The Old and the New, Part 2

Review

Must sometimes remind ourselves that this was written to a group of folks with Jewish history, tradition and mindset...

Christianity was a lot of new things to them

Helpful to return all the way to

Hebrews 1:1–3 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Earthly place of worship, the temple

The temple as it is today…the body of the believer (can also be the church…but that’s another issue)

Mentioned the atonement—the sacrifice that appeases

The OT system had a repetitive sacrifice…over and over...

Temple also had elaborate systems for cleansing

It could NOT perfect the conscience of the worshiper

…merely restored a ceremonially clean status—he could rejoin worship,

…means he could again serve…new paradigm

>>in temple worship, really only priests and Levites served

Set up the reality of worship being costly…and ugly

But....

When Christ Appeared

Sees the entire birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection as one event...

Entered into a better holy place…and most holy place

Not made with hands…speaking of Heaven itself

one and done

by His own blood

from a body not spotted by sin or blemish

By this, our conscience is purified

We can know that our sin is forgiven

Our past is in the past

John writes

1 John 2:1 ESV

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

…that takes us to part 3