Yes, being a new creation means God creates a new divine nature within the believer, making all things new.
As Les Feldick teaches, when a person believes in Christ's death and resurrection, God imparts a new nature that cannot sin. This is a work of creation, not mere improvement. Old things pass away, and a new spiritual life begins.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — This verse is the core passage where Paul states that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This verse indicates that being in Christ results in a complete transformation. The old life is gone, and a new life begins. The Bible also emphasizes that this is a work of God, as seen in verse 18: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ."
Les Feldick teaches that being a new creation is a work of God's power, not a mere improvement. He explains that the moment we believe in the gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, God creates within us a new nature that is divine and cannot sin. This new nature is placed by an act of God, but we still have the old flesh that can trip us up. Les emphasizes that this is what Paul means by "old things are passed away"—the old lifestyle, habits, and appetites are gone.
Being "in Christ" is a positional term. Les Feldick explains that when a person believes, they are baptized into the body of Christ and are now "hid in God." This position makes them a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).
Les teaches that the new nature is a divine nature created by God. It is placed within the believer and cannot sin because it is divine. However, the old flesh remains and can still cause struggles.
This transformation happens when we believe in the Christ of the cross and Resurrection. God performs a work of regeneration and justification, making us a new creation. It is all part of the plan of salvation through Christ's death and resurrection.
The results are that old things pass away—old lifestyle, habits, and appetites—and all things become new. As a result of salvation, we are also reconciled to God and given the ministry of reconciliation.
Les explains that a new believer is like a baby in Christ, needing spiritual nourishment and protection. The Christian life is a process of growth, not instant maturity. The new creation changes our outlook and desires, but it takes time to mature.
Why Paul Said "We Know Christ No More" — 2 Corinthians 5:16
heard a voice saying, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Now the voice of course is also coming from heaven, and so the pronoun me strikes the man, well it must be God speaking. And so Saul responds, Who art thou Lord? Now you want to remember the word Lord in the Jewish vocabulary was that which replaced Jehovah. They didn't want to even voice that word.
In Christ Position
Les explains that being in Christ is a positional term, and that person is a new creation, with old things passed away.
God's Work of Creation
Les emphasizes that the word 'creature' is better translated 'creation' because salvation is a work of God's power, creating a new nature.
New Divine Nature
Les explains that God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin, but we still have the old flesh that trips us up.
Faith in Christ's Resurrection
Les teaches that when we believe in the Christ of the cross and resurrection, God works regeneration and justification, making us a new creation.
Result of Salvation
Les connects being a new creation with our position as citizens of heaven and the reconciliation that comes through Christ.
New Believer Growth
Les compares new believers to infants who need time to grow, showing that the new creation affects our outlook and desires but maturity takes time.
Old Things Passed Away
Les explains that 'old things are passed away' refers to the old lifestyle and habits, and all things become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This is the central verse defining the new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:18: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
This verse shows that the new creation is from God and includes reconciliation.
According to Les Feldick, the new creation happens at the moment of believing, when God imparts a new divine nature. However, the Christian life is a growth process, and becoming mature in faith takes time.
Les explains that the new nature is divine and cannot sin, but believers still have the old flesh that can cause them to stumble.
Les teaches that this refers to the old lifestyle, habits, and appetites that are gone as a result of salvation.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Said "We Know Christ No More" — 2 Corinthians 5:16