The article “A New and Living Way” by Don Fortner focuses on the doctrine of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and its implications for worship in the new covenant. The author argues that believers now operate under a new and living way of worship, grounded in the complete and perfect sacrifice of Christ, as outlined in Hebrews 10:11-22. Fortner highlights that the Old Testament sacrificial system, represented by the daily offerings of priests, was insufficient for the removal of sin, while Christ’s singular offering has perfected those sanctified. He uses Scripture references such as Hebrews 10:14 and 1 Peter 1:3 to demonstrate the transformative and spiritual nature of the new covenant, emphasizing the believer's direct access to God through Christ. The practical significance stresses that true worship is internal and spiritual, reliant on faith and the assurance of forgiveness through Christ's redemptive work.
Key Quotes
“Everything relating to the knowledge, worship, and service of God is spiritual, not carnal.”
“We worship God by faith in Christ upon the grounds of justice satisfied.”
“This freedom in worship... arises from the blessedness and realization of our complete perfect reconciliation to God by and in Christ.”
“We are reconciled to God perfectly, completely, and immutably.”
What does the Bible say about the new covenant?
The Bible speaks of the new covenant established by Christ, emphasizing that our sins are remembered no more and that we can approach God with confidence.
Hebrews 10:11-22, John 4:23-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17
How do we know Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for sins?
Hebrews 10 clearly states that Christ's one sacrifice has perfected forever those who are sanctified.
Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:11-18
Why is spiritual worship important for Christians?
Spiritual worship is essential as it reflects our relationship with God, emphasizing that worship must come from the heart and be driven by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17, John 4:23-24
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 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; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. And their: some copies have, Then he said, And their Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, boldness...: Or, libertie By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; consecrated...: Or, new made And having an high priest over the house of God; 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. - Hebrews 10:11-22“A New and Living Way
Everything relating to this gospel age, everything relating to the worship of God in this age, everything relating to the believer’s life in Christ in this gospel age is described as “new” and “living.”
New
We are partakers of a new covenant. We come into the kingdom of God by a new birth (John 3:3-7). We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). We have been given a new name (1 John 3:1-3). We live under the rule of a new commandment (1 John 3:23). We are citizens of the New Jerusalem. We sing a new song. We look for a new heavens and a new earth.
Living
As all things in Christ are new, so, too, all things in the kingdom of God are living. Our hope in Christ is a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3). We drink from the fountain of Living Water. We eat that Living Bread which came down from heaven. We are built upon Christ as living stones upon the Living Stone, the Living Foundation.
Spiritual
In other words, everything relating to the knowledge, worship, and service of God is spiritual, not carnal. “True worshippers worship the Father in spirit…God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). – “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17). – “We are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Phil 3:3).
True worship is a matter of the heart, altogether spiritual. -- We worship God by faith in Christ, upon the grounds of justice satisfied. – Hebrews 10:11-25 describes both the foundation and the exercise of grace.
We worship the Lord our God, trusting his Son, drawing near to him upon the basis of redemption accomplished by Christ (vv. 11-14). We come to God, confident of acceptance with him because of the complete remission of sins by his grace through the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary (vv. 15-18). This freedom in worship, this freedom in drawing near to God arises from the blessedness and realization of our complete, perfect reconciliation to God by and in Christ (vv. 19-22). This is what Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 5:17. We are reconciled to God, perfectly, completely, and immutably!
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