The Real New Testament Church
  • Home
  • Contents
  • Preface
  • Real Plan
    • Chapter 1 - In the Beginning
    • Chapter-2-After the Beginning
    • Chapter 3 - Kingdom
    • Chapter 4 - Earth in the Kingdom or Kingdom on Earth
    • Chapter 5 - Original Earth in the Kingdom
    • Chapter 6 - Renovated Earth in the Kingdom
    • Chapter 7 - Kingdom on the Degenerated Earth
    • Chapter 8 - Tribulation
    • Chapter 9 - Kingdom on the Regenerated Earth
    • Chapter 10 - New Earth in the Kingdom
    • Chapter 11 - Covenant
    • Chapter 12 - Major Covenants of the Bible
    • Chapter 13 - Eternal Covenant
    • Chapter 14 - Renovation Covenant
    • Chapter 15 - Covenants for Israel
  • Real Church
    • Real Fundamentals >
      • Chapter 16 - Real Church
      • Chapter 17 - Church Covenant
      • Chapter 18 - Calling
      • Chapter 19 - Parables
      • Chapter 20 - Kingdom of Heaven Parables
      • Chapter 21 - Description
    • Real Legality >
      • Chapter 22 - Law
      • Chapter 23 - Transgression
      • Chapter 24 - Justification
    • Real Life (zoe) >
      • Chapter 25 - Life (zoe)
      • Chapter 26 - Progression of Life (zoe)
      • Chapter 27 - Birth
      • Chapter 28 - Dependent Life
      • Chapter 29 - Sanctification
      • Chapter 30 - Rule of Life
      • Chapter 31 - Return to Law
      • Chapter 32 - Faith
    • Real Composition >
      • Chapter 33 - Headship
      • Chapter 34 - Body
      • Chapter 35 - Women
    • Real Incarnation >
      • Chapter 36 - Function and Form
      • Chapter 37 - Purpose and Mission
      • Chapter 38 - Manifestation
    • Real Doctrine and Practice >
      • Chapter 39 - Apostolic Teaching
      • Chapter 40 - Apostolic Tradition
    • Real Apostolic Teaching >
      • Chapter 41 - Values
      • Chapter 42 - Prayer
      • Chapter 43 - Works
      • Chapter 44 - Giving
    • Real Apostolic Tradition >
      • Chapter 45 - Governance
      • Chapter 46 - Simplicity
      • Chapter 47 - Gatherings
      • Chapter 48 - Supper: Celebration and Sign
      • Chapter 49 - Supper: Apostolic Tradition
      • Chapter 50 - Practice
    • Real Growth >
      • Chapter 51 - Growth
      • Chapter 52 - Exponential Growth
    • Real Warfare >
      • Chapter 53 - Temporal Simulation
      • Chapter 54 - Confirmation of Scripture
      • Chapter 55 - Sovereignty of God
      • Chapter 56 - Warfare
      • Chapter 57 - Utter Defeat
      • Chapter 58 - Freedom
      • Chapter 59 - Incomparable Power
      • Chapter 60 - Armor
      • Chapter 61 - Full Armor
  • Real Reformation
    • Chapter 62 - Law and Life
    • Chapter 63 - From Law to Life
    • Chapter 64 - Divine Reformation
  • Conclusion
    • Chapter 65 - Real New Testament Church
  • Endnotes
  • About
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Chapter 11 - Covenant
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The concept of covenant is an elemental teaching of the Bible. Therefore, understanding it is important for rightly interpreting Scripture.

The Holy Bible is one cohesive covenant document. It is filled with covenant language from beginning to end.

Fundamentally, a covenant is a binding agreement between two parties. It is mutually beneficial.

The concept of covenant originated from God and became a common tradition on earth. Consequently, the Bible speaks of covenants that are both earthly and heavenly.
 
                                         Earthly Covenants
 
The concept of covenant was familiar in the ancient world. As a result
, “… ancient cultures adopted the concept of a covenant to express a range of interpersonal and social relationships. A covenant between nations was a treaty (Genesis 14:13; 31:44-55). Between persons, a covenant might express a business contract or a pledge of friendship (1 Samuel 18:3; 23:18). A covenant between a ruler and the subjects served as the constitution of states, spelling out the responsibilities of both the ruler and the ruled (2 Samuel 3:21; 5:3).”[1]

The Bible contains record of a number of earthly covenants established between human beings. For example, it mentions hand covenants (Ezra 10:19; Ezekiel 17:18), shoe covenants (Ruth 4:8), and salt covenants (Numbers 18:19; Leviticus 2:13; 2 Chronicles 13:5). 
 
                                       Heavenly Covenants
 
The heavenly covenants of God were originated in eternity. They are critical to His eternal plan.

God clarified His intentions for His creation through heavenly covenants. Providing irrefutable evidence that His work is always consistent with His word, His fulfillment of covenantal stipulations exactly as He had promised beforehand served to demonstrate the integrity of His nature.

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                                          Law or Promise
 
There are two types of heavenly covenants that originate from God for the benefit of His creation. They include covenants of law and promise.

Heavenly covenants of law are conditional. Under the rule of divine law, obedience to legal covenantal stipulation leads to blessing and disobedience to cursing. Thus, human cooperation is satisfied by performance or works.

In contrast, heavenly covenants of promise are unconditional. Under the rule of divine life (zoe), God promises to graciously initiate and fulfill the covenantal stipulation regardless of the performance of His covenant partner or chosen beneficiary. Thus, human cooperation occurs only through the obedience of faith. (Romans 6:15; 16:26)
 
                                      Essential Elements
 
While some variation may occur, there are at least four essential elements associated with divine, heavenly covenants.  They include: 

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Essential Elements
Definition
Preamble:
Identification of the covenant participant(s). 
Background:
Relationship of covenant participant(s) clarified. 
Stipulations:
The obligation of covenant participant(s) explained through means of law or promise.  
Ratification:
The obligation of covenant participant(s) validated by oath, blessing, or sacrifice, generally accompanied by a sign. 
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© 2022 James Hiatt
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