"Leave Behind vs Bequeath vs Testament vs Inheritance" in the
New Testament
John
14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give
you"
John
3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son"
Heb
9:16-17 "In the case of a will...the death of the
one who made it must be established"
Rom 8:17 "Now if we are
children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ"
Items |
Leave
Behind (καταλείπω) |
Bequeath
(διαθήκη) |
Testament (διαθήκη) |
Inheritance (κληρονομία) |
Basic Meaning |
To leave,
abandon for posterity |
To give through
covenant to recipients |
Legal
will/covenant with binding force |
Property/estate
legally obtained by heirs |
Spiritual Meaning |
Christ's loving
initiative of giving |
God's formal
transfer of grace |
Legal guarantee
document of salvation |
Believers' blessings
in Christ |
Legal Nature |
Gracious giving |
Formal transfer
of grace |
Binding divine
covenant |
Legitimate
spiritual inheritance rights |
Actor's Role |
Christ actively
leaves behind |
God actively
gives |
Christ
establishes the will |
Believers
passively receive |
Time Characteristics |
Began during
Christ's earthly ministry |
Continues
throughout salvation plan |
Took legal
effect after Christ's death |
Begins
immediately upon believing |
Scope Features |
Specific
spiritual graces |
Broad salvation
graces |
Complete
salvation plan |
Sum total of
all spiritual blessings |
Method of Obtaining |
Received
through Christ's love |
Received
through God's grace |
Takes effect
through faith |
Inherited
through sonship |
Main Examples |
• Peace
(John 14:27) • Holy
Spirit Comforter (John 14:16) • New
commandment of love (John 13:34) |
• God
gave His only Son (John 3:16) • Grants
eternal life (John 17:2) • Grants
authority as children (John 1:12) |
• The
New Testament itself • New
covenant in blood (Luke 22:20) •
Christ's words and teachings |
• Eternal
life (Matt 25:34) • Kingdom
of God •
Spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3) •
Incorruptible inheritance (1 Pet 1:4) |
Believers' Response |
Cherish and
hold fast |
Be grateful and
receive |
Believe and
obey |
Draw upon by
faith and enjoy |
Practical Application |
• Hold
fast to Christ's peace •
Obey the Lord's commands • Depend
on Holy Spirit's help |
• Thank
God for His grace •
Accept God's gifts • Not
earn by works |
• Believe
in Scripture's authority •
Live according to Scripture •
Proclaim God's Word |
• Draw
upon grace by faith • Enjoy
spiritual blessings • Share
testimony with others |
Rich Content |
Precious graces
personally left by Christ |
Salvation gifts
actively given by God |
Scripture
recording complete salvation plan |
Divine Sharing: Trinity Himself,
God's life and nature Salvation Reality: Redemption, forgiveness, justification,
reconciliation, regeneration, sanctification Status Change: Sonship, heir status, God's children Life Supply: Eternal life,
abundant life, spiritual power, peace Relationship Establishment: Reconciled to
God, in Christ, Holy Spirit indwelling Future Hope: Resurrection,
glory, eternal kingdom |
Interrelationship
Flow Chart
Christ's Love
& Sacrifice → Leaves Spiritual Graces → Through Grace Bequeathal → Recorded
in NT Testament → Believers Inherit Spiritual Heritage
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Cross Redemption Active Giving Formal Transfer Legal Guarantee Actual Enjoyment
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Act of Love Grace Manifestation Covenant Establishment Word Record Blessing Reception
Core
Truth Summary
New Testament = Christ's
Testament
- Original word
"covenant" (διαθήκη) and "testament" are the same
- The new covenant
established through Christ's death and bloodshed is not only a covenant
but also a testament
- After Christ's
resurrection and ascension, all covenant contents are bequeathed to those
who believe in Him
- People inherit
property through a testament, just as we inherit salvation through
Scripture
- The entire New
Testament content is the Lord's testament left for believers to "draw
from inexhaustibly and enjoy forever"
Practical significance
These four concepts form a complete system of salvation:
1. Legacy - Demonstrating
Christ's love and initiative
2. Legacy - Demonstrating the richness of
God's grace
3. Testament - Provides assurance of
salvation
4. Heritage - Realizing the blessedness of
believers
Believers can therefore be assured of and enjoy all the
spiritual riches in Christ, which are the infinite treasures prepared for us in
God's eternal plan.
*Please refer to the Truth
Course – Level 2 (Volume 1) Lesson 8 The New Covenant between God and All
Sinners V. Contents of the Entire New Testament
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