We Are No Longer Under The Old Covenant

The Bible presents a clear contrast between the Old Covenant, given through Moses, and the New Covenant, established by Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant was a system of laws, sacrifices, and rituals designed for the nation of Israel. God gave Israel the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19–20), and it served as their national and religious guide. But Scripture teaches that this covenant was temporary and intended to point forward to something greater. Paul writes, “The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ… but after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:24–25). The Old Covenant revealed sin and showed humanity its need for a perfect Savior (Romans 3:20).

The New Covenant, on the other hand, is built upon Christ’s sacrifice and offers what the Old could never provide, complete and final forgiveness of sins. Under the Old Covenant, animal sacrifices could not truly take away sin (Hebrews 10:4), and the priests themselves were imperfect. But Jesus came as the perfect High Priest, offering His own blood as the once-for-all sacrifice. The Hebrew writer affirms, “He takes away the first that He may establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9). Through the death of Christ, the Old Covenant ended, and the New Covenant began (Colossians 2:14).

There is also a contrast in the scope of the two covenants. The Old Covenant applied only to Israel; no other nation was ever commanded to keep the Law of Moses. Deuteronomy 5:2–3 makes this clear: “The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us.” The New Covenant, however, is for all nations. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). Under the Old Covenan

t, one entered God’s people by physical birth; under the New Covenant, one enters by the new birth; obedience to the gospel (John 3:5; Acts 2:38–41).

Another difference lies in the nature of the law. The Old Covenant emphasized external commandments, circumcision, dietary laws, feast days, and temple worship. These were “a shadow of things to come” (Colossians 2:17). But the New Covenant emphasizes internal transformation: “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10). Christians serve God not through rituals and shadows, but through the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2) a law of love, faith, grace, and sincere obedience.

Finally, the promises differ. The Old Covenant promised physical blessings in the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 28). The New Covenant promises spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), forgiveness (Hebrews 10:17), and the hope of heaven (1 Peter 1:3–4). The Old was glorious, but the New is far more glorious (2 Corinthians 3:7–11).

In every way, its purpose, its priesthood, its promises, and its power, the New Covenant is superior. Christians today are thankful that through Christ we are no longer under the Old Covenant but live under His perfect law of liberty (James 1:25).

God Bless