The Bible presents two significant covenants: the Old Covenant, established between God and Israel, and the New Covenant, fulfilled through Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant was marked by God giving the Ten Commandments, written directly by Him on stone tablets—an enduring medium to signify the permanence of His law (Exodus 31:18). Alongside these commandments, the law included various ceremonial and civil ordinances, given through Moses, which shaped Israel's relationship with God. However, Israel’s inability to fully keep these laws led to the need for a New Covenant, one that would transform the heart rather than rely on external adherence. Through Scripture, we see that this New Covenant was foretold by the prophets and established through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But two key questions arise: When did the New Covenant begin, and who is included under it?
When Did the New Covenant Begin?
The New Covenant’s inauguration is closely linked to the death of Jesus Christ, though its establishment was foreshadowed throughout His ministry. During the Last Supper, Jesus explicitly speaks of the New Covenant, using the imagery of His blood as the means through which it is sealed. In **Matthew 26:28**, Jesus says:
"For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
Here, Jesus refers to His upcoming death as the pivotal moment when the New Covenant would be established. His sacrifice on the cross was to be the final and perfect offering for the forgiveness of sins, replacing the continual sacrifices required under the Old Covenant. This sacrificial act marked the beginning of the New Covenant, fulfilling God's promises made through the prophets, such as in Jeremiah 31:31-34.
However, while Jesus declared the New Covenant at the Last Supper, it was His death that formally inaugurated it. As He died on the cross, His words—“It is finished” (John 19:30) signaled the completion of the atonement process, confirming that His death fulfilled the necessary requirements to initiate the New Covenant.
The resurrection of Jesus further solidified this. It demonstrated not only victory over death but the full power of the New Covenant, which promises not only forgiveness of sins but also eternal life. After His resurrection, Jesus commissioned His disciples to spread this message to all nations, extending the reach of this covenant beyond the boundaries of Israel. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Thus, while the New Covenant was declared during the Last Supper, it was fully inaugurated through the death and resurrection of Jesus, marking a new era in God's relationship with humanity.
Who is Under the New Covenant?
The question of who is included in the New Covenant is equally important. While the Old Covenant was established primarily with the nation of Israel (Exodus 19:5-6), the New Covenant, though promised initially to Israel, expands far beyond one nation. The Scriptures reveal that the New Covenant includes not only Israel but also Gentiles anyone who obeys and believes in God’s promises.
The Old Testament prophets spoke of this inclusion. For instance, Isaiah 42:6 foretells the role of the Messiah as a light to the Gentiles:
"I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles."
This passage suggests that the work of the Messiah, and by extension the New Covenant, would not be confined to Israel alone but would extend to the nations. This universal scope is echoed in Jeremiah 31:31-34 where God promises a New Covenant with the house of Israel and Judah but also hints at a future where all people could be part of His covenant.
Jesus Himself spoke of this broader inclusion. In John 10:16, He refers to “other sheep” who are not part of the Jewish fold but will be gathered into one flock under one shepherd:
"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."
This statement points to the inclusion of Gentiles—non-Jews—into the fold of God’s covenant people. The New Covenant was never meant to be exclusive to Israel but was part of God's plan to unite all people under Him.
After His resurrection, Jesus further solidified this inclusive nature of the New Covenant by instructing His disciples to spread the gospel to all nations, Matthew 28:19; signaling that the blessings of the New Covenant were for everyone—Jews and Gentiles alike.
The prophets also foreshadowed this global inclusion. In Isaiah 56:6-7; God speaks of bringing foreigners, Gentiles into His covenant community:
"Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer."
This passage reinforces the idea that the New Covenant is not just for Israel but for all who love and serve God, regardless of their ethnic background. The inclusion of the Gentiles into God's covenant community is a fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, that through him "all nations of the earth shall be blessed Genesis 22:18.
Conclusion
The New Covenant was formally established through the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. His blood, shed on the cross, marked the moment when the Old Covenant gave way to the New, fulfilling God's promises and offering a once-for-all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. A critical moment that highlights this transition is found in Matthew 27:51, where it is recorded that at the moment of Jesus' death, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
This tearing of the temple veil symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year, but with the New Covenant, access to God is opened to all who believe. This event signifies the end of the Old Covenant's sacrificial system and the direct access to God provided through Christ.
Both Jews and Gentiles who respond in faith and obedience are welcomed into the New Covenant, where God's law is written on their hearts, and forgiveness is offered through the perfect sacrifice of Christ. This is a covenant of Love and relationship, where anyone who loves and serves the Lord is included, regardless of their background or heritage.
Thus, the New Covenant is a global and inclusive promise, extending the blessings of salvation to all who seek God, making them part of His eternal kingdom.