You and I are thinking about the statement, "Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry, because he is the mediator of a better covenant, which is based on better promises" (Heb 8:6-8). In this lesson we ask, “How was the New Covenant Instituted?”

How was the New Covenant Instituted? (Part 1)

1 Three Kinds of Covenants

Covenants come in three styles, so first let us distinguish between these...

1. Negotiated Agreements

We sometimes hear the word "covenant" defined as an "agreement" —meaning a formal negotiated agreement between two parties. This is correct for some covenants. In Australia, a marriage is such a covenant, so also is the usual solution to an industrial dispute.

Abraham made such a covenant with Abimelech (Gen 21:22-34). Was the new covenant of Jesus Christ an agreement negotiated between man and God? Later we shall see that it is not.

2. Unconditional Promises

Another kind of covenant is a solemn promise or vow by one party to benefit a second party without requiring the other party to fulfill any conditions. Ruth made such a covenant with Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17).

God's rainbow promise is a good example. God made a promise never again to destroy the whole world with a flood, and he set his bow in the sky as a sign of this covenant (Gen 9:8-17). Mankind was not required to do anything for God to keep this promise. Was the new covenant mediated by Jesus Christ one of unconditional promises? Later we shall see that it is not.

3. Law with Penalty and Promise

A third type of covenant makes promises that are conditional upon the beneficiary doing something. An insurance policy legally binds the insurer to cover the insured against certain losses provided the insured pays premiums and looks after the property. A person's last will and testament may have certain conditions that the heir must comply with in order to inherit.

The covenant God made with Abraham was of this kind, and depended on Abraham's obedience to God's commands —as shown in the oath God swore to Abraham. "By myself I have sworn, because you have done this thing, and not witheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you... and in your seed all the nations of earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice" (Gen 22:16-181:8, cf Gen 17:1-2).

In part two of this lesson, we will see that Christ’s new covenant is not of the first or second kind, but is of this third kind —a law with promise and penalty.

A Law with Promise and Penalty