Definition of Covenant of Grace in Reformed Baptist Theology
The Covenant of Grace is a central concept in Reformed Baptist theology, referring to the divine agreement between God and humanity, mediated by Jesus Christ. The Hebrew word "berith" and the Greek "diatheke" underlie this concept, both conveying the idea of a solemn agreement or covenant [1, 2].
In Reformed Baptist thought, the Covenant of Grace is distinguished from the Covenant of Works, which was established with Adam. The Covenant of Works required perfect obedience as its condition, whereas the Covenant of Grace is characterized by God's gracious initiative and humanity's faith as the response [4].
The Covenant of Grace is described as "everlasting" and "new," succeeding the old covenant of works. It is administered under the Gospel dispensation, with Christ as the mediator and surety. This covenant is considered a testament or will, bequeathing spiritual blessings to believers through Christ's death [3, 6, 9].
Reformed Baptist theologians, such as John Gill, emphasize that the Covenant of Grace is a compact between God the Father and Christ, representing the elect. It encompasses promises and blessings, including salvation and eternal life [9].
The Covenant of Grace is also associated with the concept of election, where individuals are chosen by God for salvation. This election is grounded in God's good pleasure and is seen as a manifestation of His grace [5].
In the context of the Covenant of Grace, circumcision and other sacraments are viewed as signs and seals of the covenant, symbolizing the spiritual realities they represent. Calvin notes that circumcision is called the "covenant of God," indicating the inclusion of the promise of grace [7].
The Covenant of Grace is further understood as being in contrast to the Covenant of Works. Matthew Henry highlights that the Covenant of Grace is established, entailed, and everlasting, emphasizing its stability and permanence [8].
The understanding of the Covenant of Grace in Reformed Baptist theology is rooted in biblical teachings and is developed through the interpretation of various scriptural passages, including those in Genesis, Hebrews, and other books [1, 2, 6, 8].
The concept remains a cornerstone of Reformed Baptist theology, emphasizing God's initiative in salvation and the believer's response of faith.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered "testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be rendered, just as the word berith o”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — The Heb. berith means primarily "a cutting," with reference to the custom of cutting or dividing animals in two and passing between the parts in ratifying a covenant. (Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18,19) In the New Testament the corresponding word is diathece (diatheke), which is frequently translated testament in the Authorized Version. In its biblical meaning two parties the word is used-- + Of a covenant between God and man; e.g. God covenanted with Noah, after the flood, that a like judgment should not be repeated. It is not precisely like a covenant between”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: New Testament — (Luke 22:20), rather "New Covenant," in contrast to the old covenant of works, which is superseded. "The covenant of grace is called new; it succeeds to the old broken covenant of works. It is ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent; and under the gospel it is dispensed in a more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner than of old" (Brown of Haddington). Hence is derived the name given to the latter portion of the Bible. (See [438]TESTAMENT.)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Works, Covenant of — Entered into by God with Adam as the representative of the human race (comp. Gen. 9:11, 12; 17:1-21), so styled because perfect obedience was its condition, thus distinguishing it from the covenant of grace. (See COVENANT OF [672]WORKS.)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 9:16: For where a testament is,.... The covenant of grace, as administered under the Gospel dispensation, is a testament or will. The Jews have adopted the Greek word, here used, into their language, and pronounce it and by it understand a dying man's last will and testament (d). Some of them make it to be of Hebrew derivation; as if it was said, , "this shall be to confirm" (e), or this shall be stable and firm; though others own it to be the same with this Greek word (f). The covenant of grace, is properly a covenant to Christ, and a testament or will to his people: it i”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 21.14: to be said concerning circumcision; I will yet follow the order of the text, which I think more appropriate to the office of an interpreter. In the first place; since circumcision is called by Moses, the covenant of God, we thence infer that the promise of grace was included in it. For had it been only a mark or token of external profession among men, the name of covenant would be by no means suitable, for a covenant is not otherwise confirmed, than as faith answers to it. And it is common to all sacraments to have the word of Go”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 17:7: Here is, I. The continuance of the covenant, intimated in three things: - 1. It is established; not to be altered nor revoked. It is fixed, it is ratified, it is made as firm as the divine power and truth can make it. 2. It is entailed; it is a covenant, not with Abraham only (then it would die with him), but with his seed after him, not only his seed after the flesh, but his spiritual seed. 3. It is everlasting in the evangelical sense and meaning of it. The covenant of grace is everlasting. It is from everlasting in the counsels of it, and to everlasting in the”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 7:21: By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Or "covenant", for the word signifies both; and what is intended may be called both a testament and a covenant; a testament, because it is founded in the good will and pleasure of God, and respects an inheritance bequeathed by God the Father to his children, which was confirmed and comes to them by the death of Christ the testator; and a covenant, it being a compact or agreement made by the Father with Christ, as the representative of all the elect; in which promises and blessings of all sorts are provided and”