Theology

Old Covenant vs. New Covenant

The Old Covenant, made at Sinai, was based on the Law written on stone tablets and required animal sacrifice; the New Covenant, established through Christ's blood, writes God's law on the heart and provides permanent forgiveness.

Point by Point

Old Covenant New Covenant
Basis The Law given through Moses at Mount Sinai. Christ's own blood, shed once for all.
Where it's written On tablets of stone. 'I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts' (Jeremiah 31:33).
Sacrifice Required repeated animal sacrifices that could never fully remove sin. A single, sufficient sacrifice by Christ, 'once for all' (Hebrews 10:10).

Scripture References

The Promise of a New Covenant

Jeremiah 31:31-33
31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The Old Testament's own prophecy of a coming covenant unlike the one made at Sinai.

This Cup Is the New Testament in My Blood

Luke 22:20
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Jesus explicitly establishes the New Covenant at the Last Supper.

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