Now that we have successfully viewed the ways in which God's word instructs or authorizes, we must also devote some attention to another important aspect in the overall discussion of authority. The Bible shows a difference in covenants.

First, one must establish that God has changed covenants with His people. The text to prove this would be Heb. 8:7-13. Obviously, it makes no sense to discuss a "first" or "second" covenant (v. 7), or an "old" and a "new" covenant (v. 13) if there has not been a change. The Lord Himself said He would make a "new" covenant... "not like the one I made with their fathers..." (vv. 8-9). To say God has changed covenants in no way denigrates the replaced covenant, nor does it defame the God of the replaced covenant. It only admits that God no longer deals with us based on the first covenant, the Law of Moses. All such dealings ended at the cross of the Lord (Col. 2:14).

Actually, the first covenant pointed to the coming of the second covenant. In Gal. 3:23-25, Paul articulates the law's purpose: "...to lead us to Christ" (v. 24). God's people were under law until a faith "later to be revealed" (v. 23) was given. "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor" (v. 25).

Many may not see a need to even discuss such a notion, but many cherished religious practices are observed out of a failure to see such a difference. Many religions have a priesthood, no doubt arising out of the old covenant. The new covenant identifies who are priests today (1 Pet. 2:5). Many people tithe to their church, an idea obviously taken from the law of Moses. Yet, we read in the new covenant what should be the level of our giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Instrumental music is defended by its advocates on the basis of it being found in the Psalms. 2 Chron. 29:25-26 tells us it was a command of God to use instruments. Under the new covenant, He has stated what He desires for worship in music (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

If we fail to see this difference, we are not "rightly dividing" His word.