From Hebrews: The Gospel as the Perfect Recipe for Salvation
Orientation
The gospel can feel unstable if we mistake our performance for its foundation, but God established our hope on His own immutable promise and oath.
- Our assurance is not based on our record or resolve.
- God joined the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants into one everlasting covenant between the Father and the Son.
- This union provides a steadfast anchor for the soul, secured by Christ's dual role.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (Hebrews 6:17-19)
— Hebrews 6:17-19
Clarification
The church is not a covenant party under Israel's new covenant, but a testament heir receiving Christ's inheritance by grace alone.
- Israel's national covenant and prophetic future remain distinct from the church's calling.
- The church is a distinct, heavenly body revealed as a mystery through Paul.
- We are heirs with Christ, not participants in the Mosaic or New Covenant made with Israel.
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (Ephesians 3:5-6)
— Ephesians 3:5-6
Structure
Christ's priesthood after the order of Melchizedek supersedes the Levitical law, mediating a new testament and securing our access to God.
- The Levitical law was a shadow; Christ's priesthood is the reality of an endless life.
- A change in priesthood necessitates a change in the law (Hebrews 7:12).
- Christ, as our Joshua, actively fights for and delivers our inheritance.
But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:24-25)
— Hebrews 7:24-25
Weight-Bearing Prose
The gospel’s perfect recipe is the union of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants into one everlasting covenant between the Father and the Son. This establishes Christ’s dual role as King and High Priest. His kingship fulfills the Davidic promise; His priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, forever supersedes the Levitical law. This change in priesthood necessitates a change in the law itself (Hebrews 7:12). The old system was a shadow that exposed failure; Christ is the reality who secures life.
Paul’s revelation distinguishes the church from Israel. Israel remains God’s covenant nation with a distinct prophetic future. The church is a separate, heavenly entity—testament heirs, not covenant parties. We are co-heirs with Christ, receiving the inheritance by grace, not by law-keeping. This distinction is not minor; it protects the truth that our standing is based solely on Christ’s finished work and ongoing intercession, not our performance under any covenant.
To collapse this distinction or to place the church under Israel’s covenants is to forfeit the anchor of hope. It makes justification unstable and inheritance uncertain. The gospel is salvific; to compromise its structure is to lose everything.
Integration
Your hope is an anchor. It is not tied to your performance but to two immutable things: God’s promise and God’s oath. Christ Himself is that anchor, seated in heaven as your King and High Priest. He ever lives to make intercession for you.
You are an heir. Not because you kept a covenant, but because Christ secured an everlasting covenant and now shares His inheritance with you as a testament. This is your portion by grace. Your access to God is confident and sure because Christ has gone within the veil as your forerunner.
There is no pressure to advance or perform. Rest in the finished work of Christ, who is both the author and perfecter. He is your Joshua, fighting for your inheritance. He is your priest, ministering on your behalf. Let this truth saturate your heart and be your only nourishment. Christ is your assurance, your access, and your eternal life.