Q: Hi.  I sure hope someone can help me.  I am a new Bible student, and I am studing the Covenants . . . Edenic, Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Palestinian, Davidic, New Covenant.  My question is how do all of these Covenants affect us today?  —Karen, US

A: The term “covenant” is a theological term based on Latin words meaning “come together.” Biblically, it is used mostly to refer to agreements established by God with particular people and groups that offer divine blessing in return for obedience and faithful service.

There are many covenants in Scripture. Covenant Theologians place a special emphasis on three covenants: the Covenant of Redemption (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 13:20); The Covenant of Works (Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12); and the Covenant of Grace (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). Dispensationalists generally view six covenants as the most important: The Noahic Covenant (Gen. 9: 1-18); The Mosaic Covenant (Exod. 20:1-31:18); The Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:1-15:17); The Palestinian Covenant (Deut. 28-30); The Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:4-16; 1 Chron 17:3-15); and The New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-33).

All of the covenants in the Bible provide examples of God’s gracious concern for His people. The same pattern of divine love and grace can be seen in each of them. Similarly, all of the covenants set the stage for the last and most complete covenants—referred to as the “New Covenant” by Dispensationalists and “The Covenant of Grace” by Covenant Theologians.

Because earlier covenants have been replaced by the later ones, we aren’t bound by their terms but see them as illustrations of God’s Fatherly love.  —Dan VanderLugt

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