Billy Myron begins by introducing 2 Corinthians 5:17 as a central verse, critiquing common English translations (e.g., “new creature” instead of “new creation”). He argues the passage refers not to individual regeneration at conversion but to the corporate new creation—the body of Christ—established as something entirely new starting at Pentecost in the dispensation of grace (not at Christ’s birth or incarnation). This “new kind” of creation features “all things become new,” emphasizing a fresh reality for believers.
He connects this to the body of Christ as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, where Paul uses the analogy of a human body with many members to illustrate unity despite diverse spiritual gifts. The body is one, with Christ as its head (referencing Ephesians 4:15-16 and Ephesians 5:23, where Christ is the Savior and head of the church/body). Entry into this body occurs by Spirit baptism, eliminating prior distinctions (Jew/Gentile, slave/free).
A major hallmark of this new creation is the lack of distinctions. In Galatians 6:15, Paul states neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation does. Galatians 3:26-28 reinforces this: believers are children of God by faith, baptized into Christ, having “put on Christ,” with no Jew/Greek, slave/free, male/female—all one in Christ Jesus. This abolishes old dispensational barriers under the law, where Jews were distinct and nearer to God, while Gentiles were aliens, strangers, without hope (Ephesians 2:11-12).
In Ephesians 2:13-15, Gentiles (far off) are now “made near” by Christ’s blood, which breaks down the middle wall of partition, abolishes enmity (the law’s ordinances), and creates “one new man” out of two groups, making peace. This “new man” echoes the new creation theme, forming a third entity—the church—distinct from Israel.
Billy addresses positional vs. practical aspects: Positionally, believers are near to God (Hebrews 7:19; Ephesians 2:13), but James 4:8 exhorts drawing near (practical application). Positional truths (e.g., righteousness, nearness) provide opportunities non-believers lack, but do not guarantee consistent behavior—carnality can hinder living them out.
He discusses “putting on Christ”:
Galatians 3:27: Positional—those baptized into Christ have (past tense) put on Christ.
Romans 13:14: Practical—put on the Lord Jesus Christ to avoid fulfilling fleshly lusts.
Ephesians 4:22-24 and Colossians 3:9-14: Put off the old man (corrupt practices) and put on the new man (renewed in knowledge, created in righteousness/holiness), linked to changed behavior (e.g., kindness, forgiveness, love as the bond of maturity). This ties to setting the mind on things above, since believers died and their life is hidden with Christ.
The teaching stresses that positional truth is not mere trivia—it should reshape thinking and enable victory over sin/flesh (previewing upcoming lessons on co-death and co-resurrection with Christ in Romans 6). The new creation/body eliminates old distinctions, brings nearness, and equips believers for practical holy living in grace.
