16. Wherein does the new covenant differ from and excel the old?
“But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Heb. 8:6.
17. What are the “better promises” upon which the new covenant was established?
“This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; ... I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jer. 31:33, 34. See Heb. 8:8-12.
Note.—These are simply the blessings of the gospel through Christ. They are promised upon condition of repentance, confession, faith, and acceptance of Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant, which means salvation and obedience. In the old covenant there was no provision for pardon and power to obey. It is true there was pardon during the time of the old covenant, but not by virtue of it. Pardon then, as now, was through the provisions of the new covenant, the terms of which are older than the old covenant.
18. In what statement was Christ promised as a Saviour and Deliverer of the race as soon as sin entered?
“And the Lord God said unto the serpent, ... I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Gen. 3:14, 15.
Note.—The covenant of grace, with its provisions of pardon and peace, dates from the foundation of the world.
19. To whom was this covenant-promise later renewed?
“And God said unto Abraham, ... Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” “I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, ... and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Gen. 17:15-19; 26:4.