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Covenant Participation in Worship and the Christian Life

Covenant participation in worship and the Christian life centers on the concept of a berith (Hebrew) or diatheke (Greek), meaning a contract or agreement between two parties [2]. In the Old Testament, covenants were often established through a ritual involving the cutting of animals, with the parties passing between the divided pieces, symbolizing the solemnity and consequences of the agreement [2]. God established covenants with figures such as Abraham (Genesis 15:7-18; 17:2-14), Isaac (Genesis 17:19, 21), Jacob (Genesis 28:13-14), and David (2 Samuel 23:5) [1]. These covenants often included promises and obligations, shaping the relationship between God and humanity.

The Old Covenant, established at Sinai, was not considered "faultless" and did not fully address human weaknesses, indicating it was not the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan [10]. The prophet Jeremiah foretold a "new covenant" (Jeremiah 31:31-33), which would involve God putting His laws into the minds and hearts of His people [1, 13]. This prophecy is quoted in Hebrews 8:8-12, where it is presented as a foundation for the superiority of the new covenant over the old [10]. The new covenant is understood to be fulfilled in Christ's redemptive mission [11].

Participation in this new covenant is expressed through various aspects of Christian worship and life, often described using terms like "fellowship" or "communion."

Fellowship with God and Others

Fellowship (koinōnia in Greek) signifies a close mutual relationship and shared life [12]. It encompasses communion with God and with other believers [6, 7]. This fellowship with God involves knowing His will, agreeing with His designs, experiencing mutual affection, enjoying His presence, conforming to His image, and participating in His felicity [7]. The Easton's Bible Dictionary highlights examples of fellowship with God in the Old Testament, such as with Abraham (Genesis 18:17-33) and Moses (Exodus 33:9-11) [6]. In the New Testament, fellowship with God is understood to be between Christ and His people (John 14:23) and by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1) [6].

Fellowship among believers is also a crucial aspect of covenant participation. This includes sharing in duties (Romans 12:5), ordinances (Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:25), grace, love, and joy (2 Corinthians 8:4; Malachi 3:16) [7]. The early Christian community in Acts 2:42-47 exemplifies this, showing devotion to apostolic teaching, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise [12]. This communal life is characterized by "doing good and sharing with those in need," which are considered "basic Christian sacrifices" [15]. The love for God is presented as an essential ingredient for covenant fellowship [14].

Sacramental Participation

Baptism and the Lord's Supper are key ordinances through which covenant participation is expressed. Baptism, as administered by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:5-12) and later adopted by Christ (John 3:22; 4:1-2), was appointed as an ordinance for the Christian church (Matthew 28:19-20) [8]. It is administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with water as the outward sign [8]. The inward grace signified by baptism includes regeneration (John 3:3, 5-6) and the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) [8]. Baptism also signifies the unity of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27) [8].

The Lord's Supper is also called "communion" because it fosters fellowship between Christ and His disciples, and among the disciples themselves (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) [6]. This sacrament serves as a tangible expression of the new covenant, which was ratified by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:11-14, 16-23) [1].

Confession and Lifestyle

Confessing Christ is another vital element of covenant participation. This confession is influenced by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 John 4:2) and serves as a test of being a follower of Christ (1 John 2:23; 4:2-3) [9]. It is an evidence of union with God (1 John 4:15) and is considered necessary for salvation (Romans 10:9-10) [9]. Such confession ensures that Christ will acknowledge individuals before God (Matthew 10:32) [9]. This public declaration of faith must be connected with genuine belief (Romans 10:9) and should not be hindered by fear of persecution (Mark 8:35; 2 Timothy 2:12) [9].

The manner of life of those participating in the covenant should reflect the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27). This involves standing fast in one spirit and striving together for the faith of the gospel [3]. The Christian life is characterized by the manifestation of Christ, who is described as "our life" (Colossians 3:4) [4]. The effectiveness of faith is demonstrated through the knowledge of every good thing present in individuals for Christ (Philemon 1:6) [5]. The concept of covenant, therefore, extends beyond a mere agreement to encompass a transformative way of life and communal identity.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenant, The — Christ, the substance of -- Isa 42:6; 49:8. Christ, the Mediator of -- Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Christ, the Messenger of -- Mal 3:1. Made with Abraham. -- Ge 15:7-18; 17:2-14; Lu 1:72-75; Ac 3:25; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 17:19,21; 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:13,14; 1Ch 16:16,17. Israel. -- Ex 6:4; Ac 3:25. David. -- 2Sa 23:5; Ps 89:3,4. Renewed under the gospel -- Jer 31:31-33; Ro 11:27; Heb 8:8-10,13. Fulfilled in Christ -- Lu 1:68-79. Confirmed in Christ -- Ga 3:17. Ratified by the blood of Christ -- Heb 9:11-14,16-23. Is a covenant of peace -- Isa 54:9,10; ”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Covenant — A contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant (Gen. 15; Jer. 34:18, 19). The corresponding word in the New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered "testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be rendered, just as the word berith o”
  3. Philippians “Philippians 1:27 (Webster) — Only let your manner of life be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”
  4. Colossians “Colossians 3:4 (YLT) — when the Christ--our life--may be manifested, then also we with him shall be manifested in glory.”
  5. Philemon “Philemon 1:6 (LEB) — I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ.”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Communion — Fellowship with God (Gen. 18:17-33; Ex. 33:9-11; Num. 12:7, 8), between Christ and his people (John 14:23), by the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1), of believers with one another (Eph. 4:1-6). The Lord's Supper is so called (1 Cor. 10:16, 17), because in it there is fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and of the disciples with one another.”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fellowship — (1.) With God, consisting in the knowledge of his will (Job 22:21; John 17:3); agreement with his designs (Amos 3:2); mutual affection (Rom. 8: 38, 39); enjoyment of his presence (Ps. 4:6); conformity to his image (1 John 2:6; 1:6); and participation of his felicity (1 John 1:3, 4; Eph. 3:14-21). (2.) Of saints with one another, in duties (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Thess. 5:17, 18); in ordinances (Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:46); in grace, love, joy, etc. (Mal. 3:16; 2 Cor. 8:4); mutual interest, spiritual and temporal (Rom. 12:4, 13; Heb. 13:16); in sufferings (”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Baptism — As administered by John -- Mt 3:5-12; Joh 3:23; Ac 13:24; 19:4. Sanctioned by Christ's submission to it -- Mt 3:13-15; Lu 3:21. Adopted by Christ -- Joh 3:22; 4:1,2. Appointed an ordinance of the Christian church -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15,16. To be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Mt 28:19. Water, the outward and visible sign in -- Ac 8:36; 10:47. Regeneration, the inward and spiritual grace of -- Joh 3:3,5,6; Ro 6:3,4,11. Remission of sins, signified by -- Ac 2:38; 22:16. Unity of the Church effected by -- 1Co 12:13; Ga 3:27,2”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confessing Christ — Influences of the Holy Spirit necessary to -- 1Co 12:3; 1Jo 4:2. A test of being saints -- 1Jo 2:23; 4:2,3. An evidence of union with God -- 1Jo 4:15. Necessary to salvation -- Ro 10:9,10. Ensures his confessing us -- Mt 10:32. The fear of man prevents -- Joh 7:13; 12:42,43. Persecution should not prevent us from -- Mr 8:35; 2Ti 2:12. Must be connected with faith -- Ro 10:9. Consequences of not -- Mt 10:33. Exemplified Nathanael. -- Joh 1:49. Peter. -- Joh 6:68,69; Ac 2:22-36. Man born blind. -- Joh 9:25,33. Martha. -- Joh 11:27. Peter and John. -”
  10. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 8:7: 8:7-13 The author quotes Jer 31:31-34, an Old Testament prophecy concerning the new covenant that includes a number of striking promises. Establishing the superiority of the new covenant lays a foundation for the argument in Heb 9:1–10:18 that the Son’s offering under the new covenant was superior to the offerings of the old covenant. 8:7 The first covenant, made at Sinai, was not faultless. It was not the end of God’s plan, because it didn’t solve human weaknesses (see 7:11-28; 8:9).”
  11. Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 31:31: 31:31 The day of the new covenant was realized when Jesus Christ accomplished his redemptive mission on earth (see Heb 8:8-12).”
  12. Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 2:42: 2:42-47 Luke makes a clear connection between personal faith and membership in the Christian community. Life in this new community involved devotion to the apostolic teaching of God’s Word, fellowship, sharing, joy, and praise, and it resulted in the Lord’s continuing to add to their number those who were being saved. 2:42 fellowship: Greek koinōnia, a close mutual relationship and participation in life together. • At this stage, prayer probably included participation in the formal prayers of the Temple (see 3:1).”
  13. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 8:10: This is the covenant - This is the nature of that glorious system of religion which I shall publish among them after those days, i.e., in the times of the Gospel. I will put my laws into their mind - I will influence them with the principles of law, truth, holiness, etc.; and their understandings shall he fully enlightened to comprehend them. And write them in their hearts - All their affections, passions, and appetites, shall be purified and filled with holiness and love to God and man; so that they shall willingly obey, and feel that love is the fulfilling of the”
  14. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 56:6: 56:6 The essential ingredient for covenant fellowship is love for God (Deut 6:5; 30:20; Matt 22:34-38). • Keeping the Sabbath is a sign of keeping the covenant itself (see Exod 31:13-17).”
  15. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 13:16: 13:16 to do good and to share with those in need: These are basic Christian sacrifices (6:10; 10:24, 34; 13:1-3); they characterize life in the Christian community.”
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