Yes, being a new creation in Christ means God performs a work of creation in the believer, making old things pass away and all things become new.
Les Feldick teaches that when a person believes the Gospel, God does a work of creation, putting a new divine nature within them. This results in old things passing away and all things becoming new, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:17. This new creation is a work of God's power, not human effort, and it changes the believer's outlook and desires.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — This verse is the central passage directly stating that a person in Christ is a new creation, with old things passed away and all things become new.
The Bible states in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV): "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 fundamental change, where the past is gone and a new reality begins. The context (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) explains that Christ died for all, so those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him. The new creation is a result of Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, which changes the believer's relationship to the world and to God.
Les Feldick emphasizes that being a new creation is a work of God, not a human achievement. He explains that the Greek word translated 'creature' in the KJV is better rendered 'creation' because it highlights the divine power involved. When a person believes the gospel, God creates a new nature within them, which is divine and cannot sin. However, the old flesh and old Adam remain, so believers still struggle with sin. Les also teaches that this new creation is positional, as believers are placed into Christ by the Holy Spirit, and it results in a completely different outlook and desires, making them a totally different person.
Les Feldick explains that becoming a new creation happens when a person believes the gospel. He states in Clip 6 that 'by believing the Gospel, and let the Holy Spirit do His work, and He places us into the Body of Christ.' This positional placement into Christ is what makes a person a new creation. It is not achieved by human effort but by the grace of God through faith.
According to Les Feldick, becoming a new creation causes a person to become 'a totally different person in your outlook, in your desires' (Clip 7). This change is a result of God's work, and it is not something the believer works for; it comes naturally. However, this transformation is not instantaneous maturity; new believers are like infants who need nourishment and protection as they grow in the Christian life.
Les Feldick clarifies that while a believer receives a new divine nature that cannot sin (Clip 4), they still have 'the old flesh' and 'the old Adam' which are 'still capable of tripping us up.' Thus, believers have both a new nature and an old nature, and the struggle with sin continues until physical death. This teaching is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 and the context of Paul's explanation in Romans.
Paul's Emphasis on the Gospel to All
Les sets the context that Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizes that the gospel has gone to the whole world, not just Israel, setting the stage for the new creation teaching.
Definition of New Creation
Les explains that 'new creation' (better than 'creature') indicates salvation is a work of creation, a work of God's power, and applies to anyone in Christ.
New Nature Created by God
Les teaches that the moment we believe, God creates within us a new nature, making us a new creation with old things passed away.
Conditional Salvation and Creation
Les stresses that being a new creation is conditional on being in Christ and is not just a new creature but a whole new creation of God, making a believer a believer.
The New Divine Nature vs. Old Flesh
Les explains that God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin, but the old flesh remains, so believers still face temptation and sin.
Positional New Creation
Les connects being a new creation to our position as citizens of heaven, living on earth, and how all things become new as a result of salvation.
How We Get into Christ
Les explains that by believing the gospel, the Holy Spirit places us into the Body of Christ, making us a new creation through an invisible work of God.
New Creation Changes the Believer
Les describes that believing results in a totally different person with new outlook and desires, although it takes time to mature in the Christian life.
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 key verse that directly answers the question and is the foundation of Les's teaching.
Les Feldick explains that the Greek word is the same, but 'creation' fits better in English because salvation is a work of God's power, making us a whole new creation.
Les teaches that the new nature is divine and cannot sin, but the old flesh remains, so believers still struggle with sin.
By believing the Gospel, the Holy Spirit places the believer into the Body of Christ, making them a new creation.
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