The Worship of God under the Old Covenant and in New Covenant
“In the Old Testament, the New is concealed; in the New (Testament) the Old is revealed”
St. Augustine
Old Covenant (Israel): Confession. Having confessed their sins and having them absolved by the priest, God’s people entered His presence for worship.
New Covenant (the Church): Confession. Having confessed our sins and having them absolved by the priest, we enter His presence for worship.
Old Covenant (Israel): God's Word (the Torah, Writings, and Prophets) was proclaimed: Sacred Scripture was declared to remind people of God's plan of redemption and call them to repentance and to live as His people.
New Covenant (the Church): God's Word (from Old to New Testament) is proclaimed! Sacred Scripture is declared to remind Christians of God's plan of redemption and call us to repentance and to live as His people.
Old Covenant (Israel): Preaching and Teaching of the Word: God's covenant people were expected to and compelled to respond to God's Word (Sacred Scripture) with faith and obedience.
New Covenant (the Church): Preaching and Teaching of the Word: God's New Covenant people are expected to and compelled to respond to God's word (Sacred Scripture) with faith and obedience.
Old Covenant (Israel): Participated in a covenant meal: God's people shared in the benefits of the sacrifice and went forth in peace.
New Covenant (the Church): Participate in a New Covenant meal (Eucharist): People share in the benefits of Christ's once and for all sacrifice, and went forth in peace.
Old Covenant (Israel): Offerings: Worshipers offered sin offerings, guilt offerings, burnt offerings, and grain offerings.
New Covenant (the Church): Offerings: Christian worshippers offer the sacrifice of praise and in the memorial Mass, thanksgiving is offered for His sacrifice on the cross. In the Mass, God's people participate in the one sacrifice of Christ, which by grace, through faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, is re-presented to His people.
Old Covenant (Israel): Music: Music was an important part of worship, with singers and musicians surrounding the ark in the tabernacle to sing hymns and Psalms.
New Covenant (the Church): Music: Music was an important part of worship in the Church. Hymns and Psalms are sung.
Old Covenant (Israel): Prayer: Prayer was a central part of worship in the Temple and synagogues.
New Covenant (the Church): Prayer is a central part of worship in the Catholic Church.
New Covenant (the Church): Confession. Having confessed our sins and having them absolved by the priest, we enter His presence for worship.
Old Covenant (Israel): God's Word (the Torah, Writings, and Prophets) was proclaimed: Sacred Scripture was declared to remind people of God's plan of redemption and call them to repentance and to live as His people.
New Covenant (the Church): God's Word (from Old to New Testament) is proclaimed! Sacred Scripture is declared to remind Christians of God's plan of redemption and call us to repentance and to live as His people.
Old Covenant (Israel): Preaching and Teaching of the Word: God's covenant people were expected to and compelled to respond to God's Word (Sacred Scripture) with faith and obedience.
New Covenant (the Church): Preaching and Teaching of the Word: God's New Covenant people are expected to and compelled to respond to God's word (Sacred Scripture) with faith and obedience.
Old Covenant (Israel): Participated in a covenant meal: God's people shared in the benefits of the sacrifice and went forth in peace.
New Covenant (the Church): Participate in a New Covenant meal (Eucharist): People share in the benefits of Christ's once and for all sacrifice, and went forth in peace.
Old Covenant (Israel): Offerings: Worshipers offered sin offerings, guilt offerings, burnt offerings, and grain offerings.
New Covenant (the Church): Offerings: Christian worshippers offer the sacrifice of praise and in the memorial Mass, thanksgiving is offered for His sacrifice on the cross. In the Mass, God's people participate in the one sacrifice of Christ, which by grace, through faith in the power of the Holy Spirit, is re-presented to His people.
Old Covenant (Israel): Music: Music was an important part of worship, with singers and musicians surrounding the ark in the tabernacle to sing hymns and Psalms.
New Covenant (the Church): Music: Music was an important part of worship in the Church. Hymns and Psalms are sung.
Old Covenant (Israel): Prayer: Prayer was a central part of worship in the Temple and synagogues.
New Covenant (the Church): Prayer is a central part of worship in the Catholic Church.