The apostles lived during the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. This pivotal change is central to the narrative of the New Testament. The Old Covenant, established between God and the Israelites, centered around the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai. It included moral, ceremonial, and civil laws that governed the people’s relationship with God and each other.

Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection signified the establishment of the New Covenant, promised in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:31-34) and fulfilled in the New. This New Covenant is characterized by the internalization of God’s law through the Holy Spirit, the universal availability of forgiveness of sins, and a direct, personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

The apostles, initially living under the Old Covenant, became the primary agents of the New Covenant’s message after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. On the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them, empowering them to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. This event marked the beginning of the Church Age and the full realization of the New Covenant era.

Hebrews 8:13 says, “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” This indicates the apostles’ role in transitioning from the Old to the New Covenant, living as examples of the new life and relationship with God made possible through Jesus Christ.