The Two Covenants by L. H. Ells

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 16, 1875

The Two Covenants.

By L. H. Ells

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.” 2 Cor. 3: 6.

Paul was a minister of the new covenant; of that which in reality could give life. Under the old covenant no one could receive life; for of the law, concerning which the old covenant was made, Paul says that the carnal mind is not subject to it, neither indeed can be. Rom. 8: 7.

The old covenant required strict obedience to this law, without which, condemnation followed; and the very law “which was ordained to life” condemns the world; for all have transgressed it. Thus it slays us, by giving us a knowledge of our sin; “for the wages of sin is death.”

The only way that those who lived in the past dispensation could obtain eternal life, was by a typical atonement service, or ministration, which pointed forward to the new covenant for its accomplishment; so that no one, whether living in the past or present dispensation, can scripturally hope for salvation, except through the new covenant sacrifice.

God is just in demanding strict obedience to his law, and in offering eternal life to the obedient; and he is merciful in extending pardon, on condition of faith and repentance, through the ministration of Christ, the mediator of the new covenant, “who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,” “that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Heb. 9: 14, 15.

By “the letter” I understand Paul to mean this law by which the natural man is “slain,” Rom. 7: 10, 11, which law was ordained to give life, if obeyed; but, being transgressed, brings death; hence, “the letter killeth.”

“But the Spirit giveth life.” What is it that giveth life to him who is slain by the law? Let Paul answer: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death; for what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8: 2–4. Again, “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Verse 11. “Now the Lord is that Spirit.” 2 Cor. 3: 17. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6: 23.

“The letter,” then, which “killeth,” is the law of God, which slays the sinner; “the Spirit,” which “giveth life,” is the Lord Jesus Christ; and blessed be his holy name forever. L. H. ELLS.