The First Covenant - The Covenant of Redemption

The Covenant of Redemption was made between God the Father and God the Son in eternity past in which they covenanted together for the redemption of the human race; the Father appointing  the Son to be the mediator, the Second Adam, whose life would be given for salvation of the world, and the Son accepting the commission, promising that He would do the work the Father had given Him to do and fulfill all righteousness by obeying the law of God.

  ----  So it is by the life of Christ, as well as His death, that we are provided salvation.

There are many scriptural references to demonstrate this truth. Some are: 

...God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 1:9-10)

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord,  because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel; that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). See also Ephesians 1:3-14; and 3:11; James 2:5; 1 Peter 1:2
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Christ Himself referred to His coming in such terms:


...I seek not to please Myself, but Him who sent Me. (John 5:30)


I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave Me to do.
And now, Father, glorify Me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
(John 17:4-5). See also: John 5:43; John 6:38-40; John 17:6-12.


And Christ is regarded as the representative of the human race is such verses as:

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam  all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (2 Corinthians 15:21-22). See also: Romans 5:12-21.



In the eternal plan of God it was decreed that the Father would plan the redemption of His people; The Son would provide redemption through his atoning death; the Holy Spirit would effect the plan through regenerating and sealing the believers.


This is the Covenant of Redemption.

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Praise be to the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in  Christ.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless.

In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
(Ephesians 1:3-8)

In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will--to the praise of His glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One He loves.

In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
(Ephesians 1:3-8)