Appendix I

A Comparison Between the

Old and New Covenants

• 1) OC:

  A physical covenant based on physical
  promises. Ex. 19:5-6; Deut. 28; Lev. 26
  NC:

  A spiritual covenant based on spiritual
  promises and eternal life. John 3:16;
  Heb. 8:6; 9:15; Rom. 8; Luke 18:29-30
• 2) OC:

  Required physical circumcision.
  Gen. 17:9; Ex. 12:48; John 7:22
  NC:

  Circumcision is of the heart through
  baptism. Acts 2:38; 3:19; Rom. 2:25-29;
  Phil. 3:3; Jer. 4:4; Col. 2:11-13
• 3) OC:

  Holy Spirit generally not available;
  obedience was to the letter of the Law.
  Rom. 7:6; Heb. 8:7-9; Matt. 5:21-45
  NC:

  Believers have the gift of the Holy Spirit
  and obey in the spirit of the Law. Rom.
  7:6; Heb. 8:10-12; 10:16; Matt. 5:21-48;
  6:1-34; Acts 2:38; Rom. 8:9-10; Gal. 2:20
• 4) OC:

  Worship at the earthly tabernacle through
  human priest/mediator. Heb. 9:13;
  Gal. 3:12; Lev. 18:5; II Cor. 3:16
  NC:

  Directly worship God the Father in
  heaven through Christ. John 4:23-24;
  16:23-27; Heb. 6:20; 10:23; Rom. 8:9-39;
  Eph. 2:18-22; II Cor. 3:6
• 5) OC:

  Had animal sacrifices, offerings and ritual
  works of the law. Lev. 1-7
  NC:

  Have the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, fruits
  of the Holy Spirit, prayer and good works.
  Heb. 9:10; Heb. 10:12; Gal. 5:22-24;
  Eph. 2:10; Rom. 12:1-2; Rev. 8:3-5;
  Heb. 13:15; Matt. 19:17; Mark 15:15-18
• 6) OC:

  Transgression of the Law required physical
  atonement for certain sins, death penalty
  for others. Heb. 9:7-10; II Cor. 3
  NC:

  Forgiveness for sins upon repentance;
  second death for unpardonable sin.
  Heb. 8:5; 9:1-5; 9:2-28; 10:16-31;
  Rev. 20:14-15; 21:8; II Cor. 3
• 7) OC:

  Had physical ordinances of divine service
  and an earthly sanctuary. Heb. 9:1-5
  NC:

  Has actual divine service and a heavenly
  sanctuary. Heb. 8:5; 9:1-5, 24-28;
  10:16-31; Rev. 8:3-4
• 8) OC:

  Earthly tabernacle consecrated with
  animal blood. Heb. 9:18-23; Ex. 24:3-8;
  40:1-38
  NC:

  Heavenly tabernacle consecrated with the
  blood of Jesus Christ. Luke 22:19-22;
  I Cor. 11:23-32; Heb. 9:14-28; 10:5-14
• 9) OC:

  Sons of Aaron were high priests of earthly
  tabernacle. Heb. 8:3-5; Ex. 28:1
  NC:

  Christ is now High Priest of heavenly
  tabernacle. Heb. 4:14-16; 5:1-9; 7:17;
  8:1-2; 9:11
• 10) OC:

  Priests offered animal sacrifices for
  physical justification and purifying of the
  flesh; high priest went into Holy of Holies
  once a year. Heb. 5:1-3; 9:1-13
  NC:

  Christ offered Himself once as the sacrifice
  for sin; spiritual justification is now
  possible for all. Heb. 7:25-27; 9:23-28;
  Acts 11:18; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 3:24-25
• 11) OC:

  No direct access to God the Father.
  Heb. 9:6-8; 10:19
  NC:

  Direct access to the Father through Christ.
  Matt. 27:51; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:25-27;
  John 16; Gal. 4:6-7; Rom. 8:15; Eph. 2:18
• 12) OC:

  Could not make one perfect as pertaining
  to conscience. Heb. 9:9; 10:4, 11
  NC:

  Sin is spiritually forgiven; the conscience
  is purged through the Holy Spirit.
  Heb. 10:14-17; II Cor. 3:9</>; Col. 1:27;
  Phil. 2:5; 3:9-17; Matt. 5:48; Eph. 4
• 13) OC:

  Sacrifices and oblations ceased to be
  effective at the time the new spiritual
  order was established by Christ. Heb. 9:9-10
  NC:

  Christ’s supreme sacrifice applies to all
  who accept it (from time of Adam to the
  end of humanity). Heb. 10:10-14
• 14) OC:

  The Old Covenant was made obsolete by
  the death of Christ. Heb. 8:13; 10:9;
  Matt. 27:51
  NC:

  The New Covenant was established after
  Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension.
  Heb. 8:13; Matt. 27:51