Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven
“Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.’” 1 Corinthians 15:45
Defining the word “Covenant” — In Hebrew > Berith = (lit.) “to divide”, “to cut in two”, or “covenant” (cf. Genesis 9:8-17; 15:9-10, 17-21; Exodus 31:16-17; 2 Samuel 23:5; Psalm 89:28-29; Isaiah 53:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31-34, 34:18-19). In Greek > Diatheke = “testament”, “will”, “covenant” (cf. Matthew 26:27-28; Romans 9:4, 11:26-27; 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:4-18; Galatians 4:24; Hebrews 7:22, 8:6-13, 9:15-22, 12:22-24, 13:20-21). In Latin > Foedus = “covenant”, “compact”, “treaty” (we derive the English word “federal” from Foedus). The American Heritage Dictionary (1969) defines “covenant” in the following manner, “A binding agreement made by two or more persons or parties; a compact; a contract.”
A Biblical Pattern — “A binding agreement made by two or more persons” describes a contract negotiated between men or equals. Yet, a “covenant” between God and man has several differing aspects that make it unique: (1) Preamble: identifies the sovereign, (2) Historical Prologue: history of the relationship, (3) Stipulations: terms of the covenant, (4) Oaths/Vows: Promises that bind the parties, (5) Sanctions: blessings and curses, (6) Ratification: sealing the covenant by blood (animal sacrifices or the death of Christ). This unique pattern is found in the text of the Bible, and also in Ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties amongst Hittite kings. No negotiation between parties takes place in establishing these types of covenants. They are imposed by the sovereign alone.
The Covenant of Works — When God created man He entered into a Covenant of Life (or Works) with him, upon condition of perfect obedience. Man was forbidden to eat from the “Tree of the knowledge of good and evil” upon the pain of death (cf. Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 1:18-20, 3:11-16, 5:18, 7:9-12, 10:5; Galatians 3:12-13). The Covenant of Works was further expanded by the giving of the Decalogue (the Ten Commandments), and by all the “case laws” which flow from these as expressions of true righteousness (cf. Exodus 20:1- 23:19; Deuteronomy 5-28). Dr. R. C. Sproul explains,
All human beings from Adam to the present are inescapably members of this covenant. People may refuse to obey or even acknowledge the existence of such a covenant, but they can never escape it. All human beings are in a covenant relationship with God, either as covenant breakers or covenant keepers. The covenant of works is the basis of our need of redemption (because we have violated it) and our hope of redemption (because Christ has fulfilled its terms for us).
R. C. Sproul, Essential Doctrines of the Christian Faith, 73)
The Covenant of Redemption — Some Reformed theologians make note of an eternal Covenant of Redemption, which is decreed by the hidden counsel of God prior to the creation of the heavens and the earth. Its purpose is to redeem a people out of fallen humanity to be God’s holy possession. In essence, it precedes the Covenant of Grace which is made known in history and it is foundational for the Covenant of Grace (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ephesians 1:4-6; 3:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:1-3; James 2:5; I Peter 1:2).
The Covenant of Grace — Throughout human history there is one single unfolding Covenant of Grace whereby God redeems His elect out of the mass of fallen humanity and brings them to eternal salvation (cf. Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:33; Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16). The administration of this gracious covenant to an individual results in that person’s calling, regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification (cf. Genesis 3:15, 12:2-3, 13:14-18, 15:5-7, 15:18, 17:1-14, 21:12; Jeremiah 31:3, 31:31-34, 37:24-27; Romans 5:8-9, 8:29-30, 9:8; 2 Corinthians 3:6-18; Galatians 3:16, 29, 4:28; Hebrews 11:9-10). Reformed theologians emphasize the continuity of the Covenant of Grace as it progressively unfolds through time.
The Covenantal Structure of the Bible —This series of unfolding covenants highlights how God enters into covenantal relationships with individuals and groups for the purpose of foreshadowing the Covenant of Grace. God faithfully keeps covenant with His people and He preserves, protects, and provides for them throughout history.
- The Covenant of Creation > Genesis 1:26 (Dominion mandate), 1:28 (Procreative mandate), Gen. 1:28 and Matthew 28:18-20 (Cultural mandate).
- The Covenant of Commencement (Adam) > Genesis 2:16-17, 3:15, 21
- The Covenant of Preservation (Noah) > Genesis 6:13-21, 9:8-17
- The Covenant of Promise (Abraham) > Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-17, 15:5-20, 17:3-14, 18:18-19, 22:1-19, 26:2-5, 28:13-15; Acts 3:25; Romans 4:1-25
- The Covenant of Law (Moses) > Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Galatians 3:17-22
- The Covenant of the Kingdom (David) > 2 Samuel 7:12-17, 23:5; Psalm 51; Luke 1:26-33, 18:38
- The Covenant of Consummation (Christ) > Genesis 3:15; Psalm 22; Isaiah 9:6-7, 53:1-12; Luke 1:26-33; Romans 3:24-26; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 3:13, 4:4-5; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:21-24, 3:18; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 19:6-20
Continuity and not Discontinuity — Reformed theologians do not accept a dispensational program that radically divides the various covenants listed in the Bible. Dispensationalism emphasizes discontinuity rather than continuity.
- The Dispensation of Innocence (pre-Fall Adam)
- The Dispensation of Conscience (post-Fall Adam)
- The Dispensation of Human Government (Noah and his descendants)
- The Dispensation of Promise (Abraham and his descendants)
- The Dispensation of the Law (Moses and the Priests)
- The Dispensation of Israel (David, Solomon, Kings of Judah)
- The Dispensation of Grace (from Acts 2, i.e. “The Church Age”)
- The Dispensation of the Kingdom (The Return of Christ and the restoration of national Israel in an earthly Millennial Kingdom)
- The Dispensation of Heaven (Following the Judgment Day)
A Divine Relationship — A truly wonderful picture of God’s association with His people emerges throughout the Bible when passages that emphasize the divine relationship between God and His people are examined. Note the progression through biblical history, but note as well the fact that there is only one group of people and not two (cf. John 10:15-16; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:7-9, 29, 6:16; Ephesians 2:13-16).
“And I will establish my covenant between you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” Genesis 17:7
“I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Exodus 6:7
“I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.” Leviticus 26:11-12
“Listen to my voice and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God, that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.” Jeremiah 11:4b-5a
“Then the word of the LORD came to me: ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: like those good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart’.” Jeremiah 24:5-7
“But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33
“And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. ” Jeremiah 32:38-39
“And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 34:31
“My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Ezekiel 37:27
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.” Zechariah 8:7-8
“What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God has said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people’.” 2 Corinthians 6:16
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth has passed away and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” Revelation 21:1-3
The Bible (English Standard Version)
Salvation History — God covenanted with only one group of people— His elect; which has been typified in the Old Testament era by the Nation of Israel (cf. Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Galatians 3:16; Romans 5:15-ff; Isaiah 53:10-11). Thus, the elect existed in the Old Testament era and were known as True Israel, being distinguished from National Israel. Also, the elect have existed in the New Testament era and have been known as the Invisible Church, in contrast to the Visible Church (cf. Matthew 13:24-30; Romans 2:28-29, 4:1-25, 9:6-7, 11:11-24; Galatians 3:29, 6:16).
Progressive Revelation — The relationship that God has with His people can be shown through a series of expanding and telescoping covenants:
Creation > Adam > Noah > Abraham > Moses > David > Christ
The New Covenant — Each covenant has blessings that come with obedience and curses that come with disobedience. Each covenant is progressive, in that through time God reveals more of His redemptive plan to successive generations. The ultimate expression of God’s covenant relationship is in the New Covenant [Gk. kaine diatheke] sealed by the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. God’s covenant people are Believers, their children, and all who are in the visible church (Genesis 12:2-3, 17:7-11; Deuteronomy 5:1-21, 7:7-9, 10:16; Psalm 89:30-37, 103:17-18; Jeremiah 31:27-34; Acts 2:39; Romans 2:28-29; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Galatians 3:6-9, 29; Ephesians 2:14-16, 3:6-7; Hebrews 9).
The Sacraments — There are two Sacraments ordained by Jesus Christ: the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial feast where Christ is spiritually present in the hearts of every Believer (Martin Bucer, John Calvin). Both adult Believer’s baptism and infant baptism are practiced in Reformed churches as a sign and seal of one’s identification with Christ and the visible church (Romans 4:11-12) . Infant baptism is based on the covenant made by God with Abraham and all of his descendants (Genesis 17:7-14). Covenant theologians believe that the Bible is clear in stating that it was not just Abraham’s physical descendants, but his spiritual descendants who are truly the people of God (Romans 2:28-29, 9:6-8; Galatians 3:7-9, 29; Ephesians 2:13-22). The children of Christians are part of the covenant by virtue of their birth and are thereby entitled to its benefits and liable under its sanctions (Acts 2:38-39; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Ephesians 6:1-4). In the New Testament the practice of circumcision has been superseded by the sacrament of baptism (Colossians 2:11-12).
Resources for Further Study:
Archer, Gleason L. “Covenant” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Second Edition. Walter A. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. See pages 299-301.
Bahnson, Greg L. and Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. House Divided: The Break-up of Dispensational Theology. Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, 1989.
Beeke, Joel R. and Sinclair B. Ferguson, eds. Reformed Confessions Harmonized. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Berkhof, Louis. Systematic Theology. 4th edition, Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1941. See pages 262-301.
Bromiley, Geoffrey W. “Infant Baptism” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Second Edition. Walter A. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. See pages 132-134.
Collins, George N. M. “Federal Theology” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Second Edition. Walter A. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. See pages 444-445.
Gerstner, John H. Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth: A Critique of Dispensationalism. Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishers, 1991.
Golding, Peter. Covenant Theology: The Key of Theology in Reformed Thought and Tradition. Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 2004.
Hodge, Archibald A. The Westminster Confession of Faith: A Commentary. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, first published 1869, reprinted 1958.
Horton, Michael Scott. Introducing Covenant Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006.
Mathison, Keith A. Dispensationalism: Rightly Dividing the People of God? Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1995.
Moore, Edwin Nisbet. Our Covenant Heritage: The Covenanters’ Struggle for Unity in Truth. Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications Ltd., 2000.
Murray, John. Redemption—Accomplished and Applied. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1955.
Murray, John. The Covenant of Grace: A Biblico-Theological Study. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1953.
Osterhaven, M. Eugene. “Covenant Theology” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Second Edition. Walter A. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. See pages 301-303.
Osterhaven, M. Eugene. “Views of Lord’s Supper” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Second Edition. Walter A. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. See pages 705-708.
Rayburn, Robert S. “New Covenant” in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Second Edition. Walter A. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001. See page 301.
Reymond, Robert L. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith. 2nd Edition, Revised and Updated. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998. See pages 415-458, 503-544.
Rhodes, Jonty. Covenants Made Simple: Understanding God’s Unfolding Promises to His People. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2013.
Robertson, O. Palmer. The Christ of the Covenants. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1980.
Sproul, R. C. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1992. See chapters #23, #24, #34, #35.
Sproul, R. C. Truths We Confess: A Systematic Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2019. See pages 171-188.
Van Groningen, Gerard. Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1990.
Van Groningen, Gerard. From Creation to Consummation. Sioux Center, IA: Dordt College Press, 1996.
Vine, W. E. An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1940. “diatheke” = “covenant”, “testament”
Vine, W. E. An Expository Dictionary of Old Testament Words. F. F. Bruce ed. Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1978. “Berith” = “covenant”
Vos, Gerhardus, Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids, MI: William. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1948.
Vos, Johannes G. The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary. G. I. Williamson ed. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2002.
Waters, Guy Prentiss and J. Nicholas Reid and John R. Muether, eds. Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
Williamson, G. I. The Westminster Confession of Faith: for Study Classes. 2nd Edition. Philadelphia, PA: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1964.
Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin
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