Dake Bible Discussion Board ⇒ When did the New Covenant begin???

[branham1965]

thank you Reverend for that.
it helps clarify things better for me.
i think His Words were in force when He spoke them.

Luke 16:16 (KJV)
16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

This makes it clear that the Law ended and the inauguration of a new dispensation was beginning. Notice the following verses where Jesus changes immediately the system.
Matthew 5:21 (KJV)
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

Matthew 5:22 (KJV)
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:27 (KJV)
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Matthew 5:28 (KJV)
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

The question then becomes "what was the time between the preaching of John and Jesus dying on the cross?" Was his words in force during those 3 years? Or, were they not in force until after his death?

[titus213]

Of course Christ's words were in force at the time, as were the words of the Law, as the next verse in Luke 16 makes plain:

"And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail" (v.17)

But the announcement of the kingdom and the transition to it are not the same thing as the inauguration of it. John did mark the end of the preceding order of things and the beginning of the message of the kingdom God. Jesus preached that message and taught his disciples to do the same. And they did, both before and after his death and resurrection. But the gospel of the kingdom was subject to limitations before Jesus actually put the Testament into effect; there was a baptism he had to experience (Luke 12.50). Once he had experienced that baptism the kingdom was unleashed with power.

The change of dispensation began with the preaching of John the Baptist. But the New Covenant could not begin until the death of the testator.

[branham1965]

thats a great post Padre.

Of course Christ's words were in force at the time, as were the words of the Law, as the next verse in Luke 16 makes plain:

"And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail" (v.17)

But the announcement of the kingdom and the transition to it are not the same thing as the inauguration of it. John did mark the end of the preceding order of things and the beginning of the message of the kingdom God. Jesus preached that message and taught his disciples to do the same. And they did, both before and after his death and resurrection. But the gospel of the kingdom was subject to limitations before Jesus actually put the Testament into effect; there was a baptism he had to experience (Luke 12.50). Once he had experienced that baptism the kingdom was unleashed with power.

The change of dispensation began with the preaching of John the Baptist. But the New Covenant could not begin until the death of the testator.