What is the New Covenant?

Christians use the term New Covenant for what changed between God and people through Jesus. The four people here agree on the core of it.

Three of them describe God's law written on hearts instead of stone, and all four describe a restored relationship with God. Rick Osborne says the New Covenant is Jesus himself.

Where they differ is in what the New Covenant asks of the people in it.

Who you should listen to

Four voices: a Christian author with over 10 million books sold, two pastors, and an ordained minister who founded Liberating Strategies.

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  Rick Osborne · Christian author with over 10 million books sold

  Listen for: Why he calls the New Covenant Jesus himself.

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  Rev. Dr. Jason Carson Wilson · Ordained minister, author, and founder of Liberating Strategies

  Listen for: Love of neighbor as the proof of love of God.

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  Hope Carpenter · Pastor of Redemption Church and author

  Listen for: Knowing your end of the covenant, and walking it out.

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  John K Coar · Pastor, professor, and Army officer

  Listen for: Colossians 3, and new life put on like clothing.

How do pastors explain the New Covenant?

Rick Osborne

Christian author with over 10 million books sold

10M+ books sold

Why themChristian author whose books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.

Rick’s advice: The New Covenant is Jesus himself, with God's laws written on our hearts.

“The New Covenant is Jesus Himself: He is our sacrifice, our high priest, and the guarantee that God’s laws are now written on our hearts, not on stone. Because He lives in us, we are not trying to reach a distant God; He is already here, causing us to know Him and walk in His ways.”

Go deeper with Rick

Rev. Dr. Jason Carson Wilson

Ordained minister, author, and founder of Liberating Strategies

Ordained minister

Why themLeads Liberating Strategies and helped found the Bayard Rustin Liberation Initiative.

Jason’s advice: A restored relationship, not a tighter set of rules.

“The New Covenant, as I read it, is God's promise written on hearts instead of stone: not a tighter set of rules, but a restored relationship where love of neighbor becomes the proof of love of God.”

Go deeper with Jason

Hope Carpenter

Pastor of Redemption Church and author

Author of two books

Why themPastors Redemption Church with her husband, Ron, and wrote The Little Pink Book.

Hope’s advice: An agreement made through Jesus's blood that gives direct access to the Father.

“The New Covenant is the agreement God cut through Jesus' blood: He paid for sin once and for all, seated Himself at the Father's right hand, and gave us direct access to the Father through the Holy Spirit living inside us. I see it as a covenant of love with benefits, but you have to know your end of the deal, speak it, and walk it out.”

Go deeper with Hope

John K Coar

Pastor, professor, and Army officer

Pastor

Why themBrings biblical scholarship, pastoral leadership, and social justice together, and translates complex theology for everyday life.

John’s advice: Stone-carved law replaced by Spirit-written transformation.

“The New Covenant is God’s promise, fulfilled in Jesus, that replaces stone-carved law with Spirit-written transformation: hearts changed, sins forgiven, and people drawn into direct relationship with the Father. I see it in Colossians 3 as the boutique of new life where old garments come off and Christ’s own mercy, forgiveness, and love are fitted onto us.”

Go deeper with John

Everyone’s advice at a glance

What the New Covenant means, point by point

1. 1

   It is fulfilled in Jesus. John K Coar calls it God's promise fulfilled in Jesus. Rick Osborne says Jesus is the sacrifice, the high priest, and the guarantee.

2. 2

   The law moves from stone to hearts. Rick Osborne, Jason Carson Wilson, and John K Coar all describe God's law written on hearts instead of stone.

3. 3

   Sin is paid for once. Hope Carpenter says Jesus paid for sin once and for all. John K Coar names forgiven sins as part of the promise.

4. 4

   People have direct access to God. Hope Carpenter describes direct access to the Father through the Holy Spirit living inside believers. John K Coar describes people drawn into direct relationship with the Father.

5. 5

   It changes how you live. Jason Carson Wilson says love of neighbor becomes the proof of love of God. John K Coar points to Colossians 3, where old garments come off and mercy, forgiveness, and love are fitted on.