From a Christian perspective, is the covenant of the early Jews still valid today?

Question

Could someone help me to understand this? I was just talking to my neighbor who is a devout Roman Catholic. She says that the Covenant given to Abraham by God in the Old Testament is still in force today. Meaning that Jews do not need to be coverted. Their covenant, their relationship with God is the same as it has always been. I do not know exactly where I stand on the matter of other faiths requiring conversion, but I still argued a bit with this wonderful and learned neighbor of mine. I asked her if she thought that modern day Christians were actually the true descendants of the Jews, and that they have a new covenant with God through Christ that was always meant to be. She says that there is some scriptural basis for the idea that the Jews still have their covenant with God today. But I thought that no one can be saved without believing in Jesus Christ? If what she says is true, then would it not be true for any other faith? She says 'no' to that. I just don't get it.

For the record, I want to say that I cannot accept the idea that people of other faiths, who grew up in other cultures, and who may never have been exposed to Christianity, are automatically not going to Heaven. I just can't agree with that. However, I also believe that one has to apply some logic in these matters. How can you say that one non-Christian faith is clear for salvation and others are not?

Looking at the answers below, I am reading some of the things I expected to see: that salvation happens only through faith in Christ. And that the old covenant is still valid only if it continues through the new convenant which is through Christ? But what about the question of whether or not modern day Jews still have their own, separate, valid covenant with God? Do Jews require conversion in order to be saved in the same way that many Christians would say is required of persons of other any other non-Christian religion?

Answer 1

Your friend is wrong the covenant was fulfilled when Jesus was born, whether the Jews wanted to accept it was their own decisions. The jealousy of the Pharisees and Sanhedrin turned many away from Him. But there were also many converts because Jesus said he had a mission to let the God's People know who He was first. You might suggest to her to read Joseph Cardinal Ratzingers book "Many Religions- One Covenant from 1999.
The Way was open to the Gentiles after Jesus went to Heaven, his last words to them was to teach ALL nations.. Peter had a very rough time with this idea he felt the whole concept was for the Jews only, actually so did Paul for a time. They both had to change their ways of thinking radically, they learned this when the Holy Spirit came to Cornelious and his family.
I really think when you worship a higher entity, whatever the name. you still worship God. Kindness and goodness must also count for something and in the long run its really up to God Himself, to judge people. I don't believe in forcing the issue. Faith is a gift and its not mine to give, only to teach and share.

Answer 2

Catholic here.

If I'm not mistaken, the old covenant with the Jews was the promise of a savior, a redeemer. That promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His arrival ushered in a new covenant for all people. If she's speaking of the Ten Commandments, then yes, those are still in force. However, salvation is through Jesus Christ. Him and Him alone. The Church does take into account that not all people on earth were able to learn about and accept Jesus. Think of babies. They die everyday, and they were too young to learn about Jesus. We believe they go to heaven and are judged by what they know, by their heart. The same would be true of adults that never learned the Faith.

Modern day Christians would be descendants of the Jews in a spiritual sense. Our Christian roots come from Judaism. Jesus, however, died for all, Jew and Gentile. The new covenant is that all who believe in Him and follow His teachings have the hope of being saved. It is a promise for all people.

God bless.

Answer 3

Your neighbor has been taught a doctrine known as "Dual Covenant Theology," which is strange, since it's incompatible with mainstream Roman Catholic theology. Catholics believe in "Replacement Theology," i.e. that God has replaced the Jews as His chosen people due to their rejection of Jesus. This is easily disproven by carefully reading Romans 9 through 11.

On the other hand, Dual Covenant Theology teaches that Gentiles have a saving Covenant with God, via Jesus; and the Jews have another saving Covenant with God, via Moses. If this is true, then Jesus was a liar, because He stated "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except by Me." You simply cannot have it both ways.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 told the Jews that, due to their disobedience, it would be necessary for God to make a new covenant with them. The reason for this is because their violations had, in God's eyes, irretrievably broken the covenant. Christians believe Jesus brought that covenant. After Jesus' crucifixion, it was opened up to Gentiles, as well -- which Jesus prophesied would happen (see John 10:16, for example). It is clear that God wishes ALL humanity -- both Jew and Gentile -- to follow one covenant so He can "gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad" (John 11:52).

You make an excellent point in your first "additional details" posting. Many Christians don't understand this, but there was a covenant the pre-existed the Mosaic Covenant that applied to everyone: it's known as the Noahide Covenant. A Gentile who's never heard the Gospel but follows the basic tenets of the Noahide Covenant (worship one God; don't kill; etc.) goes to Heaven.

Answer 4

In answer to this part of your question "Do Jews require conversion in order to be saved in the same way that many Christians would say is required of persons of other any other non-Christian religion?"

Absolutely not. Each of us will be judged according to the life we've led. Atheists can be every bit as righteous as the most devout Christian. It's the Jews who must live to a higher standard. We have 613 commandments whereas all others have only the 7 Noahide Laws.

And exactly who are you to judge whether or not our contract is still in force? I suspect you are among the people who insist on telling us who is or is not a "real" Jew. How about working to improve the life of all mankind instead of obsessing over the Afterlife.

There is a genocide happening in Darfur, Sudan. Perhaps you could contact the President and your legislators to ask them to do everything in their power to resolve the conflict.
.

Answer 5

I agree that the covenant is still valid. The problem is that man cannot fulfill his end of the covenant, and blood sacrifices only provided a temporary fix. The sacrifices of old were intended to restore the broken covenant, until it was broken again, which occurred constantly. This points to the final and permanent fix for the broken covenant, which is the perfect sacrifice.

Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice, and the old covenant is still valid, and has been corrected with Jesus' blood.

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I agree with the point Suzanne makes concerning those who have not heard about Jesus. God is Holy and Just. He has not rigged things against mankind. He wants to see all experience the wonder of salvation through His Son Jesus.

Answer 6

From a Christian perspective the New Covenant is THE covenant. The Jews are condemned because they did not recognize their Messiah. Whether they hold to their old covenant or not, they're still screwed. This is the Christian perspective.

However, this is all nonsense of course...

Answer 7

The covenant of the Jews about God during the time of Abraham, was no longer existing today because Jesus have changed it at the time of Jesus Christ who became man.

Those who do not know about the bible and do not know about God are automatically go to heaven with God for they have no knowledge about the scripture but if a person who have knowledge about God and have heard about the bible but refused to admit that there is God and do not believe the words of God in the Bible, they will not be forgiven and will surely go to the lake of fire to suffer the penalty.

Also on a child who is ignorant about God and ignorant about the right or wrong to do will automatically go to heaven with God.
jtm

Answer 8

Ephessians 2:15
By means of his flesh he abolished the enmity, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees, that he might create the two peoples in union with himself into one new man and make peace.

This include tithing. Jesus nor his disciples gave tithing only gifts, but not both.

Daniel 9:27 “And he must keep [the] covenant in force for the many for one week; and at the half of the week he will cause sacrifice and gift offering to cease.

This is the verse that says that Jesus will die at the half of a week of seven years means 3 years and a half.
The fulfillment of Daniel 9:27 happens when the covenant with the Jews finish in the bible it is in Acts 10:34-37 The whole chapter explain how cornelius the first Chirstian that do not have to become a proselite jew to became follower of Jesus. Date year 36, month of Tisri, day 15 (October)

John 3:16: For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

The Whole world include Israel.

Answer 9

The New Testament teaches that all of us, Jews and gentiles, have “missed the mark.” (Romans 3:23) All of us are under the consequences of sin, and “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) We are all in need of salvation from our sin; we are all in need of a Savior. The New Testament teaches that Jesus the Messiah is “the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father”, but through Him. (John 14:6) And most importantly, “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which it is necessary for us to be saved." (Acts 4:12).

For the Jews, Jesus the Messiah has come as High Priest, and through His once-for-all sacrifice for sin offers complete atonement to all people. For there is “no distinction” between Jew and gentile. (Romans 10:12) Yes, the Jews are God’s chosen people, and through them come the Jewish Messiah to bless all the nations of the earth. And it is only through Jesus that Jews can find God’s complete atonement and forgiveness.

Answer 10

First, Jews are Israelites, but not all Israelites are Jews. Jew means of Judah which is one child of Israel. His promise was that the sceptre will belong to him. Joseph recieved the birthright promise. And each of the 12 were told something about their future.
Yes. It is valid. But it pertains to us now.
The law is still in effect. Even Mosaic law and health laws. Noone was given permission to change anything about the way God is obeyed.
Jesus came as Messiah. Judaism is still waiting on Messiah because they do not believe he was Messiah.
Everyone will have a chance to get into Heaven in the resurection process spoken of in Revelation. There are some who knew truth at death and still died without accepting it. They are the last resurection and rebuked by God.