--- title: "Chapter 7: Of God’s Covenant with Man | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 7: Of God’s Covenant with Man 1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as the" canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=36" --- # Chapter 7: Of God’s Covenant with Man | Westminster Confession of Faith 1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto Him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of Him as their blessedness and reward, but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which He hath been pleased to express by way of covenant. Scripture proofs: Isa. 40:13-17; Job 9:32-33; 1 Sam. 2:25; Ps. 113:5-6; Ps. 100:2-3; Job 22:2-3; Job 35:7-8; Luke 17:10; Acts 17:24-25. 2. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience. Scripture proofs: Gal. 3:12; Rom. 10:5; Rom. 5:12-20; Gen. 2:17; Gal. 3:10. 3. Man by his fall, having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace; wherein He freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe. Scripture proofs: Gal. 3:21; Rom. 8:3; Rom. 3:20-21; Gen. 3:15; Isa. 42:6; Mark 16:15-16; John 3: 16; Rom. 10:6, 9; Gal. 3:11; Ezek. 36: 26-27; John 6:44-45. 4. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in Scripture by the name of a Testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the Testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed. Scripture proofs: Heb. 9:15-17; Heb. 7:22; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25. 5. 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. Scripture proofs: 2 Cor. 3:6-9; Heb. 8––10; Rom. 4:11; Col. 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Cor. 10:1-4; Heb. 11:13; John 8:56; Gal. 3:7-9, 14. 6. Under the gospel, when Christ, the substance, was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper: which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity, and less outward glory; yet, in them, it is held forth in more fulness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament. There are not therefore two covenants of grace, differing in substance, but one and the same, under various dispensations. Scripture proofs: Col. 2:17; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23- 25; Heb. 12:22-28; Jer. 31:33-34; Matt. 28:19; Eph. 2:15-19; Luke 22:20; Gal. 3:14, 16; Rom. 3:21-23, 30; Ps. 32:1 with Rom. 4:3, 6, 16-17, 23-24; Heb. 13:8; Acts 15:11. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowCovenantA solemn relationship established by God, with promises and obligations.GraceGod’s kindness and favor that we do not earn or deserve.AdministrationThe way God gives his people a covenant’s promises, signs, and practices in a particular age. ### WCF 7.1 · God comes near by covenant God is far greater than his creatures. We owe him obedience, but could never require him to give us fellowship and blessing as a reward. He freely comes near and establishes a covenant relationship with us. This is his kindness, not something we can demand. Explore the ScripturesIsaiah 40:13-17; Job 9:32-33; 1 Samuel 2:25. Talk about itWhy is friendship with God a gift? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#paragraph-1) ### WCF 7.2 · The covenant of works In the first covenant, God promised life to Adam and those he represented if he obeyed perfectly and personally. Adam had to keep God’s commands completely. His disobedience broke this covenant, with consequences for his descendants. Explore the ScripturesGalatians 3:12; Romans 10:5; Romans 5:12-20. Talk about itWhat kind of obedience did the first covenant require? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#paragraph-2) ### WCF 7.3 · The covenant of grace After the fall, we could not gain life by our own perfect obedience. God established the covenant of grace, freely offering sinners salvation through Jesus Christ. He calls us to trust Jesus. He also gives his Spirit to those appointed to life, making them willing and able to believe. Explore the ScripturesGalatians 3:21; Romans 8:3; Romans 3:20-21. Talk about itIs faith earning salvation, or receiving God’s gift in Christ? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#paragraph-3) ### WCF 7.4 · An inheritance secured by Christ Scripture also calls this covenant a testament, a word connected with an inheritance given through a death. Christ’s death secures everlasting life and its blessings for his people. We receive what he has obtained for us. Explore the ScripturesHebrews 9:15-17; Hebrews 7:22; Luke 22:20. Talk about itWhose death secures our inheritance? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#paragraph-4) ### WCF 7.5 · God’s promise before Jesus came Before Jesus came, God taught his people through promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, Passover, and other signs pointing to Christ. The Spirit used these to build their faith in the promised Savior. They received real forgiveness and salvation through him. These belonged to the Old Testament administration of the covenant of grace. Explore the Scriptures2 Corinthians 3:6-9; Romans 4:11; Colossians 2:11-12. Talk about itWere believers before Jesus saved by a different Savior? [Read original paragraph 5 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#paragraph-5) ### WCF 7.6 · The same covenant, more clearly revealed Now Christ has come. God gives his covenant blessings through preaching, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. These are simpler outwardly than the older ceremonies, but show salvation more fully and extend to all nations. Old and New Testament believers share one covenant of grace, with different ways of administering it. Explore the ScripturesColossians 2:17; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. Talk about itWhat changed when Jesus came, and what stayed the same? [Read original paragraph 6 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#paragraph-6) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - What is a covenant, and who takes the first step in God’s covenant of grace? - How do God’s promises help us see the Bible as one story? #### Scripture to remember Galatians 3:29 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Galatians%203%3A29) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Find a promise about Christ and talk about why it gives His people hope. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=36) ## Related reading - [Understanding covenant theology](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/covenant-theology/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 12: What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-12-what-special-act-of-providence-did-god-exercise-toward/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 20: What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-20-what-was-the-providence-of-god-toward-man-in/) - [Read RP Testimony chapter 7](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/) - [Chapter 6](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/) - [Chapter 8](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/