*A BETTER COVENANT*
`“For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” (2 Corinthians 3:11)`
The new covenant is a covenant of salvation for the soul and healing for the body of the believer, simply on the basis of faith in and acceptance of the atonement brought about by Christ’s suffering and death as our substitute. In the beginning the death penalty was pronounced against man because of sin. (Genesis 2:17.) God in His holiness could not tolerate sin. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4). The new covenant is a covenant of simple faith. It is expressed in Mark 16:16-18: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:16-18)
When Jesus was on earth, he went everywhere healing the sick. His ministry of healing was the means of both drawing the attention of the people, and of proving to them that He had power on earth to forgive sins. Before He returned to heaven, He gave His disciples a commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20) What are those things ? It is: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)
We too are like those disciples who went forth teaching, as the Lord had commanded- laying hands on the sick and the Lord is true to His Word. “the Lord will go to work with us, and confirm the word with signs following.” (Mark 16:20) If we would believe His promises and obey His commands, there need not be one feeble person among their number. We are still serving the same God, but under “a better covenant” (Hebrews 8:6)
Your brother in Christ,
Ashok Martin