I have several questions. I need to understand the difference of how the Noahic and Abrahamic covenants relate to us.
Genesis 9:8-11And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
Are we not the seed of Noah and therefore that covenant is to us?
Not only was that covenant made to Noah, but it was made to his sons as well…
8 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,
But not only did God make the covenant with Noah and his sons, but he made it to all the creatures on the earth!
10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
And verse 11 makes it clear what that covenant was—to never destroy the earth again through a flood!
11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
Later on God confirms it with a rainbow!
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Why wouldn't this same rule (being the seed of Noah) apply to Abraham and the covenants that God established with him and his seed?
The simple answer is because, unlike the Noahic covenant which is still in effect (because God never says through Paul that it is not), the Abrahamic covenant of circumcision, according to Paul is not in effect today!
1 Corinthians 7:19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Galatians 5:6; 6:15
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Colossians 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
So the short answer for why the same principle that applies to the Noahic covenant does not apply with the Abrahamic covenant, is because God Himself put the Abrahamic covenant on hold during this present Mystery dispensation of Grace according to Paul. But God did not do that same thing with the Noahic one.
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Since we are the seed of Abraham through faith why wouldn't all of the new covenant pertain to us? I understand (I think) the spiritual aspect of what we receive but is there a reference where Paul addresses the physical part of the New Covenant and how we are not a part of this?
First of all yes, Paul makes it clear that those of us in Christ today are the seed of Abraham…
Galatians 3:29
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
But notice that Paul says that we are heirs according to “the promise“! He did not say that we today are heirs according to the covenant! And there is a difference between “the promise,” and the covenant.
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(I just want to clarify something here. The “new covenant” does not pertain to us. God made covenants with Israel, and not us gentiles!.
Jeremiah 31:31
Behold, the days come , saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
So the new covenant would not pertain to us anyway, even if it were in effect, which it is not! God deals with all people today on the basis of His grace alone!)
Anyway, back to your questions…
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Since we are the seed of Abraham through faith why wouldn't all of the new covenant pertain to us? I understand (I think) the spiritual aspect of what we receive but, is there a reference where Paul addresses the physical part of the New Covenant and how we are not a part of this?
Again, notice that Paul says that we are heirs according to “the promise” ! He did not say that we today are heirs according to the covenant! And there is a difference between “the promise,” and the covenant.
So now the question is, what is this “the promise?”
Paul answers that in Galatians.
Galatians 3:7-9
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Notice that Paul makes no mention of the Abrahamic covenant here. In fact the Abrahamic covenant was not instituted until Genesis 17, but Paul is quoting the scripture from Genesis 12.
Galatians 3:8
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed.
Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
So when Paul talks about “the promise” given to Abraham, it has nothing to do with a covenant, it is purely by God’s grace! It is something that God himself will do. It required nothing of Abe’s part, except to believe--which is not a work!
Romans 4:1-5
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
So it is this “promise” that we are a part of today in Christ, and not any covenants!
Paul actually tells us exactly what this promise to us today is…
Galatians 3:14
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith.
So in conclusion, why doesn’t the Abrahamic covenant apply to us today, although the Noahic one does? Because God never stopped the Noahic one, which He made with every creature.
But, today in the mystery dispensation of God’s grace, he put all those other covenants to Abe and his seed on hold and is dealing with us solely on the basis of his grace promise to Abe, which Paul defines as “the Spirit,” which is why it is spiritual and not physical like the land of Canaan, etc., that he promised to Israel (and will give it to them in the future).
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Hopefully this
helps!
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