The Two Covenant Theory 
                  by Dr. Michael Schiffman 
 
      Some people have said that Jewish people already have a 
covenant with God and do not need Yeshua because they have the 
Law of Moses.  This idea, known as the "Two Covenant Theory," 
teaches that since Jewish people already have the Law, they 
need no other covenant or savior.  This view is proported by 
many rabbis.  People in favor of this view argue that 
believers in Yeshua need not be concerned for the salvation of 
the Jews  and should not seek to evangelize. 
 
      The Two Covenant Theory is becoming more acceptable to 
believers, but its problem is that it is contrary to New 
Testament teaching and the very words of Yeshua.  In John 
14:6, Yeshua said, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  
No one comes to the Father except through me."  Those who 
hold to the Two Covenant theory claim this only applies to 
Gentiles because "the Jews have always been with the Father."  
The fact is, when Yeshua said this, He was speaking to Jewish 
people.  No one, Jew or Gentile comes to the Father, except 
through Yeshua.  Jewish people do have the Law, but it is the 
Law that speaks of Yeshua.   
 
      The issue still centers around the Messiahship of 
Yeshua.  If he is the Messiah, fulfilling the promises God 
made to Israel, then it stands to reason that He must be the 
Messiah for Israel.  If he is not Messiah for the Jewish 
people, then He is not Messiah for any people.  When Simon 
Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 
2:14-39, he declared Yeshua to be both Lord and Messiah.  When 
the people (all of whom were Jewish worshippers present for 
Shavout) asked, "Brothers, what shall we do?," Simon Peter 
did not say, "You have the Law, but go tell the Gentiles 
about Yeshua," He said, "Repent and be Baptized all of you in 
the name of the Messiah Yeshua so that your sins may be 
forgiven."  In the minds of the apostles, Jewish people need 
Yeshua.   
 
      Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, in Romans 10:1 said, 
"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the 
Israelites is that they may be saved."  If Jewish people were 
saved by the Mosaic Law, the Lord, Peter, and Paul would not 
be speaking as if they needed it.   
 
      People have said that because of many centuries of 
anti-Semitism committed in the Name of Yeshua, Jewish people 
should not be bothered with the Gospel because of all their 
sufferings. Such people claim we need to earn the right to 
share our faith, and should get our own houses in order.  
 
      The Scripture has given us a mandate to share the Good 
News of the Messiah with all people, especially Jewish 
people.  The question is not whether or not to share with 
Jewish people, but rather HOW to share the Gospel with Jewish 
people.  "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel because it is 
the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: 
First for the Jew, then for the Gentile" (Romans 1:16 NIV).  
God has called believers to bring the Good News to everyone, 
including Jewish people.  Let us be faithful to God's call. The 
original culture in which the New Covenant faith was founded. It 
is my hope that more and more Jewish people will come