Series:             Systematic Theology Part 2
Title:               The Covenants between God and Man
Purpose:          To examine what principles determine the way God relates to us.
Date:               March 23, 2025
 
I.                Definition of a covenant 
A.    God tells people how He wants them to act
B.    God makes promises about how He will act toward them
C.    Summaries of these promises are called covenants
D.    A covenant is an unchangeable, divinely imposed legal agreement between God and man that stipulates the conditions of their relationship
 
II.              The covenant of works
A.    Term not used but all parts are present - Called a covenant in Hosea 6:7 -
B.    Clear definition of parties involved - God speaks to man
C.    Legally binding set of provisions
D.    Promise of blessings for obedience - death for disobedience implies blessing for obedience - the opposite of death
E.     Conditions for obtaining those blessings - applied only to man not other parts of creation
F.     Sometimes called the Adamic covenant but covenant of works seems to fit since Adam’s part of the covenant is a work - obedience
G.    Only choice - obey or disobey
H.    Is this covenant still in effect - yes
I.      Is this covenant still applicable to us - no
 
III.            The covenant of redemption
A.    Agreement between the members of the Trinity - it was between equals but still had all of the other elements
B.    This is a covenant because God did it voluntarily.
C.    God promised His Son
D.    Son promised to
E.     Holy Spirit agreed to
 
IV.            The covenant of grace - man failed covenant of works so God provided another means to obtain salvation
A.    Essential elements
B.    Various forms of the covenant