Early Christian Beliefs About the New Covenant

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching

...e drink to my chosen people, my people whom I have acquired, that they may show forth my praise,"—clearly announced the freedom which characterizes the new covenant, and the new wine which is put into new bottles, meaning the faith which is in Christ, by which He has proclaimed the way of righteousness that arises in the desert, and the streams of the Holy Spirit in a dry land, to give water to the chosen people of God, whom He has acquired, that they might show forth His praise, but not that they might blaspheme Him who made these things, that is, God.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching

3. For the new covenant having been known and preached by the prophets, He who was to carry it out according to the good pleasure of the Father was also preached, having been revealed to men as God pleased;

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, adding the sure mercies of David, Isaiah 55:3 in order that He might show that that covenant was to run its course in Christ.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

The Jews make use of the Old, we of the New: but yet they are not discordant, for the New is the fulfilling of the Old, and in both there is the same testator, even Christ, who, having suffered death for us, made us heirs of His everlasting kingdom, the people of the Jews being deprived and disinherited.

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

therefore Christ is God: so that with reason neither does the testimony of the Old Testament waver concerning the person of Christ, being supported by the manifestation of the New Testament;

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Background

That the Same Truth is Proved from the Sacred Writings of the New Covenant.

Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Background

That the Same Truth is Proved from the Sacred Writings of the New Covenant.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

As the prophet Jeremiah testifies when he speaks such things: Jeremiah 31:31-32 Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new testament to the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not according to the testament which I made to their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...ou a pure and unbloody sacrifice, which by Your Christ You have appointed as the mystery of the new covenant, for a sweet savor, through Your holy child Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, through whom glory, honor, and worship be to You in the Holy Spirit, now and always, and for all ages. And when he has prayed for these things, let the rest of the priests add, Amen; and together with them all the people. And after the prayer, let one of the bishops elevate the sacrifice upon the hands of him that is ordained, and early in the morning let him be placed in his throne, in a place set apart for him among the rest of the bishops, they all giving him the kiss in the Lord. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, and our Epistles, and Acts, and the Gospels, let him that is ordained greet the Church, saying, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all;" and let them all answer, "And with Your Spirit." And after these words let him speak to the people the words of exhortation; and when he has ended his word of doctrine, (I Andrew the brother of Peter speak), all standing up, let the deacon go up upo

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...His passion, He blessed it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Drink all of this; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which shall be shed for many, for the remission of sins. I say to you, I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink new wine with you in the kingdom of my Father." Matthew 26:28-29 In this passage we find that the cup which the Lord offered was mixed, and that what He called His blood was wine. From this it is clear that the blood of Christ is not offered if there is no wine in the cup, nor is the Lord's sacrifice celebrated with a proper consecration unless our offering and sacrifice correspond to His passion. But how shall we drink the new wine of the fruit of the vine with Christ in the kingdom of His Father, if in the sacrifice to God the Father and of Christ we do not offer wine, nor mix the cup of the Lord according to the Lord's own tradition?

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

But how shall we drink the new wine of the fruit of the vine with Christ in the kingdom of His Father, if in the sacrifice of God the Father and of Christ we do not offer wine, nor mix the cup of the Lord by the Lord's own tradition?

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Whence it appears that the blood of Christ is not offered if there be no wine in the cup, nor the Lord's sacrifice celebrated with a legitimate consecration unless our oblation and sacrifice respond to His passion.

Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. Mark Supporting witness

And this cup the blood of the new testament, of the very Lord, and God, and Saviour, and universal King Christ Jesus.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

Mark 14:24a And he said to them, Matthew 26:28 This is my blood, the new covenant, that is shed for many for the 16 forgiveness of sins.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Long Version) Supporting witness

and in his seed all those have been blessed who were ordained to eternal life in Christ.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (Long Version) Supporting witness

Grace, mercy, peace, and patience, be with you in Christ for evermore!

Early Liturgies, Liturgy of Adaeus and Maris Supporting witness

The precious blood is signed with the holy body of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

After the same manner also He took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as oft as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. James Supporting witness

this is my blood of the new testament shed for you and many, and distributed for the remission of sins.

Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. Mark Supporting witness

For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for you and for many, and distributed among you for the remission of sins.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

.... But why say more, when the Creator by the same prophet foretells the renovation more openly and clearly than the light itself? "Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old." The old things have passed away, and new things are arising. "Behold, I will do new things, which shall now spring forth." Isaiah 43:18-19. So also by Jeremiah: "Break up for yourselves new pastures, and sow not among thorns, and circumcise yourselves in the foreskin of your heart." And in another passage: "Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Jacob, and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I arrested their dispensation, in order to bring them out of the land of Egypt." He thus shows that the ancient covenant is only temporary, when He points to its change, and also when He promises that it will be followed by an eternal one. For by Isaiah He says: "Hear me, and you shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you," adding, "the sure mercies of David," Isaiah 55:3, in order to show that that covenant was to run its course in Christ. That He was of the family

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

... moon is not visible, they do not keep the Sabbath, which is called the first; nor do they keep the new moon, nor the feast of unleavened bread, nor the feast, nor the great day." Then he gives the final answer to the question: "Do that also, learning in a holy and righteous way what we deliver to you. Keep these things, worshiping God in a new way, through Christ. For we find in the Scriptures, as the Lord says: 'Behold, I make with you a new covenant, not as I made with your fathers at Mount Horeb.' Jeremiah 31:31-32; Hebrews 8:8-10" He made a new covenant with us, for what belonged to the Greeks and Jews is old. But we, who worship Him in a new way, in the third form, are Christians. For clearly, I think, he showed that the one and only God was known by the Greeks in a Gentile way, by the Jews in a Jewish way, and by us in a new and spiritual way.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

but from the Creator to His Christ, in consequence of the departure of the old covenant and the supervening of the new.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

...aw and the Prophets—is called the Old. But the things written after His resurrection are called the New Testament. The Jews use the Old; we use the New. Yet they are not in conflict, for the New is the fulfillment of the Old. And in both there is the same testator, that is, Christ. Having suffered death for us, He made us heirs of His everlasting kingdom, while the people of the Jews were deprived and disinherited. As the prophet Jeremiah testifies when he speaks these things: Jeremiah 31:31-32, "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new testament with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not according to the testament which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my testament, and I disregarded them, says the Lord." Also in another place he says in the same way: Jeremiah 12:7-8, "I have forsaken my house, I have given up my heritage into the hand of its enemies. My heritage has become to me like a lion in the forest. It has cried out against me; therefore I have hated it." Since the inheritance is His heavenly kingdom, it is clear that He does not say t

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

Behold, I will do a new thing. Isaiah 43:19 And in another passage: I will make a new covenant, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Direct teaching

... to take heed now to yourselves, and not be like some, adding greatly to your sins and saying, “The covenant is theirs and ours.” But they ultimately lost it, even after Moses had received it. For the Scripture says, “And Moses was fasting on the mountain forty days and forty nights, and received the covenant from the Lord, stone tablets written with the finger of the Lord;” but by turning to idols, they lost it. For the Lord said to Moses: “Moses, go down quickly; for the people you brought out of Egypt have transgressed.” And Moses understood, and threw the two tablets from his hands; and their covenant was broken, so that the covenant of the beloved Jesus might be sealed upon our hearts, in the hope that comes from believing in Him. Now, wishing to write many things to you, not as your teacher, but out of love, I have taken care not to fail to write to you from what I possess, for your purification. We must be careful in these last days; for the entire past time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also resist coming sources of danger, as befits the children of God. To prevent the Black One from entering, let us flee from every vanity, let

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

But the Gospel, which is the new covenant, having delivered us from the oldness of the letter, lights up for us, by the light of knowledge, the newness of the spirit, a thing which never grows old, which has its home in the New Testament, but is also present in all the Scriptures.

Cyprian, Connection to 2 Corinthians 3:14 Supporting witness

"Their minds are blinded even unto this day, by this same veil which is taken away in Christ, while this same veil remains in the reading of the Old Testament, which is not unveiled, because it is made void in Christ; and even to this day, if at any time Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. But by and by, when they shall be turned unto the Lord, the veil shall be taken away."

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

That We Who Believe in Christ are Under Grace, and Not Under the Servitude of that Additional Law.

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Supporting witness

Yes, it is indeed so; but let us ask if the Lord truly gave that testament which He promised to the ancestors that He would give to the people. He did give it, but they were not worthy to receive it because of their sins. For the prophet declares, “Moses was fasting for forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai to receive the testament of the Lord for the people.” And he received from the Lord two tablets, written in the spirit by the finger of the hand of the Lord. Moses, having received them, went down to give them to the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Moses, Moses, go down quickly; for your people have sinned, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt.” And Moses understood that they had made molten images again; and he threw the tablets out of his hands, and the tables of the testament of the Lord were broken. Moses then received it, but they proved themselves unworthy. Learn now how we have received it. Moses, as a servant, received it; but the Lord himself, having suffered on our behalf, has given it to us, that we should be the people of inheritance. But He appeared to perfect them in their wickedness, and so we, being made heirs through Him, might receive the testame

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

Jeremiah 31:31-32; Hebrews 8:8-10 He made a new covenant with us;

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

Jeremiah 4:4 It is this circumcision, therefore, and this renewal, which the apostle insisted on, when he forbade those ancient ceremonies concerning which their very founder announced that they were one day to cease;

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

...salvation shall go forth, and nations shall trust in My arm?' And by Jeremiah, concerning this same new covenant, He thus speaks: 'Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.' If, therefore, God proclaimed a new covenant that was to be established, and this for a light to the nations, we see and are convinced that people approach God, leaving their idols and other unrighteousness, through the name of Him who was crucified, Jesus Christ, and hold firm to their confession even unto death, and maintain piety. Moreover, by the works and by the accompanying miracles, it is possible for all to understand that He is the new law, and the new covenant, and the hope of those who from every people wait for the good things of God. For the true spiritual Israel, and descendants of Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham (who was approved of and blessed by God on account of his faith, and called the father of many nations, despite being uncircumcised), are we who have been led to God through

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching

...ce, if the law could enlighten the nations and those who possess it, what need would there be for a new covenant? But because God announced beforehand that He would send a new covenant, and an everlasting law and commandment, we should not interpret this as referring to the old law and its followers, but to Christ and His followers, namely us Gentiles, whom He has illuminated, as He says somewhere: ‘Thus says the Lord, In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in a day of salvation I have helped You, and I have given You for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, and to inherit the deserted.’ What then is Christ’s inheritance? Is it not the nations? What is the covenant of God? Is it not Christ? As He says in another place: ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I shall give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession.’"

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Direct teaching

but this has come to pass through the wonderful foreknowledge of God, in order that we, through the calling of the new and eternal covenant, that is, of Christ, might be found more intelligent and God-fearing than yourselves, who are considered to be lovers of God and men of understanding, but are not.

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

My righteousness approaches swiftly, and My salvation shall go forth, and nations shall trust in Mine arm?’ And by Jeremiah, concerning this same new covenant, He thus speaks: ‘Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

But since God announced beforehand that He would send a new covenant, and an everlasting law and commandment, we will not understand this of the old law and its proselytes, but of Christ and His proselytes, namely us Gentiles, whom He has illumined, as He says somewhere: ‘Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard Thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped Thee, and I have given Thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, and to inherit the deserted.’ What, then, is Christ’s inheritance?

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

Since the apostle has not declared against the essence of flesh and blood, saying it cannot inherit the kingdom of God, the same apostle has consistently used the term "flesh and blood" regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. This is partly to assert His human nature (as He referred to Himself as the Son of man) and partly to affirm the salvation of our flesh. For if the flesh were not able to be saved, the Word of God would not have become flesh in any way. And if the blood of the righteous were not to be accounted for, the Lord would certainly not have had blood in His being. Since blood has spoken since the world's beginning, God said to Cain, after he had killed his brother, “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me.” And as their blood will be accounted for, He said to those with Noah, “For your lifeblood I will require a reckoning, from every beast;” and again, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” Similarly, the Lord said to those who would later shed His blood, “All righteous blood shall be required that is shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

For, in truth, the covenant of salvation, reaching down to us from the foundation of the world, through different generations and times, is one, though conceived as different in respect of gift.

Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen Supporting witness

This is the inheritance with which the eternal covenant of God invests us, conveying the everlasting gift of grace;

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Supporting witness

and their covenant was broken, in order that the covenant of the beloved Jesus might be sealed upon our heart, in the hope which flows from believing in Him.

Galatians 3:29 Direct teaching

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Colossians 3:11 Direct teaching

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Ephesians 3:6 Direct teaching

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.