I’ve been looking for the historic origins of church covenants and found that the New Hampshire Baptist Convention book called The Baptist Manual published in 1853 has a covenant that was going around as early as 1833 in that convention. At the end of the covenant it has a “prayer” and cites Hebrews 13.20-21 as the prayer. At my current church our “prayer” is 2 Corinthians 13.13 modified slightly in the form of a prayer at the end of our covenant. I like it because it’s trinitarian. I like the Hebrews 13.20-21 one because it addresses the spirit of the covenant with Jesus the Great Pastor (Shepherd). If we get to use a church covenant in my new pastorate I’d either suggest 2 Corinthians 13:13 or Hebrews 13:20-21. Here are all of the New Testament benedictions.
Romans 16:25–27 (CSB) —25 Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all nations— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to Him be the glory forever! Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:23 (CSB) —23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:13 (CSB) —13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Galatians 6:18 (CSB) —18 Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Ephesians 6:23–24 (CSB) —23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:23 (CSB) —23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Colossians 4:18 (CSB) —18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:28 (CSB) —28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
2 Thessalonians 3:18 (CSB) —18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
1 Timothy 6:21 (CSB) —21 By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith. Grace be with all of you.
2 Timothy 4:22 (CSB) —22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Titus 3:15 (CSB) —15 All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.
Philemon 25 (CSB) —25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Hebrews 13:20–21 (CSB) —20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep —with the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:14 (CSB) —14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
2 Peter 3:18 (CSB) —18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
3 John 14 (CSB) —14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be with you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name.
Jude 24–25 (CSB) —24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
Revelation 22:21 (CSB) —21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
PJ's personal blog. For articles see gospelize.me 