Covenants
Sunday,
April 7, 2013
The Bible is clear that as a
Christian, we must have such an understanding of the principles of
Christ that we can give an answer to the joy we have within us to those
of the world. One of the most confusing areas brethren struggle with is
with Bible Words. Words such as Justification, Sanctification,
Redemption or Manifestation are abused by the denominations in order to
justify doctrines that they believe or espouse. In this lesson we look
at the word Covenant, and will see that when we understand this word, we
understand the manner in which God interacts with mankind.
What is a Covenant? Paul
tells us that a covenant is an unbreakable, unchangeable oath (Galatians
3:15). In simplest terms, a covenant is a law and a promise.
A
law is a command or rule with a penalty for breaking; this can be found
defined in Hebrews 10:16. We are very familiar with how law works; if we
speed over the speed limit, we are quilty and could be fined. There is
no reward for remaining under the speed limit with law. A promise is a
contract or reward for the right completion of an action or omission;
this definition can be found in Hebrews 8:6. We could then say that a
contract is a promise to receive something, or a reward. A Covenant then
is part law, part contract; we receive a reward if we meet the terms of
it, but punishment if we do not.
Finally, we find that the bible gives
us an example of a covenant; marriage is a covenant according to
Scripture (Malachi 2:14, Matthew 19). We know that marriage is “till
death do you part”. We also understand that if we “break” the marriage
covenant, we are in a worse condition than before, as we cannot remarry
or we become adulterers (Matthew 19). We can summarize what we have
found to be true of a covenant in these terms:
1. It is meant to be permanent;
it cannot be voided
2. It is ended by death (which
is fulfillment)
3. Violation has penalties
The Bible is full of a number of
covenants. When we began a study of them, we find that the covenant is
the common means in which God enters an agreement with mankind. We need
to understand that there have been multiple covenants with mankind in
the past, but the Covenant of Christ is meant to replace them all.
Looking at the nature of covenants,
the end of covenants, and the creation of covenants, we can discern a
great deal about the purpose of our Lord’s coming and His death.
According to Romans 7, it was necessary for Christ to die in order to
end the previous covenants (which man had broken) and to restore
man to God.
If we can understand the meaning of a
covenant, a number of doctrines (and false doctrines) become easier to
understand. We can know why the Ten Commandment cannot justify men
today. We see why the instrumental music of David is no longer part of
our life. We know Israel is no longer God’s chosen people. We can
understand why Jesus had to die for our sins. We can believe that there
is a Law of Christ. We can know that the Marriage covenant cannot be
dissolved without permanent consequences