The Garden Of Eden And Covenant Relationships
The second chapter of Genesis is the only passage in the Bible which provides a detailed description of the sixth day of creation. The importance of the record cannot be overestimated, as it outlines the state and condition of the world before sin entered into the human race. There are four parts to the chapter: (1) A review of chapter 1, verses 4-7; (2) A description of the garden of Eden, verses 8-14; (3) The establishment of the covenant of works, verses 15-17; (4) The establishment of the marriage covenant, verses 18-25. Although the term ‘covenant’ does not appear in the chapter, the thing itself is certainly at the forefront of the record. A covenant is an agreement between two or more people, with certain obligations binding them together. Every relationship is based upon the authority of a covenant. God granted to Adam a relationship with Himself based upon (what we call) ‘the Covenant of Works’. God then put Adam and Eve into a relationship with each other by establishing the Marriage Covenant. If one wishes to understand the meaning and message of the Bible, together with the meaning and message of one’s own life, then it is essential he/she grasp the significance of covenant authority.
There are many of the Lord’s people who are “scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd.” Some are alone and isolated. Others live near each other, but cannot find a local church to join. In time, these poor dejected souls become accustomed to their deprivation of church life, landing them in a dry and thirsty land, surviving on “locusts and scratching the earth for water.”
To meet this need, I have started preparing online worship services. While the alone and isolated believer should find encouragement and edification through this provision, it is hoped those believers who live near each other will be prompted to organize themselves into new churches. Where two or three of the Lord’s people are gathered together in His name, there is He in the midst of them. In such circumstances, it is likely the new churches will be without a preacher. They may therefore continue following these online worship services, in lieu of a preacher, until the Lord is pleased to supply the vacancy. Nevertheless, even if a group of believers choose to not organize themselves into a church, I pray they will use the online services and find enrichment to their souls through the worship of God and gospel edification.
Jared Smith
Jared Smith served twenty years as pastor of a Strict and Particular Baptist church in Kensington (London, England). He now serves as an Evangelist in the Philippines, preaching the gospel, organizing churches and training gospel preachers.
Jared Smith's Online Worship Services
Jared Smith's Sermons
Jared Smith on the Gospel Message
Jared Smith on the Biblical Covenants
Jared Smith on the Gospel Law
Jared Smith on Bible Doctrine
Jared Smith on Bible Reading
Jared Smith's Hymn Studies
Jared Smith on Eldership
Jared Smith's Studies In Genesis
Jared Smith's Studies in Romans
Jared Smith on Various Issues
Jared Smith, Covenant Baptist Church, Philippines
Jared Smith's Maternal Ancestry (Complete)
