Commentary on "Worship and Dedication"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 7: Friday, October 16, 2009

 

Overview

The lesson gives some good references on the topic of "laying on hands', the most significant being when the Holy Spirit directed the church at Antioch and said; "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." This special ordination is central to Saul's (Paul's) authority to speak the words of Jesus Christ given to him by direct inspiration.

The theme and intended message for the week is revealed in this sentence, found in today's lesson summary:

"The forms of ancient Israel’s worship differ from that of the modern church in the world’s wilderness, but its substance is the same."

 

Problems

While everything related to the Hebrew tabernacle pointed to Jesus Christ and his ministry, it is misleading to say the "substance is the same" as our present day Christian worship because there are a number of critical differences between the two.

Earlier in the week, we saw that it is a curse to rely on the works of the Law, Gal. 3:10. Faith is based on grace, not works, even if you are referring to the works of the law, Eph. 2:8,9. The foundation of the Hebrew tabernacle service was centered upon the law, Gal. 4:22-26, which was from Mount Sinai. Allegorically, these Hebrew people were descendants of Hagar, the slave woman. Christians, on the other hand, have the same faith as Abraham and are the allegorical descendants of Sara, the free woman.

The Hebrew people, on a whole, had no idea who Jesus really was, Matt. 16:13,14. Peter knew because it was revealed to him by God, Matt. 16:15-17. As was already mentioned, the Jews even demanded the death of the Messiah.

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Eph. 3:4-6 ESV)

The "mystery of Christ" was not revealed until New Testament times. What Jesus did and what he revealed to Paul would have been a complete surprise to the Hebrew people in the wilderness if they could have known. For the most part, even modern day Jews do not understand. Remember the story of Nicodemus, John 3:9,10.

The promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, John 14:15-17, 25,26;15:26;16:7,8,13-15, was not given until Jesus had ascended to his Father. The coming of the Holy Spirit is first recorded in Acts 1:1-11. The personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit is unique to the Church, the Body of Christ. It is wrong to imply that the Hebrews were indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is the sign and seal of our Christian faith.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:13,14 ESV)

 

Summary

• While the Hebrew tabernacle and temple service pointed to Jesus Christ and his ministry, this does not mean its substance is the same as the present day Christian faith. Worshiping under the law is not the same as having faith. Their focus was on works and obedience to the law. Ours is on grace. They approached God through the Levitical priesthood, whereas, we have direct access to the Father. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This was something totally unknown to them. The Holy Spirit is the sign and Seal of our faith. The Sabbath was the sign of theirs because they were under the Mosaic Law.

 

 

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