LESSON THIRTY-FOUR The Mediator of the New Covenant

1. The covenant of grace is God’s promise of the blessings of the gospel. Galatians 3:17. (The “promise” in the latter part of this Verse is that which is designated as the “covenant” in the former part.)TDOC 86.4

2. The first covenant-promise, which included all the blessings of the gospel, was made in Eden. Genesis 3:15.TDOC 86.5

3. The covenant-promise of these blessings was renewed to Abraham. Genesis 12:1-3; 22:16-19; Acts 25:9.TDOC 86.6

4. This covenant-promise included the whole gospel of mercy and salvation. Galatians 3:8; Luke 1:72-75.TDOC 86.7

5. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the, mediator through whom the promises of God are fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 1:19, 20; Romans 15:8.TDOC 86.8

6. Jesus Christ is therefore the mediator of the new covenant. Hebrews 12:24; 9:15.TDOC 86.9

7. The new covenant is God’s promise, to write his law in the heart of man. Hebrews 8:8, 10.TDOC 86.10

8. Christ mediates this covenant-promise by having the law in his own heart, and, then dwelling by faith in the heart of the believer. Psalm 40:7, 8; Hebrews 10:5-7; Ephesians 3:17.TDOC 87.1

9. This is the impartation of a life which enables the believer to do God’s will. Hebrews 13:20, 21.TDOC 87.2

10. Those who preach the covenant of God’s grace should be ministers of “the new covenant of which Christ is the mediator. 2 Corinthians 3:5, 6, ARV.TDOC 87.3

NOTES: The Son of God

“Jesus, as the mediator of the new covenant, represents ‘in his redemptive work the interests of both God and man. These considerations serve to show also how, in the mind of the writer, covenant maker, mediator, and sacrificial offering all unite in the Son of God, who is so remarkably described in the opening words of this epistle [to the Hebrews]. This adorable Mediator is heir of an things, maker of the ages, effulgence of the glory of God, upholder of all things, and purifier from all sin. Only such a transcendent Son of God can be at once maker, mediator, and sacrificial victim of an eternal covenant.”TDOC 87.4

The better promise

“The new covenant was established upon better promises, the promise of forgiveness of sins, and of the grace of God to renew the heart, and bring it into harmony with the principles of God’s law.”TDOC 87.5

-Patriarchs and Prophets, 370.TDOC 87.6

The covenant of grace

“As the Bible presents two laws, one changeless and eternal, the other provisional and temporary so there are two covenants. The covenant of grace was first made with man in Eden, when, after the fall, there was given a divine promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. To all men this covenant offered pardon, and the assisting grace of God for future obedience through faith in Christ. It also promised them eternal life on condition of fidelity to God’s law. Thus the patriarchs received the hope of salvation.”TDOC 87.7

“This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise, ‘In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.’ Genesis 22:18. This promise pointed to Christ. So Abraham understood it (see Galatians 3:8, 16), and he trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. It was this faith that was accounted unto him for righteousness. The covenant with Abraham also maintained the authority of God’s law. The Lord appeared unto Abraham, and said, ‘I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.’ Genesis 17:1. The testimony of God concerning his faithful servant was, ‘Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.’ Genesis 26:5. And the Lord declared to him, ‘I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.’ Genesis 17:7.” Id., p. 370.TDOC 87.8

A needed lesson

In their bondage the people had to a great extent lost the knowledge of God and of the principles of the Abrahamic covenant. In delivering them from Egypt, God sought to reveal to them his power and his mercy, that they might be led to love and trust him. He brought them down to the Red Sea-where, pursued by the Egyptians, escape seemed impossible-that they might realize their utter helplessness, their need of divine aid; and then he wrought deliverance for them. Thus they were filled with love and gratitude to God, and with confidence in his power to help them. He had bound them to himself as their deliverer from temporal bondage.TDOC 88.1

“But there was a still greater truth to be impressed upon their minds. Living in the midst of idolatry and corruption, they had no true conception of the holiness of God, of the exceeding sinfulness of their own hearts, their utter inability, in themselves, to render obedience to God’s law, and their need of a Savior. All this they must be taught.TDOC 88.2

“God brought them to Sinai; he manifested his glory; he gave them his law, with the promise of great blessings on condition of obedience. ‘If you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then... you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ Exodus 19:5, 6. The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God’s law; and they readily entered into covenant with God. Peeling that they were able to establish their own righteousness, they declared, ‘All that the Lord hath said we will do, and be obedient.’TDOC 88.3

Exodus 24:7. They had witnessed the proclamation of the law in awful majesty, and had trembled with terror before the mount; and yet only a few weeks passed before they broke their covenant with God, and bowed down to worship a graven image. They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Savior revealed in the Abrahamic covenant, and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings. Now by faith and. love they were bound to God as their deliverer from the bondage of sin. Now they were prepared to appreciate the blessings of the new covenant.”-Id., 371, 372.TDOC 88.4

The law in the heart

“The same law that was engraved upon the tables of stone, in written by the Holy Spirit upon the tables of the heart. Instead of going about to establish. our own righteousness, we accept the righteousness of Christ. His blood atones for our sins. His obedience is accepted for no. Then the heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring forth ‘the fruits of the Spirit.’ Through the grace of Christ we shall live in obedience to the law of God written upon our hearts.”-Id., 370.TDOC 88.5