GREL 1003: Principals of Biblical Faith
             Could mere obedience to law bring about forgiveness of sins and salvation? God's whole plan of salvation is promised and understood through the Covenants. Many denominations have different beliefs, however, thanks to the Covenants, all believe that the only condition for salvation that He requires is faith. These Covenants were and are still very necessary because they convey God's promise. An understanding of the Covenants helps build a person's faith and gives one a much better basis for understanding of the Bible.
             The need for the Covenants was pointed out by God in Romans 3:23, where He said, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." In the Old Testament, the believers did not have God's Spirit in them as a permanent gift. The laws, of the Old Covenant, were broken by Gods people, even though, both Covenants made clear that the way to be declared "not guilty" by Him was not for good work or deeds, but by faith.
             The Old Covenant – What and Where
             Whenever God makes a promise or gives man a commandment or a prohibition, He makes a covenant with man. This type of contract usually comes about through negotiations. Once an agreement is reached, it is usually sealed in some formal way. Thus, it becomes binding to everyone. The Old Covenant was essentially a contract between God and the Israelites (His chosen people). He sent Moses to these people to convey his message, which was "If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation" (KJV) Exodus 19:5 – 6. The physical sign of following the Old Covenant was circumcision.
             The Mosaic Law was a central part of the Old Covenant. This law was the moral record of how God's people were supposed to li...