How this covenant moved from Israel, to include all people...
Acts 13: 42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. (Why the next Sabbath? Why not take this opportunity with new people to reveal that the seventh day Sabbath was not of importance? Why didn't he take this time to explain to the Gentiles that waiting for the next Sabbath wasn't needed, that they could meet the next day? The Gentiles would have been open to anything Paul would have taught them at that point. The answer,, because the weekly Sabbath, and the annual Sabbaths, were very much so a big and permanent part of being a Christian. They were teaching everyone to follow Christ, who came from the Jews,, all were to follow His example. And that meant that they needed to return on the next Sabbath) 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. (They didn't explain that there was a new gospel, a new covenant that voided the old, and new ways to learn about.. They explained that what they had taught to the Jews <The Old Covenant + Jesus Christ = The New Covenant> was now being extended to the Gentiles. <not that they must void the old and then bring forth some completely new idea... the 'new covenant' is more correctly translated into English as a 'renewed covenant'.. a huge part of the old still exists, but new elements had been added so that it is better.>) 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘ I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.
Rom 11: 11 I say then, have they (Israel) stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! 13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles (Not that he changed anything to qualify as a teacher of Gentiles, but that what he has been teaching all this time is now also meant for them.), I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit is holy , the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches (Israel,, and their disobedience to the first covenant) were broken off, and you (the Gentiles), being a wild olive tree (not a part of the original), were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (This clearly explains that the 'old covenant' that so many today will dismiss as irrelevant is the root of the Gentile's salvation. Israelites were broken off from God's covenant nation for disobedience, yet they will be grafted back in.. along with the gentiles who are now to become part of Israel spiritually. Numerous prophecies speak of the geographic/physical/flesh nation/seed of Israel coming together with the spiritual nation/seed. This is not a brand new 'club' for the Gentiles,, they are being brought into what was the promise to Israel, as the spiritual seed of Israel since they are not of the physical line of the old,, but it is still considered to be the seed of Israel. Yes, there was new and improved covenant, but it is not a stand alone covenant, just as stated above,, it is rooted in the old. Again.. The Old Covenant + Jesus Christ = The New Covenant.)
mik