**BASF C21: The Kingdom of Israel Restored and the Fulfillment of the New Covenant**
The Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith (BASF) articulates a specific vision of the future Kingdom of God that reflects both Old Testament prophecies and New Testament teachings. According to BASF C21, the Kingdom that Jesus will establish will be the restored Kingdom of Israel, situated in the land originally promised to Abraham and his descendants. This vision is rooted in various scriptural passages and is central to understanding the fulfillment of the New Covenant as it unfolds from the present age into the future.
**1. The Kingdom of Israel Restored**
The promise of a restored Kingdom of Israel is a recurrent theme in the Old Testament, reflected in texts such as Micah 4:6-8 and Amos 9:11, 15. Micah 4:6-8 speaks of a future time when God will gather the afflicted and establish His reign over a restored Zion. This passage envisions a time of divine rule and national restoration for Israel. Similarly, Amos 9:11, 15 proclaims the restoration of the Davidic dynasty and the replanting of Israel in their land, where they will remain securely forever. These texts are echoed in Ezekiel 37:21-22, which describes the reunification of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah under one king from the line of David, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham and his descendants.
Genesis 13:14-17 and Leviticus 26:42 recount God’s covenant with Abraham, promising him and his seed an everlasting possession of the land. Hebrews 11:8-9 highlights Abraham’s faith in this promise, while Galatians 3:16 connects this promise directly to Jesus Christ as the Seed through whom the covenant is ultimately fulfilled. This connection frames the New Testament understanding of the Kingdom of God as both a continuation and a fulfillment of the Old Testament promises.
**2. Inauguration of the New Covenant by Jesus**
Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant through His sacrificial death and resurrection, a central doctrine expressed in the New Testament. Luke 22:20 records Jesus declaring that the cup of wine represents the New Covenant in His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins. This event marks the beginning of a new era in which the promises of God’s kingdom and salvation are extended to all believers, both Jews and Gentiles.
Hebrews 8:6-13 elaborates on this New Covenant, contrasting it with the old covenant made with Israel at Sinai. Jesus, as the mediator of a better covenant, establishes a new way for people to relate to God through internalized laws and personal forgiveness. This New Covenant is characterized by a deeper, more personal relationship with God and is experienced through acts of worship such as the Lord’s Supper.
**3. Partial Fulfillment Now**
In the present age, the New Covenant is experienced in a partial but significant way. Believers partake in the covenant through the breaking of bread, which symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 11:25). This memorial serves as a reminder of the promises made in Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promises a new covenant that will be written on the hearts of His people.
Additionally, the forgiveness of sins and the personal relationship believers have with God through Jesus Christ are manifestations of this New Covenant. However, this experience is incomplete and anticipates a future fulfillment. The New Covenant provides a foretaste of the peace and righteousness that will be fully realized in the Kingdom to come.
**4. Full Realization at the Second Coming**
The full realization of the New Covenant will occur at the Second Coming of Jesus. This future event is anticipated to bring about the complete establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, where peace, justice, and righteousness will prevail. The Second Coming will be the moment when the New Covenant promises are fully realized, and Jesus will reign as King over a restored Israel and the entire world.
At this time, the Jewish people, along with all believers, will experience the full blessings of the New Covenant in a redeemed creation. Micah 7:20 emphasizes that God will show steadfast love to Abraham and Jacob, fulfilling the promises of the covenant. The Second Coming will be the culmination of these promises, as described in passages like Revelation 21:1-4, where a new heaven and new earth will be established, and God will dwell among His people.
In summary, BASF C21 envisions a future Kingdom where Jesus will restore Israel to its former glory and fulfill the covenant promises made to Abraham. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus, offers believers forgiveness and a relationship with God, and its ultimate fulfillment will be realized at the Second Coming, marking the beginning of a new era of divine reign and eternal peace.
**The New Covenant is the Promises Made to Abraham**
The concept of the New Covenant is deeply rooted in the promises made to Abraham, forming a central theme in both Old Testament prophecies and New Testament teachings. The Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith (BASF) C21 emphasizes that the Kingdom Jesus will establish is the restored Kingdom of Israel, situated in the land promised to Abraham and his Seed, which is Christ, by covenant. This understanding frames the New Covenant as a fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham.
**1. The Promises to Abraham**
The foundation of the New Covenant lies in the promises God made to Abraham, which are articulated in several key passages. In Genesis 13:14-17, God promises Abraham that his descendants will inherit the land he sees forever. This covenantal promise is not only about the land but also about the relationship between God and Abraham’s descendants. Leviticus 26:42 reiterates this, emphasizing God's commitment to the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Hebrews 11:8-9 highlights Abraham’s faith in these promises, noting that he lived in the promised land as a foreigner, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. Galatians 3:16 clarifies that these promises were ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the Seed of Abraham, thus linking the Old Covenant promises to the New Covenant.
**2. The Old Covenant**
The Old Covenant, established through Moses, involved the Law given at Sinai and was specific to the nation of Israel. It was a conditional covenant, requiring Israel's obedience to God's laws in return for His blessings. However, this covenant was never intended to annul the promises made to Abraham. As Paul explains in Galatians 3:17-18, the law, given 430 years after Abraham, does not invalidate God's covenant with Abraham nor the promise of inheritance by faith.
The Old Covenant served as a tutor to lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:24). It highlighted the need for a deeper, more transformative covenant that would address the heart and spirit of God’s people.
**3. The New Covenant**
The New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus, is a fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. Luke 22:20 records Jesus establishing this covenant during the Last Supper, declaring that the cup of wine represents the New Covenant in His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins. This New Covenant is built on better promises (Hebrews 8:6-13), offering a renewed relationship with God that goes beyond the external adherence to the Law, emphasizing internal transformation and personal relationship with God.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 prophesies about this New Covenant, where God promises to write His laws on the hearts of His people, forgive their sins, and establish a direct, personal relationship with them. This prophecy directly ties into the promises made to Abraham, as it envisions a time when God’s people will fully embody His will and purpose.
**4. The Kingdom of Israel Restored**
The restoration of the Kingdom of Israel is a key element in the fulfillment of the New Covenant. Prophecies such as Micah 4:6-8 and Amos 9:11, 15 speak of a time when God will gather the remnants of Israel, restore the Davidic dynasty, and plant Israel securely in their land. Ezekiel 37:21-22 foretells the reunification of Israel and Judah under one king from the line of David, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham about his descendants.
Jeremiah 23:3, 8 describes God bringing His people back to their land and making them fruitful. These promises ensure that the land bequeathed to Abraham and his Seed (Christ) will be an everlasting possession, as reaffirmed in Genesis 13:14-17 and Leviticus 26:42.
**5. Full Realization at the Second Coming**
The full realization of the New Covenant will occur at the Second Coming of Jesus. This future event will bring about the complete establishment of God's kingdom on earth, fulfilling the promises made to Abraham. The Jewish people, along with all believers, will experience the full blessings of the New Covenant in a redeemed creation.
Micah 7:20 emphasizes God's faithfulness to Jacob and Abraham, fulfilling the promises of the covenant. Revelation 21:1-4 envisions a new heaven and new earth where God dwells among His people, completing the divine promises.
**Conclusion**
The New Covenant is the continuation and fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham. It bridges the Old and New Testaments, connecting the covenantal promises with their ultimate realization in Christ and His future kingdom. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus, offers believers a relationship with God and anticipates a future where these promises are fully realized, restoring Israel and bringing eternal peace.
