Topical Bible: The Covenant: Ratified by the Blood of Christ

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of a covenant is central to the biblical narrative, representing a solemn agreement between God and humanity. In the Christian tradition, the New Covenant, ratified by the blood of Jesus Christ, is seen as the fulfillment and culmination of God's redemptive plan for humanity. This covenant is distinct from the Old Covenant, which was established through the Law given to Moses and ratified by the blood of animal sacrifices.

Biblical Foundation

The New Covenant is prophesied in the Old Testament, notably in Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promises a new agreement with the house of Israel and Judah, one that will be written on their hearts. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ establishes the New Covenant through His sacrificial death.

In the Gospel of Matthew, during the Last Supper, Jesus explicitly refers to His impending sacrifice as the ratification of the New Covenant: "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28). This statement underscores the sacrificial nature of Christ's death, which serves as the means by which the New Covenant is inaugurated.

Theological Significance

The ratification of the New Covenant by the blood of Christ is a pivotal event in Christian theology. It signifies the transition from the Old Covenant, based on the Law and animal sacrifices, to a new era of grace and redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this transition, emphasizing that the blood of Christ is superior to the blood of bulls and goats, which could never fully atone for sin (Hebrews 9:12-14).

The New Covenant is characterized by several key features:

1. Forgiveness of Sins: Central to the New Covenant is the promise of complete forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 8:12 states, "For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more." This forgiveness is made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, who bore the sins of humanity on the cross.

2. Internal Transformation: Unlike the Old Covenant, which was external and written on tablets of stone, the New Covenant involves an internal transformation. God promises to write His laws on the hearts and minds of His people (Hebrews 8:10), signifying a deep, personal relationship with Him.

3. Universal Scope: While the Old Covenant was primarily with the nation of Israel, the New Covenant extends to all humanity. Jesus' sacrifice is described as being "poured out for many" (Matthew 26:28), indicating its universal applicability.

4. Eternal Inheritance: The New Covenant promises an eternal inheritance to those who are called (Hebrews 9:15). This inheritance is not merely a physical land, as in the Old Covenant, but eternal life and communion with God.

Christ's Role as Mediator

Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, a role that underscores His unique position as both fully divine and fully human. As mediator, He bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Hebrews 9:15 states, "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance."

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament that commemorates the ratification of the New Covenant. During this observance, believers partake of bread and wine, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ. The Apostle Paul reiterates the words of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 11:25 : "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Conclusion

The New Covenant, ratified by the blood of Christ, represents the fulfillment of God's promise to redeem humanity. It offers forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus establishes a new and living way for believers to enter into a relationship with God, marked by grace and truth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:11-14,16-23
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Voice of the Blood of Christ
... Such was the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, as his own blood gushed from his
heart, to be the diestamp, and seal, that the covenant was ratified. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the voice of the blood.htm

The New Testament in the Blood of Christ; Or, the New Covenant ...
... CM The new testament in the blood of Christ; or, The new covenant sealed. ...
And sealed the grace with blood. ... And ratified in death. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 3 the new testament.htm

The Covenant of Grace
... the Jews that crucified Christ had their sins washed away in his blood. ... promise,
that, upon our prayer to him, the covenant should be ratified, he will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the covenant of grace.htm

On the Will, and Command of God the Father and of Christ, by which ...
... which is never to be disannulled or to perish, which is, therefore, denominated
"the new covenant," and is ratified by the blood of Jesus Christ as Mediator. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxxix on the will.htm

The New Covenant.
... To return to argument, the blood of Christ may be shown to have ratified a covenant
from the use of blood by Moses to inaugurate the former covenant. ...
/.../chapter viii the new covenant.htm

God's Covenant with Abram
... closer friendship and higher blessings, is sealed by the blood of Christ. ... Our part
is but to embrace His covenant, which is complete and ratified whether we ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/gods covenant with abram.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... But the covenant of which we are now treating, was ratified with that blood;
it was, therefore, a new one, and never to be annulled. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... References made by the apostles to purification cannot be explained independently
of the principle of, a covenant ratified by the blood of Christ being the ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

The Blood of the Covenant
... of the covenant on our behalf; so that now the whole covenant must stand firm ... It
is not only ratified with that bloody signature, but by that blood it is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the blood of the covenant.htm

The Ark of his Covenant
... the most precious things He ever had, even with the blood of His ... Christ, the great
Sacrifice by whose death the covenant was ratified, Christ, the Surety ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/the ark of his covenant.htm