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Chapter 4 - Covenant |
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God established the real New Testament church on earth as a chosen instrument to vindicate His nature from angelic challenge and accusation. He designed it to fulfill its purpose by contributing to the repopulation of His kingdom with willing citizens. Relative to its importance in fulfilling His eternal plan, God secured the church before the foundation of the world by unconditional covenant promise.
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The concept of covenant is a vital theme of the Bible. Therefore, without a foundational knowledge of the concept of covenant, it is impossible to accurately interpret the whole counsel of the “word of truth.”
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 Bible speaks of covenants that have originated both in heaven and on earth. Although it originated from God in eternity, the concept of covenant rapidly became a common tradition among men. Earthly Covenants Covenant was a familiar and understandable concept in the ancient world. “… 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 reveals several different kinds of earthly covenants established between men. For example, 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 In contrast to covenants derived from an earthly source, there are also heavenly covenants revealed in the Bible. Initiated by God, each one is critical to His covenantal plan for humanity. The satisfaction of each covenantal stipulation precisely as stated beforehand serves to defend His integrity. In agreement with His covenantal plan, God clarifies what He intends to do before He does it. His ensuing fulfillment of previously revealed covenantal stipulation serves to demonstrate His truthfulness and trustworthiness. It provides irrefutable evidence that the work of God is always consistent with the word of God. Therefore, the integrity of His nature is indisputable. 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 covenant stipulation leads to blessing and disobedience to cursing. Human cooperation occurs by the works of law. In contrast, heavenly covenants of promise are unconditional. Under the gracious rule of divine life (zoe), God promises to both initiate and fulfill the unconditional stipulations of the covenant regardless of the performance of His covenant partner or chosen beneficiary. Thus, human cooperation occurs through the obedience of faith (Romans 6:15; 16:26). |
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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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Major Covenants of the Bible
While the Bible contains the record of covenants originating from both heaven and earth, those initiated by the “God of heaven” are most significant. Therefore, they are considered the major covenants of the Bible. The major covenants of the Bible constitute an interrelated series of formal agreements between God and His creation. They benefit His creation and ensure that He will perform as indicated. Congruent with God’s eternal purpose and plan, two of the major covenants of the Bible were initiated in eternity and fulfilled in time. They include the redemptive Eternal Covenant and the Renovation Covenant. The Eternal Covenant was initiated by the members of the Godhead in eternity and fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the fullness of time. The Renovation Covenant was also initiated in eternity. It was fulfilled in time when God covenanted with the first man, Adam. In contrast to the covenants initiated in eternity, five major covenants were initiated in time from eternity. Within the confines of time, God first covenanted with Noah (Noahic Covenant). It was a covenant for the benefit of mankind in general. In addition, God covenanted with Abram (Abrahamic Covenant), Moses (Mosaic Covenant), and David (Davidic Covenant). They were covenants for the benefit of the nation of Israel. In the future, God will initiate the New Covenant. It will also benefit the nation of Israel. Each contributing to the vindication of the divine nature, the seven major covenants of the Bible can be categorized as foundational; general and specific: |
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The Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants comprise a series of interrelated covenants. They either have been or will be initiated by God on earth exclusively to benefit the nation of Israel. The series of covenants are inclusive of both law and promise. Through covenantal law and promise, Israel is privileged to enjoy covenant partnership with God.
In contrast, the distinct church of the New Testament is not a covenant partner with God. Instead, it is an unconditional beneficiary of the heavenly promise of the Eternal Covenant; union of life with God. © 2018 James Hiatt |
