Wellum: It is simply not correct to think of the new covenant as merely a “renewed” version of the old; it brings with it significant change.

Related to this anticipation is the OT promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit and his empowering work in the new covenant era (Ezek 11:19–20; 36:25–27; Joel 2:28–32; cp. Num 11:27–29). Under the old covenant, the “tribal” structure of the covenant community meant that the Spirit was uniquely poured out on leaders. But what the prophets anticipate is a crucial change: the coming of the new covenant era would witness a universal distribution of the Spirit (see Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2). God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh, namely, all those within the covenant community. Thus, all those “under the new covenant” enjoy the promised gift of the eschatological Holy Spirit (see Eph 1:13–14).

In the NT, the Spirit is presented as the agent who not only gives us life but also enables us to follow God’s decrees and to keep God’s laws, thus making us covenant-keepers and not covenant-breakers. The role which Israel was supposed to play is now fulfilled in us, the church, by the Spirit. It is precisely the dawning of this new age that John the Baptist announces (Matt 3:11), which is signaled at Pentecost, and which is grounded in the triumphant cross work of our Lord (John 7:39; 16:7; Acts 2:33).

All these events are associated with the inauguration of the new covenant era. That is why it came to be understood that the new covenant era, the Messianic age, would also be the age of the Spirit. In this age, the Spirit is sent to all believers and thus becomes the precious seal, down-payment, and guarantee of the promised inheritance of the last day. To be “in Christ” is to have the Spirit for, as Paul reminds us, “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom 8:9).

What is the point of all this? It is simply this: one cannot understand the new covenant without acknowledging the massive structural changes that have taken place. It is simply not correct to think of the new covenant as merely a “renewed” version of the old; it brings with it significant change.
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Schreiner, T. R., & Wright, S. D. (2006). Believer’s baptism: sign of the new covenant in Christ (pp. 143–144). Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.

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