Where does faith come from?

The only Source of true faith is God Himself, and His Word. The Bible says that Jesus is the author of our faith:

“Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 AMP)

Romans 10:17 is a key verse to understand the operation of faith:

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (Gk: Rhema) of God.” (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

To hear the Word with our spirit is to hear Jesus Himself speak to us. The Source of true faith is Jesus, the Living Word, and the Bible, the written Word. The Holy Spirit takes what is written in the Scriptures and makes it alive to our understanding. This is where faith comes from.

It is the seed of God’s Word entering our heart that is the active ingredient in the New Birth:

“having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,” (1Peter 1:23 NKJV)

This is why it is so important to speak to others from God’s Word. Without the seed being planted there can be no harvest and no salvation (Rom 10:13-17).

The Word of salvation through Christ carries the spiritual potential to bring someone to new birth if it is received in a willing heart. God’s grace works together with His Word to bring a person to Himself.

Jesus said in Luke 8:11:

“…The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11)

This He says in relation to the parable of the sower. The ground into which the seed is sown is likened to the human heart:

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15 KJV)

Paul says something similar in Romans 10:

“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:8-10 NKJV)

This is the first and fundamental part in the operation of faith. The Word of faith must be received in the heart. The heart of man is the spirit of man. Man is a three part being: He is a spirit, he has a soul (mind, will and emotions), and he lives in a body (1Thess 5:23). It is not enough to give mental assent to the Word, it must be received in the spirit. We cannot believe with the intellect.

As Andrew Murray states in ‘The Holiest of all’, his exposition of the book of Hebrews:

“When man speaks it is the revelation of himself, to make known the otherwise hidden thoughts and dispositions of his heart. When God, who dwells in light that is inaccessible, speaks out of the heights of His glory, it is that He may reveal Himself…God speaks to that which is deeper than all, to the heart, that central depth within us whence are the issues of life.”

Romans 2:29 uses the word ‘heart’ and ‘spirit’ interchangeably, speaking of the same thing. The heart of man is the spirit of man. Elsewhere the spirit of man is also referred to as ‘the hidden man of the heart (1 Pet 3:4) and the ‘inward man’ (Rom 7:22). It is here that the supernatural seed is received and believed.

The seed principle works in every area of life. If we want healing we plant the Word of healing; if we want to develop love, the Word of love is what we plant in the heart.

Just as a natural seed has the capacity within it to produce a tree or fruit (reproducing after its own nature) so the Divine Word has the capacity to release the nature of God in our lives when we receive it in our spirit:

“as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2Peter 1:3-4 NKJV)

Our job is not to make the seed grow. Only God can do that:

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” (1Cor 3:6)

Our part in the process is to plant the seed.

The farmer who plants the seed does not necessarily need to understand the intricate physics and biology behind the growth of the seed. He just knows that if he does his part the seed itself will do the rest. Jesus spoke about this in respect to faith in Mark chapter 4, verses 26 :

“And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”” (Mark 4:26-29 NKJV)

We also, as believers, do not need to know how increase will come, or the details of God’s supernatural working. We just know and trust that God’s Word is a supernatural seed that, when planted, releases supernatural power.

Growing faith

The Bible says “all men do not have faith,” (2 Thess 3:2)

When we were alienated from God we were cut off from the Source, so we had no faith. The gift of saving faith is imparted through the Word in order to bring us to God (NB: This is different to the gift of faith spoken of in 1Corinthians 12:9, which speaks of a specific endowment of divine faith for a particular task, granted to an individual by the Holy Spirit). Boasting is excluded because we cannot even believe to be saved without God first extending the gift of saving faith to us in the first place:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV)

Once we are born again the Bible shows that the substance of faith is deposited in our heart. Romans calls this “the (or a) measure of faith”:

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you (believers), not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3 NKJV)

Having received this measure it is now the believers responsibility to develop and increase their faith through the principles taught in the Scriptures. Each believer is expected to go from faith to ever increasing faith (Romans 1:17).

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,” (2Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV)

“… as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere,” (2Corinthians 10:15 NKJV)

Measures of faith described in the bible include:

1. No faith (Deut 32:20; mark 4:40)
2. Little faith (Matthew 8:26; 14:31)
3. Weak faith (Romans 14:1)
4. Strong faith (Romans 4:19-20)
5. Great faith (Luke 7:7-9; Matthew 8:8-10)
6. Fulness of faith (Acts 11:24)

The Scriptures also speak of qualities of faith such as steadfast faith (Col 2:5), rich faith (James 2:5), unfeigned faith (1 Tim 1:5; 2 Tim 1:5), vain faith (1 Cor 15:14) and even dead faith (James 2:17).

Developing strong faith

Having received the measure of faith from God we now must develop it. There is only one true way to develop and grow faith; The Word of God.

E W Kenyon relates this to our covenant in ‘The Two Kind so Faith’ when he says:

“Get to know your place, your rights, your privileges, and your authority. There will be no problem about faith then. Faith is a problem only when we do not know the Lord and we do not know His Word.”

The great faith Apostle Smith Wigglesworth likewise said in his book ‘Faith that Prevails’ :

“There is where men lack. All lack of faith is due to not feeding on God’s Word. You need it every day. How can you enter into the life of faith? Feed on the living Christ of whom this Word is- full. As you get taken up with the glorious fact and the wondrous presence of the living Christ, the faith of God will spring up within you. ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God…”

Developing Faith Key 1: Hearing God’s Word

Put simply, God’s given method to develop our faith is hearing His Word and receiving it in our heart:

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

Faith comes to the heart when we hear God speak to us; He speaks through His Word. If we honour His Word, and hear it, as it really is, His divine utterance to us personally, our faith will grow. The humble and reverent attitude of our heart is key:

“For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.” (Isaiah 66:2 NKJV)

Make note that this Scripture does not say, “faith comes by the Word of God”. Faith comes by hearing. Hearing whom? Hearing God speak. The Word sensitises our heart to hear Him speak to us personally, and quicken what we are reading or listening to.

We quote again from Andrew Murray:

“The external words of Christ, just like the words of the prophets, are to prepare us for, and point us to, that inner speaking in the heart by the Holy Spirit, which alone is life and power. This is God’s true speaking in His Son…

It is through the Son – the living, mighty, divine Son, direct – that God speaks: it is only in direct living contact with the Son that the words can profit…

The great work of God in heaven, the chief thought and longing of His heart is, in His Son, to reach your heart and speak to you. Oh, let it be the great work of your life, and the great longing of your heart, to know this Jesus; as a humble, meek disciple to bow at His feet, and let Him teach you of God and eternal life…

[Remember] that angels and prophets could only point to Him who was to come, that the words of Scripture, and even of Christ Himself, only profit as they waken the expectancy of something higher, let us wait on God to speak in His Son to us. God’s speaking in us will be a mighty act of creative power, a birth of His love within us.”

Andrew Murray, ‘The Holiest of All’

In order to develop strong faith we must constantly look to the Word of God, and listen with an expectant heart for God’s voice speaking through it.

Proverbs says:

“My son, give attention (attend) to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:20-22 NKJV)

When we give attention and attend to something we actively engage with the task. It is not a frivolous or accidental thing. It is deliberate and purposeful.

Jesus said to take care what we are hearing:

“And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.” (Mark 4:24 AMP)

Just as Abraham allowed the Promise to fill His vision, not the problem, centre your attention not on circumstance but on what the Word of Promise declares.

It is good to remember that we are called to ‘live by faith’. Faith is a lifestyle, not an event. We must hear, and hear and hear again, until the heart takes hold of the reality of the promise and the substance of faith is born in the spirit. Too often we magnify the problem, the weakness, or the reasons why not, rather than magnify the Lord and His Word:

“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,” (Romans 4:20 NKJV)

We must magnify the Lord and His Word. We must allow the promise to paint the picture for us, not the problem. To magnify something means it will eventually fill our vision. Our vision must be filled with what God has purposed, not the obstacles that stand in the way. Faith is designed to remove the obstacles, however large they appear:

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” (Mark 11:22-23 NKJV)

As we give our attention to the Word, leaning into it, we develop capacity for faith. Meditation on the Word develops capacity for faith.

This is what God told Joshua to do when he stood on the banks of the Jordon, preparing for the greatest faith exploit of his life; possessing the promised land:

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:7-8)

Notice that the process was to first give full attention to the Word, meditating in it day and night. Meditate means to mutter or speak to oneself. Joshua was encouraged to speak the Word to himself continually, thinking upon it all the time. In this way he would ‘observe’ (see how) to do it. A picture was drawn on Joshua’s imagination, he observed what the Word promised, and faith came to act upon it and do what it said. The results were prosperity and success in his endeavours. The same is true for you and I.

Developing Faith Key 2: Believe In The Heart

We have already discussed this earlier in this session. It is not enough to give intellectual assent to a truth. It must be received in the heart. The heart person is the real you, your spirit. To believe in the heart means to receive the Word personally in the very depth of who you are. No longer is the Word a general statement of truth, it is a personal promise, a covenant reality, upon which to stand.

Romans 10 verses 6-10 speak to this area.

First Paul establishes that our righteousness is through Christ, not the law. As we established at the outset of this session, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

He continues to explain how faith operates in the most awesome miracle of all, salvation:

“But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above)” (Romans 10:6 NKJV)

Faith does not call God to come and do what He has given us authority to accomplish. He does not need to come down to save us, or provide for us etc. He has already provided all that is necessary and freely given it to us. What is needed is for us to receive it by faith.

“or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” (Romans 10:7 NKJV)

Nor does righteousness say, “If only Jesus were here today. If Jesus were here this person would be healed” or whatever. Jesus is here. Jesus lives in each believer. We must accept the testimony of Scripture and act as if it is so.

Paul then asks the rhetorical question, “What does righteousness say, then?”

“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):” (Romans 10:8)

The Word is right here in your mouth and heart. That is where it will become supernaturally powerful to affect the impossible.

He continues:

“if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10 NKJV)

With the heart a person believes unto righteousness. A spiritual transaction takes place in the heart (the spirit) of a person when the Word is heard and received and accepted as present truth. Faith comes, and this immediately aligns the believer with God. This is what righteousness means, right standing with God. Now there is agreement; the Believer and God are one in respect to the promise that has been received.

This powerful substance called faith is then released from the heart through the mouth. Faith filled words proceeding from a heart in vital connection with God are released into the spiritual world, and demand that the natural circumstance align itself with God’s purpose, just as the heart has. The inner change affects and outer transformation. Through confession of the believed Word, the inner reality becomes an outward reality also.

All of this begins in the heart.

The doorways to the heart

There are several doorways, which provided entrance to the Spirit. The primary entry points are the eyes and ears. This is why we must be careful what we watch and what we listen to.

Paul says in Galatians:

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV)

If we sow words and images of fear, violence, doubt, perversion, worldliness etc, this is precisely the harvest we will bring forth; words of fear, violence, doubt etc. Those will then become the words which determine our future outcome.

Developing Faith Key 3: Confess With The Mouth

Following the heart being filled and believing the next major part in the process is confession: Speaking out what is in the heart.

The Bible speaks of four kinds of confession:

1. The Jews confession of sin under John the Baptist (Matthew 3:5-6)
2. The confession of the sinner under the New Covenant (John 16:9; Rom 10:9)
3. The believer’s confession of his sins (1John 1:9; James 5:16)
4. The believer’s confession of faith

It is this fourth kind of confession that we are considering here. It is the believer’s confession of our faith in God’s Word, in Christ and in the Father.

The Greek word translated in the KJV as confession (and sometimes profession) is (Strongs #3671) homologia.

It means to assent or covenant, to agree. It is best translated: “To agree; “To say the same thing as”

New Testament confession means simply this; we say the same thing as God says in His Word.

Quoting again from E W Kenyon’s ‘Two Kinds of Faith’:

“When the confession of our lips perfectly harmonizes with the confession of our hearts, and these two confessions confirm God’s Word, then we become mighty in our prayer life.”

We must make the quality decision to side with God’s Word. God will only work with His Word, and it His Word that He confirms, not just our good intentions:

“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:20 NKJV)

He watches over His Word to perform it:

Words determine our life

“Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:12 AMP)

The Scriptures teach that there are two distinct operations essential to the working of faith in the believer’s life:

1. Believe with the heart
2. Speak with the mouth

“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:10 NKJV)

Faith must have a voice. Paul explained how the spirit of faith operates in 2Corinthians 4:13:

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” (Mark 11:23 NKJV)

“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,” (2Corinthians 4:13 NKJV)

Romans 10:10 says that we believe with the heart, but confession of what is believed must be made with the mouth to bring forth the manifestation. Faith filled speaking is a creative act. It could be said that to live by faith is to live by our believing and speaking.

 FF Bosworth says in his book, “Christ the Healer”:

Kenneth Hagin states the Following:

“Believing Plus Confessing Equals Activated Faith. Notice the latter part of Romans 10:10: ” … with the mouth confession is made UNTO. . . .” The text says that with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. But that’s not only true concerning salvation, it is true concerning anything else you receive from God. Everything you receive from God comes the same way – through faith.

For example, it’s with the heart that man believes when it comes to receiving healing, and it’s with the mouth that confession is made unto healing.

It is with the heart that man believes when it comes to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it is with the mouth that confession is made unto this Pentecostal experience.

Whatever it is that you receive from God, it is done the same way – through faith. Faith is activated by believing with your heart and confessing with your mouth.

Kenneth Hagin, Bible Faith Study Course

The Power of The Tongue

There is so much in the Scriptures concerning the words that we speak. We need to realise their importance and significance. Solomon says in Proverbs:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].” (Proverbs 18:21 AMP)

The tongue carries the power of:

1. Death
2. Life

The words we choose to speak will determine the nature of what is released in our lives, either for life or for death.

Ed Cole, the founder of ‘Promise Keepers’, says:

“Your life today is the result of the words you spoke yesterday, your life tomorrow will be the result of the words you speak today.”

Jesus again explains the key in some interesting conversations with the Pharisees, recorded in Matthew 12:

“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”” (Matthew 12:34-37 NKJV)

“Now, there are some laws of the Spirit that are as basic to our faith as [the laws of gravity and lift] are to flight. And just like the laws of flight, they will keep you moving upward and forward when circumstances are trying to take you down and back! The same One who made the physical realm created the spiritual realm, and He guarantees the laws to work. They work for the believer and non-believer alike.

One of these basic spiritual laws has to do with words. It’s called the Law of Confession…

In these verses [Matthew 12:34-37], Jesus teaches that the Law of Confession works for everyone. Whatever is in our hearts in abundance is destined to come out of our mouths and establish every aspect of our lives. That’s the law. That’s how God designed it…

The law of confession, like the laws of flight, has the power to take you where you want to be. The laws of flight can take you in the air and then land you safely. They are designed to work every time.

The Law of Confession works the same. It has the power to change things in your life – taking you to the places and the things God has for you.” Bill Winston, Believer’s Voice of Victory magazine, KCM Publications, September 2007

Using a similar analogy, E W Kenyon states:

Jesus said that from the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak. Whatever we fill our heart with will spill from our mouth in overflow. This overflow of the heart then ‘brings forth’. It causes things to happen, either for good or evil. This is the Law of Faith at work.

We have the ability to determine what goes in, and thus what flows out from our heart. This is why Solomon advised:

“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

Today’s NIV says:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 TNIV)

There is a powerful connected system within our human makeup. It is designed by God to direct us into his best for our lives, yet often it is hijacked by the enemy through our own ignorance or neglect. We must be vigilant, and keep a guard over our lips, speaking only those things we desire to see come to pass (Psalm 141:3; Prov 13:3).

Right Thinking is essential to Right Believing

We considered this subject in Module 1: The Importance of Doctrine, but will now focus more on the application of the truth in the operation of faith.

As we have seen, there is a process involved in developing and releasing faith. This process begins with the believer receiving the word in their heart.

The entrance of the Word into the heart involves it passing through the mind. The mind is like a filter, allowing and disallowing certain thoughts. God has given us His Word to get our thinking straightened out. When we think in line with His Word, our believing will be right, because what we meditate on will eventually get down into our heart.

To meditate means “to fix your mind”, “to mutter or speak to oneself”. Carefully ponder how the Word you’ve read applies to your life. Ask yourself, “What does that Word from God mean for me? How can it change my situation?” Allow the Holy Spirit to make it a reality to your heart. Then place yourself in agreement with what God says about you in His Word. Make up your mind that you are all that God says you are, that you have all He says you have, and that you can do all He says you can do. Agree with Him and receive it by faith.

The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Our thinking affects our whole being. If we think we are defeated, we will believe that we are defeated and speak accordingly. This will lead to a cycle where we actually bring to pass exactly what we fear. This is why each believer must make the quality decision to accept and believe the Word concerning their life as true, regardless of any contrary evidence that would try to convince us otherwise.

The Bible tells us:

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2Corinthians 10:4-5)

God has empowered us by the Word and Spirit to cast down imaginations and reasonings within our own mind and heart, and to bring them in line with His Word.

What we consistently expose ourselves to will eventually possess our imaginations. If we choose to meditate upon the Word, casting down thoughts, arguments and pictures that are contrary to what the Word says, over a period of time our internal makeup will be transformed and we will begin to think, believe, speak and act differently. We will always act according to what is most prevalent in our inner man.

We must make it our quest to renew our mind to the truth of God’s Word, and devise ways in which we can expose ourselves to its teachings on a continual basis.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (and demonstrate) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)

We will be conformed to either the image of this world, together with its limitations, or to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Through consistent meditation and acceptance and confession of His Word we will step into our God-given inheritance, and have the “mind of Christ” fully at work in our lives:

“For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.” (1Corinthians 2:16 AMP)

“For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].” (Romans 8:5-6 AMP)

The more we train in this way, the less we have to take captive and the stronger our faith becomes:

“For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]! But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.” (Hebrews 5:13-14 AMP)

Philippians provides us with a rod to measure our thought life by:

“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” (Philippians 4:8 AMP)

What are we to confess?

Just as Jesus spoke only what His Father said (John 12:49) we are to speak only what the Father, Son and Holy Ghost say. Our confession needs to centre around these principal truths:

1. What God has done for us through Christ in salvation.
2. What God has done in us by His Word and the Holy Spirit in the New Birth and Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
3. Who we are in Christ Jesus.
4. What Jesus is presently doing for us at the right hand of the Father where He ever lives to make intercession for us.
5. What God and His Word can accomplish in and through us as we act upon it.

When our confession lines up with God’s Word and will for our lives, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ will have spiritual substance to work with. The Bible says that the Word of God, as spoken by believers in prayer, is the sword that the Spirit wields in the spiritual realm:

“And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 AMP)

Just as He hovered over the waters in Genesis chapter one awaiting the Word of God, and then creatively acting upon it, so He now waits for the Word on our lips, eager to bring it to pass in our lives and the lives of those we pray for.

Jesus too awaits our words to act upon them:

 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16 NASB)

We are encouraged to hold fast our confession (continue to say the same thing as the Word), knowing that He understands our weaknesses and the challenges we face. Our words of faith provide substance for the necessary grace and power to be released to overcome, whatever our circumstance.

Colossians 2:5 (Amplified) speaks of the church presenting a ‘solid front’ of faith. This solid front means a continual confession of victory in Christ.

“The language of the Senses is: “I can’t, I haven’t the ability, I haven’t the strength, I don’t have the opportunity, I have no education, I have been limited.”

– The language of faith says, “I can do all things in Him who strengtheneth me,”

Who is it that strengthens me? It is my Father God.

I can do all things through Him. I cannot be conquered. I cannot be defeated.

There isn’t force enough in all the world to conquer Him who dwells in me.

Not only am I born of God, a partaker of God’s nature and life, but I have God dwelling in me, and I have the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in me.

I have God’s wisdom, God’s strength, God’s ability.

I am learning how to let Him govern my intellect, letting Him think through me, use my vocal faculties. I am daring to think His thoughts after Him.

I am daring to believe that it is God who is at work within me and that He will work His own good pleasure.

I am daring to say in the presence of my oId enemies: failure, weakness, want, lack of opportunity, lack of knowledge, lack of strong friends, and a thousand others, “God is my ability.”

God has made me greater than my enemies. God has made me put my heel on the neck of weakness, of fear, of inability, and I stand and declare that whosoever believeth in Him shall not be put to shame.

I cannot be put to shame. My weaknesses are routed. The strength of God is mine.

The ability of God has taken me captive and I revel in this captivity.” E W Kenyon, The Two Kinds of Faith

Developing Faith Key 4: Corresponding Actions

“When you are in faith there will always be some action you can take to demonstrate your faith.” Kenneth Hagin, Bible Faith Study Course

We believe, we speak and then we act.

This action may simply be to stay true to your confession of faith, or it may be some physical action prompted by the Holy Spirit. There will always be some behaviour inspired by your faith, some corresponding action.

James says in chapter 2:14-22:

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:14-22 KJV)

I like Matthew Henry’s commentary on these verses:

“Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ’s righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls; but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of any facts, wholly differs from this saving faith. A bare profession may gain the good opinion of pious people; and it may procure, in some cases, worldly good things; but what profit will it be, for any to gain the whole world, and to lose their souls? Can this faith save him? This place of Scripture plainly shows that an opinion, or assent to the gospel, without works, is not faith. There is no way to show we really believe in Christ, but by being diligent in good works, from gospel motives, and for gospel purposes. There is not only to be assent in faith, but consent; not only an assent to the truth of the word, but a consent to take Christ. True believing is not an act of the understanding only, but a work of the whole heart.”

A bare religious profession, without a lifestyle of good works which correspond with that profession, is as distasteful as a putrid and decaying body. Our faith must be clothed with the lively works which spring from its reality in our lives. Dry, bare bones of lifeless doctrine are not the faith of Christ, they are something entirely different, and foreign to the vibrant and vital reality of Christ in the life of a born-again believing saint.

Weymouth’s New Testament reads:

“What good is it, my brethren, if a man professes to have faith, and yet his actions do not correspond? Can such faith save him?” (James 2:14 WEYMTH)

and verse 22:

“You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected;” (James 2:22 WEYMTH)

Just as there must be agreement between the Word and the believer’s thoughts and beliefs. Just as there must be agreement between the believer’s faith in his/her heart and the words of their mouth. So there must finally be co-operation or agreement in the form of corresponding actions. Our actions must be in perfect fellowship with our confession.

Hagin gives the following example:

“For example, we may say that we are trusting God to provide finances, but at the same time we are worrying and fretting about how we are going to pay our bills. There is no corresponding action there. One minute we confess that the Word of God is true, and the very next moment we repudiate everything we say by wrong actions. Your actions must correspond with your believing if you are going to receive from God.” Kenneth Hagin, Bible Faith Study Course

The epistle of James calls those who say one thing and do another, “deceived”. They are double-minded.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22 NKJV)

It is not enough to merely hear the Word, we must act on it if we are to see results. Believing is acting upon the Word. If we really believe it, we will act upon it. It is the doers of the Word who are blessed and empowered:

“But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25 NASB)

Again, Jesus Himself spoke to this. He drew attention to those who obey (those who do what He says) His Word as the ones whom He would manifest Himself in, to and through:

“At that time [when that day comes] you will know [for yourselves] that I am in My Father, and you [are] in Me, and I [am] in you.

The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]

Judas, not Iscariot, asked Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself [make Yourself real] to us and not to the world?

Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.” (John 14:20-23 AMP)

Works confirm and cooperate with the substance of faith in the inner man. Our actions in line with our believing and speaking release the faith to manifest what is already real in the spiritual realm.

Faith coupled with obedient action is the very foundation of our life with God. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 7:24-27. It is one who hears and obeys whose house will stand the trials of life, not the hearer only.

Our works are not the key. We are not saved, nor do we receive from God because of our works. We receive because of our faith, but our works will clearly be displayed if that faith is real. Our works correspond and co-operate with our faith.

Matthew 6:33 says:

“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:33 AMP)

There are ways of being and of doing that release the resources of heaven and earth into our lives. Faith and its operation is not an optional lesson for the sincere disciple. The Bible declares that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6), but that He richly rewards those who choose to do things His way.

What Faith Is

God’s character is the foundation for faith

To begin we will first define faith. We will consider both what faith IS and what it IS NOT.

To lay a foundation for all that follows in these sessions, which will deal much with principles and practical application of those principles, we must first stress that the doctrine of faith cannot be divorced from relationship with God.

Many of the principles we speak of over the following sessions can be exercised with some results apart from a vital union with God. The New Age and the Motivational world of humanism is replete with books and teachings concerning positive confession for example, with testimonies of amazing results. Biblical faith and its exercise however is rooted first and foremost in a love relationship with our Father in Heaven through Jesus Christ.

The first definition we will give for faith then is simply this:

“TRUST in another, or another’s Word.”

The Greek word, “pistes”, translated ‘faith’ in the New Testament simply means: “Trust, assurance, confidence in another and another’s word.” To have faith in God means to trust Him, to trust His Word, and have confidence that He will keep it.

Faith works by love (Galatians 5:6). It is our love relationship with a God whom we know and trust which provides the seedbed for fearless confidence in His Word. We trust and act on His Word, because we trust Him, and know that His thoughts and intentions toward us are entirely good.

Andrew Murray in his exposition of Hebrews, ‘The Holiest of All’ exhorts believers to go beyond the mechanics of faith to discover its Source:

“Faith is much more than trust in the word of another,” he says, “That trust is of extreme importance as its initial exercise, but the word must only be the servant leading into the divine truth it contains, the living person from whom it comes. To deal too exclusively with the word as the ground of faith will lead to a faith that is more intellectual than spiritual, a faith that, as the Church so universally shows, rests more in the wisdom of men, in the power of reason, than in the power of God. We need to be persuaded very deeply that faith is not only a dealing with certain promises, but an unceasing spiritual intercourse with the unseen world around us.” Andrew Murray, ‘The Holiest of All’

God’s own character is the very bedrock for every other action of faith. The Bible says that He is the faithful one, and that He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim 2:13). He is the God of Faith, the very Source!

This truth is important to remember to prevent us from unwittingly entering a religion of works where we merely apply spiritual principles in order to get desired results, and forget that God did not send His Son merely so we could be healed and prosperous – He sent His Son for something far greater than that, that we could know Him:

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3 NKJV)

Many philosophies today, even some which purport to be Christian, do not believe that God is a Person. They consider God as the perfect Mind, or the Universal Consciousness, yet they refuse to locate Him. They have a faith in certain principles or concepts, ones which undoubtedly have wrought great changes in their lives, yet they cannot bring anyone into fellowship with the Father, or produce a New Creation. True faith is first and foremost in a Person – the Person of God.

What faith is not

In order to better comprehend what faith is we will first consider what faith is not.

Two kinds of faith

Essentially there are two kinds of faith:

• Sense knowledge faith
• Revelation faith.

Biblical faith is Revelation faith.

Sense Knowledge Faith:

Sense knowledge faith is natural faith based upon the evidence of the five senses or upon experience.

It believes what it can see or touch.

For example, each time we sit upon a chair we exercise sense knowledge faith. Our past experience tells us that if we place our weight upon the piece of furniture it will hold us. We can see and touch the chair and so place our faith in its ability to hold us.

This is the kind of faith displayed by Thomas in John chapter 20 verse 25:

“The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”” (John 20:25 NKJV)

He was willing to believe, but only if he had evidence for his natural senses. In verse 29 Jesus speaks of another kind of faith, one which believes even if we do not see, hear, smell or touch. Peter rejoices when he witnesses this kind of faith in his disciples:

“whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,” (1Pet 1:8)

As the Scriptures say:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2Cor 5:7 NKJV)

E W Kenyon in his excellent book, “Two Kinds of Faith” says:

“Sense knowledge will fight every step of the way to hold us in the realm of things seen, felt and heard, but we persistently drive ourselves into the Word until the Word is part of our being, the Word is real.”

Another great teacher of the faith message, the late Kenneth Hagin, says this in his “Bible Faith Study Course”:

“Many people are trying to believe God with their physical senses or with natural, human faith. And if their physical senses tell them their prayer hasn’t been answered, then they believe their physical senses, instead of the Word of God.

But what do your physical senses have to do with the Bible? God’s Word is so whether you feel like it is or not. God’s Word is so whether it looks like it is so or not. God’s Word is true all the time regardless of your feelings. No matter what the circumstances, God’s Word is still true.

I can’t teach faith any plainer than that. That’s as plain as faith gets: put your faith in what the Word says rather than in what your senses tell you. If you can’t understand faith yet, you just keep reading these lessons and studying God’s Word. As you do, eventually your mind will be renewed with the Word and the light will come to you.”

Kevin Conner in his book, “Foundations of Christian Doctrine’ also defines faith as:

Andrew Murray also speaks of this in ‘The Holiest of All’:

“Faith is the spiritual faculty of the soul which deals with the spiritual realities of the future and the unseen. Just as we have our senses, through which we hold communication with the physical universe, so faith is the spiritual sense or organ through which the soul comes into contact with and is affected by the spiritual world.”

Faith is not Mental Assent

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, warned that many people in the church are not really saved. They have merely mentally subscribed to certain truths. They have believed with the mind but not the heart. He called such ‘faith’ mental assent.

Mental Assent at times looks like faith. Often it sounds like faith. It agrees that the Bible is true; that it is the revelation of God and that every Word is inspired. Yet, when crisis comes, it does not act upon the Word, it relies upon sense knowledge, and leans upon natural means. It recognises the truthfulness of the Bible, but refuses to act upon it.

This is not the kind of faith God speak of when He says:

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22)

It is not just a faith that God exists, but a faith that literally takes you ‘into’ God. It engages with Him personally.

Faith is not hope

Natural hope can be the greatest enemy of faith. The reason being, hope is always a future thing; “I hope one day to be healed”, “I hope to have the money to pay my bills”.

Faith on the other hand is a present reality, “By His stripes I am healed…”. As Paul says in Hebrews 11:1; “NOW, faith is…”

The Scriptures say of Abraham in Romans 4:

“Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.” (Rom 4:18)

Abraham, against all natural hope, believed in another hope based upon the Word of promise he had received from God. An inner image was built on the inside of Abraham through the Word of God, his faith then took hold of the image that had developed and brought substance and reality to it. Isaac was born.

Biblical hope

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope… Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:4, 13 NKJV)

Biblical hope is not a whimsical desire for a nice outcome, it is a deep confidence, an earnest expectation of good, and a sure knowledge that God’s promise will come to pass. It is not just positive expectation with no foundation, it is a vision founded upon God’s Word.

“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” (Rom 8:24-25)

Hope essentially is a VISION FROM GOD. We see and receive a promise from God’s Word, and this becomes the blueprint for our faith.

Hebrews 6:19 tells us that hope in God’s Word anchors the soul. When contrary circumstances or evidence seeks to move us away from our confident trust in God’s faithfulness, the picture that hope has painted upon our inner man keeps us steady and takes us into the eternal realm, where such things no longer move us.

As our vision is filled with the new picture of God’s promise, and as we focus upon it and begin to confess its reality in our lives (despite any contrary evidence), we move over from hope to faith.

What was once an earnest expectation of future manifestation becomes substance in our inner man, and we possess that which we have seen and perceived in the spiritual realm.

God utilised such visionary tactics with Abraham. He caused him to see the stars and dust as children that would be born to him (Gen 13:16; 15:5), and even changed his name so Abraham’s constant confession became “I am the father of a multitude” (the meaning of the name Abraham).

In this way we move from hope to faith to manifestation.

1. We hear (God’s Promise)

2. We see (what the promise would look like if it were true in our lives)

3. Hope develops a confident and earnest expectation for this to come to pass in our lives

4. We believe & speak (hope gives way to faith and we possess the promise as a present reality)

5. We Act (upon the present reality in the spiritual realm)

6. the results are manifest in the natural realm.

Confession (speaking out) of the Word of promise helps us to progress from hope to faith.

Faith is not confidence in oneself

Much is taught nowadays encouraging people to believe in themselves, and to recognise their own latent powers and abilities. This is not the faith that the Scriptures teach. The foundation of faith teaching is found in the foundational teachings of the church as listed in Hebrews 6; “Faith toward God…”, not faith in oneself. True faith comes through Christ alone, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith in the Believer (Heb 12:2).

Faith defined

In this section we will define faith as described in the Bible.

Faith is SUBSTANCE and EVIDENCE

The primary text describing the nature of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)

We here discover that revelation faith is two things:

1. Substance (of things hoped for)
2. Evidence (of the unseen)

The Amplified Bible expands on this definition:

“NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” (Hebrews 11:1 AMP)

Just as someone might be given an overseas property and receive the title deed for the said building. Even though they may not have seen the actual bricks and mortar building, they nevertheless own the property. The title deed is the evidence that the unseen property belongs to that person right now.

Similarly, God’s specific Word is the title deed (a legal and binding document) for those things we believe for. It is the absolute evidence of their reality, and faith is the spiritual currency that makes the deed personally ours. We may not see the provision we need in the physical right now, but we have the deed and it is just a matter of time before the physical reality manifests. 

Faith provides proof for that which cannot be perceived by the senses. Faith convinces us of the reality of the unseen. It is a spiritual substance, as real as any natural substance, and in fact more enduring.

E W Kenyon interprets these verses:

This section of Hebrews expands upon this definition in verse 3:

“By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3 AMP)

All that we see and perceive with the senses was framed or pictured first in the heart of God, and then spoken into existence (Gen 1). Those faith-filled Words were the creative substance that brought all matter into being.

We discover the powerful truth that the visible world proceeded from the invisible world of the spirit. The spiritual reality is the parent reality, coming before and being more substantial in importance and durability than the physical world around us.

Paul the Apostle says of this:

“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Corinthians 4:18)

The seen realm is temporal, subject to change, but the unseen is eternal. The seen realm is subject to the unseen, and faith is the substance which affects these changes.

Our world, as believers, is supposed to be framed in the same way by God’s Word. The picture we see of ourselves and our destiny should be painted not by present circumstance or past failures or successes, but by the ever living Word of God. We, as children and imitators of our Father, should then be speaking what we see into existence.

Whereas Sense Knowledge faith seeks physical evidence for the reality of that which it is believing for (I see it or feel it therefore I have it), Revelation Knowledge faith believes even when it does not see its object (although I do not yet see or feel it with my natural senses it is mine right now in the spiritual realm. That realm is superior to the natural, and the manifestation of what is already real in the spirit will follow). Faith perceives and grasps its objective in the unseen realm before ever possessing it in the natural.

So in conclusion:

1. FAITH is the SUBSTANCE of that which we hope for. It gives reality to it.
2. FAITH is the EVIDENCE of those things we perceive in the spiritual realm.

Faith is a LAW.

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.” (Romans 3:27 NKJV)

Faith is a law or a inviolable principle. In the same way that there are natural laws which are constant and work the same way every time they are invoked, so the law of faith will work every time it is put into action. It is not a subjective reality; it will work the same way for anyone who acts according to its principles of operation.

In the sections which follows we will consider these principles of the operation of faith.

The Principles of faith and how they operate

The just shall live by faith

Four times the Scriptures overtly declare:

““Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV)

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:17 NKJV)

“But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”” (Galatians 3:11 NKJV)

“Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”” (Hebrews 10:38 NKJV)

One version translates the verse in Habbakuk, “But it is the righteous man who will really live.” Similarly the Message paraphrase tells us:

“Look at that man, bloated by self-importance— full of himself but soul-empty. But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive.” (Hab 2:4 MESSAGE)

Truly, the man who lives by faith is the one who really lives because he is connecting to the One who is the Giver of Life in a vital way.

The Bible declares we are the just or righteous ones that these Scriptures refer to:

“It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26 AMP)

Through our faith in Christ we are delivered from the power of sin and have indeed become the very righteousness of God:

“For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].” (2Corinthians 5:21 AMP)

As such the Bible declares that we are to live by faith. It is not something we are trying to do, it is how we are created to live and operate.

Everyday biblical words like ‘loving-kindness’, ‘friend’ and ‘remembrance’ are all covenant terms which carry a weighty implication when viewed through a proper understanding of covenant.

The Scriptures also declare that the last days will be marked by a disregard and dishonour for covenant. It speaks of a people who are:

“Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:”
Romans 1:30-31.

Ephesians describes the ignorance of our day and culture well when it speaks of those who are:

“strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).

Out society is estranged from Biblical culture, and as such operates on a very low level of commitment; contracts are broken, agreements are brushed aside. It is socially acceptable for a man and woman to live together without being married, and should they marry, the level of commitment lasts just as long as it feels good. Covenant relationship is honestly ‘til death do us part’. Furthermore, God’s covenant stretches way beyond that, to a ‘thousand generations’ (Deut 7:9).

Our cultural mindset must be ‘renewed’ by the Word, in order that we might comprehend the amazing implications of the New Covenant we enjoy with God through Christ.

It is not enough merely to have a covenant; we must understand the covenant to benefit from it. All people on the planet today potentially have a covenant with God through Christ, but ignorance of this covenant (otherwise known as the gospel), which was cut on their behalf, keeps them under a curse.

Finally, a proper understanding of covenant will directly affect our faith. Covenant is not a subject disconnected from our everyday life and walk with God and with other people. It affects every area and relationship in our life. If we can grasp God’s absolute commitment to fulfil His Word (which is His covenant), it will encourage us to confidently stand upon His promises without wavering. There is no ‘wondering’ whether He will or not. He is bound by covenant to bless!

Covenants in the Bible

The following outline is based on a similar (but more comprehensive) outline in Kevin Connor’s book, “The Covenants”

What constitutes a Covenant

The idea of covenant originated with God. He is a Covenant making and Covenant keeping God. Each of the Covenants we see in the Bible have certain things in common. They all involve:

The Words of the covenant

A covenant is an expressed agreement between two parties.As such these words would either be verbalised or written, and may include…•   Promises of blessing
•   Promises of cursing
•   Terms of the Covenant
•   The Oath of the covenant
•   The Book of the Covenant

The Blood of the Covenant

The sacrificial blood of a covenant was shed to represent the commitment of those entering the covenant.

The sacrifice involved both the body and the blood.

The offering of sacrifice also necessitated a priest or mediator and a sanctuary or a place to make the sacrifice.

The Seal of the Covenant

The seal, sign or token of the covenant was a tangible witness of the covenant, serving as a lasting reminder of the agreement made.

Duration and nature of a Covenant

A covenant may be:

Everlasting, perpetual, never ending.

Certain temporal elements of these covenants may change but the agreement remains forever. [eg: Abrahamic (Gen 17:13)]

Temporal.

Subject to time, not permanent. Although having eternal implications these covenants are nevertheless limited to a certain period of time. [eg: Mosaic (Gal 3:19)]

Irrevocable.

A covenant in which God obligates Himself to fulfil the promises of the covenant regardless of man’s response. It includes the divine “I will…” unconnected to obligations of obedience. An example of this is God’s promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Gen 22:17), or to David that his seed would sit upon the throne forever (2 Sam 7:12).

Revocable.

A covenant in which the fulfilment of the promises are dependent upon the obedience of all parties to the covenant. The Mosiac covenant was such a covenant. Such a covenant can be broken and disannulled if one of the parties breaks the agreement.

Covenants made with mankind in the Bible

The Edenic Covenant

Prior to sin this covenant was made with the original man Adam. It reveals God’s perfect purpose for mankind. (Genesis 1-2). His purpose included relationship, dominion, fruitfulness and eternal life as the covenant is obeyed.

The New Covenant restores man to these original purposes.

The words of the covenant are words of purpose and blessing (Gen 1:26-29; 2:5,15), and of the terms and the consequences of disobedience (Gen 2:17).

The blood of the Edenic covenant may well have been innocent blood shed when God took of Adam’s side to build his bride. In a similar way the innocent blood of Christ was shed to build His Bride, the church. The Godhead acted as the Mediator of this covenant in the Garden of Eden. At this time the Garden was the very place of God’s presence. God’s example and instruction was also followed by Adam and His generations as patriarchal king/priests in their homes.

The tangible sign of this covenant was the Tree of Life in the midst of the garden.

The Adamic Covenant

After the entrance of sin, with Adam and Eve. It involved God’s judgment on sin and a Messianic promise of redemption (Genesis 3).

The words of the covenant include words of blessing (Gen 3:15), and of cursing (3:14-19; 3:23-24). Adam and Eve were required to believe the promise of redemption that God gave, this constitutes the terms of the covenant.

The blood of this covenant was the innocent blood of an animal shed to clothe the sinful couple (Gen 3:21). Again, God mediated the covenant, slaying and skinning the animal with which He clothed Adam and Eve.

This clothing also acted as the seal or token of the redemptive covenant, an evident reminder of the messianic promise of the covenant.

The Noahic Covenant

Made with Noah after the flood comprising the entire human and animal kingdom. It re-established God’s covenant and builds upon the Edenic covenant. (Genesis 6-9).

The words of the covenant included blessing Noah and his sons (Gen 9:1); fruitfulness and multiplicity (9:1,7; 15-17); dominion (9:2-3); preservation from further curse in nature and establishment of the seasons (8:21-22). It also included the promise that the earth would never experience a universal flood ever again (9:11,15). Isaiah 54:9 also reveals that God swore an oath in this respect. The blessing of Shem, in the Messianic line, is also included in the words of this covenant (9:26).

The terms of the covenant again were faith on the part of Noah and his family, prohibition from eating blood (which was established by God as the substitutionary covering for sin and pointed to the final sacrifice and the Blood of God, Jesus Christ Himself (Acts 20:28), who would die as the perfect Lamb for the sins of the world. Murder was also forbidden and capital punishment instituted. Under the Adamic covenant God Himself had judged murderers, He now delegates authority to mankind. The implication is that all other forms of societal government passed to man as well.

The blood of this covenant was animal bodies and blood, which came from the preserved clean beasts on the ark. These were a sweet savour to God, covering sin and maintaining fellowship (Gen 8:20-21).

Following the patriarchal footsteps of Adam, Noah acted as priest, offering sacrifice on the first altar mentioned in Scripture (8:20). This altar, and indeed any altar built for the purpose of sacrifice to the true God, became the sanctuary, the place where God recorded His name (Ex 20:24-26).

The token or seal of this covenant was the rainbow in the sky (Gen 9:12-17).

The Abrahamic Covenant

The most comprehensive of all Old Testament covenants (Genesis 12-22). Made with Abraham, the father of all who believe, it comprises Abraham and his natural seed, the inception of God’s chosen nation, Israel, the coming Messiah, and all believers of all nations.

Following the scattering of the human race and the resulting formation of new nations and people groups, God immediately puts into effect a covenant through which “all families of the earth” would be blessed.”

The words of the Abrahamic covenant include promises of personal blessing and fruitfulness (Gen 12:2; 15:5) and of blessing others (12:2-3).

Significantly the promise is given that through Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed; fulfilled ultimately through the Seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ. (Gal 3:8,16,29).

It also includes the promise of land (Gen 12:1;13:14-18; 15:17-21; 17:7-8). This promise is later developed in the Palestinian covenant, which stipulates conditions for maintaining possession of the land.

God also promises that kings would come forth from Abraham, and his seed (Gen 17:6). This promise was fulfilled both in the natural with the descendents of Abraham in Edom and Israel, in Christ Himself (Rev 19:16) and in the spiritual seed of Abraham who have been made kings and priests (Rev 1:6; 5:9-10). This promise is later confirmed and fulfilled in the Davidic Covenant.

Notably this is a covenant of absolute and unconditional blessing. There is no curse or condition to God’s fulfilment of this covenant.

An oath was given to Isaac, Abraham’s son, and the promises and covenant confirmed to Jacob (1 Chron 16:15-17). These three were together partakers of one covenant.

The terms of the covenant were simple faith and obedience. (Gen 15:6; Rom 4:3).

The blood of the covenant included the animal sacrifices placed upon the altars of the patriarchs, the specific sacrifice asked of Abraham in Genesis 15:7-17, and also the typical sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22).

As a seal or token of this covenant God commanded that all males be circumcised. Only through the rite of circumcision could someone enter into the covenant (Gen 17:14). Circumcision was an outward evidence of inward commitment to the covenant, and a constant reminder that future generations were also committed to come into the same agreement. Our circumcision today is that of the heart, evidenced outwardly by a change of life and the ordinance of baptism (Col 2:11-13).

The Seed of Abraham

The Scriptures tell us that through Abraham and his Seed, all the families of the earth would be blessed. We have stated elsewhere that the Holy Ghost’s interpretation of this promise is that the Seed referred to is not just the natural Jewish seed but Christ Jesus Himself:

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”” (Genesis 22:18 NKJV)

“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16 NKJV)

This promise, and Abraham’s faith in it, released the spiritual substance necessary for Christ to be manifest.

As a result of the covenant partnership of God and His man, Abraham, faith was released for the following things.

1. A Miracle child – God gave Jesus.
2. A Sacrificed Promised Son – God sacrificed His only Begotten Son.
3. A Son raised from the dead (Heb 1:8-12) – God raised Jesus
4. A universal blessing upon the nations – Christ is the Saviour of all men.

Through partnership with Abraham, and the typical sacrifice of Isaac, God obligated Himself to do the very same thing for his Covenant partner should it be required. God Himself necessitated the cross by asking Abraham to give up his son, Isaac.

The Scriptures also say that there came a time for Christ to be manifest:

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

This fullness included everything that needed to be spoken being proclaimed so that the Word could be made flesh; it comprised every Messianic promise, the redemption and eternal kingship of Christ. Once the Covenant words agreed in the counsels of the Godhead in the Everlasting Covenant had been spoken into the realm of earth through the prophets (and other men and women of God through the ages) Christ was manifest.

Heirs of the world

Through the Abrahamic Covenant and the New Covenant we have inherited a promise:

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

What is the blessing? Covenant relationship with God.

What is the Promise of the Spirit, or the promise that the Spirit gave to Abraham?

“For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” (Romans 4:13)

The promise given to Abraham was that he would be established as a new nation or race of people who would inherit the earth. This promise is now ours. We are a new nation among the nations, a new creation, and the earth is our inheritance. We are blessed to be a blessing.

Such is the scope of this covenant made with the patriarch. So much so that Galatians 3:6-8 calls the Abrahamic Covenant the gospel.

“just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. ”Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”” (Galatians 3:6-8)

The Mosaic Covenant

Made only with the chosen nation of Israel, this intricate covenant is the most complicated of Biblical covenants. It acted as a “schoolmaster” to bring Israel to Christ (Galatians 3:24; Exodus 19-40).

The Mosaic covenant did not annul or replace the promises of the Abrahamic covenant. It was added alongside and was temporary. Both covenants flow to the cross, the Mosaic covenant is completed and abolished there, and the new Covenant instituted.

The words and terms of this covenant are extensive, including moral, ceremonial and civil laws. Personal, national, geographical and spiritual blessings are declared, in keeping with the previous promises to Abraham, and the consequences of breaking the laws given are spelled out in detail.

The blood of the covenant comprised many animal sacrifices, administered and mediated by a complex system of priesthood carried out by the tribe of Levi, and Moses and Aaron.

The sanctuary of the covenant was an ornate construction called the Tabernacle. It was here that God’s presence was tangibly manifest (Ex 25:8) and sacrifices were made on behalf of the people.

The seal or sign of the Mosaic covenant was the Sabbath day. This too was fulfilled and abolished in Christ Jesus, who has become the place of spiritual rest for all believers. In Christ, we cease from our own works and enter the rest and security of faith (Heb 4).

The Palestinian Covenant

Made with the second generation out of Egypt, after 40 years in the wilderness on the banks of Jordon. It lays out the conditions to enter and maintain possession of the land promised in the Abrahamic covenant. (Deuteronomy 27-33).

The words of the covenant are recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, including a description of the land (Deut 8 and others) and promises of blessing (Deut 28:1-14) and cursing (Deut 28:15-68). Terms included obedience to the Mosaic law and ensuring that Sabbaths, including cyclical Sabbaths for the land were adhered to.

The book of this covenant is referred to in Deut 31:9,10,24-26.

The Palestinian sacrifices follow the pattern laid down in the Mosaic law, again administered by the Levites.

The promised land itself was the sanctuary of this covenant. It is ‘His land’ (Lev 25:23-24).

The seal of the covenant not only included the Sabbaths, but also the blessing of rain in season. If the covenant was broken the rains would be withheld (Deut 11:10-17).

The Davidic Covenant

Made with David after the death of King Saul and at the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel under David’s rule. It involved David’s house and kingdom, ultimately pointing to the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, David’s greatest descendent (II Samuel 7; Psalms 89; Psalms 132).

The words of the covenant are largely words blessing for David and his dynasty. Christ, the Seed of David, and the root of David (Rev 22:16; Rom 1:3-4) received the Kingdom promised to David, and His Kingdom shall have no end (Luke 1:31-33).

Like the Abrahamic covenant this covenant does not have any curses.

In relation to the blood of the covenant animal sacrifices were made according to the requirements of Moses, but David also offered up spiritual sacrifices of praise and worship, which precipitated the order of worship in the New Covenant (Heb 13:15,16).

The priesthood of David’s covenant involved both David himself (2 Sam 6:17) as a priest-king, and the Levites in the Tabernacle of David.

David set up a sanctuary on Mount Zion. Whereas the Tabernacle of Moses was characterised by continual sacrifices in the outer courts, David’s Tabernacle was characterised by continual offerings of worship before the Ark of the Lord. It is here that the Lord chose to inhabit (Psalm 132:13-16).

The sign of the covenant was given to David when the lord told him that as long as the ordinances of heaven remained, the sun by day and moon by night, David’s generation would sit upon the throne. This promise will find ultimate completion in the New Heaven and Earth, during which time there will be no need of sun and moon for God Himself will light the universe (Rev 22:5).

The New Covenant

Bridging the promise given to Abraham and its fulfilment in Christ are several other Covenants made with Israel. These contained many promises, which also found fulfilment in Christ. In fulfilment they were abolished, having now accomplished their purpose.

The Bible says that we now have a new and better Covenant, based upon better promises:

“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6 NKJV)

The Old Mosaic Covenant was temporary and added because of sin, to contain and discipline the people of God until the Promised Messiah was manifest (Gal 3:15-19, 3-25). It was added as a teacher to bring God’s people to Christ.

The Law helped to re-establish a Covenant mentality in God’s people. It helped establish concepts such as deliverance through innocent blood, baptism, sins being covered and removed, prosperity and healing.

It also fully convinced anyone of the impossibility of establishing their own righteousness by obedience to its many laws and precepts. In this way it prepared the way for grace to be received.

The law also provided a perfect framework for Jesus to demonstrate perfect obedience to God in order to become the perfect innocent sacrifice as a substitute for those who could not.

The law also established the principle of God dwelling with His people.

With these things in place as the shadows of good things to come (Hebrews 10:1), the New Covenant then opened the way for the reality and substance to be manifest.

The New and Better Covenant includes the following:

• Priesthood of all believers, not just chosen few (1 Pet 2:9).
• Sin wiped out, and consciences cleansed, not just covered (Col 2:13-14; Heb 10:2-4)
• Access to the heavenly Tabernacle, not just an earthly replica (Heb 8:1-5)
• Health not just healing (1 Pet 2:24)
• A glory which is eternal and not passing away (2 Cor 3:9-11)
• A ministration of righteousness by grace not condemnation and law (2 Cor 3:9)
• The indwelling presence of God, not just a tabernacle or temple (1 Cor 3:16)

Made with the houses of Israel and Judah just prior to His crucifixion. It replaced the Old or Mosaic Covenant with its temporal elements and natural ordinances. Through this covenant and its sacrifice, salvation was made available for the whole world. (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8; Matthew 26).

The New covenant opened the possibility for every believer to enter into the Everlasting covenant, bringing to completion the Covenantal revelation.

The illustration on the following page based on a similar diagram in Kevin Conner’s book. ‘The Covenants’ clearly illustrates the purpose and progression of covenantal revelation in the Bible:

The cycle of covenants ends with the New Covenant. Through this Covenant mankind is brought back into fellowship with God and finds entrance to the Eternal covenant made between the Godhead before Creation.

Mankind’s covenantal relationship to God was broken at the fall, and following this God began a covenantal journey to bring mankind back to Himself. Both the Adamic and Noahic covenants were with all of mankind, but following these all others were with God’s chosen nation, Israel.

The consummation of the unfolding covenants made with Israel is the New Covenant, which is made with their Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ. This is the last covenant to be made with Israel, and reception of it is essential for the salvation of Jew and Gentile alike.

The nature of this ‘New Covenant’ is prophesied by many of the Old Testament saints. The following references are some of the most significant:

““The Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,”
Says the LORD.

“As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.”” (Is 59:20-21 NKJV)

““Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, “Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.””
(Jer 31:31-34 NKJV)

““Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for daughters, but not because of My covenant with you. And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD,” (Ezek 16:60-62 NKJV)

“Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” (Ezek 11:19-20 NKJV)

“Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Ezek 37:25-27 NKJV)

God’s intention all along was that through Israel all nations would witness and come to know God, thus fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham, but it is only in Christ that the true fulfilment of the promise comes to fullness. Truly in Him, all families of the earth are (potentially) blessed.

In the new covenant all other covenants come to fruition.

i. The virgin Seed of woman crushes the serpents head.

ii. The Promised Seed through which all families in earth will be blessed has arrived.

iii. The true Tabernacle of God’s Presence is manifest.

iv. The Fulfiller of the Perfect Law brings the law to fulfilment and completion.

v. The Lord of the Sabbath invites us to dwell in and with Him perpetually.

vi. A better and abiding city and land is offered to those who accept His terms of faith and obedience.

vii. An eternal King now sits on the throne until His enemies are made His footstool.

viii. Through the ever-living Risen Lord the eternal elements present in the Everlasting Covenant are opened to mankind and true fellowship with the Father of Creation is restored.

Is it any wonder then that The Scriptures actually personify the Covenant in the Person of Christ? He is its centre and fulfilment, and to be in the Covenant we must be in Him:

““I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,
To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.”
(Is 42:6-7 NKJV)

In fulfilment many of the temporal elements of previous covenants are abolished. No longer are sacrifices necessary, Christ is the once-for-all sacrifice. No longer is a priesthood necessary, He is The High Priest of Heaven’s Tabernacle and brings all who believe in Him into priestly fellowship and ministry. The law is not written on tables of stone, but upon the fleshy tables of the heart. Circumcision is now of the heart, and He is the Sabbath rest for all believers.

Equally, eternal elements of previous covenants are now made possible. These elements are made possible by virtue of Him who is eternal and now lives in the power of an endless life (Heb 7:16). The ‘everlasting inheritance’ of Abraham, the ‘everlasting priesthood’ of the Mosaic covenant, and the ‘everlasting kingdom’ of the Davidic covenant, are all made possible by the New Covenant.

The words of the New Covenant comprise all the words of Jesus Himself, and the truths built upon them in the Acts and Epistles and Revelation.

The Words of the New Covenant

The promises of blessing in the New covenant are many. They comprise the fulfilment of all Old Testament promises and go far beyond them.

The blessing of salvation, as we saw in Module 5: The Atonement, comprises safety, security, preservation, deliverance and wholeness for our complete person.

Jesus also spoke about the Kingdom of God, and explained the basic laws and principles of Kingdom living for His covenant people.

The blessings of the New Covenant also include healing, deliverance from satan’s power, the outpoured Spirit, miracles, resurrection and glorification; all things that pertain to life here and now, and hereafter throughout eternity (2 Pet 1:3).

The New Covenant also includes the reception of the Gentile nations into fellowship with God. This mystery was prophesied in the Old Testament, but found fulfilment in the New Testament, the New Covenant in Christ’s blood. In the New covenant the nations are grafted into the covenant relationship enjoyed by the Jews (Rom 11), and the two become one:

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” (Eph 2:13-16 NKJV)

It is interesting to note here that the New Covenant is not a Gentile covenant. It is a Jewish covenant into which the Gentiles are invited. As Paul states in Romans 11, we as Gentiles should consider carefully our place and privilege in this, and give honour to the people and nation who made such a covenant possible.

The words of the New Covenant also include curses upon those who reject the covenant and the Person of the Covenant, Jesus Christ. These curses include temporal judgments on wicked nations, but also eternal judgment and separation from God for all those who continue in their rebellion.

The terms of the covenant: Although the New Covenant is irrevocable, it is not unconditional. The offer of entrance to the covenant is given freely by God to whosoever, but man must willingly receive what he has been given. This is accomplished by Repentance and Faith [see Module 2: Doctrine: Repentance and Faith for a full exploration of this subject], which is then followed by obedience to the commands of the covenant.

Jesus said:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 NKJV)

Through the New Covenant, Jesus is the Author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him:

“though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,” (Heb 5:8-9 NKJV)

Whereas the Old Testament demanded legal obedience to the commandments, the New Testament requires loving obedience to Jesus’ commands, and provides grace and empowerment to do so.

The following list is taken from Kevin Connor’s book, ‘The Covenants’

1. The first commandment to love God (Matthew 22:37,38).
2. The second commandment to love our neighbour (Matthew 22:39,40; John 13:34).
3. The commandment of witness (Matthew 5: 13-16).
4. The commandment of righteousness (Matthew 5: 17-20).
5. The commandment of reconciliation (Matthew 5:21-26).
6. The commandment concerning adultery and divorce (Matthew 5:27-32; 19:1-9).
7. The commandment concerning oaths (Matthew 5:33-37).
8. The commandment concerning retaliation (Matthew 5:38-42)
9. The commandment concerning enemies (Matthew 5 :43-47).
10. The commandment concerning perfection (Matthew 5:48).
11. The commandment concerning alms (Matthew 6: 1-4).
12. The commandment concerning prayer (Matthew 6:5-13).
13. The commandment concerning forgiveness (Matt 6:14,15; 18:21-35).
14. The commandment concerning fasting (Matthew 6: 16-18).
15. The commandment concerning values (Matthew 6: 19-34).
16. The commandment concerning criticism (Matthew 7: 1-5).
17. The commandment concerning discretion (Matthew 7:6).
18. The commandment concerning requests (Matthew 7:7-11).
19. The commandment concerning consideration (Matthew 7: 12).
20. The commandment concerning self-discipline (Matthew 7: 13,14).
21. The commandment concerning character and ministry (Matt 7:15-23).
22. The commandment concerning obedience (Matthew 7:24-27).
23. The commandment concerning communion (Matthew 26:26-29).
24. The commandment concerning water baptism (Matthew 28: 19,20).
25. The commandment concerning the Gospel (Mark 16: 15-18; Acts 1:8).
26. The commandment concerning the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4,5).

Jesus’ commandments are summarized in the word “love” (Matthew 22:37-40; 1John 5:3; II John 6; Romans 13:8-10). Salvation is indeed by grace, through faith, but loving obedience will be the response of anyone who truly receives the gift God is offering.

The 27 books of the New Testament comprise the book of the Covenant in which the words are recorded.

The Body and Blood of the New Covenant is the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself:

“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb 10:10 NKJV)

It is the only agent for cleansing sin in the whole universe:

“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1Pet 1:18-20 NKJV)

All Old Testament sacrifices typified the perfect once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. His sacrifice was perfect and brought the sacrificial system to fulfilment.

Christ has now commissioned the church to offer spiritual sacrifices to God as a result of His one atoning sacrifice.

Again we draw this list from Kevin Connor’s book, “The Covenants”:

a. Sacrifice of righteousness (Psalms 4:5; 51: 19).
b. Sacrifice of joy (Psalms 27:6).
c. Sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit (Psalms 51: 17).
d. Sacrifice of thanksgiving (Psalms 107:22; 116: 17).
e. Sacrifice of our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12: 1,2).
f. Sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13: 15).
g. Sacrifice of good deeds (Hebrews 13: 16).
h. Sacrifice of fellowship (Hebrews 13:16).

Christ the Offering and the Offerer

Christ Himself was not only the Sacrifice of the New Covenant, He was also the Sacrificer, the Mediator and Priest; He was Offerer and Offering. He is now set as our eternal High Priest in the heavens (Heb 5:1-5; 8:1-4; 10:1-11) and has ordained the corporate expression of His Priesthood through His Body, the Church (1 Pet 2:5-9; Rev 1:5-6; 5:9-10; 20:6).

Similarly, Christ Himself was the Sanctuary of the New Covenant:

“And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.” (John 1:14 AMP)

and exercises His High Priestly ministry from the heavenly Sanctuary:

“NOW THE main point of what we have to say is this: We have such a High Priest, One Who is seated at the right hand of the majestic [God] in heaven, As officiating Priest, a Minister in the holy places and in the true tabernacle which is erected not by man but by the Lord.” (Heb 8:1-2 AMP)

and indwells His Church who are the Temple of God, replacing any earthly sanctuary:

“Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?” (1Cor 3:16 AMP)

The Seal and Sign of the New Covenant

The indwelling Spirit is also the Seal and token of this covenant, and assures every believer that the full redemption and inheritance promised therein will be fulfilled. The Seal, like the Sacrifice, is the very Person of God!

The Holy Spirit is spoken of as:

• The Seal of the New Covenant (Eph 1:13,14; 4:30)
• The Earnest of the New Covenant (2Cor 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:13-14)
• The Firstfruits of the New Covenant (Rom 8:23)

The Everlasting Covenant

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb 13:20-21)

The Everlasting Covenant was made in the counsels of the Godhead, between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, before time began.  It is an all-encompassing covenant and involves the entire plan of God for Creation and redemption. All other covenants revealed in time are founded upon this one heavenly Covenant. Mankind is not party to it but is the object of this Covenant.

All everlasting elements of the other covenants find their source in this eternal covenant, made in eternity by the eternal Godhead. It is the Covenant in which God’s perfect purpose for mankind was proposed, and eternal life was assured to all who enter into this Covenant with the Godhead.

“according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Eph 3:11 NKJV)

It assures eternal life, resurrection and glorification of every saint (Rom 8:27-30). It was as part of this Covenant that Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world:

“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1Pet 1:20 NKJV)

“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev 13:8 NKJV)

It is here also that, according to the foreknowledge of the Father, those who will choose Him were chosen:

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,” (Eph 1:4)

The promises of this Covenant include everlasting life, immortality, an everlasting kingdom, eternal inheritance , everlasting strength and joy, an everlasting habitation and everlasting love and righteousness.

The curses include everlasting shame and contempt, rejection to the everlasting lake of fire and brimstone, everlasting punishment and destruction, everlasting chains of darkness and everlasting death.

The terms of the covenant are faith, love and obedience. Jesus is the Giver of eternal life to all who believe Him (John 3:16), and the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb 5:9). We obey Him because we love Him (John 14:15), and we love Him because He first loved us (in eternity before time began, again a part of the Eternal Covenant) (1 John 4:19).

The Book of the Covenant is a record of God’s foreknowledge of all those who would, through Christ, enter into this greatest of all Covenants. The Bible speaks of it as the ‘Lamb’s Book of Life’ (Rev 13:8; 17:8; 3:5; 22:19; 20:12-15).

The sinless Blood and Body of the Eternal Son of God was the sacrifice made to ratify this Covenant, and it was He, as the eternal High Priest, who mediated the covenant.

The Spirit of God has been given as the seal and earnest of the Covenant, which will finally be consummated in the immortalization and glorification of all believers:

“eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;” (Rom 2:7 NKJV)

Living in the Covenant

Much of what we share in the coming sessions of this module expands on the subject of living in the Covenant. As we said in the introduction to this session so much of the Scriptures are understood only within the framework of Covenant. In fact, the New Testament means New Covenant! It behoves us to learn what the covenant says.

Pastor Julian Melfi, a teacher in the Christian Outreach Centre movement, points out in his notes on this subject, that merely having a covenant will not produce faith – we must know that we have a Covenant and know what it promises. This alone will provide a strong foundation for faith to be exercised.

Many in Israel failed to attain God’s best because they did not understand the covenant of grace that had been made available to them:

“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:3 NKJV)

Hosea 4:6 tells us that ignorance is deadly:

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” (Hosea 4:6)

Faith comes from the hope we have in our Covenant with God. The Covenant anchors our soul in the sure expectation of the faithfulness of our Covenant Partner bringing His promises to fruition in our lives.

Conclusion

Covenant is the foundation for all other relations with God. To understand the Word is to understand our covenant with an Almighty Partner with whom nothing is impossible. The New Covenant opens the door of entrance not only to temporal blessings in this life (2 Pet 1:3-4), but also to the eternal blessings made available through the all-encompassing Everlasting Covenant. It is imperative that we take time to understand the Covenant we have, so that the blessings and promises of the Covenant might be manifest in our lives.

One point to remember is that Covenant was entered into on the basis of difference not similarity. Covenant relationships were entered into to bind two tribes or individuals together as one. Within the covenant relationship it was often the differences that brought the tribes together not their similarities.

A tribe strong in battle may covenant with an agricultural tribe for example. The agricultural tribe would then share their produce with the warrior tribe whilst the warrior tribe protected and fought the agricultural tribe’s battles for them. In this way both became strong in their area of weakness through their covenant partner.

Too often we want to work only with those whom we completely agree with and relate to, but God’s Kingdom is broader and more diverse than our denominations or preferences.

Instead of being intimidated by someone else’s skill, or another church’s ability in a particular arena, we should see it as an opportunity for covenant. God has designed that His Body operate together as one, not as individual congregations trying to compete with each other. That is the opposite of true covenant. True covenant recognises a brother’s weaknesses and then offers one’s own strengths to aid and champion the cause of your covenant partner.

As we seek to build others, we ourselves will be built.

The prototype for all blood covenants in the Bible is found in Genesis 15. Here God appears to Abram in a vision, promises a covenant with him and then instructs him how to go about performing the covenant-cutting ceremony.  

Almighty God humbled Himself to enter Covenant with a man, in order to bring all of mankind back to Himself. The weakness and helplessness of mankind was called to covenant with the strength and victory of God.

God later said to Abraham:
“As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:4 KJV)

God was committed to His side of the covenant.
“And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.” (Genesis 17:9 KJV)

Abraham’s part was to believe the Covenant promise and bring up his children in the same. Those of the same covenant faith are called Abraham’s children:

“Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7 KJV)

Because of our Covenant we are able to say we are strong even where we are weak because we are strong in Him, our Covenant partner:

“… let the weak say, I am strong.” (Joel 3:10 KJV)

In respect to covenant practices, the following outline broadly describes what would take place when a Covenant was cut.

Terms, blessings and curses would be agreed upon

Lengthy discussions would take place. Responsibilities of all parties to the covenant would be agreed upon (the terms), and blessings and curses pronounced over the agreement.

The curses were invoked over any who broke the covenant, the blessings promised to those who kept it. Desire for these blessings, and fear of the consequences of covenant breaking kept all parties true to the covenant.

These discussions, sometimes written and recorded, constituted the major portion of the Words of the Covenant. The New Testament is a detailed record of the words of the Covenant we now enjoy and are obligated to as Christians.

God ‘blessed’ Abraham. He committed to empower Abraham to prosper and succeed. The only curse connected to the covenant was that He would also curse those who cursed Abraham.

God was committed to bless Abraham and through Him to bless the world. In Adam all was lost, but immediately God put into motion the redemptive plan of covenants to restore all. This Covenant provided the basis for the New Covenant through which every family on earth is potentially blessed.

Representatives would be chosen

A representative was then chosen from each family or tribe. This person would embody all that the tribe were. If they were warriors he would be the greatest warrior among them, if they were an agricultural tribe he would be the most skilled grower and most fruitful planter of the tribe.

The whole family identified with their representative. In essence, the entire family or tribe were ‘in him’. When he stood and made covenant, the whole tribe made covenant in and through him.

Abraham stood for all mankind when he covenanted with God. Covenant promises were made that Abraham’s seed would be as numerous as the dust on the earth (natural seed), and as many as the stars in heaven (spiritual seed). In Abraham all of mankind entered a covenant with God, and God committed Himself to all of mankind to redeem and bless them.

The actual fulfilment of this promise of course came in the person of Christ, who was THE Promised Seed.

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”(Galatians 3:16 KJV)

Paul’s statements throughout his letters about believers being ‘in Christ’ are statements of such identification – covenant language.

Christ Jesus was our representative in the Covenant made with God through the cross. This is why we can say in Him we died and in Him we were raised.

A site and sacrifice was chosen to make the covenant

he site would often be somewhere where both family tribes could stand and watch, possibly between two hills with the covenant ceremony taking place in the valley between them. One tribe would stand on one side, one on the other, and the covenant representatives would meet in between to cut the covenant.

Animals would be slaughtered at the covenant site. These were often large animals, and they were cut from the back of the neck, down the backbone, so the two halves fell to the ground laying opposite each other, thus making a pathway of blood between the two halves. This alleyway was often called the ‘walk of blood’.

God described to Abraham how to perform the covenant ceremony, and amazingly God Himself then passed between the pieces of the covenant, His fiery shekinah presence traversed the walk of blood. Because God was binding Himself unconditionally to Abraham, Abraham did not himself pass between the pieces (Gen 15). God unequivocally bound Himself in covenant with a human being.

The walk of blood and the covenant declarations

The representatives would then step into the walk of blood.

Here, in the midst of the blood, the blessings and curses of the covenant were proclaimed. Each party knew that to break the covenant was a matter of life and death, and the bloody scene of these exchanges impressed this reality upon their minds.

The representatives would then cut themselves in the wrist or hand and mingle their blood. This represented that they were now ‘one blood’.

They would then lift their arms so all could see the cuts, and the blood flowing from their veins.
As Abraham said to the king of Sodom:

“… I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,” (Gen 14:22)

Similarly, the Lord asks:

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” (Isaiah 53:1 KJV)

 And concerning the enemies of God’s people He declares the covenant:

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I have lifted up mine hand, Surely the heathen that are about you, they shall bear their shame.” (Ezekiel 36:7)

Oaths were made and a substance such as grit or gunpowder would be rubbed into the wound. This would leave a lasting and prominent scar, a constant reminder of the covenant that has been made.

Incidentally, this is where the idea of rings, necklaces, and bracelets find their origin. When someone married in ancient cultures a cut was made around the thumb and grit and dirt rubbed into the wound, forever marking the person as covenanted to a woman. It was not a ring that could be easily removed!

Exchange of clothing

As part of the Covenant ceremony the two representatives would then exchange clothing and weapons. The coat represented the authority of each family, and handing that authority into the hand of their covenant partner. Their weapons symbolised their commitment to fight for one another.

God himself has clothed us with His armour (Eph 6), and exchanged our weakness for His strength. He too is committed to fight our battles. At the cross, we exchanged the filthy rags of self-righteousness and sin (Isa 64:6) for His perfect robe of righteousness (Isa 61:10). He took upon Himself our sin, whilst we took on His perfection!

Name exchange

The two families would then exchange names, or joined their names together. The Smiths and the Williams families would become the Smith-Williams. In the same way God has given us His name, representing His authority. He commanded the disciples to go in His name, and in His Name cast out demons, raise the dead and heal the sick.

YHWH breathed part of His name into Abram’s name. Essentially Abram, ‘exalted father’ became Abe-YH-ham, ‘father of a multitude’.

Even more amazing is that God was now connected through covenant forever with the name of a man. He became the ‘God of Abraham’ (Gen 26:24), and later with his son and grandson. He unashamedly attached Himself to frail humanity, even taking the name of a man to Himself. He will forever be “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”, His covenant partners.

We similarly are called to unashamedly take the name of Jesus to ourselves:

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26 NKJV)

In fact, to suffer for one’s covenant partner is a privilege indeed:

“So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:41 NKJV)

A Covenant meal of remembrance

Finally, the families would share a covenant meal of remembrance. Bread and wine would be eaten to represent the body and the blood, symbolising each family or tribe giving them selves to the other family, even to the point of death. They ate “in remembrance” of what they did that day cutting covenant.

Many times, the Covenant sacrifice itself would also be eaten as part of this meal.

“This is my flesh and blood”, they would say, “I would sooner give them to death than break this covenant. All I am is yours.”

The result of such a Covenant is righteousness (right standing with one another). This is Covenant Friendship.

Abraham became the friend of God (Gen 18:16).

This is the purpose of true covenant – Friendship or relationship; a powerful equal relationship of total commitment.

Similarly, Jesus Himself broke bread and shared wine with His disciples, and told them, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” We are to remember when we partake of the communion meal that we are in covenant partnership. When we take the bread and wine we are effectively bringing to remembrance the commitment we have made to love and serve our covenant partners, and to receive all that they offer in the covenant; in the case of the New Covenant, healing, prosperity, joy, peace, full salvation.

This meal would represent the Friendship the covenant partners now share. The covenant meal with Abraham is described in Gen 18. In the same chapter God refuses to do something without first including his Covenant partner (Gen 18:17).

Proverbs 18:24 says. “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” This is a Covenant friend.

We too, through the New Covenant enjoy a similar relationship with our partner, Jesus:

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NKJV)

The old saying that blood is thicker than water in its original meaning refers not to familial ties being strongest, but blood covenant bonds being more binding than even the water shared in a mother’s womb. A similar Arab saying states, “Blood is thicker than milk”, meaning that blood brotherhood is greater than even the brotherhood that shared the same mother’s breast.

Our covenant with God through Christ is the very basis of our faith. He has committed Himself with absolute loyalty to ensure that all that was lost in Adam is now restored to us in Christ, and that nothing and no one can prevent this from happening. The means to accomplish this phenomenal act of grace is through the Blood Covenant. We will be exploring the implications of this for the believer in the next two sessions.

What is Covenant?

A Covenant is “an indivisible, unlimited, contract, binding literally forever those covenanted.”

Covenant is the deepest relationship that any two human beings can enter into.  It is stronger than any familial connection.

Covenant

 cov·e·nant n

1. A solemn agreement that is binding on all parties
2. A commitment of loyalty
3. A blood covenant is a totally binding commitment even unto death.

The word “covenant” comes from “con”, together, and “venio”, I come. The word signifies and agreement, a meeting, a coming together of two or more parties.

In our case, the parties are frail humanity, and God Himself. 

Unfortunately, in our Western mind set, the deep implications and solemnity of covenant in blood has been replaced with contracts in ink (that are jokingly made to “be broken”). In this study we will seek to open the covenantal language and nature of God’s Word, and realise together that the Bible truly is above all else a Book of Covenant in the truest sense of the Word.

Kenneth Copeland says in the notes for His series of teachings on covenant:

“To seize the real meaning of the word covenant, you need more than just a definition. You need a revelation from Almighty God. The definition will only tell you what a covenant is. A revelation will cause you to stand steadfast against the devil when he comes to destroy you. The mere definition does not have the power to uphold you against the storms of life.” Covenant made by blood, Kenneth Copeland

The primary Hebrew and Greek words used to describe Covenant in the Scriptures are:

Hebrew:

Strongs #1285. ber-eeth´; from 1262 (in the sense of cutting (like 1254)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh):—confederacy, (con-)feder(-ate), covenant, league. The cut where blood flows.

Greek:

Strongs #1242. diatheke, dee-ath-ay´-kay; from 1303; properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will): — covenant, testament.

Why Covenant?

The writers and early readers of the Bible understood with stark clarity the meaning and language of Covenant. Words of God throughout the Scriptures such as “lovingkindness” (steadfast love), “friend”, and “remember” needed no interpretation as to their real significance. These are covenant terms, and far removed from many of the sentimental implications we place upon them today.

From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden we witness covenants being made (and unfortunately broken by mankind), and throughout all of the great redemptive history of Scripture we thankfully also witness God’s unwavering commitment to His agreements.

The idea of Covenant was born in the heart of God, and as such are designed to impact the entire being; spirit, soul and body, affecting a lasting remembrance. It is impossible to enter into a true covenant without being deeply aware of what one is entering into.

God’s intention in using Covenant (and in particular Blood Covenant) is to engage mankind at the very root of their life and personality – beyond weak, reasonable and civilised agreements – reaching to the very heart core of our humanity, the living essence of who and what we are as human beings.

The importance and significance of what it means to make Covenant with someone cannot be over emphasized.

Peter Wilks, in his study ‘Covenant of Blood’ says of Blood Covenant:

“There are many forms of covenant, but this is the most sacred of them all. It is regarded as the intermingling of lives, and nothing can transcend it. It forms a union, a tie that cannot be dissolved. In marriage divorce is possible, not so in the covenant of blood.”

Why Blood?

Throughout all of ancient history the powerful reality, mystery and life-giving power of blood has been recognised, and blood covenants feature in every culture as the strongest and most binding of all agreements. A Covenant made in Blood has always been looked upon as something holy, unbreakable and all-powerful.

The Bible makes it very clear that Blood represents life. When blood is used in the cutting of a Covenant, the overwhelming awareness is that this agreement, this contract and ‘friendship’, involves life itself and, if necessary, death.

“And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.” (Leviticus 17:10–14 KJV)

Those who entered into such an agreement did not do so lightly. They recognised without question the gravity of the commitment they were entering into. Covenant practices, described later in this section of the notes, further seared this reality on the hearts and imaginations of those entering into a Blood Covenant.

This awareness of the significance of blood is something that resides in the heart of mankind, whether Bible believers or not, and history is full of stories of blood covenant and its power.

A very interesting example of how seriously a Covenant was adhered to is found in the Book of Joshua.

Joshua and the Gibeonites

In Joshua chapter 9, we find the Gibeonites deceiving Joshua into making a covenant with them. They knew that, once made, it could not be broken (Josh. 9:3-27).

In fact, the Gibeonites knew that to honour a covenant was paramount, and even called upon their new covenant partners to fight for them (Joshua 10). Joshua did not hesitate to act on their behalf. Were the Gibeonites deserving of Joshua’s help? Possibly not, but the Covenant demanded loyalty.

The Lord Himself is also shown to be party to such covenants, and will do all He can to honour them. In the time of David, the Lord brought a famine on the land as a result of Saul breaking this very same covenant with the Gibeonites (2 Sam. 21:1-3).

Another example from history is told of Henry Stanley and David Livingstone in their missionary work in Africa:

The Stanley Covenant By Fred Handschumacher

http://www.rockofoffence.com/myst5.html

“The following story is from the exploits of two famous British missionary/explorers named Stanley and Livingstone who travelled the continent of Africa from the late 1800’s and early 1900. The story is actually about Stanley. It illustrates how a blood covenant can heal even a hopelessly hostile situation. Whether we realize it or not, a “hostile” situation existed between man and God. In the Garden of Eden man rebelled against God’s revealed will. Where a love relationship once existed—eternal death, judgment and division took its place. God’s response to this unacceptable situation was to cut a blood covenant that would end forever the enmity and would bring eternal reconciliation between Himself and the human race.

Stanley set out on his missionary journey to Africa with no idea of the circumstances he would face and the strange customs he would encounter. Upon entering Africa, he ran into trouble with different African tribes. One Chief in particular was very determined that he should leave and not return. Stanley had a guide and advisor during his travels. Being familiar with the customs, this guide suggested that Stanley make a “blood covenant” with the Chief. This involved a ceremony where incisions were made on the wrists of both men. Drops of blood from each man was mixed in some kind of drink (either wine or goats milk) and both drank from the cup. They then clasped hands as in a handshake allowing the blood from the wounds on their wrists to mix together. Drinking the wine mingled with the two bloods and the handshake symbolized the two men becoming one blood, one life, one new man. A substance was applied to the wounds that left an indelible mark where the cut was made. Wherever these men went they bore the “mark of the covenant.” At this point, these two men were considered “blood brothers.” The ceremony concluded with an exchanging of gifts where each gave the other something of great value. What the Chief wanted from Stanley was the goat he owned. As he had a stomach disorder, Stanley needed the milk from this goat and didn’t want to give it up. The guide persuaded Stanley that it would be wise to give up this goat. In exchange, the Chief gave Stanley his spear that had a large copper coil near the head. Stanley thought to himself, “Great! I give up my only source of food and relief and all I get is this spear!”

At that time, Stanley didn’t know that this Chief was the head of the most powerful tribe in all of Africa—and this man was now his blood brother. He soon discovered that everywhere he went in Africa that spear was recognized as “the” symbol of authority. Whole tribes would literally bow their knee to it. That spear was the key that opened up the whole continent of Africa! Any tribe that chose to stand against Stanley knew they had to deal with this Chief, Stanley’s blood brother.

Stanley and Livingstone stated that to their knowledge a blood covenant was never broken on the continent of Africa. To break a blood covenant made you a condemned man. A broken blood covenant caused your own family to hunt you down and kill you. The thing I find interesting in this story is reconciliation. These two men start out as being enemies. The blood covenant turned them into committed friends.”

As one entered Covenant in this manner, the overwhelming consciousness was that the lives of the two parties were being forever intermingled – that they were becoming one flesh and one spirit together – an inter-union of natures.

This understanding and the implications of it for us as Blood Covenant partners of Almighty God are significant indeed.

Why did God make a Covenant with mankind?

First we need to understand that God made Covenant within His own counsel, between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is referred to in Scripture as ‘the Everlasting Covenant’. As part of this Covenant, which pre-empts all others, and encompasses all others, the ‘Lamb of God’ was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8). In one sense, Jesus blood was shed for the remission of sins before even one atom of this created universe existed.

Because Blood Covenant is so intimately tied with and represents ‘life’, it was this and this alone that could break the power of ‘death’ which was the awful result of man’s sin.

The Scriptures describe how blood is essential for the purifying and cleansing of sin.

“[In fact] under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.” (Hebrews 9:22 AMP)

Covenant, and particularly the New Covenant in Christ, was the means to offer the only life and blood that could ever possibly realise a lasting removal of sin’s power, and of death’s grip on mankind. What could never be accomplished through the blood of an animal, or even the blood of another sinful human being, God accomplished once for all through the sacrifice of His Son:

“Nor did He [enter into the heavenly sanctuary to] offer Himself regularly again and again, as the high priest enters the [Holy of] Holies every year with blood not his own. For then would He often have had to suffer [over and over again] since the foundation of the world. But as it now is, He has once for all at the consummation and close of the ages appeared to put away and abolish sin by His sacrifice [of Himself].” (Hebrews 9:25–26 AMP)

It is this love that is the pillar and power of the Covenant.

The “Chesed” (Hased) of God

Chesed (Strongs #2617. kheh´-sed) is most often translated loving-kindness; steadfast-love; merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, love or grace.

Taken together three ideas or meanings are encompassed in the word; strength, steadfastness and love.

As Bible teacher and pastor, Rod Anderson emphasises in his notes and teaching on the subject of Blood Covenant:

“Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness. “Love” by itself easily becomes sentimentalized or universalized apart from the covenant. Yet “strength” or “steadfastness” suggests only the fulfilment of a legal or other obligation. The word refers primarily to mutual and reciprocal rights and obligations between the parties of a relationship (especially Yahweh and Israel). But checed is not only a matter of obligation; it is also of generosity. It is not only a matter of loyalty, but also of mercy.”

Throughout the Scriptures the word “chesed” is one of the most important in Old Testament theology. It speaks of the unfailing, unending love and loyalty of God Himself. Throughout the Old Testament the words mercy, loving-kindness and kindness are covenant terms, and it is God’s unfailing love and faithfulness that is the unbroken strand that runs through all of Israel’s Covenantal history.

An Example of covenant commitment and love: Jonathan & David

A Biblical example of ‘chesed’ and covenant at work is seen in the relationship of David and Jonathan. We find this covenant being made between the two potential rivals in 1 Samuel 18:1-4.

The extent of this commitment is noteworthy. Consider the following results of their covenant in 1 Samuel chapter 20:

Verses 12-17: The Covenant commitment is stronger than family commitment. It extends not just to the two individuals but also to their entire house and progeny. They were committed to honour one another through the generations.

A powerful demonstration of this is seen in 2 Samuel 9:1-13. David is committed to show ‘kindness’ or covenant faithfulness to the house of his covenant partner. He actually seeks out Jonathan’s remaining relative, Mephibosheth, and gives to him all of Jonathan’s inheritance, land and servants. David was desperate to find a way to express ‘chesed’, the Hebrew word translated kindness.

Of this kind of love Kenneth Copeland writes

“The mentality of this love is not just kindness. It is practically desperate to demonstrate undying loyalty no matter what happens to destroy the relationship. Even though Saul was trying to kill David and had even turned his whole house against him, David just wanted to be loyal…

David’s loyalty to Jonathan did not end when Jonathan died. This young boy (Mephibosheth) did absolutely nothing to deserve the love he received from David. David’s love was motivated by his covenant and nothing else…

When you see the depth of loyalty in a covenant relationship, you begin to understand God’s loyalty and devotion to us. His love toward us and the blessings He bestows on us are not based on our conduct. They are based strictly on His overwhelming desire to love and to give. God is in hot pursuit of us so that He can bestow His love and blessings upon us.”

Such outrageous and unreasonable love is the very motivation of our Father’s heart as He pursues us.

God “Remembers” His Covenant

It is this “chesed”, this faithfulness, this steadfast, strong love that causes God to continually “remember” His Covenant – and to act on behalf of His Covenant partners.

The Old Testament often speaks of God “remembering His Covenant” or His people, and then acting on their behalf to fulfil that Covenant.

“And I will remember my covenant…and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.” (Genesis 9:15 KJV)

“And it came to pass…that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.” (Genesis 19:29 KJV)

“And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” (Exodus 2:24 KJV)

The promise of remembrance continues into the New Covenant. Here, not only is the promise to remember, but also to forever forget!

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17 KJV)

Similarly, God’s people are called upon to remember their Covenant, and the One whom they are in partnership with.

Again and again throughout the Psalms and other books we hear the refrain, “remember the works of the Lord” [See Psalm 77:11-12; Psalm 143:5; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:148].

Recalling the Covenant, and meditating upon its promises, is an integral part of our lifestyle as Blood bought covenant Believers.

Jesus did not say if you fast, but when. He placed fasting alongside prayer and giving as a normal and expected part of Christian lifestyle.

The specific verses we refer to concerning fasting are found in Matthew 6:16-18. Take 2 minutes right now to look them up and note down what you learn.

For the purposes of this session we define fasting as follows:

Fasting is the practice of voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. (Fasting may also include abstaining from such normal activities as sleep, recreation, and other special enjoyments, but abstinence from food is what is generally referred to in the Bible)

When we add fasting to prayer our effectiveness in the spiritual realm is intensified. The implication from the teachings of Jesus recorded in Scripture even suggest that there are certain victories that simply cannot be won without engaging in the spiritual discipline of fasting:

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.””(Mat 17:21)

Jesus Teaching and Example

On several occasions throughout Scripture we witness Jesus teaching about fasting. We have already considered His reference in the sermon on the mount.

He speaks of fasting again in Mark 2:18-20. Fasting was a regular practice among the Jews at this time, and also for the disciples of John. When Jesus is questioned why His disciples are not fasting in like manner He replies that the day will come when His disciples will fast, “and then shall they [the disciples of Jesus] fast in those days.” Those days that Jesus refers to are the days in which we now live, anticipating His return.

Jesus own life was also marked with periods of fasting. The most notable season of fasting was His forty day abstinence from food recorded in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. It is also worth recognising that Jesus went out to the wilderness at the beginning of His fast, “full of the Spirit” (Luke 4:1), but “returned in the power of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4:14). Mahesh Chavda speaks of similar experiences of enduement of supernatural power as a result of fasting in His excellent book, “The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting”.

This fast was the final phase in Christ’s preparation for His public ministry. Fasting also plays a part in the preparation of His disciples for effective fulfilment of God’s call upon their lives.

Fasting was the regular practice of the early church

The Scriptures also record that Jesus’ example was followed fervently by the early church. Individually the disciples (meaning “disciplined ones”) fasted as part of their devoted lifestyle. Paul, for example, speaks of proving his ministry as an Apostle through many “fastings” among other things (2 Cor 6:3-10). He reiterates in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 that the lifestyle of a true minister of Christ will include “fastings often”.

Collective fasting was also a part of early church culture. It was part of their corporate ministry to God. Luke records in Acts how the church fasted, ministering unto God, and received direction from the Holy Spirit. They then fasted again in response to God’s directions (Acts 13:1-3). We see a similar practice in Acts 14:21-23 when Barnabas and Paul confirm the churches in the faith and ordain elders.

Clearly the practice of fasting, both personally and corporately was not strange to the early church, and nor should it be to the church of Jesus Christ today.

Kinds of Fast

Several different kinds of fast are revealed in Scripture. They can be broken down into a few categories, each with its own form and principle.

Firstly the Bible has examples of:

Personal and Private fasting

This is the kind of fast Jesus refers to in Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14-15. Cornelius is an example of man who fasted as part of his devotional life. Acts 10:30

Corporate Fasting

1 Samuel 7:5-6; 2 Chronicles 20:3-4; Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 9:1-3; Joel 2:15-16; Jonah 3:5-10; Acts 27:33-37

Complete Fast

No food or drink for the duration of the fast No solid food for duration of the fast. Drink only liquids.

A supernatural fast. Water should only be abstained from in obedience to God’s direction. Not drinking during a fast is very dangerous for the body, although God can supernaturally sustain a person as in the example of Moses who fasted 40 days without food or drink.

Examples: Moses (Exodus 34:28; Deut 9:9), Esther (Esther 4:16)

Full Fast

No solid food for duration of the fast. Drink only liquids.

The most common form of fasting. Can lead to physical discomfort in the first few days as the body removes toxins from the system. Plenty of fluid should be taken.

Examples:
Most Biblical fasts were of this kind, where water would be taken but no solid food.

Daniel Fast

Cut out certain types of desirable food. Eat no meat, sweets or bread. Eat only fruits and vegetables and drink only water.

A useful fast if a full fast is difficult or impossible.

Example: Daniel (Daniel 10:3)

Partial Fast

Abstain from a chosen type of food or drink, or other comfort of the flesh, for the duration of the fast.

In 1Cor 9:27 Paul says he disciplined his body, bringing it into subjection to his spirit. To deny the flesh gratification, whether sugar, caffeine, comfort, entertainment etc, can be considered a kind of fast before God, if done for spiritual purposes.

A fast may comprise of a mix of these, possibly beginning with a full fast for 1-3 days followed by a number of days on a Daniel or a partial fast. Be led by the Spirit as to what will work effectively for you.

I have heard of some who fast seven meals a week. This may be completed in a couple of days of full fasting, or simply by missing one meal each day.

Others choose to eat only one meal each day for a prolonged fast, curtailing what is eaten during in that one meal. Still others have fasted every second day for a period of time.

Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as you decide to engage in fasting, and see what He directs.

Duration of a Fast

Examples in Scripture include:

i. One day (from sunrise to sunset) – Judg 20:26; 1Sam 14:24; 2Sam 1:12;3:35
ii. One night – Daniel 6:18
iii. 3 days and nights – Esther 4:16
iv. 7 days – 1Sam 31:13; 1Chr10:12; 2Sam 12:16-18
v. 21 days – Dan 10:3
vi. 40 days and nights – Moses Ex 34:28; Elijah 1King 19:8; Jesus Luke 4; Matt 4
vii. Continually (as a lifestyle) – Luke 2:37

The duration of a fast and the type of fast is determined by the person entering into the fast. On a practical level, particularly if you a new to fasting, realistic goals should be set, and then developed as the body and spirit grow used to the discipline. A three day full fast (drinking only liquids) is realistic for almost anyone (although a doctor should be consulted prior to the fast if there are medical reasons why this may present problems).

The attitude of the heart during a fast

A very important element of any fast is the attitude of heart. God responds to the genuine, sincere, and humble heart of the faster, not a proud and religious show-off, full of pretence. The Scriptures tackle this point head on, both in the Old and the New Testaments.

Jesus made it very clear that fasting alone does not impress God. He reviled the idea of fasting with a proud religious attitude (Matthew 6:16; Luke 18:9-14). Paul, who advocated bringing under the flesh and not living according to the dictates of the stomach or appetites), also pointed out that aestheticism (strict and harsh discipline of the body, self-abasement) is not from the Spirit of God (Col 2:18,23).

Isaiah in the Old Testament castigates hypocritical fasting in Isaiah 58, lamenting the hardened hearts of those accusing God of inaction. Jeremiah similarly endorses God’s refusal to heed a people full of religious ritual but in their heart far from God (Jeremiah 14:12).

Some attitudes criticised in such records are:

1. Hypocrisy (Matt 6:16)
2. Self-abasement and external show of humility to appear spiritual before men (Matt 6:16; Joel 2:13)
3. Desire for the praises of men rather than the commendation of God (Matt 6:16)
4. Religious pride, believing God is impressed or indebted to us because we fast (Luke 18:12)
5. Continuing in selfish, secular lifestyles despite claiming to fast and repent, no real self-humbling (Isaiah 58:3)
6. Failing to turn from evil attitudes of greed, selfishness, pride and oppression (Isaiah 58:4)
7. Attitudes of legalism (the yoke), criticism (pointing the finger) and insincerity (speaking vanity) (Isaiah 58:9-10)

The act of fasting is indeed a humbling of the heart, and a form of mourning over our sins and the sins of the nations. If the attitude of the heart is right, fasting promises many rewards.

The attitude of the heart that pleases the Lord in fasting:

1. Unpretentious, private, secret devotion to God (Matthew 6:18)
2. Faith that God will reward (Matthew 6:16)
3. Humility and repentance (Joel 2:12-13; Dan 9:3-5)
4. Worshipful, ministering to the Lord (Acts 13:2; Luke 2:37)
5. In agreement with God and with others (Isa 58:9-10)
6. Generous and open to practically help others; not ‘super-spiritual’ (Isa 58: 7)
7. Prayerful (Isaiah 58:9; Nehemiah 1:4; Daniel 9:3; Acts 10:30)
8. Set apart from other affections and appetites (1Cor 7:5)

The benefits of fasting

Apart from simple physical benefits of fasting, such as detoxifying the system, breaking addictions to certain types of foods, sugars and additives etc, the Scriptures declare many powerful spiritual benefits that are available to the one who avails him/herself of this important spiritual discipline.

Fasting releases us from bondage and addiction to sinful habits and strongholds.

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?”   (Is 58:6 NKJV)

Jesus made it clear to His disciples that certain demonic strongholds and afflictions will not yield to prayer alone, we must add fasting if we want to experience total victory:

“So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”” (Mark 9:29 NKJV)

As believers we are also encouraged to rid ourselves of ‘besetting sins’ (Heb 12:1) and to ‘cast of the works of darkness’ (Romans 13:12). Fasting can help us to accomplish this.

We are also called to fast and pray, humbling ourselves before God, in order to realise the healing of nations:

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
(2Chr 7:14 NKJV)

Fasting brings deliverance and Victory over our enemy

Throughout Biblical history fasting has been utilised to bring deliverance, not only on a personal level, but also on a national level.

2 Chronicles chapter 20 records an event in Israel’s history when impossible odds were facing the people of God. Enemy armies were threatening from every direction when Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, proclaims a fast (2Chr 20:3). Every man, woman and child was expected to participate (2Chr 20:13). What follows is a mighty supernatural victory.

The book of Esther also records an amazing deliverance from the enemies of God’s people, and the place of fasting and prayer in the accomplishment of this victory. Collective fasting was instrumental in saving the nation.

Modern history of nations is also marked by victories won as the people were called to fast. Several times during the first and second world wars, national fasts were proclaimed, with miraculous results. (in relation to Britain David Gardner’s historical book, ‘The Trumpet Sounds for Britain’ records several of these. ‘Shaping History Through Fasting and Prayer’ by Derek Price records instances of corporate fasting in the history of America.

Fasting is God’s ordained means of humbling ourselves, in order that He might lift us up

God resists the proud but lifts the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).A proven and Scriptural way to humble oneself is to fast:

“I humbled myself with fasting….” (Psa 35:13 NKJV)
“I wept and chastened my soul with fasting.”(Psa 69:10 NKJV)

Rightly practiced, fasting humbles the soul, bringing the soul and body in subjection to the spirit. It is not the proud and strong who get the ear of God, but the humble and broken, whose hearts are humble before Him:

“For all those things hath mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (Is 66:2 KJV)

Fasting is also closely associated with repentance, and often accompanied repentance leading to deliverance and aversion of disaster:

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?” (Joel 2:12-14 KJV)

On a national level, the fast of the heathen city of Nineveh is a classic example of fasting and humbling averting the destruction of the city (Jonah 3:3-10).

Fasting precedes spiritual renewal, revival, reformation, healing and salvation

Both history and the Scriptures themselves testify to this truth. The famous chapter in Joel promising an outpouring of the Spirit (Joel 2:28) are prefaced by verses compelling prayer, fasting and repentance (Joel 2:15-18).

Every major move of God throughout history has followed this pattern. Throughout history reformation and revival leaders all fasted; Martin Luther, John Knox, the Hussites, the Moravians.

John Wesley believed so fervently in the necessity of fasting that he refused to ordain anyone into ministry who would not covenant to fast two times each week. He is quoted as saying, “The man who never fasts is no more in the way to heaven than the man who never prays.”

1. Then shall your light break forth like the morning,
2. and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily;
3. your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity],
4. and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”

(Isaiah 58:8 AMPLIFIED)

He continues in verses 10-12 and 14:

“And if you pour out that with which you sustain your own life for the hungry and satisfy the need of the afflicted,

1. then shall your light rise in darkness,
2. and your obscurity and gloom become like the noonday.
3. And the Lord shall guide you continually
4. and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones.
5. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.
6. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of [buildings that have laid waste for] many generations; and you shall be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
7. Then will you delight yourself in the Lord, and I will make you to ride on the high places of the earth, and I will feed you with the heritage [promised for you] of Jacob your father; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”

(Isaiah 58:10-12,14 AMP)

With so many promises of reward we would be foolish not to accept, believe and act upon them by fasting both individually and corporately.

Fasting Prepares the heart to hear clearly from God

Faith comes by hearing God speak to us personally (Rom 10:17). Regular time in the Word sensitises the heart to His voice. Added to this, fasting focuses the ear of the disciple to receive direction and comfort from the mouth of the Lord.

“Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am…” (Is 58:9 AMP)

In many places throughout Scripture we find God’s people fasting in order to more clearly hear God’s direction.

Ezra and the returning Jews fasted for safe conduct and protection in their journey back to their homeland. God heard and answered and the group returned confident of God’s direction. (Ezra 8:21-23)

The book of Acts records instances of ministry unto the Lord in fasting, resulting in clear direction from the Holy Spirit:

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2 AMP)

“And Cornelius said, This is now the fourth day since about this time I was observing the ninth hour (three o’clock in the afternoon) of prayer in my lodging place; [suddenly] a man stood before me in dazzling apparel, And he said, Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and harkened to, and your donations to the poor have been known and preserved before God [so that He heeds and is about to help you]. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is surnamed Peter; he is staying in the house of Simon the tanner by the seaside.” (Acts 10:30-32 AMP)

Fasting ushers in God’s prophetic purposes

Daniel 9 records how Daniel realised God’s stated prophetic purpose through fervent prayer coupled with fasting. He read of God’s promise, and interceded for its fulfilment. In a similar way, we too must contend for the purposes of God to be fulfilled in our lives and nations. Fasting can play an integral part in this process.

Practical Guidelines for Fasting

1. Make fasting a regular part of your Christian Lifestyle
    
   To effectively avail yourself of the benefits of fasting seek to make it part of your Christian lifestyle. Do not wait for an emergency, but incorporate both short and longer fasts in your regular schedule.
   
2. Prepare yourself spiritually
   
   Confess any known sin to God, and set your heart and mind to seek God. Keep yourself from worldly distractions and detoxify not only naturally but in your mind and emotions also. Refrain from too much TV during the fast, and abstain from any negative talk.
   
   Check your motives for fasting according to Isaiah 58, and ensure that your heart is right before God.
   
   Enter the fast with positive faith, knowing that God promises reward as we do so (Matthew 6:18; Hebrews 11:6).
   
3. Prepare yourself physically
   
   If you have health concerns consult your doctor prior to beginning a fast and explain what you plan to do.
   
   Begin with realistic goals for the length and type of fast you plan to accomplish. Better to succeed in a two day Daniel fast than fail in a total 7 day fast. As you develop in the discipline of fasting you can extend your fasts.
   
   Drink plenty of water to flush your body, and eat fruit and vegetables to clean your system of toxins. In the early stages of a fast you may experience headaches or bodily aches and pains, as well as a coated tongue and halitosis. This happens because the body is expelling toxins, and withdrawing from caffeine and sugars etc. Don’t give up, this is a good thing for a system clogged with unhealthy residues!
   
   At the end of a fast, especially a longer fast, do not overeat. Eat smaller portions of easily digestible foods as your body gets back into gear. Eating the correct foods before and after fasting can also help guard against uncomfortable constipation.
   
   Exercise moderately during the fast, and take time to rest as necessary.
   
4. Set clear goals for your fast
   
   Decide at the outset how long, what kind of fast, and the purpose of your fasting. Is it for the salvation of family members? Revival in your city? With a clear purpose faith can be released and difficulties or discouragements during the fast more readily overcome.
   
5. During the fast set aside time for Bible reading and prayer
   
   Fasting is not dieting! Fasting is an effective way to set ourselves apart from the usual activities we engage in to seek God’s face and direction and blessing in our lives. Make sure that during your fast as much time as possible is set apart for this purpose.

Nations and the history of civilizations have been determined by the presence of a man or women willing to intercede. We also include in this session the subject of warfare prayer because engagement with the enemy is most often experienced when we venture into intercessory prayer, because it is through intercession that satan’s strongholds are destroyed and the Kingdom of our great God established.

Intercession defined

Technically, intercession is not prayer at all. Intercession itself describes the act whereby someone “Goes or passes in between; to act between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend; to interpose; to mediate or make intercession; mediation” Webster’s Dictionary.

Webster’s defines “mediate” as “between two extremes; to interpose between parties as the equal friend of each; to negotiate between persons at variance with a view to reconciliation; to mediate a peace; intercession.”

In its simplest form to intercede means “to take the place of another; to stand on someone else’s behalf.”

The greatest work of intercession of course was the cross. Jesus took our place, reconciling us to the Father. Not only did He come and represent God to man, He was also the representative of mankind. It is through His work of intercession that we can now pray prayers of intercession.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” (1 Tim 2:5 NKJV)

Through Christ’s intercession the world was reconciled unto God, demon powers were broken, sickness healed, creation redeemed etc. Our prayers of intercession are only an extension of His work of intercession. Through our prayers of intercession we establish and distribute the results of Jesus perfect work of intercession. This is what gives great confidence to the intercessor on the earth. The work of salvation and deliverance is complete. Nothing is left undone. We, through our believing prayer, release the application of what has already been done in Christ.

Our work of intercessory prayer here on earth is a partnership with the Great Intercessor in Heaven, Jesus Christ. Together we establish His victory. Our prayers of intercession release His work of intercession, making it effectual here in the earth and in our generation.

God looks for intercessors

God Himself is looking for those who will partner with Him in this way:

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” (Ezek 22:30 NKJV)

“He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.” (Is 59:16 NKJV)

A holy partnership must be entered into. God has given authority in the earthly realm to mankind (see Authority of the Believer: Module 5, Lessons 15-16 for a discussion of these truths). He requires men and women to represent Him and His Word in the spiritual realm of this earth in order that it may be established. He takes no pleasure in the sin and judgement of man, and seeks someone to take the place together with Christ and stand in a place of mediation; on the one hand touching God, and with the other touching the person or persons being prayed for.

Mary Alice Isleib says in her book “Effective Fervent Prayer”:

“God is looking for a people who will stand in the gap! …(He) is looking for someone – just one person – to stand in the gap, to pray for His will to be done, and to pray for the Holy Spirit to bring the answer to the problem. He is waiting for Christians to use their God-given authority to break the powers of darkness that torment, harass, and hinder in the situation for which they are praying.”

This is intercessory prayer.

Forms of Intercession

With an understanding of what intercession is we will now enter into a discussion regarding the exercise of intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer in essence is not a kind of prayer apart from others, but rather an application of prayer principles and the different kinds of prayer on behalf of others.

For example, the prayer of faith may be prayed on behalf of someone else’s situation. Or a prayer of agreement may be entered into for someone else’s need. This is a form of intercessory prayer.

If, together with the Holy Spirit, we will choose to give ourselves in this manner, powerful results will be released. Nations and cities stand, waiting for someone to take the place of intercession on their behalf; someone to plead Christ’s cause for their salvation (much like Abraham in Genesis 18 interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah).

We will now look at some other forms of prayer most often utilised in an intercessory context.

Standing in the gap

In this kind of prayer we, as intercessory pray-ers, seek to connect someone in need with the God who can answer that need. They may be unsaved for example; Christ’s blood has been shed for them (2 Cor 5:18-19), but they need someone to stand on their behalf and call forth God’s purposes for their life. We stand between the person, identifying ourselves with them and pleading according to the Word and promise of God on their behalf. Spiritually, with one hand we take hold of the person, with the other we touch God, bringing the two together. We become, in a sense, the conduit through which Christ’s purpose for that person can flow.

The Hebrew word for intercession, “paga”,  has many meanings. One of these is “to meet”.

Dutch Sheets in his book ‘Intercessory Prayer’ say of this:

“Intercession creates a meeting. Intercessors meet with God; they also meet with the powers of darkness…Similar to Christ’s often our meeting with God is to affect another meeting – a reconciliation. We meet with Him asking Him to meet with someone else. We become the go-between: “Heavenly Father, I come to you today (a meeting) asking You to touch Tom (another meeting)…Whether for a person or a nation, regardless of the reason, when we’re used to create a meeting between God and humans, releasing the fruit of Christ’s work, paga has happened.” (Intercessory Prayer, Dutch Sheets)

Standing in the gap also involves creating a gap. Standing in the spiritual realm and shielding people from the assault of darkness. Again, we quote from Dutch Sheets:

“On the opposite end of the spectrum, as Christ did through spiritual warfare, our meeting with the enemy is to undo a meeting – a breaking, a severing, a disuniting. All of our praying intercession will involve one or both of these facets: reconciliation or breaking; uniting or disuniting.” (ibid)

The Hebrew word paga throughout Scripture often carries violent connotations, and is frequently used as a battlefield term (eg: Judges 8:21; 15:12; 1 Sam 22:17-18; 2 Samuel 1:15; 1 Kings 2:25-26).

In the context of intercessory prayer our meetings can often be violent confrontations with the powers of darkness. We, as Christ’s representatives on earth, are called to enforce the victory He won over the powers of darkness.

Binding and Loosing

Matthew 16:19 tell us:

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”” (Matt 16:19 NKJV)

The word “bind” means “to forbid, to stop, and to declare unlawful and improper.” The word “loose” means “to release, to fire, to give free movement, unfettered, lack of restraint, and to declare lawful”. Legally ‘luo’ means to “pronounce or determine that someone or something is no longer bound; to dissolve or void a contract or anything that legally binds”. Physically it means to “dissolve or melt, break or beat something to pieces or untie something that is bound.”

“Through confrontational intercessory prayer we “meet with the powers of darkness, enforcing the victory Christ accomplished when He met them in His work of intercession.” (Sheets, p57)

We ‘bind’ the work of the enemy, declaring it unlawful, and ‘loose’ the person we are praying for from the hold of darkness. We also release and declare over their lives the perfect will of God.

Setting boundaries through prayer

Another use of the word ‘paga’ in the Old Testament is also revealing. In Joshua 19 ‘paga’ is used to describe the extent to which a boundary reaches. It speaks of the ‘boundary’ line.

Through intercession we establish protective boundaries around ourselves and others. We make a gap between ourselves and the enemy, forbidding that he cross certain lines.

“You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the LORD…So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” (Ezek 13:5; 22:20 NKJV)

Proverbs 4:23 tells us that the ‘issues’ of life flow directly from the heart. The word “issues” includes the concept of borders or boundaries (Strong’s #8444). Through consistent intercessory prayer we establish these borders according to the will and Word of our Father, again enforcing and possessing what He has promised for our lives and the lives of our cities and nations.

• A lawyer at God’s throne

Although not ‘legalistic’ in the negative sense of the word, there are legal aspects to mature prayer that can be highly effective when utilised according to God’s pattern.

The Bible speaks of times where we can come and plead before God on our own or on behalf of another. Job lamented that no one was found to plead the case of mankind:

 “For He is not a man, as I am, That I may answer Him, and that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us, who may lay his hand on us both.” (Job 9:32-33 NKJV)

This is clearly a prophetic cry for the intercessory work of Christ, but again, the intercessory work is applied through intercessory prayer here and now on earth.

In intercessory prayer we stand and plead the case before God for the salvation of others on the basis of Christ’s finished work. Through Him all men were reconciled. We have a very strong basis for our intercessory petitions, and indeed God Himself invites us to come and reason with Him according to these truths:

““Come now, and let us reason together (argue, convince, plead, daysman),” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV)

God is looking for people who know His will, and how to stand on His word, on behalf of the people He so dearly loves and died for.

Mary Alice Isleib says of this,

“That’s what we do in the work of intercessory prayer. We stand on the Word of God, speak the Word of God, take His Word into difficult and challenging situations, and it gives God something He can work with in the earth. God’s highest and best is to work with men and women in the earth. When they are basing their prayers on the law of His Word, He has obligated Himself to honour His Word.”Effective Fervent Prayer, Mary Alice Isleib

Prayer Warfare

One of the reasons that the least popular meetings in the church are often either the evangelistic outreaches or the prayer meetings is that both of these engage head on with the powers of darkness. Once we are lost to him, satan is fine with us so long as we just stay within the safe boundaries of the church. He will tolerate us worshipping on Sunday mornings, and attending seminars and other Bible classes, but if we begin to pray or evangelise we are intruding on what he considers to be his territory.

This is why, when we venture out in prayer, we not only engage with God at a deeper level, but we also engage with the enemy. We begin to operate in the spiritual realm, and this attracts spiritual attention. Particularly fierce are the battles that are fought when we engage in concerted and persevering intercessory prayer. Satan knows that victory for him is impossible, but nevertheless he seeks to hold his captives, hoping that we, as God’s chosen representatives and enforcers, will give in and back off.

God has given us a number of powerful spiritual weapons with which to fight and establish the victory he so completely won over satan through the cross and the resurrection.

These include:

1. The Covenant Word
2. The Blood of Jesus
3. The Name of Jesus
4. A New Nature

We have spoken of the new nature that we received through Christ in previous sessions. It is this new nature that allows us to now live for Him instead of for ourselves; to truly follow Him and lay down our life in love for others. It is from this Christ-like heart that intercession for others will flow:

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13 NKJV)

Intercession flows from the compassionate heart of God, and we are one spirit with Him when we enter into this kind of prayer.

Revelation tells us:

“And they overcame him (satan and the powers of darkness) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Rev 12:11 NKJV)

Our lives have been laid down with Christ. We have chosen not to love our lives, but rather to lose them and gain new life in Christ. This puts us in a very powerful position spiritually. The person we once were, under the dominion of satan, no longer lives. We have died and been raised to a new life. The covenant connection to darkness has been severed, and our citizenship and loyalty is now to a new Kingdom (Col 1:13). Coupled with a life lived in practical holiness, it is from this place of spiritual authority in Christ that we now exercise powerful spiritual weapons to dislodge the enemy in our own lives and in the lives of others:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Cor 10:3-5 NKJV)

One of the most powerful weapons we have at our disposal is an understanding of the covenant we now have with Almighty God. We will cover this important subject in more detail in the next module, but include a basic teaching here in the context of prayer.

The Scripture quoted earlier from Revelation 12:11 says that someone who has lost their life to Christ overcomes the evil one through the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony. Both of these things are powerfully connected to the idea of covenant. [See Module 7: Walking With God: Blood Covenant]

Throughout the Old Testament covenants were made. A covenant is an agreement made between two parties so binding that each party would rather die than break the agreement. Most often blood was shed as part of the process of making covenant to highlight that each party was in essence signing the agreement with their own lifeblood. You and I have an eternal covenant made with Almighty God through Christ. His was the blood that ratified the agreement, making it binding.

Each party entering into a covenant would give themselves to the other. What belongs to me now belongs to you and visa versa. The marriage covenant is a perfect example of this. Moreover, in a marriage the wife takes the name of her husband. She now has the right and authority to use that name and all that it represents. The authority of the husband’s name belongs also to the wife.

As Christ’s Bride, the church has been given His name to use. He conquered satan, death, sickness, poverty and the grave! His name is the name above all others and the name at which all others must bow.

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:9-11 NKJV)

In our use of the blood and the name in prayer we declare the covenant. The word of our testimony is no longer that we are defeated or sick, but that we are more than conquerors. Jesus Himself has given us authority over every demon power.

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”  (Luke 10:19 NKJV)

“And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” (Matt 10:1 NKJV)

This authority can be exercised in prayer as we declare and enforce the covenant that Christ established through His shed blood, and make His Word our testimony (just as Jesus made the Word His testimony when He faced satan in the temptation; “It is written…” (Matt 4).

It is only as we dislodge powers in the heavenly places that change can occur in the natural realm. We considered this truth in our module on Spiritual Realities. As Wesley Duewel points out in his book ‘Mighty Prevailing Prayer’, “You must overthrow the invisible forces of satan if you would see things and lives changed visibly before you.”

We must remember in warfare that we are not coming against spiritual powers in our own strength or wisdom, but in the Name (as representatives) of Jesus. His authority is behind that name, and when we use it in prayer it is as if He Himself were praying. I am not suggesting arbitrary or frivolous use of the name, nor an immature picking of fights in the spiritual realm, which is both dangerous and stupid, but rather a calculated and informed assault on the powers of darkness through a thorough knowledge of God’s Word, a Covenant mentality and loyalty to Christ, and a revelation of the absolute victory of Christ.

The best book I have found which covers these areas of Prayer Warfare is Wesley Duewel’s “Mighty Prevailing Prayer”. In the book, he covers subjects such as prayer warfare, the dangers of prayer warfare, militant use of the Word in prayer, and binding and loosing in detail.

Scriptural Subjects for Intercessory Prayer

Although almost all situations and people can be made subjects for prayer, the Bible encourages prayer for particular things, giving us both confidence and authority to enter into prayer for these things assured of an answer.

1. The Kingdom and will of God to come in the earth (Matthew 5:9-13)
2. All rulers, authorities, governments and influencers of society (1 Timothy 2:2)
3. All men (the unsaved population) (Acts 7:60; 1 Timothy 2:4)
4. New believers (2 Thessalonians 1:11; Galatians 4:19)
5. Backsliders (1John 5:16)
6. Saints everywhere (Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16)
7. Ministers of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:25)
8. The enemies of the gospel (Matthew 5:44)
9. The sick and needy (James 5:13-16)
10. The believer’s own personal life (Jude 20; Romans 8:26-27)
11. Revival and the outpouring of God’s Spirit (Zechariah 10:1; Psalm 85:6)
12. The Nations (Psalm 2:8)
13. Labourers for the harvest of souls (Matthew 9:37-38)
14. Israel (Psalm 122:6; Isaiah 62:6-7)

Take time now to pray for some of these things. If you are in a classroom situation split into pairs or groups of three. Have each group pray for a different subject on the list.

In Conclusion

One of the greatest services to the Body of Christ and to the world is to engage in true intercession together with the Spirit of God. We pray to the Father, Through Christ, in the Spirit.  Only eternity will reveal how many have swayed the destiny of nations through private and unnoticed intercession, and great reward will be bestowed upon many secret saints. Let’s be one of them!

“For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope.” (Rom 15:4 AMP)

“Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ.” (Col 2:17 AMP)

One of the most extensive and detailed types presented in the Old Testament is the Tabernacle of Moses (and the Temple of Solomon which is based on the same plan of approach to God). The Scriptures teach that this earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the heavenly tabernacle which exists in heaven itself:

“If then He were still living on earth, He would not be a priest at all, for there are [already priests] who offer the gifts in accordance with the Law. [But these offer] service [merely] as a pattern and as a foreshadowing of [what has its true existence and reality in] the heavenly sanctuary. For when Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was warned by God, saying, See to it that you make it all [exactly] according to the copy (the model) which was shown to you on the mountain.” (Heb 8:4-5 AMPLIFIED)

The Tabernacle and Temple present a natural picture for us, defining right approach to the presence of God, and illustrate for us a proper pattern of worship. In no way do we want to go back to an Old Testament approach to the presence of God. Rather we want to embrace the substance and reality that these things pointed to, and enjoy full New Testament fellowship with the Father and the Son. Tabernacle Prayer provides an avenue for such fellowship, by a new and living way through Christ! (Hebrews 10:19-22)

Download the free Tabernacle Prayer Guide

Approaching God

“Blessed is the man You choose,
And cause to approach You,
That he may dwell in Your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Of Your holy temple.”
(Psa 65:4 NKJV)

Praise God. We have been chosen (John 15:16) and we are beckoned to boldly approach the throne of God.

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22 NKJV)

In Tabernacle Prayer we approach the presence of God, drawing close to Him, allowing Him full entrance to every part of our being. Because this is a God ordained pathway, our hearts should be open and expectant for God to speak to us, and to open our spiritual eyes, lifting us from an earthly perspective and bringing us powerfully into heavenly places together with Him.

Such experiences are not uncommon among those who choose to practise this manner of prayer.

The Tabernacle was made up of three main parts: The Outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies.

Each brought the worshipper closer to the manifest presence of God, who resided in the Holy of Holies.

Today we have been called to come into the Holy of Holies. We are not called to remain on the outskirts of Christian experience, nor to remain veiled from the very presence of God; but to be men and women who know the fire of God’s holiness manifested in their lives, and the intense reality of fellowship on a deep level with our Father in Heaven.

When Christ died on the cross the veil was torn top to bottom (Mark 15:38), signifying the opening of the ‘new and living way’ into the Holy of Holies.

It is for this purpose, that real intimacy between man and God might be restored, that Jesus died. God’s intention is that each of His children enter in to such fellowship, and not be like the Israelites who preferred to stand at a distance and allow someone else to enter in on their behalf (Exodus 20:18-19). We want to be those who know the ways of God, not mere observers of His works (Psalm 103:7).

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1John 1:1-3 NKJV)

The Door

The entrance to the Tabernacle was a wide curtained doorway leading to the outer court. Jesus Himself said that He is the Doorway (John 10:9), and the Way to the Father (John 14:6). Today we enter through faith in Jesus Christ.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9 NKJV)

The Scriptures also say:

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (Psa 100:4 NKJV)

• At the doorway give thanks and praise to Jesus, and to the Father. Exalt Him for His sacrifice, His holiness, His 

power and His Lordship.

• As you do so picture yourself by faith stepping into the  heavenly courts of the Lord, moving toward His  presence.

The Brazen Altar

The first article of furniture in the Tabernacle was a brass altar. Brass throughout the Bible represents judgement, and indeed this was a place of judgement. 

Sinners would come to this altar with an innocent animal. The priest would then sacrifice the animal; the innocent for the guilty.

Christ Jesus has become our sacrifice. 

For you and I in the new Covenant, He has replaced the brazen altar:

“…“Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb 10:9-10 NKJV)

Through the cross Christ conquered:

• Sin
• Sickness and disease
• The devil
• Death and hell
• The world

At the altar (the cross) we acknowledge that through the cross our sin is forgiven.

We thank God that through the cross Christ conquered the world and the devil, and that they no longer hold our lives captive. We are free.

We receive the redemptive benefit of healing through the stripes of Jesus.

We receive the blessing of Abraham, the promise of the Spirit, and freedom from the curse; prosperity, health and wholeness.

We thank God that the curse of poverty is broken, Christ becoming poor that we might be rich (both spiritually, socially, physically and financially).

We are delivered from judgement, freed from the fear of death and hell, and forever free from the wrath of God. We are accepted in the beloved, free from condemnation! 

We receive and acknowledge a NEW IDENTITY in Christ. I am a new creature; I am holy; I am sanctified; I am redeemed; I am righteous; I am blessed.

The Blood of Jesus

At the altar innocent blood was shed. It is through the blood of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, that we now have peace with God.

“…and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”  (Col 1:20 NKJV)

It is this blood that paid the price for our redemption, and established an eternal covenant into which we are invited.

“… shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”  (Acts 20:28 NKJV)

At the altar:

We thank God for the blood of Jesus and all its benefits. We are purchased by the blood, sanctified (set apart as holy for God’s perfect purpose), delivered from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God’s Son, redeemed from sickness, poverty, and damnation. We have peace with God through the blood. Thank God for the blood!

The Brazen Laver

The laver was made of polished brass (as was used for mirrors in those days). Priests would cleanse themselves here before proceeding.

Today we are sanctified legally through Christ’s blood, and then washed and cleansed through obedience to His Word (Ephesians 5:26).

This is a place where we examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word. We cleanse our conscience, and allow our hearts to be exposed to God’s Spirit. This is our opportunity to be free from any guilt or sense of unworthiness before we approach God’s Person in the Holy Place.

At the laver:

• We confess any known sin, and ask for God’s forgiveness
• Examine our hearts in light of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and any Scriptural commandment He brings to mind.
• Reflect on the 10 commandments:

1. Do I worship any other gods? Do I put myself before Jesus? Where do I spend my time and money, and does this reflect my profession of faith and love for God? Have we dishonoured God in any way?

2. Do I bow to any idols? Have I placed anything or anyone above God (career, family, money, relationships…)? Ask for forgiveness for dishonouring God by worshipping any idols.

3. Do we use God’s name in an empty way? Do we honour God with our lips but remain far away in our heart and conduct?

4. Do we honour God by walking in the Sabbath rest of faith in His promises? Are there areas of unbelief in my life? Am I trying to accomplish in my own strength what only God can do? Am I resting in God’s faithfulness, or am I fearful?

5. Do I honour my parents? Do I honour those God has put over me – pastors, government leaders, teachers etc? Ask God to forgive any rebellious or independent attitudes.

6. Do I kill by hating? Ask forgiveness for any angry or bitter words that you have spoken, and forgive from the heart any who have sinned against you. Ask God to give you victory over attitudes that dishonour Him.

7. Do I commit adultery or entertain lustful thoughts? Ask for forgiveness and deliverance from any sexual impurity. Ask for forgiveness for any idolatry of sexual images or the human body. Commit your appetites to be conformed to God’s holy standards.

8. Am I stealing from God or anyone else? Have I been faithful to give as God directs (gifts and offerings)? I am honest in my workplace? Have I been a good steward over my own body, and the resources God has placed in my hand?

9. Am I witnessing falsely? Do I lie? Do I believe, speak or act according to anything that is not true? Do I harbour false philosophies and compromised ideals? Do I live what I claim to believe? Ask God to remove every false thing from your heart and mind, and place truth in your inward parts.

10. Am I coveting anything that God does not want me to have – my neighbours house, car, job, reputation, success, lifestyle? Express how grateful you are for all that the Lord has given you.

All of these areas can be sanctified completely through the Lord Jesus Christ:

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”  (Hebrews 7:25 NKJV)

The Holy Place

Stepping from the Outer Court we head into the Holy Place. Here, the only light is the light of the seven-branched candlestick, representing the seven-fold Spirit of God, and the age of grace in which we now live. We also find the Table of Showbread, representing the Bread of Life, the Word of God, and Christ Himself. The third piece of furniture is the altar of incense, a place of prayer, praise and worship to the Father.

The Golden Candlestick

First we come to the Golden Candlestick. This represents the light of God’s Word and the Spirit of God. It burned continually, and was constantly replenished with oil. Oil represents the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture, so it is here we recognise, praise, worship and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. The seven branches of the candlestick can be likened to the seven manifestations of the Spirit of God spoken of in Isaiah 11:2:

“The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:2 NKJV)

It is here also that we ask the Holy Spirit to distribute His supernatural gifts in our lives (1 Cor 12:7-11) and, through relationship with Him, develop the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

At the candlestick:

• Praise and worship the Holy Spirit for who He is.
• Welcome a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.
• Declare Him as Lord over your life, and receive the freedom He offers.
• Ask Him for wisdom to solve any problems or challenges you may face.
• Ask Him to give understanding of the Word, and the things of the spirit, and the deep things of God.
• Ask for His counsel, and for the Spirit of counsel to rest upon you to help others.
• Ask for the Spirit of might, to heal the sick, cast out demons and perform supernatural wonders in the Name of Jesus.
• Ask Him to increase your knowledge of the Scriptures, and of other things you need to comprehend.
• Ask that a Spirit of holiness and the fear of the Lord would rest upon you, keeping you from foolishness and sin.
• Call for His help, comfort and strength.
• Love, adore and worship Him.
• Have your spiritual eyes and ears open for His direction.

The Table of Showbread

The Table of Showbread represents the Word of God. Jesus Christ Himself is the Living Word. Praise and worship Him here, and wait upon Him for the SPOKEN Word to your own heart. There are two kinds of Word referred to in the Scriptures: the logos (written) and rhema (spoken). We need the rhema word to inspire faith in our hearts. Jesus said that man lives by the words that proceed from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). 

We seek God here at the table for the proceeding Word from the mouth of God. 

It is here also that we pray for the Body of Christ, the church.

At the table:

• We praise Jesus for who He is, recognise and adore Him.
• Fellowship (sup) with Jesus as invited in Revelation 3:20.
• Wait on Him for the proceeding Word, ask Him to make the logos Word alive to you, so it becomes life to your Spirit.
• Pray for His Body, the church.
• Communion (bread and wine) can also be taken in faith at this point if wanted.

The Altar of Incense

A second altar is found in the Holy Place but for a different kind of sacrifice. The Priest would offer incense on this altar, representing the worship and prayers of the Saints (Heb 13:15-16; Revelation 8:2-6).

It is here that we offer ourselves, and all we are to God the Father. We make ourselves available to Him, and yield to His presence in adoration and prayer. Take the Father’s name and attributes and glorify Him through them. Reject all fear and doubt and embrace the Father’s perfect will for your life.

Sing and pray in the Spirit.

At The Altar of Incense:

• Give praise and honour to the Father.
• Yield yourselves in absolute trust to His perfect will.
• Lift your heart to Him in worship.
• Begin to draw the Spirit of prayer around your heart in preparation to bring your requests to Abba.

THE HOLY OF HOLIES

Stepping through the veil into the next section of the Tabernacle we come into the place where the presence of God was manifest; the place where His glory resided. This veil has now been removed and believers have been invited to boldly approach the throne of God.

The Ark of the Covenant and The Mercy Seat

We now come into the Holy of Holies, with the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. It is here that the blood of the covenant is placed, remitting the sins of the people, and offering mercy to mankind. 

Jesus’ blood has been shed, giving righteousness to all who receive Him. 

Thank God that you are the righteousness of God in Christ through the blood, and that you can now stand in God’s very presence without fear.

The tablets of law were in the ark, under the blood stained mercy seat. Thank God that your righteousness is entirely by grace, and that the law is now fulfilled in Christ.

Thank God also that just as Aaron’s rod that budded (also held in the ark) symbolised that Aaron was a chosen vessel, you too are chosen by God to approach and represent Him:

“Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.” (Psalm 65:4 NKJV)

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16 NKJV)

From this place of absolute right standing and holiness before the Father, present your requests to Him reverently and boldly, knowing that He hears and will answer.

At the Ark:

• Recognise the awesome power of the blood of Jesus, and that you are now the righteousness of God in Christ. Praise and thank the Father for this.
• Give God praise that you are redeemed from sin and satan.
• Having prayed and presented yourself and your requests to God leave His presence clean and filled, prepared to fulfil His will for the day.
• Present your requests to the Father with absolute confidence, using the different kinds of prayer we have been studying.

Jesus responded with the following model prayer for the disciples. We will look in this session at how this model can be utilised by students to enrich their devotional prayer times.

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.            And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)

Some have described this as resembling a track around which the disciple can run in prayer, giving fresh direction to prayer and bringing the follower of Christ closer to God. It must be stressed however that the ‘track’ should never become a form without power. It is not a rosary or incantation. Each point in the model prayer should act as a doorway to spirit-led fellowship and participation, not monotonous repetitions of yesteryears prayers.

Station 1 – Our Father

This is where we simply acknowledge God as our Father. Through the blood of Jesus we have been brought into right relationship with God and have absolute liberty to approach Him without fear or condemnation.

Take time to thank God for His Son, and for the blood of Jesus that has made this relationship possible. This alone is very powerful because as you thank God for the blood you are essentially declaring into the spiritual realm your Covenant with Him. Through the covenant you have obtained freedom from the curse.

Take time to thank God for this spiritual and mental freedom that Christ has obtained for you, and for physical healing in your body.

In Heaven

I like to take opportunity to humble my heart before God at this point also. He is indeed in heaven, high and lifted up. He is the Holy One, on the throne, and without equal.

He is the Potter, and we are the clay. He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep. As we give place to the Father, and recognise our inability and helplessness without Him or His Spirit, the presence of God is drawn to us.

Just as Jesus pointed to the sinner not the Pharisee as an example of prayer in Luke 18:9-14, so His heart and presence will be drawn not to a proud heart but to one of humility: “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalms 34:18 NKJV)

Station 2  – Hallowed Be Thy Name

Hallowing or setting apart as special the Name of God is more than just a praise time (although it is that also), it is a declaration of what He IS and WILL BE to you in your life. As we praise God as our righteousness His righteousness is imparted to us. As we exalt Him as our Victory banner, the overcoming victorious Spirit of God is drawn to us and released within us. Everything in this prayer is alive and active – it is not just a dead framework or form.

Names of God our Father include:

“EL” = to be strong, powerful, or mighty.

ELOHIM Creator God. Genesis 1:1

EL-ELYON The Most High God. Genesis 14:18

EL-ROI The God that sees. All knowing. Genesis 16:13-14

EL-SHADDAI Almighty, all sufficient, many breasted. Genesis 17:1

EL OLAM Everlasting God. Genesis 21:33

EL-BETH-EL God of the House of God. Genesis 31:13

EL-ELOHE-ISRAEL God, the God of the Prince of God. Genesis 32:20

ELOAH The One God. Daniel 2:11

EL-GIBBOR The Mighty or Great God. Jeremiah 32:18,19

ELOHIM-ELYON  God, The Most High God. Psalm 91:1-2

ELOHIM-SABOATH Master, Owner of masters, Ruler of all. Psalm 86:12

REDEMPTIVE NAMES OF GOD (JEHOVAHISTIC)

These names speak of our covenant relationship with God. These Names reveal God in His relationship to us as His chosen people, and His desire and ability to fill our every need.

“JEHOVAH” (YAHWEH OR LORD)

The self existent One revealing Himself to man in redemptive purpose.

JAH ELOHIM The Lord God Redeemer Creator.Genesis 2:4

JAH ELOHIM SABOATH The Lord of Hosts. Psalm 84:8,Jeremiah 15:16

JAH JIREH The Lord who sees and provides. Genesis 22:14

JAH RAPHA The Lord who heals. Exodus 15:26

JAH NISSI The Lord my Banner. Exodus 17:15

JAH KANNA The Lord who is jealous. Exodus 20:5

JAH MEKADDESH The Lord who sanctifies. Leviticus 20:8

JAH SHALOM The Lord our Peace. Judges 6:24

JAH SHAPHAT The Lord is Judge. Judges 11:27

JAH SABOATH The Lord of Hosts. 1Samual 1:3/Psalm 24:10

JAH ELYON The Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

JAH RAHH (ROI) The Lord my Shepherd. 23:1

JAH HOSENU The Lord Our Maker. Psalm 95:6

JAH GIBBOR The Lord is Mighty. Isaiah 42:13

JAH TSIDKENU The Lord our Righteousness Jeremiah 23:6 JAH SHAMMAH The Lord is there, ever present. Ezekiel 48:35

Station 3 – Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven

This is a time where we declare and call for the will of God to be done. At times we will be asking the Father for His hand in the affairs of our life or the lives of others, at other times we will take these words as commands and exercise the authority we have been given in Christ. Just as Christ commanded the storm to “Be Still!” so we can command in certain situations, “Will of God BE DONE!”, “Kingdom of God, COME AND BE ESTABLISHED!”

God’s will is that all on earth be conformed to His heavenly pattern. There is no sickness in heaven, no poverty, no confusion.

As we pray we conform our own life and thinking to agree with His Word, and partner with the Father to see His will established here on earth. Our words are creative (Proverbs 18:21) and spiritual power is released into the situations we pray for. These can begin with our own personal needs, but stretch out in intercession to the four corners of the globe. The more time we spend in prayer of this sort, the more clearly our own heart will beat in time with His.

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17)

“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”  (1Cor 4:20)

Pray these things into the situations and circumstances that surround you, knowing that the effective fervent prayers of righteous men and women are not in vain, but powerful and dynamic in their working.

“…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” (James 5:16 AMPLIFIED)

Station 4 – Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to let all of our requests be made to God. It is here that we are able to bring specific needs to our Father’s attention, knowing that as we ask according to His will (and we have just spent time acknowledging and meditating on that very thing) He will answer and grant the very things we have asked.

“And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15 AMPLIFIED)

These needs may be numerous and cover physical, emotional and spiritual arenas of life. Be specific in your requests, and believe that you receive those things you have desired and asked of the Father. He knows all that you have need of before you even ask, and has already provided to meet your request.

“For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].” (Mark 11:24 AMPLIFIED)

Station 5 – Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Clean hands and a pure heart are essential for confident prayer. John the Apostle speaks of this when he couples the conscience with our ability to confidently receive from Heaven:

“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” (1 John 3:20-22 KJV)

Jesus also stressed the importance of a heart free of malice or unforgiveness in regard to effective prayer:

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26 KJV)

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15 KJV)

Here we search and cleanse our hearts of any thing that may hinder our answer being granted and our receiving. It seems that unforgiveness can be a real blockage in the spiritual realm, and prevents the Father from granting that which He desires to give. The price of holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness is just too great, so we intelligently keep short accounts, and continually ensure we are in the love of God and fulfilling God’s command to love others (even if at times they are not loving us).

Station 6 – Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

Satan is always prowling around seeking to devour those whom he finds exposed and vulnerable.

We are warned not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but to think soberly. We are but flesh and blood, and we too need God’s grace to walk uprightly.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”  (Galatians 6:1-3 KJV)

Temptation can come in many guises, but if we keep our heart sensitive and vigilant we will be able to overcome any temptation or test that comes our way (1 Cor 10:13).

Each day we clothe ourselves with Christ, the armour of light (Rom 13:12-14; Eph 6:14-17), and consciously tuck ourselves under the wing of God.

This does not mean we are invincible, but we are aware of two things; our own weakness and vulnerability, and of God’s constant care and protection. Coupled together, our weakness and His greatness, we are perfectly positioned to overcome each and every day, and walk in the blessing of the Most High.

Station 7 – For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

Just as we began by recognising and exalting the Father, so we end our prayers rejoicing in His greatness and victory.

We recognise His Kingdom rule in our lives, His power at work in and through us, and His glory above all else.

More than that, it is forever and ever – we now have an eternal perspective on things, having been lifted into His presence, knowing and sensing that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places.

Truly, the Lord’s Prayer puts things in their proper place and perspective, positioning us for blessing, and powerfully releasing God’s grace into the world around us.

Amen!

So be it!

Let it be done!

Make it so!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

The prayer vocabulary of the early church included words such as ‘great conflict and inward struggle’ (Col 2:1), ‘striving’ and ‘labouring’ (Col 4:12-13), ‘travail’ (Gal 4:19), ‘strong crying and tears’ (Heb 5:7).

Real fervent labour in prayer was not foreign to the people of God in Biblical times, nor to our Lord who agonised in the garden as He interceded on behalf of mankind (Luke 22:44). Such prayer is costly and requires a giving of self to the Holy Ghost, yet as we yield great deliverances can be released. At times the groans and cries may be loud and expressive, at others inward yearnings and longings too deep for human expression. All however consume the heart of the intercessor with Christ’s passion.

Paul records in Romans that at times the Holy Spirit will intercede through us with holy ‘groanings’ (Romans 8:26). The heartcry is so intense that words can no longer express such infinite yearning. All that is left are groanings of the heart, impossible to describe by human wisdom, but understood by God (Romans 8:27).

At times this inward groaning becomes so intense that the Scriptures liken it to the travail of a mother during childbirth. Paul spoke of travailing in prayer in Galatians 4:19:

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” (Gal 4:19 KJV)

Dutch Sheets in the brilliant book ‘Intercessory Prayer’ defines such prayer that brings to birth as:

“A form of intercession that releases the creative power or energy of the Holy Spirit into a situation to produce, create or give birth to something”

Examples of such prayer in Scripture include Elijah in 1Kings 18:41-45 where he takes the posture of a woman in his day giving birth, and prays intensely for the will of God to be released. The picture is one of birthing the will of God into the earth through travailing prayer.

We also witness Jesus Himself ‘groaning within Himself’ when interceding for a miracle at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:38).

The nation of Israel also groaned and cried out to God, who responded with a very great deliverance (Exodus 2:23-24).

Such groaning for freedom and deliverance reflects not only the cry of creation itself:

“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Rom 8:21-23 KJV)

But also the cry of God’s own heart:

“The Lord will go forth like a mighty man, He will rouse up His zealous indignation and vengeance like a warrior; He will cry, yes, He will shout aloud, He will do mightily against His enemies. [Thus says the Lord] I have for a long time held My peace, I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry out like a woman in travail, I will gasp and pant together.” (Is 42:13-14 AMP)

The Scriptures speak of the church (Zion) entering into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings in agonising prayer in Isaiah 66:7-8:

“Before [Zion] travailed, she gave birth; before her pain came upon her, she was delivered of a male child. Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Or shall a nation be brought forth in a moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she brought forth her children.” (Is 66:7-8 AMP)

In giving ourselves as willing vessels to the Holy Spirit of prayer we enter into the prayer travail of the Godhead. We give expression to the unspeakable yearnings of the Saviour’s heart for souls.

Throughout the ages great saints have entered into this fellowship and laboured together with the Holy Spirit, wrestling for God’s purposes to be fulfilled. Following are a few excerpts from the writings of such men:

Wesley Duewel says:

“Our prayer travail, prayer groaning, and prayer agony can never compare with that of our Saviour, but we have not followed Christ very closely or very far if we do not know in our own prayer experience times of deep prayer burden, prayer wrestling, and even perhaps prayer agony.” ‘Mighty Prevailing Prayer’, p225

Martin Luther recorded:

“I question if any believer can have the burden of souls upon him – a passion for souls – and not agonize in prayer.”

‘The Kneeling Christian’, author: Unknown Christian available in plain text form at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/unknown/kneeling.txt

Charles Finney, the famous revivalist, records in his autobiographical memoirs many accounts of times of travail in prayer:

“My soul was in utter agony. I spent almost the entire day in prayer in my stateroom, or walking the deck in intense agony, in view of the state of things. In fact, I felt crushed with the burden that was on my soul…It was the Spirit of prayer that was upon me; that which I have often before experienced in kind but perhaps never before to such a degree, for so long a time…after a day of such unspeakable wrestling and agony in my soul, just at night, the subject cleared up to my mind. The Spirit led me to believe that all would come out all right, and that God had yet work for me to do; that I might be at rest; that the Lord would go forward with His work, and give me the strength to take any part in it that He desired.”

In ‘Principles of Prayer’ Finney says of this holy prayer partnership with Christ:

“Doubtless one great reason why God requires the exercise of this agonizing prayer is that it forms such a bond of union between Christ and the church. It creates such a sympathy between them. It is as if Christ pours the overflowings of His own benevolent heart into His people, and leads them to sympathise and cooperate with Him as they never do in any other way.”

Oswald J Smith rightly records:

 “We expect extraordinary results, and extraordinary results are quite possible; signs and wonders will follow, but only through extraordinary efforts in the spiritual realm. Hence, nothing short of continuous, agonising pleading for souls, hours upon hours, days and nights of prayer, will ever avail.” ‘The Revival We Need’, Oswald J Smith

As we yield to the Spirit of Prayer, manifestations such as groaning, agonising, weeping and strong crying will come up from the heart. We must not be nervous of such expressions, but give ourselves as instruments of Christ, playing our part in birthing His purposes. He is the birthing agent, we are like the midwives who aid the birthing process.