Covenant and People of God: The Church as the New Israel

• Old Testament Basis:

  • Abrahamic Covenant: God's promise to Abraham to make him the father of a great nation and to bless all peoples through him (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6; 17:1-8).

  • Mosaic Covenant: Israel is chosen as God's "treasured possession," a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:5-6).

  • Davidic Covenant: Promise of an eternal dynasty through David's lineage (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

• Catholic Continuity (Biblical References):

  • Fulfillment in Christ: Jesus is presented as the Son of David (Matthew 1:1), the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.

  • Church as New Israel:

    • 1 Peter 2:9-10: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy." (Directly echoes Exodus 19:5-6 and Hosea 1:9-10).

    • Romans 9:6-8; Galatians 3:29: Paul argues that true Israel is not merely ethnic descent but those who are "children of the promise" through faith in Christ, making Gentiles who believe "heirs according to promise."

    • Romans 11:17-24: The imagery of the olive tree, where Gentile believers are grafted into the root (Israel) when natural branches (unbelieving Jews) are broken off, showing continuity, not complete replacement.

    • Matthew 16:18: Jesus establishes His "Church" (Greek: ekklesia, often used in Septuagint for the "assembly" or "congregation" of Israel) upon Peter.

2. Priesthood and Hierarchy

• Old Testament Basis:

  • Levitical Priesthood: God chose the tribe of Levi, and specifically the line of Aaron, for priestly service (Exodus 28-29; Numbers 3:5-10).

  • High Priest: Aaron and his successors served as High Priests, mediating for the people (Leviticus 16).

• Catholic Continuity (Biblical References):

  • Christ as High Priest:

    • Hebrews 7:23-28: Christ is the eternal High Priest "after the order of Melchizedek," who offered a single, perfect sacrifice, unlike the many sacrifices of the Levitical priests.

    • Hebrews 9:11-14: Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary "once for all" through his own blood, achieving eternal redemption.

  • Apostolic Succession/Ministerial Priesthood:

    • Luke 22:19-20: At the Last Supper, Jesus tells the Apostles, "Do this in remembrance of me," which the Church interprets as instituting the ministerial priesthood to continue His sacrifice.

    • John 20:21-23: Jesus gives the Apostles authority to forgive sins: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you... If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven."

    • Acts 1:20; 6:6; 14:23; Titus 1:5: Show the apostles appointing successors and elders (presbyters/bishops) to lead the early Church, laying hands on them to confer authority, indicating a continuation of ordained ministry.

3. Sacrifice and Liturgy: The Mass as the Fulfillment of Old Testament Sacrifices

• Old Testament Basis:

  • Sacrificial System: Detailed in Leviticus, involving daily sacrifices (Exodus 29:38-42) and specific offerings for sin, guilt, thanksgiving, etc.

  • Passover: A yearly memorial sacrifice commemorating deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12).

• Catholic Continuity (Biblical References):

  • Christ's Sacrifice as Fulfillment:

    • Hebrews 9:26-28; 10:10-14: Christ's "one sacrifice for sins for all time" perfects those who are being sanctified, making further animal sacrifices unnecessary.

    • 1 Corinthians 5:7: "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."

  • Mass as Sacramental Re-presentation:

    • Luke 22:19-20: "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me... This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." The Greek "poiein" ("do") can have sacrificial connotations in the Septuagint (e.g., Exodus 29:38, "you shall offer"). The Greek "anamnesis" ("remembrance") in a sacrificial context often means "making present" or "re-presenting" a past saving event (e.g., Numbers 10:10).

    • 1 Corinthians 10:16-21: Paul speaks of partaking in the "body and blood of Christ" and warns against participating in pagan sacrifices, implying a real participation in Christ's sacrifice through the Eucharist.

    • Malachi 1:11: Prophecy of a "pure offering" to be offered among the Gentiles, which the Church sees as fulfilled in the Eucharist.

4. Sacraments and Rituals

• Old Testament Basis:

  • Circumcision: The sign of the Abrahamic covenant, initiating males into the covenant community (Genesis 17:9-14).

  • Ritual Washings/Purifications: For cleansing from impurity (Leviticus 11-15).

  • Anointing with Oil: For consecration of priests, kings, and prophets (Exodus 29:7; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Kings 19:16).

• Catholic Continuity (Biblical References):

  • Baptism:

    • Colossians 2:11-12: "In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands... by being buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith." (Connects baptism to circumcision).

    • 1 Peter 3:20-21: Connects baptism to Noah's ark saving people through water.

    • John 3:5: "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

  • Confirmation:

    • Acts 8:14-17; 19:5-6: Apostles lay hands on baptized believers to receive the Holy Spirit, distinct from initial baptism.

  • Anointing of the Sick:

    • James 5:14-15: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."

5. Sacred Space and Objects

• Old Testament Basis:

  • Tabernacle/Temple: God commanded the construction of a dwelling place (Tabernacle, then Temple) where His presence would dwell among His people (Exodus 25:8; 1 Kings 8:10-11). It contained sacred objects like the Ark of the Covenant.

• Catholic Continuity (Biblical References):

  • Christ as the New Temple:

    • John 2:19-21: Jesus speaks of destroying and rebuilding the temple in three days, referring to His body.

    • 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: Believers are God's temple, and the Spirit dwells in them.

  • Churches as Sacred Space: While Christ is the ultimate Temple, Catholic churches are seen as consecrated places for worship and the dwelling of God's presence, particularly in the Eucharist reserved in the tabernacle. This carries forward the reverence for dedicated sacred spaces.

6. Tradition and Interpretation

• Old Testament Basis:

  • Oral Law/Tradition: Alongside the written Torah, there developed an oral tradition of interpretation and application, passed down through generations (e.g., the traditions of the elders mentioned in the Gospels, though Jesus critiqued some applications).

  • Authoritative Teachers: Priests and prophets were divinely appointed to interpret and teach God's Law (Deuteronomy 17:8-11; Malachi 2:7).

• Catholic Continuity (Biblical References):

  • Sacred Tradition:

    • 2 Thessalonians 2:15: "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter."

    • 2 Timothy 2:2: "and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (Emphasizes oral transmission of teaching).

  • Magisterium (Teaching Authority):

    • Matthew 18:18: Jesus gives the Apostles authority to "bind and loose" (interpret and apply doctrine).

    • Luke 10:16: "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me." (Jesus identifies His authority with that of His chosen messengers).

    • Acts 15: The Jerusalem Council demonstrates the apostles and elders making authoritative decisions for the Church.