Compare the old and new covenant

The Old Covenant and the New Covenant are two distinct periods in the history of salvation, as described in the Bible. Here's a comparison of the two:

Old Covenant (OT)

• Established by God with the Israelites through Moses (Exodus 19-24)
• Lasted from approximately 1446 BCE to 586 BCE
• Characterized by:
  • The Law of Moses (Torah): a set of rules and regulations that governed the Israelites' relationship with God and each other
  • Sacrifices and offerings: animal sacrifices and grain offerings were made to atone for sin and maintain a relationship with God
  • The Temple: the central place of worship in Jerusalem, where sacrifices and offerings were made
  • The priesthood: a system of priests who mediated between God and the people
  • The promise of a Messiah: God promised to send a savior who would deliver the Israelites from their sins
• The Old Covenant was based on a covenant of works, where God's blessings were conditional upon the Israelites' obedience to the Law

New Covenant (NT)

• Established by God through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20, Hebrews 8:6-13)
• Lasted from approximately 30 CE to the present day
• Characterized by:
  • The Gospel: the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ
  • The sacrifice of Jesus Christ: Jesus' death on the cross atoned for the sins of humanity, making it possible for people to have a personal relationship with God
  • The Holy Spirit: the Spirit of God indwells believers, guiding and empowering them to live according to God's will
  • The Church: the community of believers who are united in their faith in Jesus Christ
  • The priesthood of all believers: every Christian is a priest, with access to God through Jesus Christ
  • The promise of eternal life: believers have the assurance of eternal life with God
• The New Covenant is based on a covenant of grace, where God's blessings are unconditional and based on His love and mercy

Key differences

• The Old Covenant was based on a system of works, while the New Covenant is based on faith in Jesus Christ
• The Old Covenant required sacrifices and offerings, while the New Covenant has only one sacrifice, that of Jesus Christ
• The Old Covenant had a physical temple, while the New Covenant has a spiritual temple, the Church
• The Old Covenant had a system of priests, while the New Covenant has a priesthood of all believers
• The Old Covenant was limited to the Israelites, while the New Covenant is open to all people, regardless of their background or nationality

Key similarities

• Both covenants were established by God and were designed to bring people into a relationship with Him
• Both covenants had a promise of salvation and eternal life
• Both covenants had a system of worship and sacrifice, although the nature of these was different
• Both covenants had a focus on the importance of obedience to God's will

In summary, the Old Covenant was a temporary, imperfect system that pointed forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, while the New Covenant is a permanent, perfect system that is based on faith in Jesus Christ and offers eternal life to all who believe.