Always wait for the "chat" emoji on the page before browsing and tapping the highlighted blue colored text for references.
Man in His Original State
A. What is man?
In general terms, "man" (from Proto-Germanic "mann-" meaning "person") refers to any or all members of the human race, regardless of sex or age. Traditionally, "man" (without the article “the” or “a”) denotes the entire human species or humanity (mankind). The Germanic word "mann" evolved into Old English "man."
Genesis 1:26 states that God created man in His image and likeness. Herein is revealed the relationship between the divine image and likeness, and the love shared among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Having prepared a suitable dwelling for humankind equipped with all necessary things for their use and comfort, God proceeds to create man on day 6. As per the 1st chapter of the gospel of John, we find the presence of the Triune God in connection to the narrative in Genesis 1. Wherein we find the presence of the Holy Spirit hovering, in verse 2. In John 1:1, the presence of the Son is indicated together with the Father as the word, (verse 2) whereby, through the Word, everything was made into being (verse 3).
Thus, God did not speak to the angels, who, even though they may be present, rejoiced at the creation of the universe. As in Genesis 1:26 above, the Trinity speaks to one another, using synonyms with the same meaning to create man: “In our image, after our likeness.”
As per Benson's commentary of verse 27, So God created man in his image — In his natural, but especially in his moral image, with a habitual conformity of all his being to the will of God, His understanding clearly discerning, his judgment entirely approving, his will readily choosing, and his affections cordially embracing.
But the man, despite such honor, did not abide for long (Genesis 3) but became like that of the serpent, who deceived him, as in Genesis 5:1-3.
B. Constitutional Elements of Man
In Genesis 2:7, the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground (Hebrew - Adamah—formed), as in shaping and molding a lump of clay. Then God breathed into it, to puff it up (Hebrew-afal), turning it into a living soul (Hebrew–Nehemah), a living being.
Thus, man is a composite of three distinct components: body, spirit, and soul, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. In contrast to the two-part view (dichotomy); the soul and spirit are taken as different terms for the same entity (the spiritual soul).
C. The Origin of the Soul
Creationism - is the belief that nature, and facets such as the universe, Earth, life, and humans, originated with supernatural acts of divine creation. Also, Creationism is a belief that God creates a soul for each existing body.
Alternative Christian views on the origin of souls are Traducianism and also the idea of a Pre-existentialism of the soul. However, the Scholastic philosophers held to the theory of Creationism.
Traducianism - the belief that both the soul and body are transmitted from Adam and Eve to all the following generations through coitus and procreation. Ergo the first man and woman were formed by God, to serve as the building blocks of all souls at the moment of creation.
Pre-existentialism - Pre-existence, Preexistence before life, or Premortal existence, is the belief that each human soul existed before mortal conception, and at some point, before birth enters or is placed into the body.
The emergence of existentialism as an intellectual movement was influenced by the rise of nihilism in late nineteenth-century Europe as the pre-modern religious worldview was replaced with what was increasingly secular and scientific. This historical transition resulted in the loss of a transcendent (superb) moral framework and contributed to the rise of modernity’s signature experiences: anxiety, alienation, boredom, and meaninglessness. Existentialists agree that what distinguishes our existence from other beings is that we are self-conscious and exist for ourselves, which means we are free and responsible for who we are and what we do. This, however, does not imply to them that man lacks determination, but, that man constantly transcends himself due to his ability to interpret and attribute meaning to whatever constrains or defines him. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
Man in the State of Sin
A, What is Sin?
The law of God given to man is a rule of life. Therefore, all sin is a violation of the Law of God. In the beginning, (Genesis 2:17) God gave a simple rule yet Adam chose not to obey, the reason he perished. Hence, it follows that any transgression, however minuscule, is punishable by death (Romans 6:23). There is no exception to the rule, even angels guilty of the rebellion and left their habitation were confined to judgment on the last day (Jude 1:6 Cf. Isaiah 14:13-14). And, so that man may be conscious and aware of sin, He gave us the Law through the Old Covenant, (Hebrews 9:19-20) so that anyone may avoid violating and be guilty of sin.
At the advent of the New Covenant, however, the Old Covenant of Law was rendered obsolete, (Hebrews 8:13) hence there is a New Commandment that was put in place of the Law, which is the command by Jesus to love one another (John 13:34-35). This command covers all the commandments in the Old Covenant of Law, as per Galatians 5:14 Cf. Matthew 22:37-40. Thus, anyone who does not follow this commandment, sins and, thus cannot remain in the love of the Lord, as per John 15: 10-12.
The New Commandment abolished the Ceremonial and Civil Laws of the Old Covenant, but not the Moral Laws. Every precept of the Moral Laws, which pertains to love for God or for a neighbor that can be violated in thought, word, and deed, still applies (Romans 13;8-10). This Rule, as did the Law, accuses and convicts, pronouncing guilt before God, and condemns (John 12:48-49). This is the argumentation against sinning as it goes against God's holy, fair, and good law, which contains His good and perfect will. This divine will is by God's nature and perfection; thus, sin is clearly against God.
B. Two Kinds of Sin
Original Sin - traditionally, this has been attributed to the sin of the first man, Adam, who disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit (the fruit of knowledge of good and evil), and as a result, passed down his sinful nature to his descendants by heredity, as in Romans 7:14-18.
Original culpability - Romans 5:12 explains how sin and death entered the world. Adam, created by God, was the first to break God’s directive, thereby bringing sin and death also to all his descendants. In agreement with verse 19(a), the Jews say, that for the sin of the first man, all that are born of him, become wicked. The sin in question was not the individual guilt of individual transgressors, but the single transgression of Adam.
Original pollution - Adam’s disobedience placed his descendants under the power of sin and death, as in Romans 6:20 Cf. Romans 7:9-11. This means they were all subject to death like him because they were born with the sinful nature inbred from him; as he was no longer in the image of God that he was in the beginning; but that which is corrupt. This goes, as well, for his children up to the third and fourth generations. Hence even those who may have died before the age of reason; are unclean to the Lord unless their parents, or at least one, receive the grace of salvation (1 Corinthians 7:13-14 Cf. Exodus 20:2-5).
Actual Sin - in the ordinary sense of the word, this consists of evil acts, whether of thought, word, or deed the inherent moral corruption of being born into a sinful race, i.e., Matthew 5:21-48. This is depicted in Genesis 3 as an inherited consequence of the first human sin, which is that of Adam. However mysterious its origin and nature may be, theologians agree that original sin arises from human beings having come into the world not as isolated individuals but as members of a corporate race inheriting good and evil traits from its history (Romans 5:12 & 19).
Actual guilt - True guilt is characterized by feeling guilty for doing something that violates your set of values. For instance, when angry one says spiteful things, leading to instantaneous or delayed feelings of guilt once the anger subsides. This differs from regret, an emotion we often experience when an outcome is not what we wanted, counted on, or thought would happen. Regret is closely aligned with disappointment when things get out of hand.
Actual pollution - In our world today, we hear of air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, etc. The contamination of our environment is an important concern, but of far more serious nature is the onslaught of moral, physical, and spiritual pollution which is attaching itself to the human race at an increasingly rapid rate. These forms of pollution, if the Christian allows them in his life, will have a devastating effect—the eternal loss of his soul. (Apostolic Faith Church, Avoiding Pollution) Pardonable sin – is a sin subject to repentance, meaning an act of turning away from it, I should say. It will be remembered that after preaching the gospel to the Jews on Pentecost, Peter told those who believed to repent for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38). Sin usually arises in bad company that leads to indulging oneself: those who needlessly thrust themselves into it may expect to be tempted and insnared. that is why we are told not to be yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). One who does, would seldom come out without guilt and grief, or both from such company. It is a great liability to be shy of Christ and to feign knowledge of him when called to acknowledge him, in effect is to deny him." Unpardonable sin – Jesus himself mentioned the unforgivable sin in Matthew 12:31-32, identifying it as "blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit. Also alluding to this is John telling us there is a sin that does not lead to death and a sin that does lead to death in 1 John 5:16-17. To the former, he tells us, we should pray to God that He may give them life. However, concerning the latter, he tells us, “I am not saying that you should pray about that.” Indicating clearly (because) it is unforgivable. In Acts 5, we find an example of a sin that leads to death when Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3) and as a result, they lay dead on the spot. Paul mentions another example in 1 Corinthians 11:30, where some individuals abusing the Lord’s Supper became sick and even died. These are clear instances in the New Testament of believers committing sins leading to death. The context in John’s teaching on prayer explains that we can have confidence in asking God for anything; granting it is according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14). But about the type of sin for which we should not be praying about, in 1 John 5, the church must recognize the gravity of sin, hence avoid sinning, and pray in the manner God intended for them to pray. There is also another type of sin that is unforgivable, if a person continues rejecting Christ to the end of his life, he will not have a second chance in the afterlife. Such unbelief is finally and eternally unforgivable. We may add to this, Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-27ꟷ which suggests that once a person has received enlightenment and has been shown by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Christ, there is no longer a distinction between blaspheming against Christ and the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit has revealed to him that Jesus is the Christ, and then, after knowing through the Holy Spirit's power that Jesus is the Son of God, he accuses Jesus of being satanic, he has committed the unforgivable sin. Further to the above concerning sins after accepting the truth, the only type of person who could commit an “Actual Sin” under Hebrews 6 and 10 would be a Christian. This is because Christians are the only individuals who could have such a level of revelation and understanding. Hence, if they continue to sin for the rest of their lives and die as backsliders, as mentioned in 1 John 3:6 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, they would also have committed an unforgivable sin. Question: Can a born-again person commit an unpardonable sin? Once a Christian accepts the testimony given by the Holy Spirit, and the truth, fights off sin by the Holy Spirit, and gets born-again, (1 John 3:9; John 3:5) he is saved in Christ, and his sins are forgiven. It is believed among Christians that the only unpardonable sin, to him, is the sin of unbelief. Therefore, it can be supposed that no Christian can commit such a sin, unless, he turns back to unbelief, as did Hymenaeus, Philetus, and Alexander, who shipwrecked their faith, as per 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:17. Example: A longtime Pastor Comes out as an Atheist "It is believed that a person who does not embrace Christ (unbeliever) remains unregenerate and thus will die in their sins. Similarly, a spiritually immature believer, if he dies without transformation and remains unregenerate will die in the same condition; for despite having accepted the truth, he never got born again." (Hebrews 5:13-14; James 1:2-4)
Man in the covenant of God
A. What is the covenant of God?
It means a sacred agreement or promise between God and a person or group whereby God establishes a relationship, Where both parties have certain responsibilities and benefits. When making a covenant, God promises blessings for obedience to specific commandments and consequences for disobedience. He sets the terms of His covenants and reveals these terms to His prophets.
In biblical covenants, the genitive is a grammatical construction that indicates possession or relationship between two nouns. It is commonly used to show the connection between the parties involved in a covenant. For example, in the phrase "the covenant of Abraham," the genitive construction "of Abraham" indicates that the covenant belongs to or involves Abraham in some way. This genitive construction helps clarify the relationship or ownership within the context of the covenant being discussed in the Bible.
Hence, in biblical covenantal language, there is an objective genitive and a subjective genitive that refers to different aspects of the relationship between two parties.
The objective genitive focuses on the object or recipient of the action, this refers to the promises, blessings, or benefits that one party (God) bestows upon the other party (humanity or a specific group). In the Abrahamic covenant, for example, God promises to bless Abraham and his descendants.
On the other hand, a subjective genitive emphasizes the subject, or demonstrator of the action. This points to the responsibilities, commitments, or actions expected from the other party (humanity or a specific group) towards the initiating party (God). As in the Mosaic covenant, the Israelites were given commandments and laws to follow, the subjective genetive, the part of the covenant relationship they have to perform.
Blog: Is there free will?
Relationship between God and man:
Promise - Being a child of God means following Him completely. God's promises were given to those who willingly committed their lives to obey him. For believers today, the promises of God (Father) apply even to those who believe in Christ (Son). Remember John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Above all the promises of God, this promise is a gift of hope, love, and eternity, freely offered to all who have faith, as far back, as in Genesis 17:1-7 Cf. Galatians 3:29.
Pledge - a formal promise or something, by man, given as a sign that he will keep, for example, John 15:10 Cf. Genesis 17:1
In agreement with – as in accord with, meaning keeping our minds in agreement with God. This is vital for a victorious life in Him. It is basically what the writer of Hebrews meant when he wrote, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
Unilateral or Bilateral
In the beginning, "God revealed himself as humanity's Creator and benefactor. As Ruler and Lawgiver, He establishes a covenant with humankind, as in Genesis 2:17. He gave them one command to test their obedience, exercising his right as Sovereign Lord. He decreed that death would be the consequence of sin, the breaking of the command, whereas, life and immortality would be the reward for obeying it." Thus, unilaterally involving or obligating humanity, to undertake the one-sided agreement. Sin covers every kind of sin, original sin, actual sin, or whatever; lesser and greater, all warrant "death" as per the agreement.
The Making of a Covenant
Based on the definition of Covenant (berit/berith/beriyth) in Hebrew, the word beriyth, describes a compact made by passing between pieces of flesh, much like what the Lord required of Abraham concerning his descendants as co-heirs to His promise, found in Genesis 17:7. This promise was to be consummated with a token of the circumcision of the flesh, also karath (to cut) in Hebrew, written in verses 11-14.
Over time, however, the sign of circumcision turned meaningless, as they relegated it to a beneficiary badge of God’s goodness; a sign merely signifying they are the recipients of His Grace without the necessity of obligation. In God’s displeasure, God demanded their hearts to be set apart, calling for a circumcision of the heart, as in Jeremiah 4:4. This new token was taken up by Paul in the New Testament, found in Romans 2:25-29. Whereby he converses about the role of Jewish circumcision in Christianity.
He explains that circumcision becomes a mere ritualistic practice when one has a sinful heart because circumcised flesh should not be together. Hence, rather than circumcision of the flesh, one should look at his heart’s content. Therefore, it is said that the change of heart makes a person right with God (verse 29), not physical circumcision. Paul referred to it as God did through the prophet Jeremiah, as the “circumcision (is a matter) of the heart.”
Thus, Paul clarifies how one avails of such circumcision in Colossians 2:11-12 as a token under the New Covenant, in place of the circumcision of the flesh.
B. The Covenants in the Bible
a) Eternal/Pre-historical Covenant (Ephesians 1:4-5)
After giving his salutation and thanksgiving for spiritual blessings in Christ, Paul's attention is directed to the election, an act of God the Father, of persons through the works of Christ, done from the foundation of the world, leading to perfect holiness and love of the elect, Eph 1:4. Further, it was made manifest under foreordination or predestination; Strong’s Greek 4309, the adoption as children through Jesus Christ by God's divine will and good pleasure, Eph 1:5.
In some facets, the words foreordination and predestination are synonyms. Considering Foreordination or foreknowledge, προορίζω See Rom.8:29-30; Eph.1:11; Act.4:28 (determined beforehand, KJV); 1 Cor.2:7 (some translations ordained or decreed), is usually thought of, in a sense, as a beneficial act within the all-inclusive decree of God. However, the term “known” here is complex and not agreeable when done without reason (capriciously), as it would not speak well of the Holiness of God. Choosing anyone to the detriment of another would be unfair and unjust of Him, except only when the election is based on the certainty of God's pre·scient perception, and comprehensive omniscience; thus, knowing who is beforehand.
b) Historical Covenant
Pre-fall covenant/covenant of the Creation
General Aspects Dominion - creation is ours to rule over. We have dominion over Creation. “Dominion” the word comes from the Latin word dominium which means “lordship” or “right of ownership” from the word dominus which means “lord”. (Genesis 1:28) Sabbath Day - in Genesis 2:2, God rested on the 7th day, not out of weariness or needing rest, as it would not align with Isaiah 40:28, but to set an example for us. Relatively, in the fourth commandment, (Exodus 20:8-11) referring to God resting on the seventh day, God designated that we should rest on that day, alluding to the millennial reign of Christ (Revelation 20:1-6). As for the Israelites, to observe the Sabbath refers to remembering God's redemptive act on their behalf during the exodus from Egypt. Rather than God resting on the seventh day, the Jews are to keep the Sabbath to commemorate their enslavement in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 5:15) Marriage – is the pattern of God's design for human company based on need, as it may be good for a man to have a woman as his helper, companion, and wife. (Genesis 2:24) From this, Jesus expands on the concept of a eunuch, relating some men as being born eunuchs, meaning those who naturally lack sexual desire or the ability to have sex. (Matthew 19:12) Paul says something very similar in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9. Wherein he describes his ability to be unmarried and thankful for being divested by overwhelming sexual desire as a gift from God. Thereby having no distractions in his ministry. He, however, makes it clear that not everyone has this gift and thus should marry. And here is the marriage of us all, Scripture tells us of the wedding feast described in the book of Revelation 19:6-9. An event that represents the ultimate union between Christ (the Lamb) and his bride, the Church. It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and the culmination of God's plan for salvation. The marriage feast is depicted as a grand banquet where all believers are invited to partake in the joy and glory of being united with Christ for eternity. It is a time of great rejoicing and feasting, where all tears are wiped away and all pain and suffering are no more. The imagery of the marriage feast of the Lamb is meant to convey the deep love and intimacy that God desires to have with his people. It reminds us of the ultimate fulfillment and happiness that awaits those who remain faithful to God and his promises.
Special Aspect Traditionally, the Tree of Knowledge and the eating of its fruit in Genesis 2:16-17 represents the beginning of the mixture of good and evil. The two were separate then, where evil had only an uncertain possibility in the presence of God. The passage serves as a reminder to trust in God rather than ourselves; reflecting on Adam's life leads us to pursue the path of righteousness by obediently following God's gracious, merciful, and loving word.
Post-fall covenant/ the Covenant of Redemption
·Adamic Covenant The Adamic Covenant consists of two parts. The first part is a statement of God's promise to Adam in the garden; before the fall in Genesis 3. This promise known to others as the Edenic covenant is found in Genesis 1:26-30, Which speaks of the first part, while the second part in 2:16-17 is a restriction of Adam in the Garden of Eden, This includes the penalty after Adam sinned, then a summary of Adam's life after being driven from the garden, found in Genesis 3:14-19. Note, that the serpent that deceived them in the garden is the same serpent mentioned in Revelation 12:9. It was so-called “old” as it was the same serpent at the beginning, in Genesis 3, but now alluded to as the dragon; no other but the devil or Satan who brought the ruin of mankind. The perpetuation of this enmity affirmed in Genesis 3:15, pertains also to her descendants. This prospect of a godly seed, which is at enmity with evil is her offspring, the Son of God, the word manifested in the flesh; (Her seed . . . shall crush your head) who is to become a fountain of hope for humanity and confirm every feeling of returning reverence for God that arose from His victory on the cross, to be harnessed at the end of the age.
Noahchic Covenant This is the covenant God establishes with Noah after the flood, in which he resets and renews the blessings of creation, reiterating God's image in humankind and dominion. Whereby God promised, never again to destroy the earth with a flood. The Earth will remain with its changing seasons as God designed them. (Genesis 8:21-22) The Noahchic Covenant is solely based on God’s faithfulness and is unconditional. Thus, there are no actions or conditions that need to be fulfilled. Because of God’s faithfulness, we can be confident that the whole earth will never be inundated again with water; regardless of how wicked mankind becomes. And to remind Noah and his descendants of His covenantal promise, God “placed the rainbow in the cloud” as a sign (Genesis 9:12-13).
Abrahamic Covenant This is the promise of God to Abraham, as per Genesis 12:1-3. The basic everlasting characteristic of this covenant guarantees Israel a permanent national existence in the promised land; including blessings, materially and spiritually, through Christ, Thereby ensuring that Gentiles share in these blessings. (Genesis 12:1; 22:18) Examining the genealogy of Abraham shows the fulfillment of what God had promised. To have his descendant Jesus Christ the Messiah sit on the throne forever, fulfilling the pledge made by God to Jesus' ancestor David, a descendant of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1) Theologians consider this as a developmental covenant made between God and the nation of Israel through Abraham. Thus, they say it is the basis of the entire covenant program. Paul in writing Galatians 3:6-9 shows this, whereby believers also enter with Abraham the blessings promised therein. Thereby establishing the covenant’s relation to the doctrine of salvation (Soteriology). Further, the arguments of Paul in Romans 4:9-11 also show its connection to the same promise. As can be seen after the fall of man, the intended salvation for all sinners was gradually revealed, unfolding the progressive steps in this revelation.
Mosaic Covenant The Mosaic Covenant consisted of conditions God decreed to Moses for the nation of Israel. God communicated the Mosaic Covenant to Moses on Mount Sinai and outlined the Ten Commandments the Israelites were to follow to receive God's blessings. (Exodus 20:1ff.) Throughout Paul’s letter to the Romans, however, Paul has shown that the law cannot save anyone. This is due mainly to sin active in the flesh, in Greek “Sarx,” the reason Paul says nobody can keep the law no matter what (See Original Sin above), he calls this the law of sin and death working in the flesh, as in Romans 7:20-23. Whereby Paul cries out for rescue in the next verses 24-25, where he points to Jesus Christ. As Paul puts it, Christ is "the end of the law," where He kept it perfectly and fulfilled its righteous requirements, to be the acceptable atoning sacrifice for sin once and for all. (Hebrews 10:1, verses 8-10) Consequently, Paul explains how Christ's redemptive work dealt with man's sinful nature by symbolically removing it by faith in the gospel. Thereby, he says man is now free from the slavery of sin. (Colossians 2:10-12 Cf. Romans 6:12-14)
Davidic Covenant In this covenant, God promises that a descendant of David will reign on the throne over the people of God. Whereby, the earlier covenants are perpetuated through the promise of a Davidic king on the throne, through whom God will secure the promises of land, descendants, and blessings. (2 Samuel 7:11-18) As per the narrative, David planned to have an appropriate dwelling place for God, which was at that time, a tent house; whereas David lived in a house of cheddar. But because he was a man of war, it was not fitting for him to build it. Hence that was left for his son Solomon who would be the next king after him. Per the covenant, God’s promise of perpetuity to David’s seed was certain, so much so that even sin cannot abolish it. (Psalm 89:30-34) Nonetheless, the throne was relinquished due to disobedience, but only concerning the natural lineage of David. From a house in desolation, it was to be rebuilt and restored by the seed (Galatians 3:16 Cf. Matthew 1;1). David prophesied the overthrow of his kingdom in Psalm 89:38-45 after expressing confidence in the fulfillment of God's promise in verses 20-29. Despite this prophesied challenge, David praises the Lord in verses 46-52, demonstrating his unwavering faith.
The Covenant of Christ
The Covenant of Christ refers to the agreement or promise made by the Father to the followers of Jesus Christ, the Son, as recorded in the New Testament. This covenant is based on the fact that the Father sent Jesus to Earth to offer salvation and eternal life to those who believe in him and follow his teachings. As per Romans 10:4, this also was how the Law of the Old Covenant which cannot bring righteousness was rendered void, that righteousness should come through the act of His sacrifice, who though without sin, became sin for us. The Covenant of Christ is related to the concept of grace, which is the unmerited favor and love that God extends to humanity through Jesus. As per John 19:30, His sacrifice on the cross serves as the price for sin, whereby the sins of the believers are forgiven without the condemnation to eternal death. Jesus’ saying, “It is finished,” meant he paid it in full, for all time. Thus, cleansed of sin, man was granted the opportunity to have a personal relationship with God. The fundamental representation of the Covenant of Christ is the Last Supper, documented in Luke 22:19-20, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, instructing them to do the same in remembrance of him. This act is perceived as the memorial to a new covenant between God and humanity, sealed with the blood sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. As the Book of Revelation draws to a close, with all the depiction of the coming King Jesus is a new heaven and earth, the realization of His kingdom. Jesus says after all of this, “Surely I am coming soon.” In other words, “Mark it down—I am on my way.” The prophet John’s lone response is Maranatha: “Come, Lord Jesus.” Here, John illustrates the altar experience to those who come to Jesus, full of the blessed hope of his return (Rev. 22:16-17). Whereas to those who have no love for Him, let them be accursed, that all things may be put right, says Paul in 1 Cor. 16:22.
View Vlog: The New Covenant
The Commandment of Christ - John 13:34-35 is considered an essential tenet of the Christian faith celebrated through the public ceremony of baptism together with an ongoing commitment of His believers to live according to the teachings and Commands of Jesus.
The command of Christ to love one another is closely tied to the biblical New Covenant found in Hebrews 8:7-13 in several ways.
Firstly, the New Covenant, prophesied in the Old Testament and established by Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection, is characterized by grace, forgiveness, and most of all, love. Jesus Himself said that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This emphasis on love is crucial to the New Covenant relationship between God and His people.
Secondly, in the New Testament, Jesus reiterated this command to love one another (John 13:34-35), He said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
This command to love one another demonstrates the importance of practicing love and showing kindness towards others as a central part of following Christ and living out the principles of the subjective genitive of the New Covenant. As in John 10:24-29.
In totality, the command to love one another is not only a foundational aspect of the New Covenant but also a practical demonstration of living out the values and teachings of Christ in line with the greatest commandment of God, as in Romans 3:8-10. It reflects the transformative power of God's love in our lives as we relate to others in a spirit of God's grace and compassion. It is seen as a source of hope, comfort, and assurance for Christians, as it signifies the objective genetive of God's promise of love and redemption to mankind through Christ under the New Covenant.
- Theme:
God promises to dwell among his people, symbolizing his concern and desire for an intimate relationship with them. It is a message of love, acceptance, and fulfillment of His promise to his faithful believers. Christians however should not act presumptuously, lest they be marginalized. "God's timing is perfect, and His ways are always the best. (Leviticus 26:11-12) He will confirm things in His own time conforming with His perfect plan. In 2 Samuel 7:14, without seeking God’s will, David made plans to build the temple of God, but because he was a man of war, his son Solomon carried it out for God. Despite this, God blessed David by establishing his seed on the throne forever, as promised. But not his natural descendants, who, because of disobedience, lost their sovereignty. The symbol of the intimate relationship God desires in his followers is the internalization of his teachings within their hearts; Jeremiah 31:33 Cf. Hebrews 8:10. explicitly states that he will place his law within them and write it on their hearts, indicating a deep and personal connection between God and his people. Thus, obedience would be a natural inclination, rather than imposed. It implies that Christians will inherently be inclined to follow His rules and authority and that this inclination is not solely driven by external pressure or obligation. An advocacy for them to feel a sense of internal motivation or desire to comply with authority figures. This perspective on obedience is in line with the act of love, emphasizing cooperation and conformity as essential aspects of the heart. God dwelling with His people meant to dwell internally in them. The explicit premise is that where God dwells is His temple, indicating the “sanctuary,” or holiest part of the temple is you, as in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. Cf. Exodus 26:33-34. While it is unavoidable to be detached from unbelievers, as that would mean removing oneself from the world, Christians should never choose them as friends; acquaintances yes, for how can there be an agreement with God who is in you with those who do not believe Him? Their fundamental natures are incompatible; hence they cannot work together toward a common purpose. When God says “Walk before me”, that’s the same as saying, be righteous for I am with you. Thus, Christians must not defile themselves in making company with those who defile themselves with sin, as in 1 Corinthians 6:16. Cf. Romans 1:32. Accordingly, as per Revelation 21:3, the joyful state of the church will be reached at the first resurrection when Christ claims His throne on earth to begin the thousand years' reign. Following this period, there will be "the new heaven and the new earth," as well as, the arrival of the New Jerusalem descending from heaven "prepared as a bride", the eternal home of the saints.
- The Consistency of all His Covenants:
God’s consistency in the Bible is a central theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. The concept of covenant is a binding agreement between God and his people, and it is a recurring motif that demonstrates God's faithfulness and commitment to his promises. In the Old Testament, God establishes covenants with various individuals and groups, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. These covenants involve specific promises and obligations, that serve as a foundation for the relationship between God and his chosen people. Despite the shortcomings and unfaithfulness of the Israelites (Abraham's bloodline), God remains steadfast in upholding his end of the covenant and continues to show mercy and grace. In the New Testament, the concept of covenant is further developed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. His sacrificial death and resurrection are seen as the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant with humanity, providing a way for reconciliation and salvation. The New Testament also speaks of a new covenant, based on the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which is available to all who believe in Jesus. Throughout the Bible, the consistency of God's covenant is a testament to his unchanging character and enduring love for his people. It serves as a source of hope and assurance for believers, reminding them of God's faithfulness and the certainty of his promises.
Comments