The rebellion of Adam and Eve manifests itself as well through the many diverse forms of Christianity which purposely differ from the original and oppose the Lord.

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“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” [John 14:15]

COVENANT AUTHORITY

We know from the historical account of Adam in Genesis, which the Lord Jesus referenced during His ministry (Matthew 19:4-6), that in the very beginning there was perfect spiritual covenantal relationship between this man and God. The same relationship with God transpired with Eve. Directly afterwards, a new covenant was created by God, the marriage covenant between Adam and Eve which was also a perfect covenantal relationship.

Now, regarding the stipulations of these two covenants, and due to the fact that God gave Adam and Eve free wills (because they were sentient beings made in the image of God and not robots), the respective covenants could only work and remain in effect if the parties thereof remained true in heart to one another. This means their close covenant connections were founded upon an eternal adherence by each party to the basic terms thereof which promoted and maintained ongoing good relationship, which, primarily, is Faithfulness (fidelity, devotion, commitment, loyalty, etc.).

Yet, the foundation for such faithfulness is Love. It is why whoever would be in covenant with God must love God (with all one’s heart). Without this love, regardless of great effort and doing everything else right, this covenant could not possibly work. It is the same with marriage. Therefore, these two highest of all covenant relationships are unlike any other. The first creates spiritual life. The second creates human life.

DIAGRAMS

To get a better perspective of these three parties and their original covenant connections, one might consider the simple illustration of a three-sided pyramid. Each point of the pyramid is a covenant partner. At the top is God. At the lower left is Adam. At the lower right is Eve. Each side of the pyramid, represented by a straight line, is the relational connection. Thus, according to this illustration, God has separate direct relationships with both Adam and Eve, as represented by the left and right outwardly descending lines, and Adam and Eve have their own relationship as represented by the base line. Remember, the spiritual covenant Adam and Eve each had with God superseded the one they had with each other (marriage).

So, the pyramid figure starts with the highest point (God). God then creates another point on the lower left upon the creation of Adam. He then creates a line between these two points (the spiritual covenant relationship between God and Adam). Later, when God created Eve, He created a third point on the lower right, followed by a second line between these two points (the spiritual covenant relationship between God and Eve). Only after all this is accomplished is the final connecting line drawn at bottom, (the marriage covenant relationship between Adam and Eve extending left to right). One may notice there is no one else between each covenant party. Adam and Eve each have their direct line of relationship and communication with God and a separate direct line of relationship and communication between each other.

Okay. Is this model actually true? Not really. Is the flaw in this pyramid diagram readily apparent? It is certainly there. This illustration may appear as a good example but is actually in violation of the Lord’s teachings. To discover the flaw, if you have not already, the Apostle Paul addressed the correct covenant relationship model in the eleventh chapter of his first epistle to the Corinthians:

…Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. [1Corinthians 11:3]

Consider the following full explanatory passage from the Amplified Classic:

Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). I appreciate and commend you because you always remember me in everything and keep firm possession of the traditions (the substance of my instructions), just as I have [verbally] passed them on to you.

But I want you to know and realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God.

Any man who prays or prophesies (teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes, and comforts) with his head covered dishonors his Head (Christ). And any woman who [publicly] prays or prophesies (teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes, or comforts) when she is bareheaded dishonors her head (her husband); it is the same as [if her head were] shaved. For if a woman will not wear [a head] covering, then she should cut off her hair too; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her head shorn or shaven, let her cover [her head].

For a man ought not to wear anything on his head [in church], for he is the image and [reflected] glory of God [his function of government reflects the majesty of the divine Rule]; but woman is [the expression of] man’s glory (majesty, preeminence). For man was not [created] from woman, but woman from man; Neither was man created on account of or for the benefit of woman, but woman on account of and for the benefit of man. Therefore she should [be subject to his authority and should] have a covering on her head [as a token, a symbol, of her submission to authority, that she may show reverence as do] the angels [and not displease them].

Nevertheless, in [the plan of] the Lord and from His point of view woman is not apart from and independent of man, nor is man aloof from and independent of woman; For as woman was made from man, even so man is also born of woman; and all [whether male or female go forth] from God [as their Author].

Consider for yourselves; is it proper and decent [according to your customs] for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly] with her head uncovered? Does not the native sense of propriety (experience, common sense, reason) itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is a dishonor [humiliating and degrading] to him, But if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.

Now if anyone is disposed to be argumentative and contentious about this, we hold to and recognize no other custom [in worship] than this, nor do the churches of God generally. [1Corinthians 11:1-16][1]

Thus, the correct illustration of God’s covenants is not a pyramid but a vertical line.

It is the only spiritual hierarchy mentioned in the New Testament (a very limited hierarchy) and is uncomplicated and brief. It begins with God’s supreme presiding authority in heaven and descends to humanity on earth.

DEFINITIONS

Before going further, I must first address the meaning of the English word denoting this authority—“head”—used in 1Corinthians 11:3. It is from the Greek root word κεφαλή kephalḗ (kef-al-ay’). It is defined as: “the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively:—head.” With regard to this verse, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states:

“Metaphorically, anything supreme, chief, prominent; of persons, master, lord: τίνος, of a husband in relation to his wife, 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23; of Christ, the lord of the husband, 1 Corinthians 11:3 (cf. Buttmann, 124f (109)).”

To clarify this, think of the authority the Lord Jesus has over His disciples. Also, think of the Lord Jesus as the Groom and the authority He has over the Bride of Christ. With reference to God or the Father, keep in mind that the Father-Son relationship is a package deal. These two cannot be divided. In fact, the Apostle John writes that whoever does not have the Son does not have the Father, and vice versa. God is not three people but He did manifest Himself in three principal ways. The Lord Jesus is Immanuel: “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). He is the Image of God (2Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:15). During His ministry, the Man (the Son) subjected Himself to the Father. However, He often equated Himself with the Father. He even said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Therefore, this issue must be looked upon in a covenantal sense. For example, Paul stated:

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. [Galatians 3:26-29]

This means, in spiritual terms, that every actual member of the Lord’s real Community is equal regardless of nationality, gender, or social standing. However, a Christian slave remained subjected to his master. Workers remained subjected to whoever hired them. Citizens remained subjected to governing authorities. This also extends to marriage, but again, the marriage covenant is superseded only by one’s personal covenant with the Lord, which means it is obviously a covenant based on love and faithfulness. Nevertheless, the Word of God is clear that the husband is to have authority over his wife:

…Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. [1Corinthians 11:3][2]

CONNECTIONS

However, for the covenants to be in effect, the man first must be as Adam was before the fall, that is, in right relationship with God, and not as Adam was afterwards. And the woman first must be as Eve was before the fall, that is, in right relationship with God, and not as she was afterwards. The marriage covenant thus extends or emerges from the primary covenant with the Lord and is connected to it, just as the overall hierarchy of authority, the vertical line model, is connected through a series of links.

It is why the Lord’s real covenant model is overarching and so important, since every other covenant in the life of a real Christian is based upon it.

© 2025 by RJ Dawson. All Rights Reserved. [To Be Continued…]

[1] © 1987 Amplified Bible Classic Edition. Used by permission.

[2] Unless otherwise noted all Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.