Westminster Confession of Faith
7.5 This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the Gospel:[i] 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;[k] 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,[l] by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament.[m]
[i] 2 Corinthians 3:6-9 — Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Ver.7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: Ver.8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? Ver.9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
[k] Hebrews 8-10
Romans 4:11 — And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.
Colossians 2:11-12 — In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Ver.12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1 Corinthians 5:7 — Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
[l] 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 — Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; Ver.2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; Ver.3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; Ver.4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Hebrews 11:13 — These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
John 8:56 — Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
[m] Galatians 3:7-9,14 — Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Ver.8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Ver.9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Ver.14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Larger Catechism
Q. 33 Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner?
A. The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New.(e)
(e) 2 Corinthians 3:6-9 — Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Ver.7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
Q. 34 How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?
A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises,[f] prophecies,[g] sacrifices,[h] circumcision,[i] the passover,[k] and other types and ordinances, which did all fore-signify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,[l] by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.[m]
[f] Romans 15:8 — Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers
[g] Acts 3:20, 24 — And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Ver.24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
[h] Hebrews 10:1 — For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect.
[i] Romans 4:11 — And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also.
[k] 1 Corinthians 5:7 — Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
[l] Hebrews chapters 8, 9, 10
Hebrews 11:13 — These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
[m] Galatians 3:7-9, 14 — Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Ver.8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Ver.9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Ver.14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
7.6 Under the Gospel, when Christ, the substance,[n] 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:[o] 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,[p] to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles;[q] and is called the New Testament.[r] There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations.[s]
[n] Colossians 2:17 — Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
[o] Matthew 28:19-20 — Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 — For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: Ver.24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. Ver.25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
[p] Hebrews 12:22-27 — But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Ver.23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Ver.24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Ver.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Ver.26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. Ver.27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 — But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Ver.34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
[q] Matthew 28:19 — Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Ephesians 2:15-19 — Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Ver.16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Ver.17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Ver.18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Ver.19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
[r] Luke 22:20 — Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
[s] Galatians 3:14,16 — That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Ver.16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Acts 15:11 — But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Romans 3:21,22,23,30 — But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Ver.22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Ver.23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Ver.30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Psalm 32:1 — Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Romans 4:3,6,16,17,23,24 — For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Ver.6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. Ver.16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, Ver.17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Ver.23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; Ver.24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Q. 35 How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?
A. Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the Word,[n] and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism[o] and the Lord's Supper;[p] in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.[q]
[n] Mark 16:15 — And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
[o] Matthew 28:19-20 — Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
[p] 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 — For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: Ver.24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. Ver.25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
[q] 2 Corinthians 3:6-9 — Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Ver.7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: Ver.8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? Ver.9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory, etc.
Hebrews 8:6, 10-11 — But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Ver.10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: Ver.11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
Matthew 28:19 — Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
End Lesson, Day 24
For Further Study:
Law and Gospel Prof. John M. Frame
Law and Gospel Responses to Prof. Frame
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