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The New Testament church was critically important to the eternal plan of God. Therefore, it was secured before the foundation of the world according to the unconditional benefit of His gracious, redemptive covenant of life (zoe), the Eternal Covenant.
Church and Covenant In contrast to the New Testament church, Israel partnered with God through the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants. They entered into covenant with God by trusting Him to fulfill the stipulations of the unconditional Abrahamic and Davidic covenants and agreeing to obey the law of the conditional Mosaic Covenant. The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants were unilateral, unconditional covenants of promise. God promised to fulfill the stipulations of both covenants regardless of the performance of Israel. In contrast, the Mosaic Covenant was a bilateral, conditional covenant of law. Both God and Israel had clearly stated responsibilities that would lead to the fulfillment of covenantal stipulations. Unlike ancient Israel, the church of the New Testament does not relate to God through covenant partnership. Instead, its relationship with God is much more intimate. The New Testament church is the primary beneficiary of the gracious Eternal Covenant. Its stipulations were satisfied by God alone apart from the influence of the church. The fundamental benefit of the Eternal Covenant is new law and new life. The new law of the Eternal Covenant is the “law of Christ.” It is also described as the “law of faith,” the “Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus,” the “perfect law,” and the “law of liberty.” (Romans 3:27; 8:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 1:25; 2:12) The “law of Christ” is often referred to in this book as the “rule of life.” The fundamental benefit of the Eternal Covenant also includes new life. It is fulfilled by union of life with the mediator of the covenant, Jesus Christ. Made legally suitable and organically compatible with God by the unconditional benefit of the Eternal Covenant, the New Testament church enjoys heavenly position and privilege beyond compare. Sharing life with Jesus Christ, the mediator of the covenant, it is “blessed….with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 1:3) By grace through faith alone, the unparalleled benefit is received directly and immediately. Heavenly Position and Privilege The following is a mere sampling of the lavish, unconditional benefit of the New Testament church in union with Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the Eternal Covenant: |
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The unparalleled position and privilege of the New Testament church were established by the divine fulfillment of the Eternal Covenant and the subsequent choice of God to apply its unconditional benefit to the New Testament church before the foundation of the world. Received by grace alone, the church does not perform to receive or maintain its heavenly position and privilege. Instead, resting in the finished work and consequent blessing of the Savior, it enjoys the benefit by faith alone. (2 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 2:6)
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Covenantal Security
The New Testament church is united with God by benefit of the redemptive Eternal Covenant. The union was graciously awarded to the church without condition. The only prerequisite necessary for the elect of the New Testament church to receive the benefit of the Eternal Covenant is willing consent. According to plan, the consent must be offered by faith alone. The benefit of the Eternal Covenant received by the elect is permanently secured. God ensures its security by the blood of the Eternal Covenant and the presence of His indwelling, eternal life (zoe). (cf. Ephesians 1:7, 14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19) The covenantal security of the New Testament church is further guaranteed by the sealing work of the Holy Spirit. It is a pledge of divine ownership that promises eternal position and privilege. (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30) In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul also provided significant testimony about the eternal security of the New Testament church. Despite the apparent insecurity associated with the suffering of this present fallen world (Romans 8:18), he revealed that the covenantal security of the New Testament church was assured through divine hope (Romans 8:19-25); divine intercession (Romans 8:26-27); divine purpose (8:28-30); divine benevolence (Romans 8:31-34); divine love (Romans 8:35-39); and divine choice (Romans 9-11). |
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Gloriously Inclusive
The eternal plan of God is gloriously inclusive. By the unconditional benefit of the Eternal Covenant, it was designed to accommodate the inclusion of both the elect of national Israel and the Gentile nations. While temporarily suspended from the covenant plan of God, the elect of national Israel do not experience its glory. During the Church Age they are a people of promise only. However, the blood of the Eternal Covenant provides them with a guarantee that the promises and stipulations of the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants will indeed be fulfilled. Their fulfillment will occur through the future invocation of the New Covenant. In contrast, the New Testament church is privileged to experience the benefit of the heavenly Eternal Covenant directly and immediately. Rather than waiting for the fulfillment of covenantal promises, its unconditional enjoyment of covenant position, privilege, and security is a present reality. © 2023 James Hiatt |
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