A new name, but an old ministry

February 27th, 2009

Welcome to Musings, a New Covenant Forum blog!

The name is new – the blog is new, but our ministry began in downtown Toronto in February of 1894. We are Canada’s oldest continuing outreach to the Jewish community.

We began as The Toronto Jewish Mission (still our legal, incorporated name). In day-to-day operations the ministry has been known by several names throughout its history: Peniel Hall, Covenant House, New Covenant House, and now New Covenant Forum.

The term “New Covenant” in our name signifies our conviction that Yeshua (Jesus) initiated the New Covenant spoken of by Jeremiah the Prophet (Jeremiah 31:31-34). “Forum” conveys our desire to create dialogue and conversation with any who are interested in knowing the God of this New Covenant.

We exist to proclaim to all who will listen that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Jewish Messiah promised by the ancient Hebrew prophets – the initiator of this New Covenant. While our primary focus is sharing this message with Jewish people, we know that Yeshua is not for Jews only. It was John the baptizer who said, when he saw Jesus walking toward him one day: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV). Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah and Savior of all who will believe in him.

It was the intention of Jesus, in his life, death and resurrection to break down the barrier between Jew and Gentile. As Rabbi Shaul (the Apostle Paul) writes:

For he himself (Yeshua) is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away (i.e. Gentiles) and peace to those who were near (i.e. Jews). For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:14-18 NIV)

I hope you will return to this site often as we post biblical studies and articles of interest to those who want to know more about Jesus. Associated with this blog is our main site which contains longer articles, personal stories of those who have trusted in Yeshua as Lord and Savior, and other helpful material for cultivating a vibrant spiritual life.

Contributed by David Daniels, former General Director of New Covenant Forum and Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Richmond Hill.

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