Summary of How Is The New Covenant Different Than the Old Covenant -- Voddie Baucham

Summary of "How Is The New Covenant Different Than the Old Covenant" by Voddie Baucham

This teaching by Voddie Baucham explores the key differences between the Old (Mosaic) Covenant and the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. Baucham emphasizes the discontinuity between the two covenants, highlighting how the New Covenant is superior in mediator, cleansing, God’s presence, and the means of access to God.

Main Ideas and Concepts

Mediator of the Covenant
- Old Covenant: Moses, a mere man, served as mediator between God and Israel.
- New Covenant: Jesus Christ, God incarnate (the God-man and second person of the Trinity), is the mediator.
- Christ’s ministry is superior and enacted on better promises (Hebrews 8:6-7).
- Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses (Hebrews 3:3).
- This represents a fundamental discontinuity between the covenants.
Nature of Cleansing
- Old Covenant: External cleansing through sacrifices and ritual washings.
- New Covenant: Internal cleansing—transformation from the inside out.
  - Cleansing involves the heart and conscience, not just outward observance (Hebrews 10:19-22).
  - God desires inward purity, justice, and righteousness (Isaiah 1:10-18).
  - Outward rituals without inward change are worthless (Matthew 23:25-26).
- Washing is connected to:
  - Regeneration (Titus 3:4-7)
  - Justification (1 Corinthians 6)
  - Sanctification (Ephesians 5:25-27)
- The New Covenant cleansing is a spiritual reality that results in genuine holiness.
God’s Presence and Access
- Old Covenant: God dwelt on a mountain; people could not approach closely without fear of death.
- New Covenant: God dwells within believers by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- Access to God is now personal and intimate, not limited to a physical location.
Penalty for Sin and Access to God
- Old Covenant: Approach to God required strict adherence and ritual purity; penalty for sin was death.
- New Covenant: Christ has taken the penalty for sin by dying once for all.
- Believers can now approach God boldly because of Christ’s sacrifice (1 Peter 3:18, Isaiah 53:6).
- This access is not based on personal merit but on Christ’s righteousness imputed to believers.
Misunderstanding of Outward Righteousness
- The Pharisees focused on external purity without inward transformation.
- True righteousness begins inside and naturally manifests outwardly.
- Efforts to “clean up the outside” without inner change miss the point of the New Covenant.
Baptism and Symbolism of Washing
- Historical Jewish purification practices (mikvah) symbolized cleansing before approaching God.
- Christian Baptism symbolizes burial with Christ and resurrection to new life.
- Baptism is a one-time act that signifies the believer’s union with Christ’s righteousness.
- Re-Baptism is unnecessary; righteousness is a gift, not earned by works.
Practical Application and Warning
- Trying to earn God’s favor by outward actions is futile (“You can’t get there from here”).
- Salvation and acceptance before God come only through repentance and faith in Christ.
- Believers should approach God with humility, recognizing their righteousness is Christ’s.
- Consecration is ongoing but based on Christ’s work, not personal merit.
- The New Covenant calls for an inward transformation that results in genuine holiness and gratitude.

Detailed Methodology / Instructions for Believers

Recognize that Christ is the mediator and that you approach God through Him, not by your own merit.
Understand that cleansing is an inward work of the Holy Spirit, not just external ritual.
Repent of sin and place faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Accept that your righteousness before God is imputed by Christ, not earned.
Live out your faith with the inward transformation manifesting in outward holiness.
Approach God boldly and humbly, relying on Christ’s righteousness.
Remember Baptism symbolizes your union with Christ’s death and resurrection—this is your new identity.
Avoid relying on outward appearances or works to gain God’s favor.
Continually seek to be consecrated by the Spirit, remembering Christ’s sacrifice and forgiveness.
Cultivate gratitude for the privilege of approaching God and being indwelt by Him.

Speakers / Sources Featured

Voddie Baucham – Primary speaker and teacher.
Biblical references and quotes from:
- Hebrews (Chapters 3, 8, 10)
- Isaiah (Chapter 1)
- Matthew

Notable Quotes

— 05:38 — « Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisees, first clean the inside of the cup and the plate that the outside may also be clean. »

— 06:09 — « Can a street walker walk into the church looking like a street walker? Yes, she can. But if God, who dwells in unapproachable light, redeems her and transforms her, will she still continue to walk into church looking like a street walker? You better believe she won't. »

— 09:39 — « It is because of that that we have the privilege of coming boldly before the throne of grace. Instead of cowering in fear like Israel of old who didn't want to get too close lest they be put to death. You and I come boldly and we cry out, "Aba, Father." And we are indwelt by God himself. »

— 15:46 — « If you are here today and you are trying to be good enough for God outwardly, let me tell you two things. Number one, you can't get there from here. It won't work. It'll never happen. You can't do it. And number two, you don't have to. »

— 18:01 — « I would ask you to be clean today, but not because of what you do to the outside, but because of what Christ does to the inside when you come to him in repentance and faith, pleading for and finding his forgiveness, and as a result, walking in his righteousness. »