The glory of the new covenant

The New Covenant, also known as the Second Covenant, is a central concept in Christianity that refers to the new relationship between God and humanity established through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The New Covenant is seen as a fulfillment and replacement of the Old Covenant, which was established between God and the Israelites through the law given to Moses.

The New Covenant is characterized by several key elements:

1. The presence of the Holy Spirit: In the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit was present in a limited way, but in the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit is poured out on all believers, empowering them to live a life pleasing to God (Acts 2:1-4).
2. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ: The New Covenant is based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity (Romans 5:8-11).
3. The forgiveness of sins: Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are forgiven of their sins and receive eternal life (John 3:16-17).
4. The indwelling of God: In the New Covenant, God dwells within believers through the Holy Spirit, making them temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
5. The unity of believers: The New Covenant brings unity among believers, who are all part of the same body of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22).
6. The fulfillment of prophecy: The New Covenant is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and promises, such as the promise of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
7. The establishment of a new priesthood: In the New Covenant, believers are all priests and have direct access to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5-9).

The glory of the New Covenant is seen in its ability to bring people into a personal relationship with God, to forgive their sins, and to empower them to live a life pleasing to God. The New Covenant is also seen as a fulfillment of God's original plan for humanity, which was to have a personal relationship with Him.

Some of the key passages that describe the glory of the New Covenant include:

• Jeremiah 31:31-34: "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the Lord. "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
• Hebrews 8:6-13: "But in fact, there is one priest, and that is the one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. This is the one who ministers in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human. He is a high priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek."
• 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Overall, the glory of the New Covenant is seen in its ability to bring people into a personal relationship with God, to forgive their sins, and to empower them to live a life pleasing to God.