Doulos McKenzie
Puritan Board Freshman
Is the New Covenant truly new? And if so in what way? Is it actually a new covenant or just a new administration of a previous one?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
(Jer. 31:31 KJV) Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant...
(Exod. 24:8 KJV) And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
(Heb. 8:7 KJV) For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
(Heb. 8:13 KJV) In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.
(Heb. 9:1 KJV) Then verily the first [covenant] had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
(Heb. 9:15 NIV) For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance–now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
(2 Cor. 3:14 NIV) But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.
(Matt. 26:28 NIV) This is my blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
(Mark 14:24 NIV) “This is my blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.
(Luke 22:20 NIV) In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
(1 Cor. 11:25 NIV) In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
(2 Cor. 3:6 NIV) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
(Heb. 8:8 KJV) For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
(Heb. 9:15 NIV) For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
(Heb. 12:24 KJV) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.
(Heb. 8:7 KJV) For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
(Heb. 10:8,9 KJV) Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
(Heb. 7:22 NIV) Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
(Heb 8:6 KJV) But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Under the Gospel, when Christ, the substance, was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper: which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less outward glory, yet, in them, it is held forth in more fullness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament. There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations.
You guys missed your search of "everlasting covenant" in the Bible.
The Old Covenant was a works based salvation. The New Covenant is based solely upon the work that Christ accomplished. Believers are saved by grace alone, in Christ alone.
Does new covenant mean, in some sense, renewed covenant?
The Old Covenant was a works based salvation. The New Covenant is based solely upon the work that Christ accomplished. Believers are saved by grace alone, in Christ alone.
Brother Scott,
With respect (and with appreciation for the rest of your post) this is wrong. The Old Covenant was never a works based salvation. Indeed there has never been a works based salvation, not even in the Garden of Eden. I believe the OC was an administration of the Covenant of Grace first revealed in Gen. 3:15,16, but even those who disagree with that position (such as Horton etc. and John Owen) still do not believe that in any sense the OC was related to achieving salvation by the merit of one's own works.
Please consider WCF 7:5 again and the related texts which it references:
WCF 7.5 This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel;(1) under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices,2 circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people ofthe Jews, all foresignifying Christ to come,(2) which were for that time sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,(3) by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation;
and is called the Old Testament.(4)
Note:
1) The phrase 'this covenant' is referring to the previous paragraphs which described the Covenant of Grace.
2) That while the OC was indeed administered using sacrifices etc. all of these means 'foresignified Christ to come' and were sufficient through the operation of the Spirit to instruct and build up the elect 'in faith in the promised Messiah by whom they had full remission of sins and eternal salvation'. That is they were saved not by works, but through faith in Jesus Christ,exactly the same as everyone else who ever has been, is or ever will be saved.
Too many people interpret the Old Covenant through the heretical lens of the Pharisees who most definitely did view it as a works covenant, but they were fatally wrong, all Scripture, all the Law held forth Christ as the object of saving faith, for by the works of the Law no flesh can be saved, not ever has been, nor ever will.
II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.
III. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein he freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.
1) The Old Covenant was never a works based salvation. Indeed there has never been a works based salvation, not even in the Garden of Eden.
2) I believe the OC was an administration of the Covenant of Grace
Scott
I'm not sure that I agree that the Old Covenant sometimes encapsulates the Edenic covenant, though I agree it encapsulates sometimes everything between Gen 3:15 and the New Covenant.
The citation relating to the Covenant of Works is indeed the Covenant of Works, but that is never in my knowledge specifically referred to in the Bible or Theology as the Old Covenant.
Regardless the Covenant of Works itself is not a works salvation covenant - as a) there was no sin to saved from, b) it was a covenant unto life (and by implication to avoid death), but even this offer of life was conditioned foundationally on the condescension of God (see the WCF 7:1,2)
The Confession is rather clear in separating time into two periods: Covenant of Works (ends at the Fall WCF 7:3 "Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace ) - Covenant of Grace - The Covenant of Grace it then separates into two subsets the Old Covenant (administered by sacrifices etc. cf. WCF 7:5) and the New Covenant (where Christ the substance of the Old is revealed) - thus the Old Covenant is an adminsitration of the Covenant of Grace and those saved in it are saved by grace and not works. And again properly speaking the Covenant of Works is not even a salvation Covenant at all, but a Covenant of Life.
I. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of him, as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.
II. *The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.
III. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a *second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein he freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.
Would u agree that when the term, 'the law' is used in scripture, that it does not refer absolutely to the decalogue that was given to Israel, but at times, intends to show that that law was actually in the garden as well?
Where is that distinction made in the WCF? I do not see that wording?
V. This covenant THIS IS THE COVENANT OF GRACE REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPHS 3 AND 4 AND IS THE COVENANT OF GRACE was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the Gospel HERE ARE THE TWO MAJOR DIVISIONS OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE CALLED HERE THE TIME OF THE LAW AND THE TIME OF THE GOSPEL:[9] under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all foresignifying Christ to come;[10] which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,[11] by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament HERE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE PREVIOUSLY CALLED THE TIME OF THE LAW IS CALLED THE OLD TESTAMENT/LAW (REMEMBER LAW AND TESTAMENT IN THIS CHAPTER ARE ESSENTIALLY INTERCHANGEABLE..[12]
Well, yea, technically u are correct. However, Adam and Eve were kept in their 'blessedness' upon keeping this works based command. The result of not keeping it was, death. It was based on what they did. 'Do this and live'.
You make it sound as if I am the originator of said understanding.
Actually as I read your first post I think you and I are agreed by the time you get to your last couple of sentences, its just that first sentence that troubles me, because in fact no one has ever been saved from sin by works, nor has God ever actually held out such a possibility to mankind, though many men have mistakenly thought he has. Salvation has always been by grace through faith in Christ (either promised or revealed).
I think it's a typo but I assume you mean they would have been kept in their blessedness upon keeping this works based command.
I think we can even go further, they would have had an enhanced relationship and existence upon obedience.
I have no objection with the do this and live phrase being applied to Adam and Eve and that in a real sense, but it must not be applied in the same sense when you get into the Abrahamic and Mosaic era.
The confusion might be avoided by speaking of the covenant of grace as consisting of the old and new "testaments." The older translations were correct to discern a conceptual difference in the way "diatheke" is used, and the Christian tradition in general has astutely recognised the differences as being testamental rather than covenantal.
WCF 7.4. "This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed."
The confusion might be avoided by speaking of the covenant of grace as consisting of the old and new "testaments." The older translations were correct to discern a conceptual difference in the way "diatheke" is used, and the Christian tradition in general has astutely recognised the differences as being testamental rather than covenantal.
WCF 7.4. "This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed."
When I was a Baptist, I confused this exceedingly. I had the Mosaic administration squarely set against the "new" covenant that started in Matthew 1:1, in my mind at the time. My confusing testament with covenant was a huge issue. There was a lot of unwinding that needed to be done.
The confusion might be avoided by speaking of the covenant of grace as consisting of the old and new "testaments." The older translations were correct to discern a conceptual difference in the way "diatheke" is used, and the Christian tradition in general has astutely recognised the differences as being testamental rather than covenantal.
WCF 7.4. "This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed."
When I was a Baptist, I confused this exceedingly. I had the Mosaic administration squarely set against the "new" covenant that started in Matthew 1:1, in my mind at the time. My confusing testament with covenant was a huge issue. There was a lot of unwinding that needed to be done.
Gentlemen, what would you say was of the greatest help in showing you this distinction?
II. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.
III. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein he freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.
IV. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in the Scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ, the testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed.