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The Everlasting Gospel
Justification - by faith in the protecting blood
Thus he/she should be re-born at home, not in the sanctuary.
See note 1, page 25. See also Exodus 12:1-10 and note verses 43-49, Appendix B, page 36, 40.Before the Feast of Unleavened Bread was the Passover Feast, the first of all the ceremonies, by which we are shown the EXCHANGE of natures, which is called "justification". There are three things in the rituals which are associated with the pass over – circumcision, the flesh of the lamb, and the blood on the doorposts, and we should teach all three in our explanation of re-birth.
We should know that "justification" takes place out in the world, not in the sanctuary courtyard (for that represents the church in the world), and justification is available to all, not just church members.
At that time, Christ’s sinless nature is shown as being imparted to the sinner, and that of the sinner is given to our Saviour, thus reversing their roles. "For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him". 2 Corinthians 5:21. This is justification "by faith". If we have faith in a creator God and in His word, He will make it happen. The "blood" of the "Passover Lamb" will then protect us from the condemnation of our past life.
This is because the "old life" (the sinner) is "dead and buried" (cut off in circumcision, Romans 2:29), and a new life has begun (Christ within when the lamb is eaten, Colossians 1:27). None of the Christian’s former actions as a sinner will ever be mentioned again. They are paid for by the "death" of the Passover LAMB who will carry their cause (our old nature) forever in His eternal sacrifice. "Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour". Ephesians 5:1-2. It is His "blood" which then gives us the protection to "walk in love" which is called "sanctification".
(In the book "Pilgrim’s Progress", it is at this point that Pilgrim’s "burden" drops off his back, and he is re-named "Christian".)
Pass over is a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience dealing with our INTERNAL inherited sinfulness, and is pictured by baptism in the New Testament.
Romans 6:9-12, note 2, page 25. (Baptism was NOT used in the New Testament times as an entrance ritual into the church, but as a symbol of our death with the Son of God!) Although the ceremonial round of Passover was repeated new every year for the latest group of thirteen-year olds (see note 3, page 26), it was a "remembrance" for older Christians, similar to feet-washing and the LORD’s supper, for "pass over" once started is a continuing process. Luke 2:42; John 13:9-10.The state of sinfulness and the actions of sins in the past life of the Christian are NOT passed on to the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement for they are never pictured as being in the sanctuary building which represents one aspect of our Saviour.
See Appendix C, page 41.
In the plan we can see the courtyard which is separated from the rest of the world by a low hanging wall made of white linen which represents the covering of righteousness with which Christ clothes His saints. The courtyard is the symbol of the church in the world, but not of it. The building houses God and shows us the way to approach Him. The first apartment is used only by the priests for the daily or continual communion with Him, and the second is for the once-and-for-all removal of His peoples’ sins from the universe.
A wise man once wrote along these lines:
The separation from sinfulness is in death. That’s because death is in sin.
"Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death," we are told. James 1:15.
Therefore nothing less than death will effect a separation from sin.
"Sinners" cannot separate themselves from sin, because sin is their very life. If it was possible for sinners to destroy the sin in themselves, it could only be by the giving up of their lives, and that would be the end of them. But Christ has the power to lay down His life, and to take it again; and therefore when we lay down our lives IN Him, we are raised again by His endless life. See
Romans 6:1-7, note 4, page 26.Remember that He does not give us our own life back again at re-birth, but that He gives us His life. In that life there never was a sin; and so it is that our crucifixion and resurrection with Him is the separation of our past sinful life from us.
Today, in New Testament times, God uses His supper to replace the Old Testament Passover.
Paul tells us:
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(Begin quote)1 Corinthians 11:
23
For I have received of the LORD that which also I delivered to you, That the LORD Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took [the Passover] bread: 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me".25
After the same manner also he took the cup [of the Passover], when he had supped, saying, "This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do you, as oft as you drink it, in remembrance of Me" 26 for as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the LORD's death till He come.27
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the LORD, unworthily, shall be guilty of [misusing] the body and blood of the LORD.30
For this cause [not discerning the power of the LORD’s body in our offering] many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [have already died]. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. [If we discerned, we would not be condemned. Romans 5:1; 8:1-2.]***************
(End quote)And after the pass over came the baptism.
"Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud
[containing the Son of God], and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea [in water and the Spirit]; and did all eat the same spiritual meat [food, the Scriptures]; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed [went with] them: and that Rock was Christ". 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
oooOooo
The sanctuary as viewed from the south
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