Covenantal Gospel Tract

[NEKservant]

Here’s a Gospel tract based on my 1689 Federalist convictions. Let me know what you think, and please feel free to offer suggestions.

The Everlasting Covenant: God’s Plan of Redemption

Are You Right With God?

God is holy and just, and He created mankind to worship and obey Him. But every person has sinned against Him (Romans 3:23). Because of this, we stand guilty and deserve His judgment: death and hell (Romans 6:23). Yet, God has provided a way of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Adam’s Mission: A Paradise Lost

In the beginning, God created Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden. Adam was not only the first man but also a representative of humanity. He was given a great mission:

• To worship and obey God – Created in God’s image, Adam was to reflect God’s holiness and rule over creation under His authority.

• To expand God’s kingdom – Adam was to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth with worshipers (Genesis 1:28).

• To guard and enjoy paradise – The garden was a place of life, peace, and perfect fellowship with God. If Adam had obeyed, he and his descendants would have been granted a life in Eden forever.

But Adam failed. Instead of trusting God, he listened to the serpent (Satan) and disobeyed (Genesis 3:6). Because of his sin, he was cast out of paradise, and death and curse entered the world (Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 5:12). The way to the tree of life was shut (Genesis 3:24).

Since Adam represented all humanity, we have inherited his fallen nature. We are born in sin, cut off from God, and unable to return to the paradise that was lost (Ephesians 2:1-3). “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

Jesus: The True and Better Adam

Where Adam failed, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, succeeded. He is called the “last Adam” because He came to restore what was lost (1 Corinthians 15:45). Jesus took on human flesh, becoming the perfect representative for His people.

• He obeyed where Adam failed – Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, fulfilling God’s moral standard (the law) on our behalf (Romans 5:19).

• He defeated the serpent – Unlike Adam, Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations and triumphed over him through the cross (Matthew 4:1-11; Colossians 2:15).

• He bore the curse for us – Jesus took the punishment for sin, dying in our place (Galatians 3:13).

• He secured eternal life – Through His resurrection, Jesus opened the way to the new creation, offering eternal life to all who trust in Him (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

Jesus Restores What Adam Lost

Through Christ, God is restoring His people to something even greater than Eden. Those who trust in Him are brought into His new kingdom—a kingdom that will never fall.

• Restored fellowship with God – Believers are reconciled to God now and will dwell with Him forever (Revelation 21:3).

• A new creation – At Christ’s return, He will bring a new heavens and new earth, free from sin and death (Revelation 21:1-4).

• Access to the tree of life – In the New Jerusalem, the tree of life will be given back to God’s people (Revelation 22:2).

• Eternal rest and joy – Unlike Adam, those in Christ will never be cast out, but will enjoy God’s presence forever (John 10:28).

How Must You Respond?

Jesus calls you to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). You cannot earn salvation—Adam’s failure proves that no one can be saved by works. But Christ has done everything necessary for your redemption.

Will you turn from your sin and trust in Jesus today?

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” – 1 Corinthians 15:22

 

[paranymph]

I don't think this is anything particular to 1689 Federalism. But it is an articulation of the covenant of works found in Reformed theology.

Jesus took on human flesh,

Not my preferred wording. The Son of God took a human nature. "Jesus" is a reference to his humanity. "Human flesh" makes it sound as if he only assumed a body.

 

[erickinho1bra]

I don't think this is anything particular to 1689 Federalism. But it is an articulation of the covenant of works found in Reformed theology.


Not my preferred wording. The Son of God took a human nature. "Jesus" is a reference to his humanity. "Human flesh" makes it sound as if he only assumed a body.

Jude 1:5 says that Jesus delivered the Israelites from the wilderness.

I think saying '"Jesus" is a reference to his humanity' is a bit Nestorian. I can understand that there is a connotation there with the name "Jesus" and the Son's human nature, but I don't believe it is is necessary. "Jesus" was not a human nature; he was/is a person both Divine and human.

 

[paranymph]

We are in agreement. It is the communicatio idiomatum at work. Jesus is the name given to him as a baby boy, but, yes, it refers to the person of the divine Son.
I just said it's not my "preferred wording" because I don't think it does as well of a job of communicating that the person of the Son became incarnate in Jesus of Nazareth.