A Cleansed Conscience

The real issue between the Testaments, the author shows, is the contrast between what the respective worshippers knew/know about their sin. In the OT the worshipper was aware of an outward, temporary cleansing whereas in the NT he was aware of one that penetrated to the depths of his being and comprehensively dealt with sin once and for all. The real issue was about how the conscience is cleansed and it is obvious that in the OT this was not possible to have a cleansed conscience due to the nature of the sacrifices that were offered.