WCF 07 The Covenant Flashcards
Define covenant.
A bond in blood with stipulations and sanctions, sovereignly administered by God.
Why is a covenant necessary?
The distance between God and man is so great that we could not otherwise understand nor enjoy Him. His covenant is a providential exercise of voluntary condescension extending an offer of friendship to us.
Define Covenant of Works.
Life promised to man on condition of perfect and personal obedience.
In what way is the Covenant of Works a gracious covenant?
The terms were of works but the blessedness and reward, i.e. the relationship with God and the life that God offered, were acts of grace by God.
What was the context of the Covenant of Works?
God had
placed him in the garden,
given him every tree but the one to eat of,
put the creatures under his dominion,
given him marriage for his help,
given him communion with Himself, and
given him the Sabbath.
What three areas of activity did God give Adam?
Marriage
Labor
Sabbath
What is the particular test?
To not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Why this particular test?
Tested his will, not his knowledge. There was nothing immoral about the tree so it tested only his will.
Define the Covenant of Grace
A voluntary condescension by God to offer sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ.
Why called the covenant of grace?
Out of His sheer love and mercy God chose to redeem His elect, freely offering sinners life and salvation in Christ to be received by faith.
What is the role of Christ?
The covenant of grace was made with Christ. To be the Redeemer, purchasing us out of our state of sin and misery and to bring us into an estate of salvation. He is the second Adam, the second public head. He fulfilled the requirements of the covenant of works, obeying God perfectly.
Why called testament?
In reference to the death of Jesus Christ as the testator and to the everlasting inheritance
What difference between covenant administration in Old Testament and New?
In the OT it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the passover, and other ordinances foresignifying Christ to come. In the NT it is administered under Christ as the substance of the covenant with preaching, and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. More simple but more powerful.
