Chapters 7-9 Do not contain very much devotional material. Chapter 7 deals specifically with the different gifts that were given by the covenant community with the expressed purpose of being used in the tabernacle. They are described. Chapter 8 deals with the lamp and the lamp stand in the tabernacle.
Chapter 8 deals with getting the Levites ceremonially clean. The process involved the sprinkling of the water of cleansing. (Another and more familiar way to say that is simply "Holy water.") The last thing that happens is they go through a laying on of the hands ceremony. This sounds eerily familiar with Christian initiation in the New Testament.
The Christian is washed with water, in the name of the Lord, and the have a laying on of hands, and the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
The second Passover is celebrated in chapter 9. There are specific rules to be made, and this is a mandatory feast. There is an exception made for people who are unclean or away on a journey. It should be noted that the people who were away, or were unclean came and asked Moses if they could participate in the Passover feast. This is not something that people should feel is being "forced" on them.
The Christian Passover is celebrated every day in both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The Eucharist is how we participate in this Passover. Jesus is the bread of life. His blood is the fourth cup. He sustains us with his own true presence in the Eucharist.
Chapter 9 also speaks of the Cloud of the Lord. The Cloud of the Lord "overshadowed" the tabernacle. Numbers 9:18 is significant to Christians because it is a type of Mary. Just as the Spirit of the Lord overshadowed the tabernacle in the wilderness, that same Spirit of the Lord overshadowed Mary. Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and Christ was conceived.
Chapter 10-10:10 finish up this section of Numbers. The Lord commands Moses to make two trumpets, and these trumpets were used to signal when it was time for everyone to pack up and move on.
CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD
ReplyDeleteCALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD?
What is the meaning of calling on the name of the Lord? Many assume that believing in Jesus and saying a form of a sinner's prayer constitutes, calling on the name of the Lord. The problem with that theory is none of the conversions under the New Covenant support that assumption. Not one time is anyone ever told to believe and say the sinner's prayer in order to be saved.
The apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost quoted the prophet Joel, Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
The apostle Peter preached the first gospel sermon under the New Covenant. Peter did not tell the 3000 converts to believe and say the sinner's prayer.
Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He preached Jesus as both Lord and Christ. When they heard this they asked Peter and the rest of the brethren what they should do?(Acts 2:22-37) Peter told them what to do. Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)
How did the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost call on the name of the Lord and become saved?
1. They believed that Jesus was both Lord and Christ.
2. They believed that God raised Jesus from the grave.
3. They repented. Repentance is a change of heart. Repentance means to be converted so that God may forgive your sins. Repentance is to make the intellectual commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God. (Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38)
4. They were immersed in water (baptized) so that their sins could be forgiven.
How did the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost not call on the name of the Lord?
1. They did not say a sinner's prayer.
2. Not one person was asked to pray for forgiveness.
3. Not one single man was told to be baptized as a testimony of his faith.
4. No one was told that water baptism was a just an act of obedience.
5. No one was informed they were saved the very minute they believed.
6. Not one person was told that water baptism was not essential for the forgiveness of sins.
7. Not one person was told to be baptized so they could join a denominational church.
Jesus said he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16"16) Jesus did not say he who believes and says a sinner's prayer shall be saved.
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