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Q. Some Questions On Leviticus, The Trinity, And Commitment To Christ

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Let me take on your questions one at a time:

Q. Hi, I recently read your transcript on Lev, burnt offerings which was excellent on Bible.org. So as I understand it Jesus death and resurrection took the place of burnt offerings correct?

Our Lord’s death and resurrection did replace the Old Testament offerings. The best explanation of this is found in the New Testament Book of Hebrews, especially chapters 7-10.

https://bible.org/series/near-heart-god-study-book-hebrews

Q. Does a monetary offering at your local church mean / relate to offerings as stated above? Or is it as Jesus said in the new testament about its importance to take that place?

I’m sure that there is a relationship between the Old Testament offerings and those we find in the New, but the New Testament also distinguishes Old Testament giving and sacrifices with those in the New Testament:

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Heb. 13:15-16 NAU)

The New Testament does not speak of giving in terms of percentages and specified amounts, as the Old Testament did (see 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8 and 9; Philippians 4). Gratitude for God’s grace is the motivation for giving. Also, it is important to see our giving as a reflection of the nature of our God. We have been saved to become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:1-4). God’s nature is to graciously give (“This is the way God loved the world . . . He gave . . .” John 3:16). It is no wonder that after the church was born in Acts chapter 2 the overwhelming response of the new believers was to give (Acts 2:41-47; 4:33-37).

I think it should also be noted that the offerings we see in the New Testament were not always “missionary support” (Philippians 4:10-16), but were for the support of those who ministered (1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14), though not without exception (1 Corinthians 9:14ff.; Acts 20:32-35; 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Q. In your years and years of following Christ what would you say is the number one thing that keeps you grounded and committed to a 100% relationship with Christ?

I would have to say three things in response to this question.

  • First, the faithfulness of God to preserve and keep me (2 Timothy 1:12; Philippians 1:6).
  • Second, the Word of God (Acts 20:29-32; John 8:31-32).
  • Third, the church, the body of Christ, and the godly brothers and sisters who encourage me and build me up (Hebrews 10:21-25; Ephesians 4:11-16).

Q. Did the trinity develop through the Old and New Testament? When I read Exodus about God in the cloud to Moses and that Moses wasn’t allowed to look at God at one point on Mount Sinai was it just God at that time or was Jesus already there with the Holy Spirit in heaven?

  • See John 1:1-3; John 8:52-58.
  • As to the second question here, see Genesis 32:30; Deuteronomy 5:4; Judges 6:22. I do think that Moses was very unique, and throughout the history of Israel during the lifetime of Moses, it was Moses’ intimate relationship with God, and His intercession with God for Israel, that spared Israel from being destroyed because of their sin. In this way, Moses is a prototype of Christ. David, also, was “a man after God’s heart,” and who had a very unique and personal intimate relationship with God.
  • As to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, see Genesis 1:2; Exodus 31:3; Numbers 11:17; Psalm 51:11; 139:7; Isaiah 42:1; 44:3; 59:20-21; 63:11.

Was Moses truly the only Biblical “human” to actually communicate with God one on one on earth? I don’t think it is really accurate to say this, but Moses was truly a unique man of God. In fact, God made a point of His unique relationship with Moses when his leadership was challenged by Miriam and Aaron (see Numbers 12).

Blessings,

Bob Deffinbaugh

Related Topics: Christian Life, Sacrifice, Trinity

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