Covenant].

Hebrews 8 (6) But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a better Testament, which was established upon better promises. (7) For if that first Covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second [Covenant]. (8) For finding fault with them, HE saith, Behold, the days come, saith YAHWEH, when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah: (9) Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in MY Covenant, and I regarded them not, saith YAHWEH (10) For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days, saith YAHWEH; I will put MY laws [Torah] into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them an Elohim, and they shall be to ME a people: (11) And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know YAHWEH: for all shall know ME, from the least to the greatest. (12) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. [Jer 31:31-34] (13) In that HE saith, A New Covenant, HE hath made the First Old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth Old is ready to vanish away. [vanished away in 70 C.E.]

Hebrews 9 (I) Then verily the First Covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. … (15) And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament [Covenant Jer 31:31], that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

YAHshua set aside the First Covenant to establish the Second Covenant.

Hebrews 10 (5) Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering THOU wouldest not, but a body hast THOU prepared Me: (6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin THOU hast had no pleasure. (7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do THY will, O [YAHWEH] Elohim. [Psalm 40:6-8] (8) Above when He said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin THOU wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; (9) Then said He, Lo, I come to do THY will, O Elohim. HE taketh away the First [Covenant] that HE may establish the Second [Covenant]. (10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of YAHshua Messiah once for all.

The Old Covenant (also called the Law or Torah of Moses) was composed of animal sacrifices, meat and drink offerings, divers washings, and other CARNAL ORDINANCES which were added because of the breaking or transgressing of the Ten Commandment LAW/Torah of YAHWEH.

Galatians 3 (19) Wherefore then serveth the Law [Torah of Moses which was built around the Ten Commandments]? It was added because of transgressions [of the same Ten Commandment Torah that Adam, Eve, and Cain also broke], till the SEED [YAHshua- YAHshua, the SEED, HE CAME!!] should come to Whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (20) Now a Mediator is not a Mediator of one, but YAHWEH is one. (21) Is the law then against the promises of YAHWEH? YAHWEH forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of YAHshua Messiah might be given to them that believe. (23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law [Torah-the Old Covenant with its statutes and judgments (enactments & verdicts of the enactments) that were added because of transgression of the Ten Commandments], shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) Wherefore the law [of Moses] was our schoolmaster [Covenant] to bring us unto Messiah, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a Schoolmaster [Covenant].

Those meat and drink offerings, divers washings, and other CARNAL ORDINANCES that were added were imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Hebrews 9 (7) But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which He offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: (8) The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: (9) Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; (10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

The time of reformation (reforming) surely takes place at the same time that the Levitical priesthood with the Old/First Covenant was replaced by the Melchisedec Priesthood with the New Covenant mediated by YAHshua. (Reforming under the NEW/Second Covenant also calls for a change in the Torah - Heb. 7:12.)

In conclusion, the following facts found in the above scriptures should force any clear thinking person to see that the Old Covenant is neither in force today nor will it be in force during the coming millennium.

The Old/First Covenant was administered by the Levitical Priesthood and was mediated first by Moses.

The Old/First Covenant was imposed on Israel until the time of reformation.

The Old/First Covenant was a schoolmaster to bring us up to Messiah and we are no longer under it.

The Old/First Covenant was added because of their breaking YAHWEH'S Ten Commandments.

The Old/First Covenant was taken away that He might establish the Second Covenant

The Old/First Covenant decayed and waxed Old and was ready to vanish away.

The Old/First Covenant was in force until YAHshua, the SEED, CAME.

The NEW/Second Covenant is administered by the Melchisedec Priesthood and is mediated by YAHshua.

The NEW/Second Covenant was established in place of the Old Covenant that was taken away.

The New Covenant is a better Covenant, which was established upon better promises.

The New Covenant replaced the Old/First Covenant which was added to the Ten Commandments.

The New Covenant made the First Covenant OLD.

The New Covenant is not according to the Old/First Covenant that YAHWEH made at Mt. Sinai.

The NEW Covenant has replaced the decayed and waxed old "OLD Covenant."  With that fact in mind, why should we want to impose again the bondage of the entire OLD Covenant upon the Olive Tree with the grafted on Believing Gentiles? On the other hand, was everything in the Old Covenant changed, fallen into disuse, or just plain thrown out because of the death and resurrection of YAHshua ha Mashiach? Absolutely not! That would be throwing out the baby with the bath water! (An explanation will be given later in this article on the differences in the two covenants.) To be continued in part two as time permits
T.A.H.