Dear Ajig,
My source here is A. Yonick's article : COVENANT in the New
Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 4.
In Luke 1, covenant is God's sworn promise, fulfilled in the
Messiah. The New Covenant (Matt. 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, 1 Cor
11:25) is the Christian dispensation ratified by Christ's
sacrifice on Calvary. The New Covenant includes all Christ's
promises to us who love Him (John ch 14-17). Acts 3:25 shows
covenant as God's promise to Abraham, realized in Christ. Romans
11:27 speaks of the Messianic covenant foretold by the prophets.
The New Covenant of the spirit that gives life provides
justification and freedom from sin (2nd Cor. 3:6-18, Gal. ch. 3
and 4).
Hebrews scans all of God's covenants with man (ch 3-11), but
focuses supremely on the New Covenant of the Messiah (ch. 8. The
blood of Christ inaugurates the New Covenant (9:18-22).
Covenant in the Bible is divine promise. "For the NT authors,
Christ is not only the culmination of OT covenants, but He also
inaugurates the New Covenant that culminates in the apocalyptic
heavenly Jerusalem" (Rev. 21).
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Mateo
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit -
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