Contrasting concepts in the Bible: Old Testament and New Testament, Old Creation and New Creation

 

Contrasting concepts in the Bible: Old Testament and New Testament, Old Creation and New Creation

 

"I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel" (Jeremiah 31:31)

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"And to put on the new self" (Ephesians 4:24)

"Put off the old self... and put on the new self" (Ephesians 4:22-24)

"Our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20)

"Set your minds on things above" (Colossians 3:1-2)

"Clothed with the new self" (Colossians 3:9-10)

"Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh" (Romans 8:5-6)

"By one man's trespass, judgment came to all men" (Romans 5:12-21)

"In Adam all die" (1 Corinthians 15:22)

 

Contrasting Concepts	Meaning	Distinction	Purpose	Application		Mutual Relationship	Related Scriptures
Old Covenant vs New Covenant	- Old Covenant: God's covenant with Israel - New Covenant: God's redemptive covenant with believers	- Old Covenant centered on law - New Covenant centered on grace	- Old Covenant prefigures redemption - New Covenant fulfills redemption	- Old Covenant paves the way for New Covenant - New Covenant fulfills Old Covenant promises	Old Covenant points to  And  prepares for the New Covenant		"But now Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry" (Hebrews 8:6) "I have not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it" (Matthew 5:17)
Old Creation vs New Creation	- Old Creation: Original creation in Adam's fall - New Creation: Regeneration in Christ	- Old Creation contaminated by sin - New Creation cleansed by Christ	- Old Creation reveals God's creative power - New Creation reveals God's redemptive power	- Reborn believers become new creation - Liberation from old bondages	New Creation is a renewal and breakthrough of Old Creation		"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation" (Galatians 6:15)
Old Self  Vs  New Self	- Old Self: Adamic nature, under sin's dominion - New Self: Christ-like nature with divine life	- Old Self belongs to flesh  - New Self belongs to spirit	- Stripping away old self's corruption - Putting on new self's righteousness	- Inner life renewal - Spiritual life growth	New Self replaces Old Self, continuously renewed		"We know that our old self was crucified with him" (Romans 6:6)
Earthly  vs Heavenly	- Earthly: Worldly, temporary - Heavenly: Divine, eternal	- Earthly self-centered - Heavenly God-centered	- Transcend earthly limitations - Pursue eternal kingdom	- Lifestyle transformation - Heavenly perspective and values	Heavenly life permeates earthly existence		"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:14-16)
Carnal  vs Spiritual	- Carnal: Sensory, physical dimension - Spiritual: Spiritual life, faith dimension	- Carnal pursues temporary satisfaction - Spiritual pursues eternal meaning	- Breaking through material limitations - Entering deeper spiritual dimensions	- Spiritual life practice - Application of spiritual gifts	Spiritual transcends and transforms carnal		"Walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16-17) "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:14-15)
Adamic  vs Christ-like	- Adamic: Fallen nature - Christ-like: Regenerated life	- Adamic enslaved by sin - Christ-like set free	- Reveal human fallenness - Demonstrate Christ's redemption	- Fundamental life redirection - Complete identity renewal	Christ-like completely replaces Adamic		"There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1-2)

 

Core Revelation:

These contrasts are not mere juxtapositions, but a progressive transformation from old to new, from earthly to heavenly, from flesh to spirit, fully revealing God's redemptive plan in Christ.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 22 A New Man—the Creator of God’s Masterpiece