Paul described it in terms of contrast. “He [God] has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (NIV, II Corinthians 3:6) The new covenant—or the new promise—from God took away sins, and promised eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The old covenant—or the old promise—was the set of laws prescribed in the Old Testament.

How did Paul describe the difference between Old Testament followers of the law and the believers of his day? Unlike Moses, who had to hide his face behind a veil when the glory of God passed by, for believers of the new covenant the veil is removed. Paul wrote, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with every-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (NIV, II Corinthians 3:18)