“The moment you accept Jesus Christ as Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, ‘All Things become new.’” Throughout Scripture, we find 30 distinct transformations that occur at the moment of salvation. This document explores the fifth transformation: entering the New Covenant.
The New Covenant has existed since Jesus shed His blood approximately 2,000 years ago. However, individuals only become part of this covenant when they personally accept Christ. At that moment, God’s plan begins to unfold in their lives, and the transformations of the New Covenant take effect.
The Old Covenant was established so people could enter into a relationship with God and have their sins addressed, though never thoroughly washed away through animal sacrifices. Even under this covenant, people could live righteously through faith in God:
God has always made a way for people to follow Him, even before Christ’s sacrifice.
The Old Covenant was sealed in blood through an elaborate sacrificial system:
The purpose of these sacrifices is explained in Hebrews.
“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”
The earthly tabernacle and temple were designed as “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things,” mirroring the reality of God’s throne room in heaven, complete with cherubim over the mercy seat.
“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.”
The sacrifices under the Old Covenant:
Galatians 3:22-26 explains the purpose of the Old Covenant law:
“But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”
The law served several critical purposes:
Hebrews 8:6 states that Jesus is “the mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” The New Covenant is superior because:
Unlike the repeated animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant, Jesus’ sacrifice was:
As John the Baptist proclaimed in John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Just as a will or testament takes effect upon the death of its maker, Christ’s death initiated the New Covenant. His sacrifice made all God’s promises available to believers—”all the promises of God find their Yes in him” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
This passage highlights the stark contrast between:
Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year, bringing blood to sprinkle on the mercy seat. When Jesus died, the temple veil separating the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing the new access to God’s presence.
The book of Hebrews explains that Jesus’ flesh was like that curtain, and through His sacrifice, we now have direct access to God’s throne room. Because of Christ’s completed work, we can approach God with confidence and boldness.
The New Covenant, initiated by Christ’s death and sealed with His blood, represents an eternal, unchangeable relationship with God. Unlike the temporary measures of the Old Covenant, Jesus’ perfect sacrifice has:
When we accept Christ, we enter into this New Covenant and receive all its benefits and transformations—a reality that will continue throughout eternity because His shed blood is eternally effective.
Concludes the thirtieth transformation – receiving a new commandment. Examines Jesus’ “new commandment” to love as He loved, shows how this elevates the standard beyond “love as yourself,” and demonstrates how this supernatural love identifies Christ’s disciples.
Read MoreAddresses the twenty-ninth transformation – receiving new lifestyle. Distinguishes between identity change (instant) and lifestyle transformation (progressive), examines various biblical “walks,” and shows how believers live out their new identity through Spirit-dependent living.
Read MoreExplores the twenty-eighth transformation – receiving heavenly citizenship. Examines Philippians 3:20 and Abraham’s example, discusses living as aliens on earth while belonging to heaven, and looks forward to the coming New Jerusalem and renewed earth.
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