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, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’ s supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.
This answer reveals a significant shift from the Old Testament administration:
“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, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.” (– white-horse-inn-guidelines-interpreting-scripture)
This signifies a change in administration, not substance. The covenant remains the same, centered on Christ, but the way it’s presented and experienced is amplified.
Preaching the Word
In the Old Testament, promises and prophecies pointed towards Christ, preparing the way for His coming. Now, through the preaching of the Word, Christ is proclaimed as having come, died, and risen again, fulfilling those promises. This preaching, empowered by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6-9), brings life and freedom, unlike the law which, in itself, could only condemn. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, emphasizes that “the highest proof of Scripture is uniformly taken from the character of him whose Word it is.” The preaching of the Word in the New Testament is not merely a human act but a divine act, as the Holy Spirit works through the Word to convict and convert sinners.
Sacraments
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are central to the New Testament administration of grace. They are not mere rituals but visible signs and seals of God’s grace in Christ. Baptism signifies our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, a new birth into a new life. The Lord’s Supper is a real spiritual remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and a communion with Him, where we partake of His body and blood spiritually. John Calvin highlights the importance of the sacraments, stating that “all the promises which God makes of choosing us to himself as a temple, receive their only fulfilment by his Spirit dwelling in us.” The sacraments are not just symbols but means of grace through which the Holy Spirit works in believers.
Greater Fullness, Evidence, and Efficacy
The New Testament administration of the covenant of grace offers a clearer revelation of God’s grace. The evidence of His grace is more compelling through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. The efficacy of grace is greater, as the Holy Spirit works directly in the hearts of believers, writing God’s laws on their hearts (Hebrews 8:10-11). This is a fulfillment of the Old Testament promise in Jeremiah 31:33, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
This new administration of grace is not just for a select few, a narrow and single nation (Israel), but is offered to all nations (Matthew 28:19). The gospel is a universal message of salvation, and the sacraments are open to all who believe in Christ.
In conclusion, the covenant of grace under the New Testament is the same covenant as in the Old Testament, but it is administered in a new way. The focus is on the person and work of Christ, proclaimed through preaching and experienced through the sacraments. This new administration offers a fuller, more evident, and more effective experience of God’s grace and salvation to all who believe.
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