Covenant and Words

Baptists tend to see salvation only in the person of Christ and not in the words he spoke, but we have to remember salvation is vested toward us in covenant form. We are under the New Covenant. Covenants are based in words and we should realize the blood of Jesus ratified the words Christ spoke. As in the covenant through Moses.

Exo 24:6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.

Exo 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.

Exo 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Exo 34:27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

Whatever is included in the words we must abide by and do if commanded. Plus it says All these words”. We can’t leave any out and we can’t add any to them. All – every in the set…these- those set forth at that time.

Gal 3:15

To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.

Once Jesus died and ratified the covenant it has been unchangeable.Through faith is not simple belief but the completion of a covenant.

Our covenant includes faith but is not faith only. Faith only leaves out many of the attitudes and commandments Christ has given us. Faith is the fulfillment of all of the words of the covenant, not belief only. The word faith from the old testament emphasises doing what is true, real, and faithful in completing what is promised.

Even a cursory look at the beatitudes and the rest of the sermon on the mount makes it clear salvation isn’t faith only.

Meekness - exhibited in the way we accept commandments.

Mercifulness - exhibited in giving alms from compassion vs a public show.

Peacefulness - exhibited in praying for enemies and sharing with them.

All three are attitudes and ways of living that are different than faith, but associated with forgiveness and blessedness. These are centered in the individual human and may reflect some faith, but aren’t themselves faith. These can be seen in other parables Christ told.

Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: