WLC 33

Q33. Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner?

The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New.

Proof texts

• 2 Cor. 3:6-9 — [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.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 2 Cor. 3:6-9 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. WSC Q20 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
3. WCF 7.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. The Assembly divided over this: The Mosaic Covenant. Sinai: republication of the covenant of works, or administration of the covenant of grace? What turns on the answer?

Read alongside

WSC Q20 · WCF 7.1 · HC Q29 · BC 5.2 · BC 5.3 · BC 5.4 · BC 5.5 · BC 5.6 · 1689 7.1 · 1689 7.2 · 1689 7.3