In Christianity, the concept of covenants is central to understanding God’s relationship with humanity. A covenant is essentially a binding agreement or promise between God and His people, often with specific terms, blessings, and consequences. The number of covenants recognized can vary depending on theological perspectives, but most Christian traditions identify several key covenants, with the Old Covenant and New Covenant being the most prominent in terms of their relevance to today’s Christians. Below, I’ll outline the major covenants, differentiate the Old and New Covenants, and address their relevance.
How Many Covenants in Christianity?
Christian theology typically identifies five to seven major covenants in the Bible, depending on how they’re categorized. These are drawn from both the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) and the New Testament. Here’s a common list:
Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9)
Parties: God and Noah (representing all humanity and creation).
Promise: God promises never again to destroy the earth with a flood, symbolized by the rainbow.
Nature: Universal, unconditional, and ongoing for all humanity.
Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17)
Parties: God and Abraham (and his descendants).
Promise: God will make Abraham a great nation, bless all nations through him, and give his descendants the land of Canaan.
Nature: Unconditional in its ultimate fulfillment (God’s promise), though obedience is expected.
Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19–24)
Parties: God and the nation of Israel through Moses.
Promise: God will make Israel His treasured possession if they obey His laws (the Ten Commandments and the Law).
Nature: Conditional—blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience.
Priestly Covenant (Numbers 25:10–13)
Parties: God and Phinehas (extended to Aaron’s priestly line).
Promise: An everlasting priesthood for Aaron’s descendants.
Sign: None explicitly stated, but tied to priestly service.
Nature: Specific to the Levitical priesthood (some see this as a subset of the Mosaic Covenant).
Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)
Promise: An everlasting kingdom through David’s line, fulfilled in the Messiah (Jesus).
Sign: None explicit, but the throne symbolizes it.
Nature: Unconditional—God ensures a king from David’s line forever.
New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; fulfilled in Jesus, Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8–9)
Parties: God and all who believe in Jesus (extending beyond Israel to all nations).
Promise: Forgiveness of sins, a new heart with God’s law written on it, and direct relationship with God through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Sign: The Lord’s Supper (Communion).
Nature: Unconditional in its initiation (by God’s grace), with faith as the response.
Some theologians group minor covenants (like the Priestly) under larger ones, reducing the count to five or six. Dispensationalists might emphasize seven distinct covenants as part of their framework, aligning with their view of salvation history.
Old Covenant: Established at Mount Sinai, it’s often called the Law or the Mosaic Covenant. It was a system of rules and sacrifices meant to guide Israel and show humanity’s need for a savior, as no one could perfectly keep it (Galatians 3:24).
New Covenant: Prophesied in Jeremiah and inaugurated by Jesus at the Last Supper (“This cup is the new covenant in my blood” – Luke 22:20), it fulfills and surpasses the Old Covenant. Jesus’ death and resurrection provide forgiveness and a direct relationship with God, replacing the need for ongoing sacrifices (Hebrews 10:10).
Which is Relevant to Today’s Christians?
For today’s Christians, the New Covenant is the most relevant. Here’s why:
Fulfillment of the Old: Christians believe Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant’s requirements (Matthew 5:17). The Law pointed to Him, and His sacrifice completed its purpose (Romans 10:4). The Old Covenant’s ceremonial and civil laws (e.g., animal sacrifices, dietary rules) are no longer binding, though its moral principles (e.g., Ten Commandments) remain instructive.
Universal Access: The New Covenant extends God’s promises beyond Israel to all nations (Galatians 3:28–29). It’s based on faith, not ethnicity or adherence to the Mosaic Law.
Practical Application: Christians live under the New Covenant through practices like Communion, prayer, and following Jesus’ teachings (John 13:34–35). The Holy Spirit, given under this covenant, empowers believers (Acts 2).
Theological Consensus: Most Christian denominations (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) affirm the New Covenant as the current framework. The Old Covenant is respected as foundational but seen as superseded (Hebrews 8:13: “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete”).
Exception: Some Messianic Jews or Hebrew Roots movements may still observe aspects of the Old Covenant (e.g., Sabbath, kosher laws) alongside the New, but this is a minority view and debated (Acts 15, Galatians 3).
An intriguing point is that the New Covenant was foreshadowed in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:31–34), showing continuity rather than a complete break. The idea of God writing His law on hearts connects back to Deuteronomy 30:6, where God promises to circumcise hearts—suggesting the New Covenant fulfills rather than replaces the intent of the Old.
Christianity recognizes multiple covenants, but the Old (Mosaic) and New (Jesus) Covenants are the focal points. The Old Covenant set the stage, revealing God’s holiness and human sinfulness, while the New Covenant, established through Christ, is the one relevant to Christians today. It offers forgiveness, transformation, and a direct relationship with God, making it the cornerstone of modern Christian faith and practice.
