Lesson 3011

Lesson (3011)(03-30-20) Hebrews 9:1-10
    “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”

   In yesterday’s lesson, we established that the sacrifices of “meats and drinks” that the ancient Jews were required to offer to the high priest actually accomplished nothing so far as the perfection that is required to redeem a lost soul is concerned. The ONLY means of redemption came when Jesus, The Son of God in man, lived a totally sinfree life and became the perfect sacrifice for ALL who would come to have faith in Him.
    In the final part of the quote, Paul listed “divers washings” as a “carnal ordinance” that was imposed upon the ancient Jews that was only required  “the time of reformation”, or, until Jesus came and made the ultimate sacrfice for the souls of mankind.
    It is very important to note that the word “washings”, as it is applied in Paul’s list, was transliterated from the Greek word, baptisma, a variation of the word baptizo, from which the words baptize, baptized, baptizing etc were all transliterated.
    The point is that the ritual of baptizing, as Paul made clear in the quote, was done away along with the rest of the law when Jesus died for our sins fulfilling the law for all who will believe in Him.
    The information Paul confirmed in the quote, again, puts to rest the false contention that water baptism is a prerequisite to the salvation of one’s eternal soul.As is made clear throughout the New testament, “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)~