The Baptist Catechism

    Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

    Question 35

    How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?

    Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word,a and the administration of the sacraments of Baptismb and the Lord’s Supper;c in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.d

    How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?

    Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word,a and the administration of the sacraments of Baptismb and the Lord’s Supper;c in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fullness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.d

    1. a. Mark 16:15

      Mark 16:15

      16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

      16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. Matthew 28:19–20

      Matthew 28:19–20

      28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

      28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 28:20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    3. c. 1 Corinthians 11:23–25

      1 Corinthians 11:23–25

      11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

      11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, 11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 11:25 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    4. d. 2 Corinthians 3:6–9; Hebrews 8:6, 10–11

      2 Corinthians 3:6–9

      3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

      3:6 And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 3:7 Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, 3:8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 3:9 For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!

      Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 8:10–11

      8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

      8:6 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. 8:10 For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. 8:11 No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Related (1)

    Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

    Question 20

    Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

    God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.

    Commentaries (9)