Westminster Confession of Faith 7.4-6
V. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the Gospel: 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; 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, by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament.
VI. 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.
Summary
The covenant of grace which God made with His people through Christ is frequently called a "testament" in Scripture, with the same usage as "last will and testament". It is called a "testament" because it requires the death of the Testator before it comes into effect. Jesus Christ, by His death and resurrection, procured all the benefits of the covenant of grace for His elect people. This is a good reminder that the covenant of grace is much more personal than a covenant of business or a national treaty. The covenant of grace exists only inasmuch as Jesus Christ agreed with God the Father, before all worlds began, that He would die for sinners yet to be created and that He would reconcile them to God in Himself. The covenant of grace is not like an inanimate document, but is comprehended in a person, the Lord Jesus.
The covenant of grace was administered in the Old Testament through all the types and foreshadowings of Christ: the sacraments, sacrifices, patriarchal promises, and all other such ordinances. For that time, they were acceptable to God as obedience and the demonstration of faith. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, these types and shadows trained the Old Testament Church to look forward to Christ, the promised One.However, while these things were accepted by God under the Old Testament, with the inauguration of the New Covenant, they have ceased to be acceptable, at least in the same manner. For example, to reintroduce animal sacrifices into a worship service would be blasphemous, denying the finished work of Jesus. But the animal sacrifices still teach us something about the work of Christ, and our sacrificial worship as the Church. Paul says, for instance, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)
With the coming of the New Covenant we receive the substance, rather than the shadows, of the covenant of grace. The signs of this New Covenant are the preaching of the Word, the administration of baptism, and the Lord's supper. These sacraments and signs are fewer than under the Old Covenant, but they hold forth with greater clarity the fullness of Christ, freely offered to all nations under the Gospel. These sacraments and signs fulfill and supersede the old signs, making any notion of bringing them back unworthy of thought. Not only is their efficacy gone under the New covenant, but it would be to trample upon the cross of Christ as insufficient. The one covenant of grace has new signs and sacraments, revealing greater amounts of God's glory, under the New covenant in Christ.
+ Blessings in Christ +
No comments:
Post a Comment