Covenant of Redemption

A covenant is not really a strange word because we use it every day. It simply means a pact, an agreement or promise between two parties. The Bible speaks of many covenants. There is covenant of creation, the covenant of works, the Noahnic covenant, the Abrahamic covenant and Davidic covenant. Then we the New Covenant.

The best way to understand the Scriptures is to study the Covenants. However, there are many people who are not familiar with the first covenant the “Covenant of Redemption.” This is not a kind of covenant that God made, not with man, but between the Triune God. It is a covenant made between the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a pact in eternity’s past made by the three persons of the Godhead.

When you read the OT you will notice that the Trinity-Father, Son and Holy Spirit were actively involved in bringing the universe into being. But let us be reminded of another important doctrine-that the Trinity was actively involved in our redemption. The Father initiated the notion of redeeming the creation He knew man would fall into sin. The works of creation is Trinitarian work, so is our redemption.

The Father designed the plan; the Son was given the job to execute and accomplish the plan; the Holy Spirit was given the assignment applying Christ’s work of redemption to God’s chosen people. There was no fighting between the Godhead when the redemption was discussed.

They did not pressure each other, but joyfully made an eternal agreement what we call the “covenant of redemption.” Under this covenant the eternal Son, was absolutely happy to carry out the mission the Father gave Him. Did not Jesus say, “As the Father sends me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21)

John 17 is great reading, but let us look at v1-5, “Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

Heb. 10:5-7 Christ’s Death Fulfils the Father’s Will. “ Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—in the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’ ” (NKJV).

R.C. Sproul said it powerfully. “The second person of the Trinity took on Himself a human nature and joined His divine nature to that human nature- for our redemption.

Why did the eternal Son of God become like us? Because out of the riches of His grace He wanted to restore, redeem His lost creation and give them eternal life. He wants them to go to heaven, rather in hell. Come to Him, it’s all by grace and by grace alone. You have nothing to lose. Happy Christmas.