Understanding the Old and the New

Creature

Memory Verse: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new - 2 Corinthians 5:17
The starting point for all believers is the ‘Born Again’ experience (John 3:3-4, 1 Pet.1:23).
This salvation experience causes, a translation and not a transformation, from the kingdom
of darkness to the kingdom of light and a new creature is given birth to. This study provides
a fundamental knowledge on the old and the new creature and the unique differences between
them.

0.1 Understanding the Old Creature

The old creature describes the state of Man prior to Salvation. It is also referred to as the
Adamic nature having a natural inward inclination to sin. A power from within perpetually
draws it to sin and it can neither resist nor deliver itself from it. Some characteristics of the
old creature include;

1. It is inherently sinful and cannot deliver itself; Rom. 3:23, Rom. 5:12,17-19, Col.
1:12-13

2. It is condemned by God and subject to the devil; John 3:18, John 3:36, Rom. 8:1

3. It cannot please God; Rom. 8:6-8, Heb. 11:6

4. It is under the curse of death; Rom.6:23, Rom 8:2, Gal. 3:13, Gen 3:16-19

5. It is under the influence of the wicked one; Eph 2:2

6. It cannot approach the presence of God; Hab 1:13a, Prov. 15:8

7. It cannot partake in eternal life; Gal. 5:19-21

God has condemned the old creature and will not have anything to do with it; Prov.
13:15 However, because of his love, He has provided a means of reconciling man back to
Himself; John 3:16, 1 John 3:16, 2 Cor. 5:19. This is the essence of salvation.

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0.2 Understanding the New Creature
As opposed to the old creature, the new creature describes the state of man after salvation.
Just as death came through the sin of one man, Adam, so likewise is life given through the
death of one man, the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 5:12-21. The state of the former represents
the old man/creature while the latter represents the new creature. The following are some
attributes of the new creature;

1. Dead to sin but alive to God; Rom. 6:2, Gal. 2:20

2. Translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light; Rom. 8:1

3. Walk in the newness of spirit; Rom 6:4

4. Has power to overcome sin; 1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:1, 4-5

5. At peace with God; 2 Cor. 5:19

6. Access to God; Eph 2:13-15, Rom 8:15

7. It has the assurance of eternal life; 1 John 2:25

0.3 Understanding the Process of the New Birth

God is not willing that any man should perish but for all to have eternal life 2 Pet. 3:9.
Although salvation is a free gift to all, nothwithstanding, God is limited by our choice. Man
has a free will. God will not force man to accept His way of escape from sin.
The process of new birth involves the following;

1. To confess and forsake sin; Prov. 28:13

2. To receive Christ as the Lord and personal savior; John 1:12

3. To be IN Christ

4. It is a function of His grace and not by our works; Eph 2:8, Tit. 3:5

5. To live by faith in the son of God; Gal 2:20

0.4 Conclusion
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross marks the distinction between the old and the new
creature. Our choice determines what creature we would be. Accept Him today and become
a new creature.

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0.5 Worksheet
1. Identify the attributes of the old creature.

2. Identify the attributes of the new creature.

3. What is the significance of the death of Christ?

4. How can a man be IN Christ?