Revealing the HEART of the New Covenant

In this article I break down Philippians chapter 3 to show how “circumcision of the flesh” symbolises the old covenant whilst “circumcision of the heart” is at the heart of the new covenant.

What is "circumcision of the heart" and how is it connected to "knowing" Christ?

Philippians 3

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

In verses 4-6 of Philippians 3, Paul describes his background as a strict Jew

Circumcised the eighth day- the law required a male child to be circumcised on the eighth day (Gen. 17:13&14)

Of the stock of Israel- He was a descendant of Jacob. 

Of the tribe of Benjamin- Benjamin was Jacob’s favourite son. 

A Hebrew of the Hebrews- both his parents were Hebrew, he had no mixed blood.

As touching the law a Pharisee- The Pharisees were a particularly strict sect.

He proved his zeal by persecuting the church.

Touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless- Jews believed they were justified by observing the law, Saul had conscientiously observed the law from his youth up.

Knowing Paul’s background it’s amazing that he says in verse 2 

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Dogs- Jews called the Gentiles “dogs” because they were outside of God’s Covenant, however in verse two Paul is calling Jews who reject the New Covenant, dogs (how ironic). 

Evil workers- are Judaizing teachers who pervert the gospel. 

Concision- means mutilation. Paul used this word to degrade the ordinance of physical circumcision. 

“Dogs”, “evil doers” and “concision” are all very strong words. Paul also repeats the word “beware” three times for emphasis. 

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Paul had been deeply rooted in Jewish tradition yet he counted it as dung, refuse, rubbish, excrement, worthless and detestable, to be thrown away. Again very strong language.

Why do people claiming to be Christian want to cling to Jewish traditions and ordinances when Paul, who had been the model Jew, saw them as nothing but dung?

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

In verse 9 Paul contrasts righteousness which is of the law against righteousness which is of God by faith.

The latter is linked to “knowing” Christ 

vs 10 That I may know him… 

Similar to vs 8 …the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. 

To “know” Christ means to be joined to him like Adam “knew” his wife (Gen. 4:1) and they became “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). 

We become ONE with Christ when we partake in the fellowship of his sufferings, are made conformable unto his death and experience the power of his resurrection (vs 10). 

In becoming ONE with Christ the law is written on our hearts meaning it’s in our nature to obey God because we’ve received the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) through the Spirit, which is love.

While physical circumcision symbolises the old covenant 

Gen. 17

13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Spiritual circumcision is at the heart of the New Covenant 

Phil. 3

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Circumcision peristome in this verse means of Christians separated from the unclean multitude and truly consecrated to God. The extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity.

Which ties in with Hebrews 8

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Having the law written in one’s heart is spiritual circumcision.  

Phil. 3

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

While in vs 5&6 Paul described his strict Jewish background, in vs 13 he says …forgetting those things which are behind…meaning he puts it out of his mind

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

In vs 17 he says to follow his example

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 

.

What was his example? To mind heavenly things, not earthly things.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Paul is saying that people need to get their mind off the physical, meaning adherence to physical ordinances and understand the spiritual, what those ordinances represent, what they point to.

In summary, Philippians 3 explains the nature of the new covenant and how it differs from the old. The new covenant is spiritual while the old covenant is physical thus the new covenant focuses on “knowing” Christ and having one’s heart circumcised as opposed to performing carnal ordinances and being physically circumcised. 

Did God choose us or do we choose him?

In this article I wish to examine the first half of Ephesians 1:4 

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

What does it mean that God has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world? It can’t mean that some are destined to heaven and others are destined to hell and there’s nothing we can do to change our destiny. That would negate free-will.

2 Thess. 2

13 …God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel…

This scripture reminded me of the parable about the king who arranged a wedding for his son.

Matthew 22

2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Remember back in 2 Thess. 2:14 he called you by our gospel?

The gospel is what calls everyone to the wedding.

Titus 2:11

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

So many are called but few are chosen. What does it take to be chosen?

Now, if we consider the parable in Matthew 22 we see that to be CHOSEN a person must put on the wedding garment that was provided for them.

There was an oriental custom in bible times times, that if someone was invited to a wedding they’d be provided with a garment to wear.

The wedding garment is a “free gift” but to be CHOSEN one has to put it on.

Back in Ephesians 1:4 it says

…chosen us in him before the foundation of the world

This garment was provided before the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13:8 …lamb slain before the foundation of the world

It is the blood of Jesus that washes our garments white as snow making them robes of righteousness. 

Not that Christ’s righteousness is imputed or magically transferred to us but his blood represents his Spirit and living in the Spirit means DOING righteousness from a pure heart.

1 John 3:7 …he that doeth righteousness is righteous…

Rev. 19

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Again we’re talking about a wedding like in the parable of Matthew 22

Ephesians 5

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Jesus, by his Word and Spirit cleansed the church before presenting her to himself for marriage. She had to be without spot, wrinkle or blemish for him to marry her.

Hebrews 10

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Before we can enter the holiest, that is, a covenant relationship with God through the Spirit we FIRST must be “sprinkled” with the blood and washed clean by the Word.

Therefore many are called to the wedding but few are chosen, meaning few put on the wedding garment that was provided for them, washed clean by the blood.

Basically God chooses those who choose him. Therefore being chosen by God before the foundation of the world does not negate free-will. 

Understanding "The Mystery"

In this article I explain what “the mystery” is that Paul mentioned in Ephesians 3, 5 and Colossians 1. 

Understanding “the mystery” is crucial to understanding Christ’s relationship with the Church, the relationship we have with each other as members of his “body” and the very nature of New Testament Salvation.

It’s no wonder Paul so zealously preached and defended “the mystery” when dealing with both Jews and Gentiles, he called it “the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:5).

Understanding “the mystery” also dispels the dispensationalist view of the book of Revelation, being a description of literal future events as opposed to signs and symbols pointing to present spiritual realities ie millennial reign and marriage of the lamb. 

I hope this article, at the very least, inspires you to study and meditate upon “the mystery” for yourself.

Ephesians 3

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

God, by grace, opened Paul’s eyes to “the mystery”. 

What is “the mystery?”

Ephesians 3

6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise IN Christ by the gospel

This is the mystery! That both Jews and Gentiles could be joined together in one body as partakers of the promise…

What is his promise?

Ephesians 2

13 …in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The holy Spirit is the promise and in receiving him we become members of Christ’s body.

Ephesians 5

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

The fact that under New Testament salvation, Christ and the church are joined together and become one flesh like husband and wife is a great mystery but one that Paul understood

Colossians 1 contains very similar language to Ephesians 3

Colossians 1

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

“Christ in you” and “you in Christ” is the mystery Paul understood and preached to the Gentiles.

The fact that God, by grace, revealed this mystery to Paul, made him a minister to the Gentiles.

Ephesians 3

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery…

The mysterious fellowship we have with Christ and each other through the Spirit is the riches in Christ we can now enjoy.

Whilst Ephesians 3 uses the image of a body, Ephesians 2 uses the image of a building. Compare the following verses:

Ephesians 3

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel

Ephesians 2

9 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Wether described as a body, a building or the Church, under New Testament salvation WE are an habitation of God, for the Holy Spirit inhabits his people.

Revelation 21 contains very similar language to that in Ephesians 2

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Ephes. 2:20 and Rev. 21:14 are almost identical! 

Both speak of a temple/tabernacle with twelve foundations representing the twelve apostles. 

Furthermore Rev. 21:3 states that the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them which is very similar language to that used in 

Ephes. 2:3 an holy temple…an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The notion that God no longer dwells in a literal temple rather he dwells in his people via the Spirit was a “mystery” that was not made known in other ages

Ephesians 3

5…in other ages was not made known…

9…from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God…

Colossians 1

26 …hath been hid from ages and from generations…

In Hebrews 11 it says

10… (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

However he

13… died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off…

The city that Abraham looked for and saw afar off has come!!! Under New testament salvation WE are that city.

Notice how Rev. 21:1 the holy city, New Jerusalem prepared as a bride adorned for her husband ties in perfectly with the description of the church in Ephesians 5?

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

The New Jerusalem in Rev. 21:2 is the New Testament Church, the bride of Christ mentioned in Ephesians 5. 

When did the New Jerusalem descend from heaven prepared as a bride? 

When did Jesus present the church to himself for marriage, a glorious church without spot or wrinkle? 

Well, when did God inhabit his people? 

At Pentecost the holy Spirit came down and filled all those waiting in the upper room, this is when the New Testament church was established! This is when the marriage was consummated through the Spirit!

What was the result of this marriage? The apostles descended from the upper room, preached the gospel and 5000 were born of the Spirit, Children of promise.

Gal 4

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

The New Testament church is not a physical building, a sect or denomination, it is a spiritual entity which continues to bear children through the preaching of the gospel.

In conclusion-

The “mystery” that was revealed to Paul by God was “Christ in you” meaning God no longer dwells in a literal temple, rather he dwells in his people via the Spirit. 

We, his people are the church, the NEW Jerusalem. When did the NEW Jerusalem of Revelation 21 descend? At Pentecost, for it was then that God began dwelling in his people. 

Through the Spirit we are joined to Christ and one another thus together, we become members of his body. Through the Spirit we, the church, are “one flesh” with Christ like husband and wife are “one flesh”, hence it was at Pentecost that the "marriage of the lamb" took place.

Just as no building will literally descend from the sky to hover over the earth in the future, the marriage of the lamb (Rev. 19:7-9) is not a future event, it happened at Pentecost when the New Testament church was established! 

As a result of that marriage many “children of promise” were born and continue to be born through the Word (preaching of the gospel) and the Spirit.

One New Man

In this article I break down Ephesians chapter two which explains how two groups of people, the Jews and the Gentiles, became ONE NEW MAN through the Spirit of Christ.

Gentiles were not constrained by the Mosaic law and so fulfilled the lusts of their flesh.

2 Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the 

desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Under the old covenant, Jews kept the Mosaic law thus were God’s chosen, seperate people.

The Jews called themselves “the Circumcision” and Gentiles “the uncircumcision”.

Thus the ordinance of circumcision was a “wall of petition” dividing Jews from Gentiles.

Through Christ, this wall was broken down.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

When Jesus died, Jewish ordinances were nailed to the cross meaning they were fulfilled in Him.

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

“Circumcision of the flesh” was replaced with “circumcision of the heart”, for the new covenant is all about a heart transformation rather than adherence to physical ordinances.

This is why Ephes. 2:8&9 make the point that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works lest any man should boast.

Adherence to physical ordinances does not save a person, rather a heart transformation from which “good works” manifest.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Jesus had to die to release his Spirit.

The New Testament is in his blood but the blood represents his Spirit, for just as physical life is in the blood (Lev.17:11) Spiritual life is in the Spirit.

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

The Spirit “quickens” 

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Quicken means to cause to live, make alive, to arouse and invigorate metaph. Of seeds quickened into life, germinating, springing up, growing 

While sin results in spiritual death, repentance puts us in the position to be quickened by the Spirit. In this “quickening" we not only receive eternal life but are transformed into a new creature in Christ.

Thus those who receive the Holy Spirit are born-again and part of ONE NEW MAN which is the body of Christ, a holy temple and habitation of God, in which there is no race nor gender for everyone is equal.

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Galatians 3

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.