The old and the new covenant

A fascinating topic!

The Old and New Covenants are two distinct periods in the history of salvation, as understood by Christians. Here's a brief overview:

The Old Covenant (OC)

The Old Covenant, also known as the Mosaic Covenant, was established by God with the Israelites through Moses around 1300 BC. It was a covenant of law, where God promised to be the God of Israel if they obeyed His commandments. The OC was characterized by:

  1. The Law of Moses: God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments and other laws to follow.
  2. Sacrifices and offerings: The Israelites were required to offer sacrifices and offerings to atone for their sins.
  3. The Temple: The Temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship and sacrifice.
  4. The priesthood: The Levites were appointed as priests to perform sacrifices and offer prayers.

The OC was meant to be a temporary arrangement, a "schoolmaster" to prepare the Israelites for the coming of the Messiah. However, the Israelites repeatedly broke the covenant, leading to God's judgment and exile.

The New Covenant (NC)

The New Covenant, also known as the New Testament, was established by God through Jesus Christ around 30 AD. It is a covenant of grace, where God promises to forgive sins and give eternal life to those who believe in Him. The NC is characterized by:

  1. The Gospel: The good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
  2. The sacrifice of Jesus: Jesus' death on the cross atoned for the sins of humanity.
  3. The Holy Spirit: The Spirit indwells believers, guiding and empowering them.
  4. The Church: The community of believers, united in Christ, is the new temple of God.

The NC is a fulfillment of the OC, as Jesus is the Messiah promised in the OT. The NC is also a new and better covenant, as it is based on faith and not on works or sacrifices.

Key differences between the OC and NC

  1. Law vs. Grace: The OC was based on the law, while the NC is based on grace.
  2. Sacrifices: The OC required sacrifices, while the NC has only one sacrifice, that of Jesus Christ.
  3. Priesthood: The OC had a physical priesthood, while the NC has a spiritual priesthood, with all believers being priests (1 Peter 2:9).
  4. Temple: The OC had a physical temple, while the NC has a spiritual temple, the Church (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
  5. Salvation: The OC offered salvation through works, while the NC offers salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

In summary, the Old Covenant was a temporary arrangement that prepared the way for the New Covenant, which is a covenant of grace and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.