This section of our web guide focuses on Christian churches and fellowships that ascribe, in whole or in large part, to New Covenant theology (NCT), a theological position that teaches that the person and work of Jesus Christ is the central focus of the Bible.
New Covenant theology asserts that Old Testament laws have been abrogated with Christ's crucifixion and replaced by the Law of Christ under the New Covenant. While sharing affinities with both Dispensationalism and Reformed Covenant theology, NCT stakes out a distinct position on how covenants unfold redemptively in history.
At the heart of NCT lies a Christocentric hermeneutic: the New Testament interprets the Old. When a New Testament author applies an Old Testament passage in an unexpected way, NCT holds that God's interpretation supersedes a purely "plain-sense" reading. For example, James' use of Amos 9:11-12 in Acts 15 redefines "David's fallen tent" as inclusive of Gentile salvation, an interpretation NCT regards as divinely authoritative.
New Covenant theology arose as a mediating framework between Reformed Covenant theology's emphasis on continuity and Dispensationalism's stress on discontinuity. Its roots trace back to the early fathers and Anabaptist thinkers who read the Bible through the lens of Christ's fulfillment of the Old Covenant. Modern advocates, many in the "believer's church" tradition, have systematized these insights into what we now call New Covenant theology.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:6-13 serve as foundational texts, announcing and interpreting the coming of a "better covenant." In 2 Corinthians 3:6, Paul contrasts the "letter" (the Mosaic code) with the "Spirit" under the New Covenant, underscoring internal transformation over external regulation.
A consistent Christocentric reading of covenants yields six key distinctives: 1) one unified plan of redemption centered in Jesus Christ; 2) progressive covenant culminating in the New Covenant's fulfillment of all prior promises; 3) the Old Covenant as a temporary, conditional works covenant superseded at Pentecost; 4) abrogation of the Mosaic Law and its replacement by the Law of Christ; 5) the People of God defined corporately in union with Christ - Jew and Gentile alike; and 6) the Kingdom of God realized in the Church under Christ's everlasting reign. Taken together, these points distinguish NCT from both Covenant theology and Dispensationalism.
Although New Covenant theology finds loose expression in various church-planting networks, several independent fellowships explicitly align with its convictions.
New Covenant Fellowship Ministries (NCBF) is a non-denominational network that frames ministry around three biblical pillars, Covenant, Israel, and Law, and teaches the end of the Mosaic Covenant and the inauguration of the Law of Christ for the Church today.
Cross to Crown Ministries provides pastors and churches with resources on NCT's redemptive-historical flow, hermeneutics, and how to apply New Covenant distinctives in local contexts.
Striving for Eternity Ministries publishes primers on NCT's definition, hermeneutic priority of the New Testament, and law-versus-grace debates, hosting conferences that draw independent pastors and elders seeking a New Covenant framework.
New Covenant International University (NCIU) is an educational institution offering distance-learning degrees in Biblical and Theological Studies grounded in New Covenant principles, thereby equipping leaders for non-denominational and house-church contexts around the world.
Beyond these examples, several independent churches and house-church networks in the "believer's church" tradition have informally adopted New Covenant theology's Christ-centered hermeneutic and covenantal schema to shape preaching, discipleship, and governance.
Several churches and Christian fellowships incorporate "New Covenant" into their names, but are not otherwise aligned with the New Covenant theology movement. For example, New Covenant Ministries International is an international apostolic-prophetic church-planting network, but its doctrinal statements reflect a charismatic, apostolic ministry model rather than the redemptive-historical schema of New Covenant theology. Its use of "New Covenant" refers broadly to Christ's inaugurated kingdom rather than to the specific theological school that bears the same name.
Many independent Reformed and Particular Baptist churches adopt New Covenant theology as a mediating position between classic Covenant theology and Dispensationalism. These congregations emphasize Christ's person and work as the hermeneutical key for interpreting all Scripture, viewing the Mosaic covenant as temporary and entirely superseded by the New Covenant in Christ. For the sake of categorization, however, we will include these in the Reformed and Baptist sections of our guide.
Recommended Resources
Christ Fellowship of Kansas City
Christ Fellowship is a network of house churches in the Northland region of Kansas City. They emphasize gospel proclamation, mutual discipleship, and building the church from house to house, with meetings occurring in homes rather than traditional sanctuaries. The fellowship ascribes to many of the tenets of New Covenant theology, asserting that the Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ, thus becoming obsolete, and that Christ's teachings are the authority concerning conduct.
https://christfellowshipkc.org/
Cross to Crown Ministries was formed to help Christians become intentionally Christ-obsessed in every aspect of life. Ascribing to a New Covenant theology, the ministry holds that Jesus came to fulfill everything in the Old Testament Scriptures and that He inaugurated an entirely new, superior, and everlasting covenant with all who believe the gospel. This is what distinguishes New Covenant theology from other evangelical understandings. Books by John G. Reinsinger may be purchased online.
https://crosstocrown.org/
In-Depth Studies (IDS) is a theological teaching ministry dedicated to equipping believers with a robust theological foundation in the Doctrines of Grace (TULIP) and the perspectives of New Testament theology. Based on the teachings of Geoff Volker, IDS offers conversational forums, training events, and online resources. The full text of the NCT Confession of Faith is provided, along with a directory of NCT churches, a video course in New Covenant theology, and free audio and video courses.
https://ids.org/
NCBF began as the result of a church plant in 2000 and is an informal family of believers who meet in Gilbert, Arizona. The NCBF holds to the Doctrines of Grace, the Five Points of Calvinism, Believer's Baptism, and the perspective of New Covenant Theology. Meeting schedules and locations are provided, along with contact details, the NCBF Church Constitution, and the New Covenant Confession of Faith. A sermon archive and an online contact form are provided.
https://www.ncbf.net/
New Covenant Christian Ministries
With campuses in Lithonia and Covington, Georgia, New Covenant Christian Ministries is a faith community adhering to New Covenant theology. Its website features directions to both campuses, an upcoming events calendar, information about its small groups, premarital and marital groups, a member care directory, administrative forms, and MDI enrollment for youth and family discipleship programs. Its core ministries and offerings are featured, and contacts are provided.
https://newcov.org/
