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The New Testament church is critically important to the eternal plan of God. As a result, it was secured before the foundation of the world by the unconditional benefit of the redemptive Eternal Covenant.
Church and Covenant The covenant relationship between God and the New Testament church was different from His covenant relationship with ancient Israel. In the past, God had partnered with ancient Israel through an interrelated series of earthly covenants; the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic. The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants were unilateral, unconditional covenants of promise. Therefore, 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 intended to lead to its fulfillment. Unlike ancient Israel, the church of the New Testament does not relate to God through covenant partnership. Its relationship with God is much more intimate. During this present age, the New Testament church is the primary beneficiary of the gracious Eternal Covenant. God satisfied its promised stipulations in eternity apart from any influence by the church. The fundamental benefit of the Eternal Covenant is new law and new life. The beneficial law of the Eternal Covenant is the “law of Christ.” It is further 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) In this book, the “law of Christ” is often referred to as the “rule of life.” The beneficial law of the Eternal Covenant is the “law of God,” the rule of divine, indwelling life (zoe). In this book, the “law of God” is often referred to as the “rule of life.” Made legally suitable and organically compatible with God by the new law and new life of the Eternal Covenant, the New Testament church enjoys heavenly position and privilege beyond compare. By the unparalleled benefit of the covenant, it was “blessed … with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 1:3) Heavenly Position and Privilege “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ …” (Ephesians 1:3) The unconditional benefit of the Eternal Covenant provides heavenly position and privilege beyond compare. Among many other benefits, it includes new headship, law, life, leadership, family, and citizenship. |
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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 amazing benefit of the Eternal Covenant by faith alone. (2 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 2:6)
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Covenantal Security
The New Testament church was intimately joined with God by benefit of the redemptive Eternal Covenant. The gracious union was profoundly without condition. The prerequisite for the elect of the New Testament church to receive the benefit of the Eternal Covenant was nothing more than willing consent. It cannot be earned but instead offered by faith alone. The benefit of the Eternal Covenant received in accordance with the willing consent of the elect is permanently secure. It was secured by the blood of the Eternal Covenant and the indwelling presence of His shared, eternal life (zoe). (cf. Ephesians 1:7, 14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19) The covenantal security of the New Testament church was further guaranteed by the sealing work of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30) It was not only indicative of security (Matthew 27:66; Ephesians 4:30), but authentication and approval (John 6:27), certification of genuineness (John 3:33), and identification of ownership (2 Corinthians 1:22; Revelation 7:2; 9:4). The sealing of the Spirit was a gracious act of God that promises eternal position and privilege. In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul provided additional 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 covenant plan, the elect of national Israel do not enjoy the glory of God. During the Church Age, they are a people of promise only. Nevertheless, the blood of the Eternal Covenant provides them with the assurance that their covenant promises will be fulfilled in the future. It will occur with the initiation 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. © 2025 James Hiatt |
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