WCF 7.5

7.5. Of God’s Covenant with Man

This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel: under the law, it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come: which were, for that time, sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation; and is called, the Old Testament.

Proof texts

• 2 Cor. 3:6, 7, 8, 9. — [6] who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. [7] Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, [8] will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? [9] For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.
• Heb. 8, 9, 10 chapters
• Rom. 4:11 — [11] He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
• Col. 2:11, 12 — [11] In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
• 1 Cor. 5:7 — [7] Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
• 1 Cor. 10:1, 2, 3, 4 — [1] For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, [2] and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, [3] and all ate the same spiritual food, [4] and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
• Heb. 11:13 — [13] These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
• John 8:56 — [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
• Gal. 3:7, 8, 9, 14 — [7] Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. [8] And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. [14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 2 Cor. 3:6, 7, 8, 9. in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 9 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q20 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q33 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q20 · WLC Q33 · WLC Q34 · WLC Q30 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · HC Q29 · 1689 7.1 · 1689 7.2 · 1689 7.3 · SD 7.1 · SD 7.2 · SD 7.3 · SD 7.4 · SD 7.5 · IAR 4.5 · SC60 2.2 · SHC 2.3 · SHC 2.4 · IAR 5.1 · IAR 5.2 · IAR 5.3 · IAR 5.4 · IAR 5.5 · SC60 3.1 · SHC 3.2