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Christ Shed His Blood For The Church

April 30, 2006

THE BLOOD OFFERINGS WERE EXCLUSIVELY FOR ISRAEL

Hebrews 9:1-3,6-7 Then verily the first covenant (made through the mediator Moses with Israel at Mount Sinai) had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shew bread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors [“sins,” Nas] of the people (the children of Israel).

The tabernacle and the priesthood was for Israel alone

Exodus 29:44-45 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office. 45 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

Numbers 8:19 And I have given the Levitesas a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

Blood sacrifices were offered for the sins of Israel

Hebrews 7:27 “…daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s (the children of Israel)…”

The nation of Israel was God’s elect people

Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

Psalm 135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Isaiah 44:1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:

Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

They were a Covenant people

Exodus 34:27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

Deuteronomy 5:2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Psalm 89:3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant.

The old covenant was made with blood

Exodus 24:7-8 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Hebrews 9:18 Therefore not even the first covenantwas dedicated without blood.

The sprinkling of blood symbolized a sanctified people

Leviticus 8:30 And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons’ garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.

Israel was "the church" in the wilderness

Acts 7:38 This is he (Moses), that was in the church (the children of Israel) in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him on Mount Sinai, and withour fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.

The majority of Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah

John 1:11 He (Jesus) came unto his own (His own nation), and his own received him not.

Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him (the nation of Israel), and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

Not all Israel was reckoned as the true Israel

Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God (“the things concerning the kingdom of God,” Acts8:12-14) hath taken none effect. For they (Israelites, v.4) are not all Israel (the Israel of God, a believing remnant, spiritual Israel, elect Israel), which are of Israel (natural Israel, Israel of the flesh).

the churches “in Christ” became “the israel of god”

Galatians 6:15-16 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

To be “ in Christ” is to a member of His church

Galatians 1:22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.

We are “in Christ” by baptism

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you (members in “the churches of Galatia,” 1:2) as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed (his one seed), and heirs according to the promise (“heirs of the world,” Rom.4:13).

God’s elect are found in the new covenant churches

2 John 1 The elder unto the elect lady (a local church) and her children (members of the body), whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth

Christ made “the new covenant in His blood”

with His church

Luke 22:14,20 “…he (Jesus) sat down, and the twelve apostles (they represented Christ’s church, the Israel of God, the believing remnant of Israel) with him. 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

the new covenant refers to ruling in the kingdom

Luke 22:29-30 And, I, covenant unto you—as my Father hath covenanted unto me— a kingdom, 30 That ye may eat and drink, at my table, in my kingdom, and sit upon thrones, judging [or ruling over], the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus is High Priest over His church

Hebrews 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God.

1Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Christ purchased the church “with His own blood”

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves (elders at the church of Ephesus, v.17), and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God (at Ephesus, the many members of the body), which he hath purchased with his own blood.

only The church members have access to the cup

1 Corinthians 11:20,23-26 When you (“the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,” 1:2) meet together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath ~~eternal~~ age-lasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Redemption is only “in Christ” through His blood

Ephesians 1:7 In Him (Jesus Christ, v.5 – in His elect body – the church) we (His elect members of His body, v.4) have [present tense] redemption through His blood, The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

Forgiveness of sins is available only for

His covenant people

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them (“all the house of Israel,” v.36 – the majority of Israel that was in unbelief), Repent, and be baptized(in water – a sign of the new covenant Col.2:11-12) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the the forgiveness of sins, (Mk1:4; Lk.3:3) and ye shall receive the gift of [or from] the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them (“Peter and to the rest of the apostles,” v.36 – the leaders of the Christ’s church, the Israel of God) about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church(in Jerusalem) daily such as should be saved (from judgment).

The church shall reign by His blood

Revelation 1:4-6 John to the seven churches which are in Asia 5… Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.