Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Significance:In Christian theology, a covenant is a solemn agreement or promise made between God and humanity, often involving commitments and obligations. Covenants are central to the biblical narrative, serving as foundational elements in God's relationship with His people. They reveal God's character, His promises, and His expectations for human conduct. Biblical Covenants: 1. The Noahic Covenant: · Scripture Reference: Genesis 9:8-17 · Description: After the flood, God established a covenant with Noah and all living creatures, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again. The rainbow serves as the sign of this everlasting covenant. "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth" (Genesis 9:13). 2. The Abrahamic Covenant: · Scripture Reference: Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-14 · Description: God called Abram (later Abraham) to leave his homeland and promised to make him a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. This covenant included the promise of land, descendants, and blessing to all nations through him. "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). 3. The Mosaic Covenant: · Scripture Reference: Exodus 19:5-6; 24:3-8 · Description: Given at Mount Sinai, this covenant established Israel as God's chosen people, with the Law (Torah) as their guide. It required obedience to God's commandments and included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations" (Exodus 19:5). 4. The Davidic Covenant: · Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14 · Description: God promised David that his throne would be established forever, and his lineage would produce the Messiah. This covenant emphasized the eternal nature of David's dynasty. "Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). 5. The New Covenant: · Scripture Reference: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 8:6-13 · Description: Prophesied by Jeremiah and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the New Covenant offers forgiveness of sins and a personal relationship with God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is characterized by an internal transformation rather than external adherence to the Law. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20). Theological Implications: Covenants in the Bible demonstrate God's initiative in establishing a relationship with humanity. They highlight His faithfulness, grace, and desire for a people set apart for His purposes. Each covenant builds upon the previous ones, culminating in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, which fulfills the promises and expectations of the earlier covenants. Christians view the New Covenant as the ultimate expression of God's redemptive plan, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Topical Bible Verses Acts 11:26And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Topicalbible.org 1 Corinthians 11:1-34 2 Corinthians 5:17 1 Peter 4:16 Colossians 3:17 ATS Bible Dictionary ChristiansA name given at Antioch to those who believed Jesus to be the Messiah, A. D. 42, Acts 11:26. It seems to have been given to them by the men of Antioch as a term of convenience rather than of ridicule, to designate the new sect more perfectly than any other word could do. They generally called each other "brethren," "the faithful," "saints," "believers;" and were named by the Gentiles, Nazarenes and Galileans. He only is a real Christian who heartily accepts Christ as his teacher, guide, and master, the source of his highest life, strength, and joy, his only Redeemer from sin and hell, his Lord and his God. They who rightly bear Christ's name and partake of his nature, and they only, shall finally share in his glory. Greek 5376. Philippos -- "horse-loving," Philip, two sons of Herod the ... ... 5375, 5376. Philippos. 5377 . "horse-loving," Philip, two sons of Herod the Great, also two Christians. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5376.htm - 7k 3066. Loukios -- Lucius, the name of two Christians 2459. Ioustos -- Justus, the name of three Christians 2037. Erastos -- "beloved," Erastus, the name of two Christians 4875. sunanapauomai -- to lie down to rest with, fig. to be ... 1375. diogmos -- persecution 2992. laos -- the people 27. agapetos -- beloved 5546. Christianos -- a Christian 2557. kakourgos -- a criminal Library A Plea for the Christians Lectures to Professing Christians The Second Apology of Justin for the Christians Silent Christians Primitive Christians. Security of Christians. Mennonites, or Harmless Christians. Whether the Punishment of Christians is Brought to an End by the ... How Christians are the Spiritual Israel. Native Christians. Thesaurus Christians (13 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Christians (13 Occurrences). ... The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ... /c/christians.htm - 10k Christian (41 Occurrences) Catholic Alexander (5 Occurrences) Justus (3 Occurrences) Phygellus (1 Occurrence) Phygelus (1 Occurrence) Kindness (295 Occurrences) Nazarene (19 Occurrences) Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences) Resources Why are all Christians hypocrites? Are all Christians hypocrites? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do Christians try to impose their values on others? | GotQuestions.org Is the divorce rate among Christians truly the same as among non-Christians? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Christians (13 Occurrences)Acts 11:26 Acts 12:1 Romans 16:7 1 Corinthians 4:10 1 Corinthians 9:2 Ephesians 5:8 Philippians 1:26 Colossians 3:20 Colossians 4:12 1 Timothy 4:12 2 Timothy 1:15 Hebrews 13:10 1 Peter 3:16 Subtopics Christians Celebrating Halloween Christians Marrying Non Christians Christians not Including Others Christians Who are Backslidden Christians Who Continue to Sin Related Terms |