In Defense of the Faith

What the Old Covenant Was Not

The old covenant was not the Ten Commandments, as Mr. Canright would have us believe. This fact is clearly revealed by many of the conflicting characteristics, attributed to these two instruments. The things said of either one of them could not by any possible means apply to the other. The distinction between them is clear. DOF 227.5

For instance, we find the Lord speaking of the new covenant as being “a better covenant” than the old one. (Hebrews 8:6.) This clearly indicates that the old covenant was not perfect in its provisions. There was weakness in it, and that weakness was to be corrected in the new covenant. DOF 227.6

But of the Ten Commandments the Lord declares: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7. “Wherefore the law is holy, and. the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. But the old covenant was imperfect and faulty. Therefore it is evident that the old covenant and the Ten Commandments, though related, are certainly not identical. The Ten Commandments cannot be the old covenant. DOF 227.7

Of the new covenant God says that it was to be “established upon better promises.” Hebrews 8:6. This clearly indicates that some of the promises of the old covenant were poor. These poor promises were made, not by God, but by the people when they promised more than they could perform. The fault was “with them,” the Lord declares in verse 8. Their promises were not reliable. The new covenant had better promises, not made by sinful men, but by the Lord Himself. DOF 228.1

The old covenant is declared to have been “faulty.” “If the first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.” Hebrews 8:7. But this could not possibly apply to the Ten Commandments, which, as we have seen, are clearly declared to be “perfect,” “holy, and just, and good.” A thing cannot be faulty and perfect at the same time. DOF 228.2

Paul declared that the old covenant was ready to vanish away. “In that He says, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13. DOF 228.3

But this same apostle states that the law, instead of vanishing away, was definitely established by faith. “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Romans 3:31. A thing cannot “vanish away” and be established at the same time. Jesus also makes this point clear when He declares: “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17. Now, heaven and earth have not passed. Therefore this is positive evidence that not a jot nor tittle of the law has failed. No part of it has vanished away. DOF 228.4

And again the apostle Paul, some thirty years after the cross, wrote these words concerning the Ten Commandments: “Now we know that what things so ever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty be fore God.” Romans 3:19. DOF 229.1

These considerations show conclusively that Mr. Canright is wrong when he declares that the old covenant was the Ten Commandments, and that with its passing both the Ten Commandments and the Sabbath passed away. The old covenant was not the Ten Commandments, and therefore, the passing of this covenant did not in any way affect the moral law. DOF 229.2