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.org1 Corinthians 11:1-34
Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
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2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
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1 Peter 4:16
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
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Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
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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
...3066. Loukios -- Lucius, the name of twoChristians
... Lucius, the name of twoChristians. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Loukios Phonetic Spelling: (loo'-kee-os) Short Definition: Lucius Definition...
2459. Ioustos -- Justus, the name of threeChristians
... Justus, the name of threeChristians. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Ioustos Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ooce'-tos) Short Definition: Justus...
2037. Erastos -- "beloved," Erastus, the name of twoChristians
... 2036, 2037. Erastos. 2038 . "beloved," Erastus, the name of twoChristians.
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Erastos Phonetic Spelling: (er...
4875. sunanapauomai -- to lie down to rest with, fig. to be...
... It only occurs in Ro 15:32 in reference to the RomanChristians coming alongside
Paul to "struggle together" against those opposing his important mission to...
1375. diogmos -- persecution
... Emperor, Decius ( ad 250-251). He killed thousands ofChristians who refused
to offer sacrifices in his name.]. Word Origin from dioko...
2992. laos -- the people
... Short Definition: a people, the crowd Definition: (a) a people, characteristically
of God's chosen people, first the Jews, then theChristians, (b) sometimes...
27. agapetos -- beloved
... with two special applications: the Beloved, a title of the Messiah (Christ), as
beloved beyond all others by the God who sent Him; ofChristians, as beloved by...
5546. Christianos -- a Christian
... a Christian. Word Origin from Christos Definition a Christian NASB Word Usage
Christian (2),Christians (1). Christian. From Christos...
2557. kakourgos -- a criminal
... Ramsay noted this term "marks exactly the tone of the Neronian period,
and . . refers expressly to the , for which theChristians were condemned...
Library
A Plea for theChristians
A Plea for theChristians. <. A Plea for theChristians Athenagoras. Table
of Contents. Title Page. Introductory Note to Clement of Alexandria....
Lectures to ProfessingChristians
Lectures to ProfessingChristians. <. Lectures to ProfessingChristians
Charles G. Finney. Table of Contents. Title Page....
The Second Apology of Justin for theChristians
The Second Apology of Justin for theChristians. <. The Second Apology of
Justin for theChristians Justin Martyr. Table of Contents. Title Page....
SilentChristians
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS SILENTCHRISTIANS.... Why has God given you His grace, do
you suppose? For what purpose comes it that you areChristians?...
PrimitiveChristians.
... PRIMITIVECHRISTIANS. A new sect, professing to be an association ofChristians
to promote the revival and spread of primitive Christianity...
Security ofChristians.
... XVI. SECURITY OFCHRISTIANS.Christians, were you awake, here would be
matter of wonder to you, to see a man assaulted with all...
Mennonites, or HarmlessChristians.
... MENNONITES, OR HARMLESSCHRISTIANS. The Mennonites derive their name from
Menno Simons, an illustrious reformer. This people came...
Whether the Punishment ofChristians is Brought to an End by the...
... OF GOD'S MERCY AND JUSTICE TOWARDS THE DAMNED (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether the punishment
ofChristians is brought to an end by the mercy of God?...
HowChristians are the Spiritual Israel.
... Book I. 1. HowChristians are the Spiritual Israel. That people which was
called of old the people of God was divided into twelve...
NativeChristians.
... CHAPTER XXVI. NATIVECHRISTIANS.... In Southern India there are thousands calling
themselves SyrianChristians, still more frequentlyChristians of St. Thomas....
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).
...Christian (41 Occurrences)
... 5. TheChristians and the Empire 6. Social Standing of the EarlyChristians 7.
Christian Self-Designations LITERATURE 1. Historicity of Acts 11:26: The word...
Catholic
... Catholic epistles: The epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude; so called because
they are addressed toChristians in general, and not to any church or person...
Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... From this statement of the evangelist, it is apparent that at the time the Second
Gospel was written, Alexander and Rufus wereChristians, and that they were...
Justus (3 Occurrences)
... Remains True to Paul: The words also contain the information that at a stage in
Paul's imprisonment, when the welcome extended to him by theChristians in Rome...
Phygellus (1 Occurrence)
... The New Testament in Greek, with others, read Phugelos, Phygellus or Phygelus (2
Timothy 1:15); the King James Version): One of theChristians who deserted...
Phygelus (1 Occurrence)
... The New Testament in Greek, with others, read Phugelos, Phygellus or Phygelus (2
Timothy 1:15); the King James Version): One of theChristians who deserted...
Kindness (295 Occurrences)
... 2. As Actual BetweenChristians: But man's sonship to God may be potential or
actual. He may not respond to God's love or know His Fatherhood....
Nazarene (19 Occurrences)
... The followers of Christ were called "the sect of Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5). All over
Palestine and Syria this name is still given toChristians. (see NAZARETH.)....
Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences)
... refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but, when he was in Rome, he sought
me diligently, and found me." Onesiphorus was one of theChristians of the...
Resources
Why are all Christians hypocrites? Are all Christians hypocrites? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do Christians try to impose their values on others? | GotQuestions.orgIs the divorce rate among Christians truly the same as among non-Christians? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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