The NRBC School of Theology: Systematic Theology Course 2

27. OF CREATION 4:3:
The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

This course is based on the text, 'The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith,' with notes by Kevin Matthews. Please feel free to print these notes to allow you to study the text online/offline. This lesson may be used in other study situations if you like (eg. Groups, Bible Studies, etc).

3. Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (a), which whilst they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures (b).

a. Genesis 2:17
b. Genesis 1:26,28

Man was created to live a life of trusting obedience and was endowed with free will and the power of moral choice. God in His sovereign will had allowed the possibility of a wrong moral choice by man when He had made Adam and Eve. In other words he was able to chose either to do what was right or to do what was wrong.

27.1 Original Righteousness

When created, man was in a state of perfect righteousness. Man was holy, with all the capability of continued obedience. Yet this continued obedience was not certain, being open to the possibility of a choice to disobey. The question that arises at this point is whether he was as perfect and righteous as he could be. Opinion differs, but it would seem from the Bible that his state of original righteousness was only temporary. By continued obedience to God, man would be elevated to a new state of righteousness, whereby the possibility of sin would be removed. This would seem to be the implication from what the rest of Scripture teaches regarding eternal life and glorification through Christ.

Also implied from the Genesis account is that Adam was immortal at his creation, death entering only after, and as a consequence of the fall. How long man continued in his original state is a matter of conjecture, but it would seem that it was for some period of time, for an established relationship with God was clearly evident (Gen 3:8ff).

27.2 The Covenant of Works

QUESTIONS: What is a ‘covenant?’

How do covenants that God enters into differ from man-made covenants?

The Covenant of Works is the name given to the test of obedience (or probation) that God imposed upon man in the Garden of Eden. In it God imposed a test of obedience upon man, with the condition that continued obedience would result in continued blessing and more than likely eternal life without the possibility of sin. It is called a ‘Covenant of Works’ because the reward was conditional upon continued obedience (works).

In the covenant of works there were two parties. On one side was God and on the other side was Adam. One was the Sovereign Lord and Creator, and the other His dependent creature and subject. This covenant did not involve each party coming to an agreement of terms, for man is in no sense an equal to God. Rather, the terms of the Covenant of Works were imposed upon Adam, as is fitting a Sovereign Creator to His creature. What should be noted in this case, is that Adam being free from sin was a most happy and willing participant in the covenant.

In the Covenant of Works, Adam was made the representative head of all humanity (hence original sin - discussed at a later time), acting on behalf of all his descendents. As such, he was put to the test of obedience to God. If he obeyed the commandment of God he would continue in his relationship with God and enjoy eternal life. God forbade Adam to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:16,17), to test his obedience. If Adam obeyed, it would show that he was willing to be subject to God’s authority. The Covenant of Works has reference to this command of God’s to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The promise of eternal life for obedience is nowhere mentioned in the commandment issued by God. But the promise of eternal life is implied as a result and reward of obedience, because death is threatened for disobedience. Clearly if man obeyed, he would not die. The promise of life involved the removal of all the limitations that Adam was initially subject to. This would bring Adam into a greater sphere of life, which other passages definitely draw attention to as a reward for obedience to the Law of God (Lev 18:5; Ezek 20:11,13,20; Hos 6:7; Lk 10:28; Rom 7:10; 10:5; Gal 3:12).

For this relationship to continue, perfect obedience was required. If Adam disobeyed, then man would be punished by death (physical, spiritual and eternal), which is complete separation from God.

It should be noted that in this test of obedience, God gave Adam the best shot possible at fully complying with the command of God, and blaming God for man’s fall into sin is incredibly unjust.

QUESTION: Discuss how God gave Adam the best shot possible at full compliance in this Covenant of Works?

NOTE: If you wish to email me regarding your answers to this first lesson, please copy and paste them into an email (Attachments will not be opened). I will then get back to you as soon as I can (expect a delay due to various committments).

Links to Online Texts

• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith
• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

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