The new creation (Greek: καινὴ κτίσις) is a concept found in the Old Testament and New Testament. The concept is presented in two ways. On the one hand it refers to the personal spiritual transformation of individual believers in the present age, specifically relating to the new life (ἐν καινότητι ζωῆς) and new nature gained via spiritual rebirth through Christ Jesus) (καινός ἄνθρωπος). On the other hand it refers to the ultimate, cosmic renewal of the entire physical universe at the end of time, with reference to the Genesis creation narrative.
Often the themes of the Genesis creation and new creation are contrasted. For example, in Colossians chapter 1, the old creation and new creation in Christ (1:15-20) are compared with the new creation (vv. 21–23).[
The New Creation as Personal Transformation
The most direct and frequent New Testament references to “new creation” (Greek: kaine ktisis) refer to the radical, qualitative change that occurs in an individual who puts their faith in Jesus Christ.
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- 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come”. This passage emphasises an immediate change in a believer’s spiritual status, identity, and relationship with God. The old life, dominated by sin and separation from God, is gone, and a new life, aligned with God’s purposes, has begun.
- Galatians 6:15: “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation”. Here, Paul emphasises that external religious practices or ethnic identity are irrelevant compared to the fundamental, internal transformation of belonging to Christ. This highlights the creation of a new, inclusive community (the Church) that transcends old divisions.
- The language of a new creation is not limited to the above two verses in the Authorized King James Version that include that actual phrase (Gal. 6:15, 2 Cor 5:17). Other passages, such as Galatians 6:12-16, 2 Corinthians 5:14-19, Ephesians 2:11-22, Ephesians 4:17-24, and Colossians 3:1-11 present new creation teaching also, without that exact phrase.
- Other references to the concept include Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” The old, Adamic creation could not be said to be in any sense “in Christ,” so this must therefore be speaking of new creation.
- Ongoing Renewal: This new life is described as a process of spiritual growth and sanctification (becoming holy). Believers are exhorted to “put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, which has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
The New Creation as Cosmic Restoration
The Bible also speaks of a future, ultimate renewal of the entire physical universe, often referred to as the “new heavens and a new earth.”
The theology of new creation arises from the Old Testament. In light of the coming destruction as covenant curses, the prophets also speak of a subsequent restoration afterwards. Among the ways that this restoration is described is through new creation. For example, Isaiah 65:17 (NIV) reads, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” This Old Testament prophecy looks forward to a time of complete restoration and peace, where suffering and sorrow are absent. The remainder of Isaiah 65-66 explores the nature of new creation.
The New Testament picks up the theme of cosmic renewal and restoration. For example Revelation 21:1-5 provides a vivid vision of this future reality: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea… And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new'”. This signifies the final end of all evil, death, and pain, and the establishment of God’s eternal dwelling place with humanity on a transformed earth.
Other New Testament Allusions
The first words of Matthew may also be an allusion to the idea of a new creation, with a double entendre in Matthew’s word genesis (γένεσις) between the meanings of “origin”, “Genesis” (the first book of Moses) and “genealogy”:
- Genesis 1:0 Septuagint: The Book of Creation [of Moses] (Βίβλος γενέσεως [Μωσέως])
- Matthew 1:1 Koine Greek: The Book of Creation of Jesus Christ (Βίβλος γενέσεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ)
In the story of the two disciples walking to Emmaus at the end of his gospel, Luke states that “their eyes were opened,” (24:31), mirroring Genesis 3:7.
There are also allusions of new creation in the Gospel of John including:
- John starts with the words “In the beginning was the word,” mirroring the beginning of Genesis.
- Jesus’ final words in John are “it is finished” John 19:30, mirroring the words of “completed” in Genesis 2:1.
- Emphasising twice that the resurrection events occurred on “the first day of the week” John 20:1,19.
- The resurrection of Jesus being the implied eighth sign after seven signs in the Gospel of John, indicating a week of creation and then a new creation beginning with the resurrection.
- The resurrection of Jesus takes place from within a garden tomb (19:41) and, upon encountering the risen Jesus, Mary Magdalene initially thinks him to be “the gardener” (20:15). This emphasis on the garden and Jesus being the gardener, may be an allusion to Eden, the garden God planted (Gen. 2:8) to which the first humans were sent to be gardeners.
- Jesus breathes on the disciples, saying “receive the Holy Spirit” John 20:22, mirroring God breathing into Adam in Genesis 2:7.
Summary
The “new creation” in the Bible encompasses both a present spiritual reality for individual believers and an ultimate physical destiny for the entire cosmos. The personal transformation experienced by Christians now is seen as a foretaste and a sign of the full, future renewal that God will bring to all creation.
