Federal Transactions Between the Father and the Son

 

בְּרִית and διαθήκη - This general means one of three things: 1) a pact or agreement between two parties,  2) a system of precepts (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:11), or 3) an absolute promise (Isaiah 59:21). 

Things Required for a Covenant

[1]. Distinct Persons

[2]. Voluntary, i.e. not coerced

[3]. Both sides have the ability and power to fulfill their respective terms of the covenant. 

[4]. Mutual Satisfaction of the Terms of the Covenant

The Covenant between the Father and the Son

There is a subordination of the Son to the Father, as regards the covenant of redemption. This does not mean that He is of a different nature than the Father (heteroousias), which was the Arian heresy condemned in the 4th century. 

Key texts: Zechariah 6:13; Luke 22:29.

A common objection to this doctrine would be this: since the will of the divine essence is one (since there is one ousia of God), then how can such a covenant exist between the Father and the Son, which implies two distinct wills between the hypostases? Dr. Owen responds by saying the following:

"The will of God as to the peculiar actings of the Father in this matter is the will of the Father, and the will of God with regard unto the peculiar actings of the Son is the will of the Son; not by a distinction of sundry wills, but by the distinct application of the same will unto its distinct acts in the persons of the Father and the Son." (John Owen)

Summary

"The sum is, The Son of God, in infinite love, grace, and condescension, undertaking freely, in and of his own will, to interpose himself between the wrath of God and sinners, that they might be delivered from sin with all its consequents, and saved, unto the glory of God, according to the terms of the covenant explained, his offering and giving up of himself unto the will of God in suffering and dying, in answer unto his holiness, righteousness, and law, was, in the revelation of this counsel of God unto the church, represented by his institution of a sacred office of men, to offer up, by slaying and other rites of his own appointment, the best of other creatures, called by him a priesthood and sacrifices; these things in the first place belonging properly unto the accomplishment of the forementioned holy undertaking in and by the person of that Son of God. And if it be inquired wherefore things were thus ordered in the wisdom and counsel of God, we answer, that, with respect unto the holiness, righteousness, and veracity of God, it was absolutely and indispensably necessary that they should be so disposed; for on the supposition of the sin of man, and the grace of God to save them who had sinned, the interposition of the Son of God described on their behalf was indispensably necessary," (John Owen)