Covenant Theology 

As we seek to plant a reformed church in Lewis County, WA we are pursuing unity as it relates to our hermeneutic or method of biblical interpretation. Without unity here, we will likely be simply talking past one another if our hermeneutics are incompatible. We are returning briefly to Covenant Theology as a prelude to beginning our study of sacramental theology (baptism and communion). Our understanding of the Covenantal nature of God informs entirely our view of the Sacraments.

Watch Toby Sumpter’s Teaching here.

We are Covenantally Connected to Adam through his sin.

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—”

We are Covenantally Connected to Christ through His obedience.

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
Romans 5:17,19 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.…For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.“

The Covenants through the OT

After the fall, God’s immediate response was to make a covenant with Adam in Genesis 3:15. This covenant was renewed with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17), Abraham (Genesis 15), Moses (Exodus 19, Deut. 28), and David (2 Samuel 7). All of these covenants have their completion in Christ.

God doesn’t change. The Seed of the Woman will conquer the Seed of the Dragon. Jesus is that Dragon Slayer and the Covenants throughout the OT are a part of the ONE story God is telling through His ONE people.

Toby Sumpter

The People of God

Clarifying hermeneutic: The people of God or God’s covenant people are not necessarily regenerate, born again, elect Christians. Those who are elect can never lose their salvation (Eph 1:14) however those who appear as a part of the visible church ie baptized, communicant members, may or may not be elect (1 Samuel 16:7) but they are nonetheless a part of God’s covenant people. (1 Corinthians 10:5-6)

  1. Who are the people of God in the Old Testament? Isaiah 59:21
  2. Who are the people of God In the New Testament? Jeremiah 32:38-40, Hebrews 8:7-12)
  3. When do those in the Old Testament become the people of God? (Psalm 128:3)
    When do those in the New Testament become the people of God? (Acts 2:39, Romans 6:3-4, Hebrews 8:6)
  4. Why are they the people of God? (Psalm 103:17-18)
  5. Can one be a visible member of the people of God and not be regenerate/elect? (Rom. 11:17-21)
  6. Can one be regenerate without being a visible member of the people of God? (Luke 23:42-43)