Test 19: Hebrews and the New Covenant

Phase 5: The Apostolic Era

⚠️ Note: This content is currently in review and available for public examination. While scripturally grounded, it has not yet received final establishment.

The Central Question Before Us

What does the book of Hebrews teach about the law under the new covenant? Does the new covenant abolish the moral law, or does it establish the law in a new way?

The book of Hebrews is central to understanding the relationship between old and new covenants. Position A frequently cites Hebrews as proof that the "old" law has been replaced and abolished. Position B argues that Hebrews teaches the ceremonial system has been superseded while the moral law is now written on the heart.

The actual teaching of Hebrews must be carefully examined.

⚖️ Preliminary Matter: The Purpose of Hebrews

The applicable legal principle:

*UK — Heydon's Case (1584) — Mischief Rule:

Old Covenant	New Covenant
Law written on stone tablets	Law written on hearts
Law external	Law internal
Law imposed from outside	Law implanted within

Element	Description
Sacrificial system	Animal sacrifices for sin
Levitical priesthood	Priests from Aaron's line
Earthly sanctuary	Tabernacle/Temple
Annual Day of Atonement	Once-yearly entrance to Most Holy Place
Ceremonial regulations	Washings, offerings, feast observances

To understand a document, consider what problem it was designed to address.
The audience and purpose of Hebrews:
Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to return to Judaism — specifically, to the temple sacrifices and Levitical system. The author's purpose is to demonstrate that:

Christ is superior to the old system
Christ's sacrifice is superior to animal sacrifices
Christ's priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood
Returning to the old system would be abandoning the superior for the inferior
The subject matter of Hebrews is the ceremonial system — priests, sacrifices, sanctuary, blood — not the moral law.

The Two Positions Under Examination
Position A (Law Abolished Under New Covenant): Hebrews teaches that the "first covenant" with its laws has been replaced by the "new covenant." The old law is "decaying and ready to vanish away." Christians live under grace, not law. Position B (Ceremonial System Replaced; Moral Law Internalised): Hebrews teaches that the ceremonial system (sacrifices, priesthood, sanctuary) has been superseded by Christ's superior ministry. The moral law, however, is not abolished but written on the heart under the new covenant (Hebrews 8:10).

PART 1: THE NEW COVENANT PROMISE — HEBREWS 8:8-12

Section 1.1: The Full Text of the New Covenant

Hebrews 8:8-12 — "For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 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."
The applicable legal principle:
UK — Primary Source Interpretation:

When a document quotes another source, that quoted source must be examined to understand the quotation.
This is a quotation from Jeremiah 31:31-34. The author of Hebrews presents this as the definitive description of the new covenant.

Section 1.2: The Law Written on the Heart

Hebrews 8:10 — "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts."
The applicable legal principle:
UK — Clear Statement Governs:

When a text explicitly states something, that statement must be given its plain meaning.
What does the new covenant do with the law?

Old Covenant New Covenant

Law written on stone tablets Law written on hearts

Law external Law internal

Law imposed from outside Law implanted within

Critical observation: The new covenant does NOT say:
"I will abolish my laws"
"I will remove my laws"
"My laws will no longer apply"
It says: "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts." The law is NOT abolished — it is RELOCATED. It moves from stone to heart, from external command to internal principle. Finding: Hebrews 8:10 explicitly states that under the new covenant, God's laws are written on the heart. This is the opposite of abolition.

Section 1.3: What Laws Are Written on the Heart?
The applicable legal principle:
UK — Identifying the Referent:

When a pronoun or possessive is used ("my laws"), the referent must be identified.
"My laws" — whose laws?
God says "my laws" — these are God's laws, not human traditions or temporary ceremonial regulations.
What laws has God always identified as His own?
Exodus 20:1 — "And God spake all these words, saying..."
[The Ten Commandments follow]
Deuteronomy 4:12-13 — "The LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire... And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments."

The Ten Commandments are specifically identified as:
Spoken by God Himself
God's covenant
Written by God's own finger (Exodus 31:18)
The ceremonial laws were given through Moses; the moral law was given directly by God.
Finding: "My laws" in Hebrews 8:10 most naturally refers to the moral law — the laws God Himself spoke and wrote, the Ten Commandments.

Section 1.4: The Logic of Heart-Writing
The applicable legal principle:
UK — Purposive Interpretation:

Consider what the provision is designed to accomplish.
Why write the law on the heart?
The problem with the old covenant was not the law — the law was "holy, just, and good" (Romans 7:12). The problem was human inability to keep it:

Romans 8:3 — "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh..."

The law could not save because sinful humans could not keep it. The law was not defective; humans were.
The new covenant solution:
Not abolishing the law, but enabling obedience through:
The law written on the heart (internal motivation)
The Spirit's power (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
A new nature inclined toward God's will
If the law were being abolished, there would be nothing to write on the heart. The very fact that God writes His law on hearts proves the law continues.
Finding: The new covenant internalises the law rather than abolishing it. Heart-writing presupposes the law's continuing validity.

PART 2: WHAT HEBREWS SAYS IS "DONE AWAY"

Section 2.1: The Old Covenant Arrangement — Hebrews 8:13

Hebrews 8:13 — "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."
Position A claims: The law is vanishing away. The applicable legal principle:
UK — Identifying the Subject:

The grammatical subject of a sentence must be correctly identified.
What is "vanishing away"?
The subject of "vanishing" is "the first" (covenant) — the old covenant arrangement, not the law itself.
What was the old covenant arrangement?

Element Description

Sacrificial system Animal sacrifices for sin

Levitical priesthood Priests from Aaron's line

Earthly sanctuary Tabernacle/Temple

Annual Day of Atonement Once-yearly entrance to Most Holy Place

Ceremonial regulations Washings, offerings, feast observances

This system was "decaying and ready to vanish" — and it did vanish when the Temple was destroyed in AD 70. What was NOT vanishing?
The moral law — which was being written on hearts (Hebrews 8:10), not removed.
Finding: Hebrews 8:13 addresses the old covenant arrangement (ceremonial system), not the moral law.

Section 2.2: The Change of Priesthood — Hebrews 7:12

Hebrews 7:12 — "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."
Position A claims: The law was changed — therefore the Ten Commandments are changed. The applicable legal principle:

UK — Pepper v Hart [1993] — Contextual Interpretation:

Verse	Subject
7:1-3	Melchisedec's priesthood
7:4-10	Melchisedec's superiority to Levitical priests
7:11	Imperfection of Levitical priesthood
7:12	Change of priesthood = change of law
7:13-14	Christ from Judah, not Levi
7:15-17	Christ a priest after Melchisedec's order
7:18-19	The former commandment disannulled
7:20-28	Christ's superior priesthood

Language must be interpreted in its full context.
The context of Hebrews 7:

Verse Subject

7:1-3 Melchisedec's priesthood

7:4-10 Melchisedec's superiority to Levitical priests

7:11 Imperfection of Levitical priesthood

7:12 Change of priesthood = change of law

7:13-14 Christ from Judah, not Levi

7:15-17 Christ a priest after Melchisedec's order

7:18-19 The former commandment disannulled

7:20-28 Christ's superior priesthood

What "law" is being changed?
The law governing the priesthood — specifically, the law requiring priests to be from Levi:

Hebrews 7:13-14 — "For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood."

The Mosaic law required Levitical priests. Christ is from Judah. For Christ to be priest, the law of the priesthood must change.
This is not the Ten Commandments. The Decalogue says nothing about priesthood. Finding: Hebrews 7:12 addresses the law of the priesthood, not the moral law.

Section 2.3: The "Former Commandment" Disannulled — Hebrews 7:18-19

Hebrews 7:18-19 — "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."
Position A claims: The commandment is disannulled — therefore the Ten Commandments are abolished. The applicable legal principle:

UK — Letang v Cooper [1965] — Noscitur a Sociis:

Phrase	Referent
"The commandment going before"	The previous priesthood arrangement
"For the weakness and unprofitableness thereof"	The Levitical system could not perfect anyone
"The law made nothing perfect"	The sacrificial system could not fully cleanse
"A better hope"	Christ's superior priesthood

The First (Taken Away)	The Second (Established)
Animal sacrifices	Christ's sacrifice
Repeated offerings	Once for all
Blood of bulls and goats	Blood of Christ
Shadow	Substance

A term is understood by the company it keeps.
What "commandment" is disannulled?
In context, the "commandment going before" is the law of the Levitical priesthood discussed throughout Hebrews 7.

Phrase Referent

"The commandment going before" The previous priesthood arrangement

"For the weakness and unprofitableness thereof" The Levitical system could not perfect anyone

"The law made nothing perfect" The sacrificial system could not fully cleanse

"A better hope" Christ's superior priesthood

Evidence that the moral law is NOT in view:
The moral law is never described as "weak and unprofitable." Rather:
"The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Romans 7:12)
"The law is spiritual" (Romans 7:14)
What was "weak" was the ceremonial system — it could not cleanse the conscience (Hebrews 9:9) or take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).
Finding: The "commandment" disannulled is the Levitical priesthood law, not the Ten Commandments.

Section 2.4: The Sacrificial System — Hebrews 10:1-10

Hebrews 10:1 — "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect."

Hebrews 10:4 — "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

Hebrews 10:9 — "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second."
The applicable legal principle:
UK — Purposive Interpretation:

The purpose of a provision illuminates its meaning.
What is the "shadow"?
The sacrificial system — "those sacrifices which they offered year by year." This is the subject of Hebrews 10.
What is being "taken away"?
"The first" — the old sacrificial system — is taken away to establish "the second" — Christ's once-for-all sacrifice.

The First (Taken Away) The Second (Established)

Animal sacrifices Christ's sacrifice

Repeated offerings Once for all

Blood of bulls and goats Blood of Christ

Shadow Substance

The moral law is not a "shadow." The Ten Commandments do not point forward to something future — they reflect God's eternal character. Finding: Hebrews 10 addresses the sacrificial system being superseded by Christ's sacrifice, not the moral law being abolished.

PART 3: THE MORAL LAW IN HEBREWS

Section 3.1: The Law Written on Hearts — Reiterated

Hebrews 10:16 — "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them."
The applicable legal principle:
UK — Repetition for Emphasis:

When a point is repeated, it is emphasised as important.

The author of Hebrews quotes the new covenant promise twice (Hebrews 8:10 and 10:16). Both times, the promise is: "I will put my laws into their hearts."
This repetition emphasises that under the new covenant, God's law is internalised, not abolished. Finding: The double emphasis on law-on-heart confirms the moral law's continuing validity under the new covenant.

Section 3.2: The Sabbath Rest Remains — Hebrews 4:9

Hebrews 4:9 — "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."
The applicable legal principle:
Technical Terms Rule:

Technical terms should be given their technical meaning.
The Greek word: sabbatismos (σαββατισμός — pronounced "sab-bah-tis-MOS")

This word appears only here in the entire New Testament. It is derived from sabbaton (Sabbath) and literally means "a Sabbath-rest" or "a keeping of Sabbath."

Greek	Transliteration	Meaning
σαββατισμός	sabbatismos	Sabbath-rest, Sabbath-keeping
κατάπαυσις	katapausis	rest (general term used in Hebrews 4:1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11)

Greek Transliteration Meaning

σαββατισμός sabbatismos Sabbath-rest, Sabbath-keeping

κατάπαυσις katapausis rest (general term used in Hebrews 4:1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11)

The significance:

The author switches from the general word for "rest" (katapausis) to the specific word for "Sabbath-rest" (sabbatismos) in verse 9.

Why use this distinctive term if the Sabbath were abolished?

If the author wanted to say there remains a general spiritual rest, he would have used katapausis (which he uses 8 times in the chapter). By choosing sabbatismos, he specifically evokes the Sabbath.

Concept	Definition
Covenant	An arrangement, agreement, or relational framework
Law	Standards, rules, principles of conduct

Changed (Old Covenant Arrangement)	Remained (Moral Law)
Animal sacrifices → Christ's sacrifice	"Thou shalt not murder"
Levitical priesthood → Christ's priesthood	"Thou shalt not commit adultery"
Earthly sanctuary → Heavenly sanctuary	"Thou shalt not steal"
External law on stone → Internal law on heart	"Thou shalt not bear false witness"
Ceremonial shadows → Fulfilled in Christ	"Remember the Sabbath"

Finding: Hebrews 4:9 uses a term meaning "Sabbath-keeping" to describe what "remains for the people of God." This supports the Sabbath's continuing validity.

Section 3.3: Exhortations Presupposing the Moral Law

Throughout Hebrews, the author gives moral exhortations that presuppose the moral law:

Hebrews 13:4 — "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

This presupposes the 7th Commandment.

Hebrews 13:5 — "Let your conversation be without covetousness."

This presupposes the 10th Commandment.

Hebrews 12:14 — "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

Holiness is defined by the moral law.
The applicable legal principle:
UK — Implied Assumptions:

What a speaker assumes reveals their operating framework.
The author of Hebrews assumes the moral law is binding — warning against adultery, covetousness, and unholiness. These exhortations make no sense if the moral law were abolished. Finding: The moral exhortations in Hebrews presuppose the continuing validity of the moral law.

PART 4: DISTINGUISHING COVENANT FROM LAW

Section 4.1: The Critical Distinction
The applicable legal principle:
UK — Distinguishing Different Concepts:

Different terms for different things must not be conflated.
Covenant vs. Law:

Concept Definition

Covenant An arrangement, agreement, or relational framework

Law Standards, rules, principles of conduct

A covenant is the arrangement within which parties relate. A law is the standard of conduct within that arrangement. The old covenant (arrangement) can end while the law (standard) continues. Analogy: When a company restructures, the old organisational arrangement ends. But the company's ethical standards (no fraud, honest dealings) continue. The arrangement changes; the principles remain.

Section 4.2: What Changed, What Remained

Changed (Old Covenant Arrangement) Remained (Moral Law)

Animal sacrifices → Christ's sacrifice "Thou shalt not murder"

Levitical priesthood → Christ's priesthood "Thou shalt not commit adultery"

Earthly sanctuary → Heavenly sanctuary "Thou shalt not steal"

External law on stone → Internal law on heart "Thou shalt not bear false witness"

Ceremonial shadows → Fulfilled in Christ "Remember the Sabbath"

The arrangement changed; the moral standard was internalised, not abolished. Finding: Hebrews teaches a change of covenant arrangement (ceremonial system) while the moral law is written on the heart (continuing and internalised).

PART 5: FINAL ASSESSMENT

The Evidence Weighed
The applicable legal principle:

UK — Re H (Minors) [1996]:

Issue	Position A	Position B
Hebrews 8:10	Cannot explain law on heart	Law internalised, not abolished
Hebrews 8:13	Claims law vanishing	Covenant arrangement vanishing
Hebrews 7:12	Claims entire law changed	Law of priesthood changed
Hebrews 7:18-19	Claims Ten Commandments disannulled	Levitical law disannulled
Hebrews 10:1-10	Claims moral law is shadow	Sacrificial system is shadow
Hebrews 4:9	Cannot explain sabbatismos	Sabbath-rest remains
Moral exhortations	Cannot explain if law abolished	Presupposes moral law

The balance of probability — more likely than not.
Summary:

Issue Position A Position B

Hebrews 8:10 Cannot explain law on heart Law internalised, not abolished

Hebrews 8:13 Claims law vanishing Covenant arrangement vanishing

Hebrews 7:12 Claims entire law changed Law of priesthood changed

Hebrews 7:18-19 Claims Ten Commandments disannulled Levitical law disannulled

Hebrews 10:1-10 Claims moral law is shadow Sacrificial system is shadow

Hebrews 4:9 Cannot explain sabbatismos Sabbath-rest remains

Moral exhortations Cannot explain if law abolished Presupposes moral law

Finding on standard of proof: Position B is established by clear and convincing evidence. Hebrews explicitly states the law is written on the heart under the new covenant.

The Clear Statement Test
The applicable legal principle: UK — Morgan Grenfell [2002] — Clear Statement Rule:

Significant changes require clear statement.
Does Hebrews clearly state the moral law is abolished?
No. Hebrews clearly states:
The law is written on the heart (8:10; 10:16)
The priesthood law changed (7:12)
The sacrificial system is superseded (10:1-10)
A Sabbath-rest remains (4:9)
The moral law's abolition is never stated. Its continuation (on the heart) is explicitly affirmed.
Finding under the Clear Statement Rule: No clear statement abolishes the moral law. Clear statements affirm its continuation on the heart.
# CONCLUSION AND VERDICT
Summary of Findings

Issue Finding

Hebrews 8:10 New covenant: law written on hearts — internalised, not abolished

Hebrews 8:13 Old covenant arrangement vanishing — not the moral law

Hebrews 7:12 Law of priesthood changed — not Ten Commandments

Hebrews 7:18-19 Levitical commandment disannulled — not moral law

Hebrews 10:1-10 Sacrificial shadows fulfilled — moral law not a shadow

Hebrews 4:9 Sabbatismos — Sabbath-rest remains for God's people

Moral exhortations Presuppose continuing moral law

The Verdict
The weight of evidence from Hebrews demonstrates: The new covenant internalises the moral law — writing it on hearts (8:10; 10:16)
The ceremonial system was superseded — sacrifices, priesthood, sanctuary
A "Sabbath-rest" remains — sabbatismos (4:9)
The moral law continues — assumed in exhortations (13:4-5)
Hebrews does not teach the abolition of the moral law. It teaches:
The superiority of Christ to the old ceremonial system
The internalisation of the law under the new covenant
The continuation of moral standards and the Sabbath-rest

Hebrews 8:10 — "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts."

Key Texts Reference

Topic Text

Law on heart Hebrews 8:10; 10:16

First covenant vanishing Hebrews 8:13

Priesthood change Hebrews 7:12

Commandment disannulled Hebrews 7:18-19

Sacrificial shadows Hebrews 10:1-10

Sabbath-rest remains Hebrews 4:9

Moral exhortations Hebrews 13:4-5

Greek Terms Reference

Greek Transliteration Pronunciation Meaning

σαββατισμός sabbatismos "sab-bah-tis-MOS" Sabbath-rest, Sabbath-keeping

κατάπαυσις katapausis "kah-TAH-pow-sis" rest (general)

διαθήκη diathēkē "dee-ah-THAY-kay" covenant, arrangement

σκιά skia "SKEE-ah" shadow

νόμος nomos "NOH-mos" law

Legal Authorities Cited

United Kingdom

Authority Citation Principle

Heydon's Case (1584) 3 Co Rep 7a Mischief Rule

Pepper v Hart [1993] AC 593 Contextual Interpretation

Letang v Cooper [1965] 1 QB 232 Noscitur a Sociis

Morgan Grenfell v Special Commissioner [2002] UKHL 21 Clear Statement Rule

Re H (Minors)* [1996] AC 563 Standard of Proof

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Issue	Finding
Hebrews 8:10	New covenant: law written on hearts — internalised, not abolished
Hebrews 8:13	Old covenant arrangement vanishing — not the moral law
Hebrews 7:12	Law of priesthood changed — not Ten Commandments
Hebrews 7:18-19	Levitical commandment disannulled — not moral law
Hebrews 10:1-10	Sacrificial shadows fulfilled — moral law not a shadow
Hebrews 4:9	Sabbatismos — Sabbath-rest remains for God's people
Moral exhortations	Presuppose continuing moral law

Topic	Text
Law on heart	Hebrews 8:10; 10:16
First covenant vanishing	Hebrews 8:13
Priesthood change	Hebrews 7:12
Commandment disannulled	Hebrews 7:18-19
Sacrificial shadows	Hebrews 10:1-10
Sabbath-rest remains	Hebrews 4:9
Moral exhortations	Hebrews 13:4-5

Greek	Transliteration	Pronunciation	Meaning
σαββατισμός	sabbatismos	"sab-bah-tis-MOS"	Sabbath-rest, Sabbath-keeping
κατάπαυσις	katapausis	"kah-TAH-pow-sis"	rest (general)
διαθήκη	diathēkē	"dee-ah-THAY-kay"	covenant, arrangement
σκιά	skia	"SKEE-ah"	shadow
νόμος	nomos	"NOH-mos"	law

Authority	Citation	Principle
Heydon's Case	(1584) 3 Co Rep 7a	Mischief Rule
Pepper v Hart	[1993] AC 593	Contextual Interpretation
Letang v Cooper	[1965] 1 QB 232	Noscitur a Sociis
Morgan Grenfell v Special Commissioner	[2002] UKHL 21	Clear Statement Rule
Re H (Minors)*	[1996] AC 563	Standard of Proof

Test 19: Hebrews and the New Covenant

The Central Question Before Us

⚖️ Preliminary Matter: The Purpose of Hebrews

The Two Positions Under Examination

Section 1.1: The Full Text of the New Covenant

Section 1.2: The Law Written on the Heart

Section 1.3: What Laws Are Written on the Heart?

Section 1.4: The Logic of Heart-Writing

Section 2.1: The Old Covenant Arrangement — Hebrews 8:13

Section 2.2: The Change of Priesthood — Hebrews 7:12

Section 2.3: The "Former Commandment" Disannulled — Hebrews 7:18-19

Section 2.4: The Sacrificial System — Hebrews 10:1-10

Section 3.1: The Law Written on Hearts — Reiterated

Section 3.2: The Sabbath Rest Remains — Hebrews 4:9

Section 3.3: Exhortations Presupposing the Moral Law

Section 4.1: The Critical Distinction

Section 4.2: What Changed, What Remained

The Evidence Weighed

The Clear Statement Test

Summary of Findings

The Verdict

Key Texts Reference

Greek Terms Reference

Legal Authorities Cited

United Kingdom

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