--- title: "Chapter 7: Of God’s Covenant with Man | RP Testimony" description: "Chapter 7 of the RP Testimony: Of God’s Covenant with Man. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter." canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/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 | RP Testimony 1. We reject the teaching that Adam was not a covenant head and representative of all his descendants. We reject the view that Adam’s headship involves any injustice. 2. By this principle of covenant headship the guilt and penalty of sin come upon all men by Adam’s one sin; and by the obedience of Christ, the second covenant head, righteousness and life come upon all men who believe. Rom. 5:12-21. 3. The Covenant of Works has not been revoked. All men remain under its requirement of perfect obedience and will have to give account according to it at the last judgment. In the Covenant of Grace Jesus Christ has fulfilled the requirements of the Covenant of Works for His people. By His death Christ secured the delay of the full penalty of death for sin (the second death, Rev. 20:14-15) for all men. They therefore may enjoy the creation and have some fruitful toil in it for God’s glory, even though they be rebellious against Him. This is usually called common grace. Heb. 12:14; 2 Cor. 5:10, 21; Col. 1:16-20; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gen. 4:20-24; Ps. 76:10. 4. We reject the concept that God extends grace to any man apart from the atoning work of Christ. Isa. 45:1-4 with Rom. 3:21-26; Acts 17:30-31. 5. By the Covenant of Grace, God brings the elect into fellowship with Himself. This fellowship begins in this life when man repents and believes in Jesus Christ; it is a fuller fellowship when at death men depart to be with Christ; and it will be made perfect when believers shall be raised up in glory. 1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:52. 6. We reject the teaching that God will reinstate the temple and its rites and ceremonies. Heb. 9:1-10, 28. 7. We reject the teaching that salvation is or has been available in any way other than by the grace offered and confirmed in Christ. Rom. 3:20-26; Acts 4:12. ## 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.RejectsSays that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.AtoningMaking peace with God by dealing with sin through Christ’s sacrifice.ResurrectionBeing raised bodily from the dead. ### Testimony 7.1 Adam acted as the representative of the human family in God’s covenant. The Testimony rejects denying this or calling God unfair for arranging it. [Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#point-1) ### Testimony 7.2 Adam’s disobedience brings guilt and death to those he represents; Christ’s obedience brings righteousness and life to those who believe in him. [Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#point-2) ### Testimony 7.3 God still requires perfect obedience. Christ fulfills that requirement for his people, and his death also secures a delay of final judgment and benefits in this life for humanity generally. [Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#point-3) ### Testimony 7.4 The Testimony rejects separating any of God’s grace to people from Christ’s atoning work. [Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#point-4) ### Testimony 7.5 God brings his chosen people into fellowship with himself through Christ. That fellowship begins now, deepens after death, and becomes complete at the resurrection. [Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#point-5) ### Testimony 7.6 The Testimony rejects the teaching that God will restore the temple’s sacrificial rites and ceremonies after Christ has fulfilled them. [Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#point-6) ### Testimony 7.7 The Testimony rejects any past or present way of salvation apart from God’s grace in Christ. [Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/#point-7) ### Talk about it How does Jesus give his people what Adam could not? ### 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/) - [Westminster Confession · Chapter 7](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/) - [Chapter 6](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-6-fall-of-man-of-sin-and-of-the-punishment/) - [Chapter 8](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-8-christ-the-mediator/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-7-gods-covenant-with-man/